MARRIAGE CONTRACT WITH THE RUTHLESS CEO

Chapter Two

Chapter Two;

Isabel, sipping her coffee, scrolls through social media and comes across a picture of Mia and Andrew getting married. Concerned, she dials Jay, Mia's boyfriend.

(Phone rings)

Why would she be calling me? "Jay whispered among his friends.

He picks up the phone( hello buddy)

Hey Jay" Isabel answered

Your girlfriend is getting married to Ray president, she added.

Mia is getting engaged? Jayden asked

Smiles, you didn't know about such a big event! What have you been doing lately?? She asked, surprised.

I'm just out earning a little money. Jayden added.

Just watch how I use this event to make as much money as I want, he said, hanging up the phone.

Music echoed through Andrew's opulent mansion, filling the air with a symphony of anticipation. Celebrities and esteemed personalities gathered for Andrew and Mia's engagement, creating an atmosphere of glamor and excitement. Amidst the crowd, Mia, felt a mix of nerves and joy as all eyes focused on her.

Whispers of admiration circulated among Andrew's admirers, acknowledging Mia's luck in securing the attention of someone so undeniably handsome. Yet, beneath the surface, doubts lingered. Could she handle Andrew's notorious ruthlessness?

As Andrew stood by Mia's side, his black and white suit exuding a commanding presence, a veil of mystery surrounded him, intensifying the intrigue. Mia, radiant with her long, dark blonde hair elegantly swept back, donned a shimmering gown that accentuated her beauty. The room buzzed with murmurs of admiration for her stunning appearance.

Andrew gently whispered in Mia's ear, "My. Grandma's taste is timeless, just like her rustic charm. I often wonder what she sees in you that makes her like you," he said, holding her hand, giving a brief smile.

"Gratitude to all for being part of this momentous occasion – Mia Philips and Andrew Raymond's engagement. Let the joy swell as you exchange your engagement rings," the event speaker expressed warmly.

"I thought the ring would be as big as a pigeon egg," Mia quipped. "Sure, I could've gone for a diamond ring, but you know, that's reserved for when I'm getting married," Andrew added with a brief smile.

The engagement celebration was extravagant, and the joy radiated from many attendees. Isabel, Mia's best friend, kept a close eye on Mia. Their eyes met, and Isabel signaled her to meet backstage. Observing this, Andrew encouraged Mia to go and have a conversation with Isabel.

Hello Isabel, it's been a while how have you been? Mia asked feeling excited to see her best friend after a long time she hugged her with excitement.

(I came here for one reason, Isabel said calmly, for you to give me back Andrew calmly, I love him so much and I don't want you to take him away from me.

Mia looked surprised. Give Andrew back to you. What does it mean?

"Andrew is my boyfriend," she fabricated, her eyes clouded with a hint of secrecy. "On that hectic day, I mistakenly swapped your room cards – you were intended to be with Jayden that night, not Andrew. Mia, I genuinely love him," she confessed, her touch on Mia's hands carrying a mix of desperation and sincerity as if pleading for understanding in the tangled web of emotions.

"It wasn't a mistake," Andrew intervened, disrupting their conversation. "Enough with this impersonation. Please, take a look at the hotel's surveillance video from that night." He showed Isabel the footage on his phone. Her head sank in shock and shame, while Mia gazed at the screen in surprise.

Then I was drugged, and Andrew cut in.

You booked the room I'm advance, you prepared everything. But you pushed your best friend to my bed, what the hell did you want to do? He asked…

"Please, this is just a misunderstanding, right?" Mia pleaded, her voice trembling with a shattered sense of hope.

"No misunderstanding. You slept with Andrew that day, and it was all my plan. Poor you. You thought you were going to spend the night with Jayden, but he had better plans with another girl," she revealed, a mix of coldness and a twisted sense of satisfaction in her tone.

"Yes, I planned everything that day of the meeting with Rashford. I drugged your wine, Andrew, and you didn't notice a thing. As soon as you dozed off, I took you to the room. Then, I got a call from one of the biggest sponsors in this city, offering a modeling contract. As a small model, I couldn't afford to miss this opportunity, so I needed the resources to be a better match for Andrew," Isabel concluded, a conflicted mix of ambition and remorse in her expression."I had to use Mia to cover up everything. I drugged her drink too and gave her your room card," Isabel continued. As she was about to conclude her statement, she was interrupted.

