CHAPTER 3: DESPERATE MEASURES

Damien sat in his penthouse, a glass of whiskey in his hand, staring out at the city lights. For the first time in a long while, his mind wasn’t on women, parties, or cars. It was on his grandfather’s words.

Get married or lose the company.

It sounded simple, but it wasn’t. He wasn’t ready to settle down. Marriage meant responsibility, and responsibility was the last thing he wanted. He had spent years avoiding it, and living a carefree and luxurious life.

Now he was stuck.

He leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair wondering what to do? If I marry the wrong woman, she’ll want to stay. She’ll cling to the money, the status, and never leave. And if I don’t marry at all, Grandfather will cut me off. Damn it.

He sipped his drink again, the burn in his throat no match racing thoughts in his mind. He had to find someone different. Not a social climber and not a gold-digger as well. Someone who needed money, but someone who could walk away after a year with no drama.

He knew he couldn’t figure this out alone. There were only two people he trusted with his life. His best friends.

The next evening, Damien met them at their usual spot which was a private lounge only a handful of elite men could enter.

Daniel, the lawyer, was already seated with a glass of wine, looking sharp in his tailored suit. Mark, the doctor, arrived a few minutes later, loosening his tie after a long shift at the hospital.

“Alright, Damien,” Daniel said, raising his brow. “You don’t look like a man who just came from one of your usual midnight adventures. What’s wrong?”

Damien smirked faintly. “Trust me, this one’s bigger than a woman trying to cling to my bed.”

“Then it must be serious,” Mark said, chuckling as he signaled the waiter.

Damien swirled his whiskey before speaking. “My grandfather had a heart attack some days ago but he’s stable now. The only thing is that he’s not playing games anymore. He’s given me an ultimatum.”

Both men leaned forward.

“What kind of ultimatum?” Daniel asked.

“I have to get married,” Damien said flatly. “And stay married. If I don’t, he takes the company away from me, sells the shares and donate everything to charity.”

Mark blinked. “Married? You?”

Daniel laughed heartily. “This is rich. The same Damien who has sex every day of the week with different women. The same Damien who once said commitment was a disease?”

Damien shot them both a glare. “I’m not joking.”

Mark shook his head. “I’m just very surprised. You, of all people. This must be a nightmare for you.”

“Tell me about it,” Damien muttered, rubbing his temple. “But I don’t plan to actually… settle down. I just need someone willing to play the part of a fake wife for a year.The old man has barely some months left, the least I can do is actually make him happy before he dies”

Daniel leaned back, clearly intrigued. “And then what? You pay her off after the year ends?”

“Exactly,” Damien said. “Clean break. No strings. No tears. No fights.”

Mark raised an eyebrow. “You make it sound simple, but women aren’t built like that. Especially the ones you spend time with. They’d want much more than just one year.”

“I know,” Damien said. “Which is why I’m not asking one of them. I need someone different. Someone who’s not obsessed with money but needs it badly enough to take the deal. Someone desperate, but not greedy. Someone who won’t fight to stay after her time is up.”

Daniel studied him for a moment, his lawyer’s mind already turning. “So you want us to find you a woman who’s in a tough spot financially but not the type to want to trap you?”

“Yes,” Damien said firmly. “I can’t do it myself. Every woman around me wants the rich lifestyle, the parties, the luxury. They’d never leave after a year. They’d try to chain themselves to me forever. I need someone outside of that circle.”

Mark whistled low. “You’re basically asking us to shop for a wife like she’s and item in a convienence store.”

Damien gave him a sharp look. “This isn’t a joke, Mark. You both know how much the company means to me. It is my family's legacy. If I don’t find someone soon then I lose everything.”

Mark leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “Alright. I see your point. I work in the hospital and I come in contact with people struggling all the time; Patients who can’t even for treatment, Families who can’t keep up with bills. There might be someone who desperate enough to agree to something like this.”

Daniel nodded slowly. “And I know clients drowning in debt and families that need quick cash to survive. I can keep my eyes open too.”

Damien exhaled, finally feeling some relief. “Good. That’s why I came to you two. I can trust you. I don’t want someone who’ll become a problem later. I just need clean, simple, and… temporary.”

Mark raised his glass. “This is insane, Damien. Even for you. But if this is what it takes, we’ll help.”

Daniel smirked. “You realize this could either save you or destroy you, right?”

Damien smirked back, though his eyes were sharp. “I’ve lived my life on the edge. Why stop now?”

They clinked glasses, but deep inside, Damien knew this wasn’t like the usual games he played. This time, the stakes were much higher and he had to make sure it tips in his favour.

Because for the first time, he wasn’t entirely sure he was in control.