Chapter Five
1778 Words
Lyra couldn’t believe herself as she sat inside a private jet. She felt small, intimidated by the luxurious interior.
The girl who had been a bullied maid was now dressed in a silky white gown, ready for a marriage to a man she’d never seen.
She had tried to run from her fate, but it had found her anyway.
A few hours earlier, Grandma Kari had proposed that she marry her grandson in exchange for keeping her mother’s properties. Helpless, she had agreed.
Since then, everything had happened in a blur: her hair and makeup done, tests to ensure she was healthy and fertile, and now, the contract in her hand. If she failed to give Grandma Kari a grandchild within a year, the properties would be gone.
She would do it, for her mother. Men were predictable, she reasoned; her unknown husband would come willingly.
"Ma’am, we’ll be descending in three minutes. Please sit tight," the pilot announced.
Lyra stared at the clouds, thinking how vast the world was, and how unlucky she was.
Soon, she landed in Los Angeles and rode in a black limousine to city hall.
"Go right in, Ma’am," the chauffeur said, opening the door.
Lyra placed the file in her bag and stepped out. Her heart raced as she approached the tall white building.
"Hello, Ms. Kim," a bald man in a green suit said as she entered.
"Um, hello, are you my husband?" Lyra asked.
"No, follow me," he replied, leading her to an elevator.
They passed newlyweds in line. Lyra smiled bitterly, love felt so far away.
"Go in," the man said, standing beside an office door.
Inside, a broad man sat with his back to her, facing a woman in a white suit.
"Welcome, Ms. Kim. Please sit and sign," she said, pointing to a chair.
Lyra lowered herself cautiously. The man exuded danger, even more than the bodyguard outside.
He knew who she was immediately but hadn’t checked any credentials. He wasn’t interested in women, he assumed she was a gold-digger.
"Please, sign this," the woman said, sliding a paper toward Lyra.
Lyra glanced at the man. Her breath caught.
Only an i***t wouldn’t recognize him: Zachary Chaz, the world’s richest billionaire, known for Chaz Tech. Her idol.
She had worked toward this moment in secret, hoping to one day work at his company, but now, she was about to marry him.
"Quit wasting my time and sign," Zac said coldly.
His eyes narrowed, gaze flicking over her like a warning.
Lyra stammered, signing shakily.
The woman handed the paper to him.
"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Chaz.
“Stand for your picture," she said, grabbing a camera.
Lyra froze, caught staring.
"Address her by her name, Tina," Zac said coldly.
"Oh, yes, Mr. Chaz," she stammered.
Lyra realized instantly she had gone from frying pan to fire. This was the man women whispered about, Hot, Irresistible, Charismatic.
"Um, sir, we need to look convincing for Grandma Kari," Tina said cautiously.
Zac raised a brow.
"Hold her waist, like this," Tina guided. He wrapped an arm around her and lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him.
Lyra’s heart raced as Tina snapped pictures. His touch was possessive, his blue eyes intense.
"Perfect, I’m done!" Tina said.
"Get away from me," Zac said dismissively, pushing her away.
He studied her green eyes, instincts warning him not to trust her. Women were manipulative, and he suspected she had an agenda.
Tina handed him the certificate and pictures.
"Don’t need them," he said, walking out.
"I’ll take it," Lyra offered softly.
"Bless your soul, Mrs. Chaz," Tina said, relieved.
"Call me Lyra. Goodbye, Ms. Tina," she said.
Outside, the bodyguard handed her a seat in a midnight Bentley.
"Thanks," she said.
Zac appeared suddenly, his cold gaze piercing her.
"You don’t know what you’ve gotten yourself into, little wife," he said.
***
The trip was the most dreadful ride Lyra had ever had.
She kept her back straight, afraid of appearing relaxed before her new husband. Her eyes stayed on the window as the car pulled into a lavish estate she’d only seen in magazines.
The car stopped at a huge black gate, which rolled open, and they drove into the massive compound. Lyra stared at the gigantic house at the center.
Zac stepped out immediately, ignoring her. She opened her own door, determined not to delude herself. Her new husband had been forced into this, just like her.
She wondered how she was supposed to seduce an unwilling man.
“Ms. Lyra, please,” the bodyguard motioned for her to follow.
Inside, the mansion reflected its owner: black and grey everywhere, sleek and imposing. They approached a massive bookshelf that slid open to reveal a hidden door. Lyra followed, awed but unsurprised.
It was the office of the world’s top tech company owner.
Zac typed silently behind a glass desk.
“Boss, she’s here,” the bodyguard announced.
“Leave us, Gregory,” Zac said, eyes still on the screen.
Gregory left. Lyra’s throat tightened as she swallowed, her chest pressing with mounting pressure.
A printer beside him whirred. “Take it,” Zac said.
She picked up the document, his company seal on top. Marriage Contract? She thought she was already his wife.
“Sign it,” he said indifferently.
Lyra hesitated. She wanted to read it first.
“What’s the matter, little wife?” Aiden’s voice made her jump, he was suddenly beside her.
“I… I just wanted to read it before signing,” she stammered.
He closed the distance, his presence suffocating.
“Your tricks won’t work on me,” he said scornfully.
Her back hit the tall shelf. Heart racing, she clenched the paper. Zac’s cold glare made her fear he might strike, but she knew he wouldn’t physically hurt women.
Still, she had to survive this encounter.
“I’ll sign it! Please don’t hurt me!” she gasped, hunching over the table as she scribbled.
Aiden watched, frowning at her shaky hands. He never touched women, but this gold-digger thought he would. He vowed she’d regret underestimating him.
“I-I’m done, s-sir,” Lyra stammered, offering the paper.
“Get out!” he barked.
She grabbed her bag and bolted toward the exit, but Gregory appeared, blocking her path.
“I want to leave. Step aside,” Lyra begged, tears falling.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Lyra, but my duty does not allow it,” Gregory said respectfully.
Her chest heaved, and hot tears streamed down her face, realizing she would have to endure the marriage, at least for now. She would find another way to reclaim her mother’s houses.
“Please, follow me,” Gregory said, leading her back inside as the estate’s doors closed behind them.
- Writer
