BILLIONAIRE'S UNINTENDED BRIDE

Chapter 21: Lobby Sudden Collision

As the first beams of the sun touched the vibrant streets of Rio, excitement for the carnival pulsed through the city like a living, breathing entity. The anticipation was infectious, and we were right in the middle of it, ready to be swept away by the tidal wave of color, music, and unrestrained joy.

Sophia, ever the morning person, was the first to stir. She knocked on my door just as the sun was painting the sky in brilliant oranges and pinks. Her knock was like a samba rhythm, a perfect prelude to the day's festivities.

"Time to let the carnival spirit take over," she announced, her voice bubbling with excitement as she burst into my room. Her eyes sparkled with the promise of the day ahead. "Can't wait to see you girls in my creations," she said, her voice a mix of pride and excitement. Sophia wasn't just talking about dresses; she was talking about capturing the essence of the carnival, a vibrant celebration of life itself.

The room quickly turned into a whirlwind of activity, a kaleidoscope of colors and emotions. Sophia had poured her heart and soul into designing our costumes, each piece a work of art. Sarah looked stunning in a gold chainmail mini dress with matching wings that glinted with every movement, a true goddess in her own right.

Then there was Sophia, embodying the dark angel theme with her black chainmail dress, a stark contrast to her usual bubbly self but highlighting her boldness perfectly.

My turn came, and it felt like stepping into another world. Slipping into the crystal fringe bodysuit, encrusted with rhinestones and draped in shimmering fringes, I felt both empowered and exposed. The costume hugged every curve, shining and shimmering, reflecting my nervousness and excitement.

Sophia's reaction was immediate. "Wow, Em, you look absolutely ethereal!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with admiration.

I couldn't help but question, "Isn't it a bit much? Too revealing, maybe?"

Sophia just laughed, her confidence infectious. "You're a divine enchantress, Em. And this is Rio! If there's ever a place to embrace your inner goddess, it's here. Let loose and own it!"

Sophia's words, laced with her usual blend of cheeky encouragement, gave me the nudge I needed. "It's time to let your hair down, Em," she said with a wink. I took a deep breath, nodded, and decided to dive headfirst into the carnival spirit.

Feeling a bit more reassured by Sarah's approving nods and Sophia's infectious energy, I managed to silence the little voice of doubt in my head. We made our way down to the hotel lobby, a riot of colors and shimmering fabrics against the early morning light.

But of course, life loves its little twists. Sarah suddenly remembered her phone upstairs, and Sophia darted off to grab water bottles for the day. I, meanwhile, got caught up responding to a mildly scolding text from my mom for missing our usual call.

As I was tapping away on my phone, typing out an apology and attaching a few snapshots from the wedding, I walked smack into a solid wall. Or at least, that's what it felt like.

"Shit, I'm so—oh God, sorry, I didn't see—" My apology was a clumsy mess, words tripping over each other in their haste to escape.

That familiar chuckle stopped me mid-sentence. I looked up, my heart skipping a beat, to find Luke standing there, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Emily, always a spectacle, even in a collision," he quipped, his warm gaze sending a flurry of butterflies through my stomach.

Standing there, my cheeks burning, I could barely string together a coherent sentence. Luke's unexpected presence here in Rio was throwing me for a loop. "W-why are you here? In Rio, I mean?" I managed to ask, my voice shaking slightly.

He raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips that made him look even more devilishly handsome. "Came for a business meeting, but it looks like Rio has more... colorful plans for me," he said, his eyes sparkling with a mischievous light that matched the lively energy of the morning.

Before the awkwardness could stretch any further, Sophia's voice broke through the tension. "Emily, we're all set to... Oh, hello!" She stopped mid-sentence, her eyes widening as she took in the sight of Luke.

Trying to regain some semblance of control over the situation, I watched as Luke smoothly introduced himself. "I'm Luke," he said, the natural charisma in his voice making it sound like music.

Sophia's eyes danced with mischief. "The infamous boss Emily keeps talking about," she quipped. "Mr. 'Infuriatingly-hot-but-oh-so-frustrating' Walton, if I'm not mistaken?"

I could feel my face heat up even more, if that was even possible. "Sophia!" I exclaimed, mortified.

Luke's laughter, rich and genuine, filled the air, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "Is that so? I'm a topic of conversation, am I?" he teased, his gaze playful yet intense.

I was a complete mess of nerves and embarrassment, stumbling over my words. "It's not like that, I mean, we talk about work and... stuff," I tried to explain, but it was like trying to catch smoke – impossible and slightly ridiculous.

Sophia cut me off, her laughter mingling with the morning breeze. "Relax, Em. I might've exaggerated a tiny bit. But really, only a tiny bit." Her wink was a ribbon of mischief, wrapping around Luke's amusement and my embarrassment in a bow of playful banter.

With a flourish of her signature charm, Sophia extended her hand towards Luke. "Sophia. Emily's life-of-the-party friend. And since you're on Emily's list of hot guys, why don't you join us for the Rio Carnival Parade?"

I was mortified, my mind racing through ways to escape the scene when Luke's words brought me back.

"I don't think I have anything on me for the part," he remarked, his eyes twinkling with a humor that seemed to lighten the weight on my chest.

Sophia, undeterred, shot back, "Oh, don't worry about that. According to Emily, you have the body of a Greek God. Just lose the shirt and you're good to go."

I wanted to disappear right then and there. The heat in my cheeks must've been visible from space. "Sophia!" I gasped, my voice a mix of horror and suppressed laughter. She always had a way of pushing the envelope, but this was a whole new level.

"Is that so, Emily?" His words were a soft tease, his eyes twinkling with mirth. "Since you're dressed like an angel, maybe I should come along as a guard with my Greek God body, you say?"

And just like that, the dynamics of our carnival experience shifted. Luke, my boss and the man who had unwittingly become the center of my crush, was now joining us for one of the most uninhibited celebrations in the world. The thought of partying alongside him, amid the vibrant chaos of the Rio Carnival, sent my mind into a whirlwind. How was I supposed to act around him now?