Three days

CHAPTER 1

“Three days, Bella. If you don’t bring my money, you’ll regret it.”

Bella gripped her phone,

“Please, I just need more time.”

“You’ve had enough time. Pay what you owe, or we’ll come looking for you.”

The call ended.

Bella stared at the screen, fighting the urge to throw her phone against the wall.

Damn it!

She had worked two jobs, sacrificed her sleep, and practically stopped living, yet the debt kept growing.

Her phone vibrated again.

UNKNOWN NUMBER: We know where you work.

Her blood ran cold.

She quickly shoved the phone into her handbag and hurried into Holdings Construction Company.

“You’re late.”

Bella looked up to find Rachel, her colleague, watching her from the reception desk.

“Good morning to you too.”

“Don’t. Mr. Holdings has been asking for you.”

Bella stopped.

“What does he want?”

“How should I know? But whatever it is, you better hurry. He’s already in a terrible mood.”

Wonderful.

As if her morning couldn’t get any worse.

Bella rushed to her desk, dropped her handbag and grabbed the files she had prepared the previous evening.

She barely had time to switch on her computer before the office telephone rang.

“Miss Jordan, Mr. Holdings wants you in his office. Immediately.”

She swallowed.

“Coming.”

Eric Holdings tossed a document onto his desk.

“Do you have any idea how much money we’re about to lose because of this delay?”

Daniel Reed, his senior assistant, shifted uncomfortably.

“We’re working on it, sir.”

“Then work faster.”

Eric checked his watch. The Lorenzo contract was too important to fail, and he wasn’t about to let incompetence ruin months of negotiations.

At thirty-four, he had built HCC into one of the most successful construction companies in the country. He didn’t tolerate excuses, unnecessary delays or people who wasted his time.

Unfortunately, Mr. Lorenzo seemed determined to test his patience.

The older businessman had made one ridiculous condition before signing the contract.

He wanted to meet Eric’s fiancée.

The problem?

Eric didn’t have one.

A knock interrupted his thoughts.

“Come in.”

Bella entered, holding a folder.

“Good morning, sir.”

“You’re late.”

“I’m sorry, sir.”

“Sit.”

She obeyed.

Eric took the folder from her and briefly examined its contents.

“At least you came prepared.”

“Thank you, sir.”

He placed it on his desk.

“I need you to contact Mr. Lorenzo’s office and confirm tomorrow’s meeting. Also, arrange dinner for four.”

“Certainly.”

“There’s something else.”

Bella looked up.

Eric leaned back in his chair.

“I need you to pretend to be my fiancée.”

She blinked.

“I’m sorry?”

“My fiancée. For one weekend.”

Bella stared at him, wondering if she’d heard correctly.

“Sir, I don’t understand.”

“Mr. Lorenzo wants to meet the woman I’m planning to marry. Apparently, he prefers doing business with married men.”

“But you’re not married.”

“Excellent observation, Miss Jordan.”

She pressed her lips together.

Eric continued, “I need someone discreet, presentable and intelligent enough to handle a few conversations. I believe you’re capable.”

Bella wasn’t sure whether to feel flattered or insulted.

“Why me?”

“Because I trust you to keep confidential information to yourself.”

He opened his drawer and removed a document.

“One weekend. You’ll attend a family gathering with me, accompany me to a few business events and convince everyone that we’re genuinely engaged.”

Bella looked at the agreement.

“Will I be paid?”

Eric’s lips twitched.

“Of course.”

“How much?”

“Fifty thousand dollars”

Her eyes widened slightly.

Fifty thousand dollars?

That could barely settle her immediate problems, but it was more money than she could afford to turn down.

“Can I ask for an advance?”

Eric raised an eyebrow.

“An advance?”

“Yes, sir. I have an urgent personal expense.”

“How much?”

Bella hesitated.

“One hundred thousand”

Silence.

Eric slowly placed his pen on the desk.

“You’re asking me for a hundred thousand dollars to pretend to be my fiancée for one weekend?”

“I understand if that’s too much.”

“It is.”

Bella lowered her eyes.

He studied her for a moment before speaking again.

“Fifty thousand in advance. The remaining payment will be made after the weekend. If you do your job well, there’ll be an additional bonus.”

Bella looked up.

“Really?”

“Do I look like a man who repeats himself?”

“No, sir.”

“Good. You’ll move into my house tomorrow. It’ll be easier to maintain the arrangement if we’re staying together.”

Bella’s eyes widened.

“Your house?”

“Do you have a hearing problem?”

“No, sir.”

“Then read the agreement. We leave tomorrow evening.”

She picked up the document.

Her phone vibrated.

Bella glanced down.

UNKNOWN NUMBER: Friday is your last chance. Don’t disappoint us.

Her fingers went cold.

“Miss Jordan?”

She quickly locked her screen.

“Yes, sir?”

“Is there a problem?”

“No, sir. Everything is fine.”

Eric stared at her for another moment.

“Make sure it stays that way. I don’t tolerate surprises.”

Bella forced a smile.

“Understood.”

She collected the agreement and hurried out.

By the time Bella reached her desk, her hands were shaking.

She had just agreed to pretend to be the fiancée of a billionaire who barely tolerated her presence.

Worse, she was expected to move into his house.

But she needed the money.

Desperately.

Her phone rang.

The same unknown number.

She answered cautiously.

“Hello?”

“Have you forgotten what we discussed?”

“No. I’m working on getting the money.”

“You have until Friday, Bella. After that, we stop waiting.”

The call ended.

Bella lowered herself into her chair.

Three days.

She had three days to find the remaining money, or the people threatening her would make good on their promises.

Her eyes drifted towards Eric’s office.

Perhaps this ridiculous arrangement was the opportunity she needed.

But there was something she hadn’t considered.

How would she pretend to be a billionaire’s loving fiancée while hiding the truth about the woman she became after dark?

Inside his office, Eric signed the preliminary agreement.

“Arrange Bella Jordan’s advance payment,” he instructed Daniel.

“Fifty thousand , sir?”

“Yes.”

Daniel collected the document but didn’t leave.

“May I ask why you’re involving your secretary?”

“Because I need a fiancée, Daniel. Not a lecture.”

Daniel nodded.

“Understood.”

“And run a background check on her.”

Daniel looked surprised.

“Miss Jordan?”

Eric returned his attention to his laptop.

“Did I stutter?”

“No, sir.”

“Good. I want the report before we leave tomorrow.”

Daniel walked out.

Eric glanced at the signed agreement.

Bella Jordan.

He had worked with her for almost a year, yet he suddenly realized how little he knew about her.

Perhaps that was about to change.