The Billionaire Contract

Chapter Three

'Do you, Hailey Adams, take Dominic Bamford to be your lawfully wedded husband?' The priests asks.

I turn to look at Dom but was met with a blurry face. I couldn't see his face clearly.

'Dom, is everything alright?' I asked. He doesn't reply.

'Dom?' Still no answer.

'Father, he isn't-' I let out a huge gasp as I wake up from the disturbing dream I just had.

There's a knock on my door following it being opened with Emily's head popping in.

"How's the new bride?" She says, sitting down beside me and giving me a hug which I was quite thankful for.

Emily Richardson was my best friend from university. She had graduated a year before me after which she moved to England with her husband and my friend, Scott Richardson. Em had always been there at my worst times and when I ever need her. We've had so many fights and laughs and cries that I can't fully remember how life was before being friends with Em.

"This new bride is nervous" I replied truthfully.

"What if he leaves me at the altar or someone decides to object or-"

"Hailey! You're thinking too much! No one's going to object at the wedding. With my stalker skills, I would've been able to find who ever would want to pull that stunt" That makes me laugh and she joins me.

"And lastly, Dominic isn't going to abandon you at the altar. I have seen how much he loves you. He has that lovesick look in his eyes. He genuinely loves you and so he definitely won't leave you at the altar." She assures me.

That should've made me feel better and it sort of did but my heart hurt the more. Emily didn't know that this was a contract marriage.

These past weeks have made it seem otherwise.. even I was beginning to forget that this was just a contract because of the way Dominic had been acting towards me. He has been so sweet and supporting throughout the wedding preparations because he knew how busy his mother and I had been. I had been skeptical at first at how sweet he was behaving but forgot about it not too long later. I mean, it was that easy to stop being skeptical because of his actions. For example, sometimes we might be at the décor store and he'd send a bunch of flowers over to me. Sometimes I might be trying on wedding dresses and he'd send me food with a cute little note that urged me to eat because either way, my wedding dress would still fit perfectly because I was the most beautiful bride.

Lucy and I had been gushing and blushing like cute high school teenagers after we read the note. All to say, he's been a sweetheart these past weeks and I was truly beginning to forget that this was a fake marriage and maybe, it could become something real because the feelings I was starting to develop for him were becoming very real. If I was being honest, it had started to feel like I was planning my actual wedding.

"Thank you Em. I really needed to hear that"

"Anytime. Now, let's get you dazzled up so Dominic would not be able to take his eyes off you and would not even be able to think of leaving you at the altar"

With an excited giggle, I take her hand and she whisks me away into the bridal prep room where the make up artists, hair stylists and beauty preppers were all awaiting me.

They each started working on their professions on me with in-between sips of champagne and small talks as they worked.

I don't know about you but I need a little zazz to get me going for this wedding.

Time flew by which wasn't noticed by anyone due to the amount of fun we were having until Lucy burst open the door.

"Girls! The wedding is in an hour!" Shrieks came from here and there and everyone was over me immediately. A tug on the hair, wiggles of my tones and a sting from my brow.

This was going on for what seemed like forever and then I finally hear those amazing words.

"Let's get you into your dress." Susanne, the hair stylist says to me with a smile.

She helps me get the dress from the wardrobe as I undress. The dress had ropes and thankfully, I had many hands to help me with that and so, once that was out of the way, it was time to see myself.

"You are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen" Daniella, the nail technician gushes. I blush at her words but felt good.

I truly looked like a bride. Like a happy bride who was about to get married to the love of their life.

Except I wasn't.. and this was all fake. I had to remember that it was all fake.

Lets get on with the show Hailey.

I turned to look at my beauty preppers to thank them just as the door opened and Emily came in.

She gasps softly at the sight of me and almost immediately, her eyes become teary.. mine followed suit.

"You can't cry Em or I'm going to cry."

"You're right. I'm not crying so do not cry." She fans her eyes and I do same too, tilting my head back up hoping that would help with the threatening tears.

"You look so beautiful Hay and I am so excited and happy for this new chapter of your life you're about to begin and it is with the right person. You know I love you endlessly and would always be here. "

"Thank you" She hugs me tightly and I do so too because I knew we might not see for a while again because she would be going back tomorrow. Em had just given birth not too long before she came to see me. I had told her not to worry and just stay and take care of her daughter but she insisted that she would come. It had been her dream to be a maid-of-honor for her best friend.. which was me.

I was so lucky to have her.

"Come on, let's get a ring on that finger."

*

*

*

The piano's melodies played through the church, already in motion, anticipating my arrival as soon as we entered. . Lucy had been really mad at me and I apologized about five times before she cracked a smile.

Thankfully, the paparazzi had been paid off not to be around the wedding venue and so Dominic's father had been waiting for me at the door so he could walk me down the aisle. We had another dinner when they had asked me about my parents. I wasn't sure of how to start explaining how my mother abandoned me after my high school graduation leaving me with only my fees for my university and my dad passing away at an early age, so I just settled for the usual 'I lost my parents when I was little' sob story. I wasn't necessarily lying because as far as I was concerned, my mother was dead to me. Dominic's parents had hugged me that day. I had shed few tears too because of how loving they were and then Mr. Bamford asked if he could walk me down the aisle. I was so grateful that I was going to be a part of a supporting family like this.

