My Stand-In Groom Is A Secret Tycoon (Audrey)

Alistair's serious tone was a bit more intense than usual.

Audrey raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Wait, what happens if we don't get along?"

Alistair replied confidently, "That won't be an issue. I promise I won't hurt you like your friend is worried about. You'll have the freedom to do whatever you want in this marriage, and I'll never hold you back from chasing your dreams."

So basically, as long as the word "divorce" didn't pop up, everything was cool. Audrey paused, then slowly nodded. "Got it."

But it was clear she wasn't fully buying into what he was saying.

'Alistair might feel this way now, but that's only because he hasn't met anyone he truly likes yet. Once he does, he might start thinking of me as a potential obstacle, just like Dominic had,' she thought.

With mixed feelings, Audrey tagged along as Alistair led her to his place in Riverdale. It wasn't exactly a fancy villa, but it was a trendy new neighborhood that had popped up in the last couple of years.

This one-family home had a single staircase and measured about one hundred and fifty square meters. The minimalist finishes gave it a clean look, and there was a huge floor-to-ceiling window by the entrance. Being on the eighth floor, the view was pretty amazing. The area was beautiful, and the transportation was convenient, totally blowing away her expectations. Turns out, Alistair wasn't as broke as she had thought.

After placing the key on the shoe cabinet in the foyer, Alistair turned to a somewhat bewildered Audrey and said, "Come over and give your fingerprint."

She walked over and pressed her index finger on the smart lock. The system beeped, confirming it was recorded.

Alistair added, "The place might feel a bit small, but bear with it for now, and I'll make sure to get you a nicer one later."

"It's already great. I really like it," Audrey replied, narrowing her eyes with a cheerful smile. She wasn't just being polite-while it might not compare to the Rhodes family's two-story villa, it felt more like home to her.

'Is she really that easy to feel satisfied?' Alistair thought. He glanced at Audrey, a smirk creeping into his eyes. "It hasn't been lived in, so it might feel a bit empty. Check it out and see what you need. It's all about making it feel like yours."

Suddenly, Audrey remembered something she had overlooked and asked, "Where's your son?" He mentioned having a kid at home who needed to be looked after. She also wondered how old his son was and if they'd get along.

Alistair explained, "He's not in the best health and is currently living in Willowdale with some family members."

At that, Audrey felt a wave of relief wash over her. It was probably for the best that she didn't have to deal with a kid right away. She was honestly worried she wouldn't know how to win over the little one.

Alistair caught on to her thoughts, and the smile in his eyes widened. She was easier to read than he had realized. All her emotions were right there on her face.

He didn't point it out and just said, "You must be tired after a busy day. Go take a shower and get a good night's sleep."

'Take a shower and sleep? Isn't this moving a bit too fast?' Audrey pondered.noveldrama

She felt her nerves kick in again as she awkwardly made her way to the sofa, stumbling a bit before plopping down, shaking a little. "I-I'm not tired yet. I'll just sit for a bit."

"That's cool. You can chill on the sofa, and I..." Alistair replied, his lips curling into a smirk. He paused for a moment, letting the tension hang as Audrey nervously looked at him. "I'm heading out to take care of some things, and I probably won't be back tonight." 'Staying out on our wedding night? Isn't it just-perfect?' Audrey cheered inwardly.

Once Alistair left, Audrey finally relaxed, slumping back on the couch for a bit before deciding to unpack her bags.

But as she stood in front of her room with her suitcase, she hesitated. 'Where am I supposed to sleep? I can't exactly share a room with Alistair, can I?' she mused.