The Temporary Boyfriend

Chapter 24: A luxury wardrobe

​"Julian..." Lyvana looked around, stunned by the sheer amount of luxury. "Who are all these for? Do you have a girlfriend I don’t know about?"

​Julian stepped up behind her. "They are all yours, Lyvana."

​"Mine?" she turned to look at him, confused. "But I didn’t buy any of this. I don’t even think I could afford half of what’s in this room right now."

​"Consider it part of our partnership," Julian said simply. "If you are going to be my girlfriend, you need to look the part. I had my personal shoppers bring in everything in your size last night."

Lyvana ran her hand over a soft, white silk blouse.

​"It’s too much," she whispered, her eyes lingering on the gown before snapping back to Julian.

"I don’t think I’m comfortable with this," she said firmly. "I don’t need all these clothes, and I definitely don’t want you buying them for me."

"I know you don’t need them," he murmured stepping close to her. "But I want you to have them. I want the world to see you exactly as I do."

"Are you like a millionaire or something?"

Julian let out a short, dry laugh, then gave a casual, one-shouldered shrug, as if they were discussing the weather rather than a small fortune in luxury goods.

​"Yeah, maybe I have a few millions lying around," he admitted.

"Well stop wasting them on me."

"If I don’t spend it on making you look like the queen you clearly are, I’ll probably just spend it on something boring, like a yacht or a small island. And you’re much better company than a rock in the middle of the ocean."

​He brushed a stray hair from her face.

"Now, stop arguing and get dressed for work. Marco is waiting."

Lyvana chose a silk designer top in a deep cream color. She paired it with high-waisted black trousers that flared slightly at the bottom. She pulled her hair back into a neat ponytail, letting her natural beauty take center stage. ƒгeewebnovёl.com

When she stepped out of the closet, Julian stopped what he was doing. He didn’t say a word at first. He just looked at her, his eyes moving up and down then gave an approving nod.

An hour later, Lyvana leaned back against the cream-colored leather seats of a white luxury Mercedes. The car was quiet and smelled like expensive perfume. Julian had been very firm, she was to use this car from now on.

"Marco will take you wherever you need to go," he had said. "At least during the day."

She looked at her phone. 12 missed calls from Mark.

​In her past life, she would have panicked. she would have called him back immediately, apologizing for making him wait. Now, she just felt a cold sense of satisfaction.

As the car glided through the city streets, Lyvana looked out the window. She felt strange. In her past life, she was always running around, trying to please Mark and Clarisse, often taking the bus or driving her own old car while Mark spent the company’s money.

Now she indeed felt like a queen.

But one thing worried her, if falling in love brought her doom in her past life, she had to be sure not to fall in love in this life. ​​She could use Julian’s help, his money, and his cars, but she could not give him her heart.

​She couldn’t let herself love anyone again. Not even Julian.

The car pulled up smoothly in front of Aurora. Before the car even stopped, Lyvana saw the changes.

The front of the building was no longer quiet. A team of workers was already busy revamping the entrance. They were cleaning the stone, putting up new signs, and fixing the lights. It looked like the company was finally waking up after a long sleep.

Standing guard at the doors were two tall men in dark uniforms. These were the security guards Julian had hired. They stood straight and looked dangerous. When they saw her car, one of them stepped forward to scan the area.

"Miss Lyvana, we are here," Marco said. He stepped out and opened her door with a polite bow.

As Lyvana stepped out, a flash of light hit her eyes. Paparazzi were gathered across the street, their cameras clicking rapidly.

​"Over the shoulder, Lyvana! Right here!"

​"Big smile for the front page!"

​"Give us a smile honey!"

She didn’t answer. She simply smiled at them and walked toward the entrance.

Inside, the lobby there were service people working on installing the new security.

She walked straight to the executive floor. Bertha, was standing by her desk, her jaw dropping as she saw her boss.

"Ms. Lyvana? You look... amazing," Bertha whispered.

"Thank you, Bertha," Lyvana said over her shoulder as she headed for the office.

"Everyone is waiting in the conference room," Bertha said walking behind her. "And the new staff are already in."

"Great, I will be there in five."

Bertha nodded and left the room.

​Lyvana took a deep breath.

You can do this, she told herself.

​She exhaled again, but her heart was racing. Suddenly.

No, she couldn’t do this. The pressure was too much. She reached for her phone and quickly called Emily.

....

"What the hell is this?"

Julian looked down at his phone and his face darkened with annoyance.

​"It’s a reminder from your father," a voice replied. "About tomorrow’s dinner with your new betrothed."

​Julian looked up to see his cousin, Ethan, leaning against the doorway. He was dressed in a white suit looking regal and handsome.

​Julian let out a loud, bitter laugh. He hated being back in Italy, miles away from his latest obsession. Every minute he spent here was a minute he wasn’t watching over Lyvana.

​"My father is wasting his time," Julian said flatly. "I have no interest in dinner. And even less in a betrothed."

Ethan didn’t move.

"The family expects you, Julian. You know how the old man is. He doesn’t like being kept waiting, especially when it comes to the bloodline."

"Fuck bloodline."

Ethan laughed softly. "That’s not nice."

"Well, fuck nice too."

Ethan’s smile widened. "I brought you a gift."

He gestured toward the door. A woman stepped inside.

She was tall and wrapped in dark lingerie. If you could call it a lingerie. She was practically naked.

Julian didn’t look impressed. Infact, he looked bored.

The woman paused, clearly expecting a different reaction.

Ethan shrugged lightly. "Consider it... a distraction."

Julian’s jaw tightened. "Get her out."

​Ethan blinked, genuinely surprised.

"You didn’t even look."

"I did," Julian said coldly. "And I’m not interested."

The woman hesitated, then glanced at Ethan for direction. He gave a small wave and she hurried out.

​Ethan let out a low whistle, crossing his arms.

"That’s a first. Don’t tell me the mighty Julian is finally in love."

Julian only shrugged.

"Well then... tell me all about her."