Chapter 7 Falling For Her Sister's Fiance

[BEWARE OF THE CLERMONTS!]

Juniper's eyes froze at the ominous warning, her body transfixed as if rooted to the spot.

What does this mean? Why was she being warned about The Clermonts?

The paper trembled in her hands as her mind raced with questions and confusion. Her eyes darted around the bathroom as if she expected to find someone lurking in a corner.

Was this some kind of prank or something?

Juniper's eyes returned to the note again, rereading the message over and over again, uncertain what to do about the enigmatic warning. She wasn't sure whether to heed the caution or dismiss it, because it was totally absurd. The Clermonts had shown her nothing but warmth and hospitality since day one.

What was this mysterious note-leaver trying to do?

She had to discover the person who was behind this, but she knew she had to do it discreetly. She could tell it was one of the maids, but which one?

The mystery note consumed Juniper's thoughts for days, as she tried to subtly investigate without arousing suspicion. She questioned the maids, but each one denied any involvement, leaving her with no leads. And she was wise enough to keep the note a secret from The Clermonts, not wanting to unfairly accuse anyone or create tension in the household.

Juniper had chosen to keep mute about the mystery note situation. In fact, she'd waved it off entirely as some kind of malicious attempt to tarnish the Clermonts' name. She rationalized that every group had that one Judas who was ready to betray or cause mayhem for no reason. Even good people, like The Clermonts, weren't immune to having a rogue element among them.

This was why she shifted her attention to more positive aspects of her life, like going to her prenatal appointment with Dylan.

Ensuring she received the highest quality care, the Clermonts had arranged for her to have her prenatal checkups at the prestigious Royal Hospital which was typically accessible to the affluent.

Dylan, on the other hand, had insisted on accompanying her to every appointment, eager to be fully involved in the journey of his unborn child's development.

He was such a sweet man despite his flamboyant personality, and Juniper could tell by his actions that he wasn't only concerned for his child's well-being but also for her.

Vivienne had really done a great job at choosing a partner. It was a shame she wasn't around to live a blissful life with this loving man.

After the appointment, Dylan suggested they grab lunch before returning to the mansion. Juniper was craving sweet food, so they headed to a nearby pastry shop to indulge in some treats.

As they stepped through the entrance, the breeze wafted the aroma of freshly baked goods into her eager nostrils, making her craving even stronger.

In no time, they were seated and their order of macaroons and milkshake for Juniper and a cup of coffee and cheesecake for Dylan arrived at their table.

In an attempt to start a casual conversation with him, Juniper playfully asked Dylan, "So, Mr. Dupont, what's your story? What do you do to keep your stylish self busy?"

She took a bite of her macaroon, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, as Dylan chuckled at her dramatic flair just as she'd expected.

"I may not look it," he responded with a hint of humility, "but I work as a model."

HELL, DUDE. WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON'T LOOK IT? YOU'RE GORGEOUS AS HELL.

Juniper's eyes widened in surprise as her words tumbled out in a rush. "Wow! That explains a lot. I've been dying to ask if you were a model since the moment we met. I'm pretty sure you're doing a great job being a professional heartthrob."

He let out a self-deprecating snort. "Please, don't flatter me. I'm barely a D-list model. I'm sure you won't have guessed if I hadn't mentioned it."

Juniper offered an encouraging smile. "Every successful model starts somewhere, Dylan. You'll get your big break and earn the recognition you deserve. Just be patient and keep at it."

Dylan paused. His gaze locked onto hers, his eyes twinkling with appreciation. "Wow, I didn't realize how much I needed to hear that for someone again. Thank you, Juniper," he said. "You see, I've always been passionate about modeling, but most people think I'm wasting my time."

Juniper's forehead creased in indignation, her expression laced with a fierce protectiveness. "What? Who the hell are these "most people"? I'd love to give them a piece of my mind!"

He paused again. "Well, my parents."

"Ah, I see," she whispered, her voice filled with resignation as she retracted her claws instantly, making Dylan tremble with laughter at her quick retreat. "But why?" she asked, her curiosity piqued. "Why do they think that?"

"Apparently, they think I'm better off joining the family business," he replied, shrugging his shoulders. "You know, parents have a fine way of crushing their children's dreams just to satisfy theirs." His gaze met Juniper's, and he gestured to himself with a graceful hand, adorned with silver rings. "Look at me. . . can you honestly picture me as a lawyer?"

Juniper's gaze swept over Dylan's vibrant hair, multiple piercings, and bold outfit, her head shaking in a slow, exaggerated motion. "Hell, no! You're definitely not cut out for the corporate scene."

