THE BILLIONAIRES CONTRACT WIFE

The Offer

CHAPTER ONE

Alexer Smith stared at the balance on her screen for the fourth time that morning,15 dollars and twenty cents was all she had left. She locked her screen and placed the phone down on the kitchen cabinet. The apartment was quiet except for the soft hum from the air conditioner in the neighbor's corridor. Morning sunlight slipped through the thin curtains . Alexer rubbed her forehead. She has been unemployed for over three weeks, three weeks of attending company interviews and receiving polite rejection emails. She previously worked in a small publishing company in downtown Los Angeles. Alexer had lost her job unexpectedly and the savings she managed to achieve disappeared quickly due to the stack of bills she had to pay.

Rent was due in four days, and Sheila’s university fees were due at the beginning of the next month. Her younger sister had not complained once, that somehow made everything worse. Alexer picked up her phone again and there was a text from Sheila, saying Don’t forget I'm making dinner tonight. Come home early, not knowing Alexer was already home while she was out. Alexer smiled, Sheila always tried her best to make things easier. Alexer replied, saying I won’t forget. She hesitated before sending another message saying, “Everything will be fine.” She stared at the words, then deleted them because Sheila would know she was lying. Instead, Alexer sent an emoji then put the phone away. Tonight was important, she said.

A former colleague had invited her to an event being held at one of the Ashford’s family hotels in Beverly Hills, which several business executives were expected to attend. Alexer wasn’t attending the event for the expensive food and drinks nor the famous guest, but cared about finding a job. She stood in front of her mirror, looking at the burgundy dress she had borrowed from a friend. It fitted her well though, but the heels were not slightly comfortable, but her feet could survive in them for a few hours. She grabbed her bag and left.

Los Angeles was busy, cars filled the roads, pedestrians hurried along the sidewalks. By the time Alexer reached Beverly Hills, she began to wonder if attending the event had been a mistake. The hotel was luxurious, cars worth millions were lined up at the entrance. Different guests and investors stepped out wearing expensive jewelry, bags, shoes, and there she was with her borrowed dress. She wasn’t intimidated or looking down on herself, she whispered.

“ Just act normal."

She entered, crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, waiters moved around tables carrying trays of drinks while soft music played in the background.

Alexer took a deep breath then walked towards the refreshments. She had barely picked up the glass of champagne when a voice stopped her. Slowly, she turned around. Adrian Ashford, a thirty-year-old elegant and charming man, CEO of the Ashford’s industry and one of the most powerful business people in Los Angeles.

He was also the man Alexer bumped into a few months ago at a business meeting. She had been carrying a stack of documents.

“ You should be more careful. ”

Adrian said while Alexer was picking up the documents which were on the floor. She looked up at Adrian, then said,“ You should stop standing in the middle of a walkway." That was the end of their conversation, until now.

Alexer realized it was the man whom she bumped into months ago, remembering herself telling him boldly to move out of the walkway without knowing who he fully was. She apologized before he could even utter a word. Adrian smirked, then handed a black folder to her.

While saying,“ I need you to read this."

She reluctantly took the folder. The first page made her stop. MARRIAGE CONTRACT.

Alexer looked up, then back at the page, then Adrian. “ What is this? ” she asked again.

Adrian replied,“ A contract, I need a wife." Alexer laughed. Adrian didn’t. Her expression changed, “You need a wife and you decided to meet me? Why?” Adrian explained that his grandfather had left him controlling ownership of Ashford’s industry, under one condition: He had to be married before a certain deadline.

His family had already begun suggesting different women, which he rejected. He wasn’t interested in any lady who wanted him for his money. Alexer closed the folder and asked,

“ Then what are you doing?”

Adrian replied,“ Offering you a folder. ”

She almost laughed again. That was hilarious. Six months later, he said, You will become my wife for six months, we will attend public events together, present ourselves as married couples, and at the end of the six months, we will divorce.

Alexer stared at him and said

“ Why would I agree to that?”

He replied.

“ I'll pay one and a half million dollars in return. ”

Her heart skipped, her mind immediately went to Sheila, her tuition, her rent, the bills. That amount would solve everything. Adrian watched her carefully.

“ You need that money.”

“ Don’t assume you know me.”

She replied,

Her expression hardened, she opened the contract again.

“ What are the rules?” she asked.

No children

“Obviously,” she replied.

No interference in each other’s lives, no discussing the agreement with the media, you’ll attend family meetings and business conferences when required, you’ll live at my residence.

She looked at him and said

“ Separate rooms?”

Adrian replied,

“ of course ”

She nodded.“ Good. ”

Alexer looked at the contract. It was the solution to every financial problem she ever had, although it was the most absurd proposal she had ever received.

Alexer received a text from Sheila, saying

“ The university called again, but she told them not to worry she’ll figure something out”.

Alexer closed her eyes, she could not let Sheila give up her education because of her. She looked at Adrian asked

“ Six months”?

“ Six months” he responded

She picked up the pen and signed. Adrian signed immediately afterward.

He closed the folder, then said

“ it’s done”

Alexer looked at him, saying

“If you make me regret this, I’ll make those six months unbearable. ”

Adrian’s mouth curved slightly, he extended his hand, she shook it.

“ Welcome to the Ashford family ”

Alexer pulled her hands back.

“ Don’t get too comfortable with that ”

Adrian looked at her for a moment, then replied,

“ I won’t ”

He walked away.

Alexer remained in the ballroom. She had just agreed to marry a billionaire she barely knew. A man who irritated her, a man who seemed incapable of smiling, a man who she was absolutely certain never to fall for. The arrangement was simple: six months, one and a half million, no feelings. At least that was the plan.

Across the room, Adrian glanced back at her. He had carefully considered every part of the agreement. He had prepared for arguments, family pressure and media attention. There was only one thing he had failed to prepare for. The possibility that the woman he had chosen for convenience might eventually become the person he could not imagine losing.