The Billionaire’s Bargain

The Billionaire’s Bargain

last updateLast Updated : 2024-09-27
By:  EuniceXoOngoing
Language: English
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Brandon Martinez has vowed never to get married. He enjoys a life devoid of commitment and filled with blonde models and contracts worth billions of dollars. Brandon is ready to go on living this way until his mother makes an announcement that rocks his world. Natalie Hayes is a simple girl from a small island in Louisiana. She has just lost her father, the only family she's ever had. She moves to Seattle, Washington in search of a new life and resumes work at the infamous Giancarlo restaurant owned by the wealthy Martinez family. A timely occurrence causes Rebecca Martinez, Brandon's mother to notice her and insist that she marry her son. Brandon has no intention of getting married, but even if he were to consider it, how could he stoop to the level of an impoverished waitress? Natalie just wants a simple life. Can she handle the responsibility and glamour that comes with being a Martinez? Can she stand Brandon's snobbery? Brandon and Natalie are two worlds apart. They are two broken people with hidden secrets. They'd never work. Or would they?

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Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

My whole life is about to be a hell of a rollercoaster. I stare at the beautifully dressed woman standing before me with a resolute look and for the second time this morning, I find myself unable to utter a word. The chairwoman of the Martinez empire is standing before me and announcing in front of the entire staff of Giancarlo- which is only one of the many establishments that her family owns- that she wants me to marry her son!

I count to five in my head and try to steady my breath to form a sentence. "Ma'am, I can't possibly marry your son. I don't... I can't... I don't know...."

"Nonsense!" She says pleasantly. "You don't know my son but you must have seen pictures of him all over the news. He's the sort of man that any girl would be happy to get married to."

She's not wrong, I know. Brandon Martinez is the heartthrob of Seattle, Washington. He is 6ft tall, built like a Greek god, and controls an empire worth billions of dollars. Who wouldn't want to be with a man like that? The problem is, Brandon, is rumored to be dating a different woman every week, all of them, models and actresses. The man is way out of my league and I know it. Also, he and I have never met before! We couldn't possibly get married.

Hailey, one of the waitresses and my best friend nudges me out of my reverie. I've been keeping the chairwoman waiting too long. "Ma'am, can I possibly get some time to think this through?" I ask in a squeaky voice that I do not recognize as mine.

"Certainly" She chimes happily. "I will be back here tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" I ask in horror. I asked for time to think things through and she's saying she'll be back tomorrow. I can't possibly make such a huge decision in such a short time.

Without waiting to respond to any more questions, the chairwoman turns on her heels with her bodyguards flanking her and heads towards her car. The moment she's out of the door, I feel my insides turn to jelly. Everyone starts to murmur about what just happened and Hailey rushes to my side to prevent anyone from giving me trouble but I can feel their stares. Mariah, the manager of Giancarlo is looking at me like she's about to strangle me. I have no idea why that woman hates me so much.

"Everyone, back to your jobs! We open in ten minutes." Mariah's voice rings loud as a bell. We all scurry back to our places but the chairwoman's announcement is all that everyone can talk about. It isn't until evening, when her shift is over, that Hailey walks up to me in the kitchen where I'm kneading a giant dough.

"Well, well, if it isn't the star of Giancarlo," she says.

I give her a stern look to shut her up but she just laughs it off.

"Come on. I want to hear everything."

"There's nothing to tell"

"Don't even start with me, Natalie. What do you mean there's nothing to tell? Rebecca Martinez, chairwoman of the Martinez empire walks into this restaurant to ask you in front of everyone to marry her son, who by the way, is one hell of a catch and you say there's nothing to tell?"

"Shhhh! Keep your voice down, Hailey. You're calling attention to us." I say in a hushed tone.

"Girl, you better start talking before I bring the whole staff into this kitchen with my voice"

"Hailey" I whine. "I'm working! I need to focus"

"Nat, you and I know you can knead that dough with your eyes closed. Spill already!!" She shrieks.

"Fine, fine. Look, when I met her, I had no idea she was Rebecca Martinez. She walked into this place looking deathly pale one night and I just helped take care of her. That's all." I finish but Hailey continues to give me a blank stare that I know means she's expecting details.

