Fake dating my enemy, The playboy billionaire

YIREN’S POV

The moment I see Jun’s car from the terrace, I practically sprint, jumping down the stairs two at a time, shoving my papa away when he gives me a questioning look.

Last night when I came home, I had a surprise waiting for me here. My papa. But other than a hug, a kiss, and a few pleasantries, I barely had the mind to give him time. My mind was occupied with Jun, worry eating at my insides. He ignored all my calls and messages, which never happened before. Although Suyin messaged me to inform me that he’s with them and won’t be able to come home for the night, other than that, I didn’t get any information.

My gaze lands on him as he gets out of the car, frantically checking him to see if he’s fine.

"JUN!" I scream, my heart at relief and happiness over the cloud after the longest night of my life. He has no idea of the scary thoughts that haunted me nonstop.

His arms open, and I throw myself into his embrace, wrapping my legs around his torso, hugging him for my dear life. "Stupid, stupid, stupid! You scared me. Where were you the entire night?"

His hug and fragrance become the medicine that my heart and brain needed.

"I had some work to do, Bunny."

I pull my head back to look into his eyes. "Liar. I know something happened and you’re not telling me. Don’t scare me again like this, please." I pepper kisses on his cheeks.

"It’s not me who’s scaring you."

I don’t know what he means by that, and before I can ask, his mouth claims mine in a hungry kiss, fighting my tongue and squeezing me tight in his arms like he’s afraid I might disappear any moment.

"Cough, cough."

He breaks the kiss and looks behind me, gently putting me down on the floor. "Hey, Luca."

My cheeks turn hot and red. Dad saw me making out with Jun at the door, in daylight. Gosh.

But the next second, my jaw hits the floor as Jun hugs my dad and they slap each other’s back like they’re old friends. What did he call my papa? Luca?

I mean... what’s happening here?

"My girl has been pacing the length of the house since last night that she completely ignored me. Looks like you’ve charmed her just the way her mother was charmed." All I see is adoration in Papa’s eyes. Not for me. Nope. "Good thing you returned or else she’d have filed a missing persons report."

Jun chuckles, but his smile doesn’t reach his eyes. What happened? "I don’t think so. If my charm was working on her, she would have been mine by now."

Papa looks between us, his eyebrows raised.

"Let me not take your time anymore. Spend time with your girl. She was missing you. I’ll freshen up."

Coldness seeps into me as I keep my gaze on Jun’s back, hoping he’ll turn once and shower me with one of his mesmerizing smiles that always make my heart skip a beat. But no. Nothing.

"Here’s your vegan sandwich and black coffee." I put the plate on the table and pour hot coffee, but my eyes flick to the bedroom. I thought Jun would be joining for breakfast, but when I went to check on him, he had showered and was taking a nap. He never takes a nap. Plus, I saw a strip of ibuprofen with a tablet missing on the nightstand.

There’s a hollowness in my heart that isn’t going away.

"Yiren! Yiren!"

I snap awake, bringing my attention to the overflowing coffee splattered on the table. "I’m sorry. So sorry," I dab the liquid with a napkin, my eyes tearing with emotions.

Papa pulls away the napkin from my hand and puts it aside, then pulls a chair next to him. "Come here, baby girl."

"You like him."

I look down to hide my tears and the emotions I’m feeling. "No."

"Let’s try again. You love him, but at the moment, you’re scared."

I gulp the knot in my throat and mutter, "How do you know that?"

"Your face and actions from last night give it away. I expected love from my girl when she saw me after months, but all I see is the sickly worried woman for her man." He pinches my chin so I can look into his eyes. "He loves you. You love him. I don’t see a problem here. Care to enlighten me?"

I press my lips together.

"Or is it that fucked-up report that says you have a high chance of getting Alzheimer’s like your mother?" I try to look away, but his grip on my chin is firm. "I’m correct."

I can’t lie to Papa. I’ve always been closest to him, and he can read me as easily as he used to read mom.

"Now, you’ll try to convince me with a lot of blah blah blah. Don’t forget how you mourned mom for years and shut yourself down. I don’t want it to happen to my man. Have you seen his eyes when he laughs?"

"I’ve seen more. Things that even you don’t know."

I open my mouth to say something, but stop when he shakes his head. "Don’t say it. Your mother knew this would happen one day. Maybe that’s why she was prepared."

I frown. He takes out an envelope and puts it on the table. "She wrote this letter in the moments when her memory wasn’t lost and asked me to only give this to you if you ever fall in love."

I pull the letter that’s wax-sealed with a tiny dried wildflower in it. Flowers from my mom’s garden. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Wildflowers that Jun picked for me at the cabin.

"I don’t know what’s written in it, but I’m also adding something for you to see," He puts a pen drive in my palm. "Do you know Jun was present at the time of your mom’s funeral?"

"He told me that. He even has a tattoo on his chest dedicated to my mom."

"But did he tell you that he let go of a billion-dollar business deal to be with your mom during her last time? Did he tell you all the expenses were paid by him, and he made sure she got the best treatment? Did he tell you he spent every night by your mom’s side in the hospital after everyone had fallen asleep? Did he tell you, every night, he picked you up in his arms and laid down on the couch so you wouldn’t hurt your back or catch a cold? Did he ever tell you, your mom—" his voice chokes, "took her last breath in his arms?"

My tears are free-flowing. A sob escapes me. "Why didn’t you ever tell me?"

"Because he is stubborn! You never liked him close to your mom. To not stress you anymore, he requested me not to tell you anything."

Realization dawns. That’s why Jun and Papa greeted each other like they’ve known each other for ages. And the fact Papa never listened to me to go for a therapist, but somehow Jun was able to get through to him.

I look at the changes in my Papa—clean clothes, a trim beard, and eyes that shine with life. The dead man he had turned into is nowhere.

"Why are you here?"

He shrugs. "Jun sent business-class tickets saying my daughter is missing me. And I dare not hurt her feelings, or else he’ll ask the authorities to deport me permanently."

I’m speechless. I didn’t say anything about missing Papa. So why—? Oh wait. I changed my laptop background to a picture where Papa was giving me a piggyback ride in the garden.

He noticed it??!