The Billionaire’s Pretend Fiancée

Chapter 3

3.

Chloe’s POV

My hands trembled, and my lips quivered as I walked barefooted under the pouring rain. I had been walking for a long time with no sense of direction and had to take my shoes off. My legs ached, but the pain was nothing compared to the pain in my heart.

He betrayed me and took everything away from me. I’m left with nothing but the memories of the times we spent together; painful memories that only reminded me about how foolish I had been to have thought he loved me. Growing up with no love made me crave it, but what I didn’t expect was falling into the wrong hands.

“Love,” I scoffed. “f**k love! f**k everyone who loves, for all the feelings are fake!” I yelled, hoping it would calm my lungs, but that didn’t work.

My legs gave out, and I plunged to the ground in pain. I remained on the floor and cried as the rain beat me. Suddenly, I saw a shadow looming over me and looked up to behold a good-looking stranger. His eyes twinkled under the moonlight as he held firm to the umbrella in his hand.

He stretched out his hand to me. “Come, I’ll help you regain all you lost and get back at your ex-boyfriend as well, Chloe Zander,”

Who was this man and how on earth did he know who I was and what that scumbag did to me?

“I’ll tell you who I am later, but before that, allow me to help you put the jerk to shame.” He said in a tone that exuded confidence and authority.

I had vowed not to trust any man, but there was something about this stranger that screamed power, and I just couldn’t place my hand on it. Well, I craved revenge, and since he was willing to help, I’d do it. I can ask how he got to know me later.

I placed my hand in his, and he helped me to my feet.

“Do you agree?” he asked, and I nodded. “Good, it comes with a price though,”

Price? No one said anything about price!

“The price is that you will pretend to be my fiancée until I get my parents off my back about getting married.”

“What!” I exclaimed with widened eyes. Who does this man think he is? How can he tell me to pretend to be his fiancée when I just got betrayed by my own boyfriend? I scoffed. “That’s a pretty huge price, and I am not interested.” I turned and wanted to walk away, but he pulled me under the umbrella.

“I wasn’t expecting you to give in to my request that easily, Ms. Zander. I will give you some time to think about it and then get back to me. I’m the only one that can help you get back at that dude who betrayed you, sweetheart. I know too much about you that you can’t fathom, so it would do us both good and you, especially if you give in to my request.” He explained, and I couldn’t help but wonder who this man was. Why was the aura he emanated so intimidating and domineering? What’s with the way he dragged his words like a hot mafia?

“Who are you?” I asked, but he just smirked and put his hand in his pocket. “This is my card.” He put the card in my hand. “Come to the address written on it if you reconsider.” He handed over the umbrella to me and started walking away.

A man dressed in black opened another umbrella and gave it to him as they walked to a black jeep parked. He got into the car and they drove off.

My eyes went to the card in my hand and I sighed as I walked back home. I couldn’t find a taxi and by the time I got home, I was already drenched and tired. I switched off my phone, and looked at the card he gave me with the address of his company.

“Ethan Evancho,” I murmured his name as I recalled the way he spoke to me. “Why does that name sound oddly familiar?” I scratched my head and discarded the thoughts.

I dropped the business card on the bedside table and closed my eyes. I could already feel a headache coming.

****

My eyes fluttered open, and I looked around to realize it was already morning. I couldn’t even get a good sleep as my mind kept drifting to what Mike did to me. I won’t spare him for any damn reason.

The doorbell rang, and I forced myself to get up. I got to the door and opened it to see an angry Mrs. Smith, my landlady.

“Good morning, Mrs. Smith.” I forced a smile, but she didn’t return it.

“There is nothing good about this morning, Chloe. Where is your house rent?” She asked, and I quickly recalled that my house rent expired yesterday and I promised to pay her but due to all that happened, I forgot.

“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Smith. Let me pay it now,” I rushed inside and took my phone. I logged into my bank app and tried to make the transaction, but I was told there was no money. I logged into my backup account, but that one had been cleared too. My eyes widened as I looked at Mrs. Smith, who had a frown on her face.

“Um, Mrs. Smith, I’ll go to the bank and get the money for you. Please give me some time.”

“I’m not that patient, Chloe, but I’ll give you some time. If you don’t pay before tomorrow, I’ll send you packing!” She snapped and walked away.

How on earth is my account empty? I rushed to prepare and when I was done, I took my handbag. My eyes went to the card Ethan gave me and I took it, placed it in my bag and rushed out.

I got to the bank and requested they check my account, but I was told there was no money. I requested a statement for both accounts and when the statement was out, my eyes almost popped out of its sockets.

Realization dawned on me.

“Mike!” I exclaimed.

That buffoon cleared my accounts. How could he do such a thing to me? I rushed to his apartment, but he wasn’t there. I tried to call him, but he had already blocked my number. I figured he might be in the penthouse and rushed there, but he wasn’t there either.

Panic struck me as tears rolled down my cheeks. What am I going to do now? How am I going to pay the house rent? My phone rang, and I noticed that it was Freya calling. I couldn’t even answer the phone and cried more. I didn’t deserve any of this. Why am I so unlucky? Why is all these happening to me? Is loving someone a crime now, and I’m getting punished for it?

I dropped my phone in my bag and saw the card Ethan gave me. I brought it out and stared at it. This was my only hope. I was going to make Mike pay for playing me, betraying me and duping me. I won’t spare even a hair on his head.

Being Ethan’s fake fiancée shouldn’t be that hard. After all, it was just for the show. He would help me get back at Mike, and I will help get his parents off his back.

What could possibly go wrong?

I dropped the card in my bag and took a cab to the address he provided. When I was dropped at his company, my eyes widened at the magnificence. Everything was literally made of glass.

Who in God’s name was this man? I walked into the company and was greeted by the receptionist, or whoever she was.

“Do you have an appointment?” She asked.

“Yes.” I gave her the card. She looked at it, smiled and made a call. After the call, she looked at me, that smile still on her face.

“Take the elevator to the fifteenth floor and someone will take you to him.”

“Thank you.” I smiled and did as she said. When I got to the floor she talked about, a lady took me to an office and made sure I entered before going back. I walked into the spacious office that was even bigger than my living room and saw him seated on the chair with his legs folded. I walked to stand in front of him and he looked up at me. It was dark last night, and I wasn’t able to take in his features.

Now that I got a better look, I realized I was standing in front of a Greek god like man. He was a hundred times good-looking and more with a well chiseled jaw and grey eyes. His jet black hair was styled to the back, giving him those fairy tale prince’s vibes.

I quickly snapped out of my reverie and cleared my throat. He looked at me, waiting for what I was going to say.

“I will do as you say. I agree to be your pretend Fiancée.” I said, and a smile graced his lips.

I hope I wasn’t making a terrible mistake.