Marriage for convenience

CHAPTER 4

The morning sun streamed through the hotel room’s curtains as I stirred.

When I finally gather the courage to crack my eyes open the next day, I'm awake alone in the massive, empty bed, the lingering scent of him a reminder of the night we had shared.

I stare at the ceiling, the warmth I had felt last night replaced by a hollow ache.

My phone buzzed, and I grabbed it, noting a message from Sara.

“Where are you? Did everything go with the guy I set you up with?”

I freeze, my fingers hovering over the screen. The guy I set you up with.

I hadn't just walked into the wrong hotel room. I’d walked into a stranger’s life.

And not just any stranger. A billionaire with connections.

A sick realization settled in my stomach, I push myself out of bed and gathers my things.

My dress from last night lay in a heap on the floor, and as I dressed quietly, the events of the night played in my mind.

I had shared things with him, things I didn't mean to.

My grief, my frustration, my fears about the company.

And he had listened, really listened.

But now it was over, and I had to leave before it became more complicated.

Except it already had.

I can hear Fred pacing gently in the next room, talking to someone on the phone.

“Stop acting like my presence at the event will be essential.”

Fred's voice carries into the room, now much closer than before.

“I'll be there. You can tell father that,” he adds bitterly.

Fred steps back into the room, he hangs up the phone.

He's already dressed in a new suit that somehow looks more expensive than the last, hugging his muscular chest.

in a way that would send me instantly to his bed again if I weren't already in it.

A deep frown smoothes from his forehead as he realizes I'm awake.

“Good Morning. You sleep well?”

“Mmmm…,” I reply

He notices that I'm no longer tangled up in his sheets but already halfway dressed.

“Leaving without saying goodbye?”

I freeze, feeling his presence, and turn slowly to meet his eyes.

He raises an eyebrow. “Going so soon?”

I frown, looking guilty. “I…”

I avert my eyes after a solid few seconds of us staring back at each other.

“You seem busy, so…” I wave my hand.

“I wanted to get out of your way.”

“I have a proposition for you” Fred says.

As he reach out, and runs a single finger up the bare skin of my arm.

I shiver.

“Fred…” my voice soft, almost begging, in a way.

“For what?” I ask him

“Be my date at my next event. I don't have the exact date, but I want you to go with me.”

“Date?” I echo, my brows knitting together.

“Why me?”

“Because…,”

“You mentioned last night that you’re trying to save your father’s company. That you need to get married.”

I blinked, my stomach tightening. How much had I told him?

Fred continued, his voice calm and measured. “I’m under a lot of pressure from my family to remarry.

My wife’s death left…a gap they want to see filled. What if we helped each other?”

I frowned. “What are you saying?”

“A contract marriage,” Fred said, his eyes never leaving mine.

“You need a husband to claim your inheritance.”

“I need a wife to get my family off my back. We both get what we want, no emotions involved.”

My breath caught in my throat. A contract marriage? With Fred Price?

I should say no. I should walk out of this room and never look back.

But the weight of my father’s company, my brother’s conviction, and my overwhelming sense of responsibility pressed down on me.

I couldn’t afford to lose everything.

I shake my head at him and pulls away from his touch.

My skin prickles as another shiver racks through me.

“Look, I really had an amazing night last night with you.”

“But I can't be your…date, or whatever.

I don't even know you that well. And you seem to be kind of important.”

“I appreciate this, whatever it is you're offering me,” I go on.

“But I can't be your date.”

“Emily.” He catches my attention again

“I mean it when I say that I want you to accompany me.”

He grabs an envelope from one of the drawers of the desk and a little note and scribbled on it.

He quickly pen my name onto the envelope and seal it with a quick dab from his envelope sealer.

He pulls the envelope out from his arm and forces me to take it by sliding it into my hand.

“Think about it.”

“I frown and tighten my hold on the envelope. “ I won't…”

“Please,” he tells me

“I’ll think about it,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Fred nodded, his expression unreadable.

“I’ll be waiting.”

He follows me out

When I reached the door, I turn back to Fred, one hand on the button, the other holding the envelope and the straps of my shoes.

“I…” I bite my lip. “Goodbye Fred.”

He smiles at me. “I hope to see you soon, Emily.”

Instead of going back to my apartment I decided to go visit Sara.

On my way back in the cab, I opened the envelope Fred gave me to read the letter he wrote.

Emily,

You need a husband. I need a girlfriend.

I think we'd make good business partners.

Please call at your earliest convenience, but not before 9AM.

X-xxx-xxx-xxx

Fred Price.

Sara was busy when I got to the hospital she works at.

I decide to wait at the coffee shop till she arrived.

“Girlfriend” Sara screams happily as soon as she sighted me sliding into the chair across me.

I could see it in her face that she was burnt out.

Totally exhausted but she still made time to see me.

Sara was, decidedly, my best friend.

She may have filled that role solely because I didn't have any friend.

I was more than content with with her.

She was cute and friendly and an all-round good girl.

The type of person everyone needed in his or her life.

“Hey, does the last name price ring any bells for you?”

I asked Sara, sliding the Madeira cake slice and Irish cream shake I got to her face.

“If I answer that, will you fish tail my hair for me?” She responded while stuffing her mouth with the cake.

Pointing at her blonde hair tied up in a messy bun on the top of her head.

“I was already late for work and couldn't really do anything with it.”

“Fine, fine, sit down.”

Sara cheerfully took a seat on one of the stools lining the countertop.

Fortunately, it was Sara's break period so I had plenty of time to fix her hair up.

“I'm actually worried that you don't recognize the name. Although, you do live under a rock most of the time,” she said to me.

I tugged on her hair a little harder than I had to.

“Is he an actor?”

“No, why would you think that?”

“Uh, he kind of looks like one.”

She whipped her head around to face me.

I quickly let go of her so I wouldn't pull it.

“You saw him?” She exclaimed

“Careful, and yeah, he is the guy I spent the night with last night at the hotel.”

I give off an awkward laugh.

“Huh, well, fun fact, I entered the wrong room. And I found him irresistible, one thing led to another.

“Oh, my god. No, you did not!”

She says hand over her mouth, absolutely mortified.

“You did not Emily” she continues still in shock.

“Think about his name carefully for a moment,” she replies, looking forward again.

She gestured for me to finish the braid.

“You haven't seen it anywhere?”

“No. I can't remember.”

That's why I'm asking you.

“Do you remember the hotel where you stayed last night?”

“It was a night to remember,” I nodded

She turned around to look at me again.

“And what was that hotel called?”

“Price Express. But why…”

The connection took a moment.

My jaw nearly dropped. It explained so much, he knew where to find his envelope sealer.

“Seems like you recognize it” she giggled.

“You want to find him? Why”

“Well, the thing is…” I pulled out the note from Fred and handed it to her.

Sara's jaw dropped as she read the letter.

“Wow, he must have really liked you.”

“Well, he also wants me to accompany him as his date to an upcoming event.”

“What's with the random Date and weird note? He wants you to be his girlfriend.”

“You should definitely call him?”

I shook my head. “No way. I couldn't let someone like that into my life just like that even if I'm desperate.”

“Why?” That would really help you out, Emily.”

“Yeah, but it's not right. It hasn't been up to a year since he lost his wife.”

“So? All honest hearts aside, you should reach out to him…”

Trailing off and gazing out the door.

Then her eyes widened and she turned back to me.

“Oh my god.” She

pointed towards the door.

“It's Pri…look!”

Just as the door jingled, signaling the arrival of a customer, I pivoted to see none other than Fred Price coming through the doors.

I sat rooted to my spot.

What in the world was he doing here?