4
1959 Words
Xavier Sterling had always been a mystery.
Not the harmless kind.
The kind that made people curious enough to dig—and careful enough to stop when they realized they were digging too deep.
Four years ago, at just twenty-three, Xavier had appeared out of nowhere.
One day, nobody knew his name.
The next, every major tech publication was talking about him.
He had created an artificial intelligence algorithm so revolutionary that it sent shockwaves through the industry. Investors scrambled to get close to him. Technology companies wanted to acquire his work. The press wanted his story.
But Xavier gave them almost nothing.
Instead, he disappeared behind the company he built.
Sterling Corp.
And while everyone was busy trying to figure out who Xavier Sterling was, he was busy building an empire.
In four years, he had transformed a tiny startup into a global powerhouse—one that somehow seemed to anticipate industry trends months before everyone else.
He was twenty-seven.
Brilliant.
Wealthy.
And almost completely unknown.
The press had spent years trying to uncover his past.
They found no parents.
No siblings.
No childhood friends.
No family photographs.
Nothing.
The closest anyone had come to an explanation was an old rumor that Xavier had once admitted he didn’t remember his parents because his earliest memories were from an orphanage.
At eighteen, he had left the system.
He enrolled in community college and studied data science.
Then came an internship at a technology company.
They hired him permanently.
And somewhere along the way, Xavier stopped working for other people and decided to build something of his own.
He learned how to attract investors.
More importantly, he learned how to make them stay.
By his second year, Sterling Corp.’s stocks were being bought faster than investors could get their hands on them.
By his third, people who had once dismissed him were fighting to get into rooms with him.
And just a year ago, Xavier had purchased his first office building.
At twenty-seven, he had achieved what most people spent decades chasing.
And nobody knew exactly how he’d done it.
Which was precisely why Conrad Whitmore didn’t trust him.
“I don’t know about this, bug.”
Nadia sighed.
“Dad, I wasn’t sure about it either. But if you actually think about it…”
She spread her hands.
“It’s practically a blessing.”
“A blessing?”
Conrad stared at her as though she’d just announced she’d joined a cult.
“Are you serious, Nadia?”
“It couldn’t have come at a better time.”
She leaned back against the couch.
“We’re about to lose everything, and I don’t have another month and a half to raise the remaining money.”
Conrad’s expression hardened.
“And you’re willing to marry a man you barely know to fix that?”
“It’s not a real marriage.”
“Nadia.”
“It’s a contract.”
She rolled her eyes.
“And, honestly, it’s convenient for me too. Maybe now everyone will finally shut up about who I’m dating.”
Conrad stared at her.
“That is what you’re worried about?”
“No.”
A beat.
“But it’s definitely a bonus.”
Despite himself, Conrad almost smiled.
Almost.
He rubbed his forehead.
“Have you even looked him up?”
“I had Jaqie do it.”
“And?”
“He seems like a good guy.”
Conrad gave her a look.
“Parents?”
“He doesn’t know them.”
“Education?”
“He was in the system until he was eighteen. Went to community college. Studied data science. Then started Sterling Corp.”
Conrad’s frown deepened.
“And you’re sure about this?”
“Dad, relax.”
Nadia crossed her arms.
“I’m not actually getting married.”
Conrad raised an eyebrow.
“I’ve met him once. And I already know he’s insufferable.”
“You met him once?”
“Yes.”
“And you decided he’s insufferable?”
“He managed it pretty quickly.”
A small laugh escaped Conrad.
Then his face became serious again.
“I just don’t like the feeling that you’re selling yourself for a company.”
Nadia’s smile disappeared.
“I’m doing this because I want to.”
She looked him directly in the eyes.
“Besides, it’s my company too.”
“And mine.”
Everyone turned toward the doorway.
Mali stood there, arms folded.
Nadia smiled.
“And here comes the shareholder.”
Mali rolled her eyes.
“I’m serious.”
At eighteen, Mali was the youngest director at WhitCo—and Conrad and Evana’s only other child.
She had also inherited enough confidence to make her age almost irrelevant.
Before Nadia could answer, the front door opened.
Evana walked in carrying several bags.
Nadia immediately stood.
“Mom!”
She crossed the room and hugged her.
“Welcome home. How was your trip?”
“Wonderful.”
Evana smiled.
“I’m just glad I survived Mali’s driving.”
“Hey!”
Mali protested.
“I am a licensed driver.”
The room erupted in laughter.
For a few seconds, everything felt normal.
No debt.
No angry investors.
No contract.
No impending disaster.
Just family.
Almost.
Evana settled beside Conrad, who immediately slipped an arm around her shoulders.
“So,” she said, looking at Nadia, “how did you save WhitCo in one month?”
Nadia smiled.
“I didn’t do it completely alone. Jacqueline and Mr. Bennett helped.”
“But those were your decisions, weren’t they?”
Nadia nodded.
Evana shook her head in disbelief.
“I got goosebumps just hearing what you accomplished in a month.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Nadia waved her off.
“Anyway, I have news.”
She glanced toward the staircase.
“Mali!”
“What?”
