"Explain."
Era exhales a careful breath, her head is spinning with every reason to justify the presence of Seven which seems to have a friction with Ridge.
"I knew him. We knew each other. And that's the only connection we have," she said, fumbling on her fingers.
She watched Ridge from the corner of her eyes as he remained still, hands on his pockets, eyes fixed on the cable cars parading up and down the slope.
She felt the tension between the two men. And she couldn't understand why she had to feel like she's hiding Seven from him.
'That jerk! It was all his fault.' She thought inwardly, thinking if she should add something else to her explanation.
Ridge spoke before she could decide.
"You're saying you have no interaction with Montclair other than knowing each other?"
She straightened her back and dropped her hands on her sides. She tilted her head to look at his stoic face.
"Yes. I was just unfortunate enough to know such a man."
She exhaled a sigh of relief when Ridge chuckled.
"It could be out of the scope of our deal but I wish you would avoid Montclair during the duration of this trip."
She scoffed. "All I know is that he is called Seven and he's a jerk."
Her confidence slowly slips away when Ridge locks his eyes on her face, openly watching her to see a trace of lies in what she just said.
A slight panic rose to her chest and she pulled her mouth into a wide smile to hide the discomfort that suddenly gripped her.
She felt like a criminal being scrutinized.
"You are paying me to play a part and we had agreed that it includes discretion on both sides. I can assure you that I haven't done anything to break our deal. And I have no intention to do so. I'd be happy to avoid him at all costs."
She heaved a deep breath after her lengthy explanation.
"You don't have to be annoyed," he said.
She chuckled in amusement. "I didn't know you could read minds," she replied, trying to lighten the air between them.
She didn't want to lose this side gig. She badly needed the money.
"You might think you can hide your thoughts well but you have an open face, Mira."
She smiled, feeling a soft thud at the back of her mind. Like the first step in an empty room that echoed despite being careful.
"Well, that's a thought to ponder," she charmingly threw him a smile, hoping what he said wasn't true.
Because she'll be in deep trouble if her face really gives away her thoughts.
" The Montclairs has been our family rival in businesses since our great-grandfather's time and the rivalry naturally followed the younger generation. And on this trip I'm meeting some important business people."
"Got it. No worries. I don't think he and I will cross paths again. The resort has lots to offer —and I can easily just stay in our suite for the duration of this trip," she hastily added when she saw the end of his right brow lift up.
"You don't have to do that," he chuckled.
'Shit! This guy can be charming in a flick of a finger,' she thought to herself, worrying about having a crush.
"I need you to be visible next to me. All of my friends came with a partner and it would be strange if they can't see you. Besides, the main goal of having you around is to keep the witch at bay."
It was her turn to chuckle as the image of Erika flashed at the back of her mind.
"She's far from a witch. She's a goddess."
"See! You're already bewitched!"
She threw her head in laughter. Ridge's exaggerated reaction was too funny to see. He's like a young boy, trying too hard to have his point to be taken seriously.
The seriousness was all gone from his demeanor that she got confused for a split second.
She was still laughing happily when she saw a familiar silhouette from the corner of her eyes.
She turned to her right side to give her back to the man who was observing them from a distance.
She grabbed for Ridge's arm and pretended to be clingy towards him.
"I'm hungry," she said, pouting.
"If you don't have any more instructions can we find something to eat, please."
Ridge laughed and playfully flicked her forehead.
"You don't have to act cute for food."
She smirked and stopped batting her lashes on him. Inwardly exhaling a sigh of relief that he agreed to leave because she suddenly felt nervous, knowing that Seven was looking at them.
"But I like it. Please do more in the future."
She laughed heartily with how serious Ridge was with what he was asking. .
They were teasing each other like a couple on their honeymoon as they made their way to the restaurant. That she had totally forgotten Seven and enjoyed Ridge company
And for the rest of the trip she was having such a great time that it no longer crossed her mind it was just a pretense— a side gig she took in exchange for money.
Ridge dragged her all over the resort, hanging out with his friends. Although most of the time she was in the company of the women who she had no idea if truly a partner or just like her, a service companion of Ridge's friends.
But she wasn't bored at all.
Ridge was a delightful companion. He could be charming and a real gentleman, yet a bit awkward in some ways, boyish and playful the next. She was having so much fun that every time she retired to her own room she felt guilt for having such a great time.
Her father is still at the hospital, dying. And she had to be the bearer of such terrible and unjust flow of the universe to her mother and Jake.
Her mother and her younger brother who were being hounded by loansharks, trying to survive each day without losing a finger or two.
Money had to be made for bills waiting to get settled.
And most of all, she has an idea how she can explain her sudden disappearance to Trez.