Billionaire's Stolen Glance

Chapter 4: Secrets

“Yes, it is,” Antonio replied slowly, hoping she would understand. “The thing is my father requires me to get married as soon as possible to have access to my inheritance.”

“Wow,” she replied, still processing the information.

“Is it fine by you, or should we discard the agreement?” he asked.

“No, my father is sick, and I need money to pay his bills,” she confessed, desperation clear in her voice.

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Antonio responded, trailing off as his heart softened at her plight.

She looked shocked by his response. “Thank you,” she said, her voice slightly shaky.

“So...is it okay by you?” Antonio asked.

“Yes, it is,” she replied with a nod.

“Okay, your signature is needed here,” he pointed to the designated spot on the document.

He watched as she signed, then followed suit.

“If that is all, I will be taking my leave now,” she said, her voice wavering slightly.

“Oh okay. We will talk later then. I’ll have the hospital bills paid now”. He said, "And my driver will take you home," Antonio offered, feeling a sense of responsibility towards her.

Staring at the mirror, Andrea asked herself if she was truly ready for this. Her father's bills had already been paid, and he was responding well to treatment, so she pretty much didn't have a choice. Antonio had done his part; now it was time for hers. She never believed she would be walking down the aisle so soon.

Her thoughts were cut short by the tightening of the wedding gown.

"Almost done," the seamstress said softly, giving the final tug on the gown's laces.

Andrea took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. She glanced at herself in the mirror one last time, taking in the intricate lace detailing of the dress, the way it hugged her figure and flowed gracefully to the floor. This wasn't how she imagined her wedding day, but here she was, about to marry a man she barely knew.

The door opened, and her heart skipped a beat. It was time.

As Andrea walked down the aisle, her eyes locked with Antonio's. He stood at the altar, looking as nervous as she felt. His usually confident demeanor was replaced with a hint of uncertainty. She could see it in his eyes, the same questions she had swirling in his mind. But they had a deal, and this was part of it.

With each step, Andrea felt the weight of the decision she had made. The whispering guests, the soft music, the beautiful designs around the wedding hall, the floral arrangements—everything seemed surreal. She reached Antonio, who offered a reassuring smile, though his eyes revealed a glimpse of anxiety.

"I do," Andrea said, her voice clear and unwavering. It was just two years, she reminded herself. Two years, and then she would be free.

"I do," Antonio echoed, sealing their agreement with those simple words.

The officiant pronounced them husband and wife, and they shared a brief, obligatory kiss. It felt strange, but good. The guests applauded, and Andrea felt a mixture of relief and apprehension. The hardest part was over, but the journey had just begun.

As they turned to face their friends and family, Andrea felt Antonio's hand in hers and eyes on her, a silent promise that they would get through this together. But for now, they had fulfilled their parts. She got her dad while he got his inheritance.

Entering Antonio's extravagant home for the second time, Andrea couldn't help but feel like an imposter in her own life. The unfamiliar surroundings were a stark contrast to her humble apartment, leaving her feeling overwhelmed.

As she wandered through the corridors, Andrea's mind raced with worry about her father. The suddenness of her return to Antonio's mansion caught her off guard. She hadn't expected to be back so soon, and the realization sent a shiver down her spine.

What would her father think if he knew the truth? Would he understand the lengths she'd gone to save him, or would he feel betrayed by her deception?

Lost in her thoughts, her attention was drawn to a faint sound nearby. Following it cautiously, she stumbled upon an abandoned room in Antonio's mansion. Despite his instructions not to touch anything, curiosity got the better of her.

As she stepped inside, the room appeared empty and unnaturally clean. The only adornment on the bare walls was a photograph of a stunning woman with brown eyes and blonde hair, her slender figure striking. Andrea couldn't help but wonder who she was. Was this Antonio's ex-wife, or someone else entirely?

Before she could take a closer look, she heard footsteps approaching the door. Panic surged through her as she quickly turned to leave, only to find Antonio standing there, his expression furious.

"What are you doing here? I told you not to touch anything!" he said angrily.

It was the first time she had seen him angry, and it wasn't good.

"I... I was just passing by," Andrea replied, her voice trembling.

Antonio took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. "This room is off-limits. If you need something, ask me or one of the staff. Do you understand?"

Andrea nodded quickly, feeling a knot of anxiety tighten in her stomach. "I understand. I'm sorry."

He softened his tone slightly, though the tension was still palpable. "Let's get back to the party. We don't want to raise any suspicions."

As they walked back to the main hall, Andrea's mind raced. Who was the woman in the photograph, and why did the room elicit such a strong reaction from Antonio? She knew she had to be careful, but her curiosity was now piqued more than ever.

Back in the bustling atmosphere of the party, Andrea tried to blend in, greeting guests and exchanging pleasantries. Sandra, noticing her unease, approached her with a reassuring smile.

"Mind if I steal her?" Sandra asked jokingly, glancing at Antonio, who simply smiled and nodded in response.

Once they were alone, Sandra gave Andrea a warm hug. Apart from Miss Felicia, Sandra was the only one who knew about the contract marriage.

"You know, sometimes life has a funny way of working out for the best," Sandra said, holding her supportively.

Andrea managed a weak smile, grateful for Sandra's kindness but still unsettled by the encounter in the mysterious room. "I hope you're right. It's just... there are so many secrets."

Sandra raised an eyebrow. "Secrets? Like what?"

Andrea hesitated, then decided to share a little. "I found this room in Antonio's house with a picture of a beautiful woman. When Antonio saw me there, he got really angry."

Sandra's eyes widened. "A picture of a woman? Who do you think she is?"

"I have no idea," Andrea admitted. "But it felt like a big deal. He was furious."

Sandra nodded thoughtfully. "Well, just be careful. But hey, he's hot and extremely rich. At least he's not old and ugly," she added with a teasing grin.

"Seriously, girl?" Andrea replied, rolling her eyes. They both laughed, and Andrea felt a lot better.

Sandra nudged her playfully. "Besides, maybe this marriage won't be so bad. You never know, you might actually fall for him."

Andrea snorted. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves."

Antonio eventually made his way back to her side, his earlier anger now hidden behind a mask of charm and composure. "Shall we go?" he asked, offering his arm.

As they walked out, Antonio glanced at her, his voice low. "I'm sorry about earlier. That room... it's just a sensitive subject."

Andrea looked up at him, curious. "Who is she?"