In truth, I only met the chairwoman by chance last week. Although my job description says assistant chef, Mariah sees to it that many other menial jobs in the kitchen fall to me. This means that sometimes, I stay back to clean the kitchen after everyone is gone. I complained once but Mariah asked me to leave if I thought it unfair. Of course, she knows I can't leave. She literally made me grovel for this job before employing me.

It was one of those nights. Hailey was off duty that day so she couldn't stay back to help me clean. I heard someone hit the restaurant door and stepped out of the kitchen to check. What I saw outside the restaurant was a very ill looking woman curled up on the floor.

Feeling skeptical and scared, I went towards her and saw that she was breathing heavily. Under her breath, I heard her whisper the word, "hospital". I immediately helped her to a position that allowed her to rest her back on the door, then, rushed back inside to get my bag and lock up the restaurant. After calling for a ride, I rushed her to a hospital not so far from Giancarlo. I didn't go home that night. I stayed back to ensure that she was fine. I had never met the woman before but I felt connected to her somehow.

When she woke up the next morning, I was at her side. Her coloring was better, and she was able to tell me what had happened. Apparently, the chairwoman had been robbed. The robbers had shot her driver and pushed them both out of the car, making away with the car and some money. Because they hadn't been far from Giancarlo, the chairwoman had managed to crawl to the restaurant. All this time, however, she didn't mention to me that she owned Giancarlo.

We talked some, and she told me she ran her own company but how was I supposed to know that she was the chairwoman? When the doctor confirmed that she was fine and would be ready to be discharged that evening, I hugged her and asked her to take my leave. For the first time since my father's death, I felt a true connection to an older person. She took down my contact and promised to put a call through to me and I'd been waiting to hear from her since then.

When she walked into Giancarlo today with two bodyguards at her side, I thought she'd come to see me and I ran to say hello. Imagine my shock when Mariah walked up to us and started bowing and sucking up to her. I was even more surprised when all members of staff came out to greet her with reverence.

Call me slow, but I didn't catch up until she told me who she was. Being the most recent employee at Giancarlo, I was the only one who didn't know her. At that moment, I wanted the ground beneath my feet to open up so I could make a quiet exit.

All the while as I narrate the entire story to Hailey, I see her expression go from shock to humor to pity and then again to humor. All of a sudden, she stops laughing and gives me a serious look.

"You have to agree to her offer!" She says gravely and my mouth falls open.

