BILLION TO ONE: The Contract Marriage (ENGLISH)

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“Of all places to meet, you decided to talk about our deal – here – in your house?” I couldn’t believe that I agreed to meet him here this early. I don’t really have a choice, I still have to go to work today so I can’t really do later. I can’t miss work especially now grandpa is in the hospital. I have to ask Becky and Alec to help me do a fund raising for a cause. I mean, they already helped with the same thing few times in the past, but this time, it could be the last, but I don’t want to think about it. I have to be positive and make sure to bring my grandpa to my wedding day. What I am trying to say is, he would find out eventually anyway that I lied to him when he crosses over to the other life, but I will worry about that later.

“Yes, it’s safe to meet here than outside. Not until I am sure we have a deal, we can’t really be seen in public.” He is so full of himself. He is dressed up with a white button down, a khaki pants and leather shoes. His hair is kind of messy, but he still looked good, not in any romantic way or whatsoever, it’s more like of a dog. He sat in front of me crossing his legs and folding his arms over his chest. He looked like he has a dirty thing planned in his head. “Go eat.” He offered gesturing me to grab some food. “I’ve got plenty of food.” I looked at him and I raised my eyebrow. I don’t trust him that much yet or maybe never. He could’ve put something in the food that’d make me lose consciousness then he’d do some horrendous thing to get me pregnant and then he automatically will have a successor, and I, on the other hand wouldn’t get anything in the end because he wouldn’t be needing to marry someone if he already has a child. Nope, I wouldn’t trust him and I would not want that. “Fine, I will go first to prove to you that I didn’t put anything in here and I don’t have any plans to drug you.” He took a glass of juice, a slice of wheat bread and scrambled egg with spinach. “So, while you’re enjoying the view of me – eating breakfast, we should discuss business.” He continued while eating when my belly growled as if it echoed in the whole house. Great! My own stomach embarrassed me in a very tense situation. I don’t blame it, I haven’t eaten anything since yesterday. I don’t even remember the last time I ate. I poured myself a juice and took a sip. “I’ll pay you 20 million – “ I forcedly spit the juice out of my mouth and it went straight onto his white button down, “ – what the heck!!!!”

“You could’ve just warned me! I thought we’re discussing the conditions first then the payment after.” I grabbed a napkin to wipe off my mouth when I noticed the anger in his eyes as if I stole something from him. “Oh, come on, don’t give me that Oldman look. It’s just a shirt, you can afford to buy a whole new brand line if you want to.” I rolled my eyes because he’s giving me this frowning look. I used to call it Oldman look way back when we were still dating. Not that he would remember, I don’t even know why I still called him that. I took another sip of the juice when he started taking off his clothes, so I spit it out again but this time he was quick to move out of the way. I turned my back on him. “What – what the heck are you doing?” My face started burning up. We were having breakfast in the garden which is in the center of the mansion. The sun isn’t on us, yet I am sweating like hell. “I am not discussing anything with you half naked.” Geez, my voice is cracking up from the awkwardness and nervousness and a little bit of excitement as my hormones rising quickly.

“Bonus for you. You get to see this exclusively free.” He said braggingly. “If you are more comfortable talking to the plants while we’re discussing the contract with me, that would be great. That way I wouldn’t lose my appetite.” If I was sort of blushing earlier, now the hotness of my face is cause by his arrogant attitude. I turned around right away to show him that his – ooohhhh – his toned muscular broad shoulders, chest and abs CANNOT, I repeat CANNOT intimidate me. Dang!! When did he get this hot? He was the skinny boy in high school. I always mistaken him for a bamboo, that’s how skinny he was. I am not even exaggerating. “Are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Haven’t seen something like this before?”

I cleared my throat to save myself from embarrassment then I took my glasses off. “Sorry what? I couldn’t really see without my glasses. Wait, where are you?” I wiped the fog off my glasses, and I heard him chuckle a little before putting my glasses back on. I tried to not pay attention with his half naked body but ughhh it’s so hard not to look. “So, where were you?” I smiled a little trying to make an eye contact and just eye contact alone. Trying so hard to be good at it. Focus Sloane!!!

