Married for A Million Dollars:
.Chapter 6: close call and a save.“Come on, Ari,” Harold croaks, his lips upturned into a smirk. For every step Ariana takes backwards, the man only takes two steps forward in response. “What’s a few minutes going to do you? You’ll make some time for your generous customer, won’t you?”Ariana’s hands delve into her back pocket. “Look, if you want your money back, then you’ll get your money back. Just stay away from me.”It looks like what little control she believed she had over the situation quickly dissipates into the air as the lascivious glint in Harold’s eyes darken.He’s approached so close that Ariana stumbles into the cold surface of the dumpster. That’s when she yanks the money out of her pocket and tosses it at the man.“Okay, here. Take it.” The bills flutter to the ground. Harold makes no move to retrieve them.Whatever color’s remaining from Ariana’s face has drained.Harold chuckles. “If it’s money you want, Ari, then that’ll be arranged. I’m willing to pay your highest offer if it means I can fuck you senseless.”Ariana launches a fist into his chest, face flushing at the indecent offer. “Fuck off, Harold. I don’t do that kind of shit.”The thing about majority of their elite customers was that they were more on the buffer, taller, wider end of the scale.The total opposite of Ariana’s stature and height. The punch she threw does little to the man, who laughs and seizes Ariana’s trembling shoulder in response.“You don’t know, but you will once I get the price out of your pretty lips, girl.” He growls as Ariana opens her mouth to scream bloody murder. “Let’s see...how much to get those lips on my dick? One thousand? Two thousand? Name your price.”“Neither.” Ariana struggles to jerk away from his grip. “Get off, get off, get off. ”“Don’t worry, Ari, I’ll make you feel so fucking good.” Harold’s palm hovers down her torso, fingers dangerously near her crotch.“And I’ll make you into fucking dead meat, asshole!” Something inside Ariana finally snaps when she swings her knee upwards to dig into the latter’s groin.Unfortunately, Harold is faster than her.He easily catches her ankle, bends her knee in half, and pins Ariana against the dumpster where he smashes his mouth against hers, teeth clacking at the force.Most of her screams are consumed by the older man’s sloppy kissing.Ariana slams her knuckles against Harold’s chest but is completely nailed by his overbearing weight. A hand curls around her nape, painfully yanking her roots in place while the other gropes her ass.Tears flood Ariana’s burning vision and she squeezes her eyes shut, having no choice but to endure the treatment and wondering if she’ll make it out alive.God, I can’t go down like this.In the blink of an eye the weight lifts off of her and Ariana’s eyes fly open to a brawl taking place right before her.“You should’ve kept your fucking distance when she told you to, asshole,” Williams growls, lunging his fist into Harold’s cheekbone with enough force to send him to the ground.“Montenegro!” Harold barks. He attempts getting back on his feet but is met with Williams’s boot kicking his side. Soon Williams straddles the lawyer, pinning his wrists in place and lifting his arm again. “This is none of your goddamn business. She and I have a mutual understanding.”“Didn’t look like it was mutual enough to me,” Williams grits out, releasing his arm, only to pound Harold’s face again to a bloody pulp. “This is your first and last warning, Wane. Take a hint and stay away from anyone who's not into you—especially Ariana.”As if her heart isn’t already over the edge, Ariana’s breath hitches at the way Williams had said her name.Oh, that’s ridiculous. He’s just doing it to look good.Harold scoffs, coughing out a bloody tooth and weakly spitting it in Williams’s direction. “Don’t tell me she’s got you wrapped around her finger, Montenegro. She looks like a good fuck but didn’t think she was your type.”Williams throws his head back down onto the ground, causing Harold to groan aloud. “She is my fuckin’ fiance, Wane. I doubt that’s any of your business. Another word about her and I’ll rip your throat out. You know I can.”Wait a second.Ariana pales at the sudden decree. “I am not—”She’s quickly silenced by Williams’s piercing glare. “Shut up, babe. I’m still talking to your little friend here.”Despite itching to yank him by the collar and ask him what his fucking problem is, Ariana has to admit she’s more than thrilled to see the panic dawn on Harold’s face as he puts two and two.He gives both of them a wary glance.“Okay,” Ariana draws out a long sigh. “Get his ass up so he can scram before I call the cops. I doubt Mr. Wand would wanna spend the rest of his week in the town jail.”A hint of a smile graces Williams’s lips before it washes away into a deadly stare fixated at Harold. “Capiche, Mane?”“Look, just let me go, okay?” The older man gives in, stuttering under Williams’s gaze. “I didn’t know. I’m sorry. Let me go and you’ll never see me again.”“Sounds good to me.” He shrugs and lifts himself off of him, not forgetting to grab Harold’s wrists first. He jerks him up to his feet. “Now, fuck off. I mean it.” And points to the back door.Not a second to waste, Wane Harold scampers to exit the alleyway, leaving them in prolonged, awkward silence.There’s still blood rushing through Ariana’s ears, shoulders shivering from the memory of Harold’s slimy touch.Williams speaks first. “You okay?” He briefly peeks up and down her body for any signs of injuries, but Ariana shakes her head in response.