Billionaire's Exhibit Wife

Chapter 3- Proposals And Soirées Pt2

"I don't even have what to wear." Elora needily searched for an excuse.

"Taken care of" Zane assured as he walked towards the landline phone sitting atop a small table. "Take Miss Jensen to her room" he ordered after pressing a button before releasing once done.

Zane was always a step ahead. Always. He knew she would agree to this. Just treat her like one of your business partners, he'd told himself.

"Frederick will see you to your room, be ready within the next hour" Zane ordered like he would anyone who wasn't his relative or his workers.

Elora already felt belittled from the get-go, but wasn't she now his fiancée? Or perhaps she was already reading too much into the title... Then again, how was she supposed to act?

Frederick briefly escorted his boss' soon-to-be-wife to her supposedly new chambers. Zane taking a different route from theirs.

This will be her new home, she thought in awe as she drank in its simplicity of beige and brown decors.

It was opened space with very little few, yet, expensive looking obstructions . The walls made of brown wood to compliment the adornments and dim lighting.

From a cockroach and mice infested, rundown appartement to a luxurious building that seemed never ending, a hundred times bigger than hers.

"In here madam" Frederick's voice brought her back from her recall.

Madam?

"You don't have to call me that."

Most of her life she'd taken on the role of serving someone else.The roles suddenly being switched, without having worked for it, felt edgy.

"You're now young master's fiancée" Frederick explained.

"No re-"

"The pay is quite generous, and I wish to keep my job" he clarified with a tense tone just as she was about to insist.

Starting off on the wrong foot, it seemed.

The room was just about as basic as any other room. A bed with pillows, its windows, light bulbs, some curtains, and lamps.

Basic, but to a billionaire's taste.

"Here's the landline if you need anything" he illustrated that she simply had to press the red button and speak into it. "I will be waiting for your call, madam."

Frederick shut the doors closed, and Elora was left alone with her chaotic thoughts, the subtle colour scheme between ecru and white that defined the room... the little sofa couch at the foot of-

And that DIAMOND PLEATED GOLDEN VALENTINO DRESS neatly laid on it.

How had she missed that!?

"Are these real diamonds??" she crouched down, inching her head closer, afraid to lay a finger on the dress."They can't possibly be" she muttered in denial, analysing with one eye closed.

What did a diamond cost? Like 1-, 2 grand?? There were about 50 of them!!

"I can't wear this -" she panicked, her life was already sinking in debts. What if a diamond fell off!?

The landline suddenly began to ring. Elora took deep breaths, collecting herself from the continued sequence of alarms.

Invited to a billionaire's home, being proposed to and told of soirees, now this!-

"You must've seen the dress by now." Zane uttered through the other line.

"I CAN'T WEAR THAT!" Elora, however, couldn't contain her overwhelmed self from screaming at him.

The dress alone was more than she could ever make in her entire life. Including her parent's earnings, it still won't be enough to afford all these diamonds.

Yes you can, just put it on, Zane thought mockingly

"First impressions matters and it's one of a kind. Make sure to wear it, or you can forget about your very own cubicle, Miss Jensen." he ended the call before she could protest, thus leaving no room for negotiations.

Feeling defeated, Elora ran her hands through her already unkempt her.

An event crowded with lavish celebrities and tycoon business owners. It's only fair that she wore this.

Such extravagant dresses wouldn't even make a dent in their budget and were probably spare change to them... she told herself.

"First impressions matters " she repeated. "You're broke, and you need that job"

Elora then gathered herself and prepped for a wash. She had to rid her body of whatever filth, at the least, make herself a little bit more worthy of the dress.

Everything was already set, as though Zane had equally anticipated that too. A hot bath, jasmine scented candles on all corners, towels, and a comfy white furry slippers.

She engulfed herself in its warmth after disrobing, feeling her tense body and stiff joints gradually become at ease.

'This is nice' Elora thought as she exhaled. 'When last did I have a warm bath?...'

It was always cold showers in her apartment. And when taps weren't running, which was quite rare, she would have to go fetch for water with a bucket in hand at the public taps.

