MARRIAGE CONTRACT WITH THE RUTHLESS CEO

Chapter One

In a lavish hotel room, the morning sun streamed in, casting a brilliant glow. Mia, still groggy from slumber, softly uttered her boyfriend's name, "Jayden." As she slowly raised her head, she noticed a tall, handsome man gazing out the window.

In the room stood Andrew, the CEO of Ray Company. When he realized that Mia had stirred, he turned towards her. Just as he was about to speak, Mia questioned, "Jayden... where's Jayden ?" Confused. Andrew replied, "How would I know who Jayden is?" He observed, "I can see you're quite the actress," and he concluded with a hint of amusement.

Mia dialed Alex's number, but Andrew interrupted, "I've told you to stop pretending." Worried, Mia stated, "His number is not reachable."

Andrew, fuming, handed Mia a five million cheque. "Use this to find a decent job and act like this never happened," he ordered.

"What do you mean?" Mia stammered.

"Should I be clearer?" Andrew retorted, raising his voice.

Tears welled in Mia's eyes, her first time turning into a nightmare, how could it happen like this, she said calmly.

Andrew, with a watchful eye, commented, It must have taken a lot to seduce me" his tone hushed.

"Who seduced you? I don't even know you!" Mia shouted angrily.

"Take what you can get. Many women would do anything to get close to me. Take the money and disappear," Andrew interrupted as he left the room.

Mia followed Andrew to the elevator, their argument escalating. "I don't need your dirty money!" she exclaimed.

"Stop being a narcissist! You're just someone with money but no character," Mia fired back.

"Shut up!" Andrew shouted, gripping Mia's hand just as the elevator doors opened.

In response, Mia flung the cheque at Andrew's face and stormed out of the building, leaving him utterly speechless.

Lost in her thoughts, Mia's phone rang, jolting her back to reality. "Hi, Mom," she answered. "What?! I'll be right back," she said and rushed home. Mia entered her house and called out, "Mom, I'm back!" Her stepdad urgently dragged her to the TV, showing her a news report. "Mia, is this not you?" he asked, confused.

The broadcast revealed, "Andrew Raymond, only 27 with a net worth of billions, has always been the ideal choice of wealthy women. This is the first time he's featured in the gossip section, leaving a hotel with his secret lover."

As the news ended, the TV abruptly turned off.

Mia's mom inquired gently, "What's going on? Why were you in a hotel room with Andrew?"

Just as Mia began to explain, her stepdad grabbed her forcefully and pulled her out of the house. "Dad, please, it's a misunderstanding," Mia pleaded.

"You're pursuing wealthy men while our family is drowning in debt. We can't support you financially. It's disgraceful. Thank goodness I'm not your biological father," he stated bitterly.

"I can take care of myself! I don't need your money!" Mia yelled, tears streaming down her cheeks as she walked away.

(Phone rings), Mia answered, "Jayden, where are you?

Please save me."Jayden explained.

"I was scammed a million when starting my business, and now I can't repay the loan. I've been hiding."

"So the debt collectors at our house are because of this?" Mia inquired.

Jayden confirmed, "Yes, Mia. I need your help. They've given me a week to repay, or we won't have peace."

Don't worry Jayden, we'll work together and find a solution, let me see what I can do. I'll call you back Jayden. (Call disconnects)

(Phone rings again) Mia clearing her voice answered "hello"

Hello Mia, this is the Human Resources department of Ray's group.

Congratulations on passing the interview for the position of archive assistant. Next Monday by 9AM

Please bring your identification documents to the company for registration. The caller concluded.

"Okay, okay, I'll be there on time," Mia responded with excitement. (Call disconnects)

She gazed back at her house and whispered to herself, "I need to deal with all these unpleasant matters first. I'll be back, Mom."

Meanwhile, who is this Andrew Raymond? Who on earth is he?" Confusion clouded her thoughts.

*****"

Speaking of Andrew Raymon many companies withdrew investment in the Ray's company due to the suspicious event between Mia and Andrew in the hotel. He's pictures were all over the magazines and newspapers because of the powerful figure he is.

He investigated everything about Mia and makes up his mind to fix everything in a month time to save his company name.

An elderly lady in her 70s hurried into the Ray's building, her face displaying a hint of anger. Workers greeted her with a standing ovation, but she walked past them in silence.

Upon reaching Andrew's office,She took a seat in front of him and questioned, "Why did you hide my granddaughter-in-law from me?"

