The Game (Wagered Hearts Series, #3)(36)

I couldn't believe that Rob had grown up in a place like this. It felt like a museum; I was afraid to touch anything for fear of breaking some priceless heirloom. Looking up at the place I felt inadequate. Rob had always been a gentleman and never acted like a snob, but seeing the physical embodiment of his wealth and prestige made me realize just how different we were.

When the car pulled up the long drive and stopped in front of the house, a young woman stood waiting for us, a smile lighting her face. She looked vaguely familiar, and I was trying to remember her name as I got out of the car. Rob and she looked like they were very comfortable around each other, and I noticed the resemblance immediately when I saw them standing together.

I knew I'd seen her before and frantically tried to search my brain to remember where. Thankfully Rob made the introductions so I was spared the embarrassment of not knowing her name. Even better, she actually mentioned where it was we met--Ryan's house party in the Hamptons.

Stella was friendly and welcoming, which I was partly surprised by. I thought she'd be a mini version of her mother, and from what Rob told me, his mother was a Grade A snob. I wondered if Rob had told Stella about our arrangement.

Even though we had signed a confidentiality agreement, it wouldn't surprise me if he had told her. They seemed very close and I caught Stella looking at me curiously several times when she thought I wasn't looking. She was also way too excitable, bouncing from foot to foot, just waiting to introduce me to her parent's for the first time. If she wanted a show, then I'd give her one.

I'd played my part and been the embarrassing fiancée that Rob wanted. It hurt me more than I cared to admit to see the look of judgment and condemnation in his mother's eyes, the same color and shape as Rob's. I didn't know why I wanted her to like me so much, but I'd destroyed any chance of that ever happening. When I glanced over at Rob, his expression mirrored his mother's, and I felt a stab of hurt. Now, here I was slumped in this gorgeous room, wondering how I was going to get through this weekend with my sanity intact.

***

The next morning I woke up bright and early after having slept for a good 12 hours. I must have been more tired than I thought, and after a good night's sleep, my mood improved a lot. Tonight was the party for Rob's parents. After that, I'd be home free.

I decided that the less time I spent with Rob, the better. I realized that we were playing a very dangerous game, and I'd been foolish enough to develop feelings for him. He obviously didn't feel the same, since he kept running away when things between us got too real. The last thing I needed was some unrequited love.

I'd go back to LA to prepare for my next role, which was slated to begin in the spring. Work was what I needed to take my mind off the confusing mess of my emotions. I'd always relied on work to get me through tough times, and this would be no different. Once the Oscars were over, I could get back to my old life and wipe my hands of this entirely.

The scandal was old news at this point. No one even remembered Kelsey Keller's name, much less the smear campaign she tried to spearhead against me. My star had never shone brighter, and I was riding a wave of good publicity. So on the upside, there had been some benefits that came from this arrangement.

I got dressed and headed out of my room. The house was so big, I had no idea where I was going. My first thought was to look for Rob, but I decided against that. I needed some space to think and I'd seen some nice manicured gardens from my view, so I decided to head outside. I made a wrong turn and ended up in some other part of the house that looked like it was closed off. I could hear the bustle of activity echoing around me, but could never actually see anyone else.

I heard footsteps just down the corridor and rushed there thinking I'd find a butler or maid, but instead I found Stella and her mother. I stopped in my tracks when I spotted them and had the sudden urge to hide. The last person, besides Rob, that I wanted to see was his mother. I wasn't quick enough and they spotted me immediately. The three of us stood there, at a loss for words for a moment, before Rob's mother plastered a smile on her face and walked over.

"Emilia! What a surprise to see you up so early. I had thought you'd still be asleep. Lord knows Robert usually is a zombie after his flights from America," she said.

"I've always been an early riser, and would hate to waste the day lying in bed. Since I've only got a couple of days here, I thought I'd enjoy it by going out to the garden," I said, hoping she'd just point me in the right direction and let me go.

She looked at me in confusion at first, and I realized that I'd forgotten to play my part as the obnoxious gold digging fiancée. She recovered herself and smiled at me, a genuine one this time.

"How lovely. We were just heading that way ourselves. Would you mind if we joined you?" she asked.

"Uh...sure," I said.

I really wanted to refuse, but that seemed pretty rude. I knew I was supposed to act crude and ill mannered, and play up the part of an unsuitable fiancée for Rob, but somehow I couldn't muster the energy. The truth was, I didn't want his mother to think poorly of me. I shouldn't have cared what she thought, but for some reason I did. It was obvious that Rob thought highly of her and they were close, despite his complaints about her interference in his life.

For her part, she wasn't as snobbish or overbearing as I'd been led to believe. In fact, she seemed like any concerned parent who just wanted to see her son settled down. My own mother was the same way with my brother Frank. She'd been downright Machiavellian about the whole thing, and in the end, it all turned out well for Frank. It was obvious Rob's mother only wanted the best for her son, and she thought seeing him settled was it.