Chapter Two

Shocking discovery 

My heart tore its way out of my chest as I experienced a sudden, incapacitating fear that felt as if I was choking on a razor blade.

I was standing right before Leonel Hamilton ...the Leonel Hamilton, one of the most sought-after bachelors in the U.S.

What on earth was going on?

Leonel was one of the most powerful and influential people in the country, a dashing billionaire whom women drooled over and had fantasies about, even though they knew they could never have him, including Arielle, one of my twin cousins.

If she had any idea that I was standing right in front of her celebrity crush, she'd have an aneurysm and fire me a rant for not taking her along. 

Leonel was a Forbes 30 under 30 member, owned a billion-dollar real estate empire and a YT channel with fifty million subscribers featuring multimillion-dollar properties. 

I began seeing spots in my vision when our gazes met. His eyes raked boldly over me, making me feel like a naked piece of meat. 

He always caught my eye whenever he appeared on TV, but nothing could ever compare to seeing him in person. He looked even better; sleek, ash-blond hair, eyes the color of the sky, sharp features. 

But there was something disapproving in his eyes that hinted that he was anything but pleased. Without speaking, the guy already had enough power to scare the shit out of me.

Shivering, my gaze landed on the way his crisp white shirt fit tightly over his broad shoulders and defined pecs. 

Dear me.

Calvin wasn't wrong when he said Leonel didn't approve of this. He was going to reject me, no doubt. He leaned against the railing while I tried hard to control my nerves by giving myself an internal pep talk.

'You can do this, Miracle. He's mortal, just like you are, made of flesh and bones, just like you. He eats, snores, farts, pisses… '

My pep talk worsened the situation. The guy made my heart tremble like a leaf, especially when he raised a brow in my direction.

The house was silent as if someone had turned off the sound system. Calvin coughed into his hand but Leonel pointedly ignored him. The longer his silence lasted, the more nervous I became. 

I tried hard to ignore the burning sensation in my cheeks that spread to every part of my body as if I were standing under a burning heat lamp. 

Several questions rang in my head. Why would someone with such a reputation need a fake girlfriend? It didn't make any sense to me. The sheer shock of being in the presence of such a powerful man was enough to make me faint.

"Phew, that was quite the reaction. What do you think?"Calvin grinned, breaking the silence that engulfed us.

Leonel's mouth pinched in irritation as he crossed his arms."Seriously, Calvin? Of all the girls in the world, you chose her? Were you so lazy that you couldn't find my match?"

How…rude.

The sounds around me became muffled as if I was wearing earplugs. Calvin chuckled, nudging Leonel playfully. 

"My bad, Leo. Would you prefer a greedy actress in Beverly Hills and after the contract, she blackmails you? If yes, there are lots of clients willing to take her place. There's this chick, Jennifer, whose entire career depends on sucking billionaire dicks and secretly recording their sex tape, and there's Rosa, who is great at seducing men with her Brazilian butt implant the size of a mattress."

"Stop, Cal," Leonel side-eyed him and gave me a cold look, making me like him a little less. 

"Hear me out, dude… you're too famous. We don't need anyone who would try to blackmail them in the end. This is just a contract."

"Why did you accept this gig?" Leonel asked me flatly. "And don't give me any generic answer."

Clearing my throat, I sucked in a deep breath, hoping I wouldn't stutter.

"All answers are in my file."

Leonel looked shocked by my response. His lips curled with an edge before facing an amused Calvin.

"Did you tell her?"

Tell me what?

"Nope, but it's the first paragraph in the contract," Calvin said.

"I need you to read it in my presence. She must understand how serious this criteria is. Let each letter sink into her head."

My thoughts swirled around my mind like a tornado. Even before Calvin spelled it out like ABC that falling in love with Leonel would disqualify me, I had a bad feeling about this assignment.

"That's not a problem, Mr Hamilton. My emotions are in check. Plus you aren't even my spec."

Calvin's hand flew to his mouth after a hyena-sounding laugh escaped his lips. Leonel however was pissed.

"Excuse me, was that response for me?"

Oh, golly. Now he was going to kick me out. 

"I'm so sorry, sir. I expected you to be relieved knowing that I won't screw this up. This is purely business and I have no intention of doing otherwise."

Leonel sucked his teeth and threw a glance at Calvin before looking straight back at me, his eyes sweeping over my body.

"I'd appreciate that very much, although I'm not easily swayed by pretty vows. Let's see if you're capable of keeping up with your promise. Also, you might want to watch your words. I don't appreciate my staff talking back to me."

I nodded, staring at my shoes. When I lifted my head, Calvin looked somewhat disappointed that I let Leonel overpower me. I noticed a smirk playing on Leonel's lips which disappeared almost immediately.

"Well, I guess that solves it. I'm sorry to leave you two alone with each other, but I have an important date with a toilet bowl. I'll be back in a flush!" Calvin announced and walked away, leaving Leonel and me in an uncomfortable silence. 

I held onto the railing of the step, trying to steady myself as Leonel's sharp and assessing eyes stared at me. There was a faint glint of humor in his eyes, and it made me feel uncomfortable.

"So, what's your name?" he asked with nonchalance, his mouth spreading into a thin-lipped smile. 

"Miracle," I lowered my voice.

He bit his lip to stifle a grin but failed when his mouth curved into an unconscious smile. No surprise there. My name was weird. 

"Your parents ran short of names for you?"

His mocking tone irritated me, but I tried to hide it, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of knowing he'd gotten under my skin.

"Your assignment begins tomorrow," he said with an air of dismissal and turned to leave. "Keep acting like a high school girl who just met her crush and I'll be glad to send you back home."

He was doing this to tear me down and I wasn't going to fall for it. I didn't care if he was rich or handsome. I needed the damn money. Leonel seemed to have it all - looks, money, but a shitty, arrogant personality.

"I promise not to let you down." 

Leonel smirked and without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there. 

"I don't like him," I said to Calvin when he returned. 

He let out a hearty laugh, his eyes crinkling with amusement. It was contagious and I shook my head in amusement.

"Now listen here, sugar, don't you forget that he's your boss, so you best be on your best behavior. If you need that money real bad, you best put in some extra elbow grease to make sure you're pleasing him. Come have dinner with us" 

"Nah, I don't think I should. Your boss doesn't like me."

"Remember he said you should prove yourself. Chickening away proves he's right."

I wanted to respond when a young, beautiful woman walked into the room, capturing everyone's attention with her striking Arabian look. 

Her hair was styled in an updo with a signature perfume lingering in the air. Wearing a black jumpsuit and strappy stilettos, she was a vision of beauty and grace. 

"Hi baby," she purred and rushed to hug Leonel. "I missed you. Why didn't you call me when you returned?"