All Chapters of The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

"He takes some getting used to," Rosa's voice startled me. I turned to find her clearing the breakfast dishes with efficient movements. "Has he always been so..." I searched for the right word. "Cold?" Rosa supplied, a hint of motherly concern softening her expression. "Damien has had experiences that would freeze anyone's heart. But ice can melt, with the right kind of warmth." Before I could ask what she meant, the elevator chimed, announcing the arrival of someone else. "That'll be Natasha, the stylist." Rosa explained. "I'll show her in." The next two hours were a whirlwind of measurements, fabric swatches, and more clothing than I'd ever seen in one place. Natasha, a razor thin woman with a severe bob and Russian accent, approached dressing me like a military campaign. " No no NO!" she exclaimed, yanking away a blue dress I'd selected. "This is all wrong for your coloring. You are spring palette, not winter!" By noon, I'd acquired more clothing than I'd owned in my entire

I tensed, knowing this was dangerous territory. Damien's hand squeezed mine imperceptibly. "My mother died of cancer when I was seventeen," I said, the truth easier than fabrication. "My father... passed shortly after. I have a stepmother and two step siblings, but we're not close." "I'm sorry to hear that," Sophia said, genuine sympathy softening her features. "Cancer is a terrible thief." She glanced at Damien, an unspoken acknowledgment of her own diagnosis passing between them. "It is," I agreed quietly. "Though I'm grateful for the time I had with her. She taught me everything important — about art, about life." I swallowed, surprised by the emotion welling up. This wasn't pretense; thinking about my mother always affected me this way. Damien's arm slipped around my shoulders, drawing me closer to his side. The gesture seemed protective, comforting, so unlike the cold man I'd met yesterday. "Angel doesn't speak much about her family," he said, his voice low. "It's painful fo

The scale of Damien's estate overwhelmed me. Every hallway seemed to extend into infinity, every room larger than my entire former apartment. Rosa guided us through the main floor, pointing out rooms with casual mentions of priceless artifacts — 'That's the original Monet in the drawing room' and 'The library contains first editions from the sixteenth century' — as if discussing everyday household items.I tried to maintain composure, but my eyes widened at each new revelation. The indoor pool with a retractable glass ceiling. The cinema room with authentic vintage theater seating. The wine cellar that Rosa claimed housed bottles worth more than most homes."And this will be your suite miss." Rosa said, opening double doors to reveal a space larger than George's entire house.A sitting room with plush velvet furniture opened to a bedroom dominated by a canopied king sized bed. Floor to ceiling windows overlooked manicured gardens and the distant shimmer of the lake. The bathroom fe

He acknowledged this with a slight nod. "You're welcome to use any of the facilities. The stables, the tennis courts, the gardens, consider them at your disposal."" stables?" I couldn't hide my surprise. "You have horses?""Three. Do you ride?"I laughed softly. "I've never even been near a horse.""I'll teach you, if you wish."The offer caught me off guard. "You'd do that?""Why not?" He refilled my wine glass. "We have six months together. Might as well make them educational."Six months. The reminder of our temporary arrangement sobered me. I was already growing dangerously accustomed to this surreal existence after just one day."I should work on a more convincing backstory for us," I said, steering the conversation to safer ground. "In case your mother asks more specific questions."Damien set down his fork, giving me his full attention. "What did you have in mind?""Details about our relationship. First date, first kiss, when we realized it was serious. The things people usu

Damien considered this, his brow furrowing slightly. "The estate belonged to my grandparents. My mother grew up here. After my grandfather died, the property fell into disrepair. I purchased it when my business first became successful, restored it for her."The revelation of this sentimental gesture from a man who presented himself as coldly pragmatic caught me off guard. "That's... incredibly thoughtful."He shrugged, dismissing the observation. "It was a sound investment."But I wasn't fooled. This massive estate, maintained at what must be astronomical expense, wasn't about investment returns. It was about preserving something meaningful for his mother.We reached the terrace where we'd started, and Damien checked his watch. "I have a video conference in twenty minutes. Rosa will show you to breakfast if you're hungry.""Thank you for walking with me."I said, realizing I'd actually enjoyed his company.He nodded, his expression returning to its usual composed mask. "I'll see you a