Arrange Marriage To A Billionaire

It's a Yes !

A/N Hi my angels ! Thank you so so much for reading and giving my book so much love. I want to ask you guys a favor. Please comment down below approximately how much time does it take you to read a whole chapter of this book. Also please tell me from which country you're from. I would love to know that ! By the way I am from a small island in the Indian Ocean called Mauritius. I wasn't being able to upload recently because my laptop broke and it will take time to get it repaired. I am currently using my cousin's laptop to upload this chapter. Hope you'll love it !

Evelyn's P.O.V

Landon gave me a day to ponder on his offer. That was very little time. I sat on my couch in my apartment holding a cup of hot piping tea. Fluffy jumped on the couch and laid beside me. I stroke her fluff and she voiced out a purr of satisfaction. Mom and dad were staying with me at the moment. They couldn't stop gushing over how sympathetic and sweet Landon was for organizing a funeral for Lance and during the ceremony. Luckily they were not talking about the wedding. I still don't know if I should tell them about the contract marriage or not. I recalled Landon's threat the first time he came at my place. The threat about my family in Kansas. He said "Either you say yes or you say yes. You won't have the chance to say no and if you ever try to refuse then your family in Kansas will have to bear consequences, especially your father." However, he wasn't forceful this time. The ball was in my court.

Landon was perfect in my parents' eyes right now. I on the other hand, were not sure anymore how I felt about him. I could not keep track of his mood swings. On one time he was ruthless, on another time he was the sweetest person alive and on another time he was manipulative. Which side of him was the true side though ?

At the back, on my kitchen table my phone was ringing. It has not stopped ringing since the death of Lance. Magazines and talk shows wanted to interview me. They wanted to talk only about two topics. About my wedding with Landon and about Lance's death.

I decided against answering it but my dad responded to the call.

"It was a man named Chase Parker. He wanted to resume your photo-shoot session tomorrow in the morning," My dad informed me. He sat beside me and put his arm around me. I leaned into him and put my head on his shoulder. We sat like that without saying anything. Dad then broke the silence. "What have you thought about the orphanage ? Has your lawyer contacted you yet ?"

"She did call earlier in the morning. We have a pretty strong case but the fact that our sponsors have left our side is a big disadvantage for us." Landon's offer kept looming in the back of my head. No matter how many times I tried to forget about it, my mind and heart saw it as the only option left. I couldn't imagine being married, let alone being married to Landon Mckendrick. I loved all my children and I would do anything for them but this was a life-changing decision for me even though the marriage would last only for a few months.

"It isn't like you are going to be by Landon's side everyday and everywhere, Evelyn. Both of you will have work commitments and also you do travel a lot, so you're not going to spend a lot of time with him. And it is just for one year. Can't you sacrifice a year of your life for these helpless children ? And Landon is right about the benefits that you'll obtain. Not only will he save your orphanage but he will also sponsor it. This marriage will help you help other children too and whether you agree or not, this marriage will reactivate your dying career. You're not as famous and loved as you were before. You will have a great boost in your career," blurted my subconsciousness.

I hated my subconscious so much, yet it was right. It was just for a year. A whole year of lying to my family and to my loved ones. It pained my heart that I had to lie to everybody but there was no better option than this.

I straightened myself and got up. "I'm going to sleep in my room," I muttered. I took my phone with me on the way and dialed Landon's number. Once I was inside in my bedroom, I closed the door and sat on my bed. My heart was beating really fast and I had a cold sweat. His phone was ringing and I prayed that he doesn't pick up.

"I was waiting for your call." I forgot that Landon was not the type of person to waste time with greetings and all. After all, he wasn't Mr Get-directly-to-the-point for no reason at one time.

"I know. I--." How do I say it ? I couldn't find words. "I accept your condition... I will marry you." I closed my eyes after uttering those words. I pressed my lips really hard.

"Are you sure this is your final decision ?"

"Yes. It is." I wanted to shout 'no' at the top of my lungs. I wanted to tell him that I hated him for giving me that option.

"We'll have to schedule a meeting really soon to discuss the clauses of the contract and of our partnership. Are you free tomorrow ?" quizzed Landon.

"I'm resuming work tomorrow morning but I'll be free in the afternoon." My voice was soft while his voice still had an air authority.

"I'll--" Landon was interrupted in his conversation by a shrill voice. "Landon ! Honey, why aren't picking up my calls ?"

I got a feeling that I knew the other person talking to Landon. It was a woman and I knew her. "Who is she ?" I found myself asking out loud. Holy smokes ! Why did I ask Landon that ?

"Come by my office tomorrow," said Landon before hanging up on me. Of course he would not answer my question ! I was no one to him to ask him anything.

I let myself fall on my bed and I rolled on one side. People were right. About how life was unpredictable. It could make strange twists and turns and throw you completely off balance. Tears filled up my eyes. I was scared of this next chapter of my life. So scared of making the wrong decision and hurting my family. So scared of not knowing what lies ahead in my future.

Was I being selfish ? Was I wrong for choosing my children over everything ? Without realizing, I slumbered on my bed.

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I got up early in the morning and resumed my photo-shoot session. Everyone on set were very quiet. Every time I made contact to someone's eyes, I saw numerous questions in their eyes. Even Bart was very quiet today as he did my hair and make up. I thought everyone remembered what happened on set the last time. I completed the photo-shoot without any coffee breaks. Simon who was the photographer was exhausted to death since I didn't take in any breaks but I didn't give a damn about him or anyone. I was more worried about how the meeting I was about to have with Landon would turn out.

"And that's a wrap !" announced Chase. As soon as possible I made my way to my vanity van. As I went through my things in my bag, I heard a knock on the door of the van. I opened the door.

