The Billionaire’s Pretend Fiancée

Sofie’s POV

I walked into the bustling restaurant with quick, confident strides even though anxiety simmered within me. I clutched my handbag tightly as I reached the backroom, and came face to face with the door to my boss’ office.

“Sofie?” I heard someone call just as I was about to knock on the door. I tilted my neck sideways, and smiled when I saw who it was.

“Brian.” I said as he walked up to me, returning my smile with a wide grin. Brian Goshen was also a worker at the restaurant. He was the coworker who I was closest to.

“Sofie. Where did you run off to? I’ve been trying to call you for three good days, yet your line is always busy. What happened to you? Where did you suddenly sprout out from?” He asked as he held my hand.

I grimaced before reciting the carefully-rehearsed lie I had prepared yesterday. “Actually, I had an emergency. A family emergency. My parents forced me to go and the place had no reception, so I couldn’t take anyone’s call nor could I place calls to people. I’m so sorry .”

Good job, Sofie. Good job. I inwardly praised myself.

“Oh. I hope everything is fine now.” Brian said, letting go of my hand as he eyed me, “Why are you fancily dressed up to work?”

I glanced at my outfit which consisted of a mini black leather skirt, and an oversized white shirt which I stylishly tucked in at the front, and left flaying at the back coupled with the black pumps that my feet were in.

They were the only casual-enough outfit I found among the clothes Roman had bought for me.

The rest were too expensive, and ostentatious to be worn just to submit my resignation letter. I couldn’t tell Brian the truth about my new life, so I just smiled, “It’s a long story. By the way, shouldn’t you get back to work now?” I narrowed my stare on the menu he had in his hand.

He gasped, “Fuck. I almost forgot. I have to go now. Bye, Sofie.” He screeched before he hastily left.

I just smiled fondly at his retreating figure before averting my gaze back to the door.

I inhaled deeply to calm my nerves before I knocked gently.

“Who’s there?” Someone bellowed from within.

I could place the voice. No one else among the people that worked in the restaurant had that distinct, annoying, high pitched voice except Daphne. “It’s Sofie.” I said, repressing the urge to scoff.

I heard shuffling for a moment before I heard keys clacking, “The door is open. You can come in.” I swallowed hard before pushing the door open, and stepping in.

Two pairs of eyes were rooted on me as I walked into the office further, one seemed to widen in surprise, on seeing me while the other looked disgusted by my appearance. “So after disappearing for a week, you finally decided to come back, Queen Sofie. You must think you are all that, huh?” Daphne said, glaring distastefully at me as she tucked in her blouse.

I didn’t  even want to know what she might have been doing  with my boss before I walked in.

“I was only away for four days, Daphne.” I said before turning to Richard, my boss, who still looked surprised, “Here. I am here to hand in my letter of resignation.” I slid the white envelope on the table.

“Why? Did something happen?” Richard asked, retrieving the letter from the envelope. Just  I had expected, Daphne looked relieved as she eyed me. “Finally.”

“No, sir. I got another job and I will be going back to college soon. I can’t juggle schooling and two jobs, I hope you will understand.” Richard glared at her before averting his focus back to me, his gaze softened, “I’m glad to hear that. I wish you all the best.”

I bowed, “Thanks, Richard. I must be on my way back now.”

“You won’t even stay to have some refreshment before you leave? Are you that mad at me?” He asked.

I quickly shook my head in negation. “No. It’s not like that.”

“Alright then. Take care.”

I bowed again, ignoring Daphne’s smirk before exiting the office. Afterward, I quickly headed back to the road to board a taxi.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

As soon as I got into the taxi, Roman’s words from earlier rang inside my head. “Some people will come over to the house soon. Be ready. That’s all I wanted to say.”

Fuck. I should have chosen a better day to hand in my resignation letter instead of today.

I wondered what I was thinking when I made such a decision, forgetting that today was the day Roman was taking me to meet his grandmother.

After what felt like years, I reached the mansion, and literally sprinted into the house. I was relieved when I didn’t see anyone besides Antonio in the living room. He just bowed to me, and didn’t question my haste.

I ran up the stairs to the bedroom to wait for the stylists but to my utter astonishment, three women who I immediately deduced were the stylists were waiting. “You must be Miss Sofie Diaz.” One of them said with  a smile, to which I nodded.

“I’m sorry I kept you waiting.” I said. “It’s fine, madam.” She replied.

Before I could utter a response, the shortest woman among them yanked me by my arm and plopped me onto the stool in front of the dresser, so I was now staring at my reflection in the mirror. “We will take very good care of you, madam. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the sensation.” The third woman grinned at me through the mirror.

I nodded tentatively as they got to work.

One of them did my hair and makeup, another did my manicure and pedicure while the third one laid out five dresses with jewelry sets, shoes and bags to match and asked for my preferences.

In about an hour, they were done and I stared at my dolled-up self in the mirror.

I looked extremely different.

My hair had been parted at the center and curled at the ends, so that the brown tresses stylishly flowed down my back.

My makeup was perfect just the way I liked it. It wasn’t too loud nor was it too minimal.

For my outfit, I was clad in a mini bodycon beige turtleneck dress which was stylishly cut out at the shoulder with a black, leather trench coat worn over it while my feet were slipped into a pair of black Alexander Wang strappy heels.

In my hand, I held a Chanel black purse with gold embellishment around the straps. Diamond earrings were also looped around my ears while two gold rings were worn on each of my hands with a diamond wristwatch and bracelet.

I looked elegant, almost like a wealthy heiress. “How well do you like it, madam?” The woman in charge of my hair asked. “It’s perfect. I love it so much.” I confessed and they all smiled, satisfied.

“We are glad to hear that and we’ll be on our way back now.” The shorter one said, to which I nodded and smiled.

Afterward, they took their leave, and I was left alone to gush over myself to pass time while I waited for Roman to arrive.