Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 125 Annabelle's POV The electronic beat pulsed through the bar as I took another sip of my cocktail, watching Amanda try to get the attention of the hot bartender who was clearly more into his own reflection in the mirror behind the counter. "Mandy, give it up. That guy's more in love with himself than any woman could ever be," I said, laughing when she made an exaggerated face. "You're only saying that because you've already got your own Valentian lover," she teased, turning toward me with a wicked grin. "So where is Marcus, anyway?

I thought you two were basically glued together these days." "He's in Euradia for work." I shrugged, picking up an olive from the little dish between us. "And we're not glued- together. We just... have fun when he's in town." "Oh, sure," Amanda said, rolling her eyes. "'Having fun.' Is that what we're calling it now?" "That's exactly what it is," I insisted, though a strange pang hit my chest. "Marcus's great, but it's not like we're planning a future together.

We're just two adults enjoying each other's company, no strings attached." Amanda studied me for a moment, twirling the straw in her drink. "You know, Annie, there's a difference between not wanting a relationship and pretending not to care." "I'm not pretending anything," I shot back, maybe a little too quickly. "Look, I like Marcus. He's fun, sweet, and... well, you've seen him. But it's not like we're really dating." "And why not?" The question caught me off guard. Why not? Why did I always avoid serious relationships?

Was it because I loved my freedom-or because I was scared of getting hurt? "Because we're different people in different stages of life," I said finally. "He's thirty but acts like he's eighteen. And that's fine, because honestly, I'm kind of in that same carefree phase too. But what happens when I grow up? When I want something more stable?" "You think he doesn't want that?" "I don't know." I fiddled with the napkin in front of me. "And I'm not sure I do either. Not yet, anyway. I mean, look at us.

knowing smile. She wasn't wrong. Instead of living it up, I was sitting here overanalyzing a guy who was probably in some bar in Milan doing exactly what I should be doing right now. "Okay, fine, you win." I laughed, throwing my hands up. "Maybe I like Marcus a little more than I should for something casual." "And that scares you?" "A little,"

married. It wasn't just Christian. It was the way she'd found someone who actually completed her. And now, with the baby... 1/3 T CIK 129 +30 Bonus I stopped myself before saying it out loud. It wasn't my secret to tell. But seeing her start a family made me question

that." I kept my tone light, even though I knew Zoey wasn't doing great after the fight with Christian. "Married life and all." "And

couldn't help wondering what it would be like to have someone waiting for me at home. Someone who cared enough to call after work just to ask how my day had gone. Someone who would hold

chase away the thoughts swirling in my head. "But not tonight. Tonight, I just want to have fun. No relationships, no future plans, nothing serious." "Speaking of which," Amanda said, tilting her chin toward the other side of the bar, "there's a tall, dark-haired guy at table five who can't stop staring over here. And his friend's not bad either." I turned to look, and sure enough, two guys

a little wave, and both of them grinned wider. "Now you're speaking my language," I said, feeling more like myself again. "Should we go say hi?" "Definitely. But finish your drink first, because for your standards, you're still way too sober for a Saturday night." "Hey!" I