“I suggest you do so after doing what we discussed and please don’t worsen your father’s headache," Molly pointed out. Roger felt deflated, running his fingers through his hair. Despite everything, he just wanted to see his father, even if they couldn't speak to each other.
"Okay, Mom, but just a quick look. I promise I won't wake him," he said, his eyes fixed on Lexi as he noticed the smile fading from her eyes.Nervousness filled the air, but Delanie started singing one of her carefully composed songs for Roger, helping him relax.Every time she sang, it captured his attention, and he knew Delanie could have been a superstar given the chance. However, their mother's past experience with fame was a reason for Delanie to get married before facing the harsh world out there."Roger, when did you come back?" Declan asked from the doorway. Roger forced a smile and replied, "Just a little while ago." He was already descending the stairs to embrace hisDelanie and Oriana spent the rest of the day transforming the small apartment to make it more feminine and brighter, in contrast to Roger’s dark colors. By the time they were done, it looked more girly and homely, but there was little time for Delanie to prepare for her date. Wade arrived fifteen minutes before the agreed time with a huge bouquet of red roses and was received by Oriana. “Hi, Therese is in the shower, but come in,” Oriana said, letting Wade in.“Nice apartment,” he complimented as Oriana ushered him to the couch. “Beautiful roses,” she complimented, and Wade nodded. “I hope she’ll like it.” He was dressed in a black suit and a red tie, matching the beautiful red roses. Oriana went upstairs to help Delanie prepare. “Your date is here, and you should see him,” she said excitedly. Delanie’s heart thumped in her chest. “I saw him hours ago.” “But he looks different in a suit,” she emphasized. Delanie’s excitement piqued. “I guess I’ll just have to see for myself.” Wh
Chad’s expression was serious as he revealed the plan. “Look, keep Therese on the side and marry the girl your parents choose for a year. When their businesses pick up, you can divorce her and marry your true love.”The idea sounded smooth, but Wade knew the complications. Therese did not seem like a woman who would stay by his side after learning he was married to another, and why would he hurt another woman to make one happy?“If I marry the girl my parents choose and then divorce her, my conscience would judge me. Chad, a woman, needs to be respected and loved. I can’t play with her feelings and then dump her. No, that’s not me,” he bluntly refused, and Chad gave up.“Fine, then marry this broke girl and lose everything. Don’t say that I didn’t warn you.”Wade decided to turn the tables of the discussion. “I see how you look at Oriana. You like her.”Chad didn’t refuse. “You are right about that, but I’m not ready to go broke for her, so whatever I feel must be buried deep inside,”
“It’s rented,” Delanie’s voice cut through, and Wade nodded. He had already guessed that the car wasn’t hers. “I’ll call the company to come and pick it up,” Delanie added, and Wade agreed, feeling excited.“Then I get to drive you home.” Not only did he now have her contact information, but he would also get to know her address.Delanie sent text messages to Hector, arranging for him to send someone to retrieve the car. She couldn’t contact Roger for fear that he might be upset and mess things up for her. Even Declan would easily side with Roger, and Hector was the only one who could defy Roger sometimes.Delanie met Oriana at the door. She had also freshened up, and Chad was beside her. The club was quiet and empty as they walked out.“Thank you, guys, for watching out for us,” Delanie said. Oriana smiled and glanced at Chad. “Yeah, thanks a lot.”Chad’s mind was a little distant, especially after Wade informed him that the car the girls brought was rented. He had been interested in
Wade smiled, but his eyes were afar off. Delanie couldn’t understand why his smile had such a calming effect on her, but she listened attentively, preparing herself to never see Wade again after today. However, his response was not what she expected."I did, for the most part, trust me. Especially that Roger. But after finding out everything, I couldn’t hate them anymore. I would have done the same or even worse if I were in their shoes. Besides..." he paused, and Delanie encouraged him, her fears dissipating."Besides what?" she asked."Don Gio. I know how much he loves Roger and Molly. Even though my attempt was on Roger’s life and I ended up stabbing Molly, he gave me a chance to be a better person."Delanie wasn’t surprised. Most people thought her parents were heartless, but only those who got to know them realized how kind-hearted they were. However, she was interested in Wade’s perspective of her brother."And Roger?" she inquired."He is the man I always wanted to be, but he b
Delanie stiffened slightly but soon relaxed. “My life is boring. I never knew my parents, grew up with older relatives who died along the way.”She knew she would have to forge documents later to match her fake identity, but Wade had a sorrowful look on his face as he sipped his wine.“I wish I didn’t know my parents,” he said with a pained look. Delanie was disturbed. “Excuse me?”She would never wish that she hadn’t seen or met her parents. In fact, she was grateful to them with each passing day. Wade’s expression changed, as if waking up from a trance.“Forget it. Let’s talk about more important things.”Delanie could never. He opened a door and she wasn’t going to let him close it without seeing what was inside. “No, I want to know more about you,” she insisted. Wade stared at her. “There are things I’ve never told anyone, except Chad.”Disappointment laced Delanie’s tone, resigning from pushing for it. “I understand if you don’t want to tell me.”A chuckle escaped Wade as he pour
Last night, Delanie had only intended to strike a deal with Wade to fake date him with her fake identity, but the moment their gazes met, something changed.He looked different from the last time she saw him at the party, and she began to feel a strange attraction to him, so that she didn’t want to be alone with him.However, the more he pleaded, the more her defenses broke, especially when he assured her that Oriana would be safe with his best friend, Chad.Delanie thought that Wade would take her to a VIP booth, a hotel, or some other place that normal guys would, but no. He took her to his office.“Please make yourself comfortable. I’ll get you something to eat and drink,” he said before leaving her alone.The office was huge, but Delanie was taken aback by how he left her there, all by herself. What if his enemy sent her? What if she secretly spied on him? Wade was giving her a level of trust that only scared her.As her thoughts scattered through her mind, she walked to the large