Faux Vows, True Desires

Chapter 8

After Stefan left, Cecilia turned to her friend and asked, "Lucinda, is he really your husband? When did you guys get hitched? How come I never heard anything about it?"

"But, your hubby was such a badass just now. He’s a whole lot better than that jerk George."

Lucinda went back to the cash register and took a seat.

Cecilia followed suit.

"We just came from the City Hall, actually, he is..."

Leaning close to her friend's ear, Lucinda whispered, "My mom keeps setting me up for blind dates and it's driving me nuts. So I hired Stefan to play my husband and fool my mom, just so I can get some peace."

Cecilia was flabbergasted, "Hired? You hired a husband and actually got married at City Hall?"

"Stefan thought it was best to go all in. He's a looker and an old college buddy of my brother's. I've known him for 11 years, so it's not like I'm losing anything by marrying him. So, off we went to City Hall."

Cecilia poked Lucinda's forehead a few times while whispering, "You're out of your mind! Aren't you afraid he'll take advantage of you? Looks can be deceiving, you've known him for 11 years, but do you really know him?"

"Not really, but he's still a familiar face."

Cecilia said, "I hope you won't end up getting screwed over."

She left the cash register area, "I need a moment to process. Your madness is giving me the creeps."

Lucinda just shrugged.

Was a rushed marriage really that scary?

"Ding, ding, ding--"

A new message popped up on Lucinda's phone.

It was from Stefan, telling her he was on his way to terminate his lease and would be back before dinner to take her out and celebrate their “marriage”.

Lucinda chuckled.

It's not like they were really getting married. What was there to celebrate?

But she didn't reject Stefan's arrangement.

......

Diamond Ridge Estates was a community featuring both high-rise buildings and villas, boasting a beautiful environment and convenient transportation.

The villa that Stefan lived in was one of many he owned. Since it was close to his company, he usually stayed there.

His real home was the Anderson Manor, the most famous mansion in Pinehurst, also known as the Ascend Estate. Built to mirror the beauty of Norwegian forests, it was a sight for sore eyes.

But it was far from the hustle and bustle of the city, requiring more than an hour's drive from the city center.

The security system at Ascend Estate was top-notch. Without the consent of an Anderson family member, no one could enter.

It was said that the Ascend Estate was designed like a maze. Once inside, outsiders would get lost and be unable to find their way out.

Stefan pulled up to his villa and honked. Soon, a middle-aged, chubby woman came out to greet him.

"Young Master."

As she opened the villa gate, she asked with a smile, "Young Master, what brings you back?"

Stefan parked his car in the garage. After getting out, he replied to her question, "Emma, I'm back to grab some clothes. I won't be back for a while."

Emma took it in stride, "are you going on a business trip again?"

Ascend Global had many subsidiaries. Even though each one was managed by other members of his family, there were times when Stefan had to handle issues personally.

"No."

"Then why are you leaving?"

In light of his newly married status, Stefan was in high spirits and didn't mind chatting, "Emma, I've been hired."

Emma stopped in her tracks and burst out laughing, "Young Master, don't joke around. Who could afford to hire you? Would anyone dare?"

Stefan just chuckled and didn't elaborate.

He went upstairs and into his room, browsing through his wardrobe but finding nothing suitable.

Turning around, he walked out of his room.

"Emma."

Emma quickly appeared at the stairway.

"Emma, get Laird for me."

Laird was the gardener responsible for his garden, around the same age as Stefan.

"Okay."

Emma quickly went to find Laird. In less than two minutes, Laird was present.

Stefan was already downstairs.

"Young Master, you wanted me?"

"Laird, do you have any new clothes?"

Laird blinked, confused, but still answered honestly, "I bought a couple of new outfits online a few days ago."

He spent his days surrounded by plants, often getting covered in dirt, so he didn't need to wear anything too fancy.

"Give me your new clothes. How much did they cost? I'll wire you the money."

"Huh?"

Laird was stunned, seriously questioning his hearing.

Even Emma was taken aback.

"Young Master…my clothes are cheap stuff I bought online."

Laird reminded the young master.

"I know, but I need them right now. Don't worry, I'll pay you. Double the value."

"But…"

Laird looked at Emma. Emma didn't know what the young master was thinking, but she was used to obeying him, so she told Laird, "If the young master wants you to get the clothes, just get them."

"Alright then."

In a few minutes, Laird handed over the two new outfits he'd bought online to Stefan.

"Young Master, I've washed these clothes but never worn them."

Stefan took the clothes and could tell they were of inferior quality compared to his own.

But he didn't mind. He took out his wallet, pulled out a few large bills, and handed them to Laird.

"Young Master, these clothes didn't cost that much!"

"Take it!"

Stefan's glare made Laird shudder, and he quickly accepted the hundreds of dollars.

The young master might seem gentle and refined, but that was all a facade.

Who could run Ascend Global by being soft-hearted?

"Emma, lend me that bicycle you use for exercise."

Without giving a damn about whether she agreed or not, Stefan walked out of his fancy mansion, a black travel bag slung over his shoulder.

Snapping back to reality, Emma rushed out after him, calling, "Young master, what the hell are you doing?"

Did he seriously have a sugar mama now?

But if he did, shouldn't he be dressing better, eating better, using better stuff?

Why would the young master want to go out of his way to change his image, making people see him as an ordinary guy, or even worse, a poor one?

"Give me the keys to the bike lock."

Emma handed the keys to Stefan, " young master, you've got me all confused."

Stefan got on the bike, grinning, "Emma, I'm getting married. Your future lady boss, her name is Lucinda."

Emma was shocked, "What?"

The young master was getting married?

Her future lady boss was named Lucinda?

Lucinda?

Where had she heard that name before?

Right, it was the girl in the photo album Stefan hid in the bookshelf.

That album, Stefan cherished it like a treasure. If she hadn't cleaned the study, she would never have found it. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

The album was filled with pictures of a girl from her youth to her young adult years, each one signed personally by the young master, clearly stating the date they were taken, the girl's name, and her age.

Before this, everyone thought the young master was into Ms. Scott, Emma included, until she found that album.