Arrange Marriage To A Billionaire

Hit the iron when it's still hot !

Evelyn's P.O.V

I couldn't comprehend what was going on. My hands were shaking. My head was throbbing. I sat on a nearby sofa and massaged my temples with both of my hands. My palms soon became sweaty.

''Evie, darling. Are you all right ?" asked my Mom. I felt the sofa dip beside me and I turned to see Landon settling himself, in whose arms I so comfortably was a few seconds ago. My sorrow dissolved when I was in his arms. Perhaps Lance was right. Maybe there was a chance for Landon and me. Maybe we got on the wrong foot at the beginning.

"I need some time to think. I have already lost Lance. I can't lose the other children too," I admitted. Landon put a hand on my shoulder and reassured me. " I'm with you." I smiled weakly and nodded. I wished we were in a different situation.

"Saige. Send every single sponsor a copy of our budget with maximum details as possible. Details especially about how their money has been used till now. Send them also digital copies of every receipts we have," I ordered. She nodded and left the room.

"Don't worry, Evelyn. You will not lose this orphanage. We're all with you," encouraged my dad. I appreciated everyone's effort in trying to make me feel better but I was scared. Terrified actually, about what will happen to the children if we lose them. They'll all go to foster homes even though everyone knew how bad foster homes were. When I was planning to build this orphanage, I dreamed of saving the maximum number of children from foster homes and orphanages who ill treated their children and I did fulfilled this dream. That was the first time when I was really proud of myself. It was only after building this orphanage that I met so many wonderful children, that I met little Blake.

Blake ! I remembered. How will the foster parents be able to manage with him ? Blake had several food allergies and often the reactions that were triggered with different allergens varied. Sometimes it was difficult to know that he was having an allergic reaction. Luckily, we had been able to eliminate all the types of food that triggered any reaction in him. But the foster parents won't even remember half of the types of food that he couldn't eat ! My head started throbbing even more.

There was a knock at the door. Allison opened the door and came inside sheepishly. I realized that I had completely forgotten about her. I was planning to have a trip with her the upcoming month.

"The priest is calling you for the ceremony," she said in a low tone keeping her brunette head low.

"We're coming, darling. Thank you for informing us," answered my mom. Allison nodded before leaving the room.

I did not wanna go there. I did not want to bid goodbye to Lance again. But I had to. I sighed. It's like he took everything that was good with him. A big part of my life was forever missing.

No ! I couldn't lose hope like this. All these children were also my children, Just Lance was. I had to help them. It was my duty, my obligation. I had to protect them no matter what. I got up, left the room and went to say my final goodbye to Lance in the hall. Everyone who was in the room joined me, including Landon who stayed by my side for almost the entire ceremony. This was a soft side of him and I liked this side much better. But then I remembered the contract marriage. Even now when I had developed a liking for Landon, I just couldn't think about marriage. I had never really given a thought about my marriage although I absolutely loved weddings.

''Evelyn." I thought I heard a male voice calling my name. I turned to Landon but he wasn't the one who said my name because he was talking to my dad. Then I heard it again, This time I caught the voice behind me. I turned. It was Ian.

He stood proudly, hands tucked inside the pockets and wore a warm smile on his face. I was happy that he came. With all this happening, I forgot to invite him to the funeral.

He approached me and we hugged. He stroked my hair for a few seconds.

"It's gonna be alright, Evelyn," he stroked my hair a few more times and we released each other.

"I hope so too," I said, thinking about all the ongoing issues. It was going to be so difficult to keep the custody of all these children. We ended our embrace.

"I see. He is here too," said Ian. He was eyeing someone behind me. I followed his line of sight that seemed to have ended on Landon.

"He stayed with me pretty much all the time, Ian," I looked at Landon admiringly while Ian gazed at him with utter disgust. "He is not that bad of a person Ian," I said. Ian seemed to shocked for a second and then recomposed himself.

"If he is being nice to you, then there must be a selfish reason behind it. I'm sorry to break it to you Evelyn but this man is one of the most corrupt person I know. Honesty and him are like sky and earth. They cannot be one."

"Ian, please. Not now," I pleaded. I didn't like Ian badmouthing about Landon at all. I was angry hearing him saying those words. "We're going to lead the casket of Lance to the playground. We're going to bury him in this area and soon there will be a memorial for him."

I couldn't let Lance be buried in a cemetery among strangers. "Will you lead his casket to the playground ?" I asked.

"Of course. It will be an honor for me." I nodded and led him to Lance.

I stroked Lance's hair and gave him a peck on the cheek before they closed the casket. Landon, Mr Mckendrick, Ian and dad led the casket for the burial. Fresh tears ran down my cheeks. My mom held my hand and squeezed it. I couldn't breathe anymore and my heart was tearing at the thought of Lance never talking to me again. I wanted to stop them and take Lance in my arms. I never imagined that I would love a child like this.