Quite relaxing, she huffed, slowly forgetting herself in it. Elora had awoken to the ringing sound of the phoneline.

She wrapped her exposed self in the white towel before scurrying to answer.

"Mr Zane is waiting for you, Madam," clearly pissed, having his master wait for someone he probably already didn't like.

***

Zane ran his eyes over her physique, the golden spaghetti strapped dress grasped her little curves in the right places, he thought, but obviously wouldn't let her know that.

"You're twenty-seven minutes late" Zane reprimanded, his hulking figure leaning on the dark vehicle.

A change of suit, she noted on her part. From grey to dark. Nothing extra, except for how it hugged, clinged and hung from his body in all the right places... but of course, she wouldn't let him know that.

"I-"

"Get in the car" he ordered before she could put in her excuse of having dozed off.

Excluding that, Elora felt like a fool.

She'd seen way too many kdrama and had actually expected some kind of compliment.

For him to stare blankly at her breathtaking beauty while she felt embarrassed to have entranced some wealthy CEO.

A good-looking one at that too, she admitted.

The contrast between skin and hair. Fair and dark. The thickest of brows that she'd never hoped to attain with a hint of soft arch to them. Those set of hazardous snowy grey eyes. A nose genetically modified particularly for him.

And those lips... Elora unconsciously stared after having sat in the passenger seat of the black Cadillac.

Enclosed by a faint beard surrounding his jawline, that connected to the side of his hairs.

Zane faced forward as he operated the steering wheel. He could feel her eyes earily resting on him, uncomfortable as they already were, her lingering gaze added to his discomfort.

"Do you like what you see?" Zane suddenly spoke up, giving a quick side eye to the stunned Elora who still maintained contact with his lips.

A sense of shame washed over her after getting caught in the act. Elora remained silent, uncertain how she'd reply to such.

"I'm used to seeing a clown beside me..." he then joked out of nowhere, referring to Leah, who always loaded her face with paste in the name of makeup.

Apart from the distant thoughts of how poised the attendees will be compared to her, the ride was just as terrifyingly silent.

"Are you ready?" he asked once they'd gotten to their destination.

Of course she was! Elora thought sarcastically. What would saying no do?

"I know you're not. Just say the word, and you'll be back home in no time" Zane reassured before putting on his shade.

"You look ... okay by the way" he then slipped in before alighting the car.

Elora's sense of comfort vanished immediately as he left. She took a peak out the tinted windows, at the other well off people and watched as Zane stretched his hand out to greet a few older looking men and a kiss on both cheek for the women.

The paparazzis already encircled him and he, simply ignored them. Making his way over to her after realising she took quite her time.

"What's the matter? Did you want me to get the door for you?" he teased, half concerned after tugging at the handle.

"I'm petrified." She was under duress, her shaky voice and beads of sweat on her forehead were clear indications.

"Just hook onto me and I'll do the rest"

He then gave his keys to the valet, before extending his hands to the lovely fiancée.

A feet before the other, she slowly revealed the dazzling diamonds embroided into the gold gown...

"Isn't that the 69 crown jewel??"

There was a flash or two from the cameras within a minute interval.

"The gown that could not be replicated. No matter how hard they tried."

Elora suddenly felt the lights get brighter once her entirety was displayed.

So blinding, she thought as she lowered her head while having her eyes narrowed. In hopes of not loosing her sight tonight.

"Who's in it?"

Zane drew her in closer to his chest upon noticing the crowd getting rowdier. Placing his arm on her shoulder and the other above her head, aiming to help block off some light.

"Zane's one-nighter"... "Miss s*x Money"... "His one night stand"

What name had she not already heard tonight? Elora thought as she finally made it away from the crowd, into a different, much menacing bunch.

From his mother...

"You're not fit for my son. I know a couple of thousands would change your mind"

To some random well off strangers that exchanged a gossip or two beside her.

"They haven't even shared a kiss since they walked in."

"Look how far apart they are"

She'd circled from one conversation to another. All having negative feedbacks about her presence here and entire being.

If not for the wine she held unto for dear life-

"I was trying not to be that b***h" Leah began, her focus mainly on the dress "but how did someone like you catch his eye"

Someone like her? the words unconsciously repeated itself in her mind.

