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4.33% Unexpected Romance: Love $ Hustle / Chapter 12: A Con Artist

Chapitre 12: A Con Artist

Hunter could swear that he had never heard a more ridiculous question in his life than that.

He couldn't believe a gold digger like her was asking him, Hunter Quinn, if he was with her for her money.

"Why are you laughing?" Delilah demanded, her eyes narrowing as she watched Hunter's amusement.

Hunter composed himself, his eyes twinkling with mirth. "I'm laughing because of your question. It's just... amusing, that's all."

"What's so amusing about it?" she asked, crossing her arms.

"Because you think I'm like you," he replied, leaning back against the bedpost.

"No, you're not like me. If you were anything like me, you wouldn't be targeting me in the first place. There are ladies out there who would give anything to be with a good-looking man like you-"

"So, you still think I'm good looking, huh?" Hunter asked with a grin and she scowled at him with displeasure.

"That's really not my business. I was stating a fact. I don't care about you or your looks-"

"That's too bad, cause I care about you and your looks, and right now you look pretty sexy. I've never seen you this way without makeup. Your face is bare and innocent, and your lips look so inviting right now. Your tousled hair makes my fingers itch to run through them," he cut in, and grinned when she raised a hand to her hair self consciously, and dropped it when she caught herself doing that.

"I was saying-"

"I'm not here because of your money or anything like that. I'm here because I truly like you, Lila," he interrupted once again, making her glare at him for repeatedly cutting her off mid sentence.

"Why would you like me? We barely know each other," she asked with a scoff.

Hunter leaned forward, his expression earnest as he held her gaze. "You captured my attention from the moment I set my eyes on you, Lila. I saw you and I was intrigued. You have this aura about you, this strength and independence that drew me in. I wanted to know you, to understand what makes you the person you are."

She stared at him, trying to find any sign of deceit in his words. "How did we meet? What was my first word to you at the club? How did I get so drunk?"

"I was seated at the bar when you came in. I said hello to you as you slid into the stool beside me, but you wouldn't even look at me or spare me a glance. You kept gazing around the club, and I kept trying to get your attention. Then finally you turned to me wanting to ask me to get lost, I believe, but then you looked into my eyes and you smiled…"

"Hogwash," she hissed.

Hunter chuckled, "I swear it. You did smile. You said you've never seen a man so handsome as I was, then you asked if I was a regular. I said yes. You asked if I knew or had seen Hunter Quinn. I told you yes, and you asked if I could point him out to you," Hunter said, and Delilah eyed him skeptically, wondering if it was true.

"And?"

"And I said I would if you let me buy you a drink," he said with a shrug.

"You said you couldn't drink, and I told you I couldn't tell you either. Reluctantly you agreed to drink, and once you started, you wouldn't stop. It was as though you had been possessed by an alcohol demon and you just kept drinking and talking to me. The more drunk you became, the harder you fell in love with me, until you kept crying that you wanted me to marry you," Hunter said with a grin.

"That's not true," she hissed.

"You asked me what happened and that's what I'm telling you. You're free to believe whatever makes you comfortable. I was already in love with you so I agreed but I told you I didn't have any money. You said you had enough for us both and all I needed to do was be my handsome self by your side," Hunter said with a chuckle, amused by the tale he was spinning.

"And?"

"And we left the club. Went to get our wedding bands, found someone to wed us and we went to the hotel for our honeymoon," he said simply, and Delilah shook her head incredulously.

"Tell me something, are you not ashamed to be with a woman who is wealthier than you?"

Hunter chuckled again. "Are you ashamed of being with men who are wealthier than you?"

Delilah hesitated, then nodded. "Yes, I am. Not exactly ashamed, but it's uncomfortable. I do not like it."

"Well, consider yourself lucky," Hunter said with a grin. "You don't have to be ashamed anymore, because you're married to a broke man. And for your sake, I'll remain broke so you don't become uncomfortable."

Delilah's irritation flared up. "Don't you dare think for a moment that I bought all that crap you tried to sell me. Where did you forge the marriage certificate and the pictures?"

