Contract Bride

Accidental Alpha’s Bride

Chapter Two

(The Contract Bride)

Alpha Salvatore Pov’s

“What do you mean she canceled at the last minute? I’ll increase the pay get me a fucking bride is that too hard to do Jeremy?!” My voice screeched on the phone and echoes of my baritone resounded in the empty wedding hall.

Good thing no one was here else they’ll be scared to death.

Shit.

A wedding was pissing me off and what pissed me further was the women were too emotional. The no-strings-attached condition had them in their feelings. This is the 21st century not everyone buys the idea of getting married.

Happily Ever Married is for losers. Real Men don’t love.

“She said she can’t part with her child after a year. Women are emotional beings. It'll be hard getting a woman who will just take the money and leave their child, and you know the contract is for a year the mother and child might bond then what happens? I’m afraid it’s not going to be easy.” Jeremy sighed at the end of the phone.

“Jeremy! It’s my child not theirs when the contract is signed and why are you lecturing me on women feelings? Get back to work!”

“Yes boss!”

The line died.

I slid the phone into my suit pocket and sat on the benches of the church. The priest would be here any moment from now and with a beep from the photographer as well. You might be wondering if I hate marriage and companionship so much. Why think of getting a bride and for what purpose?

Grandpa.

Grandpa was admitted to the hospital and the doctor said he had a weak heart and his wish must be granted to save him. He had a rare heart condition which he couldn’t be operated on and he beckoned. I grant his last wish before his final moments. I might be stubborn and rather a hard nut to crack but not to my family.

Jeremy my P. A got so many ladies and the conditions according to them they couldn’t keep so they refused till we got one and arranged the marriage ASAP but she canceled last minute due to personal reasons.

“Silly women's emotions.” A mutter left my lips in irritation.

My head was aching from overthinking.

A scent.

A faint peach scent mixed with sandalwood hit my nostrils from afar. There wasn’t anyone here so I thought only to see a woman walking straight into the church dead in the eye.

She looked like she escaped a mental health facility her hair was dishevelled, a long black mascara line stained both cheeks which showed she had been crying and her clothes were soaked her foot was muddy and she came in oblivious of my presence as she made her way to the front of the pew and fell to the side sobbing burying her face into her palms.

But my gaze caught her voluminous wedding gown, the bangle on her wrist, the pearl earrings even though the clothes were drenched. No woman in her rightful mind will deliberately walk under the rain with wedding apparel.

Her fiancé stood her up with no other explanation.

I watched her cry for a few hours. The more minutes ran the more my impatience grew and I knew Jeremy must be on a hot chase because he hadn’t called.

“I’m screwed.”

My gaze was not leaving her as she stopped sobbing and started talking to herself.

“God, do you hate me so much to give me such an ill fate? Do you have so many favorites and leave nothing for me? I struggle to live, breathe, survive and now I'm begging to be loved properly. “God I want to know what having a family means, my husband beside me and my kids having dinner. I want my own home.”

My ears couldn’t believe what I had been turning the city looking for walking right into my territory. A burst of adrenaline made my brain jump with happy dances.

Her lips were cracked with red blisters on them, she looked dehydrated and badly in need of good food, a bath, warm clothes, and a fireplace. How long has she been walking under the freaking cold?

Seeing her in this condition made me wanna sucker punch the fucker who did this to her. A foolish jerk.

A closer look at her I couldn’t deny how beautiful she truly looked despite the red swollen eyes, and tired demeanor. She is a pleasant delight to the eyes.

I stood up, walked to where she sat and brought something from my back pocket and handed it to her with an outstretched hand. “Crying won’t do you any good.”

She looked up at the handkerchief and as swiftly back at me as we locked our gaze.

She snubbed it.

Her eyes were growing weaker and I could understand she was worn out and needed rest, food, new clothing, and warmth.

She needed a family that I’d give her.

But what I won’t give my love. She feebly pulled herself from the floor and turned about to leave.

“Can I make you a proposal that’ll change your life around and you’ll get back at the motherfucker who broke you?”

