Chapter Five
1458 Words
Alice slept peacefully in the back seat while Lisa gently held her hand, stroking her hair.
“Are you okay back there?” Liam asked as he drove.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” Lisa replied softly.
“I hope you had a great evening,” he said.
Lisa smiled quietly and muttered, “Yes.” Actually, it was Liam who made the night wonderful. The hours had flown by during their texts at the club. Though she wasn’t sure if she fully trusted him yet, at that moment butterflies fluttered in her stomach. For once, she felt like she could open up.
They pulled up outside Lisa’s house. Alice was already awake.
“Yo, Lisa, I’m going inside,” Alice said, her voice tinged with worry. She didn’t want her friend hurt but gave them space, leaving Lisa and Liam alone in the cool night air.
The silence was heavy. The chilly breeze tingled on Lisa’s skin as she looked at Liam, admiring him from the corner of her eye.
“I guess this is goodnight,” she said.
Lisa admired him, but with her heart still tangled in memories of Tony, she resisted the urge to get close to Liam.
“Yeah, I guess it is,” he answered.
Slowly, the distance between them closed. She felt his warm breath brush her cheek, and the faint scent of his cologne pulled her closer. For a moment, all she wanted was to press her lips to his.
He hugged her gently and kissed her forehead—a soft, tender kiss. The temptation to reach for her lips was strong, but he held back, not wanting to take advantage of her, especially since she was still a little tipsy. He wanted to protect her.
Lisa felt a pang of disappointment that he didn’t kiss her properly but swallowed it down. She buried the feelings stirring inside her.
They said their goodbyes and he drove off. She could still feel the warmth of his lips lingering on her forehead—soft, comforting.
---
The next morning, Lisa woke up lighter, her heart a little more hopeful. She set off to open her new fashion and jewelry shop at the mall, using the money she had left.
She busied herself setting up posters and flyers, making sure everything was perfect.
As she helped staff settle in, she ran into Melanie—Tony’s bride-to-be.
“You look a mess,” Melanie sneered, batting her eyes. “Now you’re working at a mall? Without Tony, you’re useless.”
Lisa shot back, “At least I don’t depend on a man for everything. Unlike you.”
Melanie scoured the shop with a mocking smile. “This is trash. Who would buy this junk?”
“If you want to buy something, you’re welcome. Otherwise, you know the exit,” Lisa snapped.
Alice stepped forward. “What brings you here, Melanie? You’re not welcome.”
Melanie smirked, “Easy, my sweet, innocent sister. I’m just here to pick a jewelry piece for my wedding—you’re not invited. But I couldn’t help noticing this old-fashioned shop.”
“Old-fashioned? The only old-fashioned thing here is you and your smudged lipstick,” Lisa fired back.
She refused to let Melanie get to her after all she’d been through.
Suddenly, Liam Styles entered with his assistant.
“(gasps) Mr. Styles! I’m such a fan. Can you sign my autograph—” Melanie started but was cut off.
“Thanks, but I don’t have time,” Liam said. “Frank, can you check who owns this shop?”
“Sure, sir,” the assistant replied.
Before Frank could move, Lisa interrupted, “That’d be me, sir.”
“Hi, Lisa. Wow, you bought this shop? Congratulations,” Liam smiled warmly.
Melanie’s face twisted with jealousy. She knew how expensive the place was and how hard it was to even rent a spot here, let alone buy one outright. She stormed out in fury.
Lisa asked Liam, “You work here?”
“Sort of,” he replied sheepishly. “Lisa, can I have a word?”
They stepped aside to a nearby coffee shop inside the mall.
“I know this is sudden, but I want to offer you something,” Liam said, folding his arms like a businessman.
“An offer? What kind?” Lisa asked cautiously.
“I want you to marry me. Just for a year. I’m about to lose a huge share of my business to rivals. My father expects me to have a bride—and an heir—by the end of the week. If I don’t, my irresponsible brother Zac will take everything.”
He slid a contract across the table. “Afterwards, we divorce. I’ll pay you a billion as compensation.”
“A contract marriage?” Lisa echoed, stunned. “But why me? We barely know each other.”
“Because you’re perfect for this. You can help me save my business. It’s strictly business,” he said. “Think about it. You’d be doing me a huge favor.”
Lisa hesitated. “I don’t know… This is sudden.”
Liam’s eyes shimmered with vulnerability. “Trust me.”
Lisa’s mind raced. Could she trust him? Could this be the perfect way to get revenge on Tony and Melanie? She owed Liam her life, after all.
She gave a small, determined smile. “I’ll think about it.”
“Please do,” he said, handing her the contract. He left, his scent lingering.
“I owe him my life,” Lisa whispered.
---
Liam's POV
Astonished by her confidence and grace, I watched Lisa’s eyes searching mine.
I hadn’t expected an answer yet—no yes, no no. I just hoped she’d save me from this disaster.
My assistant Frank looked up from his typing. “What if she says no? Our rivals will destroy you. Everyone expects a wife soon.”
I sighed, unsure. “I don’t know. I just hope she agrees.”
I left the office and stepped into the elevator—only to find Lisa.
Her bright eyes caught mine, and my gaze drifted to her full, soft lips.
I cleared my throat, flustered.
“Hi, Mr. Styles. I’m heading to your office.”
“Uh, okay. I’m not busy. Let’s sit in my office.”
She followed, every step graceful, like she floated.
Frank had left.
Lisa settled into a chair effortlessly.
“Did you say something?” she asked.
“Uh, no,” I mumbled.
She held the contract. “I read it. I’ll accept. But one condition.”
“Tell me.”
“You have to give me a fair share and stick to your word. I don’t know why you chose me, but I’ll pretend to be your bride.”
A smile broke across my face. “Anything for you, Lisa. You have my word.”
---
Lisa’s heart pounded. Palms sweaty. Was this her biggest mistake—or best move?
Fueled by thirst for vengeance, she kept her eyes on the prize: to destroy Tony’s business and career.
“Let’s start preparing. No time to waste,” Liam said, serious and unreadable.
---
News broke fast.
BUSINESS TYCOON AND BILLIONAIRE LIAM STYLES WEDS LISA
---
Meanwhile, Tony and Melanie prepared their wedding.
Melanie scrolled through her phone when a notification popped up: Lisa and Liam’s wedding announcement.
“What?! That brat’s marrying a billionaire? And I’m stuck with this Tony, who barely has a billion to spare? How dare she!” she spat.
Tony entered, watching Melanie pace in a luxurious gown.
“What’s wrong?”
“Your ex-wife is marrying your rival,” Melanie said. “Someone tipped me—they’re planning to destroy your company. She’ll be unstoppable.”
“What?!” Tony exploded. “She’s broke! She probably stole from me.”
Melanie smirked. “Alice told me she saw Lisa with your late mother’s jewels before she left.”
Tony stormed out, calling Lisa multiple times until she answered on the fifth ring.
“What the hell is this? You’re a w***e, jumping from one man to the next! Barely a week and now you’re marrying another? Worse, you stole from me! I’ll get you arrested!” he screamed.
“Excuse me, aren’t you supposed to be getting married right now? Pathetic. And I never stole a thing,” Lisa spat back.
“So I’m a liar now? You’ll see the worst of me,” Tony growled.
“I’m neither a w***e nor a thief.” Lisa hung up.
“How dare she hang up on me!” Tony fumed.
Lisa starred in the mirror, her resolve hardening.
“You’ll pay for everything,” she whispered.
- Writer
