RENT A HEART

CHRISTOPHER's POV

"You are absolutely not wearing that," Lexi declared, her voice firm as I walked out of my bedroom.

"Why? What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" I asked, bemused by the severe frown etched on her face.

To my defense, I thought I looked pretty damn good. I was wearing a black, custom-made Valentino shirt, impeccably tailored navy blue pants, and diamond-encrusted black shoes. Dapper, if you asked me.

"Everything is wrong with it, Chris," she said, crossing the room from where she had been sitting to stand directly in front of me.

"You're going to be meeting your potential future in-laws today, who happen to be one of the most powerful families in the country," she continued, her tone lecturing.

"You need to look the part, especially given that they don't exactly know you're from a prestigious family, too." She then launched into a detailed explanation of how I needed to dress "properly" to impress Eve's family.

And to be honest, I wanted to impress them. I wanted to make a good first impression, to show them that I was worthy of Eve. But I hadn't considered that dressing more polished and elegantly would be the key. Anyway, Lexi was a woman, and a supermodel at that, so she probably knew what she was talking about.

She disappeared into my walk-in closet, and emerged a few moments later holding a two-piece tuxedo, the black fabric gleaming under the light. What caught my eye, though, was the subtle but undeniable diamond embellishments along the sides of the suit, adding a touch of understated extravagance.

"There are so many wonderful tuxedos in your closet, but I think this should do it," she declared, holding it out for me to take. "Now, go back in and change," she instructed, her tone playful but firm.

"Yes, ma'am," I chuckled, taking the tuxedo and retreating back into my bedroom.

A few minutes later, I reemerged, the tuxedo fitting me perfectly, as if it had been tailored specifically for this occasion. Lexi's eyes widened slightly as she took in the sight of me.

"Your beauty should actually be a crime at this point, Chris," she exclaimed, shaking her head in mock exasperation.

"I mean, how can you look so good in everything? I suddenly feel a pang of jealousy for Eve." She said sarcastically, causing me to let out a throaty laugh.

"I like the fit. Thank you," I said, genuinely grateful for her help. I pulled her into a quick hug and then left, eager to get on with the day.

I drove straight to Eve's estate to pick her up, having given my driver the day off. I wanted to be the one to drive us today, to have her all to myself.

After announcing myself at the gate, I was let into her sprawling mansion. I told her staff to inform her of my presence and then waited for her downstairs, pacing impatiently.

I tried to imagine what she would look like, what she would wear. I rehearsed my reaction, knowing that she was likely going to take my breath away.

Just as the thought left my head, I heard the soft click of her heels against the marble floor as she walked down the stairs. I straightened up and looked up, and what I saw left my jaw to the floor.

I swallowed hard as she got closer, her presence radiating an undeniable aura of grace and beauty. All of a sudden, I couldn't think, speak, or muster any coherent reaction. Breathtaking was an understatement. She looked ethereal, phenomenal, even.

And that's when it finally hit me, I didn't want to be a fake boyfriend anymore. I wanted to make this real. I wanted to have her to myself, to love her more than she'd ever imagined.

Love, I reasoned within myself, the realization dawning fully. Yes, I was indeed in love with her.

"Earth to Chris," she chuckled, her voice pulling me back to reality. She waved her hand in front of my face, kicking me out of my reverie.

"You look... you know... exquisite," I managed to say, my voice slightly husky, relieved that I hadn't completely butchered the compliment.

"You definitely don't look bad yourself," she said, her eyes roaming over my tuxedo, a hint of mischief playing on her lips.

"Shall we?" I said, extending my arm towards her. She smiled, her eyes sparkling, and gracefully took my arm.

With Eve guiding the way, I drove to the Mickelson's Estate, where the wedding was being held. We arrived perfectly on time, not too early, to seem eager, and not too late, to appear disrespectful. Just right for the reception to commence.

As we approached the venue, I was struck by the sheer scale of the event. Dignitaries, politicians, governors, senators, and other high-profile business moguls milled about, their expensive attire shimmering under the afternoon sun. It was a big wedding, no doubt about it, as Eve's cousin was marrying one of the governor's sons.

I was grateful that none of the people I recognized knew I was Luther's son, and that the business moguls I dealt with didn't know me in person. It allowed me a degree of anonymity in this spotlight-drenched environment.

Some of my board members were also present at the wedding, but they knew better than to reveal my true identity or act like we knew each other. Discretion was paramount.

I intertwined my fingers with Eve's, and we made our way towards the reception.

"Why is everyone looking at us?" I whispered to Eve, feeling the weight of countless eyes upon us.

"Well, I'm sort of the black sheep of the family," she whispered back, a hint of amusement in her voice. "I never agreed to come to any family function in the past that wasn't directly related to my immediate family."

I couldn't help but smile at her words. Despite her rebellious streak, she definitely didn't look like the rebellious type.

"You don't need to be nervous. My family doesn't bite... that much," she added, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

"Thanks for the heads up," I said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

We reached a reserved table, which happened to be where all the Mickelsons were seated, including her parents.

"Hi, Mum, hi, Dad," Eve said, leaning down to give her parents quick kisses on the cheek.