She stopped in her tracks. We stared at each other for close to fifteen minutes, our eyes doing the talking.

“I’m the wrong woman who needs revenge, karma will take care of it and I don’t need anything from you. Please let me be.” She pleads softly and turns to leave her again.

Stubborn Woman.

“I can’t let you walk back into that rain you’re going to get a cold and fall sick, why don’t you hear what I have to say and see what you think afterward.” I tried my hardest to be as polite as ever. I couldn’t ruin my only chance the rain fell haywire.

What was the hope of Jeremy getting me a bride where one just got into my hands? I won’t forgive myself if she slips through my fingers.

“Not even a marriage? The family you talked about.”

“It is rude to eavesdrop on people's conversations and do I look so pathetic that I want to get married to a random man I’ve never met before!” She fired back upset.

Eavesdrop? She was loud. Whose fault is it?

“No you aren’t any of those let’s say I’ll give you a home, a family who will treat you as theirs. We can get married here, today in this hall and you kiss your spinster life goodbye. We are getting married for a contracted time. I don't think I want to own you. After the contract expires and you birth me my heir or heiress you’re free to divorce and live anywhere in the world with a $100 million sum.”

Her eyes widened in shock at my last sentence. Yes, I am to pay that much or more.

“There must be a reason you need a bride this urgent and what’s the statement about birthing an heir or heiress?”

“My grandpa has a weak heart, he can't be turned down and he requests to see my bride. I have no bride or girlfriend whatsoever and we have less than 24 hours to get married and meet him at the hospital or his health will deteriorate for the worse. And it’s expected married couples have children if I marry you and no fruit of the union my family will be suspicious. A child will pin everyone’s suspicion and besides I don’t want a wife and I’m not growing younger. I need to be a father and I’m ready.” She looked torn between agreeing to my terms and walking away.

“How sure are your emotions won’t mix? My fiancée of four years cheated on me today’s our wedding and he had a fling and slipped and got caught. I don’t think I have any love in me to love you or start building another relationship. I found this church and thought to myself maybe here would help me relax in peace without any interference and here I am right in another situationship. A man who wants a bride but a contracted bride. I don’t see myself losing with your offer. I gave my ex four years of my precious time and what was my reward? A broken heart and a muddy wedding dress.”

I’m starting to like her brutal honesty.

“Perfect! You’re just perfect for me. I have no intentions to love you either and if you feel the same then that makes us a wonderful team. Just be a wonderful daughter-in-law and be the mother of my child that seals it.”

We stayed silent and I could picture her tensed shoulders relaxing. Was she giving in?

“Hahaha… stop joking. This isn't some romance movie or some fairytale. How do you expect me to believe that?”

“Look at this hall, my suit, does anything here tell you otherwise and if you don't believe me would you believe my lawyer?”

Her eyes roam the hall, taking in the flowers, cake, nicely decorated benches, and the petals on the rug and then on my expensive suit, and hair, and then back to the floor. The decorator made sure everything appeared like a real wedding that no one would think otherwise.

A perfect make-believe.

She cups her face into her palms and lets out a tired breath. “So you want me to get a ring, get married legally for some time which is fake cause we aren't a real couple. We won't do what normal couples do and play with your family because you need to please them. This is fucked up I'm not a good liar never been but you're offering great money.”

“Worrying over lying shouldn't be your headache. Whatever happens I'll take the fall I let you on it. Think about what such an amount can do for you, you can travel anywhere, live in your favorite countries, and live majestically. It's not your problem who is lying to let me bear the consequences.”

“Well…” she drawled.

“Do we have a deal?” I pressed on, staring at the time and it was quickly running out.

“What happens to the baby?”

“They will live the best life ever. A family who adores them, the best luxuries life can offer and so much to look forward to. They’ll be in a better place.”

She looked deep in thought and her eyes were clouded with emotions. She slipped her eyes shut for a minute and takes a long breath and turned to me with no emotions in her eyes.

“Call your lawyer and your priest, we have a wedding to seal.” She retorted.