𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐄

𝟕

Loud knock on the door made me tare my eyes away from the computer screen.

When I didn't said anything, the door opened and Kieran peeked his head inside.

"You free?" He asked and stepped inside when I nodded my head. I was in the office doing some paperwork. I leaned back on the leather chair and ran a hand over my face.

"How did the meeting with Franco go?" I asked and tapped my fingers on the glass surface of the desk.

"He won't make problems anymore. It's taken care of." I hummed at his answer. Kieran is dealing with all of the minor issues we have. He is my second in command and I trust that he will do anything right.

Since I took over dad's position six years ago, Kieran has been my underboss.

"And?" He lifted his eyebrow and the annoying smirk I hated the most, formed on his lips.

As much as I appreciated Kieran, he was like an annoying fly.

"What?"

"How did it go?" I knew exactly what he was applying to. My visit to Elsie's home. Kieran was the only one who knew about my plan.

"Good." I replied with a monotone voice.

"Just good?" I swear I was going to punch him in the face.

I wasn't expecting that everything was going to play out as it did. She did a hell of a good job with raising that kid. He was smart and more well mannered than most people I have met in my life.

It was admirable how much she achieved alone. There were parents that never made so much as she did alone at such young age.

When I met her for the first time, I didn't expect her to be so...

"Do you really think you'll be able to divorce this girl after everything is done?" Kieran pulled me out of my thoughts with his question.

"Yes. Why not?"

"You have been staring at her photo every time I get here. You couldn't even contain yourself from visiting the restaurant every single day." He pointed his finger on the file on the desk.

It was the informations he got for Elsie.

On the front page there was her photo she has posted on her social media about three years ago.

She was dressed in a bright blue dress and her hair was even more red and shorter. The smile on her face was bright and she was seated on the picnic cloth in a park.

A curiosity bubbled in my chest as I wondered who took the picture.

She mentioned that she had two boyfriends before. Probably some pathetic college boys.

Kieran didn't get too much informations because Elsie seemed to be a private person. She even changed her last name about eight years ago. Darlington was her grandpa's last name. Her mom's father.

She had a sister, Ian's mother. Her grandparents died when she started college and Ian moved in with her about two years ago.

Not much was known about her parents. The only thing he was able to find out was that they now live in Portugal.

They fucking left their daughters alone.

I don't even know how she managed to deal with all of that.

"She is attractive, I'll give you that." My jaw clenched and I fisted my hand.

"If you say one more thing, I'll break your nose again." I gritted out and he lifted his hands in surrender while chuckling. Why the fuck do I have to put up with this dipshit?

"I'll just leave before you actually decide to do that. It's hard to trust you." He stood up, fixing his suit jacket and walked outside. The smirk was still on his stupid face.

He came here just to get on my nerves. It's what he was best at. He was good at his job but damn was he a piece of shit when he wanted to be.

When the door closed behind him, my eyes immediately went to the photo of Elsie.

I'll have to call her. Today we were going to my parent's house. When I called mom and told her that I'm bringing my fiancé home, she wasn't as surprised because she is use to me doing things out of the blue.

Even though she tries to hide it, I know how happy she will be.

I picked up my phone and dialled Elsie's number.

????°

It was 6 pm as I parked the car in front of her building. When I called her earlier she seemed to be in panic.

I knew how much she had to take in for the past few days. And I knew how selfish I was to put her in this situation.

Letting out a sigh, I got out of the car before locking it. The little box stayed in my pocket as I made my way up the stairs.

The hallways were empty and there was couple of noises of people yelling from one of the apartments. Even though I was tearing her away from her home she created on her own, I was glad that she was going to be safe. By my side.

I reached the fourth floor and marched to their apartment.

I knocked on the door and slid my palms into the pockets of my pants. A few seconds passed before I heard movements on the other side.

The door slowly opened and Ian grinned at me.

"Hello, Fenix." He waved, his smile reaching his eyes.

"How are you Ian?" The question left my lips and my eyes immediately flew to Elsie standing behind him.

The first thing I noticed was that she didn't have her glasses on. Her round brown eyes were not hidden from me anymore.