He leaned forward and put both his elbows on his knees and now our faces were sort of short distant apart. Suddenly it became so quiet and all I could hear was my own heartbeat. He’s looking in my eyes, fight my gaze, but I’d make sure I won’t be the one to look away first. “Sloane? Sloane is that you?!!!!” I heard someone called my name, I would thank this person for saving me from my own death. “Tanner!! Why didn’t you tell me Sloane is coming over?!!!” I snapped back when someone grabbed me to give me a hug.

“Hi, good morning Mrs. Hargreaves!” I awkwardly greeted while giving her a weird smile.

“So you’re the reason my grandson woke up early. You’re a good influence, I love it.” She rolled her eyes as if she remembered something. “I don’t even know if he slept at all. Anyway, are you staying longer? I just have this conference meeting via zoom then I’ll be available before lunch maybe we could hangout.” She talked like a little kid wanting something, it’s so cute. She’s the nicest rich person I’ve ever met. It’s just so sad that we’re taking advantage of her kindness. I would hate myself for doing it but it’s not really my idea.

“I am so sorry grandma. It slipped my mind. I forgot to mention it to you because I know you have so many things to do, and I didn’t really want to take your time away. Plus, I would want her for myself.” I coughed like I swallowed my own tongue. How can he say these words without even blinking? He surely had years of practice. He stood up and gave his grandma a hug.

“Well, if you’re helping me with the company instead of showing Sloane your body off, that’d be a great help. Maybe Sloane would be the perfect person to help me run the company while you sit around making your balls big.” I quick laugh escaped my mouth and I felt a sharp gaze stabbed me on my side. Oops!! “I can’t wait for the two of you to get married.” She looked at her watch hurriedly.

“Ohhh, here’s the call I have to go. Please, don’t leave without telling me. I’d be offended.” She said then she gave me smooches on both cheeks before walking back in.

“Your grandmother is so nice. Are you sure you’re not adopted?” I jokingly said but his evil look came back. “It was a joke! Gosh!! Why are you doing this to her?” I insensitively asked, not remembering that I am benefiting from this as well. “Never mind, anyway, we really have to make this quick because I have a job to go to.” I smirked and went back on my seat. This time I am getting used to his half naked body. But dang!! He’s not even flexing them, but his veins were showing off. “40 million.” I firmly stated without even thinking twice. Honestly, I couldn’t really think because his body is a huge distraction and I think he’s doing it on purpose so he could bargain with me.

“Are you kidding me? You’re not even going to do anything. You’re just going to be there on my wedding day and stand as my wife and when I get everything I will pay you 20 million cash, and we’ll say our marriage didn’t work well that we had to go separate ways. As easy as that.” He rubbed his hands together then leaned backwards putting his right arm on the arm rest.

“20 million? That’s not even close to 1% of your inheritance. We’re talking about multibillion here. It’s not going to be your wedding only. It’s going to be mine as well. And I have a family, I have a grandfather who’s looking forward to it. I am jeopardizing everything here, 40 million would be the basic payment. Any other conditions would be additional 1million.” I smirked at him before biting a hotdog and I saw him gulped. “That is not what I meant other conditions.” I cleared my throat that I almost choke because of the hotdog.

“I know what you’re trying to do here but I am not paying you that much. I can offer 25 million.” He crossed his legs once again. Isn’t that difficult for men? He’s like trying to squeeze his wiener. Not that I care about it.

“37 million.” I bargain.

“30 million.” He countered bargain.

“35 million, take it or leave it!” I don’t know why I am so confident about this bargain. I should be agreeing with him regardless of how much he’s going to pay me, because I need him to marry me for my grandpa’s sake, so if he refused to my condition and just decides to walk away, I am doomed. Because my grandpa already saw him on TV proposing to me. It would upset him so much if suddenly I had the engagement off.

“Done!” He said while extending his hand, but he took it back right away before I could even shake it. He grabbed his wallet and took a card and then hand it to me. “Go buy yourself clothes to wear.”

