The Billionaire’s Pretend Fiancée

Roman’s POV

I massaged my temple as I patiently waited for Nana to finish what she was saying on the other end of the line.

It had now been a week since Lana abducted Sofie.

But I couldn’t bring myself to tell my grandmother about it, because earlier that week, her oncologist had called to inform me that she was showing signs of being hypertensive.

I didn’t want to do anything that’ll worsen her ailment, so I decided to keep mute.

Inwardly, I hoped I wouldn’t have to tell her in the future.

“Figlio, you’re not saying anything. Is everything alright over there?” Nana asked, diverting my thoughts.

I exhaled heavily. “There’s nothing wrong, Nana. How are you doing?”

“I’m doing good, Romano. You’ve asked me this same question thrice now. Tell me the truth, my boy. Did something happen?”

“No, ma. I’m serious. What could possibly happen? I’m just really tired right now because I was up all night reviewing a proposal.” I lied seamlessly.

“Oh. Take care of yourself, caro. Don’t push yourself too hard, okay?”

“Okay, ma.”

“By the way, I want to speak to Sofie. Today is Sunday, so she can’t possibly be at school, right?” She said, and my heart lurched.

Various thoughts swirled in my head as I made up a reasonable lie to tell her.

I finally settled on one that seemed believable enough. “Sofie is not in right now, ma. There’s this nutrition-based research that she’s currently doing at Minnesota, so she won’t be around for a while.”

“Oh.” She said. ” So when will she be done with this research?”

“In five weeks.” I fibbed, while hoping within myself that she’d have been found before five weeks.

“That’s awfully long. Anyway, kindly extend my regards to her. I’ve been trying to call her for a while but it kept saying her line has been disconnected.”

“The network coverage over there is terrible. In the past week, I’ve only been able to speak to her for just once.” I said.

That wasn’t particularly a full lie though. Because I had really spoken to Sofie just once since Lana had abducted her.

*That’s bad then. I guess I have to send her a letter then.” She chuckled.

“Maybe.” I feigned a laugh. “Grandma, I’ve got to go now, I have a meeting in thirty minutes.”

“Don’t let me disturb you then. Take care, darling.”

“You too, ma.” I said, and hung up.

Afterward, I reclined against the swivel chair with a long, drawn-out sigh after I placed my phone on the desk.

I was finally back at work because Nathan couldn’t do everything all by himself. There were still some things I had to carefully tend to.

Plus my long absence would arouse my employees’ suspicions. And eventually, Nana would learn of my absence at the company and hire someone to look into it which in turn would lead to her finding out about Sofie’s kidnap.

At that moment, no one other than Damien, some highly-trusted detective friends of Damien, and my private investigators knew about the fact that Sofie was abducted.

And I intended to keep it that way until both her and our unborn child were safely found and brought back home.

Back home to me.

Moments later, my phone rang with a call from an unknown number. Rage coursed through my veins as I answered it.

“What do you want, Lana?” I hurled.

“A lovely afternoon to you too, babe. I’m doing great, thanks for asking. You?” She said with an underlying tone of amusement.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

“Cut the crap, and tell me what you want.” I spat.

“So I’ve carefully thought about it, and I’ve decided to let that bitch go. Before you interrupt me, don’t. Let me finish speaking.” She began, and a perplexed frown contorted my expression.

What was Lana on about now?

“She is no use to me, and I know you’ll discard her when you find a more attractive woman that catches your attention. I’ve decided to let you go, and be at peace with myself. I’ll text you the location and the day I want you to come pick her up.” She said.

I scoffed. “Is this a joke? Are you having fun riling me up? Do you feel overjoyed because I can’t do anything about this situation?”

I expected her to burst into one of her taunting laughters, but strangely, she didn’t.

“I want to start seeing a therapist, Roman. I can’t continue like this. I can’t keep chasing after you like a desperate bitch when you’ll never see me.” She uttered.

Something about her sudden repentance just didn’t seem right.

“And before I forget, don’t you dare bring policemen to the venue or else, I’ll really kill Sofie. Just come alone.” She added.

Lana must really think of me as a fool, to think I’d easily believe her lies. But I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to make her suspicious.

I was ready to play the fool as long as it guaranteed Sofie’s safety.

“Okay. I’ll be expecting the address and I do hope you keep to your promise.” I said.

“Don’t worry, I will.” She chuckled, and ended the call.

For the rest of the day, I went about the rest of my work in a daze.

Lana sent the venue to me later that evening.

She wanted us to meet tomorrow at a bunker situated downtown, which was about an hour away from my house.

Then, I sent the address and the recorded phone call between Lana and I to my private investigators.

We planned that I’d go first on my own and later, they would arrive with the cops.

But to go alone, I needed something to protect myself with, in case everything didn’t go according to plan.

I grinned to myself as I opened the secret vault inside the walk-in closet adjoined to I and Sofie’s shared bedroom. Then, I retrieved a revolver from inside it, and loaded it with a sufficient amount of bullets.

That should be enough to blow up Lana’s brain. I thought to myself as a dark chuckle escaped my lips.