Chapter 5
1576 Words
Jane’s POV
I stood in front of him, absolutely speechless.
This man... this man was Mr. X?
My mind refused to accept it. The man I had insulted, the man I threw money at, thinking he was a call boy.
He looked straight at me with a smirk.
I froze. My hands felt numb. Stacy quickly excused herself. It was just the two of us.
The shock was brutal. This was the man who was my company’s last hope, and I had treated him like trash.
Shame burned through me. Every arrogant word I spoke that night replayed in my mind.
“I bet you didn’t expect to see me again like this,” he said, calmly “The same girl who threw money around like it meant nothing.”
I couldn't speak.
He nodded toward the balcony. “Let’s talk somewhere private, Jane.”
I followed him, moving on instinct.
We stepped outside. I gripped the railing, trying to stop the shaking.
How do I fix this? How do I convince a man I humiliated to give me a billion dollars?
He finally spoke. “I checked out your company.”
My eyes shot up.
“Of course I would be curious about a girl bold enough to talk to me the way you did,” he continued, sounding amused.
“Jane Blake,” he said slowly. “Your company is sinking. You need an investment from me.”
I nodded, the shame heavy.
He let out a soft, mocking laugh. “You came here to ask me for money... after paying me off?”
I forced myself to speak. “Look, let’s be professional. About that night... I paid you because I genuinely mistook you for a call boy. I didn’t know who you were. It was a mistake.”
He just watched me, unreadable.
I knew I was ruined. He would never invest.
But then, he stepped closer.
“I’m going to help you. I’ll invest a billion dollars into your company.”
My breath hitched. “What?”
“But there’s one condition.”
The air thickened. “What condition?”
He delivered the demand: “You’ll be my wife. For one year.”
I recoiled. “What? Be your wife? You think because I’m desperate...”
“Yes,” he cut in calmly.
My anger flared. “You’re crazy. I am not marrying you!”
He smirked. “It’s a contract. Pure business.”
“You are definitely crazy!” I shouted.
He held out a business card. “Think about it. Text me when you have a proper answer.”
He placed the card in my hand and walked away.
I left the hall, the words echoing: A billion dollars. Marriage. Contract. One year.
I went straight to my cheap motel. I sat all night, my company’s death certificate staring me in the face.
My father’s legacy was dying. Shareholders were leaving every hour. My company was drowning.
By morning, my phone buzzed.
A message from Stacy.
“Did you get Mr X to invest?”
My chest tightened. I called her immediately
“Ma’am?”
“Stacy, who is he?” I asked. “Mr X. You worked for him in Russia. Tell me more.”
She paused. “I can’t. Work ethics. I’m not allowed to share anything personal about him.”
Right. Of course. Stacy was too professional to gossip.
“Okay,” I said and ended the call.
I stared at the ceiling again. Maybe there was a way to convince him without marriage. Maybe he would listen if I talked calmly.
Then my phone buzzed again.
“Meet me at Rhodes Hotel. 6 p.m.”
I frowned. “Who is this?”
Another message came.
“In case you’re wondering, this is X.”
How did he get my number?
It had to be Stacy. Maybe she gave him my card that night. Maybe she thought she was helping.
Fine. If he wanted to meet, that was good. I would convince him to invest without the marriage.
At 6, I arrived at Rhodes Hotel in a red simple but classy outfit. My palms were sweaty, but I tried to stay calm.
He was waiting by a black car.
“You’re late,” he said.
“I’m on time!”
“You should learn to be early.”
I swallowed hard, ignoring his rudeness. “I came to discuss the investment.”
He ignored me and began walking toward the entrance.
“We’re attending an event,” he instructed.
“What? I came for a meeting!”
“The only way you’ll get my attention is if you attend this event with me.”
He said walking inside.I had no choice. I followed.
The moment I stepped into the hall, I almost stopped breathing.
The room was filled with power. Real power. Founders of billion–dollar companies. Forbes faces. People I had only ever seen online.
My heart pounded. Who is X? How powerful is he?
But before I could ask myself more questions, I saw him.
Daniel, My ex.
My whole body froze. My heart fell straight to my stomach.
What is Daniel doing here?
Before I could run or hide, a woman walked toward us. She looked rich and elegant.
“My son, I have been waiting for you,” she said, touching his arm.
“Hello, Mother,” X replied.
I turned to her and smiled nervously. “Good evening, ma’am.”
She didn’t even look at me.
She looked through me like I was invisible. Like I wasn’t worth noticing.
But I didn’t care. Not at that moment.
Seeing Daniel had already destroyed whatever confidence I walked in with.
“I… I need to use the restroom,” I whispered.
X nodded without looking away from me.
I left fast before I broke down in front of him.
Inside the restroom, I leaned on the sink and tried to breathe.
Why is Daniel here? Why is he acting normal? Why is he not bothered after ruining my life?
I held back tears and forced myself to calm down.
“No. I need to go back. I need the investment,” I told myself.
After a few minutes, I stepped out.
But as I walked down the hallway, I heard voices.
I slowed down.
And then I saw them… Daniel and X’s mother. Standing close. Talking quietly.
I moved closer.
Daniel sounded frustrated. “Mom, when will I get the money for the investment? You promised me.”
Mom?
My eyes widened.
She snapped at him. “Stop calling me that here. You know no one can know about you. Be patient. I will send the money soon.”
I froze.
Daniel was her secret son.
That was his secret. A secret that could ruin his world.
I hid until they left. I sat on the floor, breathing hard.
Daniel destroyed me. Now, I had the secret to destroy him.
I stood up slowly. My mind was crystal clear. This wasn't just about saving my company; it was about revenge.
I walked back into the hall.
I found X. He turned as I stopped in front of him.
“I accept your condition,” I said, my voice steady and firm.
His expression shifted. He pulled me away from the guests.
“You’re agreeing?” he asked, a flicker of shock in his eyes.
“Yes.”
He studied me, then nodded slowly.
I smirked internally. Daniel ruined my life. Now I would ruin him.
X would be my weapon.
He grabbed my hand and led me straight to his black car.
I sat down, still shaken from seeing Daniel and agreeing to something that felt impossible.
The moment I got into the car, he handed me to documents, as if he already knew how this would end.
“Sign it now,” he said coldly.
I scanned the contract quickly. Everything looked normal until one line made my heart stop.
"The parties shall reside together in Mr. X's residence."
Live together, in the same room? My stomach clenched.
I looked up at him, frowning. "Live together? Why do I have to live with you?"
"It’s the only way this works," he said calmly. "We have to be convincing."
I stayed silent for a moment, thinking it over. I didn't have anything to lose, my company needs the money plus, I get to punish Daniel my own way.
"Fine," I said, leaning in with a bit of defiance. "I’ll live with you, but in separate rooms. I’m not just going to fall in line."
He smirked, looking amused by my spark of spirit. "No more questions?"
"No," I whispered.
I picked up the pen and signed the contract, then the marriage certificate.
It was done. I was officially his wife.
X took the papers and signed his name. He leaned back, victory in his eyes.
“Welcome to your life for a year, Jane.”
- Writer
