CHAPTER 64

Casabella's POV
Throughout the night, I kept thinking about Mark's words of coming to pick me up. I don't know what plans he has in mind but I hope I can restrict myself from getting too close to him.
Today is my first day as his acting fiancee and the thought of him coming to pick me up makes me want to look really good in front of him.
"Baby, are you awake?" Mum called out from the door.
"Yes mum. Come in." I responded, getting off the bed as she walked in.
"Good morning baby." She uttered walking up to me.
"Good morning mum."
"You haven't taken your bath?"
"Yeah, I was about to."
"Okay. Once you're done, come over to the dining room. Besides, you're not going to the office today."
"Yes but someone is coming over to take me out."
"Really! Who is it?"
"It's Mark." I revealed and she opened her mouth in shock.
"You don't mean it."
"I'm serious, mum. I have made the decision to be his acting fiancee since he really needs to bag that contract."
"Awwww... You really did a good thing honey. I have been dying to meet him."
"I guess your dream will come true today."
"Totally. I can't wait to meet him. You have got to look hot, baby. I do wish you both will become a thing."
"No mum. Nothing of such will happen and moreover, I'm only his acting fiancee for the sake of a contract."
"Let's see about that. I know you're beginning to have a soft spot in your heart for him."
"I don't think so mum. I still can't forget how he acted towards me back then."
"I do wish you both will become a thing and grow into a wonderful couple."
"Mum!"
"What mum? I'm only wishing, what if it turns out to be true."
"Not happening mum." I got up from the bed and trooped to the bathroom.
"It's fine. Don't stay long in getting ready."
"Okay mum." I answered and stripped naked and walked into the tub.
***
I stared at the short red lace gown before picking it up with a white scandal and a white side bag. I proceeded to dry my hair and oil it before doing my makeup and in no time, I was all done with it before putting on the gown.
After putting on everything, I strolled downstairs to meet mum and dad in the dining room.
Mark's POV
I wore one of my latest tuxedo suits and sprayed my men's perfume with my hair styled in a handsome way. It's really been a long time, I have made an attempt to impress someone and I feel happy about it today like someone who just got one of the best women of his dreams.
"Brother, going somewhere?' Rosy asked behind me.
"Yeah. I'm going out with someone." I turned around to see her in her pyjamas.
"Oh... I guess it's a woman." She chuckled and I cleared my throat.
"It's alright. Have fun." She added.
"See you later."
**
I arrived at the mansion as one of the bodyguards I recognized with her walked up to me.
"Good morning sir. Ma'am is inside, let go." He said while I nodded and trailed behind him as we walked inside the living room which wasn't looking bad at all.
"Please take your seat, let me inform her."
"Alright." I replied and not quite long an elderly man walked down the stairs who I guess is Madison's father.
"Good morning sir." I got on my foot and greeted him.
"Good morning son. You must be Mark Clinton."
"Yes sir."
"Wow! I can't believe you're this handsome. Please, have your seat." He gestured to me and sat in the opposite direction with me.
"Where is he?" We heard a woman asking as she approached us with Madison who was looking like someone who saw a ghost.
"You're here already?" She asked.
"Yes, did I come a bit early?" I asked her.
"Well, not at all." She responded.
"Good morning ma'am." I greeted the elderly woman who kept staring at me.
"Good morning son. I have been waiting to meet you." She uttered and approached me.
"I have wanted to meet with you and thank you for everything you have done for my daughter."
"It's really nothing ma'am." I answered with a smile.
"Honey, don't get too emotional around our guest. You can do that some other time." The man stated to her.
"Yeah, right. Breakfast is ready, join us and please don't turn down my offer." She said, sounding a bit funny.
"Okay." I answered and took my gaze to Madison, who was looking extremely beautiful and sexy.
I can't help but admire her beauty the most and seeing the reflection of my Casabella in her.
Casabella's POV
We were all seated in the dining room as the maids began to dish out our meals while I kept stealing gazes at Mark.
He was looking so handsome and killing with his new look. Is he doing it to impress me just like I am doing?
"What's the matter baby? You haven't tasted your food." Mum asked.
"I will." I answered and picked up the fork and knife to slice the beef.
"So, tell me about yourself." Dad uttered to Mark suddenly which almost made me spill out the food in my mouth.
I stared at him as he cleared his throat and took a wipe to clean his mouth.
"Well, I don't really have much to talk about myself. My parents are late so it's only my kid sister and my best friend who is like a younger brother. Both of them are my world and everything."
"I'm sorry about their death." Dad
"Thank you sir."
"I'm sorry dear. It's really rare for a man to care so much for his sister and best friend."
"That's right but not for me." He chuckled.
"So sweet of you. I wish to meet them soon."
"Sure. You can always visit us anytime."
"Thank you dear. I will be glad to visit." She smiled as we all continued to eat while I kept quiet watching them discuss one thing or the other.
Mark's POV
"Thank you once again for the meal."
"It's nothing dear. Feel free to come visit anytime, okay?"
"Okay ma'am."
"You can always call me aunt." She said and I nodded.
"I will be looking forward to seeing you once again."
"Okay sir."
"Take good care of my daughter."
"I will sir." I bowed to them as Madison and I walked out of the living room.
We walked towards my car as I opened the passenger's door for her as she got in while I took the driver's seat before driving out of the mansion.
***
I parked in front of the mall and got out of the car to open the door for her.
"What are we doing in a mall?" She asked in a thin voice.
"I brought you here for shopping."
"Oh..."
"Yes. We need to act like we have been in the relationship for a long while or the man won't hesitate to call off the deal."
"Okay." She replied as we both strolled inside.
"Welcome sir, ma'am." A receptionist uttered as we approached her.
"Where is the VIP woman section?" I inquired.
"It's by the left, sir." She answered as Madison and I trooped in the direction and arrived at the place.
"You can select any dress you like. I will be right back."
"Okay." She responded as I walked out of the place to the restroom.
Casabella's POV
I couldn't get myself through the journey with his cologne radiating in my head and mind.
I was mentally losing my mind when his cologne kept hitting my nostril and I kept stealing gazes at him and having wild and crazy feelings about him. I don't know how it happened but I just don't understand what effect I was having towards him.
I strolled around the clothes section searching for an eye-catching dress until I came across a flare short purple dress with love design all over it.
I walked up to where the dress was and picked it up, trying it around my body to see if it would look good on me when Mark showed up staring at me.
"You can try it on. The dressing room is over there." He pointed to a door, a few inches away from me.
"Okay." I answered and walked towards the door.
I can't believe he saw me doing that. What were you thinking of Casabella? Gosh!
I took off my dress and wore the gown which fits in perfectly on me before stepping out to find him seated on a sofa and lost on his phone.
I cleared my throat a bit before saying the words I feel too shy to utter, "How do I look?"
He was mute at first until he stood up straight like someone who was commanded before walking up to me.
He stopped an inch from me as I could feel his breath and the scent of his cologne right to my nose making me feel intense and scared.
We kept staring at each other and couldn't say any word until he brought his face closer to my face like he wanted to kiss me before moving it to my shoulder.
"You look radiant and beautiful like a queen." He whispered.