Sold to the Billionaire CEO

CHAPTER 2

Chapter 2:

I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my dress for what felt like the hundredth time. I had been tricked into coming back to Brooks, convinced by my brother Orion and father Kade that I was needed for a launch party for one of our family's companies.

I had recently called Orion to ask him if he knew anything about the party but he completely denied being aware of it. Before I question him further, the line went off, leaving me to wonder if I was walking into a deathtrap or if it was just a harmless party.

As I looked at myself in the mirror, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Why had my father been so insistent that I come back to Brooks? And why had Orion been so secretive about the details of the party?

I pushed the thoughts aside and took a deep breath. Bracing myself, I grabbed my clutch and headed out the door, making my way to the huge hall where the party was being held.

As I arrived, I was greeted by the familiar sight of Brooke's elites, all dressed up and mingling. I scanned the room, looking for my brother and father, but they were nowhere to be found.

As I stood there, smiling and waving at the guests, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. What had my father planned for me? And what would happen to Max if I didn't comply?

Just then, a group of guests approached me, their faces curious and inquiring. My eyes rolled to the back of my head as I struggled to maintain my composure.

"Camille, it's been ages," the elderly woman amongst them hugged me, she had a smile that didn't seem genuine but I still couldn't tell if it was fake.

"Where have you been all these years?" She queried, throwing her head back as she scanned me thoroughly. I knew she was looking for something to point out to.

I felt a surge of anger as I tried to come up with a response. I hadn't been prepared for this neither did I expect to be confronted with questions that sounded like gossip topics.

"I was busy on a trip," I responded calmly, carefully choosing the right answers to their questions.

"Busy? That's all you've been doing for five years? You just disappeared, Camille. No one knew where you were or what you were doing."

I was beginning to panic. I didn't expected them to be so direct, so confrontational. All those years, this was one of the reasons why I never wanted to come home. These folks are always looking for something to talk about.

"I...uh...I needed some time to myself," I stammered, trying to sound calm.

A third member of the crew, a older man with a kind face, spoke up. "Camille, we're not trying to pry. We're just concerned about you. You were always such a vibrant, lively person. And then you just...disappeared."

I felt a lump form in my throat as I looked at them. They seemed genuinely concerned but deep down, I knew it was just to get me to talk.

Elites are never the one who you share your secrets with. They'd cast them out like worn-out panties in the fire and leave you to burn.

So I did the only thing I could think of. I smiled, and I lied.

"I'm fine," I grinned. "I just needed some time to myself, that's all."

The guests looked at each other, and then back at me. They seemed skeptical, but they knew that pressing the issue would make them look desperate so they kept quiet.

Instead, they nodded, and they smiled. "We're glad you're back, Camille," the dark-haired man commented. "We've missed you."

Lies, they were all lies.

I smiled, and I thanked them. But as they walked away, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. I had dodged a bullet, and had managed to avoid answering their questions.

But I knew it wouldn't last. I just had to stay calm and keep my lies going, at least for a while.

Just as I was starting to feel a little anxious, a hand brushed against my elbow. I jerked up in fear only to turn and see Orion standing beside me, a smile surfacing on his lips.

"You good?" He raised an eyebrow. I nodded like a frog and smiled.

"Where's Father?" I asked.

Orion hesitated for a moment before answering. "He's...um...running a little late. But don't worry, he'll be here soon."

I frowned. My guts were twitching and it was a sign that something fishy was going on.

Just then, a voice boomed from the front of the room, silencing the chatter. I turned to see my father standing at the microphone, a grin on his face.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he began. "Welcome to the launch party for our new company. And welcome, especially, to my daughter Camille, who has graciously agreed to join us tonight." He pointed to me, leading the crowd's eyes to my direction.

I awkwardly smiled, waving like a lost wanderer to the sea of people that I didn't know. Before I could make any oral move, Dad dropped his bombshell.

"And now, I would like to introduce the guest of honor. Please welcome, Garrett Mario!"

The room erupted into applause as a tall, handsome man stepped forward. And that's when I saw it—the look of triumph on my father's face, the look of expectation on Garrett's.

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. What was going on?

And then, it hit me. The truth.

This wasn't a launch party at all. This was an engagement party. And I was the bride.

I felt like I was going to throw up. How could they do this to me? How could they trick me into coming back to Brooks, only to pull this off.

I looked around the room, searching for Orion and an escape route. But it was too late. Garrett and my father were already making their way towards me, with a smile on their faces.

“What is this? You said this was about the company!” I asked in between gritted teeth.

“This is about our family’s future. Garrett is doing us a favor by agreeing to this.” Kade murmured in a low harsh tone as he held my hand while putting up a fake smile.

“You call this a favor? Enforcing a fake marriage proposal on me? Dad, you might as well shove it up your ass because I won't take it!” I grunted.

Garrett smirked, “Let’s not pretend you’re in no position to refuse. Think of it as a mutually beneficial arrangement.”

“I don’t need your charity, Mr. Mario.”

"Camille, your father and I have an arrangement," Garrett chipped in, his voice low and smooth. "I'm doing him a favor by marrying you."

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. Marrying me? What was he talking about?

But before I could ask any questions, Garrett went on.

"You see, Camille, your father is in a bit of a fit right now. He needs someone to take care of you, to protect you from….certain people. And I've agreed to do just that." He laughed to my disgust.

I felt a surge of anger and resentment. Who did Garrett think he was, agreeing to marry me like I was some kind of prize to be won?

But as I looked around the room, I saw the guests staring at us, waiting for our response. I knew I had to do something, or risk causing a scene.

So I took a deep breath and nodded, trying to smile. "Okay," I surrendered. "I'll do it."

Garrett's face broke out into a wide smile, and he took my hand, pulling me close. "I promise you, Camille," he whispered. "I'll take care of you. I'll protect you from anything that might harm you."

As I looked into his eyes, I saw hell. I didn't trust him, not one bit. But I had to pretend, for the sake of the guests.

So I smiled and nodded, playing the part of the happy bride-to-be. But inside, I was seething with anger and resentment.

As the night wore on, I found myself feeling more and more trapped. I was stuck in this fake engagement, with a man I didn't trust or love.

And I had no idea how to escape.

But what I didn't know was that Garrett had his own reasons for agreeing to marry me. Reasons that had nothing to do with love or romance.

As I stood there, smiling and waving for the guests.

Just then, my brother Orion appeared at my side, his eyes scanning my outfit with a critical gaze.

"Camille, what are you wearing?" he asked, his look demeaning and disapproving.

I looked down at my dress and shrugged. "What's wrong with it?" I asked.

Orion sighed. "You're a billionaire's daughter, Camille. And now, you're a bride-to-be of a billionaire family. You need to dress like it. Go change into something more...fitting."

The urge to walk away from this was throat-cutting. Why was Orion always so critical of me?

But when I watched the other guests, I realized that Orion was right. I did stand out, and not in a good way. Even Garrett stared at me oddly.

I nodded with a sense of resignation. "Fine," I said. "I'll go change."

Orion nodded, and handed me a bag with clothes inside, "Good. I'll meet you back here in 20 minutes."

I nodded, and then turned to make my way to the bathroom. As I walked, the guests murmured. I knew I was still a hot topic, especially now that I was getting married to the hot billionaire bachelor in all of Brooks.

Inside the bathroom, I took a deep breath, and changed into a black dress. I knew this was for me to look good before Garrett, Dad really did good with tricking me into the epic piece of s**t.