I paced my room with the card in one hand and my phone in the other. This was a bad idea.
Why did I have to succumb to pressure so quickly?
Sucking up air, I picked up my phone and called him.
“Ms Hayes,” his voice reached my ears. My heart stuttered for a bit.
“I’ll do it.”
“You’ll do what?” He asked.
“I’ll be your wife for a year.”
“Smart choice.” He said smoothly.
“But I have a condition,”
“And what might that be?”
“I want a wedding ceremony.”
He went silent for a bit. “Is that necessary?”
“Yes. I know we’re already married technically but I have my reasons for wanting a proper wedding ceremony.”
“Hmm,” he hummed. I believed he was contemplating my condition.
“Is that all?”
I thought about my company’s deal. Would it seem like I was being a gold digger if I wanted to make him give us the contract?
I immediately decided against it. Him funding a wedding was enough trouble.
“Yes that’s all.”
“Good. Hire a wedding planner. Do what you need to and send me the bill.” He stated.
“Thank you.” I smiled in relief.
“One more thing. Tessa?”
I liked the way my name rolled off his tongue. It was almost endearing.
Focus. I reminded myself.
“Yeah?”
“We’re having dinner tonight. See you at seven.”
He hung up before I could respond.
That was when it dawned on me that I had just agreed to be fake married to a stranger I had a one night stand with.
My life had to be the prelude of a cliche romcom. Only thing is this was real life and there was no way this would work out.
I thought about calling Sana to let her know about my decision but then I eventually decided that it was best to let it wait until after dinner with Owen. It wasn’t finalized just yet.
I went about the rest of my Sunday, rounding up some work that came with me for the weekend.
Catching a break, I scrolled through social media and felt air knock out of my lungs when I saw pictures of Clarissa and Austin on my news feed.
She was announcing their engagement and she had the audacity to tag me! I was seething.
I definitely should have blocked them on all my socials.
I saw that she had locked the comments. Apparently, people who knew about Austin and I commented on their confusion and to save face, she stopped the comments from rolling in.
The downside is that most of these people were sending dms to ask what was going on.
I didn’t have it in me to respond so I closed the app immediately.
Sana’s call came through just then.
“You saw it?” She went straight to the point as always.
“Yup.” I said, popping the ‘p.’
“That girl is such a bitch. I can’t believe you were friends with her for that long.”
“She was there for me at a time nobody else was.” I muttered.
“But you should have known when to end the friendship. I saw through her fake ass, as soon as I met her.”
Sana has been my friend for two years. Clarissa has been my best friend for eight years at the time. They never really got along and I never understood why. I guess I saw it now but it was too late anyways.
“I’m having dinner with Owen tonight,” I said, changing the topic.
“Ooooh!” She squealed so loud I had to take the phone away from my ear.
“Jeez calm down.” I chuckled.
“Why didn’t you tell me?!”
“I’m telling you now.”
“See you in twenty.” She said and hung up.
What was it with everyone hanging up on me today?
Exactly twenty five minutes later, my doorbell rang.
“You drove down here to get deets because I said I was having dinner with Owen Carter?” I was amused.
She snapped her fingers and pointed her long nails at me. “That name right there, that’s more than enough reason to fly across the country just for deets. However, that’s not why I’m here.”
“What then are you here for?” I asked in confusion.
“To get you prepared. Duh.”
“I don’t need to-“
“Shhhh!” She hushed me quickly. I clamped my mouth shut. “Fairy godmother Sana, is here to save the day,”
“Don’t tell me you brought the toolbox.” I sighed.
She grinned. “You know I did girl.”
“Oh lord,” I muttered.
This was going to be one hell of an afternoon.
If there was one thing Sana was known for, it was going all out for beauty purposes.
Over the next few hours, she gave me a whole spa day. Did my nails, styled my hair, picked out my dress, heels and jewelry and of course did my makeup.
Even with the hours of head start, she still managed to make me a few minutes late when Owen’s driver came to get me that evening.
I looked down at the car in the building’s parking lot. It didn’t look like he was in there.
“Now that’s a fancy car…” Sana whistled.
“I know right.” I sighed.
“Well, what are you waiting for?” She asked.
“I’m nervous. I wish you could come with me.”
“Trust me Tessa, you got this. You’re looking like a snack and I’m sure he can’t wait to rip this dress off you tonight.”
My nose scrunched up. “Ewww. That was one night.”
Her loud laughter made me feel a little at ease. “Who says it can’t happen again? I know you enjoyed it.”
“I can barely remember it.” I muttered, fighting back my blush.
“You were sore in the morning. That’s a good reminder.” She winked.
“You’re unbelievable.” I laughed shaking my head at.
“Go on,” she pushed me out the door. “Have fun!”
When I got downstairs, the chauffeur was waiting for me.
“Good evening Ms Hayes.” He said as he opened the door to the backseat for me.
“Good evening,” I said as I slipped in.
I wasn’t used to this kind of treatment. I didn’t even think it would ever be possible for me to ride in a chauffeur driven vehicle on my way to a ‘date’ with a billionaire. It was crazy.