"You look exquisite my dear. I'm glad my son found you and I still do hope that you both truly still love each other."

"Thank you Mr. Bamford but quick question, you still think that I'm marrying your son for money." He shakes his head as he offers me his hand.

"No.. I don't think so but that boy Dominic, its him I do not trust." He muttered as we walked into the church, everyone standing and looking at us as we walked in.

I caught sight of Dominic in the distance. He was dressed impeccably in an elegant off-white suit, a choice I had personally made for him. Our gazes locked, and in that moment, the world around us seemed to fade into insignificance. It was as if there was only him and me.

I proceeded to walk toward him, one step after another, until I found myself standing right in front of him.

"You are beautiful Miss Adams" he muttered so only I could hear. My lips widen into a smile as he said that.

"You also look very dashing Mr. Bamford" I complement him which he acknowledges with a nod.

"Dearly beloved, we are all gathered here today in Holy Matrimony to join Mr. Dominic Bamford and Hailey Adams...." My mind wanders back to the dream I had this morning. Everyone's face was blurred which had been very disturbing. There had been doubt in me when we arrived at the church because I was scared that Dominic wasn't going to be at the altar and my fears would come to pass but.. he was there and I was happy.

"Do you, Hailey Adams, take Dominic Bamford to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?"?" The priest asked bringing me back to reality. I turned to see everyone expectantly waiting for me.

"I do." I answered, looking at Dom. He nods his head at me, that look of satisfaction on his face.

"Do you, Dominic Bamford, take Hailey Adams to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?" He asked Dominic. He squeezes my hands slightly as he nods his head and answers.

"I do." My heart skipped a few beats as he answered.

We exchange our vows. My vows had been concise and straight to the point because I was scared that I would say things I didn't know if he was ready for yet. His vows to me made all regrets fly out the window for this wedding.

It felt like a real marriage now- that I was truly getting married to the man I love.. It wasn't a complete lie anymore.

"By the authority vested in me by the St. Eleanor's Cathedral of Unity, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Did I let you know that we would be kissing for the very first time? With the past weeks, the closest we've been concerning anything intimate was hugging and I didn't necessarily mind it but today.. today, we would be doing more than just hugging. We were finally going to kiss.

Dominic steps closer to me and I get excited by the second. He leans down and then he

kisses the side of my mouth.

He turns and look at the crowd, holding my hand.

"I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Bamford". I should have been excited with the happy cheers towards us but I couldn't help but wonder why Dominic didn't kiss me.

*

*

*

"So, how does it feel to become Mrs. Bamford?" Dom asks as we are on our way home.

"I just feel normal but I'm betting that is going to change soon." I replied. He nods his head but doesn't say any other thing. I felt he was nervous because this was our wedding night and-

Get a grip Hay-

We're finally at the house and he comes down from the car, leaving me to get down myself. I stare in awe at the house in front of me. Of course, he owned an amazing place like this.

"Good evening Mr. Bamford." Someone I assume is the housekeeper greets.

"Good evening Nancy. Is the room ready?" He walks in, me following behind and I look around the house.

"Yes sir. Her things have been moved to the room. "

"Good. " He turned and finally notices me again.

"Hailey, come with me. Let me take you to your room."

My room?

I don't say anything and just followed him behind, climbing the bronze staircase. We finally arrive in front of a door which he opened and ushered me in.

"This is the room you'll be staying in. We don't usually have visitors, so there's no immediate need for you to relocate to my room. However, if the occasion arises, your presence there will be expected." He glances at his wrist watch and starts to head to the door.

"I have a meeting in ten minutes and need to prepare. Good-"

"What is this Dominic?" He looks at me, confusion in his expression.

"What do you mean?"

"We're sleeping in separate rooms? I don't understand. Its your wedding night and you have a meeting. I am so lost here! What is going on?"

"Nothing's going on. This is the deal. After the wedding, you move in with me and-"

"I don't care about the contract! It's your wedding night and you have a meeting!!" I was very angry right now. I couldn't believe what was happening.

He stares at me before speaking again.

"Is it s*x you need? If its that, I can move up the meeting and then we can-"

"It is not s*x that I want!" My voice is louder than I wanted it to be.

"Then what is it? Why are you angry? This had been the deal and you signed the contract so I don't understand your anger." He actually looked clueless.

"I know what I signed Dominic but I thought that with the past weeks, something had-" I stopped myself to see if he would complete the sentence.

"Something had what? Changed? That somehow, this would turn into a real marriage? " He chuckles to himself.

"Don't be delusional Hailey. This is a contract and that is all it is."

Crack.

That was the sound of my heart breaking. He didn't like me. He actually never did. It was all for me to marry him.

Unaware of the door closing, I remained lost in my thoughts, the memories flooding back. It struck me then—I had forgotten. I had permitted myself to forget that this marriage was merely a charade, a heartless masquerade of affection. My tears, akin to the fragments of my shattered heart, dropped onto the soft rug beneath my feet. In that moment, I made a solemn promise to myself never to lose sight of the reality again: I had entered into a marriage contract, and a marriage contract it would forever remain.