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Starting the car, Xavier drove to Lilian's place to tell her he'd started the wedding dress arrangements. She'd seemed reluctant before, but maybe hearing that things were moving would help. After all, it was her dress. She'd be the one wearing it.
As he drove, his mind settled firmly on his fiancée. Lilian. Just Lilian. There was no space for wandering thoughts today.
When he arrived at her apartment, he knocked and waited. She opened the door quickly, her face lighting up in a small, polite smile.
"Xavier. You didn't tell me you were coming."
"I wanted to surprise you," he said as he stepped in, his tone casual but warm.
Lilian's apartment was neat as always, her favorite soft floral scent drifting through the air. She moved her phone from the counter to the sofa, but not before giving it a quick glance.
"I went to the shop today," he began, watching her. "The wedding dress is in motion."
She arched a brow, stepping into the kitchen as she grabbed a glass of water. "Oh? That's nice."
He blinked. "You don't want to know what it looks like?"
"I trust you. You know what I like." She offered a faint smile and sipped her water. "You've always been good at picking things for me."
"You didn't even ask about the style."
She shrugged, turning her attention briefly to a decorative frame on the wall. "Surprise me."
Xavier rubbed the back of his neck, unsure why her response didn't sit right with him. Maybe he'd overthought it. Maybe some girls just weren't that interested in wedding details.
But Lilian wasn't just any girl. She was his girl.
He pushed the thought aside and smiled. "I thought you'd want to give some input."
"I trust you," she repeated, her voice soft but distant.
"Alright then." He walked toward the door, grabbing his keys. "I'll keep you updated."
As he reached for the handle, her voice stopped him.
Seeing he was doubting her sincerity she decided to pitch in her thoughts on the dress so she won't seem too uninterested.
I will love to have red roses on the bottom as a reminder of the first flower I received from.
She smiled hoping this will stop him from doubting her sincerity.
He smiled hearing her words it cleared all the doubts in his heart about her willingness in this wedding.
I'll inform her, he replied as he made his way outside.
When the door clicked shut behind him, Lilian's smile slowly faded. She picked up her phone and tapped out a message with steady fingers. Everything's on track. The preparations have started.
She didn't send it immediately. Her thumb hovered over the screen as she stared out the window, her expression unreadable.
Xavier was sweet. Honest. A little too honest, maybe. He didn't ask too many questions, which worked perfectly in her favor. His love was convenient—it made things easier.
Not that she was cold. Not entirely. She did care for him. Just… not in the way everyone thought.
She wasn't putting her heart into this wedding because, deep down, she knew this marriage wasn't what it appeared to be.
It wasn't a dream come true.
It was a carefully woven thread in a story that only she seemed to remember.
She sent the message.
The reply came quickly: Good. Stay close. We'll handle the rest when the time comes.
Lilian slid the phone onto the couch, pressing her fingers briefly to her temples.
Stay close.
She was doing that, wasn't she? She'd played her part perfectly so far. There was no reason to feel… unsettled. No reason to question why certain things Xavier said lately stayed with her longer than they should.
Her hand dropped to her lap, her gaze softening for a brief second. No, there was no need to overthink. Everything was moving the way it should.
Xavier was hers. Completely.
She could feel it in the way he looked at her, in the way he tried to please her—even in the things he didn't say. He was already wrapped around her finger.
That was the plan.
And the plan was working.
She just need to keep playing her part and nor let her self get distracted.
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