My Contract Marriage to the Billionaire Playboy

Chapter 1 My father and I sat at our table in an empty restaurant, silently eating our food. He summoned me here to "discuss my future", but so far he hasn't said a word to me. Finally, my father set down his fork and cleared his throat. “You need to stop believing in this silly dream of becoming a writer and settle down." I instantly felt my heart pounding in my chest. "What are you talking about? I have had several publishers interested in my writing. But, for some reason, they keep getting bought out by larger companies, or the people I have been working with disappear suddenly. I wonder why that would be?" I said back, slowly raising my voice. “Ariana, there is no point in the theatrics. I’m just trying to keep you from being disappointed later on in life.” How is he always so calm?! I felt like I was about to explode. Tears began to sting in my eyes, so I looked away from my father. I can't let him see me upset. “I’ll tell you what, if you agree to an arranged marriage, I’ll release the rest of your inheritance from your mother to you. Then, you can do whatever you want with your life.” My father clasped his hands and stared into my eyes from across the table. I had broken off my engagement to my ex, Justin, about 6 months ago, which also gave me the courage to finally reveal to my father that I didn’t want anything to do with his company, Platinum Holdings. I knew he was doing a lot of shady dealings. I was almost 100% sure that he was laundering money for some kind of gang. My father loved Justin and wanted him to take over Platinum eventually, but since he cheated on me, that all went out the window as well. Honestly, I was surprised my father cut ties with him. He probably only did it to save face since Justin cheated on me so publicly. This arranged marriage is probably some way to find someone he can trust to run his shitty company. “Why would I want to marry some random person that I’ve never met? Much less, someone that you picked out. I’ve told you before, I’m tired of you trying to run my life,” I said sternly. “Why can’t you be like a normal father and let me live my life?” “I’ve told you before, Ariana, we’re not normal. This family stopped being normal a long time ago. With this kind of wealth, we have eyes on us at all times, everyone is watching our every move. Every decision you make affects so many more lives than your own.” My father shifted in his seat and started to look more relaxed. “Also, this wouldn’t be someone you don’t know. Do you remember James Williamson III?” “Tripp? The one whose parents you work with? The one who is constantly in the tabloids because he thinks he’s some kind of playboy?” I started to yell. He’s got to be kidding. “Yes, the very same,” my father took a sip of his wine and looked at his watch, “Ariana, this is the only option I’m giving you. You’re my daughter and I won’t have you ruining my reputation because of your pointless dreams. Now, I must be leaving. I’ll give you a couple weeks to think about it some more, but I’d suggest you say yes.” My father stood and left the table, making sure he had the last word, and leaving me in shock. —------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After leaving the restaurant, I immediately went home to soak in a nice hot bath. As I started to undress, I noticed myself in the mirror. It’s strange how much I look like my mother. I have the same dark, curly hair, blue eyes, the same pear-shaped body, I’m even short like she was. The only difference is that I actually tan compared to how pale my mom was. Mom, I miss you so much. I thought to myself. My mom died when I was 13 from ovarian cancer. Now, about 10 years later, I still miss her as if she passed away yesterday. If she was here, I know my father wouldn’t be so controlling, he was never like this before. After my mother died, it was like an internal switch was flipped and he couldn’t help but control everything about my life. I passed classes that I never should have or failed extracurriculars that I put my heart into. Friends would suddenly stop talking to me, saying that their parents wouldn’t let us be friends anymore. At first, I thought maybe my father was looking out for me since I took my mother’s death so hard, but when these things continued into high school, I finally confronted him. He told me that I was overreacting, most kids “would beg for their parents to do what I’ve done for you”. It was ridiculous. This behavior continued from college even into my professional life. I tried moving far away from him for college and it still didn’t work. The only thing that seemed to make my father loosen his grip was when I started dating Justin in my freshman year of college. Justin was the son he always wanted, a charismatic business major that could charm anyone to do anything they wanted. He was also a big narcissist that kept me from pursuing my goals, probably another reason why my father loved him so much. Thinking about everything, I started to get more mad. f**k this. I thought to myself while grabbing my phone and calling my best friend, Michaela. “Hello?” She said on the other line. “I need to go out, my father has reached peak shittiness.” “Oh! I can’t wait for the tea! Where do you wanna go?” “I dunno, somewhere loud that has strong drinks. I don’t even want to be able to hear myself think.” “I have the perfect place in mind, I’ll be over there to get ready in 30.” While hanging up the phone, I let out a deep sigh and hopped in the shower instead of the tub. Thank god for Michaela. She’s the only friend I have that hasn’t been manipulated by my father. He tried getting rid of her while we were in college but she literally laughed in his associate’s face. She didn’t have anyone that he could manipulate, since she hated her extremely conservative family and she didn’t want his money either. Even at 19, she had already been working with clubs as a promoter and did VERY well for herself, to the point where she was able to pay for her law school with no student loans. After my shower, I heard my dog, Chance, whining by the door to my apartment. Michaela must be here already. Next, I heard