His Contract Wife: Her Billionaire's Revenge

CHAPTER 4

DAMIEN

“It's been over a week and you have no information on the task I gave to you. That shows how incompetent you are, Richard,” I fired at my driver, fingers drumming against the table.

“I apologize, sir. I … I promise to get everything before 24 hours. I've been trying to get the details but it's just a bit difficult to…”

I cut him short, taking no cognizance of his troubled state. "Difficulty my foot! You're the one who's not up to the task here. You had better get it done or you have yourself to blame.”

The universe came to his rescue when my phone rang and it was my father. Realizing it was a family matter, I dismissed him with a wave before taking the call.

"Son, we need to see. Right away,” he thundered from the other end while the line went dead immediately but the urgency in his voice was thick enough to be felt. I needed to be there immediately.

****

“It's no surprise to you that my health is deteriorating," my father started in a sober tone. “And I won't be able to oversee the company for so long anymore.”

I heaved, a way of telling him to continue.

Talking about the company, it had always been a dream for me to take over one day and it seemed the time was nigh.

“Now, you're aware that the one who will take over that family legacy after me is none other than you. Are you ready to take responsibility?"

“Of course, dad. You know how much I've loved to someday make this family proud and uphold your legacy," I stated, not holding back anything.

After he had waited for a while, and silence hung in the room, he said, “But you know there's a requirement to be met... you need to get a wife."

Not again?

How many times do I have to tell this old man that I didn't even have a girlfriend.

"But dad…I don't even have a …"

“A girlfriend isn't it?" He cut me short. I wasn't surprised he knew because that had always been my excuse for as long as I could remember.

Yeah, ever since Catherina decided to break my heart and shatter my trust. It had been difficult to trust any other woman.

“Look, son, I understand you. It's difficult getting a decent and responsible woman in this age, especially one who wouldn't tarnish the image of the family, but trust me, I have it under control now.”

"Under control? I don't understand…what do you mean?" I stuttered, brows furrowed in confusion. “How are you supposed to have my marriage under control?"

“It’s for the best, son... all you need to do is cooperate with me, and watch my plan benefit you," he stated convincingly.

“Okay then, dad," I responded, taking a sip of my wine to calm my tense nerves. “So what's it about? I mean the plan.”

“Oh that? I found a perfect girl for you."

My heart skipped a beat. An arranged marriage in this age and time?

But he obviously never knew how shocked I was because he continued, “She's beautiful, decent and she's the kind that matches the family standard and will help uphold the family legacy.”

“I still don't think that's the perfect solution. Marriage isn't something to be built on convenience but love…I think I should go for someone I love, dad.” I countered.

He adjusted his posture. "See, everything in the universe succumbs to power and control. Once these two precede, everything else follows, even love.”

I knew my father was not the one to back down once his mind was made. He would either have it his way or not at all.

I needed to do something, to devise a plan and it had to be fast. My fingers dug into my palm as my mind sought answers.

Suddenly, an idea hit me.

I would play the game of pretence. Pretending to play by my father's rule to get access to what I desired. Then once I had the power and control, just as he said, I would play by my own rules.

Yes! Perfect!

“Your way, dad. I trust your plan and I know you won't lead me astray," I smirked while raising my glass to a toast.

I could see satisfaction build up on his face as we clinked glasses. “I know I can be proud of you," he purred.

But if only he knew this was a game between two masters.

HAZEL

The magnificent sitting room was filled with thick silence. Everyone stared into space as if they were afraid to start the conversation.

Sitting beside my father, an older man, Mr Raymond, sat opposite us both. I sat still, hands clasped tightly on my laps, trying not to wrinkle my dress or give away the way my heart pounded against my rib.

“She's beautiful,” Mr Raymond finally cleared the air, looking at me like what exactly I was– a bargaining chip, product on display. “I believe she'll fit in just fine."

“You have nothing to worry about, Mr Raymond." My father responded, glaring at me to keep a straight face. “My daughter is a good girl and I can vouch for her anytime."

Then they switched to the main reason for the discussion.

“So...we'll cover the expenses to bring your company back on its feet, all of it, but not after the wedding has taken place,” Mr Raymond said. "We'll also throw in an extra $10 million for the wedding expenses. The wedding must be binding and immediate.”

Immediate?

The word pressed me to my seat like a vice. The whole thing revolved around me, yet no one even solicited my opinion. Being invisible was nothing compared to how I felt at the moment.

The conversation was formal and official. Everything revolved around me, as if they were haggling over a commodity, yet no one solicited my opinion.

I felt weak, frustrated and used. I had no say in my own life's affair.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, hands trembling despite all efforts to keep them calm.

“That's fair enough by me. We should do everything as fast as we can,” My father objected.

"No way this is happening. You can not just sell me off to someone I don't love just for financial assistance.”

Those words were exactly what I wanted to say, but the words won't form. My throat was dry, my heart was pounding and my breath was unstable.

The consequences of saying anything at the moment was more traumatizing than the thought of having to endure a loveless marriage.

“Fine. I should call my son in here now," Mr Raymond said, dropping his empty glass of wine as he reached for his phone.

After a few minutes, he placed the phone to his ear. Then he mumbled something into the phone or maybe it was me who didn't hear clearly because my mind was mesmerized.

Shortly after, the door pushed open and there was a sudden shift in the air as a figure stepped in.

“Here comes my son," Mr Raymond announced with pride in his eyes.

And then my eyes shot up.

But immediately, everything in me stopped, and the world tilted.

No. This couldn't be real.

He stood there, wearing a suit that fit too well. His blue eyes shone with familiarity as he shook hands politely with my father.

He hadn't noticed me but the mere look at him made my heart slam as if it would give me away.

“Meet your wife, Hazel," my father announced, pointing towards me and then our gaze met.

He froze.

Our eyes locked and my breath hitched for seconds. My head spun as memories of me and him floated in my mind, as he stood like a soldier turned stone.

He couldn't hide the surprise on his face as well and for the next few moments, everything else disappeared and it was only us.

Despite the surprise on his face, he exuberated his usual sense of confidence, and that stabbed deeper into my chest.

Fuck!

I hoped my heart wouldn't fall out of my chest.

I had sworn he wasn't seeing me again. I had promised we were never meeting again.

But now, here he was, not only that, he was going to be my husband, and that was a punch in the gut.

“Nice meeting you, Hazel," he said, revealing a smirk only I knew the meaning. He stretched his hands and I took it reluctantly. The contact sent shivers down my spine, while the touch lingered like smoke on fabric.

My mind churned as the full realization hit me hard– the man standing before me was the same man I had a one night encounter with.

Would he continue with this or would he humiliate me with our little secret?

If he did, was I ready to confront the consequence of my mistake?