Chapter 17

" Come on dude, she's a really nice girl, and I just don't feel okay with lying to her like this, "

There he goes acting like the perfect gentleman again. His father runs a drug cartel which he's destined to inherit and he's trying to talk to me about morals. 

" Come on, it's just a little white lie. "

Whatever that means. 

" And don't forget that I'm going to pay her. Besides, everything worked out in our favor so how about you thank me then go buy a nice suit for your civil wedding pictures... oh and don't forget, you have to act depressed since you found your girlfriend hanging from the ceiling a month ago. "

He shakes his head again. Then settles down in the seat and runs a hand over his face. His green eyes looking at me with clear judgement. I know he wants me to feel a little remorse, but I was born without the ability to feel any of those sentimental things. And though I care about him, I'm sure that what I did wasn't that big a deal. 

" I hate you, " he said and I laughed. At least he's looking a little more open to the idea. 

" And if she finds out that we lied? "

" Why? Are you planning to tell her? " 

" Of course not. "

" Then we have nothing to worry about. "

We talk about the next plan. Now that Layla said yes all that's left is for us to tell her how she's supposed to act. And it's up to Arden to come up with a good enough story as to how they met and all that stuff. My job here is done. 

Well kind of, I did have the craziest sex dream about her yesterday night. I get hard just thinking about it. And I won't lie, the only reason why I was so determined to get her to agree is because I want he close to me. As close to me as she can be. For instance, I want her to move in with us as soon as she can, that means that she'll only be a few rooms away from mine. And yes, she's my best friends fiancé by now but it is all a sham. 

Nothing legal. And Arden clearly wants nothing to do with her as far as intimacy is concerned. She's not really he's type. And up until a few days ago, she wasn't my type either, but I can't stop thinking about her so I'm going to get her as close to me as I can before this whole thing ends. 

And I'm not even asking for a lot, just a little fun to drain out this lust that I now have for her. And after that I'll go back to my life as if nothing even happened. 

" Okay then, do you have her address, I'll stop by there tomorrow and talk to her, "

" About what? "

Arden frowns and looks at me. And even I realised just how defensive that came out but I shake my head immediately so that he doesn't get any ideas. 

" I mean, I already told her what she needs do know, we can discuss the rest another time, "

Most preferably when I'm present. And thinking about that gives me another idea. Another chance to see her much more sooner. 

" What if I go and fetch her from her place then meet you over at CoastBell. We'll discuss everything there. "

He seems to consider it. Then just to be safe I tell him the her place is close to the spot where I'll be holding my meeting so it won't be a bother. And tomorrow is Sunday so she'll surely be at home. He agrees and I inwardly grin. I can't let him start having second thoughts about this, it was his idea to begin with and all I did was help him accomplish it. Of course ,I have selfish reasons of my own but that's beside the point. 

I want her for myself and I sure will have her. 

Besides, I saw her first. 

                           ❇️✳️❇️✳️❇️

Layla's POV 

I can't stop thinking about Arden and what he must be going through. It's so sad to lose someone you love like that. And I'm speaking from experience, I was only nine when my mom decided that I wasn't reason enough for her to keep living. 

She took her own life only a short while after my dad had died. I have never known such grief. And although I was still very young, it had hurt. All those strangers telling me that everything would be okay, that they were in a better place. 

I had wanted to throw myself off a cliff. And I've never been able to stop asking myself why I wasn't good enough. Why she couldn't have held on and tried to be stronger for my sake. So I know very well what Arden must be going through. And he's such a good person, one would never think just by looking at him that he's going through so much pain. I even saw him laughing that night at the gala. But maybe he's just trying to hide the suffering. 

Which is why won't let him get married to someone he doesn't love. 

His friend is so noble, helping him like that. 

And I don't know why he's now constantly in my mind. Even more than before.

And what he's asking me to do is way beyond my comfort zone but I'm going to try and help as best as I can. Arden has helped me out not once, but two times now. And that speaks a lot about his good character. I don't even want the money being offered. I'll tell them that I'm going to do it as a favor. 

Though I don't know how to get in touch with them since Gabriel Germaine didn't even leave me his number......but God, he's just so dreamy. I've been trying not to think about him like that but I can't help it. I just like how he talks, and how he acts. And he looks great in the suits he's always wearing. Not to mention that he smells incredible. I almost fainted yesterday when he walked into the store. But the last thing I need is to develop a crush on him. 

My focus should be on helping Arden, nothing more. And that's how it's going to be. 

                             💮🌼💮🌼💮🌼

Cassie looked at me from under the brim of her mug. Still trying to process what I just told her. I know that I'm probably not supposed to tell anyone about the engagement I got myself into, but I just really felt like I could confide in her. 

Just in case she thinks it's an awful idea and wants me to rethink it. 

" Soooooo........ you're going to marry him? " she asked skeptically, wrapping both hands around the mug and bringing it to her chest. She'd come over to ask how I was doing. We've gotten surprisingly close since she started helping me out and I think she's the only person I actually feel free to talk to without any inhibitions. 

" Well, it's not an actual marriage, just a fake one. That way his parents will believe the story, "

She made a tsking sound with her tongue. Then she started laughing. 

" Hey, what's so funny? "

Placing the mug on the table, she scooted closer to me on the two-seater couch I had in my small apartment. Then she placed her hand on my arm, crossing her feet on the couch. 

" I can't believe this!... you're actually getting married to Gabriel Germaine's best friend. "

" I told you, it's all fake. And it's really not a big deal, "

She looked at me like I was crazy. The she took out her phone and started typing in something before she flashed it in front of my eyes. 

" Not a big deal? "

I read the contents of the phone. And the more I did so the wider my eyes got. I had known that he was wealthy, but I really had no idea just how much.

" And he's also a lady's man.... like a legit womaniser. " Cassie added, pointing to a certain article that had a picture of him with two brunettes. His hands on their lower backs as they got into a car. 

And the title of the article less literally ' Legit Womaniser ' . How original, I thought. 

But I decided not to pay too much attention to any of that. My engagement wasn't to him. And maybe the tabloids had it all wrong, I might not know him well but he does seem like a nice guy. Though I do have a tendency to try and see the best in people. Even if the truth of who they really are is flashing right before me. 

" But do me a favor and don't tell anyone about this. I just told you cause, well.... "

She raised her brows, then wiggled them before playfully nudging me with her elbow. 

" Cause we're friends, right! "

I nod, taking a sip of my own coffee. Sunday is really the only day I have off. And I always spend it at home. Either watching a movie or reading a book. And sometimes, when I'm feeling really adventurous, I try cooking new recipes. My grandma was an excellent cook and I learnt everything from her, but I never get anytime to cook anymore because of my busy schedule.