Her hair was slicked back in a high bun. I didn't understand much about makeup but her lips were darker than usual, probably painted with lipstick. It made my gaze stay on them for a few seconds longer.

Her outfit was colorful as usual. The blouse she had was in a hot pink color, then she had a silky skirt that reached down to bellow her knees. It was in a dark green.

As much as this outfit seemed ridiculous, she made it look good.

When our eyes met, her cheeks blushed like always. "Hello." She said and grinned.

"You ready?" I asked after clearing my throat. She nodded her head and grabbed the heels that were next to the door.

They were purple with a bow on the front.

"I have to pee." Ian voiced and looked at Elsie with pleading eyes.

"Okay then, go. We'll wait for you here." He nodded his head and ran to the bathroom. Elsie crouched down and stared putting on the hideous shoes.

Her hands elegantly worked with the straps and her lips pouted slightly as she struggled to do it on her left leg.

Her tongue slightly peeked on the side of her mouth. My lips lifted in a smile.

I crouched down next to her. "Let me do it."

"It's fine..."

"Elsie, let me do it." I moved her hands and did the strap myself. When I lifted my head, our eyes were on the same level and I was able to see the yellow dust of sparkles in her brown eyes.

"Thank you. You didn't have to."

"We'll have to act as a married couple right? Might as well start doing so." She nodded, the pink on her cheeks deepening in a darker shade.

We stood up and Elsie ran her palms over her skirt. She was visibly nervous, her hands slightly shaking.

I dig into the pocket of my jacket and took out the small velvet box. The ring inside was already bought since I figured out that I can ask her to play the part of my fake wife.

Even though at that time, I didn't know her answer, I carried this little box in my pocket. Thank God Kieran didn't see it. He would have chewed my ears off with his stupid remarks.

Elsie lifted her eyes to me and then her gaze went to my hands.

I opened the tiny box and took out the ring. Elsie apparently had some app that Kieran found where you save pictures. There were pictures of jewellery and there was this ring as well.

I ordered it to be the exact same as the one on the photo.

It had a small emerald diamond on top and smaller ones on the side. The band was made of gold and there were patterns like leaves decorating the small diamonds.

It perfectly described her style.

Her eyes widened and a barely audible gasp left her painted lips.

"The engagement ring." I said and took a hold of her hand. Her skin was soft and silky under my touch. I slid the ring on her trembling finger and watched her reaction.

A small smile formed on her face but she quickly hid it away. "Thank you." She whispered and soon Ian emerged from the bathroom.

"Eli, I'm done." He ran to us and retreated next to Elsie.

"Did you wash your hands?" She asked him gently and rubbed his back lovingly. It's something I noticed a lot. She never raised her voice at him. She was always considered and spoke with tender words.

"I did." He raised his hands and waved them at her.

"We should go then." I said and took a step back. Elsie nodded and locked the door behind her.

We walked down the stairs and reached the entrance. I opened the door for them and we got out.

The sun was slowly starting to set. I was usually in the office at this time and it was weird for me to spend the evening any different.

"Wow." Ian looked up at me after he saw the car. I intentionally chose the sports one because I knew he would like it the most.

"You like it?" I asked and unlocked it.

"Yes!" He quickly jumped on the back seats. I opened the door for Elsie and she stepped inside as well, lowering her body on the leather seat. I rounded the car and got inside as well.

I started the engine and heard Ian giggle in the back.

My parent's house wasn't as far. They lived in the city while my house was a bit further.

It was rare for me to visit my parents during the working days. If I was to visit them, it was usually on weekends and that if I was ready to listen to their bickering about me still not being married.

Mom has voiced so many times that she wants grandkids. It was suffocating to be present at those conversations.

Because Alannah moved away, she was free from having to listen to that. Even though I loved my parents, they sure were not giving up on this topic.

Well they will for a while now.

We drove mainly in silence, only Ian occasionally talking about his school. Elsie sat nervously on her seat, playing with the ring on her finger.

When we got closer to the house, I felt the anxiety radiated from her.

I parked the car in the driveway and got out. Elsie and Ian did as well. Mark, the guard in front of the house smiled our way and I closed the distance between me and Elsie.