Accidental Marriage With Mr Billioniare
Chapter 287: THE DATE

Chapter 287: THE DATE

As Astrid stepped out of her mansion, she was taken aback by Rowan’s presence.

He was leaning against his car, waiting for her. Astrid’s gaze shifted to Maren, who avoided eye contact immediately.

"Why are you here?" Astrid darted her gaze back to Rowan as she asked, her tone cautious.

"I came to cheer you up," Rowan replied, pushing off from the car.

He approached Astrid, his eyes scanning her face. "You haven’t been looking good, Astrid. You’re pale and...well, I thought you could use a break."

Astrid’s expression turned skeptical. "Is this why Maren dressed me up like this?" she asked, her voice laced with suspicion.

Maren shook her head, "Kind of."

Astrid refused Immediately, "I don’t think so. I am not in the mood to have fun when Julian is in the hospital." She turned to head back inside, but Maren caught her arm, holding her back.

"You need to relax, Astrid," Maren urged. "Ma’am Becky knows already and she liked the idea."

Astrid’s eyes narrowed, "I don’t like the idea, and I am not going. I wouldn’t want to get him annoyed when he wakes up."

But Maren quickly grabbed her hands and persisted, "Come on, Astrid. You need to be free for a bit, seeing you that way is begging to scare us."

Rowan chimed in, his voice smooth, "This is the perfect time for you to fulfill my request, Astrid."

Astrid turned to him ready to lash out but he stopped her, touching his injured cheek.

"This was the cause of the last time I helped you, aren’t you going to repay me?" Astrid swallows as she creases her face.

"You hit him also," she grumbled and Rowan snickered.

" Don’t care about that but you have to fulfill your promise," He moved closer to Astrid pulling her along before she could reiste he shoved her into the car.

She was too weak to even fight with him, she recalled how Julian would pull her into the car when angry.

Astrid sat stiffly in the passenger seat, her eyes fixed on her house building receding into the distance.

Rowan, sensing her unease, offered a reassuring smile as he helped her into the car.

"Hey, I know this isn’t the best timing, but I promise you will have fun," Rowan said, trying to sound cheerful. "You need a break from the hospital, and I am here to provide a distraction."

Astrid forced a weak smile, feeling a pang of guilt for leaving Julian’s side, even if it was just for a few hours. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she was betraying her husband by going on a date with Rowan.

Rowan, oblivious to Astrid’s inner turmoil, chatted enthusiastically as he drove.

"So, I was thinking we could hit the new arcade that just opened downtown. I heard they have an amazing selection of vintage games."

Astrid’s gaze drifted out the window, her mind still in the hospital room with Julian. She pulled out her husband and snapped a quick photo of the passing scenery, hoping to share it with Julian when he woke up.

Rowan pulled up to the arcade in his sleek black car, the engine purring smoothly as he shifted into the park.

Astrid gazed out the window, her eyes fixed on the colorful neon lights of the arcade.

"Ready to have some fun?" Rowan asked, not hiding his excitement.

Astrid hesitated, she just didn’t feel right being her without her husband.

"I don’t know, Rowan. I’m not really in the mood for games."

Rowan’s expression turned persuasive. "Come on, Astrid. It will be good for you to take your mind off things. Just for a few hours."

Astrid sighed, knowing that Rowan was right. She needed a distraction, and the arcade seemed like a harmless enough way to pass the time.

Rowan handed her a mask to wear, explaining that he wanted to avoid drawing attention from the press.

Astrid took the mask, feeling a little silly but also grateful for Rowan’s thoughtfulness.

The last thing she wants is for Julain to find out about them online.

As they walked into the arcade, the sounds of buzzing video games and laughter filled the air. Rowan grinned at Astrid, as he pulled her along with him.

"Alright, let’s see who’s the real champion here," Rowan said, leading Astrid to a row of classic arcade games.

Astrid smiled, staring at it as much as she didn’t want to get Julain mad, she wanted to try these games.

"Oh, I am so going to beat you." She let out.

Rowan chuckled, inserting a coin he had gotten from the workers into the air hockey machine. "We will see about that."

As they started playing, Astrid found herself laughing and shouting as Rowan expertly blocked her shots.

Despite her initial reservations, she was having a blast.

As they competed in a heated game of air hockey, Astrid caught herself comparing Rowan’s playful antics to Julian’s more serious nature.

"Yay! I won! Julsin would be so proud of me!" She screamed jumping happily as she clapped her hands.

She pulled out her phone and snapped another photo of the evidence.

"I will show him this," she grinned, staring at the pictures.

This time with Rowan’s triumphant grin, he does regret losing this lady, Julain sure has a jewel with him, a jewel whole wouldn’t stop thinking about him for a second.

After the arcade, Rowan suggested they grab some dinner at a trendy food truck park.

Astrid agreed, as they walked through the food truck park, the smells of sizzling burgers and tacos filled the air.

Astrid’s stomach growled, and she realized she was hungrier than she thought.

Rowan led her to a popular taco truck, and they waited in line behind a group of chattering college students.

As they inched closer to the front of the line, Rowan turned to Astrid and asked, "So, what’s your favorite food?"

Astrid’s face lit up, and she launched into a story about Julian’s love of cooking for her, he has cooked so much for her that she bet she recalls how to cook.

Rowan listened intently, seeing how much she talked with love about her husband even though he wasn’t here with her.

"That sounds amazing, I hope he cooks for me one day," he said. "What’s his signature dish?"

Astrid grinned, feeling proud as she said this.

"He makes the best chicken parmesan in the world," she said. "I’m not even kidding, he would make it for me and add my favorite drink.. or..’

"Orange juice," He completed and she cackled, "How did you know that?" And he rolled his eyes.

"I bet anyone close to you doesn’t know, " Julian orders it every week and the sale of every orange juice has gone high."

" Really?"

Rowan chuckled, as he nodded his head.

"I have to try Julain’s dish sometime, to know if you are telling the truth," he said.

Only then did her smile disappear, " He doesn’t cook for anyone aside from me."

Rowan then shook his head, " Then I can’t trust your judgment."

"Hey I am telling the truth." but he kept teasing her until they reached the front of the line.

Rowan ordered them each a taco, and they walked over to a nearby picnic table to eat.

Astrid took a bite of her taco, the flavors exploding in her mouth.

"Wow, this is amazing," she said, her eyes widening.

Rowan grinned, "Told you it was good," he said.

As they ate, Astrid couldn’t help but think of Julian, wondering what he would say if he knew she was having tacos with Rowan. He always manages the food she eats, he might even say this isn’t hygienic.

She snapped it again hoping to tease him with it when he woke up.

After they finished eating, Rowan suggested they take a walk around the park.

Astrid agreed, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Rowan for taking her mind off Julian’s condition.

As they strolled through the park, the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the scenery.

Astrid felt a sense of peace wash over her, and she turned to Rowan with a smile.

"Thanks for tonight, Rowan," she said, her voice sincere. "I needed this."

Rowan smiled back, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Anytime, Astrid," he said. "I am always here for you."

Astrid smiled, feeling a sense of appreciation towards Rowan. She knew that he was just trying to help, and she was grateful for his friendship.