Globetrotter Ingrid gets a fabulous fresh start when her job takes her to Melbourne, Australia. Here she meets wise and sweet Oliver, who makes her forget she doesn't have a heart.
This successful stability prompts Ingrid to accept an invitation to...
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December 2018
Ingrid opened her eyes to darkness and shot up, panicked that she'd missed something important. She glanced down at Hitoshi's pillow beside hers. Only faded creases in the fabric remained in his wake. Yawning, Ingrid reached for her phone to check the time. Six PM.
"Great."
So, still getting fed – dinner wouldn't start until eight PM – but after a four-hour nap, she'd be awake all night for sure.
Ingrid stretched and crawled to her feet, shuffling over to the light switch. Luckily, her room was outfitted with an en-suite bathroom, so she didn't have to go scouring the maze-like halls of this house just to use the toilet and wash off her drowsiness.
When she came out, Hitoshi was waiting for her in her room, all dressed to the nines, staring at the painted scroll behind the flower arrangement.
"You let me sleep in."
He glanced at her over his shoulder, hands in the pockets of his trousers. "I couldn't bring myself to wake you."
Ingrid crossed her arms over her chest. "Yeah, I know, I'm even more adorable in my sleep."
Smiling, he walked over and paused to plant a tender kiss on her forehead. Her breath hitched, and her heart skipped a beat.
"I got you something," he whispered.
She gulped.
"Here." He picked up one of the two boxes off the table and handed it to her. "You're gonna need it for dinner."
Opening it, she fished out the velvet mini-dress inside. "I thought we were having KFC for dinner, why the get-up?"
"Just... trust me, okay?"
One eyebrow sprang free from her frown. "I thought we've established that I don't, in fact, trust you."
"Have we?"
"Well, we have now."
He chuckled. "All right, then, just... Do me this favour will you?"
Her interest piqued, Ingrid's face brightened. "A favour, you say? I'm listening."
Hitoshi cleared his throat and her eyebrows rose in anticipation.
"Dinner is going to be awkward as fuck," he began, rubbing at his nape, "but could you maybe pretend for a few hours that... we're a happy couple?"
She laughed, except his expression didn't change. "Goodness, you're serious. Is this why you brought me out to Tokyo?"
"Maybe?"
She rolled her eyes, and he pulled her to him.
"It shouldn't be too hard," he murmured, his hands on her waist. Hers went round his neck. "We've been acting like a couple all along."