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33 ratings · 33 reviews
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Gwyneth
Love it ...️
2024-09-07 17:50:50
1
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Good girl
I can’t wait for more chapters
2024-08-11 06:37:23
1
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Vik Hernández
Awesome story...️
2024-07-27 15:35:59
1
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Alade Barakat
So interesting
2024-07-22 19:43:59
1
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Orejay
This is really nice ...️
2024-07-18 22:30:50
1
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Akintayo Olufunke
Brandon is getting on my nerves ...
2024-07-18 02:48:13
1
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Good girl
Great read. I highly recommend
2024-07-14 17:32:04
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Debra Phillip
Interesting storyline
2024-07-13 20:38:51
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Anna Pee
Nice story
2024-07-13 17:32:24
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Lydia Phillips
This is so beautiful .........
2024-07-13 16:48:17
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Scarlette
Amazing book..love it
2024-07-13 16:16:30
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tanny-precious
Interesting book. I love this
2024-07-13 15:37:41
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Essence
awesome story
2024-07-13 14:53:43
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Benny09
A must read...
2024-07-13 14:20:50
3
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Bibi
interesting
2024-07-13 13:57:04
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58 Chapters
CHAPTER ONE
My whole life is about to be a hell of a rollercoaster. I stare at the beautifully dressed woman standing before me with a resolute look and for the second time this morning, I find myself unable to utter a word. The chairwoman of the Martinez empire is standing before me and announcing in front of the entire staff of Giancarlo- which is only one of the many establishments that her family owns- that she wants me to marry her son! I count to five in my head and try to steady my breath to form a sentence. "Ma'am, I can't possibly marry your son. I don't... I can't... I don't know...." "Nonsense!" She says pleasantly. "You don't know my son but you must have seen pictures of him all over the news. He's the sort of man that any girl would be happy to get married to." She's not wrong, I know. Brandon Martinez is the heartthrob of Seattle, Washington. He is 6ft tall, built like a Greek god, and controls an empire worth billions of dollars. Who wouldn't want to be with a man like that? Th
last updateLast Updated : 2024-06-18
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CHAPTER TWO
I stare at Hailey for a few seconds before returning my focus to the dough I'm kneading. "Are you crazy?""No, I'm not. It's you who would be crazy to reject the chairwoman's offer.""What the hell are you even talking about, Hailey? I've never even met the woman's son.""What does it matter?""What doesn't it?"Before Hailey can respond, Alfredo, the head chef with a temper issue directs a string of Italian gibberish my way while flailing his hands. I know he's talking to me about hurrying up with the dough but I intentionally ignore him. Hailey walks to the sink to wash her hands and help me cut the dough into small sizes. Usually, there are three assistant chefs in the kitchen but Callum called in sick this morning and yet another employee who couldn't stand Alfredo's terrible temper quit yesterday. If Alfredo wasn't such a great chef, I'd probably hate him too but in truth, I am actually fond of him. As we cut the dough into pizza sizes, Hailey picks up the conversation."Natalie,
last updateLast Updated : 2024-06-18
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CHAPTER THREE
After Brandon leaves, the chairwoman brushes his insult off as childish exuberance and asks me to do the same. Well, easy for her to say but the man that walked out of this room was certainly no child. She ushers me to the dining room and we eat quietly. With servants on both sides of the dining table, all of our needs are met to.In my head, I start to think of what it would mean if I lived like this every day of my life. In all honesty, I believe that it would be exhausting. I like the simple life that I lead and with Brandon's obvious contempt for me, I make up my mind while enjoying the heavenly chocolate cake dessert to turn down the chairwoman's offer.Back at home, I sleep the rest of the day off after the chairwoman's driver drops me off. A loud, incessant knock at the door wakes me up in the evening. With sleepy eyes, I head towards the door. Hailey stands at my door ready to burst with excitement."Tell me everything!" She shrieks.I shrug as I let her in and close the door
last updateLast Updated : 2024-06-18
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CHAPTER FOUR
The first thing I see when I open my eyes is a huge pair of eyes staring closely into mine. Drawing air into my lungs, I let out a loud scream and flail my hands at my supposed attacker."Oh, just shut the hell up!" Brandon's exasperated command causes me to cease screaming. My breathing is ragged as I try to sit up on the feather-soft bed I lay on."What is wrong with you?" He asks."What?""First, you faint right after I kiss you. Now, you open your eyes to the sight of me and the first thing you do is scream. What exactly is wrong with you, tell me."He places a leg on the bedside chair as he waits for me to respond."Water""What?""I need water," I say with a raspy voice.With anger evident in his every movement, Brandon pulls a switch behind me and a maid scurries inside."Get the lady some water," he says and has the maid scurrying back out. She comes back in with a glass of water which I accept and smile kindly at her. Thank God I don't have to live like this, I think. All my
last updateLast Updated : 2024-06-18
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CHAPTER FIVE
