~~~~~That morning, Eric woke up feeling unusually excited. Today was the day he would meet Diana in Canada, and he could hardly contain his anticipation. Fully dressed, he stepped out of his room, hoping to find his so-called wife ready and waiting. Instead, he encountered his butler.“Good morning, sir,” the man said, offering a weary smile despite his age.“Morning,” Eric replied, distractedly adjusting his suit.“Your luggage is already in the car, sir,” the butler informed him.“Ah… I see.”“But I’m afraid the madam has not yet woken up,” he added.Eric raised an eyebrow, momentarily confused. “My mother isn’t coming with us, if that’s what you mean.”“Oh, no, sir. I’m not talking about Mrs. Nora,” the butler clarified.“Then who are you referring to?” Eric asked.“I’m tal
~~~~~Finally, they arrived in Canada, and just as Eric had commanded, the jet touched down on the grounds of the penthouse. Like his other properties, this one was breathtaking, complete with a swimming pool on one side, a bar on the other, and a stunning fountain—it was truly a sight to behold.While the guards and maids busied themselves with our bags, I took my time, soaking in the extravagant view of the penthouse. As I approached the staircase leading inside, Eric suddenly pushed past me, nearly knocking me off my feet without so much as a “sorry.”“Hey, watch it! Are you trying to get me killed, is that why we are here?” I demanded, but instead of an apologetic look, he shot me an indifferent glare.“Asshole,” I murmured, shaking my head as I climbed the stairs again.When I reached the top, the driver was waiting alongside an elderly woman who smiled warmly at me. I returned her smile, feeling a bit
~~~~We arrived at the room Mrs. Lola had recommended, and just as she said, it was better—spacious, airy, and filled with natural light.“It’s good. I like it,” I commented, taking in the room’s elegance.“I’m glad, ma’am,” she smiled warmly. “What would you like me to prepare for dinner?”“Dinner?” I glanced at the wall clock; it was barely past 4. “Nothing, I’m not hungry, maybe later. But right now, all I need is a bath and then straight to bed.”“As you wish, ma’am, but if you change your mind, just let me know.”“Sure. Thank you,” I replied.“You’re welcome, ma’am,” she said before slipping quietly out of the room.After unpacking, I indulged in a hot bath, letting the warmth melt away every bit of tension from the day. Soon after, I slipped into bed, and as my head hit the
~~~~I wasn’t thinking of anything as I made my way down the hall. My head was foggy, my mind blank. What was there to think about? Eric and I didn’t like each other; we could barely tolerate one another’s presence. I had been hired to play the part of his wife, and now that he’d told me to quit, I was ready to walk away. Sure, I might not find another gig that paid this well, but the money they owed me would help me get started for a while. Maybe I’d even try my hand at acting for real. It wouldn’t be easy, but it would be a start.Hurrying back to my room, I felt hot tears streaming down my face, and I couldn’t stop them. Why did it hurt so much? His words shouldn’t have affected me; they shouldn’t have meant anything. But they did.I collapsed onto my bed and cried my eyes out. From that moment on, everything changed between us. We barely spoke, didn’t eat together, and avoided looking each other in the eye. I stayed holed up in my room, only venturing out for fresh air. This silen
~~~~I pulled on black leather pants, a fitted turtleneck, and high-top black sneakers. My hair hung loose down my back as I made my way downstairs, feeling nothing but a cold emptiness. I handed James a slip of paper with my bank details. “Here’s my account number. You said five times the pay, right?”“Right.” He gave me a questioning look. “So, does that mean I was right about everything?”I let out a low laugh. “I don’t know, James… why don’t you find out? But before we go anywhere, I want my account filled. Now.”He smirked, but I could see the flash of annoyance in his eyes. “Fine. I’ll pay you ten billion dollars—half now, half when you’re done.”Ten billion. If he could casually throw out that amount, I knew he had much more stashed away. “Fifteen billion,” I said, meeting his gaze without flinching. “And I want the full amount upfront. I don’t trust you.”He gritted his teeth but nodded. “Fine. But we need to leave now.” He looked around, nervous, as if someone was watching.“
Continuation****James pushed the car to its limits, speeding through the empty streets to make it to the press conference on time. His phone buzzed relentlessly, but he refused to let it break his focus. He glanced at the caller ID—Eric, of course—but ignored it. When he did answer briefly, he remained silent, waiting for Eric to give up before the line went dead.Beside him in the passenger seat sat Mary, his brother's so-called wife, quiet and unreadable. He cast a quick look at her, thoughts churning. She’d agreed to help him, and for that, he was grateful—or maybe just lucky. But how far could he actually trust her? Once the truth came out, she’d be useless to him. She’d already sold Eric out without a second thought; he wondered, with a bitter smirk, how quickly she’d turn on him too if the price was right. He could see her for what she was—a hustler, someone born from the streets, loyal only t
