Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 28033 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28033 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
If he failed publicly, spectacularly, it wouldn’t just end his dream. It would bury the technology that might have helped countless others. These were the factors he should deem most important. And yet...all he could think of was something else.
Or rather, someone else.
“The moment people find out I’ve returned,” Leonidas said slowly, “my life becomes public again. Every move scrutinized. Every relationship examined.”
And if all eyes were on him, so they would also be on his wife, whose quiet life and peaceful anonymity would be inevitably disrupted, through no fault of her own.
“What exactly are you worried about?” Aivan did not believe for one moment that life outside racing had so changed his friend that he had suddenly become sensitive to public scrutiny.
“It is not like before,” Leonidas said grimly. “Just like you, I have a wife to think about, and I do not think it is fair—” He stopped speaking, his gaze narrowing at the subtle shift of expression on his friend’s face. “What is it?”
Instead of answering, Aivan rose from his chair and moved to the sleek cabinet behind his desk, withdrawing a second set of documents.
“I was asked to keep this confidential for as long as it was financially feasible.”
Leonidas accepted the folder with no particular expectation, but when he flipped it open, the first page alone had him frowning. This contract had to do with the patented technology that Aivan wanted him to try.
“Did you not tell me in the past that the patent owner wishes to remain anonymous?”
“You remember correctly,” Aivan acknowledged, “and just as I said earlier—we both agreed that anonymity would only be maintained as long as it was financially feasible.”
“I take it that is no longer the case?”
“Because of you.”
What did that even mean?
Leonidas began flipping through the contract, skimming impatiently in search for more answers even as his mind went through a series of names. Perhaps Leonidas wanted him to work with a former rival or—
What the—
The name.
Typed in clean black letters on the signature line.
Lexina Aryanis Gazis.
Leonidas stared at the page.
Read the name again.
Lexina Aryanis Gazis.
His wife.
Lexy.
His absent-minded, occasionally naïve wife was the patent owner.
And thus, the reason he now had a choice to return to professional racing.
How had he not known about this?
Lexy
I love being married.
Love, love, love it to death.
I know most people will think I’m faking it, considering how Leon and I have also been leading separate lives for eight years. But that’s also what they don’t get.
Leon and I, we had an agreement from the start. We would respect each other’s boundaries. Honor each other even if we don’t share a bed. For both of us, it would always be honesty over deception, cooperation over divisiveness, the common good over self-interest.
No. Matter. What.
Most days, I’m dressed like a college dropout: battered but still-functional pair of Sennheiser headphones plopped over my head, clothes so baggy that even Cupid will have a hard time targeting my heart with his arrow, and my trusty, rugged-looking sneakers (all black, all-terrain worthy, and best of all, no shoelaces needed).
Most days...are the days when I’m just me, Lexy.
But on the days where I’m expected to show up as his wife?
I take to my role like a soldier with his orders. I’ve taken lessons on everything from foreign language to professional makeup, large-scale catering to French cuisine. Playing the role of a billionaire’s socialite wife will never be my favorite thing to do, but you’ll never guess it when you see me. Because I made a promise, and I always keep my promises.
No. Matter. What.
And that’s why I’m here in Manhattan, dressed like how anyone would expect a billionaire’s wife to be dressed, complete with four-inch stilettos that I insisted on wearing, never mind if Leon himself told me not to.
Leon says it’s overkill. I say it’s all about not doing things in half-measures, and that includes coming up with a smile as I greet the woman I’ve flown halfway across the world to meet. “Hello.” I manage to keep my tone light and friendly (billionaire’s wives don’t do nervous or shy!) even when my introvert heart is already squirming against my chest at the possibility of having to spend hours talking with another stranger. I’m not xenophobic or anything, but my social energy is just really...almost...nonexistent?
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Gazis.” The genuine warmth in her smile catches me off guard, and it almost has me starting to smile back...until I catch myself in time.
Remember Leon’s warning!
The world is full of people who will take advantage of your kindness, Lexina. Guard yourself.
I nod in response instead, but for some reason, this has her pretty dark eyes twinkling in amusement as she invites me to take a seat. “Would you like a cup of hot ginger-infused lemonade?”
I usually say no to offers of refreshment to avoid small talk, and I’m about to shake my head like usual when I realize what she’s just said, and my gaze flies to her in shock.