Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 258 I got to the restaurant fifteen minutes before my meeting with Gwen and picked a quiet table in the corner, far from the windows facing the busy street. The place was perfect for what I needed. It was cozy enough for private conversations, but lively enough that no one would pay attention to two women having lunch. I ordered a coffee and tried to sort through the thoughts that had been tormenting me since the night before. Getting put on leave, Marcus's proposal, Nate showing up out of nowhere with those strange flowers, Wanderer's messages getting deeper and deeper...

everything felt like one impossible knot, as if my life had turned into an especially dramatic telenovela. Gwen arrived right on time, as always, bringing that positive energy that usually rubbed off on me. Today she looked elegant in a navy-blue blazer that contrasted perfectly with her hair, carrying a leather folder that made it clear she really did have a packed afternoon ahead. "Sorry if I seem rushed," she said, sitting down and signaling the waiter.

"I've got a meeting with Eisenwald investors at three, and you know how punctual they are." "No worries," I said, watching her order a fresh juice. "Thanks for making time for me." "I want details," she said as soon as the waiter walked away, leaning in with that barely disguised curiosity of hers. "You said your apartment turned into a full-on soap opera set." I rolled my eyes, but couldn't stop a smile. Gwen always had a way of cutting straight to the point, and I admired that. "Where do I even start?" I sighed, taking a sip of my coffee.

"Marcus showed up without warning." "Marcus, as in my cousin Marcus? Your ex Marcus?" Gwen arched a brow. "What was he doing in London?" "Christian sent him to deal with the mess around my leave," I explained, realizing the situation sounded even more absurd when said out loud. "But he took the chance to make me a personal offer." Gwen gestured for me to keep going, clearly invested in the story. "He suggested I leave London and go work for Kensington Ascia, in the Imperial City. With him." "Jesus," Gwen muttered, leaning back in her chair.

of... kissed me." "Kind of?" Gwen let out a soft laugh. "Either he kissed you or he didn't, Annie." "He kissed me," I admitted. "And right when that happened, Nate showed up at my door." Gwen's expression shifted instantly from amused to genuinely concerned. "Nate saw you two kissing?" "No, no. Marcus had pulled back by the time Nate got there, but... yeah, it was awkward," I said, running a hand through my hair as I

inside my own head since the night before. "For a moment, I considered it," I

did. And I didn't tell you earlier because I knew you'd judge me." wen set the phone aside and looked at me with a seriousness I wasn't used to hearing from her. "It's not judgment, Annie. It's concern. I know you like

had with him. "But he's good for me. Sometimes he feels like the only person who actually gets how I feel, even without knowing the whole story." Gwen sighed, and for a moment we both stayed quiet. I could see she wasn't

though a part of me still wanted to hop on the first flight to the Imperial City and leave all this mess behind. Gwen gave me a little smirk, and the mood of the conversation shifted completely. "Speaking of Wanderer... have things gotten hot between you two yet?" I nearly choked on my coffee. "What?" "Yeah, like... it's pretty obvious you two have this mental connection," she said, with that

eyes. 2/3 25 Bonus "Well, I wouldn't waste my