THE BILLIONAIRE'S BILLIONAIRE'S ACCCIDENTAL WIFE

The diner bell jingled at eleven forty seven at night and cold air rushed inside. Emma Collins wiped her hands on her stained apron. Her feet hurt from twelve hours of standing. She was counting tips again. Forty three dollars. Only forty three dollars. It was not enough for the pharmacy. Her rent was due. Her mothers hospital bill was due. Everything was due and she had nothing left. Her boss shouted from the kitchen. Emma hurry up table five needs coffee. She grabbed the coffee pot and turned too fast. A man in a black suit stood right behind her. He was tall and cold and handsome in a way that made the whole noisy diner go quiet. His suit looked more expensive than six months of her rent. His eyes were grey like a winter storm. His hair was dark and perfect. She did not stop in time. The coffee tray tipped. Hot coffee splashed straight onto his expensive suit and his white shirt and his polished shoes. The whole diner gasped and went silent. Oh my God I am so sorry I am so sorry Emma grabbed napkins. Her hands were shaking badly. She tried to wipe his suit and he caught her wrist gently but firmly. His hand was warm and strong and steady. He looked down at her name tag. Emma Collins he said in a deep calm voice. His assistant stepped forward holding a black file. Mister Knight we have the list of candidates for the contract. The lawyer is waiting in the car. Alexander did not take his eyes off Emma. No need he said quietly. Emma blinked in confusion. What do you mean. You need money he said. It was not a question. He looked at the hospital bracelet on her wrist and the worry in her eyes. How much do you need. Excuse me Who are you to ask me that. Fifty thousand dollars. He said it calmly like it was small change. That is what the hospital called about. I heard your boss yelling on the phone. Fifty thousand by tomorrow morning or they stop your mothers treatment. Her face went completely white. How did you know that. Alexander Knight was a thirty year old billionaire and CEO of Knight Industries. He was known in New York as cold and ruthless and handsome and completely untouchable. To inherit his grandfathers company before midnight tomorrow he needed a wife for thirty days. It was written in his grandfathers will. One month of marriage no love involved just a signature and an appearance. I have a proposition for you he said. Be my wife for thirty days. Be my accidental wife. You get fifty thousand dollars in cash tonight to save your mother. I get my inheritance worth two billion dollars. After thirty days we divorce and we never see each other again. It is a fair deal. Emma thought she misheard him. Your wife. Are you crazy. One contract. No love involved. You will live in my penthouse you will attend one dinner with my board members you will sign the papers that say you are my wife. That is all I need. Thirty days. Her phone buzzed loudly in her apron pocket. She pulled it out. Hospital bill due fifty thousand by tomorrow nine AM or treatment stops. Final notice. Please pay now. Emma felt tears come to her eyes. Her mother was all she had left in this world. Her father died when she was ten. Her mother raised her alone. She looked up at the cold handsome billionaire. And if I say no to your crazy offer. Then you lose this job for spilling coffee on an important customer. And your mother loses her treatment tomorrow. Your choice Miss Collins. Tears filled her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. You are a heartless monster. How can you say that. I am a businessman he said without emotion. I fix problems with money. You have a problem. I have money. So do we have a deal Miss Collins. My car is outside. The lawyer is waiting with the contract and the check. The diner was completely silent. Every single person was staring at Emma and the billionaire. Fifty thousand dollars for one month of pretending to be a wife. It could save her mothers life. It could save everything. Emma closed her eyes and took a deep shaky breath. When she opened them her eyes were full of determination. I agree she whispered. I will be your accidental wife for thirty days. But only thirty days. No more. For the first time that night Alexander Knight gave a small cold smile. It changed his whole face. Good he said. You made the right choice. My car is outside. We leave now. The contract has rules Miss Collins and breaking them has a price. What rules she asked scared. He leaned closer to her so only she could hear. Rule number one never fall in love with me. Rule number two never tell anyone this is fake. Rule number three obey me in public. He turned and walked out of the diner expecting her to follow him into his new life. She followed him outside and the cold New York wind hit her face. A black Rolls Royce was parked in front of the diner. A driver in a uniform opened the door. Emma had never seen such a beautiful car in real life. She had only seen it in magazines. Get in Alexander said. Her old sneakers were wet from the spilled coffee. Her uniform was stained. She felt so small next to him. The lawyer was inside the car. He was an old man with glasses. He smiled kindly at Emma. Miss Collins I am Mister Stevens. This is the contract. Please read it carefully. He handed her thick papers. Emma tried to read but her hands were shaking. It says you will live at Mister Knights penthouse for thirty days. You will receive fifty thousand dollars tonight by bank transfer. You will attend public events as his wife. You will not have any romantic relationship with other men during these thirty days. After thirty days you will sign divorce papers and receive an extra ten thousand dollars. Sixty thousand dollars total for thirty days of acting. Emma looked at Alexander. Why me. You could have any woman in New York. He looked out of the window at the city lights. Because you need money and you are honest. I saw your hospital bracelet. I saw you counting tips. You will not try to steal more money from me. You will not fall in love with me. You are not my type. His words hurt but Emma knew he was right. She was not a model. She was just a tired waitress. I will sign she said. Mister Stevens gave her a pen. She signed her name Emma Collins on every page. Alexander signed after her. His signature was bold and powerful. The driver started the car and they drove away from the diner. Emma looked back through the window. She saw her boss standing at the door looking shocked. Her phone buzzed again. Bank alert fifty thousand dollars received from Knight Industries. She covered her mouth and cried. She could pay the hospital now. Her mother would live. Alexander handed her a handkerchief. It was silk and smelled like expensive cologne. Stop crying he said but his voice was softer now. You are my wife for thirty days. My wife does not cry in cheap diners. Emma wiped her tears. I am not used to this. You will get used to it he said. We are going to my penthouse now. You will have your own room. Tomorrow we have a board meeting. You need to look like a billionaires wife. I have no clothes for that she said. My assistant will buy everything you need. Just tell her your size. The car stopped in front of a tall glass building that touched the sky. The Knight Tower. Emma stepped out and looked up. The building was so tall she could not see the top. Welcome to your new home for thirty days Miss Collins Alexander said. Or should I say welcome home Mrs Knight.