A Villain for Christmas (The Holyoake Christmas Series, Book 2)

Captain Obvious Reveal

"We'll be talking to Katarina Swedenborg at the fashion show," Fergusson addressed Billie. "You should join us."

Alright, enough is enough! She gathered lungfuls of air to start hollering, demanding an explanation, and protesting, although she hardly knew what she would be protesting against - and then Dair appeared near the table.

"That was L-laura," he said. "The t-tour is postponed till Tuesday. W-what are we doing? More t-tea, cara?"

Billie whipped her head and gave him a murderous glare.

"We freaked Billie out," Fergusson said blandly. "It's Jackie's fault. She was flirting."

Dair guffawed.

"T-take responsibility, mate." He wagged his finger at Fergusson. "You're lucky to date the s-second most beautiful woman in the county. B-be proud."

Why is it always about ranking and competing for men? Billie thought in annoyance.

It didn't even come to Billie's mind to doubt that the first place would belong to Dr. Viola Holyoake; or, less likely but still possibly, her cousin-in-law, Mrs. Ulla Svensson, if one preferred 'a mouse that roared' to a 'practically perfect in every way' goddess. There was also, of course, Billie's own sister, Delia; but Dair seemed shockingly unaffected when he'd intruded on their family breakfast.

The Headmistress threw the actor a side glance. "I'm afraid I'm too old to buy into your flattery; while for these two–" She pointed at Billie and Fergusson. "It has just gone utterly over their heads."

"No f-flattery here," Dair murmured, picked up the woman's hand, and gallantly kissed the air above her knuckles. "Sei incantevole."

The compliment didn't require translation. Ms. Burns' blush coloured her cheekbones now.

"Next time we've got a meeting with the Royal Foundation, you're going to do all the talking and presenting and charming their knickers off," she said to Dair.

He chuckled. Fergusson and the Headmistress started rising, picking up the bill, and arguing with Dair regarding paying for what he'd ordered. Technically Billie was the one who'd consumed it, which she tried to point out; but she was delicately and masterfully ignored. Fergusson paid for everyone, promising to take it into consideration the next time they 'hang out' - and after goodbying for another ten minutes; the second couple were finally gone.

Dair sat down; he'd, naturally, risen when the Headmistress had gotten up.

"So, p-polpetta, shall we find something t-to– to entertain ourselves with?" He gave Billie a lopsided smirk.

She steeled herself - and asked, pinning him with a menacing glare, "What's 'the farm?' And what does it have to do with Rhys Holyoake? And why are you fibbing about inviting me to work with Bondarenko?"

Dair studied her for a few seconds; Billie fumed; and then he sighed.

"L-let's go, cara. T-time to talk."

***

They got into his car, and he started the engine.

"W-would you like me to take you h-home? Or we could g-go for a ride."

"A ride?" Billie asked, squinting at him. "A ride where? To the mysterious 'farm?"'

Dair chuckled and shook his head.

"It m-might be easier to sh-show." He drove his mastodon out onto a larger street. "And it'll g-give us time to talk. D-does it sound good?"

"Alright," Billie agreed and crossed her arms stubbornly. "You can start talking," she pointed out sarcastically after a few minutes of silence.