“I’m fine. Just shocked, I guess. Bewildered.”“There’s no nice way to put this,” Williams’s face darkens as he pulls out a linen handkerchief from the folds of his leather jacket. “And I’m not going to sugarcoat it for you. This isn’t the first time Wane has molested people. There’s multiple charges of rape filed against him from both men and women, but the media’s quiet since he bribes his victims to keep their mouths shut. He wouldn’t have gotten away with just a mere grope and kiss. You would’ve been the next victim on the list if I hadn’t walked in on you.”Voice trembling, Ariana asks, “How—how’d you know where to find me, though?”“I just wanted to talk to you again about yesterday,” he shrugs. He gives the handkerchief a little shake. “Your coworker directed me to the back, saying that you were outside. By the time I got there, Wane was feeling you up against the dumpster with his tongue shoved down your throat.”Ariana opens her mouth in response, only to hiss when Williams abruptly presses the handkerchief against her jaw, drawing back shortly and lifting the stained linen.“What the fuck.” She grabs the handkerchief, examining the blood in disbelief. “Why am I bleeding?”The handkerchief is wordlessly taken away from her and it’s pressed against her jaw again. “Calm down. It’s just a scratch. Wane was probably trying to bite you. Not that I’m surprised,” Williams adds, unimpressed. “Fucker looked like he wanted to eat you alive.”She can’t help but shiver at the memory of Harold’s hands and mouth roaming all over her. “I don’t know why he followed me outside. Normally I let him get away with some flirting, but he’s never crossed the line till now.”Williams glances down and sweeps the dollar bills off the floor. He hands it back to Ariana, but not before saying, “Guess he wanted his money’s worth.”Lips turned irritably, Ariana snatches the money from him. She pockets it back and steps away from Williams’s reach. “Yeah, well. That’s how I survive, I guess. Might as well keep it since it was so hard-earned.”The dismay in the man’s hazel eyes are as clear as day. “Look, I’m not here to judge, okay? That was my mistake back there and it was wrong of me. I don’t give a shit where you get your money from or what your income is. All I want is your cooperation in a simple business deal that’ll grant you a safe haven during the agreement, and then enough to keep you financially stable afterwards.”Ariana’s hands curl. “Despite what you think you know about me, Montenegro, I’m not gonna sell myself to you.”Williams raises a brow. “But you will to people like Harold?”“I’m not a whore!” Ariana yells, and before they both know it, there’s a smack against skin and the result is Williams palming his flushed cheek in mute anger..TBC.Hope you guys enjoy this chapter. And if you can, please support me by dropping a comment or gems <3... sincerely, me!!.Married for A Million Dollars:.Chapter 7: paid to marry the heir .Williams raises a brow. “But you will to people like Harold?”“I’m not a whore!” Ariana yells, and before they both know it, there’s a smack against skin and the result is Williams palming his flushed cheek in mute anger.Jaw dropped at her feat, Ariana quickly lowers her stinging hand and forces herself to meet Williams’s furious gaze.They stay like that for a whole minute, staring at each other in seething silence. The apology on Ariana’s lips washes away almost immediately.Finally, Williams dangerously enunciates, “If it’s marital sex that’s bothering you, then I suggest you forget about it. I’m not interested in sleeping with you whatsoever. On the other hand, since I’m paying you to play my loving wife, I expect complete loyalty on your part.”“And I bet you expect the exact opposite from yourself,” Ariana rolls her eyes.“Of course,” he says without missing a beat. “But I’ll obviously be lowkey. I don’t wan
Married for A Million Dollars:.Chapter 8: call me by my first name . “This isn’t signed,” Williams remarks as he goes over the contract. “Not yet. Had some alterations I wanted to get back to you with.” Ariana sets down her fork. “I want the payment divided in five installments. First two hundred thousand on our wedding night. Then the second part four months later and the third part two months after, and the remaining at the end of the year. The personal expense thing is fine, but I want a separate bedroom for myself, a charity budget, and a scholarship to any academy of my choice. If I happen to die before the contract expires, the rest of my payment should be donated to the charity listed on my will. If you die, I have the right to be paid full by your estate without adhering to the contract.” She doesn’t notice Williams leaning over her as she leafs through each section. When Ariana glances up, startled at his presence, Williams sits back and shrugs. “Sounds good to me. But
Married for A Million Dollars:.Chapter 9: all for the money . “You need new shoes.”They had just stepped onto the curb where Williams’s sleek black Mercedes was parked waiting for them—from the looks of it, it was probably triple the value of Ariana’s house. Williams had held the door open for her to slip into the back, only to hold her back with a light hand on her shoulder.She glances up at him, annoyed. “What?” “New shoes,” Williams impatiently repeats and gestures towards Ariana’s Chuck Taylors. “We’re going to one of the most notoriously expensive jewelry stores in New York and you’re wearing a pair of Converse that look like they’re begging for mercy. How will they expect you to afford it?”“That’s the thing. I can’t afford it.” Ariana shoots him a look and gets in without another word.Williams rolls his eyes and moves over to the front passenger seat. The driver’s wheel is occupied by a silent buff guy concealed behind sunglasses and a bluetooth earpiece. He barely spar
