Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire Novel - Chapter 541

Chapter 541 Nicholas' POV I was out in the courtyard checking the salt levels on the steps. The last thing I needed was another accident. That's when I heard the sound of a car pulling in. I turned and immediately recognized Gwen's sleek black car parking near the main entrance. Gwen was behind the wheel, and when the passenger door opened, Paula stepped out. The two of them had come together. Paula said something I couldn't hear, and Gwen replied. They were still standing close to the car when Gwen noticed me. Her face lit up instantly. That smile I was starting to know far too well.

Genuine. Warm. The kind that reached her blue eyes and made them shine. She walked quickly toward me, climbing the steps carefully. At least she'd learned that much. Then she rose onto her toes and gave me a quick peck on the lips. My heart kicked hard, like it always did when she did that. Like my body had never gotten the memo that none of this was real. "Good morning," she said, still smiling. "I'm going to grab breakfast with the guests. We'll talk later?" "Of course," I managed, my voice rougher than I meant it to be.

Gwen gave me one more smile before heading into the villa, leaving behind that subtle trail of her perfume. Paula stayed where she was, watching Gwen disappear inside. Her eyes narrowed slightly, that familiar suspicious look settling onto her face. Once the door closed behind Gwen, Paula finally moved. She walked over with determined steps, grabbed my arm, and pulled me farther across the courtyard, away from any curious ears. "She was in town," Paula said without preamble, her voice low but urgent. "Using a computer at a café.

I think she was working or talking to someone." I shrugged, trying to look unconcerned. "If she managed to remember someone to contact, that's great. It means her memory is coming back and "Look, Nick," Paula cut in, crossing her arms. "I'm not buying it. I don't buy this whole story that she just hit her head and now thinks she's your fiancée." I couldn't stop myself from laughing. "Right," I said, my voice thick with irony. "Because obviously a perfectly sane person would throw herself down a staircase, deliberately hit her head, just to pretend she lost her memory and is my fiancée.

1/3 Because... why exactly, Paula? Where does that make any sense?" Paula rolled her eyes, that dramatic gesture she'd had since childhood whenever she thought someone was being especially stupid. "Because you own all of this," she said, sweeping a hand around the property. "An inn. A winery. Land..." I laughed again, but this time there was no real humor in it. Just bitterness. Exhaustion. "An inn that barely attracts guests," I corrected, ticking points off on my fingers. "A small, artisanal winery that only sells to the few guests we do have and a couple of local shops.