Married To The Dying Billionaire

Five

Ivy's Pov

We drove in silence out of the city. My heart was pounding and I was sweating a little, despite the air conditioning in the car. I kept asking myself if I was making a mistake I might regret going with this stranger. But I knew if I didn’t, Grandma wouldn’t get her treatment and I would regret that.

We drove for nearly an hour before he turned into a gated community.

“Where is this place?” I asked staring wide eyed at the beautiful houses and tree lined streets.

“River Oak. My employers lives here.” He said.

“Here?” I asked. I knew the kind of super wealthy people living in this place and wondered who his employer was.

“What’s his name? And what does he do?” I asked.

“You will soon find out.”

“What’s your name anyway?” I asked.

He kept silent. I gave up and continued watching the beautiful houses. Then, he pulled up on front of a huge house and led me into a living room bigger than my entire apartment.

“Wait here.” He said and left.

I stood clenching my fist anxiously. The house was so huge and quiet it scared me. My gaze landed on a grand piano tucked beside the fireplace. To distract myself I went over to look at it. I could play very well, thanks to Grandma who had paid for my lessons when I was young. I smiled as I imagined myself one day being rich and able to afford such a house for her. I was so lost in my daydream I didn’t hear someone come in till they said,

“You must be Ivy.”

I turned, and my jaw dropped. I had been expecting this mystery person to be a fat, old man but it was a young woman, about my age. But what shocked me more was that she looked liked me, at least how I would have looked like if I were rich and comfortable. Her brown hair, dark eyes and slim figure were exactly like mine. She noticed it too because I heard her gasp in surprise when I turned. We stared at each other for some minutes before she smiled.

“Wow, Clive was right, we do look alike. Same name too. Talk about coincidence. At least now I can see how I’d have looked if I were poor.” She laughed.

I blushed in embarrassment.

“Just joking. Sit down Ivy. Relax. You look like you want to run away. What will you drink?” She asked walking to the mini bar.

“Em..er..em..water. thank you .” I stammered.

She raised her eyebrows at me and came back with a glass of something else.

“This is a cocktail. Drink it, get used to being rich Ivy. I won’t want you to embarrass me.”

I blinked. "I don't drink."

"You'll learn."

She settled opposite me and crossed her legs elegantly. She studied me for a while then nodded.

“Yes, you will do. Clive did well. He deserves a raise.”

I guessed Clive was the creepy man.

"You are his employer?" I asked shyly.

She nodded. "He is kind of like, my PA."

“Thank you for paying for my grandmother treatment.” I said awkwardly. “I really appreciate it.”

She shrugged. “Think of it as an advance."

"Advance?"

"If you accept the job."

I frowned.

"What kind of job?".

“Let me explain. My name is Ivy Sullivan."

I stared, the name sounded familiar but I didn't remember where I'd heard it.

"Haven't you heard of Sullivan Properties?" She asked.

My eyes widened. Of course I had.

The Sullivan family was one of the wealthiest in Texas. Their company owned luxury hotels, office towers, and shopping centers across the state.

“I turned twenty five some months ago and by my grandfather’s will I am to inherit our company, since I’m the only surviving Sullivan."

"Congratulations." I said.

She laughed. "Don't congratulate me yet. My grandfather left one condition."

"What condition"

"I have to marry his best friends grandson, Paul Sinclair.”

I almost dropped my cup. Why were my broke ears hearing billionaire names. The Sinclairs were the richest family in Texas who owned nearly half of everything. I remember seeing Paul Sinclair in magazines. He was tall, blond and unbelievably handsome. For years women across Texas had voted him the state's hottest billionaire CEO.

“My grandfather and Paul’s were good friends," Ivy continued, "so they decided each of their eldest grandkids would get married. But six months ago Paul had a terrible accident." She looked away. "He hasn't been the same since."

No wonder I haven’t been reading about him anymore, I thought. I stared at her, wondering why she was telling me about her private life and what it had to do with the job.

"Why are you telling me this?" I frowned.

“Because,” She said looking me in the eye. “I want you to marry my fiance.”