"Good morning! Sorry, I'm a few minutes late." She was unaware of the meeting. But, of course, that was not an excuse. "What did I miss?" She whispered to Jenny, who sat beside her.
Carter was already standing in front of the conference room, discussing a draft layout of their latest project.
"The client has made several significant changes to the design," Jenny told her, handing her a folder.
"We need to determine how to incorporate them into the initial design with minimal impact and cost by the end of the day."
She guessed she would be busy today, which was what she needed to preoccupy her mind. The last thing she needed was more time to dwell on her thoughts.
"Oh! That is exciting." Unlike her new friend, she was excited to tackle the task.
Of course, she was also anxious about the responsibility
Maybe because she was still new to the job. Still, it would not stop her from doing her best.
"Andriana, can I speak with you?" Carter called her attention when the meeting was over.
The rest of the staff left the room, leaving her with her immediate supervisor. She automatically assumed it would have something to do with her new assignment.
"What is it, Carter?" She could not help the eagerness from showing in her voice. "Do you need me to do something for the project?"
"As much as I look forward to working with you, Mr. Preston wants you on another project. He wants you to report to him now." Carter informed her.
"Oh!" She could not hide her dismay. She had looked forward to working with the group under Mr. Carter Lewis.
She had heard many great things about him as a Designer. Therefore, she wished to learn from him. She would have loved it if he had mentored her.
Now, it seemed she was stuck with her future husband, doing nothing but sit and stay pretty by his side. Well, that was what most women who married in their circles do.
Fucking, no way!
She was not about to become just another trophy wife who pretended to be working by doing some charity functions.
She supposed she had no choice. After all, the Boss declared the rules. She could not go against it unless she would pursue her plan to quit.
What is it this time?
She wondered what Lucas needed from her as she rode the elevator to the top floor. This time, she was more anxious to see him.
He was not just her Boss now. But he would soon become her husband, even if it was just on paper. Yeah! She agreed to marry him with an agreement that it was not a real marriage.
"Hey, you wanted to see me." His secretary immediately escorted her into the office as she exited the elevator as if she had been anticipating her arrival.
"Come in, Andy." He gestured for her to take a seat, which she reluctantly complied. Whether she liked it or not, he was still her Boss.
"Why did you take me out of Carter's project?" She demanded his reason, not wanting to beat around the bush.
"I'm sure Carter already told you I want you to work on a different project." He took a folder from the file before walking toward her and handing her the document.
She quickly scanned the file, checking each page with interest. It was undoubtedly different than the one Carter was working on.
"I told you I don't want special treatment, especially from you." She doubted she would have gotten this project as a new employee and novice interior designer if not for him.
"I want to earn my spot in this company, not for you to hand it to me on a silver platter." Again, this was what she feared would happen.
"Moreover, I don't think the client would be happy to know that a newbie would handle this project." She was not afraid to admit that she still lacked the experience.
"Before jumping the gun, I only thought you might want to design our new home." He pointed to the layout in her hand. "I did not mean to undermine your job."
Our new home?
That did not make any sense.
"You are not expecting to live in the mansion after we get married, right?" He asked as his eyes returned to the work on his desk.
"You mean..." She was speechless. She was not expecting that. Just the other day, she was house hunting for a new apartment.
"You bought us a new house." She did not know how she should feel about that. Strangely, she felt happy he would do such a thoughtful thing, even asking her to design it for them.
"I hate to burst your bubbles, Princess. But my father gave you that as a pre-wedding gift." He casually said as if he did not care much about it.
"Regarding your job, you can return to work with Carter," he said without looking at her. "If that is your wish." He added as if an afterthought.
Of course, that was what she wanted.
She had always wanted to work with Carter, learn from the experts, and work hard like everybody else.
"Then, you can work on the house in your free time. It is your house anyway." He seemed he could care less what she wanted. "Now, you can go if you have nothing to say."
Again, he dismissed her as if she was not his fiancée. But was that not what she wanted? Was that not what she demanded in this marriage?
They would be married on paper, acting like husband and wife in front of his father. Then, they would have separate lives until they divorced in two years.
"Thanks, Lucas." But honestly, she did not know what she was grateful for.
The house did not come from him.
She would be marrying him under pretenses.
She was giving up her freedom. For what? Money that she did not want.
But at least she still had this new job to look forward to. She did not know how long before everybody learned of her identity, but she would make the most out of it while she could still pretend to be Ms. Young.
"What are you doing here?" She suddenly stopped when he saw the man who stood at her desk, carrying a bouquet of roses.
"Hi! Andy. I hope you don't mind if I came to see you."