Chapter 1: An Unexpected Contract

Amelie

As she rushed through the morning, trying to make up for the lost time she had wasted while asleep the previous night, her mind still reeled from the whirlwind of events that had happened the night before.

She was trying to prepare her younger twin siblings, Harrison and Harriet for school. Soon enough, she packed their bags and walked them to the doorstep where the school bus soon came to pick them up. She sighed in relief, glad that they hadn't missed the bus.

She kissed both of their cheeks, wishing them a happy day and also reminding Harrison to eat his meal as he always forgot to do so.

When she turned, she could feel the stares of the neighbors bore on her but whenever she turned to meet their eyes, they pretended to do something else.

Shaking her head, she went into her room where her curiosity took over.

Who was Sebastian Romano?

She brought out her phone and typed in his name into her search engine. In less than two seconds, it had brought up so many results.

Sebastian Romano hails from the prominent Romano family and is the eldest child and only son.

Sebastian Romano, the twenty-nine year old billionaire heir of the Eudora company will be taking over the company in one month.

Sebastian Romano continues to make headlines, solidifying his position as an influential figure.

Her eyes widened in disbelief as she uncovered articles and headlines of the billionaire heir, Sebastian Romano.

“I had no idea. He didn't mention anything.” She whispered. She knew that he would definitely be rich but she didn't think he would be this wealthy.

She scrolls further, regretting the choice almost immediately. She paused as she noticed something alarming on the screen. Her eyes widen in alarm.

“No, no no, this can’t be happening to me.” She muttered to herself.

She clinks on a link that shows a series of pictures showing her with Sebastian in a bed. They were both asleep and she was wrapped in his arms, her face facing the camera. They were both naked and the only reason her nudity wasn’t visible was because a blanket covered both their modesty.

“Oh no. How could this happen?”

She continued scrolling through the post until she reached the comments. She flinched at most them, bold rude and derogatory remarks about herself.

What a whore, I’m very sure that she had slept with him in order to get something in return.

Such a beauty wasted with that gold-digger mindset of hers.

It's not a surprise why the young billionaire has never had a girlfriend. It must be tiring knowing that every girl around you only wanted your money.

They spoke about him as if he was he was forced into it. As if he wasn't able to make his own decisions. As if he was a child just learning of the world.

They spoke about her like she was just a whore with a gold digger mindset.

Her mind raced, unsure of the impact the revelation would have on her present and future. She felt a variety of emotions- apprehension, shock and regret for not being careful.

As she wondered of what she was to do, the doorbell suddenly rang. She walked to the door, wondering who it was and opened it, meeting the one person she was involved in this with.

Sebastian stood there, impeccably dressed in a tailored dark blue suit and was wearing glasses that for some reason made him look even hotter. His dark hair was perfectly styled, brushed to the back and accentuating his sharp, stunning features.

“Se..Sebastian?”

If she thought that her neighbors had been looking at her before, then she was definitely correct now. They didn't even try to hide it this time around.

“Hi, Amelie. Can I come in?” He smiled at her.

Amelie hesitated for a moment, then stepped aside, allowing Sebastian and the man behind him to enter. It wasn't like people would say things that they hadn't said before. He entered into the room gracefully, his presence encompassing the place with confidence, authority and sophistication.

“Nice place you've got here.” He said, sitting on one of the sofas.

The other guy, with brunette hair and blue eyes stood at his back. He was tall and jacked, he looked like he could pick her up with one hand and throw her like a rag doll.

“Thank you. Why.. what brings you here?” She asked, sitting on the sofa opposite him.

“Are you nervous?” He asked, tilting his head at her thoughtfully.

“No. Why would I be?” She chuckled nervously, ducking her head.

When she raised it back, he was smiling at her once again and faint butterflies fluttered in her belly at the sight of the Indian dimple that appeared on the left side of his face. It made him look younger and for some reason, made him even more attractive to her.

“I’m here to assure you that whatever it is that is circulating online, it is not what it seems. I would never do anything that would cause any discomfort to you.” Sebastian said with genuine eyes.

Amelie was glad that he had come to her to explain things but that didn't mean that it was going to solve anything.

“But.. But you coming here isn't going to help matters. Everyone has already made their choice on what to believe. Even if you.. you didn't sell us out, someone close to you must have done so.”

“I’m already on that. Whoever it is would be caught before noon today.” His voice was sincere, a glint of determination shining in his eyes.

“But it still doesn't matter. Maybe I'll just lay low for a while.” She replied.

“About this, I already have a proposal. I would be killing two stones with this. Fulfilling a promise I had made to my grandfather and protecting you at the same time. But before I lay it out, I must tell you that you listen to my reasons before giving me an answer.”

She was surprised, she wondered what the proposition was for him to warn her about it.

“Ok, I will.”

“I’m offering you a marriage contract.” He dropped the bombshell.