The Prince's Leased Bride

The Proposal

As his strong grip loosened, she regained the ability to move her hand muscles- thank goodness. She needed a massage though, he seemed to be much more controlling than even her own boss.

“Now that you are satisfied Miss Smith…shall you listen to my proposition now?” Harold crossed his arms over his chest, one brow lifted up at her face. It was apparent that he was not going to take no for an answer.

Alice exhaled a breath, getting what she wanted was easier said than done but she had to hold up her end of the bargain. “Go on.” She refused to use that name, made on the spot. He tried to be cryptic but that simply made it the more obvious.

He studied her face. “I believe you understand the term lease right?”

“Of course!” She stopped herself from raising her hands up, “I’m no business student if I don’t know what that means.” Alice narrowed her eyes at him, handsome or not… that was kind of insinuating and also confusing.

"Indeed, that makes sense. My apologies."

“Do you need some kind of financial consultant?” His inquisitive grey eyes stared at her, his tux shaping the fine handiwork that is his body. He seemed like one of those successful men that needed someone for them. Man, staying upset at the hunk was tougher than she assumed. "The firm I work at has a good reputation. Consider me differently when working."

“Not precisely financial matters,” He shook his head, yet every hair seemed to fall into place, and waved a hand to dismiss her notion, “More of your personal services.”

Her cheeks heated up, she wasn’t sure if this was going to where she read before in popular romance books nowadays. A mysterious man turned out to be a billionaire. Sexy, possessive and filthy rich… was this an example? “You need someone to help you get a lease?” She can’t be too dumb.

“My apologies, it is simply because I want to lease you per se.”

She blinked once. Twice

“Excuse me?” Things were turning out not so smoothly. She already told him that she was no p********e! Man did men ever listen?

“I need someone to be my bride then my wife for a couple of years.” Harold told her, his eyes showed no hesitance.

“Am I hearing you correctly?” She downed the scotch in one go, motioned the man to pour her some more. His lips tugged down but he simply complied with her request,

“Yes, I know this sounds rather wrong- illegal but it would be for just a short duration then divorce can occur.”

“B-but wh-”

“I’ll pay you a good amount.” She stopped at his words, the man called over to the bartender- not so bartender who brought a briefcase and placed it on the table.

Her eyes widened, this seemed like something out of a movie. “I-I, you can’t be serious?”

The man clicked it open to reveal it filled with money, “You won’t have to worry much about your rent.” Harold explained with a shrug, “So what do you say Miss Smith?”

Alice was at lost for words; could she honestly make this amount of money easily by accepting?

“I’ll consider your silence as a yes.” Well that settled it.

She just got paid.

Ten thousand quid in cash

Alice rubbed her eyes with a hand; the amount was really laid down the glass table.

“I’m dreaming right?” she gawked and placed her glass of scotch on the table, its contents whirring slightly as she leaned forward to inspect the money.

“Is that not enough?” a voice asked, she looked up at Harold’s face. His dark grey eyes stared back at her, blank and unflinching. He crossed his arms over his tuxedo clad chest. “It’s merely the initial payment.”

Her head was pounding… what did she get herself into?

“I’m uh--”

“A contract can be initiated with mere agreement right?” Harold gave her a tiny smile, “Do I have your word Miss Smith?”

“Umm….” She tilted her head and poked the cash with her finger. It was real!

“Well?” He lifted a brow.

“Can I get a hundred thousand?” she grinned at him, her cheeks flushing.

He sighed and stayed silent for a moment. “Alright, first thing once the bank opens.”

“I’m rich!” She cheered and stood up from the couch. “BEAT THAT KEVIN!” Several people stopped at the dance floor to look at the commotion that was her, but she didn’t care at all. “BEST DAY EVER!” She started to hop up and down on the spot.

Her head pounded as a lurching feeling built through her throat, “I think I’m- urk!” She closed her mouth with a hand, held back the heave. Goodness she felt sick.

“It seems that our play starts this instant.” She felt herself swooped into the man’s arms. Her eyes widened as she tried not to puke, she couldn’t say a word. Harold started to bring her away from the couches, rightfully avoiding the dance floor with its flashy lights and carried her towards the bathroom.

Alice bit back the acid in her throat. “It seems that your friend should have stayed for situations like this.” The man murmured and shook his head slightly at the signage of women’s comfort room.

“Ugh, let me do it by myself.” She attempted to scramble down his arms, but the floor was moving or was it her head? “You can’t say bad stuff bout Lizzie pal.”

“My apologies.” The man kept her in his arms as he moved away from the bathroom.

“Man!” she covered her mouth, her eyes teamed with tears. “I need the toilet.”

The man kicked a door open, using one hand to flicker the light open and revealed a rather spacious bathroom with clean white tiles from floor to walls. “I think you can currently count as physically challenged no?” He gently put her down to her feet,

Alice trudged to the toilet, somehow it felt like it was miles away when it was only a few steps. She knelt down immediately and heaved from her throat. “Urk!” Her heart raced as she felt his presence behind her. What was he up to now?