Chapter 1

"I need a wife, Leo, I need it urgently."

Sitting in the back seat of his luxury limousine on the way to Starbucks, as if it were the only place people could meet, Theo Smith looked at his watch. He was annoyed by Leo's mocking smile. "Then just pick one and take it to the altar," he told Jose. This spontaneously uttered advice from his best friend would certainly make sense if Theo trusted the women he was seeing. Unfortunately, it is not.

"So I risk losing everything?" You know me well enough to know that I will never let my emotions disturb me in something as important as a marriage contract.

”That is exactly what he needed. An ordinary contract. A one-year business agreement in which both parties win. And then everyone goes their own way and they never have to see each other again. "Any of the women you see would be overjoyed to sign that prenuptial agreement with you." Theo considered such a possibility. But he had worked hard on his reputation as a heartless bastard to spoil it now by pretending to be in love with a woman who needed to do nothing but stand with Josephine in front of the registrar.

"I need a woman who will agree with my life plan, not the one I like at all. Even if only physically. ”

“ And you're sure a dating agency is a right address for that? ”

“ They don't make love dates, they pair people. ”

“ What's the difference? ”

“ That your agency he finds a person who will fit into your life, not your love plan. ”

“ How romantic. ”Leo's quiet sarcasm sounded like a loud sob.

"Looks like I'm not the only one in this situation." Leo laughed.

"Really," he murmured.

"I'm sorry, but I don't know any person of your reputation and wealth who is planning such a scam, doing business with a completely unknown man." How do you know you can trust Josephine? ”

“ The character has great recommendations. By the way, he's a successful businessman who helps men in a similar situation to mine. "

" What's his name? "

" Jose Miller. "

" Never heard of Jose. "In front of a traffic light at an intersection, not far from where he was supposed to be. Theo meets that businessman, there is a traffic jam. It's only been a few seconds since the meeting was scheduled. Hell, I hate being late, Theo thought.

"I have to be on time." "I hope you know what you're doing."

"You know I'm a businessman, Leo." His friend sighed deeply, expressing his disagreement.

"I know that. But that's why you're a total layman for love. ”

“ Fuck you. ”But no matter how much he disagreed with Leo, Theo knew his friend was right. "I will, but with a woman. You're not my type. ”Theo's driver jumped out of the column to get through the green light. Recklessly and arrogantly, just as the boss asked Josephine too. "See you tonight for a drink." After the conversation was over, Theo slipped the phone into the pocket of his expensive jacket and leaned back in his seat. So he won't be on time. A man in his position could be free to be late for more than half an hour, and the one who is waiting for Josephine just waves his hand and says that everything is fine because, in fact, he is early. Much trusted the final results of this meeting. Finding a wife with the aid of using the cease of the week to maintain the own circle of relatives estate, identify, and the relaxation of her father's fortune - it all depended on a man named Josephine Miller. He sincerely hoped that the owner of that agency, who was recommended to Josephine by his secretary, understood his problems well. If not, Theo may have to consider marrying Jacqueline, or maybe even Vanessa. Jacqueline has always loved her freedom more than his money. But since she had two other lovers next to Josephine, he quickly wrote her off. So Vanessa is left. A beautiful blonde, who has already ridden the wave to become an ex due to hints that she wants to be the only one. He didn't want to fool her. He is a heartless bastard, but he has never been cruel. Some of his exes would probably disagree with this claim, and the tabloids have long labeled Josephine an arrogant and calculated type, but if they had sniffed a little and found out the truth, they could have made a good joke out of his numerous affairs. The reality, however, has no mercy on anyone, and Theo knew very well that his fake marriage would have to look real in order for his late father's lawyers to be satisfied. Neil parked the luxury black limousine right next to the curb in front of Starbucks and hurried out to open the door to his boss. As he got out of the car, Theo stopped at the entrance to the cafe with a leather briefcase in his hand, ignoring the many heads that turned toward Josephine. As he glanced across the tables to see a man named Josephine Miller, the smell of freshly ground coffee filled his nostrils. Theo imagined Josephine as a businessman in a dark suit and tie, holding a thick folder with information about possible brides. Since he did not see anyone like Josephine in the first attempt, he took off his sunglasses and once again looked over the entire cafe. Two young people were sitting at a table next to the shop window, sipping coffee, each behind the screen of their laptop. At another table, a middle-aged man in Bermuda shorts and a T-shirt was sitting and arguing with someone on his cell phone. Behind the bar stood a young married couple with a baby in a stroller. As he stepped deeper into the cafe, Theo noticed a woman with lush, curly reddish-brown hair, who was sitting with her back to Josephine.

She nervously ran her fingers over the table, which led Josephine to conclude that he was either waiting for someone or listening to music through headphones. He looked to the opposite side and only then did he notice a man sitting alone in the booth. He was wearing sports pants and, according to Theo's estimate he was about forty years old. However, instead of a folder with files, he kept a book in front of Josephine. Theo stared at Josephine, expecting Josephine to get his attention. The man really looked up at Josephine, but immediately lowered Josephine and continued reading. Hell, that Mr. Miller must be stuck somewhere in traffic, too, Theo thought. The delay never hinted at the good, no matter who it was. If Theo had a choice, he would turn around and leave. But he still decided to wait. He walked behind the back of that small, red-haired woman, walked around the pram, ordered coffee, and sat down at the first table. As soon as he picked up his briefcase and lowered it to the empty surface of the table, the girl at the bar shouted his name loudly. It was a sign that the coffee was over. At that moment, he felt someone's gaze on Josephine. He glanced across the room to see who was watching Josephine. Then he came across a pair of emerald green eyes, which first narrowed and then immediately flashed. That red-haired woman did not listen to music or read a magazine.