The Billionaire Contract

Chapter Two

Hailey's P.O.V

I still remember when my best friend Emily got married to our friend Scott. The genuine love and happiness on their faces was a beautiful thing to witness. Their eyes were filled with genuine emotions as they each said their vows to one another. You could see that they truly loved each other. I told myself that I was going to have that one day... That a man would love me as much as Scott loved Emily and I would love him as much as Emily loved Scott.

What a joke I was.

My life had now become a joke to me. I didn't know myself as someone to do what I had just done. Signing two years of my life to a stranger just to get money had never been one of my goals but now, I was here, having to pretend to people- his parents in this case who were the guests the restaurant had been expecting, that I was utterly and completely in love with a man whom I just met two hours ago.

"So Hailey, tell me more about yourself, " Dominic's mother, Mrs. Bamford asks me, a warm smile on her lips waiting for me to answer.

I glanced at Dominic who looked to be waiting too and then I spoke.

"I uh...just graduated from college. I have a BSc in Business administration and I plan on acquiring an MBA but I'm taking a break for now. I-"

"No dear. I didn't ask what your achievements and goals are. Tell me about yourself. What do you like to do? What are your likes, and dislikes-"

"Okay, Mother. That's enough questions for today. She needs to get back to work and I can't keep her any longer." Dominic lends me his hand to stand up and I do, suspiciously eyeing him then it hit me.

He was trying to play the loving, caring fiancé.

"But sweetie, we haven't even spent enough time with her. " Mrs. Bamford protests.

We?

I glance at Dominic's father. He hadn't said a word to me ever since they arrived. He and his son both had what seemed to be a permanent judgmental look in their eyes but that wasn't the only trait they shared. Dominic was the younger spitting image of his father. Everything about them was the same down to the shape of their ears. The only resemblance I could tell between Dominic and his mum was the color of their eyes. His mum's eyes were so beautiful. The grayest eyes I have seen.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Mrs. Bamford."

"Lucy. Call me Lucy." My heart ached, guilt seeping into me slowly. She was so welcoming towards me and I was lying to her face. I felt so guilty.

"Of course Lucy" A smile spreads on her lips as I say that and she stands up and hugs me.

The hug was warm and her scent was motherly. It made me miss my mum. Tears were threatening to spill out which is why I unwrapped my hands around her.

"I hope to see you again Hailey. Have you set a date for the wedding yet?" Lucy asks. I turn to Dominic for help because I wasn't sure on what he planned for.

"We have. Second week of next month. " Dominic announced unexpectedly.

"In three weeks?!!" Lucy and I simultaneously yelled.

"Yes... Is that a problem?" Dominic asked, looking between me and his mother like we might beat him up anytime.

He wasn't wrong.

"Of course its a problem. Honey, that's not even enough time to choose a cake! How do you expect us to work around three weeks?" Lucy looks at me and holds my hand.

"And it seems you didn't even inform poor Hailey. " She frowns at him but he avoids her eyes.

"He didn't" I agreed. From my side view, I can see the eyes he was giving me.

They weren't good eyes.

Lucy sighs out, shaking her head.

"What will I do with this boy? " Her attention is brought back to me again and she gives me another smile.

"Why don't we shift the date?" I suggest.

If Dominic could kill me right now, I'm very sure he would. I could feel the icy cold gaze on my skin and could probably die from hypothermia.

You are a drama queen.

"As much as I would love that, I don't think that's going to be possible because he's already booked the hall for that day, haven't you Dominic?"

The 6'3 man nods his head absent-mindedly as he does something on his phone.

"Its time to take our leave Lucy." Mr. Bramford's voice speaks up. He gives Dominic a pat on he back . It seemed that he was his way of showing fatherly affection.

"I hope that this is not a tactic to get what you want Dominic. You know that I have always been proud of you. Do not disappoint me because of a measly company. " Mr. Bramford looks at me with calculating eyes. I was scared that if I spoke, I would start crying and confessing to my sins. It felt like one of those scenes from a movie where the criminal is being interrogated and is under the spotlight with sweat dripping down their chin which was enough to label them as the criminal.

"It was nice to meet you, Miss Hailey. I'm hoping you really do love Dominic. You come across as a decent person with values. I hope you won't compromise your dignity for money. Nothing is worth it. I sincerely hope that this marriage is real, and I expect you two to show me that it is."

I couldn't do this. This was too much pressure and I felt bad lying to them. Mr. Bramford was right. I had dignity and I shouldn't lose that because I want to earn quick cash.

I wasn't going to do this anymore.

Making up my mind, I decide to tell them the truth and was about to speak when a hand wrap around my waist and I feel a kiss at the side of my head.

"I love her father. I understand your concerns but this is real. There is no agenda behind it. I am getting married because I want to father." I looked up at Dominic to see if it was the same person I had met earlier. He knew how to put on a good act.. even I would believe that.

"Oh Vincent, you can just tell that they truly love each other " Lucy gushes, happiness showing in her eyes.

Mr. Bramford eyes scans between the me and Dominic and then he nods his head.

"If you say so son. Lets go Sweetheart." Lucy smiles once more at me before holding her husband's hand.

"Let me go." I tell Dominic. He answers by tightening his hand around my waist, waving at his mum as she gets her coat.

No. This was my only chance.

"Let me go!"

Lucy puts on her coat and waves at us before going out the door.

"Dominic, let me-" I grunt as he lets me go unexpectedly and stumble a bit forward.

He glances at his wristwatch and picks up his briefcase.

"Check your phone and confirm the payment. This is my number." He hands me his office card.

"Call me and let me know. Also, start packing up your things so you would move in easily. I have a meeting right now and need to leave. "

"You are such an asshole." He looks at me, a neutral expression on his face.

"The 'asshole' insult is getting old Miss Adams. Look for something new. " He starts heading towards the door but stops and turns back and approaches me again.

His words sliced through the air, sharp and chilling. I felt like a helpless bird caught in the gaze of a merciless predator, unable to escape his grip. The shock held me captive, rendering me momentarily speechless as he tightened his hold around my waist.

"Don't you ever try or even think of trying to do what you were about to do," he hissed, his voice a venomous whisper that sent shivers down my spine. "You cannot sabotage me when I have come this far, and you already signed the contract. Am I clear?"

I don't reply immediately, still shocked at what was happening.

His eyes bore into mine, devoid of empathy or compassion. He seemed impervious to any sense of morality or duty, a ruthless force determined to achieve his goals at any cost.

"I don't care if you have a sense of duty or morale," he continued, each word dripping with condescension. "You will get married to me, and we will get this over with. Am I clear?"

His grip on me, both physical and metaphorical, felt suffocating. The reality of my situation crashed down upon me like a relentless wave, and I knew I had no choice but to acquiesce. I nodded slowly, my voice reduced to a mere whisper.

"Yes," I murmured, my heart heavy with the weight of my own decisions and the wish for him to let me go which he eventually does.

"Good girl. A pleasure doing business with you Hailey. " I don't open my eyes until I know he's gone.

As he finally released me and turned to leave, I couldn't help but watch his retreating figure with a mixture of fear and regret. What kind of man had I gotten myself entangled with? The road ahead seemed fraught with uncertainty and danger, but one thing was certain – I couldn't let this man control my destiny. I had to find a way out of this intricate web of deception, for my own sake and sanity.