Fake dating my enemy, The playboy billionaire-Chapter 24: The Nest

YIREN (PART-2)

Our chit-chat continues. Of course, leave three women alone, they can gossip nonstop. But somehow the topic keeps coming back to me and Jun and my tongue is starting to curse me for the number of lies coming out of my mouth.

My eyes drift toward the kids playing in the gym, climbing the structures I designed specifically for them.

"I’m glad they like it," I said, desperate to steer the conversation away from my so-called zipper incident. "The gym, I mean."

Suyin’s eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, you designed this?"

I nodded, feeling a wave of relief that the topic had shifted. "Yeah, the whole condo, actually. I thought the kids needed a space where they could burn off some energy safely."

Honey, who was invisible all this time poked his head down from the first floor of the bed as if he found something of interest.

Meimei’s jaw dropped, and she looked around the room with new eyes.. "Yiren, this is incredible! I had no idea you were behind all this. The way you’ve used the space—it’s brilliant."

A sense of pride welled up inside me. I had poured so much of myself into this design, and hearing their praise meant more than I realized. It was moments like these that reminded me why I loved what I did. The smile when I bring dreams to reality.

Suyin smiled with excitement. "I need to check your portfolio."

"Sure," I handed over my phone with my Instagram account open. That’s another of Bruce’s suggestions for my business, According to him, a social media account for business is crucial and will bring both clients and investors.

As she scrolls through the entire page, her face lights up with every new design. Her excitement is contagious, but it also leaves me a little... unsettled. What’s she so excited about?

"This," she says finally, her voice filled with awe, "is amazing, Yiren. You have such a gift."

I blink. "Thanks, but—"

Before I could finish, Suyin slid her own phone across the table, revealing photos of a breathtaking, unfinished structure nestled by a crystal-clear lake with a backdrop of lush green forest. Every photo is more beautiful than the other. My breath hitched. It was stunning—beyond anything I had ever seen. My mind raced with ideas for the space, my imagination running wild with the possibilities.

Jun showed me billions of dollars of projects, and none of them speaks to me. None of them spark interest. But this.... It’s like my dream project, served to me on a silver plate.

I’m feeling emotional all of a sudden.

"This is where Shishi and I started our relationship," Suyin explains, her voice soft with emotion. "It’s been Shishi’s dream to build a house here, and twice he tried but both times the project stopped mid-work because of reasons. It’s been left unfinished since then. But now, I want to make it into something special. Our home. ’The Nest’. And I think you’re the right person for it."

’The Nest’

I swallowed hard, the weight of her words sinking in. This wasn’t just any project—this was personal. This was the place where Suyin and Shishi’s love story began, the same story I had read about in passing. It was a story that had tugged at my heart when I first read it, and now, standing here with her, I could feel the depth of what she is asking.

’The nest’ is such a beautiful name. A cozy home for the two lovebirds where the endless laughter will echo.

I look back at Suyin, feeling the weight of everything she’s entrusting me with. She presses her palm over mine, "I’m going to propose Shishi here."

"Mom," Honey calls and Suyin looks at him and winks playfully. I can tell they are having an emotional moment.

But then, reality hits me like a brick wall. If I take this project, I’ll have to move to Imperial City. What does that mean for my fake relationship with Jun? The entire story we’ve crafted is that he’s staying here because we can’t do long distance. If I move, won’t they expect him to move? And Jun doesn’t want to go back. Not yet.

My heart tightens as I try to make sense of it all. The last thing I want is to complicate things for Jun. And then there’s the truth of it all—this isn’t even real.

Suyin and Meimei exchange glances, sensing my hesitation. "I know it’s a big ask. But none of the designs spoke to me until I saw yours." Suyin says gently.

I open my mouth, but the words won’t come. Having Suyin as my first client would be massive for my career. She’s a known figure. A public figure. Daughter-in-law of the president of the nation. It could open doors I never even dreamed of. But the stakes are so much higher than just design.

"You’d be perfect for it," Meimei adds, her voice filled with encouragement. "Honestly, this is the kind of project that could launch your career into the stratosphere."

I swallow hard. "It’s... it’s just that I have my startup to focus on. My hands are already full."

Suyin gives me a soft smile. "I get that. But think of this as part of your startup. You can make this your first official project. There’s no rush—just think about it."

She sends me pictures of the entire property, a gentle reminder that this opportunity is here, waiting for me. "No pressure," she adds, her sincerity clear in her voice. "But I’d love it if you’d design the entire property."

I stare down at her phone, the weight of the decision pressing down on me. I like these women. I like them a lot. And for the first time in years, I feel like maybe, just maybe, I could have real friends—people who genuinely care about me.

But there’s a "but" still nagging at the back of my mind. A "but" that won’t let go.

I smile at Suyin, trying to hide my internal struggle. "I’ll think about it. Really, I will."

My phone buzzes in my lap, pulling me out of my thoughts. It’s a message from Jun.

Jun:

How’s it going?

I stare at the text, feeling a pang of guilt. This whole situation is complicated, but I don’t want to make things harder for Jun.

Me:

Going okay. Your sisters-in-law are... intense.

Jun:

Tell me about it. That’s why I call them dolls- Chucky and Annabelle.

Me:

😂 Do they know you call them that?

Jun:

Yep. I get enough crap from my brothers about it too.

Me:

Haha, you deserve it.

Jun:

Ordering dinner. Anything you want?

My heart skips a beat. We’ve fallen into this little routine, ordering dinner together. It’s... nice. Maybe a little too nice.

Me:

Anything’s fine.

Jun:

Let me check if "anything" is on the menu.

Decision taken.

I won’t betray Jun. Accepting this will be put him in a difficult situation. My career is important but not at the cost of betraying this man who is already going through his own struggles.

I’ll look for an opportunity to say No to Suyin.

****