"I didn't forge them. I already told you what happened," Hunter replied calmly.

"Then you must have drugged me," she snapped. "I'll report you to the police for this."

"Go ahead," Hunter said, his tone unflustered. "I have nothing to lose, but you have much more to lose from such exposure. I'm sure you know that."

Delilah's frustration mounted, but she knew he was right. The scandal would damage her reputation far more than his. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.

"Just... relax and stick to the terms of our agreement. That's the best you can do right now. If you don't fall for me in six months, I will leave you alone and disappear. I'm not asking for too much, am I?" Hunter asked softly.

"Assuming I agree, how do you plan to earn your keep in the meantime? I'm not going to feed you for free or let you live here for free," Delilah said matter of factly.

"I will work," Hunter replied confidently. "I will find a job and if you want, I can pay you daily for my room and meals."

Delilah narrowed her eyes, "What's your plan?" Delilah asked, her curiosity piqued despite herself. "How do you plan to win my heart?"

"You don't have to worry about that. Leave that to me," Hunter said with a smile.

Delilah scowled. "Don't even think about coming an inch close to my bedroom or seducing me. I'm not going to fall for you or your cheap tricks no matter how handsome you think you are."

"Time will tell," Hunter said, still smiling.

Delilah stood up, feeling a mix of anger and helplessness. "We'll see about that," she said, before turning and walking out of the room.

As she walked back to her own bedroom, Delilah couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped. This man had come out of nowhere, turned her life upside down, and now she was stuck with him for six months.

She had no doubt that he was a gold digger. A con artist. A really good one at that. She wondered how long he must have studied her and why he had targeted her in the first place.


Chapitre 13: Last Target

Hunter resumed unpacking, organizing his clothes and meticulously placing them in the guest room's closet which was nothing like his walk-in closet.

Looking around the bedroom, he chuckled seeing that the whole of the bedroom was the size of his walk-in closet at his house.

Thinking about how she had suggested that he was a gold digger made him even more amused.

As he folded the last of his trousers, his phone rang. Seeing Damon's name flash on the screen, he answered with a smile.

"Hey, man."

"Hey, you! How's your new home? Have you moved in yet? Or did she throw you out?" Damon's amused voice boomed through the phone.

Hunter chuckled, appreciating his friend's humor. "I've moved in. Still organizing my clothes," he replied, placing a neatly folded turtleneck sweater on the shelf.

Damon's laughter echoed through the line. "I still can't believe you're actually doing this."

Hunter chuckled. "Neither can I. But I'm committed now."

"I wish you good luck with that! Let's hope she doesn't murder you in your sleep," Damon said and they both laughed.

"She wouldn't. Besides, her sister is cool. I'm sure she won't let her murder me," Hunter said and Damon raised a brow.

"She has a sister? Is she a gold digger too? Perhaps it's a family business," Damon asked jokingly.

"Nah. I don't think so. She's a widow."

"That's too bad. By the way, how about going home for dinner as your grandmother requested?" Damon asked curiously.

"I can't go home. I will find time to go, but it can't be today," Hunter said, knowing his grandmother was just going to nag him some more about getting married.

As they chatted, Hunter heard a familiar voice in the background. "Daddy, can I have the pink juice?"

Hunter's smile widened, and his heart softened. "Is that Em I hear?"

"Yeah, it is," Damon said, a smile evident in his voice. "She's been a handful this morning. She's waiting for Sharon to pick her up," Damon said, the affection clear in his voice.

"Sharon's turn to pick her up, huh?" Hunter asked.

"Yeah," Damon confirmed. "She should be here any minute now."

"Can I say hello?" Hunter asked, leaning back against the bedpost, his organizing temporarily forgotten.

"Of course," Damon replied, "Em, guess who wants to say hello to you?" Damon called out to his six years old daughter.

"Mummy?" Hunter heard her ask.

"Who's your favorite person apart from mummy and daddy?" he asked and Hunter laughed when he heard her screech.

"Uncle Hunter!"

A moment later, Emily's cheerful voice came through.

"Hello, Uncle Hunter!"

"Hey, Sugarpie! How are you?" Hunter asked, his tone warm and friendly.

