The Billionaire’s Fake Bride

It had been a long day, scouring through the city, trying to make ends meet. And by 'ends meet,' I don't mean some dead-end job or whatever. I meant... PICKPOCKETING. It's what I do for a living, and hell, I've been doing it well. There have been some cases in the past where the cops caught up with me, but none that I hadn't been able to wriggle my way out of. Today, business births sweeter returns since the beginning of the week. Hence, I branched to one of the cheap restaurants a few meters away from home and decided to enjoy myself a treat. Taking all of my money back home or buying hamburgers in a takeaway pack only meant having half of the family cheat on me for the better part of my prize, therefore, the restaurant became a lifesaver. I sat at one of the small, cozy tables near the window. It held a perfect view of the bustling street outside, and for a moment, I could forget the unending noises and brawls I’d go home to. A redhead waitress clad in a typical cheap diner uniform approached my table with a friendly smile. I would have advised her to swallow her smile, ‘cause all it might end up doing was chasing clients away. But tonight, I was in good spirits. Therefore, as the smile stretched further, and her overly wide mouth convinced me that it was elastic, I kept cool and told her to bring me some hamburgers and iced tea. A few minutes later, I had my teeth skydived halfway through my food, and it was then that a tall man, presumably in his mid-forties, approached my table. “Mind if I join you?” His accent was unmistakably educated, with a slight British lilt. There was no reason why anyone, not even an old man, would want to join my table. But then again, whatever made him sleep well at night. Thus, I nodded. “Sure!” I beamed, barely according to him any more of my attention. I heard the geriatric chair cry as it was dragged across the marble floor of the restaurant, and the man’s faint sigh as he sat. I didn't care. Actually, I wished him off my sight but none of my family members owned the restaurant. “Ms. Aisling Gallagher?” I almost choked on the drink upon hearing my full name come from this stranger in front of me. Unbeknownst to me that I was in for a greater shock, I simply gazed up at him. There and now, my eyes twitched nonstop as they settled on the stack of crisp bills in the hands of the man. He saw my countenance and by the subtle smile on his face, I knew he expected it. Who wouldn't? “This is all yours if you come with me.” He bargained. Fine, I loved money. In fact, all the thoughts racing in my head now were about how to steal the bundle of money from him. However, following a stranger because of a shallow promise all in the name of money? That was insane. I’d never do it nor be as dumb as that. Instead, I smirked knowingly at him. “And why should I do that? Why would you want to let all of that money go just for me to follow you to God knows where?” “I come bearing a proposal that will change the course of your wretched life, Ms. Gallagher. But before that, Hilton Bill awaits you in a black Sullivan just some blocks away.” The goddamn stranger pointed out. Firstly, my wretched life? How dare he say that? But then again, my life was indeed wretched. It was the case of calling a spade a spade. Secondly, Hilton Bill? The name was criminally familiar. The only Hilton Bill I knew was the multi-billionaire, owner of the Bills Airlines, and I was sure to hell he’d wear skirts to play golf than wait for me in some car as this man had said. This old cargo was lucky I was in a good mood tonight. I could already picture myself sending him the most painful kick of the year in his jawline. “Just go away, old man. Look for someone else to clown around with.” I barked at him instead, shooing him away with a gesture of my hand. I was about to enjoy what was left of my meal when a smartphone slid right in front of me. I looked up. It was the man. My patience was wavering, I could tell. ”I am Dane Murphy, personal assistant to Hilton Bill of the Bills Airlines. If you harbor doubts, as typical of such kinds of situations as this, pick up that smartphone, Ms.” He urged. Maybe it was time to leave the restaurant now but then, something in me wanted to see this till the end. “What's in it?” I grumbled, picking up the mobile but with the intention of sprinting away with it at the slightest chance that I get. The man went on with his quest. “The phone is unlocked. Look up my name on the internet and see for yourself.” I couldn't resist scowling and joggling the phone playfully in the air. I was wondering why I needed to do that when I could as well run off now. Yet, I obeyed him. Since I would run away with his phone, I might as well give him the pleasure of trying to convince me. I swiped the screen, looked for the Bing app and… “What's your name again?” I asked, already ready to start typing on the search engine. “Dane Murphy.” He repeated. In a sing-song tone, “D. A. N. E. M.U. R. P. H. Y.” I chewed as I typed on. There weren't many search results but to my utmost dismay, this man was in the first image that popped up and just as he had aforementioned, he was Hilton Bill’s personal assistant! Holy mothering! I stared blankly into the distance for a few seconds, my hands that held the phone, shaking and threatening to fall down. “Y — you are really Hilton Bill’s personal assistant.” I mused in shock. With a voice that was barely above a whisper, “I am.” He stated with a calm demeanor that looked too good on him. Now, I was even more confused. Why would the multi-billionaire’s personal assistant come for me, and why would Hilton Bill himself be awaiting me? I put my thoughts into words. “But what do you want with me? I'm just a wretched girl like you said.” My eyelids were rapidly blinking now. I was still stuck in the cycle of processing his words. “Mr. Hilton needs a bride, and we've picked you as a qualified candidate.” With a smile now, the man announced. Ah…. I understood this now. Hilton Bill’s personal assistant has had a drunk night and was under the influence of alcohol because what?! “Hilton Bill is getting married two days from now, and he is marrying a wealthy heiress too.” I shrugged, but not able to disrespect this man anymore. He was a big shot, and I didn't want any more trouble for my already troubled life. “Come with me first and everything else will be explained in detail. It's not safe to have such a confidential conversation in…” He scrutinized around, obviously disgusted by the cheap setting of the restaurant. If at all anything would stop me, those bills couldn't be unseen. After all, he did say they were all mine should I comply. If I didn't obtain them, I might whip myself later when I'm broke again. Not that I wasn't broke anyway. Regardless, I stood up. “I'm in.” I smiled, outstretching my hands in the initiation of a handshake. The bloody man merely glanced at my hand then away and stood up too. His audacity! Now, I felt stupid. Anyway, I retrieved my hand and followed behind him, forgetting to settle my bills until the waitress ran after me. I gave her a $50 bill and didn't wait to obtain my balance. I would have had this man not walk away without waiting up for me at all. I noticed he had a walking cane and was slightly leaping by a leg. We finally arrived at the intersection where Crazed Ms. Sandy begs for alms daily. It wasn't more like begging because all the old woman did was sit there all day and passers-by tossed her a coin or two. The moment I saw the black Sullivan as the man had described, my heart jumped in my mouth. Was I truly going to meet Hilton Bill, the most eligible bachelor in the country? God help me, I might collapse in shock if I actually did because I was one good buff of the man. Or maybe his wealth.