The Billionaire's Bargain

Chapter 3 : The Arrangement

The next morning, Sofia sat at her café’s counter, staring at the small clock on the wall. The ticking hands felt louder than usual, each second echoing like a countdown to the life she had unwittingly agreed to. Her café—her sanctuary—was unusually quiet. Normally, she’d have customers trickling in, but the storm outside had driven most people to stay indoors. It felt symbolic, as if the universe itself was preparing her for the storm she’d willingly walked into.

Her phone buzzed.

"A car will pick you up at 8 a.m. sharp. Be ready."

The message was from Alexander. Of course, it was curt, precise, and void of any pleasantries. Sofia set her phone down, her jaw tightening. There was no turning back now. She’d agreed to this arrangement, but it didn’t mean she had to like it.

She got up and began preparing for the day, her mind restless. Her café was quiet, too quiet, and every empty table felt like a slap in the face. She didn’t need Alexander’s reports to know she was losing her business. The reality was right in front of her.

At precisely 8 a.m., the low hum of a luxury car’s engine pulled her from her thoughts. Sofia glanced out the window to see a sleek black car parked in front of her café. She quickly grabbed her coat and stepped outside, the cold air biting at her skin.

The driver, a stoic man in a crisp black suit, opened the door for her without a word. She hesitated for a moment before stepping in, the soft leather seats immediately engulfing her.

Inside the car, Alexander sat waiting. His navy suit was sharp, every line tailored to perfection, and his presence filled the space effortlessly. He didn’t greet her. Instead, he glanced up from his phone and studied her for a moment before returning his attention to the screen.

"Good morning to you, too," Sofia said, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

Alexander finally looked at her, his expression unreadable. "We’re on a schedule, Ms. Morales. Pleasantries can wait."

Sofia rolled her eyes but didn’t reply. She hated how easily he got under her skin.

The car ride was silent, save for the occasional sound of Alexander typing on his phone. Sofia stared out the window, the city blurring past as they drove toward an unfamiliar destination.

After what felt like an eternity, the car pulled up to a gated estate. The massive iron gates opened slowly, revealing a sprawling mansion that looked like something out of a magazine. Sofia’s breath hitched. She knew Alexander was wealthy, but seeing it up close was overwhelming.

"Is this where you live?" she asked, her voice softer than she intended.

Alexander didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he stepped out of the car and motioned for her to follow. "This will be your new home for the next month. You’ll be staying here with me. It’s part of the arrangement."

Her heart sank. Living with him hadn’t been part of the conversation yesterday. "Wait, what? You didn’t say anything about moving in!"

He turned to face her, his expression calm but firm. "It’s necessary. If we’re going to convince people that this engagement is real, we need to act the part. That includes living together."

Sofia opened her mouth to argue, but no words came out. The enormity of what she’d agreed to was beginning to sink in, and it was suffocating.

Alexander led her inside, the grandeur of the mansion only intensifying her unease. The high ceilings, marble floors, and exquisite furnishings all screamed wealth—a world so far removed from her own that it felt alien.

"You’ll have your own room," Alexander said as he guided her through the house. "There are certain rules you’ll need to follow while you’re here. For starters, we need to maintain appearances. That means no unnecessary arguments or acting out in front of others. Understood?"

Sofia stopped walking and turned to face him, her eyes narrowing. "I’m not some puppet you can control, Alexander. I’ll play my part, but I won’t let you dictate every second of my life."

Alexander’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he inclined his head slightly, as if conceding to her point. "Fair enough. But remember, the success of this arrangement depends on both of us. I’ll hold up my end of the deal if you hold up yours."

She nodded reluctantly and followed him up a grand staircase to a wing of the house that seemed quieter, more private. He stopped in front of a door and opened it, revealing a spacious bedroom that looked more like a luxury hotel suite.

"This will be your room," he said, his tone businesslike. "Make yourself comfortable. We’ll have dinner with my family tonight to announce the engagement."

Sofia’s stomach dropped. "Your family? Tonight?"

Alexander gave her a pointed look. "Yes. It’s important they hear it from us first. Be ready by seven."

Before she could respond, he turned and walked away, leaving her standing in the doorway of her new reality.