"There are some journalists and paparazzi waiting for you outside the set. I thought I should inform you," spoke Bart.

"Oh," I said. I knew exactly why they were here. I didn't accept their proposal for an interview, now they were going to be everywhere to get some kind of a response from me.

"Let me in so I can help you get ready for the paps."

I opened the door wider for Bart to come in. I changed into a pair of high-waist fitted denim jeans, a white top tucked inside my jeans, a denim jacket and white office stiletto heels. Bart applied minimal amount of make up to give me kind of an effortless look because that was what models should look like according to the 'rules'and then topped the look off with a true red lipstick. He let my waist length hair with subtle layers free to compliment my look. Before leaving the set, I put on a pair of black sunglasses and took my handbag.

Flashlights were everywhere. Everyone was shouting my name, trying to get my attention. There was a shower of questions about everything happening in my life. I tried to make my way to my car as quick as possible. The paparazzi were clicking pictures of me non stop. I even smiled at some paps. More and more people gathered. Some fans were constantly asking for selfies. When I arrived near my car, I clicked a few selfies with some fans, signed some autographs and even had a conversation with some of them before getting into my car. I put my handbag along with the bouquet of flowers, a teddy bear and some letters that the fans gave me in the back seat. The bundle of letters spilled over backseat and I quickly grabbed them and shoved them in my handbag.

Thankfully I'm used to get this type of attention. I used to get anxiety when I saw huge crowds of people approaching me at the beginning of my modelling career. Now that was certainly not the case anymore. The guards near the gate cleared the way so I could drive out of the location.

I took my time to drive. More time than usual. I glanced at the teddy sitting behind me in the rear view mirror. Blake would absolutely love to have that teddy. I made a mental note to go to the orphanage today and give him this present.

Luckily, I found a free parking lane in the parking area of the headquarters of the Mckendricks and parked my car there. I kept my sunglasses on until I enter the building. People kept glancing at me as I passed them. I smiled at them and even greeted some strangers who took time to greet me. Being a public figure, I always had to be kind to everyone in my surroundings. One faux pas and you would be dragged to filth. I took the elevator. I reached the fifth floor which was Landon's floor. The elevators's door opened and I walked out to the desk of an old lady. The old lady who I assumed was Landon's assistant, greeted me.

"Good afternoon ma'am," I offered her a generous smile although my insides were going haywire.

"Good afternoon young lady. Please call me Brigitte. I assume you are Evelyn Nolan." I nodded. She continued. "Landon is expecting you inside his office."

"Thank you Brigitte." I smiled again.

I knocked on his door and opened it after I heard Landon granting permission to come inside. He was sitting behind his large glass desk and I had an instant deja vu moment. He looked even more handsome than he was the previous time I saw him here. I guessed it was because he had grown a light beard.

"Take a seat Evelyn." He said without even glancing at me. He had his nose stuck in a file. I took a seat silently. On the side wall, the news was being broadcast. I didn't give it much attention but out of the blue I heard my name. Both Landon's and my eyes were glued to the television. Videos and pictures of me walking, smiling, clicking selfies with fans and talking to them an hour ago surfaced on the television while the female presenter start talking.

"Recently supermodel Evelyn Nolan was spotted outside her shooting location sporting a cool, classy yet chic outfit by our shutterbugs and fans. While this stylish model successfully avoided our questions, our fellow journalists noticed that she was wearing NO RING on her ring finger." The woman exaggerated her tone for the last part of her sentence. A close up picture of my left hand was shown on the screen. " Now for the people who seems to be living under a rock, some days ago hot business tycoon Landon Mckendrick who is on the list of the most eligible bachelors in the world, announced publicly that he and Miss Nolan had plans to get married very soon. While we haven't yet heard any statement from both parties, could they have broken off their relationship because of the legal trouble which Miss Nolan is facing at the moment ? Stay tuned to know more hot gossip on Hotnews !"

"So we have two issues over here," spoke Landon, still gazing the television screen. "One issue is the ring and the second issue is your security."

"I have my own set of security guards. I just didn't thought of bringing them today."

"I don't care if you have or don't have your own set of security guards Evelyn. From now on, I will assign five of my bodyguards for your security. They will be with you all the time. As for the ring, I already have something in my mind for that." Landon leaned back on his chair. I sighed. As if my life wasn't going to be miserable enough being married to him, he had to assign his own men to keep an eye on me. Landon noticed my long face and said: "No one is forcing you Evelyn to marry me. You agreed because you will have countless benefits from this marriage and whatever step you or I will take henceforth directly affects our pretense of being madly in love with each other." Holy smokes ! I forgot that we had to 'be in love'.

"Fine," I meekly said. Landon sighed heavily.

"Cancel your ticket to Bora Bora for this weekend."

"I can't. I have a music video to shoot there." How did he know that I will be going to Bora Bora this weekend ?

"We will go together to Bora Bora in my private jet."

"Why ?"

"Because we have to have a love story for the people to believe us. Most importantly, for my parents to believe us." Landon kept on rolling a pen between his fingers. I remembered the times Ian used to teach me this particular trick and I failed every single time.

A commotion outside Landon's office started. A woman was shouting continuously and I couldn't make out what she was saying. Suddenly, the office door busted open and Kiara Karedes, one of my rivals in the modelling industry came bolting toward Landon and I. Preferably, toward me. Landon stood up and I repeated his action.

"So you're the new b***h that has been f*****g with my boyfriend !" Kiara shouted and grabbed me by my neck, her long nails piercing my skin. I was so shocked that I couldn't move but feel the pain of her nails digging in my skin.