The Billionaire's Temporary Bride

Next! I heard the loud voice from the speaker. I clutched my worn out purse. I needed money desperately. My old slippers hit the floor as I walked to the stage. The atmosphere smelt of anxiety and banana cologne. Every lady had a smile on their face and their dress was astonishing. I shifted my eyes to review my dress also. I wore my best. My plan replayed in my mind. Get married and return back to school. My eyes met with the main reason I came. Adrian, the young billionaire CEO who ruled the city with iron and charm. His physique was the best I had ever seen. Tall, broad chest, handsome and messy. His eyes surveyed the ladies that were on the stage. Moving from lady to another. Suddenly his eyes stopped. " I pick her." His hand pointed in my direction. My heart skipped. Unsure of what to expect. My ears rang to the whispers of the other ladies. He stood up from the giant chair he sat on and strode towards me. " You'll be my wife."he said. I stepped back my slippers slapping the polished floor. My heart raced. I could feel everyone stare on us. " Let's go." I heard him say with his hands stretched. " But," my lips trembled " No questions." He replied cold My hands shivered as it met with his. cold and hard hand. I followed him closely leaving the stage. Journalist rushed towards us and we stepped into the compound. " Hop in." He said and walked to the other side of the car. My heart tightened. I wonder how I would cope living with him. I frequently tapped my fingers in the space between I and him. " Speak." I heard him say. " I..I.." I stammered, fingers curling into my sleeves. " Given you a chance already perhaps you aren't interested in it." I cleared my throat and breathed in. " Where are we going to?" My lips trembled. "Home, my home." My heart skipped a beat. I was about to change. The car halted inside his compound. I bit my lips as I followed him into his mansion. I got welcomed by the smell of an expensive cologne. The sitting room was extra furnished. To the taste I always wanted. I heard a short terrible laugh. " Really? Is she the new wife you picked? " I heard a female voice. Their resemblance was fascinating. Surely his sister. " Watch your words." he said. The next minute I heard the slamming of his shoe on the stairs. " Why on earth would he chose a wretched like you." Her words pierced through me. I clutched my worn purse not minding what she said. And walked up the stairs the way he did. " Where are you going to? "I heard a voice behind me. I turned to face him. " I..I..I.." " You're staying in my room, miss." I froze in place.I wasn't expecting that so fast. " I'd be expecting you." He said and slammed shut the door of his room. I rapidly blinked my eye lashes, took a deep long breath and followed him. My heart raced with every step into his room. I walked in and stood beside the bed. His room smelt the same as his sitting room. Nice and sweet. I stared at the floor slightly tapping my fingers. " Sit." He said. My chest felt too tight to breath. Fidgeting with my clothes I sat on the bed. " You belong here now and you need to learn the rules." My hands tightened. I nodded in response. He dipped his hand into his nearby drawer and brought out an envelope. Flipping out a piece of paper and dropping it on the bed. " Sign this." he said bold and clear. My eyes widened. I took in a quick breath. " What's this?" I don't want to believe it was what I was thought. " A contract document, miss." " A Contract? " I asked stuttering on words. A dangerous smirk appeared on his face. " You thought I was really getting married to you?" My lips trembled. "You wanted to pick a wife." " If I was to I can't possibly get married all my life to someone like you. " My heart pounded. " So why did you choose me?" " Can you just sign this, miss." " No I'm not. This isn't what I was told." He suddenly stood up. His fists clenching. " Enough of this. If you aren't signing it you can opt out I have other girls I could pick out there." My nose flared, my heart beated so hard. " And I'm sure you know that when you leave you're returning back to that wretched life of yours. " I cleaned the tears that were threatening to fall off my eye. I wasn't ready to return back to that difficult life. " Where's the pen." I said in whispers. " Fetch it inside the envelope. " My hands fidgeted as I picked up the pen. I shut my eyes before I signed. Clara James. " Good." He took the paper and scribbled on it. Folding the it back into the envelope. My heart paced. I was in for what I didn't plan for. He straightened, his eyes hard. " Rule one," he said. " You're my wife." My breath hitched. I stared at him. " To everyone, " he continued, we're married. " You don't correct anyone. You don't deny it." My fingers dug into the bedspread. " Your family? " " Especially my family. " I looked up at him sharply. " Why?" His jaw tightened. " You do what I say, miss." My throat felt dry. " How long is this supposed to last?" Silence stretched between us. His gaze flicked away for a second before returning to me. " You'll be my wife until Lucy returns." " Who's Lucy?" My breath hitched. " You don't need to know." My chest tightened. " So I'm just standing in?" " You're a replacement, " he replied without hesitation. The words stung, but I forced myself to breath. " And what if I tell someone the truth?" He stepped back, towering over me. " You won't. " My hands curled into fists. " What if I refuse?" A smile touched his lips, cold and dangerous. " Then you go back to that life." Silence fell again. I swallowed hard. " And tomorrow, you move in fully. " He said. He turned away pausing at the door. " And," he continued without looking back at me, " falling in love is not part of the deal." I blinked." Why." He smirked coldy, Sweats ran down my spine and I understood it. I just signed myself out.