The wedding is a quiet affair. True to Brandon's words, it happens three weeks after our discussion. While the Martinez family is duly represented by the chairwoman, aunties, and uncles I didn't know existed and Anthony, Brandon's best friend, Hailey is the only person I have with me. After we leave the court, everyone heads towards the Martinez empire where the lush garden has been decorated beautifully for the wedding ceremony.Several people try to strike up a conversation with me but I am not interested. I just stand next to Brandon and smile politely at them while willing the entire ceremony to be over. In truth, it is not that I am completely averse to this marriage, it is the celebrations that bother me. Why put so much effort into something that isn't real? Although there are only a total of 50 guests at the wedding ceremony, it is evident that so much has been spent to uphold a standard of luxury.When people finally start to leave, I breathe a sigh of relief and try to loose
last updateLast Updated : 2024-06-18
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CHAPTER SIX
With my breath hitched in my throat, I slowly unwrap my arms from around Brandon's waist. His tone is icy enough to chill me to the marrow. My face takes on a look of genuine confusion when I see the utter disgust on his face.He takes a few steps back and crosses his arms over his chest. "I don't need you to be the sort of wife that I deserve, Natalie. I only need you to keep to your end of the bargain."My mouth hangs open. What is wrong with this man? Here I am feeling sad for him and his auto response is disrespect? Trying hard to shove down the embarrassment that I feel, I count to five in my head and head to the bathroom. Better to remember that Brandon went through a childhood that shaped him into a hard man.I turn on the shower and let the water flow. Now that I know how Brandon's childhood was, I can understand why he is so hard wrung. Of course, I can't let him know that I know. If he suspects that I pity him, he is bound to become defensive and push me further away.When I
last updateLast Updated : 2024-07-02
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CHAPTER SEVEN
Breakfast goes by in a blur. The chairwoman is chirpy and excited, talking about our honeymoon and living arrangements. Unfortunately, neither Brandon nor I are interested in talking about our future together. After breakfast, the chairwoman tells us that she has to be at an orphanage for a charity event. At first, I'm bothered that I'd have to spend the day alone with Brandon but he leaves the house almost immediately after his mom.Alone with barely anything to do, I start to wander around the house. God, this house is so big, I feel like I can get lost inside it. In the kitchen, three maids are scurrying around, preparing what I suspect is lunch for the family. They are startled when they see me in the kitchen, but I smile nicely and ask for their names. Because I can tell that they're uncomfortable and distracted by my presence, I do not spend too much time there but go to find the butler, Miguel.Although he is initially unwilling to converse with me like an equal, he soon lets d
last updateLast Updated : 2024-07-03
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CHAPTER EIGHT
With my hand still resting lightly on Robin's arm, I swallow before turning to face Brandon fully. What is he even doing here? I try to form words but I am unable to. It's not like I have anything to be scared of or to feel guilty for but I still find myself taking a step back from Brandon's menacing stare. "Come on, wife. Silence is no way to greet your husband. Especially in front of a stranger. I wonder, does he know that you are married?" My eyes dart frantically to where Hailey was but I can't find her. The realization of what this situation looks like suddenly hits me. But hey, Brandon is a rational man, isn't he? Surely he'll understand that I couldn't possibly be out here cheating on him less than a week after our wedding. "Hi, Brandon. What are you doing here?" I ask in a squeaky voice that I do not recognize as mine. He looks me up and down with a smirk plastered on his face. "I own the place, Natalie. Now, how about you introduce me to your friend here." His smirk ta
last updateLast Updated : 2024-07-04
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CHAPTER NINE
I don't know what I expected to find, but it certainly isn't the hundreds of reporters and photographers standing outside Giancarlo and taking pictures. I stare at them from inside the building not knowing what to do. What do they want? "You should go out and speak to them, Natalie," Hailey says. "How can I? What would I say? How do they even know I'm here?" I go back to my office upstairs while Hailey tries to get them to leave. When they wouldn't budge, I finally succumbed and put a call through to Brandon. He makes it to Giancarlo in less than an hour, and somehow, manages to push through the crowd of reporters and get into my office, where I'm sitting on the sofa with Hailey. "What do they want?" I ask as soon I see him. He puts one hand in his pocket and runs the other through his midnight dark hair. "To speak to you. This happens now and then." "Why?" "Why?" He throws his hands upward and continues. "You just married one of the most eligible bachelors in Seattle. Of
last updateLast Updated : 2024-07-05
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CHAPTER TEN
Brandon's plan worked perfectly. Like he said, we gave the press something to chew on. Our pictures are splashed all over magazines and people actually believe that there is love or at least between us. I mean, who wouldn't? I watched the video too, and what I saw left me embarrassed. Brandon and I looked like a couple head over heels in love, and me? The video showed my knees buckling after the kiss, and Brandon's arm steadying me. I was looking up at him like a lovesick puppy! Lovesick? I mean, I don't even like the man! For several days after, Brandon and I continue to avoid each other. Of course, I know why he's been keeping his distance. He thought that the kiss might have stirred up emotions in me that are best left unstirred. But I'm not a child. I don't need someone to make assumptions about what I feel and what I do not. Whatever reaction I had that day was an in the moment thing. I could never fall in love with Brandon. As the days go by, I feel my anger continue to build.
last updateLast Updated : 2024-07-05
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