Chapter 6 Battling grounds

Kylie couldn't breathe.

She'd tried on three different outfits, none of which satisfied the emotional tornado spiraling inside her. The pale blue blouse made her look too soft. The black dress made her look like she was trying too hard. She settled on a white button-down tucked into slim beige pants-simple, neat, and unthreatening. It wasn't a date. It was war.

Downstairs, she could already hear her father setting the table. He was humming faintly under his breath, a hopeful tune she hadn't heard in a long time. He actually thinks this is real.

She flinched.

There was a knock at the door. She froze.

Her father opened it before she could even reach the bottom of the stairs. "You must be Alexandro," he said, extending a firm hand.

"Mr. Smith," Alexandro said, calm and collected in a charcoal-gray blazer over a black dress shirt. He had that calculated charm Kylie had grown to recognize-the kind he wore like armor.

Kylie's father offered a thin smile. "Come in. Kylie's told me a little about you."

Kylie resisted the urge to groan. That "little" was a complete fabrication.

"Thank you for having me," Alexandro said politely, stepping inside.

He glanced at Kylie briefly-just a flicker-and his eyes softened for half a second. Then they turned cold again. Business mode.

They sat at the dining table moments later. It was set simply-chicken grilled with rosemary, her father's specialty. Mashed potatoes, wine, and a bowl of steamed vegetables. Kylie tried not to fidget as she picked at her food.

Her father wasn't smiling anymore.

"So," he began, voice calm but probing, "how long have you two been together?"

Kylie opened her mouth, but Alexandro answered first. "About eight months."

Her fork slipped slightly. Eight?

Her father nodded. "Interesting. That's a long time to keep such news from your old man, Kylie."

Kylie smiled weakly. "It just... happened quickly. We didn't want to rush things."

Alexandro leaned in slightly. "And honestly, sir, I wanted to earn her trust before meeting her family. It's not every day you meet someone like Kylie."

Her father looked him dead in the eye. "What's your intention with my daughter?"

Kylie choked on her wine.

Alexandro didn't flinch. "I intend to marry her."

The words came out so smoothly that even Kylie almost believed them.

Her father's brow arched. "You're very sure of yourself."

Alexandro gave a half-smile. "I have to be. I was raised to take responsibility for the things I want."

"And you want my daughter?"

Another pause. Kylie could hear her heart pounding in her ears.

Alexandro turned to her father and said quietly, "Yes. I do."

Kylie blinked. It was a performance-had to be-but damn, he was good.

Her father finally leaned back. "Alright. But let me be clear-I don't care who your family is. If you ever hurt her, if I ever see her cry because of you, you won't be welcome in this house again."

Alexandro's jaw tightened slightly. "Understood."

Dinner ended on a surprisingly civil note. Her father even offered Alexandro a second helping, which he politely declined. When Kylie walked him to the door afterward, she exhaled a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

"I'll admit," she whispered, "you had me convinced for a second."

Alexandro looked down at her, expression unreadable. "That's the point, isn't it?"

"Eight months?" she said. "Seriously?"

"You didn't speak fast enough. I had to improvise."

She folded her arms. "Well, congratulations. He likes you."

Alexandro glanced past her at the front door. "I'm not doing this for your father."

Kylie's brows furrowed. "Then who are you doing this for?"

There was a pause. A flicker of something deep behind those green eyes.

He stepped closer, voice dropping. "For my freedom."

Then he turned and walked to his car without another word.

---

Later that night, Kylie sat with Eleanor on her bed, her head resting on her best friend's lap as Eleanor braided and unbraided her hair absentmindedly.

"You think he meant that?" Kylie asked softly.

"Which part?" Eleanor replied.

"That he wanted freedom."

Eleanor shrugged. "Probably. Rich people problems. Maybe he just wants to get out of his father's shadow."

Kylie was silent for a long moment, then said, "He lied so easily, El. Like he's done it a thousand times before. But then... he says things that sound too real."

"Do you want it to be real?"

Kylie sat up immediately. "What? No."

Eleanor gave her a sly grin. "You're blushing."

"I am not."

"You totally are."

Kylie threw a pillow at her. Eleanor caught it, laughing. "Listen, I'm not saying fall in love with the billionaire who's paying you ten million dollars to be his wife-although that is the plot of every book I've ever read. I'm just saying... protect your heart, okay?"

Kylie nodded, eyes distant. "I know."

But in the back of her mind, the image of Alexandro saying Yes. I do. played on repeat. And she hated that a small, stupid, dangerous part of her wanted to believe he meant it.