Alexander's POV
Alexander was on a call with his cousin. It was the day of her fashion show, and Stephanie had been panicking all day. He had tried his best to calm her down, but her nerves were showing even through her texts, and it didn't help that she thinks Anabelle doesn't like her.
"What did you do to Stephanie?" he asked his cousin after they had exchanged pleasantries. Stephanie wouldn't tell him what made her feel that way, but he knew his cousin, and he knew how intense she could get.
"Stephanie? Your... friend? Sneaky link? Why do you think I did something to her?" she asked coyly.
"Anabelle." He said it sternly
"What?" She said and he could hear the smile in her voice. "I allowed her model for me, did I not? Although that's not to take anything away from her, She is a really good model, unlike your previous... counterparts."
He rolled his eyes before answering her,
"Just make her comfortable, please? I really want to make her as happy as possible. She's not a sneaky link, either, okay?
Anabelle stayed silent for a while before speaking, "Fine, fine, if I come across her. I'll make her comfortable, or, you know, less uncomfortable."
"Thank you, Anabelle; I'll see you soon," he said before hanging up the phone.
Alexander: How are you feeling now, love?
Alexander sent a text to Stephanie; the last time he spoke to her, she was on her way to the location, and that was well over an hour ago. Her reply came almost immediately after.
Stephanie: So nervous. We haven't started rehearsals yet. The girls here all know themselves, and I'm feeling so out of place. What if I do terribly, Alexander. I won't be able to live with myself.
Alexander hated that he couldn't do anything about how she was feeling. All the calmdowns in the world couldn't calm her nerves.
Alexander: I'm sure you'll do incredibly well, Stephanie. Trust yourself—just half of how much I trust you. I just got off the phone with Anabelle, and she confirmed how talented you were. If there's one thing Anabelle won't do, It's to lie about talent. So just take a deep breath and go kick ass. For the other models, they may have themselves, but you have me. I'll be sure to cheer you on.
After Alexander sent the text, he was scared that he had said and revealed too much. He doesn't understand why, but with Stephanie, everything he feels comes out freely.
Stephanie: You promise to be there to cheer me on?
Alexander: There's nowhere else I'd rather be.
The show wasn't until 5 p.m., and it was just 10 a.m. He had to be at work. He also needed to call Matt. He just wasn't sure if he wanted to tell Matt about the arrangement or not. This marriage stuff might be fake, but his feelings were very much real.
Alexander got to work and made a stop at his grandfather's office.
"Hey pops," he said as he entered into his grandfather's office.
"Son, how are you? Have a seat."
"How are you feeling, Pops?" How did your last doctor's visit go?" Alexander asked.
Ever since he heard about his grandfather's diagnosis, he has been more meticulous, wondering if there was anything to be done. Although his grandfather wasn't having it and thought he was being overbearing.
"Oh, stop doting, son. My last doctor's visit was the same as always. I am still a dying man. Unto more important matters." His grandfather said, staring at him. He understood exactly what the old man meant. He had been waiting for the question. In fact, he had already planned Stephanie's visit to his grandfather's ahead of the question
"Well, I may not have found a wife, but there might be someone I want you to meet," he said, like it wasn't in his plan all along.
"Really? I was just about to propose introducing you to people, but this is amazing news. How early can I meet her. Is tomorrow okay?"
"Okay, okay, calm down, pops," Alexander said, laughing. "Tomorrow is a little early. How about next week? Saturday? "
His grandfather thought about it for a while before speaking."Okay then. Next week, Saturday is fine. I can't wait."
Alexander left his grandfather's office laughing and then left to go do some work of his own. His grandfather's excitement was very amusing. He's also very happy he didn't need to meet any of his grandfather's friends' daughter.
Alexander was engrossed in work, and he didn't realize how much time had gone until the alarm he set for 4:30 p.m. went off. He couldn't remember the last time he set an alarm, but he really wanted to be there for Stephanie and couldn't afford to lose track of time. He quickly finished up with work and headed for the fashion show. As he drove in. He shot Stephanie a quick good luck text, made his day, and took a seat.