Mali appeared at the top of the stairs, already suspicious.
“I have something important to tell you two.”
Evana looked at Conrad.
“What is she talking about now, Connie?”
Conrad shrugged.
He knew that look on Nadia’s face.
Whatever she was about to say, it was going to be something.
“The news is…”
Nadia paused.
Mali folded her arms.
“This better be good.”
Nadia smiled.
“I’m getting married.”
Silence.
Mali stared at her.
Then—
“I just knew you were full of shit.”
Nadia burst out laughing.
“Okay, hun. That’s really funny.”
She looked around at her family.
“Now let me finish.”
Mali’s smile faded.
Nadia’s did too.
“I’m marrying Xavier Sterling.”
Silence.
This time, nobody laughed.
Mali blinked.
“The Xavier Sterling?”
“Yep.”
“Sterling Corp?”
“Yesss. Him.”
Nadia sat down.
“He offered to clear the rest of WhitCo’s debt if I marry him.”
Evana’s expression changed instantly.
“He what?”
“It’s not an actual marriage.”
Nadia was quick to explain.
“He needs a wife for his current public image. We get married, maintain the appearance for thirty months, then get divorced.”
Mali stared at her.
“Thirty months?”
“Two and a half years.”
“That is a very long time to fake being married.”
“I’ll survive.”
Evana turned toward Conrad.
“Are you comfortable with this?”
Conrad sighed.
“I’ve tried talking her out of it.”
He looked at Nadia.
“She won’t budge.”
Evana studied her daughter.
She knew that expression.
Once Nadia Whitmore made up her mind, there was very little anyone could do about it.
Finally, Evana sighed.
“Alright, then.”
Nadia smiled.
“Thank you.”
Mali shook her head.
“This is insane.”
“Probably.”
Nadia stood.
“But it’s happening.”
She looked at all three of them.
“You’ll see.”
A small smile tugged at her lips.
“These will be the fastest thirty months of our lives.”
None of them knew how wrong she was.
⸻
Xavier Sterling sat alone in his office, staring through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Los Angeles glittered beneath him.
It was late.
Late enough that the building had emptied hours ago.
He should have gone home.
Instead, he stayed.
He liked the office better when it was quiet.
No meetings.
No cameras.
No investors.
No questions.
Just silence.
Then the intercom buzzed.
Xavier’s eyes narrowed.
He pressed the button.
“Stacy. I’ve closed for the day.”
“I’m sorry, sir, but there’s a woman here insisting she has to see you.”
“Tell her to book a meeting.”
He leaned back in his chair.
“We’ll fit her in…”
He glanced at his calendar.
“Three weeks from now.”
Silence.
“Sir…”
“What?”
“She says it’s important.”
“Everything is important to someone.”
“She says she has to see you tonight.”
Xavier sighed.
“Then tell her—”
The office doors opened.
“Three weeks?”
Xavier looked up.
Nadia Whitmore stood in his doorway.
For the first time that night, he looked genuinely surprised.
She smiled.
“I thought you didn’t have that long.”
His expression settled back into its usual calm.
“Ms. Whitmore.”
He leaned back in his chair.
“I didn’t expect to see you until after the week was over.”
“I made up my mind quickly.”
She stepped into the office.
“And I’ve spoken to my bosses.”
Something flickered in Xavier’s eyes.
“Your bosses?”
“My family.”
He almost smiled.
“Right.”
Nadia stopped in front of his desk.
“So?”
Xavier studied her.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then he asked quietly,
“What will it be?”
Nadia didn’t hesitate.
“I accept your offer.”
Silence.
Xavier stood.
“Okay, then.”
He walked around his desk and reached for a folder.
“We’ll take a few pictures. I’ll have my secretary post them tonight.”
Nadia frowned.
“Nothing too serious, please.”
“Why?”
“Because we’re supposed to be convincing.”
She paused.
“Not insane.”
The corner of his mouth lifted.
“We get married in a month.”
Nadia’s eyes widened.
“That’s short notice.”
“It has to be.”
“Of course it does.”
Xavier opened the folder.
“As for the conditions…”
Nadia stepped closer.
He turned a page.
“You won’t actually be my partner.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“So?”
“I don’t expect you to be faithful.”
Nadia blinked.
“Good.”
“We’ll leave that part open.”
He looked up at her.
“But be discreet.”
“Why?”
“I don’t want the press thinking I can’t commit.”
Nadia crossed her arms.
“I have an image too.”
She held his gaze.
“I don’t want to be known as the cheating wife.”
A beat.
“Or the wife who gets cheated on.”
Xavier nodded.
“Works for me.”
He closed the folder.
“Thirty months.”
Then he extended his hand.
Nadia looked down at it.
Thirty months.
A company saved.
Twelve million dollars removed from the list of things keeping her awake at night.
A simple business arrangement.
No feelings.
No expectations.
No complications.
At least, that’s what it was supposed to be.
She reached for his hand.
“Thirty months.”
Their hands met.
The deal was done.
Neither of them knew that thirty months would be more than enough time to ruin everything they thought they understood about each other.
- Writer
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