Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 294 We walked back home in a tense silence, each of us lost in our own thoughts about what was coming. Sarah said goodbye with a kiss on Oliver's cheek and a promise to come back the next day to help with the golden retriever puppies, since she was having dinner with her own family that evening. The snow had stopped completely, leaving Bath covered in a white blanket that sparkled under the streetlights. We had barely stepped inside and removed our coats when the doorbell rang.

"That must be her," Tori said, practically running to answer it with a level of enthusiasm that made me wonder whether she really understood the implications of Alexandra being there. `I heard two female voices coming from the entry hall-Tori's bright and welcoming, and another that I recognized instantly, even after weeks without hearing it. Alexandra Kensington had one of those voices you never forget: melodic, confident, dipped in a kind of natural authority that made people pay attention. When she stepped into the living room, she looked exactly as I remembered.

She was flawlessly dressed, this time in a designer beige wool coat, hair styled to perfection, and that smile she wore like a signature: warm and calculated at the same time. "Elizabeth!" she exclaimed, hugging Nate's mom as if they were lifelong friends. "You look gorgeous, as always. And Richard!" She turned to Nate's father with equal enthusiasm. "Thank you for welcoming me into your home on Christmas. I know I'm intruding." "Oh, nonsense, dear," Elizabeth said with her characteristic kindness.

"It's always a pleasure to have you here." "Hi, Oliver," Alexandra greeted Nate's brother with a warm hug. "How's the life of a veterinarian? Still out there saving little creatures?" I watched everything unfold with building discomfort. The way Alexandra moved through the room, greeting each family member with intimate familiarity, like she truly belonged there. It was staged, but convincingly so. "Nathaniel," she said at last, walking toward him with a smile that managed to be both friendly and slightly intimate. "I was so happy when you invited me.

to fly to Switzerland last minute, so I was feeling a little lonely for the holidays." Nate shot Tori a quick look, one she deserved. Tori at least had the decency to look mildly embarrassed. We all knew she'd already explained the situation, that she had responded using Nate's phone, not him. But Alexandra seemed happy to pretend

repeated, keeping my voice perfectly neutral. "Well, I didn't expect you to spend Christmas in Bath," she replied sweetly. Then she began handing out gifts. From a series of shopping bags clearly from expensive stores, she pulled

as belonging to a designer I'd only ever

you prefer something more... practical." The pause before "practical" was intentional and sharp. A polite way of saying I lacked the sophistication to appreciate something truly luxurious. "Yes," I replied calmly, matching her smile with one of my own, "I prefer things

Richard, she'd brought a bottle of wine that looked like it came straight from the

know you've always wanted one of these, but you never found the perfect model," she said as he lifted the lid, revealing a gold-and-steel watch that looked

claim to would know he's not into flashy things." Nate shot me a subtle look of gratitude, clearly uncomfortable with the excessive gift. "It's very generous, Alexandra, but-' 11 "I won't take no for an answer," she interrupted with a laugh. "You deserve nice things." Then she turned to me with an expression of rehearsed remorse. "Sorry, Annie, I honestly didn't know you'd be here..." "Really?" I asked, tilting my head slightly. "And where else would I be on Christmas besides with my