WHEN WORLD'S COLLIDE

is words hitting me like a punch to the gut. My lips

ay?" I stuttered, ho

his eyes locked on mine. "I di

trying to calm my racing heart. "Why me?"

ed with confusion.

s surreal situation. "Sir, I...I don't even know y

he said, his eyes intense. "And I know this sounds

oked up at him. "What do yo

d he's chosen a wife for me. But I didn't like her, so I told him I had

, leaving me stunned and wonder

end, why me?" I asked, incredulous. "You don't even know

heir mouths shut," he said bluntly. "But I need someone to pretend to be my girlfr

ecause I'm willing to help you doesn't mean you need to buy me off. I don't want your money, no

e you seem like you're in a real bind, not because I want something in return. You don't have to

depths of his ocean-blue eyes, the intensity of his gaze making my heart race. "I'm sorry, th

s in his eyes and the sincerity in his voic

ng are we going to keep up this charade, Luca? How long will I be

's sake, Dovey. If they seem to buy it, we'll just stay together for a while, and th

art sinking at the thought of our rela

be real? What if I

solution for Luca, a means to an end? Or was there something more between us, something wort

tter of me. "We...I...don't know you," I s

the corners. He stood up, his movements fluid,

warmth of his skin radiating towards me. "I'd like to take you out,

acing with the possibilities. I felt like I was stan

red, my voice

take my hand. I felt a jolt of electricity as his fingers

lled with excitement. "I'll pi

events. As I watched him walk out of the cafe, I could

like I was in a daze, my thoughts jumbled and confused. I quickly rushed to the staff room, seeking r

oss her face. "I just saw you talking to Mr. Hottie," she sa

y's kind and caring nature put me at ease. "Emily, I need to tell you something,"

erned expression. "Of course, I promise,"

t the fake girlfriend request, the dinner with his father, and the

. "So, he asked you to be his girlfriend?"

ify. "Fake girlfriend, it

see it?" she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief. I rolled my eyes good-naturedly, trying to play it off. "I think

I see it," she said, winking at me. I shook my head, laughing, and got up to

sily! I'm onto something here!" I smiled and waved her off, but couldn't hel

d focused on my work, but Emi

ictable ride. A ride that would take me on a journey of self-discov

d, fueling my curiosity and wonder. Was I r