The Billionaire Takes A Wife

I saw that you were perfect, and so I loved you. Then I saw that you were not perfect and I loved you even more. - Angelita Lim You’ve got to be kidding me, Jake Nelson thought as he sat across the table from his late father’s solicitor. The old man gave a deep sigh and took off his lenses, taking sweet time cleaning them. In that moment, Jake wanted to smash them. The man took special care in putting them on, staring at Jake the entire time. Jake stared back, unblinking. Earlier that morning he had received a seemingly urgent call from Mr. Barry, his late father’s solicitor to meet with him at his office that morning. Mr Barry was one of his late father’s closest friends. Looking at him from across the table, he vividly recalled memories of Mr Barry having to restrain his father when his regular dressing downs were about to turn unnecessarily violent. He shuddered, trying to block out those memories. “I’m sorry if I have trouble comprehending. What in God’s name did you just say?” Jake said in a lazy drawl. Mr Barry sighed again. “I know you and your father did not get along often.” Mr Barry said. That’s putting it mildly, thought Jake. “But,” Mr Barry continued, “The last wishes must be carried out. You know that.” “Of course I know that. Just explain please”. Jake said, rubbing his temples. He could feel a migraine coming on. Mr Barry cleared his throat “Well Jake as you know, your father left conditional ownership of the company to you, given the fulfillment of some conditions, which you have already fulfilled.” “So what’s the problem?” Jake asked. “The final condition is that you must be married by the time you are thirty years of age. After which full and total ownership of the company will be transferred to you. Failure to do this and the company is to be broken apart and sold with no proceeds going to you.” Mr Barry said. Jake stared at him in bewilderment. “He’s dead!” he yelled, standing up so quickly and so suddenly he knocked the chair over. “How does he still manage to ruin my life and frustrate me from the grave.” He said while pacing the office. Mr Barry sighed again. “Your father just wanted to make sure you were being responsible.” Mr Barry said. “Being married doesn’t make one responsible. He of all people should know that.” Jake said, walking up to the window overlooking the New York City skyline. He felt a hand on his shoulder and spun around to see Mr Barry looking at him with pity in his eyes. Jake wanted to scream. “I know this cannot be easy for you and I know how hard you’ve worked in making this company what it is today. I cannot pretend to understand the rationale behind this. However, his wishes must be complied with. I just thought to give you a heads up as your thirtieth birthday is coming up in a matter of months.” Jake gave a small smile. “Guess I have to find myself a wife.” “I guess you do.” Mr Barry replied, smiling back at Jake. ….……………………………………………………………………….. You’ve got to be kidding me, Laila Shepherd thought as she stared across the table from her mortgage manager, Mr Wheeler. She had come into the bank that morning to inquire about an extension on the mortgage on her house. Things were not going her way. “I’m afraid it is simply impossible to grant you another extension on your mortgage Miss Shepherd. If you cannot come up with the mortgage sum in the next six months, we will have no choice but to foreclose on the property. I’m sorry.” Mr Wheeler said. Laila nodded, distractedly. Where am I going to find eight hundred and fifty thousand dollars in six months, she thought to herself. Her father had died a few months earlier, burying her in a mountain of debts which she’s still struggling to pay off. She’s sold almost everything of value. Now the house could be gone too. “What am I to do now?” Laila said in a soft voice. She could feel the tears pooling at her eyes and pressed her tongue to the roof of her mouth to keep them from spilling over. “I’m sorry Miss Shepherd. But I have no choice.” Mr Wheeler said. Laila gave him a small smile “It’s okay. I’ll figure it out. And if I don’t I guess I have to start looking for the safest homeless shelter in New York City.” God I hope not, she thought even as the words spilled from her mouth. Mr Wheeler smiled back. Rising from his chair to indicate that the meeting was over, he held out his hand to her. Laila accepted it. “I wish you best of luck” he said. “Thank you.” Laila replied. God knows I’m going to need it, she thought to herself. ….………………………………………………………………….. The day went by in a haze. Jake could not even remember the activities of the day. He felt like he was floating and all the conversations around him were a lull. He was on edge, and he was sure his staff could feel it. Reclining in the backseat of his Range Rover, he closed his eyes and remembered the conversation of that morning. He turned 30 in six months. What is he to do with a wife, he thought. To him, marriage was just a distraction he could not afford. No one is worth that sacrifice, he thought. He stared at his watch, 7:12pm. Never too early for a drink. “Freddy, pull over” he said to his driver. The car pulled over to the sidewalk. His long time driver regarded him from the rear view mirror, awaiting instructions. “I’ll be going out, for a walk and maybe a drink. Go home. I’ll see myself home.” He said, opening the door. “Sir…..” Freddy started before Jake cut him off. “Go home Freddy, that is not a request.” Jake said before stepping out of the car and slamming the door. He started walking down the street. The busy streets of New York were awash with vendors, pedestrians waiting for cabs and couples walking arm in arm. He had always thrived in chaos. He had no idea where he was going, he just kept walking. Soon, he found himself in front of a dingy bar with rock