Page 22 of The Secret Fiancée
Lex’s gaze bores down on me, and I raise my head to meet his eyes. He studies me, something akin to understanding crossing his face. The edges of his lips turn up into a satisfied smile, and he rocks back on his heels, looking surprisingly pleased.
“You two,” he drawls. “Get out.Now.”
Much to my surprise, several people dressed like regular students stand up, their stiff posture making it clear they’re Windsor security personnel in disguise. Both students are escorted out, and Lex runs a hand through his thick, dark hair.
“Let me make one thing abundantly clear,” he says, his tone sharp and his eyes locked with mine. “I’m engaged, and I won’t tolerate any rumors that could even remotely upset my future wife.”
A hush falls over the room, and I draw a shaky breath, surprised by his instant reassurance. He looks at me like he’s pleading with me to believe him, his attention solely on me. Heat rushes to my face, and I look away, unable to keep from smiling.
“Besides, I do not take insults toward my family lightly,” he adds. “That is what Leia Astor is to me — she’s like asisterto me. My relationship with her is not of a romantic nature, and it never has been.” He turns to the class then, and I nervously tuck my hair behind my ear. “You will respect her and her husband as you do me, and you will not defame her in my presence.”
Lex’s gaze roams over the room, as though to ensure we comprehended his words. Within minutes, he’s addressed and dismissed the rumors about him. Not just that — he made it clear he’s taken, and something about that makes my heart overflow with hope.
“He’s engaged?” Adam whispers, turning to me. “What a complete piece of shit. I’m sorry you had to find out this way, Raya. I know you said nothing happened between you two that night, but still…” Anger crosses his face, and he glares at Lex. “I should’ve known he’d be a cheater. Probably thinks his money can buy him anything.”
My lips part to come to Lex’s defense, only for my words to evade me. How do I explain that I’m the woman Lex is engaged to, and that he couldn’t have cheated on me that night? I run a hand through my hair in frustration, unsure what to do or say.
“Raya Lewis,” Lex says, saving me from having to respond to Adam’s words. I look up at him to find his gaze moving between Adam and me, a hint of irritation in his deep emerald eyes. My heart skips a beat, and I stare back at him, wide-eyed.
“Adam Lawson.”
He sits up, much like I have.
“Emma Thomas.”
I raise a brow when I realize it’s the same girl Lex was talking to in our first class. The one who was blatantly flirting with him.
“Your designs were chosen. Congratulations to all three of you. Your drone designs were innovative but practical. Not only were you able to successfully apply the concept of mechatronics, but you also ensured your designs incorporated accessible materials.”
Adam and I exchange shocked looks and sit back in stunned silence as all three plans are distributed through the room by Windsor Motors drones that are far superior to anything any of us could’ve come up with. Everyone begins to talk amongst themselves at once, discussing the designs that are delivered to them, and all the while, I can’t take my eyes off Lex.
I didn’t think he’d so publicly announce that he’s off the market when we aren’t even married yet. We’ve barely even spoken since that day in his penthouse, and I wasn’t sure where I stood with him, until now. The possessiveness in his gaze speaks volumes, and it confuses me. He made it so clear he didn’t want to be in a relationship, but his actions aren’t in line with that of a notorious bachelor. He seems committed to me, and I’m not sure what to make of that.
“You’ll each be grouped into a team. You’ll receive an email about that shortly, but if you check the papers in front of you, you’ll find all the essential details on there too. Go ahead and strategize. Create assembly plans around the design you’ve been assigned to as a team. Next week’s class will be in Astor College’s labs, where we’ll start the practical part of this class.”
“We’re on different teams,” Adam grumbles.
I tear my eyes off Lex to look at the documents in front of me. At the top, it states Team Leader in big letters. “That makes sense, since both of our designs were selected.”
Adam narrows his eyes slightly. “He wouldn’t have chosen mine simply to split us up, would he? I can’t even switch with anyone to work with you, because we’re both team leaders. He’d better remember that he’s engaged. I won’t let him mess with you, Raya.”
I chuckle and shake my head in surprise. “Of course he wouldn’t have done that,” I murmur, just as Lex glances our way, his eyes blazing with something that looks a lot like jealousy.
Nineteen
Raya
“Honey, are you ready?” Mom shouts. “We’re going to be late for your dress fitting!”
I rush down the stairs, nerves making me sick to my stomach. Everything is moving so fast, and I’m not sure how to handle it.
Since we agreed to keep our marriage a secret, we opted to just get the formalities out of the way as soon as possible, but that means there are only three weeks left until I marry Lexington Windsor, and it all seems so surreal. I feel like a spectator in some play, actors moving all around me while I just get in the way.
“Hope you don’t mind if I join, after all?” Dad asks, his gaze conflicted as he stands by mom’s side, his arm wrapped around her shoulder.
I grin and shake my head as I walk into his embrace. “Of course not, Dad. You know I wanted you there.”
He sighs, reluctance crossing his face as he bends down to hug me tightly. Mom joins in, the three of us cuddled together for a few moments. It’s odd how my impending weddingsuddenly made things feel so precarious. I moved back home to make the wedding prep easier, and I couldn’t be happier with that decision. I know I’m not losing my parents, but somehow, it feels like I am, like things will never be the same again once I’m married.