┏━━━✦❘༻༺❘✦━━━┓

Fiancé

┗━━━✦❘༻༺❘✦━━━┛

Chapter 15: Fiancé (Delilah's POV)

I came out while tying my apron around my waist, ready to start my shift at Mirage, but the second I walked around the bar, ready to serve customers, I froze. Why? Because Spencer is standing right there, looking around. I resisted an eye roll and ignored his presence, choosing to serve and take orders around the store. "Hello, my name is Delilah and I'll be your waitress this evening. What can I get for you?" I smiled, looking down at an older couple who were playing poker among themselves. 

"Just some fries, for the time being, dolly," the woman smiled at me before laughing as she won another hand. 

"Anything to drink with that?" I chuckled. 

"A strawberry milkshake with two straws." 

I smiled to myself, scribbling down the order on the notepad and then nodding in understanding. "I'll be right back with your order." I turned around, heading to the kitchen where I gave the order before going to take another one. 

Except this time, Spencer found me. He blocked my way and luckily nobody has noticed him yet. "We should talk," he suggested. 

"We can talk later, I'm working right now." 

"It's about the engagement," he added. 

"So? I'm still working. You can get a table and wait." I walked around him only for him to grab my hand and pull me back. I sighed in exhaustion, looking up at him. "What is it? If you want to talk, we can talk. It just has to wait. Just get a table, Spencer, please." 

He sighed, staring at me for a minute. "Okay," he nodded before going and sitting at a free table. Once again, table thirteen. He doesn't seem as angry or agitated as he did earlier when he dropped me off at Bloom House this afternoon. 

I took another order, gave that in the kitchen, and handed the fries and milkshake to the old couple before stopping at Spencer's table. "What can I get for you?" 

He looked up at me. "Five minutes." 

I cleared my throat, glancing over the bar, looking at all my coworkers who were just staring at me. "They all refuse to come serve you and take your order. I'm here because everybody thinks I should be your waitress considering we're getting married. So, I'm only here to take your order right now." 

"I'm not ordering then," he shrugged, leaning back challengingly. 

I let out a huff in frustration and glanced around once before slipping into the booth opposite from him and sat down, resting my arms on the table. "What?" 

"I'm sorry." 

I blinked in surprise, getting startled. 

"For what happened earlier today at the boutique. And for the way, I acted in the car. But Delilah—" 

"But Delilah, this isn't a real marriage," I said softly, finishing the sentence for him. "Right?" I chuckled. "I know that, Spencer. Do you think I don't? I do, but just because there's no real relationship here, doesn't mean you can treat me however you please. I'm not going to be a wife you'll love but I'll still be your wife." 

When we argued earlier today in the car, I really thought about killing him. I really did. He's not a good man, I know that. Maybe he is and he only hides that part of him, but to me, he hasn't been the best. He helped me a lot, he gave me a place to stay, he defended me against my aunt, sort of. He supported me there. But on the other hand, he tried just throwing me furthest away from him in the castle, he didn't treat me like a wife-to-be, he isn't acting like my future husband either. He doesn't do anything remotely kind. We're just there, about to get married. We're tying ourselves down to each other, all for his benefit. 

I get absolutely nothing out of any of this, I'm only being trapped and tied down to Prince Spencer Romano. I'll only be his wife in name and on paper, he won't treat me like it and I'll never get the kind of love I think people deserve. Like that old couple sitting a few booths behind me. 

"It's fine," I sighed. "I lashed out too, but I understand now. It's all right." 

"It really isn't. I shouldn't treat you like that but I will." 

I stared at him, slowly tearing the corner of the first page on my notepad. 

"It's the kind of person I am." 

That's what I thought. I just didn't want to believe it, admit it, or say it. 

"I don't want to make false promises and say I'd never act like that again or treat you like that. I might. I might do it multiple times without wanting to. But I can promise that I'll try not to. I don't know how much better that is, my trying may not pay off." 

"It's the thought that counts," I mumbled, clearing my throat. "Let's stop talking about this here. We can talk at the castle if you want. You said something about the engagement date." 

He nodded. "I was wondering when we should hold the engagement party. I'll buy the rings accordingly." 

"Whenever you think is best. But... you'll buy the rings on your own?" 

"Hmm," he bopped his head up and down. "Let's see how well I know about you based on the time we've spent together so far. We have the next few days too if we hold the engagement party this weekend." 

I watched him in amusement. "You think you know me well enough to decide on the rings? Are you sure?" 

"I'd like to try. I'll show it to you before the engagement, if you don't like it, we'll get it exchanged." 

I nodded slowly, "Fair enough. Try your best." I slid out of the booth with a small sigh. "Now, what can I get for you?" 

"Nothing. I'm only here to wait until the end of your shift so I can take you home afterward. We'll have dinner together." 

