The Secret Billionaire and His Substitute Bride

Chapter 11: Can This Work

Pov Calista

I had been preparing for this interview like crazy. Ethan has been so supportive. He had called in another favor by taking me to the mall to an expensive clothing store and got me a bunch of outfits suitable for this job interview. Could this work? could I date my husband? he wasn't awful and he was really attractive.

I mean thousands of people turn out very happy in arranged marriages I think divorce rates are at 50%. They never meet beforehand but then again I just felt something was not right he seems to be hiding something from me.

Sometimes his clothes look vintage to make them look old but people like me can tell they are expensive and from rare collections. He is very secretive when he's getting phone calls.

Also, why do so many people in power owe him favors? I know he's a Chase but he calls in some crazy expensive favor. Could he be a drug dealer? or an enforcer for the rich? I'm overthinking this. I should just ask him. If he's serious about making it work he will be honest with me right?

I was sitting at the table when I heard the door. I see Ethan coming in looking very tired. I had made lemon-roasted chicken thighs with green beans and roasted potatoes for dinner. I got up and went to the Kitchen to get him a plate. He's been working so hard. He's even started giving me money to put the side. For savings he said but I wouldn't touch that money for the surgeries. I could do this on my own. I had told him yes to the date but I didn't want too.

If I was being honest with myself I was scared. If I let him in I know he will find a way to disappoint me. Just like everyone in my life has. I was distracted by making him a plate and overthinking to notice he was in the kitchen with me. He hugged me from the back and kissed me on the cheek. "Hey beautiful, it smells delicious in here." he said.

I try to unwrap myself from him but it was impossible to do I gave up. Ever since he found out I wasn't Jade he stopped at nothing to show his affection for me. If I'm not careful he gets a little too touchy for me. I set the plates down. "Ethan let me go please." I said "Not until you greet your husband probably." He whispered in my ear. I sighed and turned around in his arms. "Hello Ethan, how was your day? Are you hungry?" I said.

"Fine very hard day of doing things. and yes I am" he said with a devilish grin. "Well, then you are in luck your plate is ready." I said with a smile.

He was looking at me with hunger suddenly I'm lifted onto the counter him in between my legs. He leaned down for a kiss but moved my head he got my cheek he laughed and started kissing down my neck. "Ethan what are you doing?" I said voice trembling he got to my earlobe and gave it a little nip. I yelped in surprise.

"Greeting my wife." he whispered in my ear seductively. Then added "I'm not hungry for food at the moment"

While still kissing my neck. I was losing my train of thought he had this way of getting what he wanted but I wasn't ready to go to bed with him I didn't even know him. He doesn't give me an answer as to what he does or where he works.

I pushed against him "Ethan will you behave please stop it." I said. "Come on Cali. When are we going to consummate our marriage?" he said as he pulled up to look at me in the eyes. I bit my lip I was nervous. I sighed "Ethan I don't know you. I'm not that type of woman. I feel like you are hiding things from me." I said in a rush.

His hazel eyes were so mesmerizing. "I'm not hiding anything. You know I have needs too and it's not my fault my wife is incredibly attractive" he said. I looked at him sternly and rolled my eyes at him. He shook his head and said

"Fine kiss me and I will happy. alright just give me something." he complained

A kiss okay that's not unreasonable I thought. "Close your eyes" I said shyly

He gave one of his signature side grins I loved so much and did as he was told.

I slowly went in and gave him a sweet little kiss I was about to pull away when he grabbed my face and gave me a hot passionate kissed. He bit my lip and when I opened my mouth he took advantage and stuck his tongue in exploring every inch of my mouth. God, he tasted amazing. I gave in a little I felt his hands going under my shirt. Okay, that's enough I pulled back.

He was looking at me with lust in his eyes. We were both breathing hard. "You are amazing." he said with a smile. I smacked him on the shoulder "ow" he said "See I gave you an inch but you always take mile. Let me down I have to make sure I get the questionnaire done for tomorrow and your dinner is getting cold." I said. "Fine" he said.

He grabbed his plate and a beer and went to sit down. I was answering the last question and sent it back via email. Ethan had finished eating and cleaning his dishes he was now sitting on the couch watching TV and drinking a beer I went and got myself one and sat down on the couch. He looked over and opened his arm for me. I was hesitant but I did like the affection I scouted over and leaned into him he smelled good. He wore this fresh light cologne but it made me feel safe.

I grabbed the throw blanket and covered us. He wrapped his arm around me. I looked up at him he hadn't shaved so he had a 5 o'clock shadow it looked so good on him. He was taking a sip of beer and watching the football game with interest. While I looked at him studying his features sometimes I wonder if he is a greek god. I loved watching his adam's apple go up and down. I was so entranced by him that I didn't notice he was staring at me. Staring at him omg how embarrassing I dropped my head cause I felt the blush coming.

I felt his chest vibrating from laughter. "You know I love when you blush. It's really cute." he said. "Sorry, sometimes I think you're a dream that is about to disappear." I whispered

"Cali listen to me I'm not going anywhere. We can take it as slow as you want. You won't be getting rid of me this easily. Just relax and give me a shot. I know everyone in your life has let you down but I won't." he said.

He's right I'm scared. I looked at him "Ethan, I'm scared okay and I don't know anything about you. Like what do you do for work? your favorite food? or color? song? I just can't move along without honesty." I said.

He surprised me again by muting the tv " I work at a liquor store moving boxes, stocking, cashier, whatever they need me for. Favorite food that's hard because I'm picky im surprised by your food though it's amazing it takes me back to my childhood but my mom used to make this meatloaf that I loved so let's go with that. Color a dark blue or burgundy or black either of those colors. The song again hard I listen to a variety of things but if I had to choose... it would come down to Master of Puppets or The last episode. Movies anything with Suspense or actions. Also, I have this weird thing for horror movies and not just the classics. Sometimes I go through scary movies and pick one that looks so bad that it makes it good those are true gems. I'm big on sports football basketball soccer hockey." he said I smiled big at him and laughed.

"Well, that's a relief I thought you were a drug dealer or an enforcer for the rich and powerful." I said in relief letting out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

He looked at me stunned "Cali why would you think that?" he said

"Well, a lot of powerful people seem to owe you favors. Like I know you are a Chase but don't they reject you? Those were the only ideas that made sense. Sorry" I said I was ashamed I thought so lowly of him. he sighed throwing his head back. He took a few moments to compose himself.

He finally smiled shaking his head slightly his hair flopping around a bit

"Okay Cali, I can see why you thought that...I'm an open book for you Cali. Well, I'm trying to be. Just give me time and patience. This is new for me let's just say I have never had a relationship with anyone that wasn't just physical." he said

I understood him. "So you ready for tomorrow?" he asked curiously "I think so that questionnaire was really hard though but it is Evans Industry." I said

"I'm sure you will do great." he said.

"I hope working there would be a dream and maybe I might get a glimpse of Aaron." I said I have this little crush on him it's stupid but he's an inspiration and so smart.

Ethan was staring at me with confusion "Hold on do you have a crush on Aaron?" he asked. "So what if I do? there's nothing wrong with admiration." I said

"You know he can be fat and bald. It's the money isn't it?" he said.

I was shocked he would say that. I didn't care about money. "No it's not the money. It's his brain. I guess look what he's achieved it's impressive. I don't care about looks or money." I said. "For all I know he could be gay" I said. Ethan choked on his beer I patted his back. "I doubt he's gay" he said. Then he looked at me and said "Okay Let's stop talking about him. I might get jealous." he said with a smirk. I looked at the clock I better get some rest. I got up and said goodnight I need to be refreshed in the morning.

I hope I get this job.