The Billionaire’s Temporary Wife

Phoebe Black had a special talent. She could make even the busiest billionaire in the city abandon his work. Unfortunately for Jeff Black, she was using that talent on him right now. “Daddy, you promised!” Jeff looked up from his laptop. His seven-year-old daughter stood in the middle of his office with her hands on her hips, staring at him with a determined expression. I know what I promised, Jeff said. No, you don’t. Jeff smiled. Really? And what exactly did I promise? You forgot! Jeff laughed. He rarely laughed these days. Running Black's Enterprise was demanding enough, but raising a daughter alone made everything twice as difficult. Ever since Phoebe’s mother died shortly after childbirth, Jeff had devoted himself entirely to work and his daughter. He had become one of the richest men in the country. Yet there were nights when the mansion felt empty. Daddy. Yes? You promised we would go grocery shopping together today. Right, that promise. Fine, he said, closing his laptop. Yay! Before he could react, she threw herself into his arms. Thank you, Daddy. Her happiness softened something inside him. " Go get your jacket," Jeff said, smiling. Then he stood and grabbed his car keys. An hour later, they arrived at one of the city’s largest supermarkets. The moment they entered, people started whispering. Jeff Black was impossible to see. His face appeared regularly on business magazines and television interviews. Everywhere he went, people recognised him. Jeff ignored the attention. He was used to it. Phoebe, however, couldn’t care less. She immediately grabbed a shopping cart. Daddy, hurry! Jeff followed behind her. For the next thirty minutes, Phoebe filled the cart with everything she liked. Cookies. Chocolate. Fruit juice. More cookies. Phoebe. Yes dad? We don’t need five boxes. We do. No. Yes. Jeff sighed. Negotiating a billion-dollar contract was easier than arguing with his daughter. Eventually, they reached the checkout section. Several cashiers were working behind the counters. Jeff was distracted by an email on his phone when Phoebe suddenly froze. Her entire body became still. Phoebe? She wasn’t listening. Her eyes were fixed on someone. Someone is standing behind one of the cash registers. A young woman. She wore the supermarket uniform. Her face was soft and beautiful. Nothing about her seemed extraordinary. Yet Phoebe stared as though she had just discovered treasure. Before Jeff could ask what was wrong, Phoebe dropped the cart. Daddy! What. Then she ran. Fast. Far too fast. Phoebe! Jeff immediately chased after her. But he was too late. The little girl reached the cashier first. And then something happened that left the entire supermarket speechless. Including Jeff. MUMMY! Phoebe shouted. Customers turned. Employees stopped working. The cashier’s eyes widened. What? Before she could react, Phoebe wrapped her arms around her waist. Mummy! Jeff’s heart nearly jumped out of his chest. The supermarket fell into complete silence. The young cashier looked absolutely stunned. She glanced from Phoebe to Jeff and back again. I think there’s been a misunderstanding. Phoebe tightened her grip. No. No? The cashier asked. You’re my mummy. Several customers gasped. Whispers spread rapidly. Did she just say mummy? Isn’t that Jeff Black’s daughter? Who is that woman? I thought his wife died years ago. Jeff quickly stepped forward. Phoebe. No daddy, Phoebe protested. Phoebe. No! The little girl buried her face against the cashier’s stomach. The cashier looked helpless. Jeff immediately apologised. I’m so sorry. It’s okay, the woman said softly. Jeff gently pulled Phoebe away. The little girl protested. Daddy! Enough. I want Mummy! Jeff felt embarrassed. Something he rarely experienced. Phoebe, this lady is not your mother. She is! No. She is! The argument continued for several seconds. Customers stared. Phones were already appearing. Great. Exactly what Jeff needed. A public scene. Finally, he picked Phoebe up. I don’t want to go. We’re going. No. Phoebe. She pointed at the cashier. That’s my mummy. The cashier looked as confused as everyone else. Jeff offered her an apologetic look. I’m really sorry. It’s alright, she replied. For a brief moment, their eyes met. Jeff quickly looked away. Come on. He carried Phoebe toward the exit. The entire way, she continued protesting. Mummy! Mummy! People stared as they left the supermarket. Jeff had never been more relieved to reach his car. Meanwhile, Anna stood frozen behind the cash register. She wasn’t sure what had just happened. Her coworker rushed over immediately. Anna! Yes? What was that? I have no idea. Do you know Mr Black? No. Have you ever met his daughter before? Never. Neither of them understood anything. Why would a little girl call a stranger her mother? It made absolutely no sense. Yet there had been something strangely sincere in Phoebe’s eyes. Something that made Anna’s heart ache. The girl was simply confused. That was all. She returned to work. But she couldn’t stop thinking about the incident. Back at the Black mansion, things weren’t going much better. Phoebe sat on the living room sofa with her arms crossed. She had been pouting for almost an hour. Jeff stood nearby. Watching. Hoping she would finally calm down. Instead, she looked up at him. Daddy. Yes? I found her. Found who? Mummy. There it was again. Phoebe, we’ve discussed this.. That woman isn’t your mother. Phoebe shook her head. She is. How do you know? The little girl suddenly became quiet. Jeff expected another childish answer. Instead, she touched her chest. Because I feel it here. For a moment, he didn’t know what to say. Phoebe rarely spoke so seriously. I just know, she whispered. Jeff looked away. Perhaps it was because his daughter had never stopped longing for a mother. She had asked countless questions over the years. What was she like? Would she have loved me? Would she have played with me? Would she have hugged me? Questions Jeff could never answer properly. Daddy? What? When can we see Mummy again? The answer should have been simple, “Never”. But somehow, the word refused to leave his mouth. Instead, he found himself thinking about the cashier. The way Phoebe had instantly attached herself to her. It didn’t make sense. His daughter had never reacted this way to anyone before. Not teachers. Not family friends. No one. Only that woman. For the first time all day, he considered a possibility he hadn’t before. Maybe he needed answers. And there was only one person who could give them. The mysterious cashier. Little did Jeff know that meeting Anna again would change all three of their lives forever.