HIS PRETENSE BRIDE

CHAPTER 13

Alexa's POV

After shopping for hours, forcing myself to plaster a smile on my face for those hours, we drive down to the restaurant.

We passed by the restaurant on our way from the hotel we were lodged in. The interior is beautiful. It has tall glass windows that overlook the ocean taking my breath away.

I've never been to a restaurant like this before and it amazes me to know how connected this family really is.

This type of restaurant would take months to get a reservation for paupers like me.

We both step into the restaurant as I try so hard not to glance around, reminding myself of my role as a sophisticated pretense bride.

One of the waiters appears with a smile tugged on his face as he greets us politely before leading us to a separate section upstairs.

It's a VIP section barely noticeable from the entrance.

We both settle down, sitting opposite each other.

At first, I was nervous but it has died down since she didn't say anything throughout our shopping. Surprisingly, I am still calm and not nervous as I stare at the woman in front of me going over the menu.

"What would you like to order, darling?" She questions, looking up to meet my gaze.

I flash her another one of my joyless smiles before responding. "I would have whatever you would."

She nods in satisfaction before telling the waiter to bring us the finest wine first and we would order our meals later.

Perhaps, she wants us to discuss it first before the meal.

"It's a nice restaurant", I mutter with a smile. She stares at me for a while before smiling back with a nod.

I just want us to get done with this so I can go back to the hotel.

The waiter appears back with a bottle of wine and two glasses on a tray which he places on the table separating us. He helped with opening the bottle and pouring a little portion of it into each of the glasses before leaving.

"I hope you aren't tired yet?" she asks.

Seeing this as an opportunity to get this done with, I reply immediately. "I'm exhausted already."

"I wanted us to have a lone time without the prying eyes of your husband", she chuckles and I am tempted to ask her why she doesn't want Xander to be here, even though I kind of know what this means. "How did you meet again?"

I furrow my brows.

That was the exact thing she asked last night before he came downstairs for dinner. What is she trying to do? Is she trying to collaborate my answer with yesterday's? Does this woman know what is between Xander and I isn't real? Why is she doing this?

I pick up the glass of wine, whirling it around my finger before taking a sip. "We talked about that already."

"I'm just curious..."

"We met at a party", I cut her short, feeling irritated but trying not to show it.

She purses her lips as she sips on the wine while I take a long swallow, the anxiety from earlier mixed with fear back.

Remembering Xander's words for me to remain calm, and composed, I try to calm my nerves and relax but it isn't working.

I never had a reason to pretend all my life. Having to do this is pretty difficult and I hope it won't affect the deal with Xander.