The Billionaire’s Pretend Fiancée

Roman’s POV

“Did Sofie say anything to the delivery man?” I asked Nathan as he walked into my office.

“No, sir.” He replied, bursting my bubble of hope.

I concealed my disappointment, and nodded. “Okay then. You may leave.”

In response, he bowed before exiting my office.

I raked my hands through my hair, as an exasperated sigh escaped my lips.

It had been five days since I last saw Sofie, and nothing seemed to be hopeful anymore.

It seemed as if she had blocked my number because I could neither send a message to her, nor could place a call to her line.

And that made me resort to sending her handwritten notes everyday.

I was hellbent on persevering through her cold treatment toward me.

I consoled myself with the faint possibility of her accepting me back into her life.

Suddenly, my phone vibrated with a message which made me scowl.

The scowl instantly dissipated off my face when I saw who the sender was.

It was from Sofie.

It seemed as though she had finally unblocked me.

Immense mirth coursed through my veins as I digested the contents of the message, which read;

“Good day, Roman. If you are not too busy this afternoon, can you perhaps make some time to have lunch with me?

You are right. We need to talk about where our relationship is going. I’m also sorry for slamming the door in your face that say. I still can’t explain what came over me. I hope you don’t hold it against me.

I’ll see you this afternoon, if you are chanced to meet up.

Let’s meet at Cindy’s restaurant.”

My lips quirked up in a grin as I read through the text again for the umpteenth time.

Before I could forget, I quickly sent her a reply, stating that I was chanced at that moment, and couldn’t wait to see her.

I resisted the urge to add that I had also badly missed her, and was eager to wrap my arms around her, to hold her and feel her heartbeat rhyming with mine.

That’d be too over the top. I thought.

So I just left it at that. Concise and direct.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

I glanced down at my wristwatch. The time was about ten minutes to one.

“Come over to my office right now, Nathan.” I said, into the intercom before getting up, and shrugging on my coat.

Nathan trekked in almost instantly. “You sent for me, sir.”

“Yes, I did. Cancel all my appointments today. But make sure you attend the charity ball tonight, on my behalf. You should take your wife with you. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I said, as I clapped his shoulder.

“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.” He bowed.

I just hummed, as I grabbed by car keys from the drawer and headed out of my office.

I took long, confident strides to the parking lot while also smiling, and waving at my employees who stopped to curtsey to me.

I was in a jubilant mood that day.

As I drove to the our meeting place, I pondered over the car brand I would use to go pick up Sofie’s luggages from the apartment she shared with her friend.

I later decided on taking the Maserati, the latest car that I had recently added to my collection.

I wanted us to start our relationship afresh, so using a new car to pick her up was the right thing to do.

After about thirty minutes, I got to the restaurant, and strolled in.

I had barely taken my seat when a group of waiters and waitresses immediately clamored over to my side.

“You are welcome to Cindy’s restaurant, sir. Would you like us to get you the menu, or would you like our special monday appetizer?” One of them asked.

“Not yet. I’m waiting for my girlfriend. When she gets here, we will order together.” I replied.

“Very well then, sir. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to let either of us know, sir.”

“Sure. Thanks.” I nodded.

Then, they dispersed and went on their separate ways.

I was about to glance down at my wristwatch, to check the time, when the familiar scent of strawberries tinged with vanilla wafted through my nostrils.

The scent of Sofie’s perfume.

Dazedly, I gazed up and beheld her gorgeous face, and pretty smile.

My gaze dropped to her glossy lips, and I unconsciously ran my tongue over my lower lip.

I badly wanted to pull her close, and passionately kiss her but I repressed my perverted mindset, and motioned her to sit.

“I’m sorry I came late.” Sofie said, as she sat down.

“There’s no need for you to apologize. I got here too early.” I laughed, to soften the awkward ambiance between us.

“Right.” She laughed along.

“Would you like to order anything now?” I asked, letting my stare lower to her hand.

“No, thanks. I’m fine.” Sofie replied.

She wasn’t wearing neither of the bracelets I had bought her, nor was she wearing the sham engagement ring.

I felt an inexplicable emotion as I stared at her empty hand, but I quickly shifted my focus to her face, as I consoled myself with the thought that she’d have become mine again by the end of today.

I frowned as I watched her place a brown envelope on the table.

“What is this?” I couldn’t help but ask.

“The contract termination letter. I have already signed my part, now it’s left for you to sign yours.”

My heart pummeled to my stomach in shock.

I huffed out a cheerless chuckle, as I glanced at the envelope.

“What is this supposed to mean, Sofie?”

“I meant what I said that day, Roman. Our contract ended weeks ago, and now it’s time for us to go our separate ways. You don’t have to pay me the rest of the money because we both had a beneficial arrangement tow-”

“So you were being serious.” I muttered, to which she nodded.

“Yes, I was.”

“I will sign the contract termination letter, but I won’t let you go. We both know that this isn’t coming from your heart, Sofie. What is going on? Did someone threaten you to do this?” I calmly asked.

She scoffed. “I am doing this for me, Roman. We were never meant to be. We both belong to totally different worlds, trying to make this work will ruin us. Plus, I want you to live your life without being disturbed by a child. You never wanted one from the start after all.”

“I have had more than enough time to think about it. And sincerely, there’s nothing I need to think about. My child is not a disturbance to me. I I may have made some mistakes in my utterance in the past but-”

“I don’t need to hear it. Just give the signed documents to Damien.” She cut me short, with a pointed look.

“Look, I said those things because I didn’t want to put you in danger. But now that the baby is here, there’s nothing either of us can do other than to hope for the best. I will t-”

I was interrupted yet again by the sound of the chair screeching against the floor as Sofie got up. “I have to go now. Goodbye, Roman Giovanni.”

Without a backward glance, she turned around and left the restaurant.

Just as she left, one of the waiters from earlier reappeared in front of me.

“Would you like us to bring the menu now, sir?” He asked.

“Do you see anyone sitting with me? I fucking told you that we’d order together when she gets here!” I spat, as I got up, causing the waiter to flinch.

I inhaled deeply when the other inhabitants of the restaurant steered their focus in my direction.

“I’m sorry for yelling.” I apologized.

“It’s fine, sir.”

“This should be enough for taking up space here.” I said, handing him some dollar bills.

He gasped. “This is too much sir. Y-”

I cut him short. “Thanks for the warm reception. I’ll be on my way now.”

On getting into my car, I heaved a deep breath before placing a call to Damien.

“Let’s meet up at our usual spot tonight. I need to get wasted.” I said, when the line clicked.

“Oh. Did something happen?”

“I’ll explain everything to you when we meet. I’m hanging up.” I muttered, before flinging my foor to the backseat.

I had no idea what Sofie thought she was doing, but if she thought I’d back down without putting up a fight, then she was wrong.

Utterly wrong.