Chapter 66
Chapter 66:
Just when Valeria thought Leonino would leave just like that, he removed his jacket and laid it across her lap.
It was only then that she realized her choice of attire—short pants that left her uncomfortably exposed while seated—might have been too daring.
She paused, a wave of gratitude washing over her, before managing a sincere, “Thank you p>
Leonino offered her a slight, enigmatic smile.
“You’re welcome. Perhaps you could pass a message to Miss Frazier for me? Let her know I’m no fan of these blind dates either. It might save us all some unnecessary hassle p>
A flicker of surprise shot through Valeria at his words.
She let out a nervous chuckle, attempting to justify her bold fashion choice. “Dr. Prescott, I know today’s look might seem a bit much, but I assure you, I am the real Ronnie p>
Her outfit had been a calculated risk, tailored to disrupt the date based on what she knew of Leonino’s tastes and profession—a mix of audacious, untamed, and slightly tacky elements, all designed to drive him away.
“Ronnie is a dentist,” Leonino said, his gaze cold and detached, making it clear he was unimpressed. “Since when did she switch to being a therapist p>
Humiliation washed over her as Valeria realized her misstep.
She had once surreptitiously listened in on Dorian’s phone conversation, and now, irony had circled back—she found herself the one being eavesdropped on.
Crestfallen, Valeria rose to her feet, flinging the jacket back at Leonino. “I’ll make sure Ronnie gets your message. I’ll take my leave now.” Just as she turned to exit, Leonino’s grip on her wrist halted her.
“Hold on. If you walk out now, they’ll catch on to what’s going on.” With a gentle tug, he drew her close, his poised, aloof expression now inches from hers.
He leaned forward to murmur in her ear, “Look over there—at three o’clock. We’ve got eyes on us p>
Glancing discreetly from the corner of her eye, Valeria indeed caught sight of two dubious figures watching them intently.
𝗿𝗼𝗼𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼 gⲁ𝗅⁚𝗇𝗈⁚ν𝖊⁚𝗅𝘀⁚ⅽ⁚𝗈⁚𝗆
She frowned, murmuring back, “Ronnie didn’t warn me about this.” The situation was turning ludicrous.
“They’re from my family,” Leonino revealed, the corners of his mouth twitching amusedly. “I find it just as absurd. But your outfit today sparked an idea p>
He watched as the men stationed at three o’clock finally left, confident they had captured enough snapshots of him and his outrageously dressed companion appearing intimate.
Valeria shook off Leonino’s grip, her expression a mix of irritation and bewilderment.
Leonino, unfazed, extended a business card toward her. “I’d like to hire you to be my fake girlfriend—to provoke my mother p>
Valeria didn’t even bother taking the card. She rolled her eyes and scoffed. “Yeah, that’s a hard no p>
Sure, her spending had gotten a little out of hand lately, but not enough to make her consider a job this ridiculous.
Leonino, showing no sign of offense, kept pace with Valeria as she moved to leave, deftly slipping the card into her pocket without her noticing.
“If you reconsider, you know how to contact me.” Valeria didn’t glance back as she exited.
She had barely made it a few steps from the cafe when she stumbled into further complications.
Dorian was there, inspecting the hotel alongside the manager. He blinked twice, stunned—then cracked up like he couldn’t hold it in any longer.
“You… what on earth are you wearing?” he exclaimed, amusement twinkling in his eyes.
Valeria responded with a cold, piercing stare, “I’m here for a blind date. Is that an issue for you p>
Dorian’s interest sparked, and he craned his neck to glimpse over her shoulder. “A blind date, you say? Who’s the lucky man who snagged a date with you p>
His playful taunt almost earned him a swift kick; Valeria’s irritation flared visibly.
Sensing her mood, Dorian cleverly took a quick step backward, narrowly avoiding her wrath.
Valeria, however, only pretended to lunge at him and then turned on her heel, leaving him behind without further comment.
Dorian, momentarily stunned, missed his chance to trail after her. He caught the attention of a passing waiter and asked, “Who was that lady on a date with p>
The waiter nodded toward Leonino, who lingered at the cafe. Dorian’s expression twisted into a frown. Why did it have to be Leonino, of all people?
“Alden, between me and Leonino, only one can stay your friend. Who’s it going to be p>
Alden’s brow furrowed in confusion as Dorian’s voice crackled through the phone.
“Have you lost your senses p>
Dorian’s tone bristled with irritation. “He and I simply can’t see eye to eye. And now, he’s chasing after Valeria—the woman I fancied first. She’s free to date anyone, just not Leonino p>
Alden massaged his temples, replying with a calm yet firm voice, “Valeria isn’t a prize to be won. If you think this is merely about outdoing Leonino, then you’ve missed the point entirely p>
A soft creak from the bedroom door made Alden glance up—Helena was coming out.
He swiftly ended the call without another word to Dorian.
Helena had secluded herself in her room for the past two days, and whenever she stepped out, she made sure to steer clear of Alden entirely.
The silence between them when they were alone felt as dense as fog, nearly tangible.
Just as Helena resigned herself to an unending quiet, Alden’s voice sliced through the stillness. “Will you be attending the exam this afternoon p>