Chapter 4 Phase One
Layla barely had time to process the news.
"His grandfather?" she repeated, staring at Jasper.
"Yes," he replied sharply, adjusting his cufflinks without looking at her. "He's arriving tonight. Earlier than expected."
"And you want me to what, impress him?"
"I want you to act like my wife."
Layla crossed her arms. "I'm not your wife."
"You signed the contract."
"I signed to carry your heir, not to play house with your grandfather."
Jasper turned then, slowly, fixing his intense eyes on her. "Listen carefully. If my grandfather suspects this is fake, everything falls apart. No heir. No company. We both lose."
Layla swallowed hard.
"I'll try," she said at last.
He nodded once. "Good. Because my grandfather isn't a fool."
---
That evening, the mansion buzzed with activity. Staff rushed around polishing already spotless surfaces. A chef flew in from Paris. The entire house smelled like truffle risotto and imported flowers.
Layla stood at the top of the staircase, breath caught in her throat, as Jasper's grandfather entered.
Gregory Tate.
The man was tall, sharp-eyed, dressed in a custom navy suit with a presence that filled the entire foyer. He walked with a cane, but there was nothing weak about him.
"Layla," Jasper said, offering her his arm. "Meet my grandfather."
She descended the stairs slowly, playing the part.
Gregory's eyes narrowed slightly as he took her in. "So this is the woman who agreed to marry my stubborn grandson."
Layla smiled politely. "It's an honor to meet you, sir."
He didn't smile back. "You've got eyes like you're hiding something."
Jasper stepped in. "Grandfather -"
"I didn't say I didn't like her," Gregory interrupted. "Just that I don't believe in fairytales."
---
Dinner was long. Elegant. Silent.
Gregory asked questions like a lawyer on trial.
"How did you two meet?"
"What do you love about my grandson?"
"Why now?"
Layla answered carefully. With just enough warmth to seem real - and just enough hesitation to seem human.
Jasper stayed calm, his hand brushing hers under the table only once. It was the first time he'd touched her willingly.
And it startled her more than it should have.
---
After dinner, Gregory stood up. "I'll stay the night. Long drive."
Jasper stiffened. "You... want to stay?"
"Of course. You said the house was big. Surely you have multiple guest rooms."
Layla and Jasper shared a sharp glance.
---
Ten minutes later, panic.
"What now?" Layla hissed, following Jasper into his office.
He paced. "He can't find out we're not sharing a room. If he does, he'll pull the company from me immediately."
"So where do I go?"
"You stay in the room."
She blinked. "With you?"
"No." He clenched his jaw. "I'll take the couch."
Layla arched a brow. "Jasper Tate, the man with a wine cellar worth more than my entire life, sleeping on a couch?"
"If it means saving this deal, I'd sleep on the floor."
---
That night, Layla changed into one of the silky nightgowns the staff had brought her - not by choice, but because all her things had been moved into Jasper's room now.
When he walked in, he paused at the sight of her. Just a second.
Then, he turned away.
"I'll take the sofa."
She didn't reply. Her heart was pounding too loudly.
---
A knock at the door.
Layla and Jasper froze.
Gregory.
"Just checking in on the lovebirds," his deep voice came through the door. "Didn't mean to interrupt."
Jasper stepped forward quickly. "We're just about to -"
He didn't finish.
Layla stood on instinct, grabbed the front of his shirt, and pulled him down.
And kissed him.
Not just a peck.
A deep, slow, hungry kiss.
One hand still on his chest, the other sliding into his hair.
He responded instantly - his mouth crushing hers, his hands on her waist, their bodies pressed close. Hot. Real. Too real.
She could feel his heartbeat racing against hers. And for a moment, the fake lines blurred completely.
They broke apart only when they heard Gregory's cane tapping as he walked away, clearly satisfied.
Neither of them moved.
Neither of them spoke.
Until finally, Jasper whispered, voice hoarse, "That was... convincing."
Layla looked away, her breath shaky. "It had to be."
But as she turned back to the bed and he to the couch, they both knew something had changed.
And it wasn't part of the plan.
---