One Midnight Kiss: A Billionaire Fake Fiancée Holiday Romance
One Midnight Kiss: Chapter 36

I carried my bags back to the hotel. A day of shopping had left me wiped out. Technically, it wasn’t just the shopping that left me feeling a little frazzled. I hadn’t been sleeping well. Add in the jet lag and I was a bit of a hot mess. I walked into the lobby of the hotel I was staying at in Paris. The elaborate Christmas decorations were still up a couple of days after the holiday had come and gone.

A giant chandelier hung from the ceiling, adorned with red and gold baubles. The walls were draped in plush, red velvet fabric and there were twinkling lights strung up everywhere. A massive Christmas tree stood tall in the corner, covered in glittering ornaments and colorful lights. Cheery holiday music played softly in the background, adding to the festive atmosphere. The front desk was decorated with holly and a wreath, while a group of plush reindeer was positioned near the fireplace. It felt like a winter wonderland.

I smiled at the staff eager to help their guests as I made my way to the elevator. The hotel was a luxury I probably shouldn’t have splurged on, but I was calling it a Christmas present to myself. Especially since I spent actual Christmas flying over the ocean. It had been a long flight. One I was still recovering from.

I let myself into the room and dropped all of my shopping bags on the bed. Another splurge.

It had been a long time since I went shopping, like really shopping. Since Andrew essentially stole all my money, I had been living very frugally. I still had debt, but this trip was something I needed. And part of me knew it would change my life. That felt worthy of loosening the purse strings.

Speaking of which, I pulled out the new purse I bought. It was time for a change. Part of me looked at the shopping bags and saw a glimpse of the old me. I had bought a new dress for the party as well as a pretty scarf and a few things that were on clearance. Color. I bought lots of color. These were things I would have worn in my old life. The life I had before Andrew destroyed me. I was looking forward to bringing color back into my new life.

I dumped out my old purse, the one that was always cluttered and made it impossible to find anything. I was hoping the new purse would help me be better organized. Maybe I wouldn’t lose my phone again. I told myself the new purse was a practical purchase.

I stared at the mess I made on the hotel bed. Everything from my purse was scattered across the pristine white duvet—receipts, a handful of euros, my favorite lipstick rolling dangerously close to the edge. And there it was, right in the middle, as if it had placed itself there on purpose. The ring. I stared at it, forgetting that was where I had tossed it.

I couldn’t believe I brought it with me. In my rush to leave Seattle, I had forgotten it was even on my finger. It wasn’t until I was halfway through the flight to Paris, staring out the window, that I realized it was still there. The thing had become part of me this last month.

It should have stayed back home, tossed in the drawer where it belonged. But no. Here it was, shining like a taunt, reminding me of every stupid, reckless choice I made since I got that invitation. It was a reminder of Fox and what I ran out on. I was beginning to think I had really screwed up. I expected to hear from him by now.

But it had been two days. I hadn’t heard a word from Fox. Not a text. Not a call. Nothing. And now that my phone was missing, I had no idea if he was trying to call me. I assumed my phone was pickpocketed while I was distracted browsing designer dresses in the Marais.

He had been begging me for my number and I denied it, and then when I gave it to him, he didn’t want it. I didn’t even tell him I was coming to Paris. I really thought he was going to sweep in and surprise me.

But that wasn’t happening. I ran out on him and now it appeared he wasn’t going to chase me.

I squeezed my eyes shut and let out a groan. Of course this would happen. Why wouldn’t it? The universe seemed hell-bent on throwing every obstacle it could between me and any ounce of clarity. While Fate seemed to be throwing Fox in my path, there seemed to be other forces at work trying to pull us apart.

I couldn’t even begin to count the number of times I had second-guessed myself about who Fox really was. I was assuming he was the mystery man from the balcony, but maybe he wasn’t. Maybe I was melding the two men together and confusing my own brain. At one point, I had been sure my mystery man had spoken with a French accent. Maybe I was all turned around.

I started to transfer the contents from the bed into my new purse. I checked the time and did the math to account for the time difference.

I picked up the hotel phone. It felt ancient in my hand, a relic from another time. After jumping through a few hoops, I dialed Christa’s number, knowing she’d probably be worried about me. Especially since my phone was gone.

Her voicemail clicked on after the first few rings. “Hey, it’s Natalia,” I said, trying to keep my voice even. “I, uh, lost my phone, so I’m calling from the hotel. I’m fine. Just wanted to let you know I’m still at the same place and I’ll be back on the second. Okay, bye.”

I hung up, feeling more exhausted than I had in a long time. It was still early in Seattle. Christa was probably still asleep. I unpacked the rest of my goodies from the shopping bags and hung up the dress I bought for the party.

