1: Fiancee

**Zinnia’s POV**

“Have you landed?” Bruno asked, and I groaned, my body collapsing onto a wooden bench.

“I landed three hours ago! And still no sign of Chris! He promised he would be here, and yet he isn’t.” I tried to control my anger. As much as I wanted to vent my frustration, I didn’t want my brother finding out that Chris and I were something more.

It would kill him.

And ruin everything.

“It’s okay. I’ll call him. He’s probably busy.”

“He probably is…”

“Don’t move around too much. Just sit and wait for him, okay?”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m 26, Bruno. I’ll be fine.”

“But you’re still my baby sister, and I have the right to worry about you.”

Classic Bruno.

Treating me like a child even in my twenties. Once again, this proved my point, he would murder Chris if he found out about us. But I was going to tell him… soon.

Or probably never…

He ended the call, and I tried Chris’s line again, grabbing my suitcase as I headed toward a nearby restaurant. The call went straight to voicemail—it didn’t even ring.

With a sigh, I made my order and returned to the bench.

I exhaled deeply, refusing to let the negative energy ruin my mood.

Instead, I focused on the good things—like what we would do together. Finally, Chris would be able to take me on a proper date. In public. Without my brother’s prying eyes.

Ugh, it felt so good.

My mind raced with possibilities, excitement bubbling through me. I took a small sip of my smoothie, savoring the taste, when a black Aston Martin screeched to a reckless stop nearby.

I jumped, and my poor smoothie slipped from my fingers, crashing to the ground.

Could my day get any worse?

Before I could curse the driver out, a man stepped out, worry etched on his face. His eyes scanned me quickly before he exhaled in relief.

“I am so sorry, miss—wait—” Realization struck. He pulled out his phone, glanced at it, then looked back at me. “You’re Miss Zinnia Maxwell!”

I nodded slowly.

He ran his fingers through his hair, exhaling. “Master Chris asked me to get you!”

He didn’t forget me.

I knew he wouldn’t.

Warmth bloomed in my stomach.

“Please, let me help you!”

I smiled, handing him my suitcase. “You should’ve been here earlier. I’ve been waiting for hours,” I said, crossing my arms as he closed the trunk.

“I’m sorry, miss. There was a bit of traffic, and I had to go pick—”

“Mr. Axel.”

A low, crisp voice came from inside the car.

My gaze followed the sound, and a small gasp slipped from my lips.

The man inside looked dangerously handsome. Brown, tousled hair fell over his forehead. His sharp features screamed perfection. Tattoos snaked over his skin… and his eyes—Brown and silver, hidden behind clear lenses.

“Do I have to remind you that we have somewhere to be?” His voice cut through the air, and I realized I had been staring.

Shit.

Heat scorched my cheeks as I quickly looked away, focusing instead on a far less attractive trash can.

“I’m sorry, sir. This is Miss Zinnia—the lady Master Chris asked us to bring,” Axel introduced, and I could feel the man’s gaze settle on me.

I swallowed.

How could someone be so intimidating?

“Are you getting in, or would you prefer to walk?” he asked.

I walked to the already opened door and stepped in. Axel offered me a smile before closing it behind me.

The car hummed as the ride began. The man beside me remained silent, his attention fixed on a tablet as he typed away. The quiet stretched between us, thick and suffocating, mixed with the scent of his expensive cologne.

Unconsciously, I stole glances at him, but quickly looked away, pretending to scroll through my phone.

“Stop.”

He finally spoke.

The car came to a halt. He stepped out in front of what looked like a jewelry store, shutting the door behind him and for some reason, I could finally breathe.

“Why did you stop?” I asked, turning to Axel.

“Oh, Sir Grayson has to get a gift.”

“A gift? For who?”

“His brother. It’s his engagement party today.”

My brows furrowed slightly.

The door opened again, and Grayson stepped back in shortly after.

The car resumed its journey, and a few minutes later, we arrived at a very expensive-looking building.

My gaze barely lingered on it—especially when it landed on Chris.

He stood outside, talking to an elderly couple, his lips stretched into a smile.

It had been so long.

So long since I’d seen him.

We had FaceTimed and called countless times. Even though he was always busy, I still saw him—but now, now that he was right in front of me…

He looked even more handsome than before.

My heart skipped, my fingers itching to pull him close and breathe him in.

As soon as Axel parked, I jumped out, my feet moving faster than I thought possible.

But before I could reach him, a red-haired girl walked out from inside, meeting him with a smile—a smile too wide to be friendly.

I froze.

No.

Before my brain could catch up, he leaned in… and kissed her.

My steps faltered.

My heart dropped, sharp and sudden, like something inside me had snapped out of place.

I tried to convince myself I was imagining things.

It was probably jet lag and Exhaustion.

But when I blinked, the image didn’t disappear.

No. It wasn’t true.

He couldn’t.

He wouldn’t.

My eyes burned with unshed tears as I slowly walked toward him.

“C-Chris…” My voice came out as a broken whisper. I could barely hear myself.

He didn’t notice at first but when he did, something flickered in his eyes.

Yet he didn’t pull away.

“What is this?” My voice grew louder as I reached him, pulling him away from her. I ignored the glares and confused looks from the elderly couple.

“What are you doing?” he snapped, yanking his arm back, his brows furrowing in anger.

The girl moved closer to him, her face twisted with concern.

“Are you okay?” she asked, checking his arm.

“Who is she?” My voice trembled, clinging desperately to hope that they were just friends.

Friends kiss, right?

No. They didn’t.

A voice whispered in my head, but I refused to believe it.

“She’s my fiancée.”