~~~~~I laughed, relishing the sound of his anger on the other end. “Woo, brother, calm down. No need to shout,” James said, his voice taunting. “See, that’s where you’re wrong. I didn’t kidnap or drag her as you’re thinking—she came with me of her own free will.”A long silence stretched from the other end. “Nonsense… My wife would never—” Eric’s voice started, but James cut him off.“Wife?” James laughed the sound sharp and mocking. “Please. You and I both know she’s not really your wife. She admitted it to me, and now, soon enough, the whole world will know.”Another silence, but this time there was a tension in it. Eric’s voice, wary, asked, “What are you talking about, James? What do you mean the whole world will know?”Bastard, I cursed inwardly as I yanked the phone from James's ear. “What he means, assho
~~~~But the media wasn’t the only one on edge; Eric and Nora Black were perched on the edge of their seats as they each watched the big screen from their respective homes. They knew that if the world were to find out about what they had done, it would spell disaster for their family for generations to come.The moment the press asked Mary about her marriage to the Blacks, Nora felt her heart leap into her throat. “No… I can’t watch this,” she said, pushing herself up from her seat. “Or I’ll die of a heart attack. I can’t believe I trusted her enough to choose her. I thought she was different. How could she do this to me?” she cursed. “I’m going to ruin her,” she swore, storming over to the bar. Pouring herself a drink—one that was high in alcohol—she muttered, “If this whole thing doesn’t kill me, I hope this wine does,” before downing the entire bottle.In Ca
~~~~~~I continue staring at my mother, unsure of what to say or even how to react.This is insane.I mean… I only just introduced Eric as my boss. Just my boss. The man who’s offering us an opportunity that could change everything. And she already hates him?Sighing, I spoke in a softer tone, “Mom… he’s the man you’ll be working for, starting today. How can you not like him?”“Just because I’m working for him doesn’t mean I have to like him,” she fired back, her eyes still locked on me, sharp and unrelenting. “Like I said—boss or no boss.”“What?” I blinked, trying to wrap my head around it. “What exactly happened out there?” I asked, hoping she'd explain whatever it was that triggered her.“Enough, Mary!” she snapped, loudly. “I don’t like him, and I don’t owe you an e
~~~~~~“This isn’t just between you and me,” he continued. “This is about the Enterprise as a whole. My decisions affect the entire future of the company. To officially sign you as a partner, I’d need the approval and signature of every board member. And while I could demand it, I think it’s best if they see why you deserve it—on your own merit—not just because of whom you are to me.”I swallowed slowly, feeling a strange mix of pride and pressure.“So for now,” he added, straightening up and turning toward my parents, “everything else you’ll need for the process will be made available.”Then he addressed them directly, his tone professional, “Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, for your salaries, you’ll each be paid $3,000 monthly.”My parents gasped at the figure—shocked beyond words.“What?” Mom blinked.“That’s mu&
~~~~~~Even if his tone was challenging, I still had to say my piece—or this would all be for nothing.I took a deep breath and stood up from my seat. Quietly, I walked over to my parents and sat down beside them. If I was going to talk business with him—as a Johnson—then I needed to sit on the right side of the table. It was a small move, but one that mattered.From the corner of my eye, I caught Eric frown at my sudden movement, though he quickly masked it with a calm expression.Too late. I saw it.And I smiled.“Okay… here’s what I propose,” I said, placing the contract documents squarely on the table. “First of all, I’d like to be regarded as a partner in the Black Enterprise—not some rented employee,” I said firmly, letting every word land with meaning.He blinked. “What? That’s not possible, and you know it,” he said, clearly caught off guard.“Do I?” I asked, tilting my head. “Maybe you don’t see a future in this kind of business, let alone believe in signing a contract like t
