Imperfect Match (Elixir Bachelor Billionaires #1)

As I step into the living room, my feet pause at the sight of a tall Christmas tree nestled in the corner, its branches nearly brushing against the ceiling. Red, gold, and white ornaments hang in every corner, so beautiful that I fear I might ruin it with just a touch. Charles’ parents, grandmother, and great-gram are gathered around a grand fireplace that’s casting a warm orange glow across the space. The light dances off the chandelier suspended in the center of the room, adding to the ambiance.

“Here you are, my sweethearts.” GG’s face lights up. She’s dressed in a flowing red dress with a matching silk scarf on her hair and dangling earrings completing the ensemble. Every time I see her, I can’t help but envy her confidence and zest for life.

How can someone be so in love with everything?

Maybe the answer lies in this room, which is plucked out of a movie set. It feels safe, warm, and happy.

“Come here, you lovebirds. It’s been too long since I last saw you.” GG grins, holding our faces and kissing our foreheads.

“You saw us only a few days ago, GG,” Charles replies as we settle on the couch beside Chloe and are immediately handed glasses of eggnog by the staff.

“When you reach my age, a few days feels like an eternity.”

“So, is it finally time for presents?” Chloe springs out of her seat, making me jerk in response. Charles’ hand curls around my waist to help me settle as I balance my drink.

How is it that in just a few weeks, touching each other has become so spontaneous that we don’t even think about it?

“You still behave like a kid, Chloe.” Irene Hawthorne shakes her head in light disapproval, but that doesn’t affect Chloe’s smile, and finally, she motions toward the gifts. “Go ahead, take your gifts.”

Chloe moves like an arrow, handing each of us a gift box beautifully wrapped with our names written on a white note card.

Crap!

“Why didn’t you tell me there was going to be a gift exchange?” I tug on Charles’ jacket. “I didn’t bring anyone anything!”

Way to make your new family hate you, Daisy.

“We got everyone something. You’ll see soon.” He smiles casually while my heart gallops.

Did he just say we?

“The gifts in your hands are from Grandma, so you can all guess they will be classy and elegant, exactly like her. We’ll all open them together on the count of three.” Chloe makes a big show of counting, waving her fingers in the air.

My shaky hands turn cold as I remove the silver gift wrap and stare down at a beautiful pearl necklace.

“This was my mother’s.”

My head flies up at Charles’ grandmother’s voice.

“Now that you are a Hawthorne, Daisy, you will be under scrutiny twenty-four seven. Your every step will be watched, and your every word will be judged. But in between all that, you’ll also have a chance to do wonderful things for this town and its people. An opportunity that comes to only a few. I hope you use your chance wisely. Consider this my blessing and best wishes.”

I’m surprised because Irene Hawthorne isn’t what someone would call soft-hearted. She’s famous for being ruthless and not mincing her words. And she soon proves that I’m not wrong about her.

“You were, of course, not the girl I always imagined as my grandson’s bride.”

Beside me, Charles stiffens, but I don’t take offense. How can I, when everything she just said is nothing but true?

I’m Charles’ imperfect match, after all.

“But Charles has given up so much for this family and the Hawthorne name that I’m happy he was able to find his own happiness along the way.” She leans back in her seat while guilt slithers inside me.

I close the box after thanking her and giving the necklace one last look, knowing I’m never going to wear it. Deceiving everyone is one thing, but taking something so precious that doesn’t rightfully belong to me is downright stealing.

After everyone has opened their presents, Chloe goes back to the tree and returns with a new set of gifts.

“These are from the very beloved, hottest couple of Cherrywood. We can’t wait to see what you both got us.” Chloe waves a few envelopes in the air, grinning like a kid while the eggnog turns to acid in my stomach, ready to crawl up my esophagus.

I feel like I’m sitting in some lab’s experimental chair instead of this comfy couch, where I’m bombarded with hard emotions one right after the other.