The Contract With Her Father's Billionaire Rival-Chapter 55. A New Building.

"The flight has been booked. Your plane to Winters Island leaves in five hours, sir," Tom said on the phone.

Alaric swirled his glass of scotch but he didn’t drink it. "Alright. Thanks, Tom," he said. His voice wobbled a little.

"Alright... sir," Tom replied gingerly. "Should we release any further statement about Lucian Crawford?"

Alaric dropped his glass on his table and scratched his chin. "Let’s hold on for now and see how the honeymoon news goes."

"Alright, sir," Tom said, and Alaric could hear keyboard clicks in the background.

He was still a little stunned that one of the reporters he had invited to his space had released a news report about Lucian Crawford’s presence at the wedding. He had dealt with the reporter, of course, but the news was already out there.

And they weren’t nice.

What was he expecting?

Nicolette’s betrothed husband showing up at her wedding—of course it would make headlines.

He groaned as the thought stirred bitterly inside him. He wanted to reach for the glass of scotch, but he just couldn’t.

His chest tightened, and it wasn’t because of the Lucian Crawford news, and his reputation on the line.

No.

It was because of Nicolette.

"About your wife’s gallery, sir, we haven’t been able to cut a deal with the police regarding reopening it, but I’ve found a decent building not too far from there," Tom said, pulling Alaric out of his thoughts.

"Okay."

"But I don’t know... if she’ll like it?" Tom said like he was selecting his words carefully.

"Let’s check it out then before we travel," Alaric said, still eyeing the scotch.

"Alright, sir."

"Is that all?"

"For now, yes, sir," Tom replied curtly.

"Alright. Later," Alaric said and hung up.

Immediately after he dropped the phone, Bagel climbed onto his lap. He scratched Bagel behind the ears, his heart softening at the feel of his fur.

He sighed as his eyes landed on the glass again. He wanted to reach for it, to let it cool his racing heart, but he knew the comfort the scotch offered would only be temporary. The feelings would still be there, waiting, once the euphoria faded.

Bagel groaned and shifted in his lap. He rubbed the dog gently.

He knew why he was like this. It was because Nicolette had allowed him to touch the abyss of his emotions.

He hated thinking about six years ago, let alone talking about it. And when he found out that Nicolette knew... he was consumed by shame and pain.

He had been counting on her naivety—her ignorance—to last a little longer. He could handle others’ judgment, but somehow hers frightened him in a weird, unexplainable way.

There.

He touched the feeling.

He was angry that the lies were still out there after everything he had done to clear them.

He was ashamed that he couldn’t give Nicolette a more sensible explanation.

And he was afraid—terrified, really—that she would see him like everyone else did.

Would she still want him after that?

Did she believe he was telling the truth?

The questions sent discomfort down his stomach.

"Fuck that," he muttered as he finally reached for the glass.

Nicolette was still here. And she had agreed to come for the honeymoon.

That had to mean something, right?

He downed the drink, and just as he reached for the bottle, a knock sounded on his study’s door.

"Come in," he said without looking up as he poured himself another drink.

He picked up his glass, and his heart suddenly pounded. "Nicolette..."

She was standing in the center of the room, her cheeks flushed. Bagel ran up to her, and she bent to greet him.

"I missed you. How are you?" she asked Bagel softly as she rubbed him.

Alaric packed the bottle and glass away quickly as he stood. He waited awkwardly for her to finish talking to Bagel, who was wagging his tail happily.

Finally, she straightened up. "Hi."

"Hi," he said with a small smile.

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her lip caught between her teeth. "I wanted to come say thank you. For the dresses... the shoes. And... everything. Anna delivered them."

He nodded, delighted by the gratitude in her tone. "I hope you like them."

Her blush deepened. "I do. Thanks."

His eyes caught the sparkle on her finger and his heart surged with delight.

She was his.

And for the first time in a long while, he didn’t feel so lonely.

He cleared his throat and looked away. "You’re welcome."

"Yes," she said softly. "And... sorry about the conversation with Suzie. I said—"

"It’s okay," he interrupted. He didn’t want to touch that place again. "It’s fine."

She shuffled on her feet, swinging her hands nervously. "Alright then."

They stood there in silence for a while.

"When do—"

"We leave—"

They spoke at the same time and then chuckled. The sound of her laughter eased some of the tightness in his chest.

"You go first," she said, her smile widening.

He chuckled again. "I was going to say we leave in five hours."

"Oh. I was going to ask about that," she said. "That’s great then. I guess I should go get ready."

She hesitated as she turned toward the door.

He saw it. He caught the hesitation.

But he couldn’t think of anything to make her stay.

Think. Think of something.

Just as Nicolette’s hand touched the doorknob, the words finally came out.

"I got you a new building."

She turned slowly, one brow lifted in confusion. "What?"

He cleared his throat. "I got a new building for your gallery," he said, this time more confidently.

Nicolette’s eyes widened. "Oh."

She couldn’t hide the surprise in her voice either.

He stepped forward, but Bagel moved himself between them.

"I don’t know if you’ll like it, but I would love for us to check it out before we leave."

Her mouth twitched, but she didn’t say anything.

Did she not like the idea?

"If you don’t like it, we can check somewhere else," he added quickly, but she still didn’t say anything. "We could... come back three days after so you can begin your work."

That seemed to get her attention.

"But the media? How are we going to get them off our backs if we’re back in just a few days?" she asked.

Good question.

"Don’t worry. I’ll figure something out," he said, offering a convincing smile.

She bit her lip again, then nodded. "Okay."

Bliss surged through him, slipping into his voice. "Great!"

Her eyes fluttered. "Alright then. Let me go change." She gave a weak smile and turned to the door. "Bye Bagel."

Bagel wagged his tail as she left the room.

Alaric stood there for a long second, before finally exhaling slowly.

Just as he went back to sit, his phone rang. He reached for it and saw that Tom was calling.

"Tom," he said, picking up. His voice was high with confusion.

"We have a problem sir," Tom said, his voice thin with fear.

Alaric’s heart skipped but he braced himself. "What is it?"

Tom swallowed before he answered. "Lucian Crawford just dropped his statement. And it’s not looking good."

Alaric sank into the couch, his grip around the phone trembling slightly.

What now?