To Trap a Billionaire

Twenty-Five

"Hey, future brother-in-law, congratulations," Kristen said as he clapped Arlo on the back.

"Is this why you two have been so chummy lately?" I asked. They both shrugged but my brother wore a huge smile.

"I'm happy for you, Ly," Kristen smiled before he kissed the top of my head. He left before it was just the people at our table left. We finished up with the event activities before we headed home. I was admittedly beyond exhausted but extremely happy. Arlo and I found ourselves on the couch eating takeout Chinese for lunch.

"How long ago did you decide to propose to me?" I asked. He smiled before he finished the bite he has taken.

"I knew I wanted to marry you pretty much from the first moment I kissed you in my office after my mother's event. I got the ring a few months ago on the off chance I got your brother's blessing. Do you like the ring?" he answered. I smiled as I glanced at it. It was so shiny and perfect, and it fit my personality perfectly.

"I love it," I smiled. I could feel my face going flush.

"Are you sure? We can always swap it out if-"

"Arlo... it's perfect," I stopped him. "I promise," I added before I yawned. The days events were surely taking their toll on me and I was ready to go to sleep before we left the house.

"Can we take a nap now? I'm so tired," I asked. He chuckled before he nodded.

~

The next few weeks at the office went smoothly. There were no more surprises and Arlo's numbers just kept going up. Our engagement was talked about by all the tabloids. Arlo became an even bigger deal than he already was and he had to hire extra security for us. My brother would come over to Arlo's place all the time. When he wasn't trying to get me to start wedding planning, he was watching a game with Arlo.

I hadn't exactly started planning the wedding yet. I knew why I was being so hesitant. I wanted to take my time with it so I could have more time with Arlo. Could you really blame me? I knew what speeding up this process meant, and I was too happy where I was to try and change it too quickly.

We fell into a relaxed pattern. I guess it caused me to get complacent because when Kristen's ex-wife, Katherine, walked into Arlo's office one day, I was way too thrown and off my game.

"Katherine," I said in surprise as I stood. She just looked at me suspiciously.

"Help me out Lyra because I'm having a bit of deja vu. One of the King siblings comes out of nowhere and starts working for someone of a higher class. They start dating, get engaged, eventually they marry, then the King sibling takes them for everything they've got," she said. "And I thought you were different than him," she shook her head.

"Katherine, I'm sorry with what happened with you and my brother, but I'm not him," I tried to convince her. She wasn't buying it, I could see that much on her face.

"See, I would believe you, but I've seen how this plays out, and I think it's only right to warn Arlo on who he's getting into bed with," Katherine said as her arms crossed over her chest.

"Katherine, please... it's unfortunate what happened, but I love Arlo," I said honestly. I heard the door open behind me.

"What's going on?" Arlo asked slowly.

"I'll sign a prenup," I said to Katherine. She looked shocked. "I'm not who you think I am and I meant what I said."

"Ly, no one is asking you to sign anything," Arlo said as he touched my shoulder gently.

"No, make her sign it, or you'll regret it," Katherine said to Arlo before she left. I released a breath and leaned against the desk.

"Who was that?" Arlo asked. Telling the truth was my only option here.

"That was Katherine McFens, Kristen's ex-wife," I answered. "She thinks I'm only after your money," I explained. Arlo chuckled.

"Has she met you?" He joked. I shrugged.

"Once or twice but not really," I answered. "But I meant what I said. I'll sign a prenup. I love you, Arlo. I just want you," I said honestly. Maybe that was my way out of this mess. Maybe if I signed the prenup, I could just be with Arlo and Kristen would get off my back. Arlo kissed me gently, pulling me flush to him.

"I know where your heart is, Ly. I don't need reassuring. I love you, and I know you love me. You don't have to sign anything," he said. I sighed and relaxed against him.

"Have you started planning yet?" he asked. I shook my head with a small smile.

"There's no rush, right?" I said.

"I want you, Ly. All of you, completely. I want to get married within the year, if we can," he said. He looked so lovestruck that my chest physically ached.

"Let's have a little ceremony then. Close friends and family only. What's the point in putting on a show? Your mother doesn't approve of me and my father can't walk me down the aisle. Even if we had a big wedding, the only person I would have on my side is Kristen. I wouldn't have any bridesmaids. It would just be sad really," I admitted out loud. That was another aspect of a wedding that I don't think Kristen planned out. With him, he made friends easily, so by the time his wedding rolled around, his side was stacked. Me, not so much.

"I'm sorry, Ly. I forgot. You know what? Screw all of this. Next week, we'll go down to the courthouse and get married there. We can just have your brother as a witness if you want. You're right. There's no reason to put on a show," he agreed. I wanted to throw up. I succeeded in making the wedding smaller, but it only pushed the timeline up. What did I do?