Page 57 of Great Pretender
Her type will keep coming back until they get what they want.
And what does she want?
Me.
20
Piper
Oheka Castle is as beautiful as the pictures online and in the brochures.
With its scenic view, perfectly manicured grounds, and state-of-the-art design, it creates a magic that lulls you in from the moment you step onto the grounds.
It’s exactly the kind of place I imagined the Holdsworth’s tobook.It suits them. Every year, they do something different for theiranniversary.Last year, they stayed at a resort in the Hamptons, and the year before, we all went toHawaii.Every year, for as long as I remember, has been acelebration of their love.
Their celebration this weekend begins with adinner.
Chad isn’t here yet, but I haven’t had the chance to feel lonely or bored.
His parents have been fussing over me nonstop as if they don’t have over a hundred guests here.
Oddly, I’m enjoying the attention, even though I know I’m still supposed to be holding on to some sense of reason.
It’s not real.
Everything is happening around me, and I’m going through the motions, but I have to bear reality in mind.
“I just can’t get over your ring, my dear,” Elena Holdsworth chortles, bringing her hand to her heart again. And again, she takes my hand to look at the glorious diamond on my finger.
“Me neither,” I reply. I really can’t. I’m blown away, completely blown away. Chad outdid himself big time, and while I know I’m supposed to be holding on to reality, reason, and logic, I know that proposal was the real him.
Then there was the way we kissed.
God, I even gave him a little kiss when we got back home. I think I was still swooning over the ring and the night that I didn’t even know what the hell I was doing.
And I’ve missed him for the last two days. He’s sent messages, but it’s not the same as being with him.
“Your mother would be so proud. I’m sure your father is over the moon.”
“Yes,” I reply quickly. Dad was way over the moon. The same as everyone. And I was right—no one cares that Chad and I have technically been together for two months. Thankfully, also no one asked me if I was pregnant. People seem mostly happy for us.
Dad would have come this weekend, but it was a bit too much for him. He’s been out of the hospital for a few weeks but often gets tired early in the day. The doctors said it was just a side effect and would right itself soon. I hoped so because it was worrying sometimes.
“Oh, there’s that boy of mine,” Elena says, and I look over to the door to see Chad walking through, and the world fades away.
Dressed in a suit and his hair neatly trimmed, he looks suave and handsome. He gives drop-dead gorgeous a new meaning, and I swear to God I’ve never seen a more handsome man.
When he reaches us, he slips an arm around me and gives me a kiss.
“Evening, all,” he says, kissing his mother on her cheek too.
“You look fantastic, son,” Elena beams, and his father nods.
“Thank you. I’m sure you won’t mind if I steal my fiancée away.” He runs his finger over my waist.
“Not at all.”
“Perfect, see you later,” he says, but when he looks at me and a sinful glint sparks in the depth of his baby blues, I get the feeling we won’t be seeing anybody for the rest of the night.