her walk through the door. I walked into my small living room and saw Michaela petting Chance, her long, wavy, dirty blonde hair in a high ponytail, no make-up and in her sweats. “Hey b***h, you ready to go dance your ass off?” She said to me with a big smile on her face. “I’m ready to dance, get drunk, and maybe even make out with a rando,” I replied while leading the way to my bedroom for us to finish getting ready. “Well s**t, what did Jaimes do this time? Buy another company to get you fired?” “Nope, this time he’s trying to convince me to accept an arranged marriage.” “Wait what?!” As we got ready, I filled Michaela in on my father’s requirements and who he wanted me to marry. “Wait, isn’t that guy your childhood bully?” Michaela asked. “Well, not at first. Growing up, Tripp and I were best friends. We would always run off and hide somewhere during our parents’ business meetings or any time our parents were at the same party. We would stay up late playing Nintendo games and telling each other our secrets. We even went to the same school for a little while. Then, around the time my mom got sick, Tripp’s parents divorced and he moved back to Scotland with his mom. Between him moving across the ocean, and the fact that I was barely hanging on, we just drifted apart. About a year after he moved and my mom died, he moved back to the states. I was so excited to have my friend back. My dad had started controlling my life and I felt so secluded at school. We had reached out to each other online before he came back and we were making plans to hang out. But, when he came back, he acted so differently at school. He would tease me and make me the butt of every joke, but then turn around and try to chat with me online. I got tired of the bullshit and just ignored him after that.” Michaela looked at me in the mirror as we did our makeup. “So, yes, he’s your childhood bully.” “It’s just complicated is all,” I sighed. “That’s not even the main problem at this point. He could have changed, for all I know. That was almost 10 years ago. The biggest problem is the fact that he’s a huge playboy. He’s constantly in the tabloids because of the new super model on his arm every week. Plus, why the f**k would I want to be in an arranged marriage?!” “Wait, wait, wait, is this guy James Williamson? That Scottish GOD who is always on the cover of every magazine?” “Yeah. One and the same,” I said, still trying to calm down. “Dude, I’d marry him just at the thought of being able to have s*x with him. Did you see those pics of him where he was skinny dipping? That man is hung.” “Oh god, please don’t. I grew up with him. I wouldn’t sleep with him in a million years. Besides, he’s probably swimming in diseases. Are you almost ready?” "Dude, chill," Michaela said while laughing. "You know I'm just trying to make you laugh. Being forced into a marriage would never be okay, even if the s*x would be amazing." Michaela looked at me from the corner of her eye with a soppy grin on her face. I looked away from her, staring at myself in the mirror. "Do you know what the worst part is? I'm actually considering it." Michaela started to choke on her own spit. "Wait what?!" "I'm running out of funds, Michaela. I was able to get a small portion of my inheritance and I have been mostly living off of it this whole time. But, it's running out. Maybe," I paused and looked away from myself, "maybe it's time to throw in the towel." "s**t, okay, this just got even heavier. Look, Ariana, I don't know what the best choice is going to be, but, I do think that you just need not to think about it for tonight. Let's go out, like you told me you wanted, and we can figure this all out tomorrow. We can even make a list of pros and cons, you're favorite," Michaela said with a wink. "Now, let's hurry up and get going, you are due for some distractions." Michaela and I finished getting dressed. I was in a green crop top that had crisscross openings in the front showing off the little cleavage I had, some black, high-waisted shorts and a pair of black, open-toed, strappy heels. Michaela was wearing her usual club outfit, a white body suit with a pair of black high-waisted pants and black, closed-toed heels. Since she’s usually working these events as a promoter, she tries not to wear anything that will make her stand out too much. Tonight is no exception. She wants to be able to be a fly on the wall and notice everything happening to make sure it all goes as smoothly as possible. Having a best friend who works for clubs is the best. We are able to get in right away and are taken to a VIP table. I quickly took two double tequila shots and tried to head to the dance floor. “Hold on there killer,” Michaela grabs my hand. “Let’s find you a hottie to dance with. You did say you wanted to make out with someone, right?” Michaela knows I was just over exaggerating about that before. I have no desire to hook up with some random guy since everything with Justin blew up in my face not that long ago. But, the thought is a little tempting. Maybe the goon my dad always has following me will get some pictures and send them over to him. That would be fun. “f**k it, let’s find me a man.” “s**t, I was kidding. But, I also do feel like you're due for some justified manic behavior, let’s do this.” We stood above the dancing crowd looking around. I could feel the bass in my stomach, it was thumping so loudly. Michaela points out a few different guys that looked like complete dude bros, and definitely not my type. “You can’t be this picky if you’re just looking for a good time.” I could feel the tequila starting to make me feel warm and more relaxed. “I can be as picky as I damn well please.” That’s when I noticed a tall guy ordering drinks at the bar. He had to be at least 6’4” with long, dark hair pulled halfway into a bun. He had on a black short sleeved tee that completely showed off his ripped chest and arms. He had full sleeve tattoos that made me wonder if he had more anywhere else. “Him,” I said, while pointing the guy out. “Well, hot damn, he’s fine as hell. Wait, where’d you go?” Michaela started looking around for me, but I was already on my way down to the bar to talk to him.