Chapter Nine

TOO INVESTED.

ALEXANDRO’S POV.

The dinner had settled into the familiar rhythm of light conversation and friendly banter. However, the atmosphere at this particular table had an exciting spark that made it truly enjoyable.

I hadn’t defaulted once on my role as Lauren’s dutiful, besotted boyfriend, and to be honest, I was enjoying myself far more than I expected.

Lauren sat stiffly beside me, her hand trembling slightly in mine. Her calm appearance hid a storm of emotions underneath, which was always interesting to watch.

She flinched every time I brushed my thumb against her knuckles or leaned in just a little too close.

“So easily ruffled,” I mused, suppressing a smirk.

She was trying to seem calm, but it was clear she was uncomfortable. You could see it in her tight shoulders, the way her eyes quickly moved between her coworkers and the fast rise and fall of her chest.

Mario’s voice echoed in my mind, a nagging reminder of the boundaries I was supposed to keep.

"Don’t draw too much attention to her. She’s just a hobby. Fun. Nothing more."

And fun was exactly what this was. Watching Lauren squirm, seeing Patrick’s barely contained jealousy, and catching the glint of irritation in Rosette’s eyes—it was the perfect mix of entertainment and ego boost.

But even I had to admit, the spark of possessiveness that flickered through me when I caught Patrick glaring at Lauren wasn’t entirely feigned.

My fingers tightened around hers briefly, and I leaned in close, lowering my voice. “Smile, darling. You’re the star of the evening.”

Her lips twitched into an awkward smile, and I bit back a laugh. Rosette’s eyes narrowed as she studied us, her expression a mix of disbelief and poorly masked hatred.

Good. Let her stew.

Lauren’s Ex, Patrick, was far less quiet. His jaw tightened every time I so much as looked at her. The way his hand gripped the edge of the table, the faint sneer on his lips—it was like watching a child lose his favorite toy.

I couldn’t resist. My hand slid from Lauren’s, trailing lightly down her arm before settling on her thigh. Her sharp intake of breath was music to my ears.

“You’re breaking character, love,” I murmured, my lips brushing the shell of her ear. “Anyone can see how much you’re drooling over him. I don’t like it.”

Her head snapped toward me, her eyes wide with indignation. “I’m not—” she began, but her protest was cut off as I shifted closer.

Her reaction was priceless. She froze, her breath hitching as I leaned in, my lips hovering dangerously close to hers. The tension was electric, the entire room forgotten as I let the moment linger.

But before I could press further, a loud clink of glass shattered the spell.

“I’d like to propose a toast,” Patrick announced, his voice dripping with false cheer.

Lauren jerked away from me, her cheeks flushed. Her gaze darted to Patrick, her expression equal parts relief and confusion.

I sat back, smirking to myself. Well played, Patrick. But this was a game I had no intention of losing.

~LAUREN’S POV~

My heart was racing, and I could barely breathe. Alexandro had been toeing the line all night, but that moment—his lips so close to mine, his hand warm and steady on my thigh—had left me completely unmoored.

I hadn’t signed up for this.

This was supposed to be fake, a mutually beneficial arrangement. He wasn’t supposed to look at me like that, touch me like that, or “affect me” like that.

I straightened in my chair, trying to ignore the heat still lingering on my skin. Patrick’s voice rang out, his toast drawing everyone’s attention away from us.

I should’ve been grateful for the reprieve, but all I felt was a suffocating mix of emotions.

Patrick’s words were a blur, his smug grin twisting my stomach into knots. Was he jealous? Did he hate seeing me with Alexandro? Or was this just another way to humiliate me, to remind me of what I’d lost?

I glanced at Alexandro, who was lounging in his chair with infuriating ease. His smirk was modest but unmistakable as if he found the whole situation amusing.

He probably did.

I clenched my hands in my lap, fighting the urge to lash out at him. At Patrick. At everyone.

Rosette’s piercing stare pulled me from my thoughts. Her expression was venomous, her lips pressed into a tight line as she watched me.

She hated this. Hated *me.*

I wasn’t supposed to be the center of attention. I was supposed to be the girl who got dumped, who faded into the background while she basked in the spotlight.

But tonight, with Alexandro by my side, the narrative had shifted.

I could see it in the way Rosette’s friends whispered behind their hands, their gazes flickering between me and Alexandro. In the way, Patrick’s calm cracked every time Alexandro touched me.

A part of me—the part still raw and wounded from Patrick’s betrayal—rejoiced in their discomfort.

But another part, the part that remembered how this had all started, couldn’t shake the nagging sense of unease.

Alexandro leaned in again, his voice low and smooth. “Relax, sweetheart. You’re doing fine.”

I shot him a glare, but the corners of his mouth only quirked up further. He was enjoying this far too much.

Patrick’s toast finally ended, and the room broke into polite applause. My coworkers resumed their conversations, but the atmosphere remained charged.

I couldn’t take it anymore.

“I need some air,” I muttered, pushing my chair back.

Alexandro caught my wrist, his grip firm but gentle. “Are you okay?”

His question took me off guard, his concern seeming genuine. For a moment, I considered telling him the truth.

But then I remembered the smirk, the way he toyed with me like a cat with a mouse.

“I’m fine,” I said curtly, pulling my hand free.

His eyes searched mine, but he didn’t press. I turned and walked toward the balcony, the cool night air a welcome relief from the suffocating tension inside.

~ALEXANDRO’S POV ~

I watched her go, my smirk fading as she disappeared through the doors.

Lauren was a puzzle, and I hated Puzzles.

She was supposed to be simple, and predictable. Just another woman to play a role, to keep me entertained for a while.

But there was something about her, something that made me want to push harder, dig deeper.

Patrick’s gaze followed her too, his expression dark. The man was seething, and I couldn’t help but relish it.

“Excuse me,” I said smoothly, rising from my seat.

Rosette’s voice stopped me before I could follow. “Alexandro.”

I turned to face her, arching a brow. She offered a tight smile, her eyes cold. “Enjoying yourself?”

“Seriously,” I replied my tone light but pointed.

Her smile faltered, and I didn’t wait for her response. I stepped out onto the balcony, finding Lauren leaning against the railing.

Her arms were crossed tightly over her chest, her gaze fixed on the horizon.

“Running away, are we?” I teased, leaning against the railing beside her. She didn’t look at me. “I needed a break.”

“From me?”

“From everyone.”

Her tone was clipped, but there was a vulnerability beneath it that caught me off guard.

I studied her in silence, the sharp edges of my amusement softening.

“Lauren,” I began, my voice quieter now. “You’re doing fine. Better than fine.”

She turned to me then, her eyes filled with doubt. “Am I?”

“Yes.”

She searched my face for a moment before shaking her head with a bitter laugh. “I don’t even know why I’m doing this.”

“For revenge, isn’t it?” I said, the corner of my mouth lifting. “To show them all you’re more than they think you are.”

Her silence was answer enough.

I straightened, moving closer but keeping my distance. “You’re not just doing this for them. You’re doing it for yourself. And there’s nothing wrong with that.”

Her eyes softened, and for a moment, the tension between us shifted into something almost… real.

But then she shook her head, stepping back. “I should go back inside.” I let her go, watching as she disappeared into the dining room.

This game was far from over.