Strawberry Kisses Phavy Prieto (bookstand for reading TXT) 📖

"But they're not your favorite," he whispered resignedly.

"No, they’re not," I replied with a hint of a smile and restraining myself from telling him what my favorite flowers were.

"Too bad. I thought I would finally get it right," he said with more enthusiasm. As I was sipping my coffee, he added, "I called you because my mother has found several places for our wedding reception and we should go and see them this week. We are already a bit late, considering that they are usually booked a year in advance, and there are only eight months left."

Suddenly I began to cough uncontrollably because, in an attempt not to spit out the coffee, I swallowed it at the risk of choking.

"Do we need to book now?" I asked almost out of breath.

"Well, if we want the invitations to reach the guests on time, we need to know where the reception will be held as soon as possible. The church is not a problem: my family has a mansion where all the Devoirs got married, but we have to confirm the reception. You have my mother's number just in case. She will send you some photos of the venues she contacted."

It's all happening so fast that I can't digest it and at the same time think it's not going to happen.

"Damian, don't you think we're going a little too far..."

"You're my fiancée," he warned me, interrupting me. "Don't forget, Maria, you're going to marry me."

I was silent. What was I supposed to answer? I had run out of arguments and, above all, I wanted it to be true.

"Tell your mother I'll give her an answer today," I replied, because I knew she would wait for my answer.

"See you at six. Remember, not a minute longer," he added before hanging up.

I didn't even have the time to get my cell phone out of my bag when Ingrid knocked on the door.

"Please, tell me it's not bad news!" I exclaimed, given the expression on her face.

"Mr. Spooner has demanded that an office is made available to him immediately and has requested all the Enterprise reports for the last five years. Five years!" she yelled as if she couldn’t believe it.

In the end it was true that it was going to be a long and tedious process. Well, be prepared for what lies ahead, you piece of shit.

"Perfect. Give him the smallest room we have, without windows, and set up a folding table with an uncomfortable chair," I said looking at my nails. "Ah, make sure no one works on Enterprise while he's here. I won't make it easy for him if his only intention is to screw us. One last thing: make sure he receives reports exclusively from that account."

"You don't like Mr. Spooner?" she asked a little surprised.

"Can’t you tell?" I said ironically. "Let's say I would prefer to be skinned rather than see him again," I replied without giving it too much importance. "Just five minutes ago he threatened to make this audit hell if I didn't sleep with him."

"No!" Ingrid exclaimed dumbfounded. "What a pig! Do you want me to call security to kick him out?"

That was a viable option.

"It wouldn't be a bad option. But we can't afford to lose this client. However, I would be grateful if you didn't tell Damian anything about this. I prefer not to involve him."

"As you prefer, Maria. Although I think you should inform him: after all, he's the one who runs the company and is also your fiancée."

She was right. I should tell him, but I believed that I could handle that situation alone and get out of it unharmed.

"I'll think about it," I told her to keep her calm.

Fortunately, the rest of the morning went by without any further setbacks.

At lunchtime I looked at all the places that Damian's mother had chosen to visit: each one was more beautiful than the other. I loved the one with a greenhouse with huge windows, perfect for a starry night. Also, the decorations they used for the wedding celebrations were spectacular, and I knew right away that even if they showed me all the places in the world, I would not find anything better.

However, I decided not to opt for it, because choosing the place would mean a drastic change between fiction and reality. Choosing the place for the reception would mean a breakup and cancellation of a wedding. And I didn't know if I was capable of facing it. I was going to accept to visit all the places during that week, let some time pass by without giving a definitive answer. Everything would remain a sweet memory, an anecdote made up of beautiful venues for a dream wedding that would never be celebrated.

At six o'clock sharp Damian was leaning against the door jamb, looking at me, his tie slightly untied and his jacket open, with his hair locks falling over his face.

He exuded beauty, sensuality, masculinity. No doubt Damian was an Adonis from head to toe.

"Ready?" he asked as I looked up.

"Ready," I replied with a faint smile. I immediately got up from my chair, took the planner and walked towards the door.

I felt the warmth of his hand on my waist, that thrilling sensation I would never get used to. And knowing that we were going to spend the rest of the evening and the night together only made my craving stronger.

"Is everything alright?" he asked, placing a delicate kiss on my lips, so sweet that made me sigh.

"Yes," I replied, looking him in the eye. I wanted to find out what he thought about all this and if it was as difficult for him as it was for me to pretend to be in a relationship that, in his case, he didn't really want.