Confused, Andrew replied, "Grandma, I don't understand what you mean."

I heard all that happened, the only way to handle the situation now is to get married to her. She said boldly.

"Marriage?" Andrew questioned in shock, looking puzzled. "I can't marry someone like her, she's not even my status"

His grandmother insisted, "This is the only way to clear your name as a playboy and to protect the company's reputation. It's also the best way to provide the girl with security."

"But, Grandma, I'm not ready for marriage," Andrew protested.

"You are getting married to her, and that's final. No arguments," she declared, her voice growing louder. "Consider it an order." Start preparing for your engagement ceremony. She said while leaving the office.

In the bright morning, Mia, dressed and prepared, began work at Ray Company. Holding a box of files, she marveled at the vast building. Lost in thought, she whispered about its beauty, pondering the years it took to establish. Reflecting on her debts, she wondered, "How many jobs must I take to pay them off? Why is my life so miserable and bitter?

Opening the office door to deliver files, Mia inadvertently collided with Andrew, who was on the verge of leaving. The box of files she carried tumbled, scattering papers across the floor. In a moment of shared surprise, they both blurted out the same question, "What are you doing here?"

You're following me aren't you? Mia inquired with a sense of pride.

"I could never have any interest in you, let alone following you," "I'm the owner of the company you're standing in now," Andrew added assertively.

"You must be a dreamer," Mia said, smiling.

As she surveyed the office, all she could see were photos of Andrew adorned with awards and the title of president. Confused, she questioned, "I thought the president of Ray Company was a 70-year-old woman."

"That's my grandmother; she resigned a few months ago," Andrew replied. "Don't you use the internet?" he added.

"You're truly the owner of this place, Andrew Raymond, the heir and CEO of the Ray Group," she said, surprised.

"Yes, didn't you read the information about the company you're working for? At least now that I've seen you here, you've made things easier for me." Andrew opened a file. "Take a look at this," he said.

"An engagement?" Mia asked.

"Our scandal has put Ray in a very awkward situation, so I need you to cooperate with me. Announce to the public that we're getting married, but it's only for six months. Afterward, I'll give you two million dollars in cash."

"Is money everything? I have a boyfriend; I disagree," Mia stated firmly.

Opening another page of the file, Andrew revealed all the loan amounts borrowed by Mia's boyfriend, Alex. Shocked, Mia protested, "This invasion of privacy, I refuse!" and walked out of the office.

"Then you'll need to pay all of the money alone, and you'll resign from my company."

Mia's steps halted, contemplating the situation. She retraced her path, took the file, and read through the conditions. Pausing at the sixth one, she asked, "Could we shorten the contract to three months?"

Andrew agreed, stating, "Bear in mind, you can never be my match. You can't reach my status; we're not from the same background. Consider this a privilege to have the title of a fiancée to the president of Ray Company.

Feeling emotional and moody, Mia let out a sigh. "The only reason I'm accepting this is because you've agreed to pay all of my debts, as stated in the contract. So, I'll trust you for now," she concluded.

Get ready, you'll have to meet my Grandmother tonight. Andrew replied, closing the file and leaving the office.

Mia quickly connected with Andrew's grandma, effortlessly portraying genuine affection. She acted with kindness to convince Grandma of their supposed love.

"Now that the marriage is settled, I can travel around the world with peace of mind, accompanied by my other old ladies," Grandma declared. As she prepared to leave with her caregiver and luggage, she instructed Mia, "When I'm not around Andrew, you must take care of my granddaughter." Andrew agreed. They exchanged pleasantries, Mia feel free to give me a call whenever you need to talk to me, grandma stated. "I will, Grandma. Have a safe trip," they both chorused in unison, and Grandma departed.

The house fell into minutes of silence before Andrew broke it. "Get the blanket; you can sleep on the couch. Don't touch any of my properties, do your thing, and stay out of my business. Hope I'm clear," Andrew stated.

Mia nodded and walked out.

As Mia lay down and picked up her phone, she scrolled through it, finding her pictures plastered all over the internet with the headline "The president of Ray Company will get engaged to his mysterious lover on Saturday." She pondered why he was so ruthless and rude. Did he even have emotions? "How will my parents react to this sudden marriage? How will I explain all this to my boyfriend?" Numerous thoughts raced through Mia's mind. I need to think of something she concluded.