CEO's Substitute Bride

Chapter 61

Alyssa widened her eyes. "You're..."

"Shouldn't I be the one asking you and not the other way around? Why did you come all the way here?" The masked man interrupted with no difficulty. He squinted his eyes and bent over, trying to get a better look at her.

There was a hint of sternness tied to his words, and the concern it showed was just right. She couldn't help but freeze at his tone.

Even Alyssa was convinced that the man was actually her cousin. She stuttered out, regaining her voice. However, she still couldn't mask the shock etched across her features. What the hell was this? "I was just about to go back."

"Is that so? I'll send you off then." With a nod, the masked man pulled her wrist and walked out of the convenience store.

However, the male colleague who had escorted her all this way wouldn't let her go that easily. Instead of allowing her to leave, he walked straight towards the entrance, blocking their paths. He motioned to his papers. "We're still supposed to do our research, remember? Are you planning on bailing out on me?"

Alyssa looked him with a faint smile on her face. "My cousin had traveled all this way just to visit me, so of course I'll have to put him first."

She then rubbed the back of her neck almost hesitantly. "Although I'm sorry for troubling you."

Just as he was about to refuse, the masked man slowly took out his phone. "You want me to call the police?"

"No! If you want to go, then suit yourself!" The man didn't even hesitate as he stepped aside, allowing them a way out.

Alyssa followed the masked man into the car. As soon as the car door was closed, she hesitated for a long time. She stared at him for a few seconds before mustering out the courage to ask but her voice still trembled, "Are you Dylan?"

The man slowly took off his mask as he flashed her a smile. "This disguise must be crap if you recognized me that easily?"

"No, of course not! It's just..." Alyssa stuttered as she struggled to come up with the words to explain her predicament. Instead of defending herself, she fell into a fit of coughs, shaking her head over and over again. The anxiety was already eating her up.

She had followed him for eight years, watching all of the movies he had created as well as the number of series that he had starred in. The man was practically a legend! How was she not going to recognize him? She couldn't even speak to him without her face turning red!

Were the faiths already thanking her?

Dylan saw her flushed face before nodding and said gently. "You don't have to explain yourself."

He then started to drive attentively as he tilted her way. "Where do you want to go?"

"Take me to the curbside. I can take a taxi back myself." Alyssa wasn't expecting to see Dylan today, nor did she expect that the man would save her! However, she shouldn't trouble him too much, even if she was his biggest fan.

When they had finally arrived at a more crowded location, Alyssa got out of the car. "Do you plan on picking up a new script after returning?"

"If there's a good script, then you'll bet that I'll be acting in it. I don't think it's a profession I'd like to drop till I'm old and weary." He chuckled. The words had slithered from his lips before he could even stop himself. He brightened.

Alyssa’s eyes lit up and she nodded heavily. "Well as long as you keep acting well, then you'll bet that I'll also keep watching."

Dylan laughed. Although he had met plenty of his fans, none of them were as direct as her. She was quite honest with someone who had admired him, and it was refreshing to speak with someone like her. "Well, I'll count on that."

"Thank you for your help today." Alyssa said seriously.

Thinking back to what happened today, Dylan shrugged. "It's no big deal. You really should be more careful next time, okay?"

"I will." Alyssa smiled at him and turned around to leave.

Just as she was about to leave, Dylan called her back, "What's your name?"

Alyssa turned around in surprise. "Alyssa."

"Alyssa?" As soon as Dylan said her name, he frowned, watching her retreating figure.

If he remembered correctly, that was the name of Emmett's wife.

…

There was a private room located in Golden Fountain. However, this one was specifically used for Emmett's guests. After all, he wanted one available at all times, given that his schedule was more abrupt.

As soon as Emmett entered the restaurant, he saw Frank standing by his private room.

Frank was sent abroad a few days ago, and he had just returned from the trip.

"Young Master." Frank said respectfully as he walked up to him.

"Has Dylan arrived?" Emmett raised his hand and checked the time.

"He has." Frank nodded.

Nodding, Emmett walked straight into the room.

As soon as the door creaked open, Dylan looked up at the newcomer. A small smile appeared across his lips, making him seem even gentler than usual. It was to no surprise that he had fans in every

corner of the street.

"Emmett," he called out.

Emmett walked over and sat opposite to him. He pushed the menu towards him. "You haven't ordered yet?"

Dylan was his actual cousin. While Emmett was off dominating the business sector, he was conquering the entertainment business. As soon as he had signed a contract with Nine Clouds Media, he was off making history.

"There's no hurry." Dylan didn't even flip through his menu as he tilted his head. "Tell me, how are you getting along with your wife?"

Emmett frowned when it came to Alyssa. "It's going all right," He said, not bothering to say anything more.

"Oh?" Dylan reached out to grab a cup of water for himself. Taking a sip, he raised an eyebrow. "What is it? Is she difficult to deal with?"

How was Emmett supposed to know? After all, since Alyssa had no interest in “Justin” and still didn't know that they were only one person, they had never gone anywhere far from exchanging a few words with each other.

Besides, Dylan was a casual person. Why was he asking so many questions today?

"Have you come back here just to question me about my married life?" Emmett leaned back and

looked at Dylan critically.

Realizing that he was asking too much, Dylan immediately drew back with a smile. "My mom had been saying that if I don't have a girlfriend, she'll push me to join a blind dating show."

Emmett raised his eyebrows and said with a rare gloating look. "The company obviously wouldn't let you go on a blind dating show, but I can arrange a blind date for you if Aunt insists."

Dylan cleared his throat. "Never mind that. I'll lose my fans if they know I have a girlfriend."

Emmett looked up at him and said. "Do you think they'll care that much?"

"Haven't you heard? I'm known as the King of Movies at just a mere 28 years old!" Dylan shouted mockingly, repeating the headlines all those news articles had said about him.

The two of them continued talking for an hour or two before Emmett went back. What he didn't expect was to see Alyssa already preparing the table.

Usually, whenever he had returned from work, she'd arrive only a few minutes earlier. Why did she come back so early today?

As soon as he walked into the kitchen door, he saw Alyssa coming out with a big bowl of soup. She didn't seem to have noticed him coming in until she saw a pair of leather shoes blocking her way.

"Justin, step aside."

Instead of moving out of the way, he took off his suit jacket and placed it on the crook of her arm. He

then reached out and grabbed the bowl of soup from her hands. "Here, let me."

"Hey! That's very hot!" She didn't even wait to exclaim.

He didn't even react as he placed the bowl on the table.

Alyssa blinked. Was that man made of iron?

When the two of them were already seated, Emmett asked casually, "Why did you come back so early today?"

"I didn't know I needed to report to you," she said, her voice dripping in sarcasm. Instead of answering him, she poured herself a bowl of soup instead. "Are you suddenly my bodyguard?" Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

He gritted his teeth. "You have a sharp tongue, don't you?"

However, his identity as Justin only dug him an even deeper hole.

"Thank you for the compliment." Not feeling wronged, Alyssa shrugged it off. Besides, as long as she wouldn't show any weaknesses, then he wouldn't be able to do anything to her.

Emmett narrowed his eyes.

The man was feared all across Herton City for a reason. Even with just one look, he'd be able to send directors running for the hills. What more someone like her?

Just as she was about to move away from him, he said, "Alyssa, I'm Emmett."

What did he just say?

The entire dining room had fallen into dead silence. Their faces turned black as they stared at each other for a long time.

"You..." Alyssa stuttered out, blinking rapidly. However, even as she did so, the man still hadn't said a word.

Her grip on her chopsticks tightened. "Is this another one of your tricks?"