My Billionaire Contract Marriage

MR. ROGNEZ

Glydon’s POV

The ride to Westspring Villa was silent and suffocating. Mr. Rognez was focused on his tablet, glancing up only when he needed to speak with Mr. Han on office matters.

I sat back with a bored expression, sighing at intervals when I couldn't stand the silence.

“Do you not have something to keep yourself busy?" he questioned, breaking the silence in the car.

“Thanks to someone, I don't have a job. Plus, scrolling through the Internet will keep my interest for a short period," I dryly replied.

“Since you have nothing useful to do, let's go through the contract," he said demandingly.

He passed his tablet to me with the contract visible on the screen. I glanced through the first paragraph and went straight to the rules.

RULES

1. The female participant is not allowed to speak to any other man other than her husband.

2. Both parties are to live under the same roof until the marriage dissolves.

3. The female participant is to listen to every instruction given by the husband.

4. No s*x or any form of intimacy unless necessary.

5. Both parties are to appear in public as a couple.

6. No secrets are to be kept by either party.

7. The female participant is to give the husband whatever he demands.

8. Whatever the female participant desires shall be taken care of by the husband.

9. No late nights.

10. No drinking to the extent of intoxication.

11. No falling in love.

12. The female participant is strictly forbidden from going into the husband's room.

13. If issues arise between both parties, they are to reconcile before the next day and clear whatever misunderstanding they have. Failure to do so will warrant a fine.

14. After one year of the contract, both parties are to divorce, and the female participant shall leave with whatever she earned while the marriage subsisted and five billion in compensation.

15. Both parties are legally bound by the contract, and any form of breach will warrant monetary compensation of ten billion dollars.

I scoffed in disbelief. What sort of ridiculous rules are these? I am not even allowed to drink, stay out late, or throw a fit in peace, typical arrogant billionaire behavior.

“Aren't the rules a bit too much?" I pointed out. “And how certain are you that you won't fall in love with me?"

“That won't be possible. Our relationship will be strictly professional. Mark my words," he declared in a stoic tone.

“I am quite lovable. It won't be that easy for you," I teased, nudging his arm gently.

He stared down at me with a stern expression that made my smile fade. He was truly a dictator, as rumored.

I read the rest of the contract in silence until we arrived at the destination where he wanted us to stop.

“Since you are going to stand by my side as the new Mrs. Rognez, some things have to change," he said, sizing me up with a dissatisfied gaze.

“What things?" I asked, but he stepped out of the car before I could get my answer.

Curious, I followed him out.

“Our marriage won't work out if you keep being a snob."

He remained silent, walking ahead. I understood his statement the moment we entered the shopping mall.

“From now on, you have to dress according to your status. Shabby outfits are not accepted," he said condescendingly.

“Shabby?" I scoffed, offended by his choice of words. "My outfits are branded. Though not popular, they aren't knockoffs. I spent a fortune to look this good, Mr. Rognez. My beauty can not be denied." I flipped my hair with a cheeky smile and wiggled my brows.

I stepped ahead of him and turned to face him while moving backward.

“So, what do you think? I'm pretty sure you chose me for this job because of how gorgeous I look."

“You look nothing like you describe yourself," he muttered dryly.

“The denial. Alright, let's get down to business."

I fell into step beside him as we strode into a clothing store.

A blond-haired man in colorful ruffles casually gave out orders. He only turned to see his new customers when Mr. Han called his attention.

“Oh, it's the mighty, Mr. Rognez. How may I help you?" He dragged his words, obviously not willing to attend to his customer.

It wouldn't be a surprise if he didn't like the grump beside me. Mr. Rognez wasn't someone anyone would be interested in enjoying the company of.

Though I didn't mind hanging out with him since we were more or less a married couple now.

But as a boss, he was infuriating and self-centered.

“I brought someone you can play dress-up with."

Mr. Rognez stepped aside for me to be seen.

The blond man's eyes lit up with excitement as if he had won the lottery.

“Perfect eyes, smooth skin, asymmetrical face."

He assessed my features, leaving compliment upon compliment.

“Pass. I will dress her up. What's the occasion?"

“Occasion?"

I raised a brow at Mr. Rognez, I'm waiting for an explanation.

“Tonight is the pre-birthday party of the Grand Matriarch of the Rognez household," Mr. Han explained.

“What? I thought we agreed there were no secrets between us."

I vented my displeasure at the late information.

If I was going to pull this job off, then I had to be updated on every activity involving the Rognez family. It was rumored that the eldest matriarch was colder than her grandson and didn't tolerate any form of incompetence.

“Don't worry about him, my dear cousin. He is rigid like a block. I am Antonio Rognez," the blond man introduced as he led me towards the changing room.

As Antonio began to do my makeup and dress me in all kinds of stunning outfits, he lectured me on the dos and don'ts of the party.

“My sweetheart, the old lady doesn't like latecomers, clumsy women, or dumb women. She is strict about elegance. I am surprised my cousin picked you up to play this role. Trust me, he won't be of any help if you get bullied by the family."

“Why is that?" I asked, getting chills about the birthday party.

The Rognez family sounded like a robotic cult society that would traumatize anyone who crossed their path.

But Antonio seemed different. He was more colorful and cheerful than his snob of a cousin. I liked that he was great at holding a conversation and careful with sensitive topics.

“Everyone has a motive. If you lose your guard even a bit, they will tear you limb from limb. Did Vincent tell you?"

“Tell me what? Who is Vincent?"

I frowned, a bit confused by who he was referring to.

He rolled his eyes, shaking his head as he dropped his foundation brush.

“My cousin's name is Vincent," he stated, reapplying powder to the brush. “Not to crush your spirit, but if you are going to play a couple with him, you have to prepare your mind for the worst. Our family isn't a playhouse. They are brutal," he explained with an eerie tone that made me swallow hard.

“Um..."

“But do not be afraid. I am sure Vincent won't let them hurt you too much." He smiled.

I noticed the psycho hiding under his perfect cheerful facade. I was quick to judge; no one in this Rognez family sounded sane.

I felt a sudden chill on my skin even though there was no window in the room. My eyes darted from side to side, looking everywhere but at him.

“Um...Antonio."

“Don't be afraid, my sweetie. I won't eat you since my cousin has his eyes on you," he said, his voice cold and dark.

There was an uncanny vibe oozing off him, like he was some jester god.

“Oh well."

He beamed, his voice returning to being cheerful.

“You are gorgeous, sweetie. Vincent would adore you once he sets his eyes on you."

I smiled awkwardly, creeped out by his personality switch.

My mind zeroed down to nothing, blank from what he had told me. I didn't notice that my hand was shaking until he held it and patted the back gently.

“I like you, Glydon. So you have nothing to be afraid of."

He grinned with his eyes closed. My belly churned when he called my name. The last time I checked, neither I nor Mr. Rognez had told him my name.

“Um...I like you too," I said, uncertain if I meant my words.

A deep voice broke the eerie atmosphere, and Antonio quickly switched to his nonchalant attitude.

Mr. Rognez paused at the door, staring at me with a crease between his brows.

I couldn't tell whether he was confused or dissatisfied with my makeover. He just stood there, expressionless and cold.

“I told you he would be awestruck by your beauty," Antonio teased.

But Mr. Rognez's face didn't seem like he was mesmerized. It's more like pissed.

“Get up. We are late for the party," he said and walked out just as quickly as he came.