Betrothed to the Billionaire

Lisa’s POV “Daniela, if you’re not downstairs in the next thirty seconds, I’m leaving you behind!” My voice echoed across the room, sharp and impatient. No response. I rolled my eyes and glanced at the clock. “Daniela!” I snapped again, louder this time. “This is the tenth time I’m calling you in less than two minutes. What exactly are you doing in there? Writing a thesis?” From inside the bathroom, her voice came, calm as ever. “I’m coming, Lisa! I said I’m coming. Relax.” “Relax?” I let out a dry laugh. “Relax? Maison Vérité just dropped a limited collection and you’re telling me to relax?” “Then call them,” she replied instantly. “You’re Lisa Daves. Call the manager and have them keep the best pieces for you. Problem solved.” I paused. Of course I could. A slow smile crept onto my lips as I picked up my bag from the bed. She wasn’t wrong. I could make one call and have the entire collection reserved before anyone else even stepped into the store. Because I was Lisa Daves. And I had never known what it meant to be denied. Still, there was something about showing up… about walking into a space and having people scramble, that I preferred. “I’m leaving,” I said flatly, already heading for the door. “You can book a ride and meet me there.” “Lisa!” she called. “Don’t you dare…” I didn’t wait to hear the rest. I stepped out of my room, the door closing behind me with quiet finality. I wasn’t worried about leaving her there. My room had cameras, discreet, well-placed, and always on. Not because I didn’t trust her… but because I trusted no one completely. That was how I was raised. As I walked down the grand staircase, the sound of my heels clicked against the marble floors, steady and controlled. The house was already alive with movement, staff going about their duties with quiet efficiency. “Good morning, Miss Daves,” one of them said. I gave a small nod. Another greeted me, smiling. I walked past without responding. “Miss Daves, your car is ready,” someone else informed. “I told you to have it ready five minutes ago,” I replied without stopping. “It’s been ready, ma’am.” “Good.” Outside, the car was waiting exactly where it should be. The driver stepped forward immediately, opening the door for me. “Good morning, Miss Daves.” I slid into the seat without acknowledging him. “Let’s go,” I said, already reaching for my phone. “Wait!” Daniela’s voice cut through the moment. I turned just as she came rushing out of the house, slightly out of breath but still managing to look effortlessly put together. She slipped into the car beside me, adjusting her hair like she hadn’t just been seconds away from being left behind. I leaned back, crossing my legs. “God saved you,” I muttered. “I was about to leave.” “I know you were,” she said, catching her breath. “You’re dramatic.” “I’m efficient.” “You’re impatient.” “Same thing.” She laughed softly, shaking her head. The car pulled away. For a moment, we sat in silence, and I turned my gaze toward the window, watching as the gates of the estate opened. And just like that, my thoughts drifted. At twenty-six, I had grown into a woman people noticed. Not just because of how I looked, though that helped. My brunette hair, my hazel eyes, my features… they had always drawn attention. But it wasn’t just that. It was how I carried myself. The confidence. The certainty. The way I walked into a room like it already belonged to me. Because it usually did. “I still think you could’ve just called ahead,” Daniela said, breaking into my thoughts. “And miss the experience?” I glanced at her. “Absolutely not.” “You’re unbelievable.” “I’ve been told.” She smiled, but her eyes studied me in that quiet way she had. I met Daniela during my second year in college. She had been sitting at my table. My table. I still remember the irritation that hit me when I saw her there. “Excuse me,” I had said back then, standing in front of her. “You’re in my seat.” She didn’t move. She looked up at me, completely unfazed. “Is your name written on it?” she asked calmly. I blinked. No one had ever spoken to me like that before. “People usually don’t argue when I say something like that,” I told her. “People usually don’t assume ownership of public furniture,” she replied. I should have walked away. Instead, I sat down. Right across from her. “I’m Lisa,” I said. “I know,” she replied. “You look like someone who’s used to being known.” I almost laughed. That was how it started. No flattery. No admiration. Just… honesty. It was refreshing. And before I realized it, she had become part of my life. “Lisa.” I blinked, pulled back to the present. “What?” “Ken texted me,” she said casually. My attention sharpened instantly. “What did he say?” “He asked if you were ignoring him again.” I scoffed lightly. “I’m not ignoring him. I’m busy.” “You’ve been ‘busy’ for three days.” “He’ll survive.” She raised a brow. “He wants to see you later.” I leaned back, crossing my arms. Ken. He wasn’t like the others. And there had been many others. Men with names, power, money, men who were exactly what my parents would have wanted for me. They came with expensive gifts, polished smiles, and predictable conversations. “I can take you anywhere in the world.” “I can expand your father’s empire.” “I can match your lifestyle.” I had heard it all. And I had turned them all down. Every single one. Because they were boring. Then Ken came along. “Tell me again why you chose him,” Daniela said, watching me closely. I smirked slightly. “Because he didn’t choose me the way they did.” Ken hadn’t tried to impress me. He hadn’t come with rehearsed lines or calculated charm. He had simply… been himself. “I don’t have what those guys have,” he had told me the first time we really talked. “But I’m going to build something bigger than all of them.” There had been something in his eyes when he said that. Something real. Something raw. I liked that. “He didn’t treat you like a prize,” Daniela added. “Exactly.” “He treated you like a person.” “And that’s rare.” She nodded slowly. What I didn’t say was how easily I had started giving to him. Helping him. Supporting him. It hadn’t felt like a burden. It had felt like love. “He said he wants to talk about his business idea,” Daniela added. I sighed lightly. “Of course he does.” She laughed. “You like that about him.” “I like that he’s ambitious.” The car slowed to a stop. We had arrived. Maison Vérité. The building stood tall and flawless, its glass exterior reflecting everything around it like a mirror. The gold lettering of the name gleamed under the sunlight. “Showtime,” I said, stepping out of the car. The staff inside straightened the moment they saw me. “Miss Daves, welcome.” I didn’t respond. I didn’t need to. I walked in like I owned the place. And in a way, I did. “Bring me the new collection,” I said calmly. “Of course.” They moved quickly. Daniela leaned closer to me. “You love this, don’t you?” I glanced at her, a faint smile playing on my lips. “I don’t love it,” I said. “I’m used to it.” And that was the truth. I moved through the store, selecting pieces without hesitation. Dresses, heels, accessories, each one chosen with precision. At some point, I held up a dress and looked at Daniela. “This would look good on you.” Her eyes widened slightly. “Lisa…” “Take it.” “I didn’t come here to shop like you.” “I know.” “That’s exactly why I’m buying it.” She shook her head, smiling despite herself. “You’re impossible.” “And yet, you’re still here.” By the time we were done, I had bought more than I intended. But that was normal. Everything in my life was excessive. Effortless. Controlled. As I stepped out of the store, bags in hand, I felt that familiar sense of satisfaction settle in. Everything had gone exactly as planned. It always did. Because in my world, nothing ever slipped out of place. Nothing ever went wrong. And I believed that completely. I believed it so deeply that I never stopped to wonder. What would happen when it finally did.