"So you sent me to that room. I was part of your design?" Mia asked, tears rolling down her cheeks, her voice a blend of betrayal and hurt.

"By then, he had already taken the pills, and I didn't want him involved with strangers. You're clean, and you have a boyfriend; I was sure you wouldn't pose any challenges afterward," Isabel explained to Mia. Gazing at Andrew, she added, "I wanted her to keep you for me," expressing a possessive desire to secure Andrew for herself.

"I genuinely considered you a friend," Mia exclaimed, her voice resonating with disbelief and anguish. Her words were a reflection of the profound hurt she felt. Tears streamed down her cheeks uncontrollably, each drop carrying the weight of betrayal. The foundation of trust shattered, leaving Mia in a storm of emotions as she grappled with the realization that a person she believed in had orchestrated such a heart-wrenching deception.

"Enough with the pretense," Isabel asserted, her voice carrying a mixture of frustration and resentment. "Everything you have today is because of me. If you don't appreciate it, just give it back to me," she concluded, her words laden with a complex blend of bitterness and a demand for acknowledgment.

"Enough, Mia," Andrew finally spoke, his voice carrying a tone of controlled anger. "Please watch your words. I've never belonged to you, and you're not in any position to dictate where I belong," he declared, his fury evident in the intensity of his words. The room hung with a palpable tension as Andrew asserted his independence and demanded respect for his autonomy.

"But I've truly loved you, Andrew, ever since I started working as a model in this company," Isabel confessed, attempting to passionately hold his hands. Andrew, however, firmly pushed her hands away, signaling a clear boundary and a rejection of her advances.

Isabel tries convincing Andrew it was out of love, then angrily grabs Mia's hair, screaming about ruined plans. Andrew intervenes, pulls her away, and calls security. Mia, shocked, stares in confusion.

"No need for security, I'll leave," she walks out. Mia, teary-eyed, still stares in disbelief.

***********

"Please, have a seat, Mia," Andrew urged gently.

In the quiet room, Mia pondered the betrayal by her friend. Breaking the silence

Andrew spoke gently, "I'm sorry, Mia." Her head lifted in shock, realizing the CEO was apologizing. "I truly misunderstood you earlier. It wasn't until I saw that video that I realized you're a victim too," he added with sincerity.

Mia's eyes softened with a twinge of regret as she offered her heartfelt apology. "I want to sincerely apologize for characterizing you as a rude man. Reflecting on it now, witnessing a woman attempting to manipulate and engage in those reprehensible actions must have stirred a range of emotions in you. I can only imagine the frustration and anger that gripped you that day."

it seems that the life of a budding entrepreneur carries its own set of challenges, mirroring the trials faced by individuals in the realm of stardom."

Mia concluded her words with a sense of remorse lingering in the air.

To an outsider, it might seem like I was born with a silver spoon, destined for wealth. However, my journey has been far from easy, starting from the bottom. Those pictures of us were mislabeled, casting me as a flirt and nearly burying my family's business, established over four decades ago. To rectify the situation, I needed to invest several months of your time, inviting you to share this challenging period with me. Andrew explained this with a calm demeanor.

Thanks to this contract, I cleared my debts and avoided potential jail time. I appreciate your role in this. Mia responded with gratitude.

As the conversation unfolded, Andrew's tone turned assertive, and he made it clear, "Don't thank me; it's just a deal. We each have our parts to play, and there's nothing more to it. It's almost like a business deal, you know?" His words resonated with a certain detachment, emphasizing the transactional nature of their interaction. Despite any underlying complexities, Andrew wanted to establish boundaries, framing their connection in a pragmatic and business-like manner.

Okay. Mia responded.

Alright, brace yourself, I've got a surprise for you. Andrew hinted, wearing a slightly ominous expression, and it's a bit scary. Andrew said, looking a bit suspicious.

A surprise? What might that be? Mia asked, sounding puzzled.