I like you

Even Lucas found it strange ever since he first met Violet at the bar. That night, when she accidentally bumped on him, the faint scent of vanilla and irises lingered around her, entering his nostrils despite how the place was filled with different scents coming from people and drinks. It was strange how he was able to catch her faint scent.

He was never the type of person who easily gets interested in other women despite how beautiful and enticing they were but that night, he was strangely enchanted by the woman who suddenly blurted out "Marry me" the moment she stared into his eyes. He could have brushed her off like he usually did to other women who were trying to seduce him but he didn't.

Violet's pointed and slightly slanted eyes were bewitching and alluring.

The more he spent time with her, the more he felt familiar with the feelings growing inside him. Things were always unpredictable when it came to her.

"If not for the promise I have with her, I will never be giving her to you again..."

He once heard Raven mumble those words when they had a drink together a week after the night he met Violet. Lucas always had sharp senses so hearing such strange words from his friend made him rather confused.

"I can't believe she asked you to marry her! You better treat my daughter well! I'll definitely curse you if you ever make Eliana cry!"

Ah… Raven must be drunk. He has begun spouting nonsense again. If someone else would to see him the way he was right now, they would definitely be surprised. The calm and collected Raven Xie was acting so differently when drunk. It would be better if he was the quiet type of drunkard but it was the opposite. He would talk nonsense nonstop until he faints.

"That's enough drink for you."

Lucas knew how much Raven cared for Violet since he always has his men around, looking out for her. It further piqued his curiosity which made him contact the girl the next day.

There was something about Violet he couldn't seem to comprehend. Something was always amiss whenever he was with her until the night he kissed her…

The kiss they shared must just be a peck but it was enough to confirm the familiar lingering feelings he has inside his chest. He liked the girl- no, it wasn't just a simple like. It was more than that.

It may not be too long since he met her but for some reason, it felt like he has known her for years.

"You don't have to go this far. You can eat on your own and stop visiting me here. Our relationship is fake."

Fake?

He felt a pang of pain growing in his chest.

"Our contract doesn't state that we have to be together every chance we can get."

But he loved spending time with her. He loved hearing her voice. He loved how her expression changed every moment he was with her.

"You are doing things that are giving me a hard time. I'm already trying my best to stop these feelings from growing any further!"

"Then don't. Don't stop those feelings if it's giving you a hard time." He reached out and held her hand.

It was not like he didn't notice the way she pushed him away whenever he was trying to make a move at her. He could see the wall she was trying to build between them whenever he was trying to take a step closer to her. It was not like he couldn't see her fear but… the more she tried to push him away, the more he wanted to embrace her. It only made him want to break down the walls she was building between them.

"I like you, Violet."

Violet was startled by his sudden words but at the same time, it felt like he threw a wrecking ball at her.

"I want to know you more, I want to spend more time with you. Is that wrong?" He brought her hand to his lips, kissing the back of it.

"I don't see any reason why we are not allowed to like each other." The side of his lips curled up into a sweet smile as he gently gazed into her eyes. "You are to be my wife, won't it be a good thing for us if I fall for you instead?"