Faux Vows, True Desires novel Chapter 31

Stefan was a unique dude. He was super particular about the ladies, and even his grandparents couldn't force him to marry a girl he didn’t fancy. He was only going to tie the knot with a woman he truly loved.

"Easy there, Holt. This is my business."

Even though Stefan was still grinning, Holt got the hint and changed the subject as soon as those words left Stefan's mouth.

"I gotta split."

Stefan gathered several bags with evening dresses, bid Holt farewell, and then took off.

Holt watched as Stefan hopped on his bike and pedaled away.

Stefan made a beeline for Serendipity Cafe. It was a busy afternoon at Serendipity. Lucinda, her business partner, and their staff were busting their asses.

When Lucinda saw Stefan walk in, she greeted him with a smile, "Stefan, I'm slammed right now. Grab a seat and let me know what you want. I'll have someone whip it up for you."

After taking in the scene, Stefan walked up to the counter and set the bags down. He said to Lucinda who came over, "Lucinda, I've hired some evening dresses. About that thing you promised..."

"I'll keep my promise, Stefan. Where did you get these dresses?"

Lucinda pulled out a dress, mesmerized by its beauty, and hastily put it back in the bag, worried she might dirty it. "When I get a chance, I'll head back to my apartment and try them on."

"A friend of mine runs a clothing store, and he's got evening dresses. I got a few from him. When you get a chance, try them on. If they fit, change into one and wait for me at your door at seven. I'll pick you up for the business cocktail party."

"Sure thing." Lucinda agreed quickly. They needed to help each other out.

Stefan locked eyes with her. His look softened and she couldn't read him. "Lucinda, I gotta head back to work."

"Okay."

Lucinda packed the dresses away and prepared a box of pastries for Stefan. "Stefan, I've tried these pastries and they're scrumptious. They're the best we've got. Take them back to your office and give them a try. Let your coworkers try them too. If they like them, they can come here for a bite."

If Lucinda knew her boyfriend was the CEO of Ascend Global, she wouldn't have said or done that.

"Thanks."

Stefan wasn't much of a sweets guy. But since they were from his girlfriend, he would give them a go.

"We don't need to be so formal," Stefan said, laughing. He pulled out a tissue and wiped the sweat off Lucinda's forehead.

It was scorching hot and she was already sweating, having just been a few minutes away from of the AC.

George quickly pulled a bank card out of his pocket and handed it to Lucinda, "Lucy, I'm serious about helping you. There's 50 grand on this card. Use it to pay off your debt and buy a car with what's left."

"The PIN is my birthday. You still remember my birthday, right? You used to celebrate it with me."

George didn't set the PIN to Lucinda's birthday, but his own, hoping she would remember it. He believed that in Lucinda's heart, he was irreplaceable, second to none.

Lucinda didn't want to waste her breath on him anymore. She swung the broom, hitting his hand and sending the card flying. The strike also hurt George's hand. He quickly pulled back his hand and jumped off the step. "Lucy, Lucy, listen up, you don't have to pay back this fifty grand, nor do you have to do anything for me. I just purely wanna help you out, after all, we loved each other for a few years."

His standard of living had gone through the roof, despite some difficulties in the past six months, his financial situation was way better than before.

His wife trusted him big time, loved him to bits, and she was now a month pregnant.

He'd been busting his ass to get the boss to give him a promotion and a raise. Nowadays, he'd got a luxury car to ride, maids in his house, and all he needed to do was take good care of his wife, and everything was peachy. The allowance he got from his wife even exceeded his salary.

For the current George, coughing up fifty grand to pay off Lucinda's debt was as easy as pie.

"Buzz off!"

Lucinda chased after him, hitting him. As he ran towards his fancy car, she picked up the dropped bank card, chased after him, threw the bank card in front of George, and fumed, "Take your bank card and get lost!"