The Billionaire's Match

Chapter 6

Nicholas’ POV

I walked straight to Olive’s office as soon as I got to work. I got myself into a big mess and I needed something to take my mind off it.

‘Miss Rivera’ I knocked on her door and opened it when I heard no response, only to be greeted by an empty office.

‘What? Why isn’t she around? She always is by this time.’ I mumbled to myself.

I decided to call Ethan to discuss the issue on ground with him. I should ask him over, it has been quite a while since we last met to discuss.

‘He has finally remembered I exist. Hold up, who did you kill this time?’ he questioned me like the fool he was.

‘If anyone can hear your conversation, they would conclude I am some sort of serial killer.’ The fool laughed like I cracked a joke.

‘But that’s what you are.’ I rolled my eyes at his response, even though he couldn’t see me.

‘This deal is falling through. No matter how hard I’ve tried, the investors don’t trust me.’

‘Hmm….have you tried the press?’ he questioned as if I was a fool.

‘What do you take me for? That was obviously the first thing I tried.’ I tried to keep my irritation and anger at bay as I responded to him.

‘I don’t take you for a fool. It’s just that, if the press didn’t work, I wonder what would. Nothing beats a statement from publicity sources affirming your reliability.’ He paused for a moment.

‘They still believe you are irresponsible because they think you sleep around and aren’t committed enough to your work, right?’

‘Ethan, I didn’t call you to state the obvious out to me. You know how badly I want to venture into real estate. It is the only area I don’t have a branch and I genuinely want it to work out.’ I took his silence as a sign to continue.

‘You know how much easier it would be if I have the Tiger group invest in this plan. It would completely cover the financing I need, and I won’t have to take out any bank loans.’

‘Relaxxx’ He drawled out. ‘You are getting all worked up, and you didn’t even let me finish.’ He accused me.

‘What could you possibly have to say other than a bunch of nonsense.’ He gasped dramatically.

‘As a matter of fact, I just might have a solution for you, but you hurt me and I don’t think I can ever forgive you for this.’ He let out fake sniffles and I could picture him holding his chest like a bullet was lodged there.

‘Ethan, don’t provoke me.’ I warned.

‘Relax angry pants. Why do you always have to be so boring?’ he huffed and puffed before finally telling me his solution.

‘Get married.’

‘Whattt???’ I could not believe my ears.

‘If they believe you can’t put your d**k in one place and your business is just as promiscuous as you are, then prove them wrong and settle down.’ He just had to insult me first.

‘Hmm, and even if I agree to this, they would know I’m doing it just to secure their contract.’

‘And what if they do? At least they would recognize that you would do anything for your business.’ He paused like he was considering something.

‘Besides, we can manipulate the press, so even if they go searching, all they would find out is the truth, or rather, what we paint to them as the truth.’ I can’t help but listen attentively because for once, Ethan is making sense.

‘And what is this truth we want them to find?’

‘Find a girl who is willing to get married for money, a large sum of money. Be “caught” in public with her a few times, and you are eventually begged to release a statement. After a while give her a ring and let paparazzi get a whiff of the ring, then you would come out and say you had been seeing her for the past year, and are finally ready to settle down with her.’

‘Wow’ I was speechless. It sounded like he had already cooked up the plan long before I called.

‘I know I know! I’m an amazing genius. You can thank me by buying me lunch.’ I could tell he was grinning happily like a small child given candy.

I agreed to buy him lunch, I was going to invite him over anyway. June came to inform me of her arrival and I couldn’t resist the urge to ask about Olive.

‘Have you been in touch with Miss Rivera? Why isn’t she in yet.’ I asked acting uninterested, so June wouldn’t think I cared. June is like a mother hen, she can be very perceptive.

‘I got off the phone with her not long ago. She called to inform me that she would be coming in late because she is feeling a bit ill.’ I scoffed loudly. What a flimsy excuse to get out of work.

‘I have a meeting with King group by 9. Then a meeting with Dave after. I also need Miss Rivera to schedule a meeting with my lawyer, but I’ll inform her when she arrives.’ I paused to check a notification on my phone.

‘Set up board room 2 and if the meeting is over by the time Miss Rivera arrives, send her to my office.’

‘Okay, sir. If that is all, may I take my leave?’

‘Yes, June. You know you don’t have to ask before you leave.’ She smiled warmly at me and left.

Ethan’s plan is my only option, and it just may work. I have to speak to a lawyer to draft a contract for the marriage. P.R. would be able to come up with ways we could make the news leak accidentally, so it would appear like I had been hiding the relationship from the public intentionally. But who would be willing to get married on such short notice, and my terms?

As I pondered on how to fix the last piece of the plan, the perfect person for the job came into

my head, someone who would have no choice but to agree to the proposal.