"Take a little soil in your hand and toss it on the child," requested the priest. I did as he said but it wasn't easy. It took a lot of strength to do this action. At the corner of my eye, I saw little Blake peeking through the giant men in front of him. I looked at this innocent and confused face. Then I glanced at the other children. Many of them were confused seeing the ceremony. I had to do something for them. I had to be their support and I couldn't afford to fail in my duties. I could mourn for Lance another time but right now, those pure and innocent children were depending on me. They needed me and I would never disappoint them.

----------------------------------------------------

After the burial, I went directly inside the orphanage to my office. I had to get everything sorted out. I tried to call every single sponsor and convince them to keep the cash flowing in but unfortunately most of them either didn't take my call or their secretary did and then announced that they would no longer donate to our orphanage or ever associate with us even when we had send them the proofs. Bad news kept flowing in. If we kept losing our donors like this, this orphanage would no longer exist. These donors are the pillars of this orphanage.

I sighed as I ended the last phone call. I thought about the rumors Saige was telling me earlier. So even though I should not do it, I did it. I googled the name of my orphanage and scrolled through the main titles. I instantly wished I didn't.

'Ill treatment in Supermodel Evelyn Nolan's orphanage led to the death of an innocent child !'

'A mother sues Supermodel Evelyn Nolan for taking away her son and killing him'

'A child died in the Supermodel Evelyn Nolan's orphanage, Could there be a foul play ?'

I've had enough. I closed my laptop. I tried to banish away these awful titles from my head. I also had to do something about Lance's biological mother. So, I called my lawyer.

"Hello Drashti. How are you doing ?" I asked calmly.

"Hello Evelyn. Please don't bother yourself with all this formalities. Tell what I can do to get you out of this mess," she said. She was a very kind person. I met Drashti Gupta at a seminar two years ago and since then she became my lawyer.

"Oh Drashti ! You're an angel," I just couldn't wait earlier to get over the formalities and she seemed to have understood my plight by releasing me from it. "As you must already know through the tabloids about Lance's biological mother suing me for millions of dollars, I want you to handle this case. My father is also here but I don't want to bother him with all of this. He already has a lot on his plate," I admitted.

"I understand Evelyn and you know I'll never lie to you but the public seems to sympathize with that woman more than with you right now. It means that even the juries might become biased."

"Yeah. You're right," I got distracted by a knock on the door. Landon opened the door and came inside. Suddenly I felt in control. I motioned him to take a seat. His brows furrowed. Of course he didn't like to be controlled.

I ended the call sooner to give Landon my complete attention. I felt a little dizzy being in a closed room with him. Even my heart was beating faster. He has this aura around him that both fascinated me and intimidated me.

"How is it going ?" He asked. He took a seat in front of me.

"Pretty awful actually. We're losing our sponsors," I entwined my fingers at the back of my head and leaned back.

"Nothing that can't be fixed," he said nonchalantly.

"I didn't say it can't be fixed. It'll just take some time to find new sponsors," I spoke in the same boring tone he used.

"Are you interested in running the orphanage in partnership ? 50% yours and 50 mine.. What do you say ?" He looked at me intently. This was actually a great idea. Having Landon as a partner in running this orphanage would not only help me financially but it would also help me in a way to gain the trust of some of the juries.

"Of course ! This is a splendid idea in fact," I squealed.

"But I must tell you that I might have some conditions," added Landon.

"Might have or have ?" I asked. I leaned forward, put my elbows on the table, entwined my fingers and laid my chin on them.

He smirked. "Undoubtedly 'have'. I'll start the paperwork only after you give me your consent." I reminisced how forceful he was when he arrived at my place with the contract marriage. Oh shoot ! We never had a chance to talk about that yet ! But he didn't ask, so I thought I would pretend to forget about it.

"Go ahead," I became nervous.

"There is only one condition, Evelyn." Landon became serious and I tried to put on a serious face also but my heart was beating too fast.

"You're making me nervous."

"You should be."

"What is it ?"

"If you agree to my condition, I can offer you more than a partnership." He leaned back on his chair and sighed. "Why don't we discuss how profitable it would be for you if you agree Evelyn ? " He asked as if I had a choice to decline him. I continued to look at him. Even though I was sitting on the chair which supposedly gave you more power than the two persons sitting in front of you, I was powerless.

"I can solve all of this in only a couple of hours. Everything can get back to normal and no one would be able touch even a single hair of your children. I can even banish Lance's biological mother and avoid any kind of inspection of your orphanage" He continued. "If I take on this partnership with you Evelyn, it'll open doors for more sponsors. Many businessmen and women would like to give you resources for your orphanage. Even your career can get a major boost. But only of accept my partnership along with your condition." Landon had proven that he was a real businessman. The offer, I admit, was very very tempting. But I was afraid of that one condition. He wasn't giving me much choice either. However, if I declined his offer there was an equal of losing a lot if not everything. I paused to think once more. I felt hot and extremely anxiety while he sat in front, looking at home.

"What is the condition ?" I managed to queried.

"You know it."

"Tell me."

He sighed and leaned closer to me. "How does a contract marriage sound to you ?" He was back again at it. I should have known better. Damn it ! Damn him !