Chapter 6
For the first time in his life, Patrick found himself flying commercial in an economy seat, and he couldn't help but feel out of place. His family owned private jets and helicopters; on rare occasions, they would rent a plane or settle for first class.
Yet, despite how strange it all was, Patrick felt a spark of excitement. This whole scheme seemed reckless, but he welcomed it as an adventure—something meaningful to distract him and keep his mind busy.
Nicole's company, after all, certainly helped.
She chatted with him along the way, sharing bits and pieces about her family, the businesses they managed, and her husband. Still, her words were always vague, never straying too far into her personal life. That only piqued Patrick's curiosity even more.
What had really driven her to do this? To hire a stranger to play the role of her boyfriend? He longed to ask, but probing for details felt wrong. He wasn't the type to pry or gossip.
That wasn't his style, and he sensed that, sooner or later, Nicole would open up on her own.
When they arrived in the city, Nicole escorted Patrick straight to the hotel where he'd be staying. The place wasn't fancy, and the room was simple—nothing like what he was used to—but he decided he could manage.
"It's really late..." Nicole murmured as she stood at the door, preparing to leave. She had helped Patrick unpack and settle in, going out of her way to make him feel welcome. "Tomorrow morning, I'll go see my husband, and you'll come with me..."
"Alright," Patrick agreed, moving a little closer. Instantly, Nicole's cheeks turned pink; what was it about him that made her blush so easily?
"Uh... I'll pick you up... Early... We'll go to the company," Nicole stammered, stumbling over her words as she tried to collect herself.
Patrick was dressed in what Nicole guessed were pajamas—a crisp white shirt, so sheer it accentuated every line of his well-defined muscles.
He wore a pair of shorts that hung from his hips, perfectly framing his athletic build.
"For God's sake!" Nicole swallowed, her nerves fluttering like she was staring at a decadent dessert. "Doesn't he realize what he's doing?" she wondered, feeling the heat rush to her face as Patrick drew closer.
"Of course, I'll be waiting for you." Patrick gave her a gentle smile.
"Go... Good night." Nicole hurried away.
She made her way back to the house where her husband had all but abandoned her, leaving her to sleep alone almost every night—a home that would soon be lost to her as soon as the divorce papers were signed.
Still, Nicole tried to summon courage. She refused to let any of it break her, telling herself she would not be crushed, even as she lay in bed that night and tears slid silently down her cheeks in the darkness.
If Walter forced her out, her only choice would be to return to her parents' home, and she dreaded the thought of Henry's reaction if she showed up on their doorstep with her suitcases.
Everything Nicole would have to face afterward sent a shiver down her spine at the mere thought.
What was she supposed to do? How was she going to survive all this? Fear crept in, leaving Nicole feeling fragile and desperate. She knew she wasn't the strong, independent woman Brenda claimed she was. She didn't know how to face all these troubles and all this heartache on her own.
As negative thoughts closed in on her, Nicole finally drifted into a troubled sleep just before dawn, her pillow damp with tears.
...
Patrick woke at sunrise, just as Nicole had instructed, but she hadn't shown up. Maybe she'd changed her mind. Maybe she'd decided to leave him behind.
"No, she's not like that!" Patrick reassured himself, lying back and thinking of Nicole as he'd seen her at the bar—the honesty in her voice, the openness in her eyes, the tenderness behind each shy blush.
"No, she can't be that kind of person," Patrick repeated to himself as he settled into the bed and closed his eyes. She might be running late and have her reasons, but he felt certain she would come.
After a while, he heard a quiet knock at the door. Patrick stayed silent, waiting. Moments later, Nicole let herself in with the spare key. She found Patrick apparently asleep and, noticing how neat and ready he looked, guessed he'd been waiting for her all along.
Nicole lingered for a moment, just watching him. She'd never seen a man so striking, and maybe she never would again. For those few seconds, she simply let herself admire him.
Moving carefully so she wouldn't wake him, Nicole left a small package and a note on the bedside table before slipping back out.
The soft click of the door closing made Patrick open his eyes at once. What had she left behind?
On the table, he found the spare key to Nicole's room and a package containing cash. It had to be payment for his services—but what services? He hadn't even started yet.
Patrick picked up the note and read the words she had left behind.
"I'm sorry I brought you all the way here, only to decide I can't go through with it. I thought I could handle this, but honestly, I'm scared."
"Please forgive me for making you travel for nothing. I'm leaving your payment; it's not your fault the job never happened."
"Thank you for everything, Patrick. You were... and still are... so kind."
Patrick muttered a curse under his breath and hurried out in search of her.
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