Temporary Bride

Chapter 1

(Williams legal associates; San Diego.

September 28 2021)

Williams pov

"Sit down, Damian, you're going to wear a hole in my carpet with all that pacing". Williams intoned in a flat voice. I ignored him and continued to pace back and forth in front of the desk, his hands shoved into the pockets of his leather jacket.

"I can't believe this, my grandfather willed Dove ventures to Thomas".

"Only if you don't get married………."

"Within 30 days, how the f**k is that possible".

"Well, if the papers are to be believed, you seem to have quite the entourage of ladies, a harem, some may say". Williams replied, in what Damian called his courtroom voice. "The California Times calls you one of the most eligible California bachelors," he drawled.

"I'll be damned if I am going to tie myself to any of those bimbos, not that I intend to tie myself to anyone else either". I retorted.

"Your grandfather only wanted you to settle down".

"Be tied down, you mean. Grandfather always had the most archaic ideas. I am married, and just the thought of it sends shivers down my spine.

" I'll be damned if I am going to push myself into the ridiculous association that is marriage," I tell Williams.

"I'll have you know that marriage is quite an enjoyable institution, young man."

" It's an institution I've managed to avoid for the past 29 years, and it's one I intend to avoid for the rest of my life". I retorted, with a snap in my voice.

"You're his lawyer, why didn't you stop him, when he came up with this ridiculous idea". I continued.

"You knew Alfred Sutherland as well as any man, Damian, and you knew more than I did, that there was no stopping him, once he had gotten hold of an idea. Besides, it was not my place to stop him, " As long as he was medically considered as mentally sound, it was not in my place to object to any of his decisions."

"Of course, it wasn't your place. As long as you got your commission, everything was perfectly fine."

"Damian, that was really unnecessary. You knew perfectly well that your grandfather was a very good friend of mine, and I truly respected him". Williams said in his best courtroom voice.

"I'm sorry Williams, you know I didn't mean that this whole thing has got me in jitters". I muttered. Properly chastised. My eyes looked everywhere but at Williams.

" Apology accepted," Williams intoned.

"Is there no way I could contest the will"? I asked.

" There is always a way to contest a will, but do you want to tie up your grandfather's company in probate for months or even years, and eventually watch it go to Thomas? Because that's exactly what will happen if you decide to contest the will."

"So, you mean there's nothing I can do?"

"Well, you can always try talking to Thomas and hope he'll do what's best for the company".

"That gigolo, I am perfectly sure he'll run the company into bankruptcy, just to spite me".

"Gigolo you call him, the papers seem to think you're made from the same cloth. The Now magazine even dubbed you two the Sutherland twins. Does that make you a gigolo as well?"

I scoffed.

"You and Thomas may not like each other, but he's your cousin, he loved your grandfather and I'm sure he wouldn't intentionally do anything to ruin his legacy," Williams said.

" We both know Thomas doesn't know squat about running a company. The only reason he wants to be at the helm of Dove ventures, is he'll probably make some bad decisions and push the company into debt on his first day of the job."

" Knowing Thomas, he just might do that," Williams agreed.

"Damn, so if I don't want Thomas to capsize the company my grandfather spent his whole life building, I have to be wedded in 30 days".

"And bedded". Williams muttered under his breath.

"What?" I snapped.

"I believe your grandfather's exact words were wedded and bedded ."

" Damn," I said, running my hands through my hair," just when I thought it couldn't get any worse."

"Holy crap, they're not going to have a doctor's check if ……………………". I asked after a pause.

"No, of course not, her testimony before a judge and the board of directors should be more than enough. Although, I have no doubt Thomas would want to bring in a doctor if it was entirely up to him".

"Dammit, so not only do I have to find a wife in thirty days, I have to find one who will be willing to stand in front of a judge and a bunch of stuffy old men, to tell them she f****d me. Perfect, JUST FREAKING PERFECT. I said, raising his voice to a shout at the last three words. This was so freaking frustrating.

"You don't have to bite my head off Damian, I have an idea that will solve your problem ".

"Come on Williams, this is not the time for one of your jokes".

" Seriously, Damian, I am ninety-four per cent sure, this will work".

"So why are you just bringing it up?"

" It was quite entertaining to watch you rant and rant and rave."

" Glad I could give you your daily dose of entertainment," I said, oozing sarcasm.

"Alright, let's hear this brilliant idea of yours".

" Don't use that tone of voice with me, young man. Here's the idea. As smart as your grandfather was, he missed a loophole".

" A loophole".

"Yes, a loophole, the will didn't say you had to stay married".

"I don't understand".

"Listen, all you have to do, is find yourself a bride, get married, have her testify to consummating your marriage in front of a judge and the board of directors, stay married for a little while, then get a divorce or even an annulment, whichever one you prefer.

" I still don't understand".

"Damian, for someone so smart, you can be quite daft at times, I am talking about a contract marriage".

"A contract marriage, and where the hell am I supposed to find a contract wife from ".

"That's where I come in. Give me three days, and I'll find you a bride who'll not only be willing to stand before a judge and the board of directors paltry and talk about consummating your marriage, but she'll also be willing to agree to a divorce or an annulment, whichever one you use after a year of marriage, all for the paltry sum of ten million dollars. Boom; problem solved".

"That's quite a steep price, Williams, can't you get her to agree to five million dollars?"

"Don't be a miser, Damian, we both know you can afford the ten million dollars, a hundred times over, and besides, Dove Ventures is worth it, it's going to make you a multi-billionaire".

"How do we know she won't refuse to sign the divorce papers, or try to blackmail me later in the future".

" Simple, all we have to do is draw up a prenuptial agreement that favours us, and make sure she signs it".

"You're sure, she'll agree to this".

"She has no choice, not if she wants the money".

"I'm still not sure about this".

" This is your only option, Damian, unless you want to leave the company to Thomas".

"Not in this lifetime".

"Trust me on this, Damian, show up here in three days, and I'll introduce you to your bride".

"Are you sure about this, Williams," I asked as I picked up my keys from his desk.

" The way I see it, this is your only option," Williams replied.

I sighed as I walked out of his office. Trust my grandfather to find a way to frustrate my life from beyond the grave.