Chapter 1

Katie's POV

I never thought I would marry a billionaire, let alone enter into a contract marriage with one. But when life throws you a curveball, you either catch it or let it hit you in the face. And I had caught that curveball, or so I thought.

It all started with a high-profile event that my boss had assigned me to plan. It was for Alexander Grey, the CEO of Grey Enterprises, and one of the most eligible bachelors in New York City. He was a mystery to most people, but to me, he was just another client.

I had everything under control, from the venue to the catering, until Alex walked into my office. He was tall, dark, and handsome, with piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right through me. My heart skipped a beat, but I quickly composed myself and greeted him with a smile.

"Ms. Stone, it's a pleasure to meet you," he said, extending his hand.

I shook his hand, feeling a jolt of electricity shoot through my body. "Likewise, Mr. Grey. How can I assist you?"

"I was hoping we could discuss the event over lunch," he said, flashing a charming smile.

I hesitated for a moment, but I knew I couldn't turn down a client. "Sure, that would be great."

We headed to a nearby restaurant, where we talked about the event and our personal lives. I found out that Alex was a man of few words, but when he did speak, he was intelligent and witty. I also learned that he was single and that his father was pressuring him to settle down and take over the family business.

As we finished our lunch, Alex dropped the bombshell. "Ms. Stone, I have a proposal for you."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What kind of proposal?"

He leaned forward, his eyes locking onto mine. "I need a wife, Ms. Stone, and I want you to be that wife."

My mouth dropped open, and I could feel my heart racing. "What are you talking about?"

"My father wants me to settle down, and I need to take over the family business. I don't have time for a traditional relationship, so I'm proposing a contract marriage. You'll receive a large sum of money, and I'll have a wife on paper. It's a win-win situation."

I stared at him, feeling like I was in a dream. "I don't know what to say."

"Think about it," he said, standing up. "I'll give you some time to decide."

As he walked away, I couldn't help but wonder what I had gotten myself into. Was I considering marrying a man I hardly knew for money? Could I handle the scrutiny of the public eye and the pressure of being a billionaire's wife? I needed to think this through, but a part of me was already tempted by the offer.

The rest of the day went by in a blur, and I couldn't stop thinking about Alex's proposal. I talked to my best friend, Andrew, about it, and he was skeptical. "Katie, are you considering this? It sounds like a recipe for disaster."

"I know, but I need the money, Andrew. My mother's medical bills are piling up, and I can barely afford to pay rent. This could be the solution to all my problems."

"But what about your happiness? What about love?" he asked, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"I don't have time for love, Andrew. I need to take care of my family first."

As I lay in bed that night, I weighed the pros and cons of Alex's proposal. On one hand, I would have financial security and could take care of my family's needs. On the other hand, I would be marrying a man I hardly knew and entering into a contract marriage. But was that so different from traditional marriages, where people often got married for financial or social reasons? I couldn't deny that I was attracted to Alex and that there was a spark between us.

The next day, I called Alex and agreed to meet with him. He suggested that we discuss the details of the contract over dinner. I dressed in my best outfit, feeling nervous and excited at the same time.

As I walked into the restaurant, I saw Alex waiting for me at a table by the window. He stood up as I approached, and I couldn't help but notice how handsome he looked in his suit.

"Ms. Stone, you look lovely," he said, offering me a seat.

"Thank you, Mr. Grey," I replied, feeling a bit awkward.

He ordered a bottle of wine, and we toasted our new partnership. As we ate our dinner, Alex explained the terms of the contract. We would be married for one year, and I would receive a large sum of money, as well as other benefits such as a new apartment and a personal assistant. We would act like a real couple in public, but in private, we could do whatever we wanted.

I listened to him, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. I asked him some questions about the contract, and he answered them all, making it sound like a great deal. But I couldn't help but wonder what the catch was.

As we finished our dinner, Alex leaned in and whispered in my ear, "I hope you'll consider my proposal, Ms. Stone. I think we could make a great team."

I felt a shiver run down my spine, and I knew that I was falling for him. But was it just a physical attraction, or was there something deeper there? I needed to figure that out before I made a decision.

As we walked out of the restaurant, Alex took my hand and led me to a limousine. He opened the door and helped me inside, then got in next to me. The driver took us to a nearby park, where Alex suggested we take a walk.

We strolled through the park, admiring the fall foliage and the sparkling lights. As we walked, Alex told me about his childhood and his dreams for the future. He seemed like a different person, more open and vulnerable than before.

As we reached a gazebo, Alex stopped and turned to me. "Katie, there's something I need to tell you."

I looked at him, feeling my heart race. "What is it?"

He took a deep breath and said, "I'm not just proposing a contract marriage, Katie. I'm also hoping that we can get to know each other better and that we can build a real relationship."

I felt a surge of emotion, and I knew that I had to be honest with him. "Alex, I'm attracted to you, but I'm not sure if I'm ready for a real relationship. I have a lot of baggage, and I don't want to hurt you."

He placed a hand on my cheek, and I felt his warm touch. "I understand, Katie. But I hope you'll give us a chance. I promise to be patient and supportive, no matter what happens."

I looked into his eyes, and I saw something there that I had never seen before. Was it love, or just a mirage? I couldn't tell, but I knew that I wanted to find out.

As we walked back to the limousine, Alex took my hand again and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Think about my proposal, Katie," he said. "I'll give you some time to think it over. But I want you to know that I'm serious about us. And if you decide to go through with it, I promise to make it worth your while."

With that, he kissed me on the cheek and disappeared into the limousine. I stood there, feeling a mix of confusion and excitement. Could I go through with this? Could I marry a man I hardly knew, just for the money and security?

But then again, wasn't that what life was all about? Taking risks and seizing opportunities? I thought about my past, and how I had always played it safe. Maybe it was time to do something daring and unpredictable.

As I walked back to my apartment, my mind raced with possibilities. If I said yes to Alex's proposal, what would happen next? Would we fall in love, or would it just be a business arrangement? And what about the villains lurking in the shadows? What role would they play in our lives?

I knew that I was about to embark on a wild ride, and I couldn't wait to see where it would take me.