Chapter 60: His Fiance

\[Gianna’s POV\]

I tighten my hold on Grant’s arm as he begins to lead me forward and when we spot my mother and Anthony on the edge of the crowd, we head toward them.

When we reach, I don’t miss the way my mother’s gaze flicks to me and I can see the questioning look in it.

“Gia, honey,” she says, looking from me to Grant. “Why are you…”

“I didn’t want to go through the trouble of finding a date for the evening.” Grant easily lies. “Since she now models under me, isn’t it a good idea to promote her a bit?”

As he speaks, my mother eyes me and from the look on her face, it is clear that she doesn’t quite agree with what Grant has said, but she also doesn’t argue.

Beside her, Anthony looks amused and I wonder if he was used to his brother doing such things.

Instantly, I feel a wave of annoyance rush through me as I picture Grant walking around with a beautiful woman on his arm.

I know that I shouldn’t, but I can’t help myself and when Grant’s gaze flicks to me and then down to my arms that are wrapped around his, I realize too late that I’m squeezing.

“Nervous?” He asks, his gaze sparkling with amusement. “I thought that you would be used to things like this.”

“I am,” I huff, pretending to be fine. “I’ve been to many events, this is nothing.”

“Are you sure?” My mother asks and I can’t help but feel like she is wanting me to leave. “If it is too much you can…”

“No,” I tell her, smiling. “I’m really fine. Anyway, I’m supposed to be keeping the pests away from Grant this evening, aren’t I?”

As I speak, I slowly let my gaze travel around the room, noting the women who stare at Grant with looks of desire and jealousy in their eyes.

Sheesh, was the man that attractive to draw so many beauties attention toward himself?

At this thought, I turn my gaze to Grant once more so that I can take in his side view.

I mean, sure, he was handsome, he had a nice jaw-line, and those eyes that locked on you definitely left you weak in the knees, but what else did he really have going for him?

Money?

Power?

A huge dick?

There were plenty of other men out there with those things.

Wait… Why the hell was I even considering something like this?

It wasn’t like Grant and I were actually thing and honestly, after I got him to stop bothering me, I planned on leaving and never letting him see me again anyway.

“Pests,” my mother repeats, her lips twitching into a frown. “But there’s no need.”

“No need,” I repeat. “What do you mean?”

“You see…” my mother begins, but stops as Anthony touches her arm and then looks toward something behind Grant and me.

“Father,” he announces and when I feel an overwhelming presence behind me, I peek over my shoulder at the man who is making his way toward us with a beauty in tow.

When they reach, the man, or rather my new grandfather, smiles, but beside me, Grant becomes uneasy.

“Are you not even going to turn and speak to your father?” Grant’s father says, causing Grant to stiffen. “You should at least acknowledge your fiance.”

“Fiance,” I repeat, shooting a look to Grant. “You have a fiance?”

As I speak, many gazes come to rest on Grant and me. Some are curious, some smug, and some are filled with amusement.

Dammit, was this really happening?

I had a reputation to uphold!

How the hell could this bastard even put me in this situation.

Keeping my expression neutral, I slowly untangle my arms from around Grant’s and then I turn so that I can really take in Grant’s father and the beauty. As I do, the beauties gaze comes to rest on me and I swear I can see smug amusement there.

“Sorry,” she says, her blood red lips twitching into a smile. “I was supposed to come with Grant, but I had some business to attend to. Thank you for accompanying him for me, but I can take it from here.”

“Sure,” I say as my mother reaches out and grabs my wrist and then slowly comes to stand beside me.

“What were you thinking?” She hisses in my ear as the beauty touches Grants shoulder and then leans in and whispers something in his ear. “Are you trying to make a fool out of yourself?”

At my mother’s words, I flinch and try to keep my expression calm, because I know if I let on how bothered I am by what has happened show then everyone was certain to gossip about it.

“I only came as an employee,” I say, going along with the story Grant spun. “And since I’m family, it didn’t seem like a problem.”

Despite my insistence, I feel my mother’s unease as she does what she can to protect me and when Grant turns to meet my gaze, I don’t let it show how angry I am.

“Since your real date for the evening is here, I should get going.” I tell him, a slow smile spreading across my lips. “I’m sure that there are plenty of eligible bachelors here who can keep me company and if not, I’ll just head home.”

Finished speaking, I give my mother a smile that screams I’m okay before taking Grant and the beauty in once more and when I’m finished, I turn and walk away, all the while cursing the bastard that embarrassed me so thoroughly.

I would certainly make him pay for making me out to be a laughing stock.

I wouldn’t let him get away with it.

Didn’t he know that I had a reputation to uphold and if we didn’t have that business and familial bond I would be utter ruined?

Ugh.

What I really needed right now was a drink, but I knew that wasn’t happening and maybe that’s why when I reach the refreshments table, I come up with a different plan.

“Since I’m here,” I say quietly, letting my gaze travel along the eligible bachelors in the room. “I might as well have a bit of fun.”