The car's interior hummed with the low thrum of the engine,but no words passed between them. Vincent stared straight ahead,his jaw set,eyes fixed on the winding drive way, while Anna's fingers tightened around the edge of her seat,a thousand questions bubbling under her skin,when the mansions wrought-iron gates swung open and they pulled into the courtyard,the silence felt heavier than any argument. Vincent cut the engine, stepped out, and headed for the front doors without a glance, leaving Anna standing on the stone steps,heart pounding, waiting for an explanation that never came.
Anna steps into the grand foyer,the echo of her heels on the marble the only sound. She pauses,eyes scanning the dimly lit hallway,then turns to Vincent,who's already halfway up the staircase,his back rigid."Vincent,she calls, voice steady but edged with urgency,"we need to talk about what just happened". He stops, shoulders tensing,and finally looks at her, a flicker of something-maybe regret, maybe calculation crossing his face.
The tension hangs thick,and Anna takes a breath, ready to push for the truth. Just then Vincent gently comes down the step staring at Anna,his eyes softened as he stepped closer,his voice low but earnest.
"Anna I need you to be my fake girlfriend for a while-just for show,to keep my family off my back".He brushed stray lock from her face,his touch gentle,and added,"it's nothing serious,just a role ".
Anna's heart thumped, caught between surprise and curiosity,as she weighed his request,her eyes flickered with a mix of surprise and intrigue as she processes Vincent's request,she took a small step back,her mind racing with questions and potential implications,"A fake girlfriend?" She repeated her voice laced with a hint of skepticism.
"Why should I pretend to be your girlfriend,what's going on with your family?" Her tone was cautious,but there was a spark of curiosity that Vincent couldn't miss.
Vincent's jaw tightened for a beat before he let out a soft, almost resigned sigh"My mom's been pressuring me to settle down,and Sheila has been trying to get close to me again since she came back"he explained,eyes flickering to the hallway where his mother's portrait hung."if I show up with a girlfriend,it buys me time and keeps them from forcing a match I don't want". He stepped a little closer,his voice dropping to a conspirational whisper,"All you'd have to do is attend a few family gatherings,smile and act like we're together. No strings,no expectations beyond that. I'll cover any expenses,and you can walk away after 3months". He searched her face, hoping she'd see the sincerity behind his request.
~🖤~
Anna was on her way home, replaying the bizarre encounter with Vincent in her head. One minute he was strict to her,the next he's asking her to fake -date,she couldn't decide if it was wild or flattery.
As she walked in,she spotted Helen lounging on the couch, snacks and curiosity ready ."Helen you won't believe what just went down". Helen's eyes widened, Spill. The . Tea Now!", Anna leaned in,a sly grin spreading across her face as she told her everything.
Helen popped a chip in her mouth, grinning."think about it, Anna-free dinners, zero commitment. And you get to play the mysterious girlfriend. Could be fun". Anna sighed, her mind racing with the possibilities,she settled into her couch, phone in hand,as Vincent's smooth voice answered on the second ring "hey", he said ,a hint of surprise or was it relief?
"Hey "Anna replied,a playful smirk creeping onto her face."I've decided, I'll do it.mind you this is strictly business" a chuckle echoed through the line "strictly business it is". Anna dropped her phone onto the couch,her mind racing.
After Vincent ended Anna's call Franco burst in,his usual calm demeanor ruffled. Vin,we got a problem,word is, Maverick's crew tampered with our shipment,looks like they're trying to push us out of the game.
Vincent's eyes narrowed,a dangerous glink in his gaze "which shipment?"
"The new batch of tech gadgets, someone's gonna pay for this" Vincent's jaw clicked,his mind racing with strategies.
He leaned back a calculating look on his face."Get the team on standby,we need to check the damage and send a message to Maverick. And Franco
"Yeah?"Franco raised an eyebrow.
"Keep this on the down-low for now. Don't wanna spook anyone". Vincent's smile was all business."we'll hit them where it hurts".
Franco nodded,a sly grin spreading."Got it, Vin.