~~~~~~After spending over an hour going through the terms and conditions of the binding contract, I took a deep breath and smiled warmly at both my mom and dad, who were still sitting there, quietly gazing at me in awe.Without anyone saying a word, I could already tell—they were impressed.Not just with the whole business talk, but with me. And honestly, that silent approval from them… it hit different.Eric, my man—my secret husband—kept gently tugging at my thigh from under the table, a small but meaningful gesture of support. I didn’t look at him, but I felt it. And that was enough.I turned to face my parents again. “Before we wrap things up… do you have any questions?” I asked, keeping my tone formal but kind.My mother was the first to blink out of the trance. “Well, we have plenty of questions,” she said with a short, dry laugh, one of those laughs that makes you pause for a second and think, Uh-oh.I raised a brow at her calmly.“But,” she continued, her voice filled with th
~~~~~~“Yes… the CEO is in the car, so we can’t keep him waiting,” I told my father, trying not to let my growing frustration show.Suddenly, my mother reached for my hand. “Okay then… drive with us,” she said quickly. “Since the place isn’t that far, he can go on his own. You’ll ride with us.”Wait—what?“Seriously, Mother?” I blinked at her.“Yes,” she insisted. “Ride with us. He can drive alone.”“Oh, for heaven’s sake.” I sighed and gently peeled her fingers from mine. “I don’t know what you’re thinking, but please… don’t. It’s not healthy.” I turned to Dad, forcing a smile. “We’ll wait for you to follow behind. See you there.” Without waiting for a response, I walked back to the car.Opening the door, I slid in and shut it firmly behind me, the
~~~~~~He looked completely shocked—like the idea of coming with me had never even crossed his mind. Seriously? Did he really think I’d go alone? So much for standing by me.“Why do you look like that?” I asked, narrowing my eyes. “You are coming. You're the boss, remember? You're the one discussing the contract. I’m just the middle woman—the one who connected you guys.”“But…” he scratched the back of his head, visibly nervous, “you’re the actual boss, Mary. The land belongs to you, not me.”“I know,” I replied calmly, “but I also know my parents. They’ll only take this seriously if it looks official—if it feels like a real business deal and not some favor from their daughter. They’ll work their hardest if they know it’s a proper contract and they’re earning from it.”Eric looked like he wanted to argue, but I reached for his hand.“I already planned to pay them for their work, but they won’t take my money. You know how they are. Please… do this for me. Just play the part, okay?”“Yo
~~~~We moved from the dining table, our fingers meshed together, silent but connected.The house felt quieter now that Nora had left, and maybe that’s why my heart beat louder. Every step toward the sofa felt heavier than it should have.Eric dropped onto the big white couch, casually leaning back like he had no idea my brain was in knots. I sat beside him and faced him fully.“I… I don’t really know how to say this,” I started, voice low. “But I was wondering… that piece of land you showed me the other day—does it still belong to me? Is the contract still valid?”His reaction was instant, but not what I expected.“Huh?” he muttered, staring at me with a strange, unreadable expression. His brows drew together slightly, but it wasn’t confusion—it was something else. Something darker.What the hell?That look alone made my stomach tighten. He’s
~~~~~~Eric collapsed onto the bed, breathing hard, his chest rising and falling like he’d just run a marathon. He dragged a hand through his hair, dazed and a little stunned. He had never—never—done something like this before.Not even back when he was single. Masturbation? That just hadn’t been his thing. He’d never needed it. But tonight? Tonight was different.Who would've guessed that giving someone else so much pleasure could leave him this breathless, this wrecked?He sighed, turning his head to glance at Mary—curled up beside him, flushed, glowing, looking like something out of a dream. And the way she moaned his name… the way she came undone beneath him like he was the only man in the world who could make her feel that way…“Damn,” he muttered under his breath.He wasn’t just drained—he was gone for her. Emoti
~~~~Or so I thought.When I woke up the next morning, my entire body was sore—like every muscle was personally protesting the wild passion of the night before.“Ouch,” I winced, slowly turning my head to the side.There he was, Eric—sleeping peacefully beside me. He looked like an angel. Honestly, since we got married, this was the first time I had the chance to really just look at him while he slept. No business calls, no press, no drama—just him, wrapped in soft sheets and peace.I blushed, memories of last night flooding back in a rush of heat.Gently, I slipped out of bed and tiptoed into the bathroom like a mischievous teenager sneaking off after curfew.After a long, hot bath, I stood in front of the mirror and blinked. “Wow… that’s a lot of bite marks,” I muttered, lightly touching one on my collarbone. My skin looked flushed and... well-loved.Then I reali