Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 280 The morning of December 24th woke cold and quiet in Bath. When we stepped out of the Carter house, the air was so icy I could see my breath drifting out in little clouds, and the streets were practically empty-just a few hurried pedestrians carrying last-minute packages and the occasional car rolling over the old stone road. Nate held my gloved hand in his, and I could feel his warmth even through the fabric.

There was something magical about being here with him, walking the streets he'd known since he was a kid, seeing Bath for the first time through my eyes. "That's the Assembly Room," he said, pointing toward an imposing building with classical columns. "It's where the biggest balls in the city were held in the eighteenth century." "It looks like it stepped straight out of a period movie," I said, taking in the Georgian architecture that dominated everything around us. "And over there"-he guided me around a gentle curve in the street-"is the Royal Crescent.

Probably one of the most photographed views in all of England." When we turned the corner, I literally stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. The Royal Crescent stretched out in front of us like a perfect crescent moon carved in golden stone, thirty identical houses forming a graceful curve that looked like it had been sketched by an artist. Even in winter, with gray skies and bare trees, it was breathtaking. "Oh my God," I whispered, pulling out my phone as I tried to hopelessly capture how gorgeous it was.

"Sorry everything's closed," Nate said as we passed a few tourist spots with 'Closed' signs on the doors. "It's December 24th, so the whole city goes into hibernation. But I planned a few surprises." We kept walking, crossing the Pulteney Bridge with its little shops tucked along the sides, and I felt like I'd stepped straight into a history book. Every corner revealed something new, every street looked like it had been frozen exactly as it was two centuries ago. "Can I ask something personal?" I said as we stopped to admire the view of the River Avon sliding quietly beneath the bridge.

'Always," he answered, leaning his elbows on the stone railing beside me. "Why have you never brought anyone home for Christmas before?" I asked, studying his profile as he watched the water. "I mean... you must've had other girlfriends. Other important women." Nate stayed quiet for a few seconds, like he was sorting through the right words. "I don't know," he said finally, turning to look at me. "I just never felt like committing to anyone the way I wanted to commit to you. From the beginning." My heart did this tiny skip at the honesty in his voice.

you put it that way, I guess I can't doubt those movies anymore," he said, pulling me a little closer. "And you? What did you think of me at

I couldn't stop wondering what you'd be able to do with more time and more space." Nate laughed out loud, earning a few curious glances from the handful of people walking by. "And?" he said, leaning in with a grin. "Did I exceed expectations?" I rose up on my tiptoes and kissed

of a stone building with a small sign that read Jane Austen Centre. The place was clearly closed-no lights in the

just say I know some people," he said, guiding me toward a side entrance. When we reached the back door, it opened before we could even knock. A middle-aged man dressed in period clothing greeted us as if he'd been waiting. "Mr. Carter, Miss Bennett," he said in a thick British accent. "Welcome

a historical treasure, with only Mr. Matthews and two quiet staff members there to give us a completely exclusive experience. "Please, make yourselves comfortable," our guide said, introducing himself as Mr. Matthews. "We've prepared afternoon tea with traditional treats, and afterward, we'll do a private

the next two hours completely immersed in Jane Austen's world. We drank tea from delicate porcelain 2/3 Chapter 280 +25 Bonus cups, sampled cucumber sandwiches and scones with jam, while Mr. Matthews shared fascinating stories about the author's life in Bath-no rush, no crowds, just the three of us in an intimate, curated experience. "She didn't like the city very much at first," he explained, leading us slowly through what had been her study." Used to life in the countryside,

We wandered through the empty museum, exploring interactive exhibits about Austen's life in Bath, photos from film adaptations of her books, and the famous wax figure that recreated her appearance with eerie accuracy. We could linger as long as we wanted, ask every