Page 69 of Valentine’s Billionaire Auction

But a simple female laugh didn’t mean he was married or had a girlfriend. He wouldn’t need me to fake it if that was the case. A prostitute then.

Kaira, stop.

Whatever was happening, standing up here and hiding in my room was not going to answer my questions. Curiosity won out over my desire to stay holed up and I walked to the top of the staircase, peering down into the foyer expecting to see some supermodel or some other stunning woman.

That’s not what I saw.

I saw an older woman dressed in vibrant, mismatched colors rushing into Roman’s arms. Her silver hair was piled into a messy bun. Her wrists jingled with dozens of bracelets that clinked as she moved.

She kissed Roman on both cheeks, leaving purple lipstick marks that he rubbed at with an exasperated expression. She handed off several large bags to the house staff, who looked delighted to see her. One of them even hugged her. She returned it enthusiastically.

“Home at last!” the woman declared with a flourish.

Home?

Who was this person?

As if sensing me watching them like a gargoyle, the woman’s gaze snapped upward and landed on me. Her eyes lit up, her mouth broke into a huge smile, and she threw her arms wide.

“Ah!” she exclaimed, bracelets jangling. “You must be Kaira! I’ve been dying to meet you. Come on down, dear. Let’s have a cup of tea and get to know each other.”

I glanced at Roman, who was pinching the bridge of his nose as if he already had a headache. He caught my eye and shrugged, silently telling me to just go with it.

Reluctantly, I descended the stairs.

The moment I reached the bottom, the woman enveloped me in a cloud of floral perfume and warm hugs. I nearly suffocated. The perfume was something expensive and incredibly strong. But the hug was nice.

“You’re even prettier than Roman described!” she said, holding me at arm’s length to appraise me. “He’s such a terrible storyteller, but when he mentioned your eyes, he got it exactly right.”

I blinked, my face heating. Roman had described me? Was he selling me to her?

“This is my Aunt Ruby,” Roman said. “My mom’s sister. She spends most of her time traveling abroad, but she’s staying here for a few weeks.”

Ruby beamed. “Until Valentine’s Day,” she clarified with a wink. “But I’ll be out of your hair before the romantic day. Wouldn’t want to ruin the love boat you two are sailing on.”

My stomach dropped. So, she thought our engagement was real. Of course, she did—why wouldn’t she?

Ruby looped her arm through mine and led me toward the sitting room. “Come, dear. I want to hear all about how my stubborn, impossible nephew finally found someone to put up with him.”

I glanced over my shoulder at Roman, who gave me a tight-lipped smile that clearly said, Good luck.

I gave him a look that begged for help, but he had already turned away. He was feeding me to the wolves.

“Roman, join us!” Ruby called out.

I almost laughed. He thought he was going to escape. Well, not so fast.

The house staff rushed to set up a tea tray in the sitting room, complete with an assortment of pastries and finger sandwiches. I had a feeling they might have known this visit was coming. Or maybe they were just amazing at their jobs.

Ruby settled in like she owned the place—which, given her familial connection, she sort of did. “Sit, sit,” she gestured.

I did as she asked, watching as she poured us each a cup of tea. She held her dainty cup with the perfect pinky pose and stared at me over the rim. Roman took his seat and propped his foot up on his knee, the picture of calm.

“So,” Ruby began, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “How did you two meet?”

I opened my mouth, scrambling for an answer, but Roman spoke first.

“It’s not a particularly interesting story,” he said smoothly. “Business acquaintances, mutual friends, that sort of thing.”