11 — Sweet Lies

“Alessia, are you ready?” Trevor’s voice rang through the speaker. Already. Seven in the morning.

I groaned into the phone, trying to hide how tense I was. Do you have to sound this bossy so early?

“Ugh… Trevor, it’s seven in the morning. I haven’t even had my coffee.”

“Seven thirty,” he corrected smoothly, like he had all the right answers. “And yes, I have to sound bossy. You are my supposed fiancée, remember?”

Fiancée. The word tasted like bitter metal in my mouth. I didn’t tell him that. “Fine. I’ll be ready. Don’t wait outside staring at the door, okay?”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he said, and I imagined that sly smirk he always carried, the one that made me want to strangle him and forgive him at the same time. “I’ll see you in there.”

I hung up and collapsed back into the pillows. Sleep had been my only ally before this nightmare of a morning. Maybe five more minutes…

The phone buzzed again. I sat up, groaning. “What now?”

“Alessia, I’ve been outside for ten minutes. I’ve called three times. Are you not planning to show up?”

So he’s been outside for ten minutes? And I’m supposed to feel guilty? I rubbed my eyes. “Trevor, I’m just getting up. I haven’t had coffee, I haven’t showered. I’m not ready.”

“I’ll text you the address. You can find your way there,” he said, his voice silky and firm, impossible to argue with.

I stared at the phone and muttered, Why is this man so impossible? Then I did the only thing that made sense. I called Hailey.

Her voice answered on the third ring. “Alessia, you’ve got to be joking. 7:40 on a Saturday? Who does that?”

“Trevor,” I groaned. “He’s already left me. And I—Hailey, I cannot go alone. I’ll lose my mind. Can you come with me?”

Hailey laughed. “Of course, darling. I’ll be over in twenty. We’ll make sure your bossy billionaire doesn’t eat you alive.”

***

Twenty minutes later, Hailey arrived, impeccably dressed and sparkling with energy. She looked at me with a grin. “Okay, spill. What’s the plan? How terrifying is he?”

I rolled my eyes and grabbed my bag. “Terrifying in ways you can’t imagine. But also infuriatingly smooth.”

“Smooth is fine. Terrifying? Not fine. I’ll be the buffer,” she said, linking her arm through mine. “Also, you know I totally ship you two, so I’m doing this for the future cute stories we’ll tell.”

Hailey and her shipping obsession. A small smile escaped me. I needed some warmth before facing this billionaire world.

***

The bakery smelled faintly of vanilla and almond, soft classical music playing in the background. There she was. Trevor’s mother, the woman I had never met, stepping forward with a smile that made me feel cautiously welcomed into another world.

“Good morning, Alessia. I’m Camilla,” she said, extending her hand. “Trevor has told me much about you.”

I swallowed. “I’m glad to meet you, ma’am.”

“Nonsense. Call me Mom, darling.” Her warmth was immediate, disarming. Mom, she said, and I felt an odd twinge of relief.

“You’re very kind,” I said, noticing the delicate ring on her hand, the subtle designer dress, the confidence she carried effortlessly. Everything here screamed wealth. Mentally, I started calculating the price of the marble counters, imported pastries, and floral arrangements. If I touched anything, I’d probably break it or embarrass myself.

Camilla tilted her head, studying me. “Trevor mentioned you two met at your school event. How did it happen?”

I glanced at Trevor, who shrugged casually, the corner of his mouth lifting in that infuriatingly perfect way he always did. “Well… we met through a friend, and we just talked,” I stammered. Smooth, Alessia. Really smooth.

Trevor added, “She was very persistent.”

“Persistent,” I murmured in my mind. Persistent, huh? That’s one word for it.

He continued, “Her red hair bounced like flames as she entered the hall. And when she opened her mouth to speak, I could only stare at her lips. Mom, she is a spitfire that shot at my heart, and now I’m burning for her.” Trevor held my hand, stroking it gently.

I choked at the description. If I didn’t know better, I’d believe he had fallen head over heels. But I know better. Tycoons tell sweet lies like this best.

Camilla laughed softly. “That’s wonderful. I do love a good love story. That’s my son, a very detailed businessman to the core.” Then she leaned closer, lowering her voice. “I was of humble beginnings before I met Trevor’s father. I used to run a small farm, nothing like this world. So don’t worry about being nervous. You’re welcome here.”

Her words eased the knot in my stomach. She’s actually nice and warm. A mom. Not just a billionaire.

***

The cake tasting was indulgent. Each slice tasted richer than the last, and Camilla watched us carefully, noting our reactions, occasionally offering soft comments. “Trevor’s palate is very particular, so I trust your judgment as well, Alessia.”

I nodded, trying to stay composed. This is insane. Me, a girl from not-that-rich family, evaluating cakes with the mother of a billionaire. I even did a mental price calculation for the chocolate truffle tier. That had to be at least a few thousand dollars.

Trevor leaned close to me. “Relax. You’re fine.”

Fine? With all this? But his presence was oddly grounding. Still vomit at the word fiancée, I thought, but smiled politely.

***

Later that evening, Camilla insisted we join them for dinner at their home. I had never been inside a mansion like theirs, except for Hailey’s, and it’s nowhere like the Reynolds. The driveway alone could have been a tennis court back in my neighborhood. My heart hammered as we entered.

Trevor’s father was already at the table. Brooding, calculating, grey eyes mirrored Trevor’s intensity but carried decades of authority. He studied me quietly, and I felt my cheeks burn. I am so out of my league. I quickly evaluated every expensive piece of furniture, each painting, the fine crystal glasses.

“Alessia,” Camilla said softly, “this is George.”

I curtsied slightly. “It’s a pleasure, sir.” Nobody handed me a ‘how to treat the rich’ book.

George nodded once, brief, but his gaze lingered just enough to unsettle me. He had the aura of a man who calculated everything, from moves to words to gestures. Basically an older version of his son. I could feel Trevor’s shadow of grey eyes behind mine, and it was dizzying.

Hailey whispered, “Just breathe, Alessia. You’ve got this. He’s only human, well, billionaire human, but still.”

I stifled a laugh, grateful for her presence. She’s ridiculous, but my saving grace.

***

Dinner conversation was formal at first. Camilla guided topics, asking gentle questions, teasing softly. “So, how do you see your future together?” she asked casually, passing a dish.

Trevor exchanged a glance with me, then answered smoothly. “We’re taking it one step at a time.”

Camilla’s eyes softened. “That’s wise. Love and marriage sometimes don’t arrive at the same pace.”

I nodded, trying to sound confident. A step at a time… easier said than done with this whole billionaire fake fiancée thing.

Finally, I asked quietly, “So, how did you and George meet again?” I looked at Camilla, knowing she had already told me at the bakery, but I needed the conversation to focus elsewhere. And it was getting hard lying to her. What would I say? That her son and I were signing a six-month contract marriage?

Her eyes sparkled. “Ah, that story starts on mi padre’s orchard. I was just a girl with big dreams, and Trevor’s father saw something in me.” She smiled warmly. “But not before I accidentally threw an apple at his head.”

“Accidentally?” I asked.

She winked. “Mostly.”

George choked on his wine.

“And mio figlio is just like his father. He has his heart too, even if he hides it.”

I let out a shaky breath, comforted. Yet my stomach flipped at George’s gaze and Trevor’s presence. This is only the beginning.

As dessert was served, my phone buzzed. Trevor’s name flashed.

What now?

The screen lit up with a single message: “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

And did he have to send it while we’re all present? He sat close, yet his voice seemed stolen by Ursula.

I glanced at him, humming and nodding. Great. Tomorrow, we continue this game.