"You came to pick me up yourself? Or were you just feeling guilty after what happened?" 

"A little bit of both? Mainly the former. I should be here to pick you up, we're getting married soon." I don't really buy that. He's just flirting and having fun, it's one of the rare times he does. "You're so full of it," I scoffed, rolling my eyes. 

"I'm being honest." 

"Sure. Have fun waiting till the end of my shift. Let me know if I can get you anything." 

He nodded, leaning back in his seat and watching me and I turned around and left, resuming work. 

My shift was nearly over when I went to give my last order in the kitchen when my uncle stopped me before I could go inside. "Delilah." 

"Yeah?" 

"A customer forgot to take the change from their bill. Just run out and give it to them, please." 

"Sure." I took the cash and ran out the door, looking around blindly. "Excuse me!" I jogged over, stopping the two men. "You forgot to collect your change from the bar," I said, holding it out. 

"Thanks, doll," one of them chuckled, taking it out of my hand, brushing his fingers against mine intentionally while checking me out. 

I smiled awkwardly, "No problem. Don't call me doll. Read the name tag instead. Come again," I sang, turning around and walking back. I stopped, realizing that a car parked right in front of Mirage was familiar. Not Spencer's, but his father's. I froze up in my spot, worried that he was here to do something to my uncle, or Spencer, or me. 

The door opened and Prince Nico stepped out, glancing at our bar before walking over to me, so instinctively, I took a step back and tried walking around him but he sighed, blocking my way again. "You should have told us you're moving into his castle. We've been trying to get a hold of you, Ms. Delilah Celeste." 

"I'm working, sorry." I tried leaving again but he shifted and blocked me again. 

"You're starting to anger us, Delilah. It won't be good for your uncle," he smiled sadistically. 

It made me the most uneasy I've ever felt in anybody's presence. "What do you want from me?" I huffed. 

"We told you what we want you to do for us, and you have no choice but to do it." 

"Do you want me to kill him before we even get married then, huh?" 

He watched me in amusement before laughing softly. "Well then, speed up the marriage, my dear. Have an engagement, a wedding, and then kill him whenever the opportunity arrives." 

"Right, because those kinds of opportunities just show up, don't they? I don't want to kill him," I said, trying to emphasize my words so he'd understand. So he'd leave me the hell alone. 

"Then it's too bad you don't get a choice," he threatened, his eyes boring into mine, intimidating me. "You'll be his fiancé soon. Use that to your benefit." 

"Being his fiancé doesn't make it any easier," I sighed in frustration, glancing at the store. 

They probably know Spencer's inside right now. "Being his fiancé provides you with a chance to gain his trust. You can't kill him without getting close and you can't get close unless he trusts you. So make it happen, Delilah. Fast. Time is ticking for you." With that, he turned around, slipped back inside his car, and then it drove off. 

I glared, watching the street until the car was out of sight. "Fuck's sake," I mumbled, clenching my jaw and fists, my nails digging into my palms as I walked back to the store. I walked straight to the kitchen, served my last order, took off the apron, and then walked to my uncle. "I'm heading out now." 

He nodded, patting my head. "You did a lot today. Take my tips." 

"I got enough on my own," I grinned, giving him a quick hug. "I'll see you tomorrow." 

"Delilah." 

"Hmm?" 

"Are you going to keep working?" 

I frowned in confusion, "What do you mean?" 

"I mean once you're married. Will you be a princess who works at a bar?" He sighed, leaning against the counter. 

"What's wrong with a princess working at a bar?" I lifted a brow at him. 

"Nothing. But people talk, Delilah." 

"More customers for you," I chuckled. "Don't worry. We'll see." 

He nodded. "Go on then. Your husband's waiting." He nodded toward the table Spencer was sitting at. 

"He's not my husband yet," I smiled, waving him bye and then walking over to Spencer. 

He was leaning back, his head on the back of the booth while he stared at the ceiling. I stopped beside him, snapping my fingers above his face. He blinked, turning to look at me slowly. "Your shift is over?" 

"Mm-hmm," I nodded, trying not to think about how the king and Prince Nico have eyes on us at all fucking times. God, how did I end up here? "Let's go," I suggested. 

He stood up with a sigh as I stepped back, making room for him. He faced the entrance and then grabbed my hand. I blinked in surprise, staring at our locked hands while he tugged us to the entrance and then outside. He walked us to his car, unlocked it, and opened the door for me before finally facing me. "Hop in." 

"You couldn't possibly have felt so guilty after today's argument." My eyes narrowed skeptically. 

He rolled his eyes but his lips turned into a smile. "Get in the car, Daisy." 

I climbed in, my eyes focused on him. He's acting differently now.

.

.

.

.

.

Chapter 15

Broooo I'm literally scared for school to start but we manifesting

it'll be a great, super easy, smooth academic year

are you listening, universe?

next chapter: first