Married for A Million Dollars:.Chapter 10: selling her soul at a cost. Not only does Williams possess a pretty face and boyish charm, there’s a sense of professionalism to him that makes him sound and seem older. His handsomeness contains depth in his personality and the dignity he was raised to hold would make him stand out from a group of young adults like him. In fact, he could’ve said he was a minor and Ariana would’ve been just as smitten.She must’ve been gawking at him longer than necessary because Williams’s frown slowly turns smug. “I guess you don't give a damn about my age from the way you're checking me out."Way to ruin the moment.Ariana scowls. “Why should I care about the person I’m marrying if I’m just in for the money?”His beautiful hazel eyes waver for a second and it nearly wounds her to hear Williams mutter, “You didn't have to put it that way,” and turn away from her.“Look,” Ariana says after a moment, guiltily reaching for his arm. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean
Married for A Million Dollars:.Chapter 11: No strings attached. No strings attached.. “Ariana. Car. Now.”She could’ve easily obliged and end the discussion but riling Williams’s nerves up like this turned into a nice pasttime. So Ariana crosses her arms and flashes him an crescent-eyed smile. “Nuh uh. I’m just going to stand here and piss you off.”“Ariana Gillies, don’t tempt me,” He whispers, leaning forward. The dangerous glimmer is prominent in his hazel eyes.She gulps and uneasily glances away, eventually deciding to succumb to her command and just climb in when Williams swiftly grabs at her shoulder, pulling her by the nape against his body and effortlessly anchoring his mouth onto hers.There’s fireworks.Or—the flame that was flickering inside her erupts and sweeps across her skin like a blazing wildfire. It thoroughly stuns her into oblivion, forcing her mind to swallow out the noisy surroundings and focus on her accelerating heartbeat that pounds her ears.She’s incom
Married for A Million Dollars:.Chapter 12: only if they knew . Ariana scans the front page and suppresses a groan, palming her forehead at the ridiculous title that was plastered in the center.DINER CINDERELLA BEWITCHES MONTENEGRO PRINCE!The article rambles on to detail the story of Williams stepping into Vene’s in search of Ariana one night and went home disappointed, only to finally sit her down over breakfast and instantly fall heads over heels with her.She’s not surprised. After all the scheming and convincing Williams had done to achieve Ariana’s hand, nothing less would’ve been expected from the billionaire’s exaggerated storytelling. As phony as the article sounds, the way it was written is impressively convincing and could move anyone to tears.If only they knew.At the right is a magnified photo of her temporary engagement ring with a lot of tiny comments surrounding it. A larger shot of her and Williams passionately making out against the door of his Mercedes outside
Married for A Million Dollars:.Chapter 13: princesses and paupers alike. .Ariana had no choice but to give up her Saturday morning shift in order to attend the brunch with Williams. She’s been anticipating Walter ever since his recent trip to Yokohama but is equally terrified at the thought of Walter figuring out their scheme and then hating her for it. She’s not even sure if she can be convincing enough without sweating buckets at the breakfast table as she’s introduced to the rest of the Montenegro’s.First things first. Get to the point and ask Walter why he wants me to marry Williams and then help him feel better about it afterwards.Ariana repeats the mantra every time she remembers the plans for tomorrow but the effect of all the work the prep team had showered her in feels greatly overwhelming. She’s barely able to form complete sentences in her head as she pads over to the kitchen where her fridge has been filled with fancy groceries she’s never bought in her life. Two
Married for A Million Dollars:.Chapter 14: sweetly brief intimacies .“You’re in some deep shit, Gillies.”Holding her breath, Ariana opens her eyes and stares at her reflection for the nth time this morning.To her disappointment, Saturday does eventually come around and she’s just slipped into her outfit for the brunch with the Montenegros. Choosing the ensemble has never been easier thanks to Lance and Sandy picking out majority of the items for her.Because Walter’s seen her during her worst on many occasions, Ariana can’t figure out whether to dress casually or formally in order to prove her worth as Williams’s fiancée. In the end, she listens to Sandy’s advice and decides to go sleek yet chic—well, somewhat.A black long-sleeved tunic with an unbuttoned V-neck cinches at her waist with the help of a belt from Chanel. Paired with her shirt are slim-fitting slacks that accentuate whatever curves she’s been working on since the day her assistant signed her up for a gym membershi