music blaring from within. ‘Craden’s Bar’ was displayed with flickering neon lighting at the top of the entrance. This would have to do, he thought as he entered. He took no note of his surroundings as he walked up straight to the bar and took a seat. “What can I get you hot stuff?” The lady behind the bar with pink streaked hair and tattooed arms asked him as she smacked on her gum. “Tequila, on the rocks” he replied. His drink was in front of him in a matter of seconds. He downed it in one fell swoop. He motioned for another and could see the bartender chuckling from the corner of his eye. Only then did he survey his surroundings. The bar was dark and smoky, with shadows creeping at the corners. But he didn’t care. He raised his drink to his lips when a force crashed into him. “What the hell……” he muttered reaching out to steady the force when he found himself staring into the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen. They were chocolate brown with a hint of gold framing the irises. He was lost and he was falling. She stared back and it felt like she was looking right into his soul. Unnerved, he released her and she stumbled again. He caught her again. “Get your hands of me” she snapped. Jake rose a brow at her. “I just saved you from falling face down to the floor. Twice. And this is the thanks I get?” Jake said. “You were fondling me.” she snapped again. “I definitely was not” Jake responded. Realizing he still had his arms around her, he released her once more. She stumbled a little before catching her balance, glancing back at him with annoyance evident in her gaze. Jake smirked in return before raising his glass to his lips. She sighed and took the seat beside him. “What can I get you hot stuff?” the bartender asked her. She glanced at Jake, then his drink. “I’ll have what he’s having” she told the bartender. Jake chuckled. “What?” she shot at him “You don’t think I can handle it?” “No offense but you don’t look like much of a drinker” Jake said. “And how would you know that?” She replied. “I just know. Besides, this is a cheap ass drink. Not the easiest to swallow” Jake said. She arched her brow, a sardonic look on her face. “Let me guess. Craden’s isn’t your scene” she said. “Oh I’ve definitely seen better” Jake said, indignantly. She gave a laugh. She really was beautiful, Jake thought, with dark brown hair framing her oval shaped face, chocolate brown eyes with flecks of gold in it and plump lips. The light brown dress she wore only enhanced her smooth complexion and beautiful eyes. “This doesn’t look like your scene either.” Jake said, indicating towards the rest of the bar. “Because it isn’t” she said, before downing the drink that was placed in front of her moments earlier and breaking into a coughing fit. Jake gave a chuckle and thumped her back a couple of times. “I’ve realized its better to sip it.” Jake said while still chuckling. “Shut up.” she wheezed out, in between coughs. His chuckle became a full blown laugh. “God that was terrible” she said, joining him in laughter. “If we’re going to be drinking bad alcohol and laughing about it all night, the least you could do is tell me your name.” Jake said. She stared at him with those disarming eyes. “No.” she said finally. Jake withdrew a little. “And why is that?” he asked. “Just because.” she shrugged. Jake gave a small laugh. He couldn’t remember the last time he saw an adult shrug both shoulders. “Okay, at least you can tell me the reason why you’re in this dump knowingly imbibing in bad alcohol.” he said. “I could ask you the same thing, Mr Fancypants” she said. Jake gave a laugh. “Ladies first.” he said. She sighed. “I’m about to be homeless. If I can’t pay my mortgage in the next six months the bank is going throw me out on the street and foreclose on the house.” she said. “Well, if that happens you’re going to make one beautiful homeless lady. Might even win the pageant.” Jake said. “Why, thank you kind sir.” she said with a playful flutter of her lashes before breaking into laughter, Jake joining her momentarily. “Why would you take out a mortgage you can’t pay?” he asked after the laughter died down. He could see her eyes turn glassy immediately. “It wasn’t me. It was my father. He died a few months earlier. I have to pay his debt.” she said in a soft voice. It was quiet after that. “Your turn.” she said in an effort to lighten the mood. Jake groaned and leaned back into his chair. “That bad?” she asked. “I have to get married.” Jake replied. She blinked repeatedly. “That’s not so bad.” she said. “I’m not done. If I’m not married by the time I’m thirty, I’ll lose my company. Daddy’s orders.” he said, taking a sip of his drink. “Have you tried talking to him?” she asked softly. He scoffed. “He’s dead.” Jake replied. “I think it’s kind of romantic. Don’t you think so?” she asked. “I don’t do romance.” he replied. “Why not?” she asked, drawing back to look at him with furrowed brows. “Because its not real. Love isn’t real.” he replied. “I don’t know why you’d say that. Of course it is. Look around. It’s everywhere. Even in a dump like Craden’s, you’d see the love. You’d feel it.” she said. “Please don’t tell me you’re on of those hopelessly romantic fairy tale love types.” he said, groaning. She laughed, “Can’t help it. You just may never know. You may find your one true love and it would be the greatest love story ever written.” she said while nudging his shoulder. “No thank you.” he replied curtly. She laughed again. And Jake looked at her again. She was so beautiful. Her face fresh as daisies and her laugh like music. Snap out of it, he chided himself. You’ve got bigger problems boy. Jake cleared his throat, raised his glass and leaned towards her “Here’s to our fathers messing us up even in death. “Hear hear.” she said as she clinked her glass with his.