I looked at myself and my clothes. “What is wrong with my clothes?” I offensively asked.

“There’s nothing wrong with them if you ask a common people. But I don’t want my grandma to think that I am marrying a low-class woman who doesn’t even know what branded means.” I stood up and kicked his leg. “Ouch! What is that for?” He groaned in agony while rubbing the part I kicked.

“I’d make sure to tell your grandma what you think of her.” I grabbed his card from the table. “You are so cocky about branded items huh, make sure this credit card doesn’t have a limit! It’d be embarrassing if the public found out that Tanner Hargreaves’ credit card got declined because it maxed out.” I turned around and walked away from me, but he stopped me right away.

“Where the hell do you think you’re going? I am pretty sure you know you’re way out.” He asked while yelling to my face.

“I am doing my part as a respectful future granddaughter-in-law.” I pouted like a good child just to annoy him. “I wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye to your grandmother, that’s very disrespectful.” I smirked at him, and he looked like he lost a bet. As I was walking in, I saw Mrs. Hargreaves talking to her assistant. “Excuse me, ma’am. I am heading out now. Just didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye.” I honestly and genuinely feel intimidated by the multibillionaire woman in front of me. She has this effect to anyone around her, like it’s not fair to breathe the same air as her, but she is also legitimately wonderful.

“Uh, sweet girl, thank you for the respect, I appreciate it. Unlike my own blood, who just doesn’t care about my remaining life in this world.” She yelled while gazing behind me, making sure Tanner could hear her. “I would love to have coffee with you, but I have an emergency meeting to attend to before the event later.” She looked so excited and happy. I can’t believe she’s Tanner’s blood. Maybe Tanner is adopted.

“No, ma’am. No worries. I also have to go. I have a huge pile of laundry to do. Yey!” I raised my hand in the air in an embarrassing manner.

“What? You do laundry yourself?” She surprisingly asked and I nodded. “Why don’t you teach my grandson some household chores so he could be of use in this house?” She rolled her eyes I felt his headache for having an irresponsible happy-go-lucky grandson like Tanner.

“Well, he actually volunteered to do them for me, but I am still not comfortable flaunting my underwear in front of him, you know we’re not that intimate yet. He can wait until our honeymoon, right babe?!” I looked at him and gave him a fake smile then I mouthed ‘give-me-a-bonus’.

“Wow!! Good girl! Teach my grandson a lesson! But don’t worry Tanner, it’s worth the wait, trust me.” She teasingly said then gave me a hug. “Is he driving you?”

“Grandma, I was going to our branch around the corner to check on our sales. They’re expecting me any moment now. Babe has a car and she can drive herself home, right babe?” He walked up to me and wrapped his arm over my shoulder.

“Babe, didn’t I tell you? I sold my car because my grandpa is in the hospital.” Tanner’s face suddenly became serious, but he wasn’t looking at me. I don’t know what it was about but I couldn’t care less. He’s not the only one who can manipulate the situation here.

“What? Is everything okay? How is he? Oh, poor Sloane, come here.” Mrs. Hargreaves pulled me closer and gave me a hug. “Please, let us know if you need anything. We’re here to help.” She pulled away and touched my cheek. “We’re going to be a family now, and family helps each other. Okay?” I really was about to cry but I didn’t want to. “Tanner, did you visit her grandpa yet?” But Tanner didn’t say anything. “How could you!!!! I want you out there spending time with Sloane’s family!!! Don’t give me any reason to doubt you!!!!!” She was yelling while walking away from us. “Oh, Chino, can you give Sloane a ride. I want to make sure she gets where she needs to be safe and sound. If something happens to her, don’t show your face in here again. Got it?!!” Wow, her voice was authoritative and scary at the same time. She’s indeed the boss in this household. When she opens her mouth, everyone is all ears.

I was going to refuse the offer but she just vanished, as well as my fake fiancé. Great! He couldn’t even fake it. I should take a bet against myself that we would be caught before we even begin. If that happens, I’ll lose my chance of giving my grandpa his last wish and lose everything in the process.