"Oh my God, Cole, you came!" she squealed happily as she gave her older brother a warm hug. She then moved on to ruffle the hair of her younger brothers, who were twins, probably in their early twenties.

"What is wrong with you, Eve?" one of the twins asked, annoyed at her playful gesture. I enjoyed watching their sibling banter, the easy affection they displayed, and envied their closeness. Being an only child, I had never experienced that kind of familial bond.

"Mum, Dad, Cole, this is my boyfriend, Chris," I heard her introduce, and I couldn't miss the genuine excitement in her voice as she said the words. I found myself wondering if she was just a remarkably good actress or if she was genuinely happy to introduce me as her boyfriend.

"Well, hello, Chris," her mum said, standing up and giving me a surprisingly warm hug. It caught me off guard, as I hadn't been expecting such an effusive greeting. "Welcome to the family."

"About time!" the twins exclaimed in unison, stepping forward to shake my hand. They were genuinely friendly, their smiles radiating warmth and acceptance.

"Took you a minute to get here, Eve, but I'm glad you came with the best of the lot," her older brother, Cole, said, clapping me on the back. "Welcome to the family, Chris."

Everyone in Eve's immediate family seemed genuinely happy to see me and went out of their way to make me feel welcomed and comfortable. Everyone, that is, except for her father, who hadn't uttered a single word and had simply stared at me with an unnerving intensity.

His forest-green eyes seemed to bore into my very soul, as if he could see past the façade, uncover the truth I was hiding. It was the only time I felt truly nervous, until he finally allowed a smile to curl his lips.

"Welcome to the family, Christopher," he said, his voice deep and resonant.

"Sit, sit, the reception is about to start." His words washed away the tension, easing the knot in my stomach.

"You have a lovely family," I whispered to Eve, leaning closer to her ear.

"Well, thank you," she whispered back, her eyes sparkling with affection. "And thank God they all behaved themselves, especially the twins." I couldn't help chuckling at her words.

Just as the wedding reception was about to begin, Frederick walked up to our table, his presence instantly raising my hackles.

He greeted Eve's parents with an easy familiarity, as if he were one of their own. He eventually settled into the seat opposite me, a smug, self-satisfied smile playing on his lips.

"Save me a dance later, Eve," he said, his voice so confident, so possessive, that I wanted to punch him squarely in the face.

"Sure," she said, smiling back at him. It pissed me off that she accepted his offer so readily, so casually. Didn't anyone see him for what he was, a cocky, self-absorbed narcissist?

Just then, the wedding reception officially commenced, the MC's voice booming through the speakers.

As the newly married couple finished their first dance, Frederick, without even acknowledging my presence, took Eve by the hand and led her towards the dance floor. A slow burn of anger ignited within me.

A few minutes later, another of Eve's cousins, a pretty brunette with a warm smile, approached our table.

"Do you care for a dance?" she politely asked, her eyes fixed on me.

"Uhm, sure," I said, rising from my seat.

"Hi, I'm Katrina," she said as we swayed to the music.

"Chris," I replied.

"You can dance really well," Katrina commented, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink.

"Well, thank you," I said, offering her a smile. She was beautiful, no doubt about it, but she was no Eve.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Eve staring at us, her expression unreadable. This was a dance where partners rotated every thirty seconds, and moments later, I found myself face to face with her mother, Mrs. Mickelson.

"Relax, Chris," she said, noticing my surprise. "If you don't mind me asking, what do you like about my daughter?" Her tone was polite, genuinely curious.

"She's one of the most brilliant people I've ever met. Gorgeous, extremely talented, assertive, opinionated, and," I chuckled, "extremely stubborn."

"Oh, that she is. Very stubborn, a trait I'm certain she inherited from me," her mother replied, a hint of pride in her voice.

"But that's one of the things I love about her. When she knows she's right, she sticks to her guns. I'm really lucky to have her in my life," I said, the sentiment ringing true.

I watched as Mrs. Mickelson beamed, revealing a delicate dimple. I guessed that's where Eve got hers.

"Thank you. And please, take care of my baby girl," she said, before moving on to her next partner. Finally, I held Eve in my arms.

"Quite a day you're having," she said dryly. "Dancing with Katrina, the queen of ballroom, and my mom."

"Oh, she's the acclaimed queen of ballroom? Wow, no wonder she danced so well," I said subconsciously, replaying her elegant moves in my mind.

"You must have really liked dancing with her," she stated flatly.

"Well, yeah," I admitted, and heard her scoff.

"Are you jealous?" I asked, a teasing lilt in my voice.

"No, I'm not," she retorted.

"Well, you shouldn't be, because you were the one who left me to go dance with Frederick," I pointed out, feeling my words hit a nerve as she looked visibly annoyed.

"Are you being serious right now?" She looked at me incredulously.

"Let's just get this dance over with." As soon as the music ended, she abruptly left the reception hall.

I acted like nothing was wrong, returning to our seats and telling her family she had gone to the restroom.

After waiting for what felt like an eternity, she still hadn't returned. Frederick was also absent from the hall, fueling my unease. I couldn't trust him, so I went to look for her.

I walked for a while, eventually reaching a beautiful garden. I was admiring the meticulously manicured flowers when I overheard Frederick's voice, and the things he was saying left me speechless and motionless.