Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 231

Chapter 231

Heathrow on a Saturday morning was way busier than I expected. Gwen and I got there an hour early, both of us buzzing with anticipation to welcome Zoey, Christian, and Matt, who were finally arriving in London.

“That’s their flight,” Gwen said, pointing at the arrivals board. “They landed twenty minutes ago.

I rose onto my toes, searching for my sister in the stream of people spilling out of international arrivals. When I finally spotted her, Matt on her hip while Christian wrestled two giant suitcases, a wave of emotion hit me so hard I almost wobbled.

“Zoey!” I yelled, waving like a maniac.

She saw me, and her face lit up despite the obvious exhaustion from the long trip. I rushed to her and hugged her so tight I nearly squished Matt between us.

“My little sister,” she whispered in my ear, squeezing me close. “I missed you so much.”

“I missed you too,” I said, blinking fast so I wouldn’t tear up in the middle of the airport. “Let me see this boy.”

Matt was bigger than in the last photos Zoey had sent. His curious eyes were taking in everything around him. When she placed him in my arms, a sharp ache of longing punched straight through me. It wasn’t just missing my nephew. It was everything. Home. Family. That warm Verdanian sense of truly belonging somewhere.

“Hi, sweetheart,” I whispered to Matt, who studied me like he was trying to figure me out. “Aunt Annie missed you so much. He grew a ton,” I managed, keeping my voice steady.

“And he’s getting wilder by the day,” Christian said as he hugged me. “Annie, you look great. London is treating you well.”

“Thanks,” I replied, forcing a smile. “How was the trip?”

“Too long,” Zoey sighed. “Matt cried for three straight hours over the Atlantic. I think half the passengers hate us now.”

“But you made it, that’s what counts,” Gwen said, hugging Christian. “Welcome to London!”

On the drive from the airport, I tried to focus on the chatter about the trip, the plans for the next few days, the Kensington meeting happening next week. But I kept catching Zoey watching me through the rearview mirror. Her sharp eyes noticed everything I didn’t want to say out loud.

“You’re quieter than usual,” she said when we stopped at a red light. “Are you okay?”

“Of course,” I replied quickly. “I’m just happy you’re here.”

But Zoey knew me too well to buy that.

When Gwen mentioned we were heading to Nate’s place for a welcome brunch, my stomach tightened. I knew it was inevitable. Nate was Christian’s best friend, of course he’d host something for them. But the thought of being in his house, in his personal space, made me nervous in a way I couldn’t explain.

“Marcus and Matthew will be there too,” Christian added. “They got in from Ascia yesterday.”

“It’ll be a full family-and-friends reunion,” Gwen said, but her voice barely reached me. My mind was too busy imagining what it would feel like to step inside Nate’s home.

His place was in Kensington, on a quiet, tree-lined street. Exactly the kind of place I’d picture him living. Sophisticated, classic, flawless. When Gwen parked out front, my breath went shallow.

“Wow, what a beautiful house,” Zoey said as she shifted Matt in her arms.

“Nate has great taste,” Christian agreed. “Wait until you see the inside.”

Nate opened the door before we could even knock. He was in a light blue casual shirt and jeans. A more relaxed version of him that I almost never saw. He smiled warmly at Christian and Zoey, greeted Gwen like an old friend, and when his eyes finally met mine, there was a flicker of something sharp before he smoothed it over.

“I’m just tired, Zoey. Work’s been crazy.”

“Mm-hm,” she murmured, clearly not buying it. “Christian mentioned Nate’s been a little… different lately too. More distracted. Like something’s on his mind.”

I kept my face neutral, but my pulse spiked.

“I don’t know anything about that.”

“No?” Zoey lifted a brow. “You’ve been working together for months. You haven’t noticed anything?”

“Zoey, I really don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She watched me a few seconds longer. I could tell she wasn’t convinced. But Matt started crying inside, demanding her attention before she could press further.

“Let’s go back,” she said, giving me a look that promised the conversation wasn’t over.

When we returned to the living room, Nate was by the window talking to Christian, laughing at something he’d said. He looked relaxed. Charming. Completely at ease in his own space.

How could he seem so unaffected when I could barely breathe in this house?

I forced a smile when Zoey glanced my way. Doing my best to keep up the façade. But inside, all I wanted was to leave. To escape back to my small, safe apartment. Far away from Nate Carter and the way he could unravel me without even trying.

The day had barely begun, and I already knew it was going to be far too long.