Part 2: Unexpected Proposals
1226 Words
I was trying to grab my books without disturbing the breakfast theater when someone knocked on the door. Roni called out “Come in!” and Nick Sterling stepped into the chaos.
He looked good—he always looked good—in perfectly pressed khakis and a navy blazer that brought out his warm brown eyes. But there was something nervous in his expression as he surveyed the room full of trust fund princesses.
“Hey, Roni,” he said, but his gaze found me almost immediately. “Isabella, could I talk to you for a minute?”
The room went silent again. Nick Sterling, headmaster’s son and one of Ashwick’s most eligible bachelors, was asking to speak to me privately. I could practically hear the mental calculations happening around us.
“Sure.” I grabbed my bag and followed him into the hallway, grateful for any excuse to escape.
Nick ran a hand through his dark hair, a gesture that would have made half the school swoon. “This is going to sound crazy.”
“Most things at Ashwick do.”
He laughed, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. “Fair point. Okay, here goes nothing.” He took a deep breath. “I need you to be my fake girlfriend.”
I blinked. “I’m sorry, what?”
“A fake relationship. For appearances. Just until I can figure out how to handle my family situation.”
“Nick, that’s—”
“Completely insane, I know. But hear me out.” He glanced around the empty hallway, making sure we weren’t overheard. “My parents have been pushing this arranged marriage thing with a family friend’s daughter. Very strategic, very beneficial for everyone involved except me.”
“And you think fake-dating me will solve this how?”
“If they think I’m seriously involved with someone else, they’ll back off long enough for me to figure out a real solution.” His expression was earnest, almost desperate. “It doesn’t have to be complicated. We hang out, hold hands in public, post some photos together. Basic relationship theater.”
I stared at him. “Nick, you’re certifiably insane.”
“I know how it sounds—”
“You want me to pretend to date you to avoid an arranged marriage that may or may not actually happen.”
“It’s happening,” he said firmly. “Trust me on that.”
Before I could respond, the door to my room opened and Cassandra Royce stepped out, her red hair perfectly styled despite the early hour. She paused when she saw us standing close together in the hallway, her green eyes immediately sharpening with interest.
“Nick Sterling,” she purred. “How unexpected. Shouldn’t you be having breakfast with the other legacy students?”
“Actually, I was hoping to talk to Isabella about a history project,” Nick said smoothly.
“History project.” Cassandra’s smile was razor-sharp. “How... academic of you.”
She started to walk away, then paused as if remembering something. “Oh, Nick, you should congratulate Veronica. I just heard the most interesting news about her engagement.”
My blood chilled. “Engagement?”
“To Henri Dubois. The Swiss banking heir.” Cassandra’s voice carried back down the hallway. “The families finalized everything over the summer. Very romantic, really. Arranged marriages can be so elegant when done properly.”
Nick and I exchanged glances. Roni was engaged. To someone I’d never heard her mention.
“See?” Nick’s voice was quiet but urgent. “This is what I’m talking about. These families don’t mess around when it comes to strategic alliances.”
I thought about Roni’s behavior this morning, the elaborate breakfast party, the way she’d stood by while her friends tore me apart. Was she trying to distance herself from me because of her engagement? Was I now a liability to whatever image she needed to maintain?
“Your fake relationship idea,” I said slowly. “What exactly would it involve?”
“Nothing crazy. Hand-holding, sitting together at meals, maybe attending some events as a couple. Just enough to convince my parents that I’m off the market.”
Through the door, I could hear the breakfast party winding down, voices getting louder as the mimosas took effect. Someone was telling a story about a yacht party in Monaco, and someone else was laughing about a polo match gone wrong.
“What’s in it for me?” I asked.
Nick’s smile was relieved. “Protection. Legitimacy. Dating the headmaster’s son comes with certain... benefits. People think twice before messing with you.”
After this morning’s humiliation, the idea of having some social armor was definitely appealing. Plus, Nick was genuinely nice, which was more than I could say for most of the guys at this school.
“And when your parents back off the arranged marriage thing?”
“We have a mutual breakup. No hard feelings, no drama. Just two people who realized they’re better as friends.”
I considered it. A fake relationship with Nick would give me cover, social protection, and a buffer against whatever games Alexander and Julian thought they were playing. It wasn’t the worst idea I’d heard at Ashwick.
“Okay,” I said finally. “But I have conditions.”
“Name them.”
“No actual romantic expectations. This is business.”
“Absolutely.”
“And if either of us wants out, we’re out. No questions asked.”
“Deal.”
I held out my hand. “Partners in crime?”
Nick grinned and shook it, looking like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. “Partners in crime.”
The door opened again, and Julian d’Aubigny strolled out of my room like he owned the place. He was carrying what looked like an extremely expensive French macaroon and wearing his usual expression of amused superiority.
“Nick. Isabella.” He bit into the macaroon with obvious relish. “Lovely little party Veronica’s hosting. Very... intimate.”
“Julian,” Nick’s voice was carefully neutral. “I didn’t realize you’d been invited.”
“I wasn’t.” Julian’s grin was pure mischief. “But the pastries smelled divine from the hallway, and you know how I feel about French macaroons.”
He took another bite, savoring it like it was the most delicious thing he’d ever tasted. “These are from Henri’s Patisserie in Geneva. Very expensive. Very exclusive.” His eyes glittered. “Very appropriate for celebrating an engagement, don’t you think?”
With that cryptic comment, he strolled away, leaving Nick and me standing in the hallway trying to process what had just happened.
“Did he just steal food from your roommate’s party and somehow make it threatening?” Nick asked.
“That’s Julian for you.” I watched the prince disappear around the corner. “Everything’s a performance with him.”
“Good thing we’re starting our own performance then.” Nick squeezed my hand, which I realized he was still holding from our handshake. “Ready to convince Ashwick Academy that we’re madly in love?”
Looking at his warm smile and genuine eyes, I thought this might be the sanest decision I’d made since arriving at this school.
“Let’s do it.”
- Writer