"Excuse me" Elora remained poised "who are you?"

"I should be the one asking you that" Leah became enraged,. Everyone knows who she is "I'm Zane's mistress" she smirked, knowing that other than his late b***h of a wife who was in her way, she is now Zane's first.

Was that something to be proud of?

"I'm Elora Jensen, Mr. Zane's-"

"Mr?" Leah scoffed "Is he not your companion for the night, why the formality" her eyes lingered on the dress "like he'd choose it over me"

It? She frowns.

"Wait" Her eyes suddenly grew wide upon the realisation "aren't you the woman he f****d. Like a one night stand."

Elora felt troubled whenever she heard the rumours. She knew she would risk loosing her office space if she were to speak the truth but...

"I didn't-"

"You look stunning" Zane made his way into the conversation with a compliment, a transparent smirk as he analyzed Leah from head to toe.

Stunning? While she looked okay...

Elora could sense the tension between them. Unspoken words exchanged, him already peeling off her dress with just his preying stare and she, just as famished as he was.

'His mistress', Elora thought as she watched Zane sensually rub her exposed elbow.

A model, Elora would say if she were to describe her in one word. Especially in that dark dress, so blunt yet seemingly of great value on her.

Having their conversation so casually like it, Elora, didn't exist.

'Gosh what am I about to do', Elora silently gasped for air as the unthinkable crossed her mind. Taking the last sip of her wine, she ferociously threw the empty glass to the polished floors and embraced herself for what came next.

"You know-" Elora then grasped Zane by the neck with her free hand before he could finish his side of the dialogue.

Though she already had heels on, Zane's height was still a challenge of its own to overcome.

Regardless, she easily resolved this by standing on her toes, sneaking her tongue in, almost immediately, before Zane could realise what was going on.

And when he did... His feedback was just as intense. A deeper delve into the kiss upon his approval she felt as though her ship was sinking.

They were right about her, - balls and elegance, pungent perfumes and sports cars, tux and diamond pleated Valentino gowns-.

None of it included in her daily routine and they could indulge in that fact.

However, people dictating to her who and what she is... Petty names, and their mocking tones. Going as far as to calling her by an animal's pronoun!

That, she could not stand.

Defiance was what drove Elora deeper into pleasure. Other than how good he was at it.

Zane then carefully latched onto her waist, sliding his arms up and down her back before making a delicate grab for her ass.

And after a good minute of his high, Zane had been the first to withdraw. Only bringing his face closer to her side.

"Our first kiss" He whispers into her ears. "hope you enjoyed it as much as I did" then kissed her on the cheek.

Our first kiss? more like HER first kiss.

She was sure they were the centre of attention even without having to look up.

Zane proceeded to climb the simple circular pulpit focused with light from across the room where he now stood.

"Now that I have everyone's attention" Zane carelessly began with a chuckle into the mic, his hoarse giggle resounding throughout the already silent hall.

"This won't be long"

"I would like to introduce you all to-" he suddenly paused, taking a look at Elora who's now driven by fear to walk up to him.

No matter, Zane took a trip back to her solely to escort his fiancée to have a stand beside him.

He enclosed the bump of the mic with his palm before softly muttering.

"Can I wrap my arms around you?"

Elora, who had been staring at the floorboards, was caught off guard. Why was he here? He could make the announcement without me by his side-

"I, I guess"

He wasn't as bad, Elora thought as his arms snaked round her thin, kind of malnourished figure. He, carefully guiding her.

"I would like to introduce everyone to my fiancée" he proclaimed once they were at the centre.

But not as silent as after his next words were uttered. The gossips, moving crowd, not even the clinking of glass could be heard... ALL came to a halt.

All but one thing.

"HE WOULD MARRY NO SUCH THING" someone amidst the crowd yelled.

With all spotlights focused on them, the rest of the hall was dim. Unable to clearly see the events that unveiled.

Just the splashing sound of wine, gasps and the jeering sounds of laughter that followed afterwards.

"MY SON WON'T DARE TO MARRY SUCH AN ABOMINATION OF A THING!!"