The billionaire’s rented bride

•SOPHIA LANGFORD•

Since I got into my twenties, struggles had become an unwelcome companion, always walking with me like it was my shadow.

How unpleasant!

I'd become a regular job seeker and a desperate first-born, trying everything I can do to pay bills at home..

‘My company is bankrupt, I served you for twenty years, it's time to do the same!’

That was dad's usual anthem to me for three years.

Sighs..

The doctor's words rang in my ears as I entered the street where my house was located, feeling so exhausted due to the long distance from the hospital while the sun kept setting above me.

“Ms. Sophia, I'm afraid, we might have to stop all treatments for your mother if you refuse to pay the necessary outstanding bills as early as possible and I'm sure you know what that means. You have a few days grace please.”

Those words seemed like a haunting refrain but as I got closer to our poorly designed house, I heard different dreadful words.

“How long will it take you, Ford?..” a voice yelled, shortening my dad's name as if impatiently waiting for a response.

“What is it this time?..” I thought as my heart began thrashing frantically.

“Give me two months more, I promise to pay..” Dad's pleas answered my question.

I sighed, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear,buried my face in my palms,my body at that moment resigned in defeat.

“One of the hundred creditors” I breathed, raising my hand to the door knob.

“You must be insane to think I'll ever agree to that for the umpteenth time since you borrowed this loan..” the voice yelled again.

I opened the door at that instant and walked in, attracting their attention instantly.

Dad was in his usual baggy jeans which had faded so bad as if they had been washed a billion times while a tall man stood before him, with his grip on his collars.

“We will pay.. please let him be” I said to the man whose gaze alone screamed wealth.

“Stay out of this else you'll go to jail with him!” the man replied harshly, contradicting my own gentle voice. He looked so young so I didn't feel intimidated by his fierce stare.

My eyes widened at that statement immediately.

“Jail?..” I said aloud without realizing.

“Do you need to see officers in uniform before you believe it?” the man replied with a smirk.

My breathlessness intensified.

“You can't take him to jail. My mother is lying half dead in the hospital.” I pleaded.

“So pay me my money then!” the man responded with a yell.

“A rich man in a suit with no bodyguard demanding for money from dad? Oh mother earth how big is this dept?” my heart and body was in a wrestle.

“I don't have it now..” I replied gently.

“Then pay with something else!” he responded.

“The only valuable thing in this house is our fridge and its value can't even be compared with a quarter of the money,” Dad replied before I could.

The man turned to him swiftly and then, back at me.

“Then she pays with her body instead” He replied with a lustful smirk.

I folded my fists, allowing silence to have its dominion for a few seconds..

“I won't mind the amount if I get good satisfaction,” he added.

“When are we doing it?.." I finally spoke, shocking dad and him.

“Sophia!” Dad cautioned.

“It won't hurt dad. I'm not a virgin anymore, remember?.. ” I said.

“Your.. your trauma.." he reminded and i nodded, remembering how the clanking sound of metal belt triggers the painful memories of being raped at sixteen.

“I'll manage..” I replied and with a broad but devilish smile, the man let go of dad before walking towards the direction where I was.

“Room 23, Crown hotels. 8pm tomorrow. Don't be late” the man bent over and whispered into my ears before walking out of the house.

I turned to dad so our gazes could snag.

“Sophia, I –”

“You don't have to say anything” I cut him off, trying my best to stop my threatening tears from falling and with that, I proceeded towards my room.

“The twins made you some pancakes!” he said loudly as I walked but that didn't stop me in my tracks.

Right, I'd succeeded in stopping him from being jailed but what could be more disdignifying than agreeing to lie with a man just to pay off some debts?..

My phone rang before I could get to my room and I immediately took it out of my pockets, taking a swift glance at the caller's ID.

It was Ellen. My best friend who was betrothed to some arrogant factory manager.

I swiped green immediately.

“Hey, I forwarded an unusual ad to you! It's a good job that's enough to solve your problems..” she said quickly.

I furrowed my brows.

“Okay?..” I gently mumbled.

What job could it be other than the usual cleaning or serving?..

“Check now” she said again, ending the call instantly.

I immediately noticed the forwarded ad on my screen just after the call ended and without moving from the spot, I opened it immediately, realizing that the advert was a private one unlike the usual ads that's usually seen flying across all social media platforms.

My gaze met with bold words at that instant.

‘Seeking a young lady to play the billionaire's fiancee for three months. $1 million compensation. Discretion assured.’

I froze.

“One million what?!!!”

Ellen's call came in again.

“Sophia have you s—”

I interrupted before she could be done speaking.

“Sign me up!”