I ordered room service and settled in for the evening. I looked out the window, thinking back to the first time I had been in Paris. I had been a broken woman barely holding it together. Today, I was more damaged than broken. But I was healing. I hoped I could continue to heal with Fox by my side. He was the man I wanted to help me blossom into the new version of me.

New Year’s Eve. This was a day I had been looking forward to for three-hundred and sixty-four days. It was finally here. It felt like my whole life was riding on the next four hours. It was a lot of pressure, but I was determined to see it through.

I stood in front of the full-length mirror in the corner of the room, staring at the reflection of a woman I barely recognized. The gown I had chosen for the night was draped over me like liquid silk. It was a deep, dark green that hugged every curve. It was sultry and a little provocative without being racy. I ran my hands down the fabric, smoothing it against my hips. It was beautiful—striking, even—but it wasn’t a dress I would have picked a year ago. Back then, I had dressed like I was attending a funeral, all black and severe lines. Tonight, I didn’t feel like dressing for a funeral. Tonight, I felt different.

“Tonight, this fantasy ends.”

I had let this idea of a perfect, mysterious man get into my head for far too long. The man from the balcony at last year’s masquerade ball had been a fleeting fantasy, a beautiful, unattainable memory that had kept me company through lonely nights. But that was all it was—a fantasy. He wasn’t real, at least not in the way I imagined him. The only real man in my life, the one who was complicated and infuriating and everything I actually wanted, was Fox.

I prayed I hadn’t lost him for good.

I adjusted the delicate green mask that matched my dress, tilting it slightly until it fit perfectly over my eyes. I left my hair down, letting the unruly curls spill over my shoulders. They were wild and messy, exactly the way Fox liked them. Despite myself, I slipped the fake engagement ring back onto my finger. I didn’t know why, but it felt right there, a small piece of courage I could carry with me tonight.

As I made my way downstairs, my fingers toyed with the single black glove I held in my left hand. It matched the dark, silky material of my mask, a nod to the dress code of the masquerade. But it was more than that. It felt like armor, a tiny shield against whatever awaited me tonight. In a way, I felt like the single glove was my proof it was me. When the mystery man and I last parted, he pulled away my other glove in a very Cinderella-like fashion.

I stepped into the street, the lights of Paris twinkling all around me. The city was alive, buzzing with the kind of energy only Paris had, and for a moment, I let myself be swept up in it. I climbed into the waiting car, the driver nodding politely before we pulled away from the curb.

“What brings you to Paris tonight, mademoiselle?” he asked, his eyes catching mine in the rearview mirror.

I smiled tightly. “Closure,” I told him, though it was mostly to myself.

When I arrived at the venue, it was like stepping back in time. The mansion was exactly as I remembered it, grand and opulent, lit up with golden lights that flickered against the night sky. I took a deep breath and made my way inside, past the waiters in black ties holding silver trays of champagne. I plucked a glass from one, taking a long sip before I stepped into the main hall.

It was remarkably the same as last year. The crowd, the music, the laughter—all of it felt like a scene frozen in time. I wondered how many of the same people had returned, searching for their own moments of magic. I still had no idea who any of them were and I honestly didn’t care. If tonight went the way I hoped, I would never see them again.

I had been at the party for less than ten minutes before a man approached me. He was tall, with slicked-back hair and a confident smile, the kind of man who had probably been charming women all his life.

“Care to dance?” he asked, holding out his hand.

I flashed him the ring on my finger and shook my head. “Engaged,” I lied smoothly.

He blinked, taken aback for a moment, then laughed. “Lucky man,” he said, tipping his head before moving on to his next target.

I let out a breath, grateful for the fake ring’s usefulness, at least in this moment. It bought me time, allowed me to navigate the room without feeling pressured. I drifted through the crowd, looking for my mystery man. Part of me was scared. Terrified my mystery man actually showed up and I learned he wasn’t Fox. I had no idea what I would do if that was the case.

I mingled and sipped champagne as I killed time. So far, I didn’t see Fox or anyone that resembled him or the mystery man. I braced myself for disappointment. There was a good chance neither man showed up.

That would be just my luck.

I found myself gravitating toward the balcony, just like last year. The memory of that night washed over me. I had gone out alone, needing air, needing a moment away from the noise, and then he’d been there. A stranger, his face hidden behind a mask, but his presence was unforgettable. We shared words, a kiss that stole my breath, and then it was over.

My heart pounded in my chest as I stepped outside, the cool air hitting my face. I walked to the edge, my fingers brushing against the stone railing. It was quiet out here, a stark contrast to the noise and chaos inside. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to ground myself. I braced myself for disappointment while clinging to hope.