HIS PRETENSE BRIDE

CHAPTER 11

Alexa's POV

For the first time since all of these charades started, I feel like an imposter.

A complete fraud.

The question of what would happen if we are caught before this deal is over hits me hard in the head but I have no answer to that as well as the answer to the question Mrs. Gold is asking me right now.

"How did you and Xander meet?" she repeats the question again, this time staring straight at me in full curiosity. "I forgot to ask that when you came for dinner back home."

Now I am sure she isn't quite convinced about Xander's story that we are married. If she is truly convinced, then there is absolutely no need for cameras or her idea of a honeymoon where she can monitor us. In fact, she wouldn't be here, pretending to care and interrupting our so-called honeymoon.

There is more to all of it.

This is not just about a mother-son revenge. There is something Xander isn't telling me and there is something this woman is after.

Is this really about inheritance?

"We met at a party", I mention, hoping my story will align with Xander's and wondering why he is taking so long to come down.

When she appeared at the door, we were both surprised and the thought that she might actually have been here since we arrived seems plausible.

Xander was about to take a shower while I was on the bed preparing to sleep with a novel in my hand.

Isn't he down taking a shower yet?

"At a party?" She seems genuinely surprised. "Xander told me you two met at a business conference."

I close my head muttering a prayer for Xander to come down as soon as he can. For no reason, I am becoming scared of this woman and what she truly wants.

"Well, we first met at a party but we never spoke. I actually bumped into him at the party so it wasn't a pleasant meeting not until we met again at the conference where we had our first conversation", I say while managing to flash her a small smile.

Just then, I see Xander approaching and relief washes through me at his timely appearance. He is wearing a white T-shirt and jeans and he looks good.

Suddenly, the kiss from last night flashed through my mind. And I wave it away as soon as it comes.

"Hey, mom", he greets me casually before dragging a seat to flop in beside me. Dragging me to him, he gives me a light peck on the lips before turning to his mother, his arm still around my shoulder. "You two seem to be in a mother-daughter conversation."

"Yeah, I was just asking her how you met. I forgot to ask the last time you came for dinner."

"Yeah, and I told her how we bumped into each other at a party before meeting at the conference. I guess you didn't mention that to her", I move close to him, smiling at him and hoping he would get the message.

"Oh!" he chuckles lightly, making my lie sound believable. "That wasn't necessary. We started on the wrong foot."

"Yeah, we did."

She watches us with a smile tugging on her face. I don't know if this is out of admiration for our show of love or because she doesn't believe a shit about what we are doing.

When she isn't saying anything else, Xander asks. "Why are you here? You never told me you were coming. Are you here for some sort of business?"

I can sense the curiosity in his tone. They seem pretty close but there is something between them. Some sort of hidden hatred. Or a secret they are trying so hard to hide from each other.

"Sorry to interrupt your honeymoon, darling", she grins, sipping on her wine. "I came for a business actually so I thought to stop by and come see how you two were doing."

Xander nods and lapses into silence before pouring himself a drink.

I keep watching the two of them, reading meaning into their silence and their conversations as well.

"So how is your honeymoon going?" She questions randomly, dropping her glass of wine.

I nod while Xander replies. "Good. We never expected you would show up this late into the night when my wife and I were preparing to go to bed."

She doesn't mutter any apology like I think she will. She just keeps smiling at him while he ignores her.

What the hell is happening here?

"Actually, I came bearing good news and a tiny bit of surprise", she announces, making him raise his head to look at her.

He must be wondering what the surprise and good news is.

Is this about his inheritance? Is she willing to give it to him now? If that is it, then it is good news because I will have to conclude this sooner than expected and then go away to somewhere far away where I can start a new life afresh.

"What good news?" Xander asks, leaving my side and leaning backwards with folded arms. I can see curiosity written all over his face.

"You are not curious about the surprise?" She demands still smiling as if it is a part of her.

"I am", he nods intermittently, trying not to look enthusiastic about the good news.

"Well", she mutters and claps her hands. From nowhere, two waiters appear. One of them is holding a tray of cake while the other is approaching with a tray of champagne.

What are we celebrating? Xander's inheritance?

They both drop it on our table, bow and say. "Congratulations to you two."

Xander and I share a confused look.

Someone else appears, reminding me about the camera in our room.

"I want you two to cut the cake and then we can take pictures together."

Xander and I look at each other again. I am in total confusion while Xander is staring back at her in utter disbelief.

Before he can say anything, she grabs my hand and puts it on top of Xander's. Willingly, Xander holds the knife and then we both cut the cake which has "Happy married life" written on it.

She claps her hands before joining us to take pictures. The two waiters have disappeared and we are left with the cameraman who takes several pictures of us together.

"One last picture and we will call it a day", she mentions to my amazement.

I can vow that Xander is about to question her because of how he opens his mouth to say something.

I tug at his shirt and he keeps quiet without sparing me a glance.

"You two should kiss", she proposes with a smile before turning to the cameraman.

What a pathetic woman! What the hell is she trying to do?

Without question, Xander holds my waist and flashes me one of his cute smiles that reminds me of the kiss from last night again before kissing me briefly on the lips.

The picture is taken and we let go of each other eventually.

Just when I am thinking we are done for the night, she mentions.

"Why don't we go out together, Alex? To somewhere fancy."

I am about to decline when she interrupts me. "It does not have to be tonight if you are too tired to do anything else but we should meet up tomorrow. What do you say? We can go shopping if you want, dine at a finer restaurant and have a nice talk."

I know every part of me wants to say a loud no. I don't want to be anywhere near her. I don't want to go shopping. I don't want to eat with her and I don't want us to talk.

But I need to do this for Xander.

He is doing this for a reason and he is putting in all his best to achieve his aim.

Perhaps, taking revenge on this woman might be for a good reason. Perhaps, Xander isn't the bad person but her.

Without thinking further into what this is about and why she would want to have a lone time with me, I reply. "Sure."