Dylan's laughter echoed through the air. "Exactly! You get the whole point. Unfortunately, my parents aren't "learned" enough to drill that into their rock-thick skull."

Now it was Juniper's turn to laugh.

Dylan's voice turned somber as he continued, "Vivienne was actually my only supporter. She believed in me when no one else would. That's why I made it my mission to be there for her, any time she needed me, through thick and thin."

He sighed, his eyes clouding over with memories. "I remember how shattered she was when she discovered she couldn't have children. She put on a brave face, but I could see the pain lingering beneath. So, I suggested we explore surrogacy, and I even offered my own sperm to show my commitment. I just wanted to see her happy, but she was quite hesitant about it."

He took a sip of his coffee, his eyes fogging with a hint of hurt. "I'm not gonna lie, I felt betrayed when I found out she'd gone through with surrogacy without my knowledge. And to make matters worse, she left me before I could nag her about it."

Juniper couldn't help but wonder how Vivienne had kept such crucial news from him, despite his obvious devotion to her. That was just wrong. If she was in his position, she would have felt equally hurt.

Her gaze was fixed on Dylan, her heart aching at the pain she saw in his eyes. She felt an overwhelming urge to comfort him, to offer some sort of solace. Her instincts screamed at her to reach out, to touch him, to hug him, to kiss him.

She jerked her eyes away, startled by the unexpected notion. Kiss him? Where had that come from? What the hell was she thinking? This was Dylan, Vivienne's fiance, not some stranger she was attracted to.

Juniper cleared her throat. "Um, I'm pretty sure Vivienne had her reasons for keeping the surrogacy a secret, but I can tell you, she was over the moon when she found out the embryo transfer was successful and she was going to be a mom."

"Really?"

"Of course, I've never seen anyone make sure happy face in my entire life. I guess she must've been waiting for the perfect moment to share the news with you about your child."

Dylan's face lit up with a beaming smile. "Well, that just made me the happiest man alive."

Juniper offered a warm smile. "And for the record, you just earned yourself a new member of your fan club," she boomed, her voice inundated with enthusiasm. "I think you're an amazing model, and don't you dare forget about me when you hit the big time and become an A-lister! I'm a sensitive soul, and I get hurt quite easily."

Dylan laughed softly. "I wouldn't dream of it." He reached for her hand, his fingers wrapping around hers in a soft, reassuring grasp. "You're etched in my memory forever, Juniper Laurent."

Moments later, Dylan rode them back to the Bellerose Mansion. As Juniper stepped into the grand foyer of the mansion, her foot caught on the stupid lace of her sneakers, which had stubbornly refused to stay tied.

She felt herself tumbling forward, her arms flailing wildly in a desperate bid to regain her balance. But before she could crash to the marble floor, Dylan rushed to her, his slender arms shooting out to encircle her waist.

With a gentle yet firm grasp, he steadied her, pulling her close to his chest as he held her upright. The sudden rush of his embrace sent a flutter through her chest, and her heart raced as she gazed up at him, her eyes locking with his in a fleeting moment of tender connection.

"Hey, are you okay?" He inquired softly, his eyes glistening in concern as his fingers caressed her cheek.

Juniper's response was barely a nod, her eyes fixed on his as her cheeks flushed with a warm blush.

He sighed and knelt down beside her, his hands moving deftly to secure her shoelace. "You need to watch your step," he admonished gently, his tone more protective than reproachful. "You could have taken a nasty fall and hurt yourself badly."

As he stood up, his gaze lingered on hers, piercing and intense as if he was looking into her soul. Then, a slow smile swept his face. "You know, I always wondered where Vivienne got those mesmerizing amber eyes of her," he said, his voice low and sincere. "I guess I know the answer now. You have such stunning eyes, Juniper. They're truly breathtaking."

Juniper's breath hitched in her throat, She wasn't sure why her pulse was pounding like crazy in her veins. Was it the shock of her near-tumble experience or was this man, standing before of her, stirring something within her?

The latter seemed to be more accurate.

His intense gaze seemed to awaken a thrilling sensation within her, rekindling the earlier impulse to kiss him. And if she read his eyes correctly, she wasn't alone in that desire.

The air between them seemed to vibrate with an unspoken tension as if they both hovered on the precipice of something forbidden yet tantalizing.

His grey eyes deepened to a smoldering dark, hooking onto hers in an unbreakable trance as his head slowly inclined towards her. . .