The drive was silent, except for the faint sound of soft music coming from the radio.
I stared out the window, letting the beautiful night pass my sight.
About half an hour later, he parked in front of this fancy restaurant.
I felt nervous all of a sudden as I was led to the rooftop.
When the door opened, I let out a gasp.
The drive to the Grand Central Terminal was filled with brittle silence. I pushed the secure sedan through the evening traffic. Tessa sat rigidly beside me, clutching the burner phone in her right hand like it was the only thing grounding her to reality.Her expression was deeply troubled, her delicate brows furrowed into a serious concern. She was probably feeling bad about what I made her do to Austin, manipulating her ex boyfriend for the good of my company.I felt a tight, hard twist of guilt in my chest. I hated that I had involved her in this, forcing her to leverage her own pain, but I had no choice. She was the key.She hadn't trusted me completely to let me know every bit of information she had about Austin, but she was the only one who could truly convince him. She had sold the lie to Austin perfectly. She proved she was capable of the strategic cruelty that was needed to survive my world. It was a mirror of my own professional instincts, deepening my admiration."Listen
I gripped the burner phone tighter, the plastic slick with my palm sweat.Listening to Austin's desperate denial at the other end of the phone, I pushed my voice to be cold and steady."No! She's paying me tonight!" Austin protested. He sounded like the pathetic, self pitying man I had finally walked away from."She's going to send an aide to pick up the materials, she isn't going to meet you directly." I had to sell the betrayal, make him believe Juliette was already sacrificing him. "She thinks you are a liability now Austin. The moment she gets those notes, she'll frame you for the entire leak. And Owen would make sure you never get a job anywhere else. If you don't do something, you're finished."A loud silence followed. He was contemplating his next move. I waited at the other end of the line, letting the terror I had created sink in. "There's a catch, isn't there? What do you want?" he said, the fight completely draining in his voice. "I want the notes." I said, laying out
He was leveraging the undeniable, frustrating spark between us as a weapon. I met his gaze, my mind racing on how to change the subject before this man made me do what I wasn't sure I wanted to do tonight."I know about the project from 5 years ago. I know Juliette has that." I said, desperately trying to change the subject. Austin has notes about it. If exposed, it would lead to a full show of your pasty transactions and trigger the takeover cause. Don't waste your time on a cover story and tell me the truth."Owen didn't flinch. His expression remained utterly composed, though his lust had drained from his eyes. He walked back to his desk, putting a safe distance between us."That project is called Cerberus. It was a contingency plan I established some years ago to protect the company from a different threat. It was highly illegal, yes, but I had to do it to save the company. ""Well, Juliette has your so-called contingency plan files." I said standing up. "My guess is that she h
I stared at the black access card on the dresser. Against every instinct that screamed at me to run, I knew he was right. I couldn't walk away with the knowledge I had now without becoming an immediate target for Juliette.Owen's control was suffocating, but I knew his security was absolute.With that thought in mind, I moved a few of my essentials to the master suite. The room was even bigger than the guest one, dominated by a king-sized bed and panoramic view of the city. Later that evening, I found Owen in his private study. He was completely absorbed in his work.His inky black hair was ruffled, his tie loosened to show his few unbuttoned holes in his slightly rumpled shirt. "We need to establish a cover story that is absolutely airtight for the media. Your sudden move from your apartment into the penthouse will be on the news by tomorrow morning. We can't let the media come up with any random reason." He said, barely looking up at me."What narrative do you think would sell?"
Dismissing my driver, I drove back to the penthouse at the maximum legal speed.Bridget had called shortly after the boardroom meeting with the information I asked for, confirming my worst suspicion.Austin Philp's, the desperate drunkard had done more than just cause a scene, he was Juliette's mole. I knew it! Nothing was a coincidence.I slammed the car door and took the private elevator straight to the penthouse floor. Tessa. I needed to know what she knew, if she knew anything, and I needed to protect her from whatever was coming.I found the guest suite door ajar and saw the partially packed suitcase on the bed. She was leaving. She didn't want to wait till the contract was terminated, had she heard mother in the boardroom?The surprise cut through me fast. I felt a surge of frustration, I didn't want her to leave me. "Tessa!" I called out, my voice sharp, filled with worry. She walked out of the walk-in closet, a simple black cocktail dress over her arm. Her eyes were red-ri
I froze outside the heavy oak door of the boardroom, my heart hammering against my ribs. The briefcase I came back to collect was instantly forgotten as the chilling tone of Evelyn's voice cut through the thick wood."You saw the data Owen. Her presentation was flawless. But Juliette still had a point. You created an impossible public relations nightmare. The press is already running headlines suggesting she's a high-price mistress that manipulates corporate deals. You have to end your contract with her immediately."My breath hitched. They were discussing my termination, why was I surprised?I was the clear, unavoidable liability he had created.Owen's voice was calm, maintaining the steely control I hated. "The decision on the contract is my own, mother. I will not be rushed into termination.""We have a takeover next week! You have no choice! You have to do this before you officially marry her in front of the whole world. The rival Corporation is using your personal instability to