The Billionaire’s Pretend Fiancée

Roman’s POV

I gazed at the shut door with my mouth gaped in a mixture of shock, confusion and devastation.

I racked through my memory to figure out whether I had unknowingly said something wrong to Sofie.

But I couldn’t place a finger on one wrong thing that I had said.

Something must have happened for her to have suddenly brought up the issue of the contract termination letter out of nowhere.

I sighed as i inwardly debated within myself on whether to ring the doorbell again or not.

Eventually, I settled on the latter option because I didn’t want to further ruin our relationship, so I just dejectedly walked back to the car.

Nathan darted me a scrutinizing stare, as I approached the car.

Thankfully, he noticed my melancholic demeanor, and he didn’t bother to utter a word to me, as he opened the back door of the car.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“We’re heading to my grandmother’s place.” I revealed, as he swerved the car away from the apartment complex.

I threw the apartment building a final, wistful look before it totally diminished from my line of sight.

“When is Miss Sofie moving back to the mansion, sir?”

If I had deduced Nathan had suddenly changed his nosy lifestyle in the past couple of weeks just because he let me be earlier, his sudden question surely made me rethink my deduction.

“Whenever she wants.” I said, and he shot me a weird stare through the rearview mirror but didn’t say anything.

Which may be never. I thought to myself, as the imposing structure of my grandmother’s mansion came into my line of sight.

Nathan came around to open the door before we both walked into the mansion together.

“It’s so nice to see you again, young master.” Daniel, the butler greeted, as he bowed to me.

“It goes both ways, Daniel.” I shook his hands as my eyes roamed around the medieval themed interior of the house, and the huge, framed picture of my parents and I at my christening which was mounted atop the fireplace.

For the first time in twenty seven years, I stared at the picture but didn’t feel guilty for their deaths.

Instead, I felt a strange sort of relief.

I halted in my tracks, and looked from Daniel to the rest of the staff. “I hope none of you told Nana about what happened to me.”

“Of course not, sir. We would never. Mr Damien and the doctor strictly warned us against doing so.” Daniel responded.

I nodded in agreement. “Good.”

“Are you fully well now, sir?” The elder man asked.

“Yes, I am. Thanks for your concern.” I responded, before motioning Nathan to continue moving.

My hand wavered on the door to my grandmother’s bedroom, as I tried but failed to prepare myself to see a more emaciated version of her.

“I have to make an important call, sir.” Nathan uttered, and I just nodded absentmindedly as he walked away.

Inhaling deeply, I knocked thrice, not really expecting to get a reply.

“Come in.” I was half stunned, and half relieved when Nana’s weak voice came from behind the door.

“Nonna.” I called, assessing her pale, macilent form lying on the bed.

She was connected to multiple machines that beeped at the same time, and created a peaceful yet sad rhythm, a nasal cannula was also inserted into her nostrils, and she was also wearing a beanie.

I crouched beside her, and held one of her frail, bony hands in both of mine.

“Romano, you finally came, huh? I was thinking I would never see you before I meet my end.” She croaked out, shakily stretching her other hand toward me.

I closed my eyes when she weakly cupped my face.

I knew the time to bid my grandmother farewell was slowly but surely approaching, and no amount of money could prolong it.

“I’m sorry, Nana. I was on a work trip that I couldn’t help but attend.” I fibbed, as I flapped my eyes open.

She just smiled feebly, and nodded. “Yeah, I know. You couldn’t help but be there even if you wanted to come see me. Sono felice di rivederti, nipote mio.”

“I’m glad to see you too, Nana.” I whispered.

“How is my nipotina doing? Tell her that I’d like to see her one of these days. Tell her to come soon because I don’t have enough time left.” She said.

“Alright, Nonna.” I nodded, even though I didn’t have the slightest idea of how I was supposed to convince Sofie to come with me.

She has certainly made it clear to me that afternoon, that she didn’t want to have anything to do with me again.

“Good. You look thinner, figlio. Haven’t you been eating at all? Call Daniel over here, have him prepare anything you’d like to eat before you leave, okay?” She said, to which I nodded.

“Very well, Nonna. You should also hang in there a little longer for me, please. Or don’t you want to see your great-grandchild?” I divulged, and watched my grandmother’s eyes slowly widen.

“Is nipotina acquisito pregnant? Does that mean I’m going to see my pronipote or pronipotina before I leave?” She asked, her eyes twinkling with hope.

“Yes, nonna. Sofie is pregnant.” I responded, and she gasped.

“You have no idea how happy and hopeful this news has made me, Romano. I hope the heavens don’t take me soon because I also want to see my great-grandchild before I take my last breath.” She spurted in excitement.

She seemed to suddenly gotten a random burst of energy, as her eyes now glistened with elation.

“I will leave you to rest now. I will be back soon with Sofie. Take care, Nonna. I love you.” I said, before pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.

“Anch’io ti amo, nipote mio. I’ll see you again.” She replied.

“Definitely.” I agreed, and gave her hand one last squeeze before exiting her room.

On the way home to my mansion, I pondered over the next line of action to take to win Sofie’s heart back but for some odd reasons, my head was devoid of any reasonable idea.

Despite that, when I stepped out of the car moments later, I firmly resolved within myself to do whatever it took to win her heart back.

I’d do anything to have her back in my life, even if anything meant I had to ridicule myself in the worst ways possible.