Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 272

Chapter 272

The scenery outside the car window shifted gradually, trading London’s urban gray for the softer, greener tones of the English countryside. There was something hypnotic about the rolling hills dotted with stone houses and fields stretching as far as the eye could see.

“Where are we going again?” I asked for the third time, turning to look at Nate, who was driving with a calmness that contrasted sharply with my growing curiosity.

“I told you… it’s a surprise,” he replied, shooting me a playful glance before refocusing on the road. “Trust me.”

“Famous last words,” I teased, but leaned back in my seat, deciding to enjoy the mystery.

Something about Nate felt different today. Ever since he’d picked me up that morning, he’d seemed more relaxed, less tense than he had been in days. Like he’d temporarily left the weight of the office-and all its complications-behind.

We arrived in a small town that looked straight out of a postcard-cobblestone streets, houses with blooming gardens, a tiny church with an old bell tower sitting at the center of the square. It was the kind of place that instantly made you slow down, breathe deeper.

“Here,” Nate said, parking in front of a traditional pub with a dark wooden façade and old-fashioned windowpanes. “You’re going to like this.”

Only when we stepped out of the car did I notice something odd. Nate had pulled a baseball cap low over his face, was wearing sunglasses, and had zipped his coat all the way up to his neck. He looked less like someone going out for a casual lunch and more like a secret agent avoiding detection.

I stared at him, amusement bubbling up inside me.

“You’re sure you’re not a rock star hiding from crazed fans?”

He laughed, but there was a hint of sincerity beneath the joke.

“I prefer avoiding curious eyes,” he said, guiding me toward the pub entrance. “You’re still under temporary supervision at work. I don’t want to give anyone ammunition. And… well, you know it wouldn’t be the first time I ended up on gossip pages.”

“Wait!” I gasped, stopping at the door. “That was you at that Coldplay concert with the mistress?” I teased.

Nate made a face of genuine horror and shot back:

“Coldplay?” he repeated, incredulous. “If I were going to embarrass myself in front of the entire world, I’d at least pick something more classic.”

We both laughed, but underneath the joking, I could sense the truth he didn’t say out loud. His past with supermodels and influencers wasn’t something that just vanished because he wished it away. Tabloids had long memories, and gossip accounts were always hungry for the next scandal.

Inside, the pub was even cozier than the façade suggested. Dark wooden tables, fireplaces burning despite the season, and the comforting smell of home-cooked food. We chose a table in the corner, away from the windows, where we could talk without interruption.

“It’s strange,” I said, glancing around as we waited for our food. “It feels like we’ve gone back to being just two people getting to know each other. No corporate drama, no eyes on us, no whispers.”

“That was exactly what I wanted,” Nate admitted, finally taking off the sunglasses. “A day outside of time.”

Lunch was delicious. We had grilled fish with potatoes. It was simple but perfectly made. We talked about small things: books we’d read recently, places we wanted to visit, childhood memories. It felt grounding, discovering these lighter layers of him, far from the intensity that always surrounded us at the office.

But as the afternoon went on, a familiar unease tugged at me.

“Sometimes I feel guilty,” I admitted, folding and refolding my napkin. “For not telling Gwen. She’s my best friend here, and I’m keeping something so important from her.”

“But…?” Nate prompted gently, sensing there was more.

“But at the same time, I’m scared of how it could affect my job. People already whisper. If they find out there’s actually something between us…” I sighed. “Not that I think Gwen would tell anyone, but she could be overheard, or slip up without meaning to, or… something.”

“As long as there’s even a shadow over you,” Nate said, reaching across the table to cover my hand with his, “I’d rather our relationship stay just ours. Until you feel free. But I don’t think it would be a problem if you told Gwen or Zoey. As for the rest of the office… they don’t matter.”

His sincerity touched me, but it also stirred up an insecurity.

“Definitely flattered,” he said, stealing a bite from my slice.

The drive back to London was quieter, but in a thoughtful, comfortable way. Something contemplative lingered between us, as if we were both trying to process the day we’d shared. I watched his profile as he drove-the focused way his fingers held the wheel-and a pang of fear hit me that all of this would fade once we returned to our routine.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked, sensing my gaze.

“How good today was,” I admitted. “And how scared I am that it’ll end when we go back to real life.”

Nate reached over, threading his fingers through mine over the center console.

“It won’t end,” he said with a certainty that settled something inside me.

When we reached my building, he turned off the engine but didn’t move to get out. The goodbye hung between us-unspoken but inevitable.

“Thank you for today,” I said, turning to him. “It was perfect.”

He leaned in and kissed me softly, a kiss that tasted like goodbye and promise at the same time. When we parted, I grabbed his arm before he could pull away.

“Come up with me?” I asked, unable to hide the vulnerability in my voice.

“Are you sure?” he asked, searching my face.

“I just want to make the day last a little longer.”

Nate smiled, turned the car off completely, and got out to open my door, just like he had all day. As we rode the elevator up, hand in hand and in silence, I knew something had shifted between us. We weren’t just two coworkers trying to navigate a complicated attraction anymore. We were two people building something real- something worth protecting and nurturing, even if it had to be in secret.