long time

Bailey POV

A week later.

The hospital doesn’t feel so heavy anymore like it did that day when the doctor informed me about my grandmother’s urgent surgery.

Grandma looks stronger with each passing day, her smile returning bit by bit.

Watching her talk to the nurses and tease them about their uniforms almost makes me forget the panic of last week.

I almost lost her.

The surgery had gone well, better than we hoped actually.

For the first time after that call, I feel like I can breathe with ease.

“You should go back to Chicago,” she says, adjusting the blanket around her shoulders.

Her voice is soft with that warmth that always makes me melt.

“Don’t let me hold you back, I am doing better.

You have your boyfriend waiting for you. I don’t want you neglecting him because of me.”

Her words slice through me, reminding me of that painful heartbreak I had almost forgotten.

I stare at her, trying to find the courage to tell her the truth — that there is no boyfriend anymore, that the man she believed loved me had ripped me apart and left me with nothing but a shattered heart.

But seeing her so happy, I could not bring myself to do it.

I smiled instead. “I’ll go back soon, Grandma. Don’t worry.”

At that moment , my phone buzzes on the table beside her.

I almost ignore it until I see the name flashing on the screen.

Orion.

I can't help but wonder why he is calling. He did mention something about wanting me to accompany him somewhere today. Could this be it? With that thought in mind, I answer the call.

“I’m outside,” his voice comes through the line. It's low and utterly unbothered but why do I sense seduction tangled inside.

Heavens, I must be losing my mind.

“Don’t keep me waiting too long.”

I don’t even have time to respond before he hangs up.

I hold back a curse.

That's the typical him, an asshole.

Dealing with Orion these past days has made me see another side of him I never saw before.

How could I have when Nolan had successfully recruited me to hate him?

These past days however, Orion has been awfully kind to me. Calling to check up on me, teasing me from time to time. It's like he is a different person from the man I knew back in college.

“I have to go,” I tell Grandma, forcing a smile. “I’ll come check on you tomorrow.”

“Go,” she says, waving me away with a teasing grin. “And tell that young man he is lucky to have you.”

I give her a fleeting smile. If only she knew.

When I step outside, the late afternoon sun hits my face, a contrast of the cool air insíde the ward.

It doesn't take long to spot Orion. He is leaning against a sleek black sports car like he owns the whole damn parking lot.

He looks too good for hospital air — black shirt, sleeves rolled up, sunglasses hanging from his collar, and that arrogant smirk that screams trouble.

He waves at me and I head towards him.

“Are you stalking hospital grounds now?” I ask, crossing my arms.

“If I were stalking, you would have noticed hours ago.”

He pushes himself off the car and opens the passenger door. “Get in.”

“I haven't said I wanna come with you.” I retort. Orion grins, the kind that shows he has the upper hand.

“Good thing I didn’t ask for agreement. We have somewhere to be.” His tone though light leaves no room for debate.

I hesitate at first. “Where exactly?”

He did mention going somewhere but didn't specify. Although we fake dating, that doesn't mean I have to follow him everywhere he asks me to.

Orion gives me that half-smile that has been stirring things I don't want to admit inside me.

“You are accompanying me to an event as my girlfriend and manager.”

I blink in confusion.

“Manager? Excuse me?”

“Don’t look at me like that,” he says, starting the engine. “You did a damn good job managing Nolan. You are better than most professionals I have had.”

That name, Nolan, hits me hard. I scoff, looking out the window.

“Yeah. Until I apparently suffocated him.”

The words slip out before I can stop them.

Orion turns to look at me with a frown. “That’s the excuse he used?”

I don't answer that. I don't have to. Orion doesn't probe further and I am grateful for that. Talking about Nolan is enough to ruin the good mood I am in after seeing my grandma looking alive again.

After driving for minutes, he pulls up in front of a luxury salon.

“We’re here.” He announces, unbuckling his belt.

I frown, studying the establishment.

“Why?”

“ Isn't it obvious? You need to get ready.” he replies.

“Excuse me?” I blink at him. “You can’t just…” I start my protest but Orion cuts me off.

“I can and I am. If you are playing the part of my girlfriend, you need to look the part. You can't just show up looking like you've crawled out of an abusive relationship.”

Orion states, giving me a quick look.

“ I can just go home and get ready.” I try to reason with him but he shakes his head.

“ No can do, Bailey. We don't have the time. Besides, you agreed to this deal and that means you follow my instructions.”

I roll my eyes and step out of the car. Orion leads me inside and gives them instructions.

A moment later, stylists swarm me before I can even protest again.

For god knows how long, I am prodded, powdered, and polished until even I don't recognize the woman staring back at me in the mirror.

Soft waves frame my face, the red lipstick makes my mouth look too bold. The best part? It's the gown.

It's deep emerald in colour and it fits me like it had been made for me.

When I finally step out of the changing room, Orion’s reaction nearly makes me forget how to breathe.

Orion POV

She walks toward me slowly and in a beautiful way that makes my pulse go still.

I have seen Bailey before, angry, feisty…

However, this is different.

She doesn’t just look good. She looks like a temptation, like sin wrapped in candy.

For a moment, I forget how to speak.

“You look incredible.” I whisper, my throat protesting why I didn't say perfect.

Her face flushes but rolls her eyes.

“Try not to fall for me before our fake relationship even starts.”

I smirk before offering my arm. She hesitates just long enough to make it interesting before looping hers through mine.

My manager turned driver takes the wheel, driving us to the event. I smile, thinking of the little surprise I have arranged for her.

When we walk into the event, heads turn.

I am a public sensation in the hockey world but today, something is different. I have in my arms a natural spotlight grabber.

Cameras flash before our eyes and I can feel the eyes following her. I don’t blame them. I tighten my hold on her waist for the show and partly because I have been dying to do that since she stepped looking like a seductress.

I feel her shift then lean close enough to whisper, “Aren’t you taking this fake girlfriend thing way too seriously.”

A smirk dances on my lips.

“ I don't think so. Everyone needs to know that the most beautiful woman in the room belongs to me tonight.”

Her breath hitches but she says nothing. Good, I like her flustered.

The ballroom is alive with chatter. There are sponsors, coaches, players, and media faces everywhere. Bailey moves beside me gracefully, smiling and throwing a word or two when needed.

She is well informed about this world, as expected of Nolan's capable manager for years.

A smile paints my lips when I spot the main character of tonight's play approaching us.

He wears that same fake confidence I have always hated.

“ I heard you got yourself a new girlfriend. I had to come see what kind of a woman would have you wrapped around her finger.” Nolan says, a fake smile on his face.

Recognising the voice, Bailey freezes beside me, her hand tightening slightly on my arm.

I smile, slow and deliberate. “Welcome to the Michigan team. You finally get the chance to join us.”

Bailey's head snaps toward me and I see the questions in her orbs.

“ Seems like you moved on rather quickly.” Nolan says, facing Bailey. I don't miss the twitch of his brows and the bitterness hidden perfectly in his words.

“ Yeah she did. I'm surprised how fast she unloved him. Seems like he was just mediocre or I am an excellent lover.” I counter, my smile widening.

Nolan chuckles but there's no amusement in it.

“ I guess we will be seeing a lot of each other.”

My jaw flexes. “Don’t get too comfortable. In this field, talent is everything.Guys who sleep their way into opportunities usually don’t last long.”

His smile falters and the look on his face is priceless. He looks half insulted, half threatened.

As I guide Bailey away, I catch a faint smile on her lips. It's the first real one I have seen in a long time.