18. Cici
CICI
Iwoke slowly, warm and comfortable for the first time in days.
For a few seconds, I didn't remember where I was.
Then I felt the weight of an arm draped across my waist and opened my eyes.
Todd.
He was asleep beside me.
The early morning light filtered through the hotel curtains, casting soft shadows across his face. His dark hair was slightly disheveled, and for once, there wasn't a trace of tension in his expression.
He looked younger when he slept.
Less like the CEO who carried the weight of an entire company on his shoulders.
More like a man who hadn't had a peaceful night's sleep in a very long time.
My stomach rolled unexpectedly.
I frowned.
That was odd.
The room wasn't spinning. I wasn't sick.
I just felt... off.
Like I'd eaten something that disagreed with me. I swallowed hard and slowly sat up. The movement must have disturbed Todd because his eyes fluttered opened.
"You okay?" he asked, his voice rough with sleep.
"Fine."
His eyes narrowed.
"You don't look fine."
I forced a smile.
"I'm okay. My stomach is just a little unsettled."
His expression switched to one of concern.
"Food poisoning?"
"I don't think so."
"You sure?"
I laughed softly.
"Todd, I'm fine."
He reached out and brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. The gesture was so unexpectedly tender that my breath caught.
"I don't like seeing you not feel well."
My heart did that annoying little flutter again. The one that seemed to happen every time he looked at me like I mattered.
"I'm okay," I assured him.
He studied me for another moment before finally nodding.
"If you start feeling worse, you tell me."
"Yes, sir."
A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Smartass."
I grinned.
"Bossy."
His smile widened.
For a brief moment, everything felt normal.
Almost real. Which was dangerous because none of this was real.
The engagement.
The relationship.
The future my heart kept trying to imagine.
It was all pretend.
And eventually, we'd both have to remember that.
The illusion shattered the second we stepped outside the hotel.
Cameras flashed immediately.
"Mr. Archer!"
"Todd!"
"Over here!"
I froze.
There had to be at least a dozen reporters gathered near the entrance.
Apparently news traveled fast.
Todd's hand immediately settled at the small of my back.
Protective.
Steady.
Guiding me closer.
The reporters noticed.
Their questions started flying.
"Todd, is it true you're engaged?"
"Who's the woman with you?"
"When did this happen?"
"Are wedding plans underway?"
My pulse kicked up.
I looked at Todd.
He looked completely calm.
Like he dealt with this sort of thing every day.
One reporter pushed forward.
"Mr. Archer, are the engagement rumors true?"
Todd turned toward me.
Our eyes met.
For one ridiculous second, my breath caught.
Then he looked back toward the reporters.
"Yes."
The crowd erupted.
Questions started flying from every direction.
Todd's expression never changed.
"Yes," he repeated. "This is my fiancée."
My stomach flipped. Not from nausea this time. From hearing him say it out loud.
My fiancée.
He didn't give them my name or offer any details. Just enough confirmation to satisfy them.
For now.
His hand remained at my back as he guided me toward the waiting SUV.
The cameras continued flashing.
Questions continued flying.
Todd ignored all of them.
The moment the vehicle door closed behind us, the noise disappeared.
Silence filled the cabin.
I let out a long breath.
Todd looked amused.
"First press conference?"
I glared at him.
"You looked entirely too comfortable."
"I've had practice."
"I hate reporters."
"They probably hate me too."
I laughed despite myself.
The SUV pulled away from the hotel.
And just like that, our fake engagement became public record.
The airport was surprisingly quiet.
A private terminal wasn't exactly a media hotspot.
Which was a relief.
By the time we boarded the Gulfstream, I had mostly regained my composure.
Mostly.
Mike was already in the cockpit reviewing the flight plan.
Julie was preparing the cabin and Justin and Bunny were already on board as well.
Justin was an attractive man with broad shoulders and an athletic build that hinted at the life he'd had before everything went wrong. His blond hair was slightly longer on top, falling carelessly across his forehead, and his blue eyes were striking against his sun-kissed skin.
Even sitting down, he looked tall. His broken leg was still in a cast and stretched out in front of him. Bunny was standing beside him with a blanket in her hands.
"Are you sure you don't want this?"
"I'm fine, thank you." Justin's gaze met mine. "Oh...hi. You must be Cici."
He extended his hand. "I've heard a lot about you."
I shook it. "Hopefully good things."
His grin widened.
"Depends on who you ask."
I laughed. "Nice to meet you."
Justin glanced down at his injured leg. "Do you believe this?"
"You really did a number on that leg."
"Yeah, if it wasn't for the out-of-control, three-hundred and fifty pound, drunk guy that barreled into me, I'd be great."
"Ouch. I'm sorry you're dealing with that."
"Well, it gives me a break from this guy right here." he gave a head nod toward Todd as he boarded the plane.
"You miss me, I know it," Todd teased without missing a beat.
Justin laughed.
The easy banter surprised me.
I helped Bunny get him settled before returning to the cockpit.
Everything looked good.
Weather was favorable.
Flight plan filed.
Fuel confirmed.
Departure slot approved.
Once we reached cruising altitude, Mike had everything under control, so I stepped into the cabin for a few minutes to stretch my legs and grab a bottle of water.
When I entered the cabin, Todd was seated at the conference table with his laptop open.
Something about his expression immediately caught my attention.
The easy confidence was gone.
His jaw was tight and his eyes fixed on the screen.
"Todd?"
No response.
I walked closer.
"What is it?"
His gaze lifted briefly before returning to the laptop. Without a word, he turned the screen toward me. A photograph filled the display. It showed us boarding the jet earlier that morning.
My stomach sank.
Another photo.
Another invasion.
I looked closer.
Then another image appeared.
Todd's hand rested on the small of my back as we walked toward the aircraft.
A third image followed.
This one was zoomed in.
The two of us looking at each other.
Completely unaware we were being photographed.
A chill ran through me.
"More paparazzi?"
Todd didn't answer immediately. That alone made my pulse quicken because he rarely hesitated.
Finally, he leaned back in his chair.
"No."
The single word landed heavily.
I frowned.
"What do you mean?"
His eyes moved back to the screen.
"The first photo didn't bother me."
He clicked the next image.
"The second one got my attention."
Another click.
The third photo appeared again.
His expression darkened.
"This one is a problem."
I stared at the image.
"I don't understand."
Todd pointed toward the screen.
"Look at the angle."
I studied it.
Still confused.
"It was taken from over there."
He pointed toward a section of the tarmac.
"The problem is that area isn't accessible to the public."
A cold feeling settled in my stomach.
"What are you saying?"
Todd was silent for a moment, and the silence felt heavier than any answer he could have given. Finally, he closed the laptop slowly and deliberately, the movement carrying an ominous weight. When his gaze met mine, I already knew I wasn't going to like what he said next.
"I don't think we're dealing with paparazzi anymore."
My heartbeat stuttered.
"Then who are we dealing with?"
Todd's expression turned grim.
And for the first time since I'd met him, I saw something that looked dangerously close to concern.
"I don't know."
That answer scared me far more than if he did.