"I'm fine! I'm waiting for mummy to come get me," she said, her excitement palpable.

"Sounds like you're going to have a fun week. Make sure you give your mummy a big kiss from me when she gets there, okay?"

"I will!" Emily promised, giggling. "Will you get me a doll when you come?"

"I'd buy you an entire doll shop, darling…"

"No, you won't. She has too many dolls already. And you should stop spoiling someone else' daughter and get your own," Damon said and Hunter chuckled.

"Your daughter is mine too," Hunter called back.

"Bye, Uncle Hunter! Mummy is here!" Emily called out.

Hunter smiled, his mood lifted by the brief interaction. "Bye, Emily." He heard the phone shuffle back to Damon.

There was a brief pause, then the sound of a car pulling into the driveway. Damon said. "I've got to go. Take care of yourself, okay?"

"You too, Damon. Thanks for checking in," Hunter replied.

"Anytime," Damon said before hanging up.

Hunter placed his phone on the nightstand and returned to his task. As he was hanging the last of his shirts, there was a soft knock at the door.

"Come in," he called, and Jessica poked her head through the doorway.

"Breakfast is ready," she announced with a smile. "You should join us."

Hunter nodded, feeling a pang of hunger. "Thanks, Jessica. I will be right there."

Jessica flashed him a quick smile before disappearing back down the hallway. Hunter took a moment to smooth out the last of his shirts, then made his way out of the guest room and down the hall.

The dining room was bright and welcoming, the table was set with an array of breakfast foods – scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, fresh fruit, and a pot of steaming coffee. Jessica was already seated, pouring herself a cup.

"Smells great," Hunter remarked as he took a seat across from her.

"Thanks. Help yourself," Jessica said, gesturing to the spread.

Hunter filled his plate, grateful for the semblance of normalcy. As he took his first bite of scrambled eggs, he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of belonging.

Despite the circumstances, there was something comforting about sharing a meal in this house, with Jessica's easygoing presence providing a balance to Delilah's icy demeanor.

"Isn't Lila joining us?" he asked, glancing around.

Jessica shrugged. "She will join us when she's ready. She's probably still trying to wrap her head around everything," Jessica said with a grin.

Hunter nodded, understanding. He couldn't blame Delilah for her reaction. It wasn't every day someone found themselves in a sudden, unexpected marriage.

"You really like her, don't you?" Jessica asked as they ate and Hunter met her gaze.

"Yes, I do," he said simply.

"And you are not here to cause any trouble for her, are you?" She asked again, her concern for her sister evident in her tone and eyes.

"Only good trouble," he said, and Jessica smiled.

"What sort of trouble is good?" She asked amused.

"I might make her fall for me and I trust she would consider that as trouble," he said, and she nodded.

"I approve of that sort of trouble as long as your intentions are good," Jessica said simply.

She was leaving in a week's time, and she really wanted to be sure that she wasn't leaving her sister alone with a psychopath or something close to it.

"So, what's your plan now that you're here?" Jessica asked, and Hunter shrugged.

"Get a job, win her heart, and live happily ever after," he said, and Jessica nodded.

"I can't help you with the getting a job part, but if you need my help in winning her heart, I'd be happy to render it," she said and Hunter looked at her with interest.

"You don't mind that I'd get in the way of her other business?" Hunter asked, and Jessica raised a brow.

"What other business?" She asked in confusion, and when Hunter cocked his head to the side as though he was waiting for her to figure it out, her eyes widened.

"You know about that?" She asked and he nodded.

"Yeah. She told me when we met."

"She told you that? She must have been pretty drunk. And you too. How drunk were you to have gone ahead to marry her?" Jessica asked, and he shrugged.

"I told you I like her. I meant it," he said, and Jessica smiled at him.

"I will definitely help you win her heart then. I'm on your side. And you don't have to worry about her job, she promised me that she will stop after this last one," Jessica said and he raised a brow.

"She said that?" Hunter asked with interest.

"Yes. And I believe her," Jessica said and Hunter grinned.

So, he was her last target? Interesting. He was very flattered.


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