My Contract Husband

I hated events like this. Too many lights. Too many people pretending to like each other. Too many smiles that never reached their eyes. “Stop frowning,” my mother whispered beside me. “I’m not frowning.” “You are.” “I’m observing.” My father chuckled under his breath. “Observing what exactly?” “The richest people in New York pretending they’re normal.” Mother nudged me lightly. “Blessing.” “What?” I said, lowering my voice. “Look around. Half these people are probably negotiating billion-dollar deals while discussing wine.” Father smiled faintly. “That’s exactly what they’re doing.” The ballroom buzzed with quiet conversations and the clinking of expensive glasses. Designers gowns, tailored suits, diamonds that could buy houses, everything about the room screamed power. I shifted slightly in my heels. “Remind me again why I had to come tonight?” Father raised an eyebrow. “Because you’re my daughter.” “That’s not a reason.” “It is tonight.” Before I could ask what that meant, a ripple moved through the room. Not loud. But noticeable. Several people turned toward the entrance. “Why is everyone staring at the door?” I asked. My father followed their gaze. Then he sighed softly. “Because Raymond Anderson just arrived.” The name sounded familiar. Very familiar. “The Anderson heir?” I asked. “Yes.” I turned toward the entrance. And that was when I saw him. Tall. Calm. Confident in a way that made the entire room feel smaller. Raymond Anderson walked into the ballroom like he owned it. His expression remained neutral as several people greeted him immediately. He shook hands. Nodded politely. Spoke briefly. But something about him felt distant. Controlled. Like he kept the world several steps away from himself. “He doesn’t look very friendly,” I murmured. Father snorted. “Friendly isn’t a word people usually use for him.” “What word do they use?” “Ruthless.” Mother shot him a warning look. “Lucien.” “What? It’s true.” Across the room, Raymond spoke with an older man before accepting a drink from a waiter. Then, unexpectedly, his eyes lifted. For a brief second… He looked straight at me. I froze. The moment lasted maybe two seconds. Then he looked away. My heart was suddenly beating faster. “That was strange,” I muttered. “What was?” Mother asked. “I think he just looked at me.” Father chuckled. “Half the room is looking at him. I doubt he noticed you.” “Wow. Thanks for the confidence.” “Just being realistic.” I rolled my eyes and took a sip of champagne. Then a voice spoke behind me. “Miss Gerald.” I turned. A tall man stood there, probably in his early sixties. His sharp eyes studied me carefully. My father immediately straightened. “Victor.” Ah. So this was Victor Anderson. Raymond’s father. They shook hands. “Lucien,” Victor said smoothly. “Good to see you again.” “You too.” Victor glanced at me briefly. “And this must be your daughter.” Father nodded. “Yes. Blessing.” I gave a polite smile. “Nice to meet you.” His gaze lingered on me for a moment longer than necessary. Interesting. Then Victor nodded. “Excuse us for a moment, Lucien. I’d like to discuss something privately.” Father hesitated. Then he nodded. “Of course.” The two men walked a short distance away. Mother leaned closer to me. “That man has always been intimidating.” “You know him?” “Everyone in business knows Victor Anderson.” “What about his son?” Mother sighed softly. “Raymond Anderson is… complicated.” That sounded ominous. Across the room, Raymond had moved closer to the bar. Several women were trying to get his attention. He barely acknowledged them. I watched the scene with mild amusement. “Someone should tell them he looks bored.” Mother followed my gaze. “He usually does.” As if sensing our attention, Raymond turned slightly. Our eyes met again. This time he didn’t look away immediately. His gaze held mine for a few seconds. Curious. Evaluating. Then he walked toward us. My stomach tightened. “Oh no,” I murmured. Mother frowned. “What?” “He’s coming here.” Sure enough, Raymond stopped in front of us. Up close, he looked even more intimidating. Not angry. Just… composed. “Mrs. Gerald,” he said politely. Mother smiled. “Raymond. It’s been a while.” He nodded. Then his eyes moved to me. “And you must be Blessing.” I blinked. “How do you know my name?” He gestured slightly toward the room. “Your father mentioned you earlier.” That was strange. But before I could question it further, he extended his hand. “Raymond Anderson.” I shook it. “Blessing Gerald.” His handshake was firm but brief. Professional. “So,” he said calmly, “are you enjoying the gala?” I laughed softly. “Do you want an honest answer?” “Yes.” “Not really.” Something flickered in his eyes. “Why?” “Because everyone here looks like they’re pretending.” “That’s because they are.” I raised an eyebrow. “You’re included in that statement.” He didn’t deny it. “That’s fair.” A short silence followed. Then he asked another unexpected question. “Why did you come tonight?” “My father insisted.” “And you obeyed?” “I didn’t have a choice.” Raymond studied me carefully. “You always do what your father says?” “Not always.” “Just tonight?” “Apparently.” He almost smiled. “You’re different from the others here.” “That sounds dangerous.” “It’s an observation.” “Well,” I said lightly, “you’re the only person here who looks like they’d rather be somewhere else.” That actually made him pause. Then he said quietly, “You’re very observant.” “Occupational hazard.” “What’s your occupation?” “Surviving billionaire parties.” For the first time, Raymond actually smiled. Small. But real. Then he checked his watch. “I should find my father.” “Good luck,” I said. “Why?” “I think he kidn*pped mine.” Raymond glanced across the room. Victor and my father were still deep in conversation. His expression darkened slightly. “Interesting.” “What is?” “My father doesn’t usually talk this long with anyone.” “Well,” I said, “maybe they’re plotting world domination.” Raymond looked back at me. “That would be consistent with their personalities.” Before I could respond, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen. Then sighed. “I have to take this.” “Of course.” He nodded once. “Goodnight, Miss Gerald.” “Goodnight.” He walked away. I watched him disappear into the crowd. Mother nudged me. “Well?” “Well what?” “What do you think of him?” I shrugged. “He’s… interesting.” “That’s not very descriptive.” “He’s not very descriptive.” She laughed softly. Across the room, my father and Victor were still talking. Actually… They looked serious. Very serious. “I’m going to check on my father,” I said. Mother nodded. “Don’t interrupt them if it’s business.” “I’ll try.” I walked toward the balcony hallway where they had moved. Their voices became clearer as I approached. “…the alliance would strengthen both families,” Victor was saying. My steps slowed. Alliance? Father replied quietly. “And Raymond?” “He’ll accept it eventually.” Something about that sentence made my stomach twist. Accept what? I stepped closer, hidden by the hallway corner. Victor continued speaking. “Your daughter is perfect for this arrangement.” My heart skipped. Arrangement? Father hesitated. “Blessing deserves happiness.” “She will have security. Power. Influence.” “That isn’t the same thing.” There was a pause. Then Victor said the words that made my blood run cold. “Our children’s marriage will secure everything.” I froze. Marriage? My marriage? My father sighed heavily. “Raymond doesn’t even know about this yet.” “Neither does Blessing,” Victor replied calmly. My heart started pounding. They were talking about me. And Raymond. My father spoke agai n. “We should at least give them time to meet first.” Victor’s voice was calm. “They already have.” My breath caught. “They spoke tonight,” Victor continued. “I saw them.” My father sounded surprised. “You did?” “Yes.” “And?” Victor’s tone turned thoughtful. “Interesting.” I leaned closer, trying to hear more, then a voice spoke behind me. “Eavesdropping usually leads to unpleasant discoveries.” My heart stopped. I slowly turned around.