Billionaire Toxic Love

CHAPTER 18

“No, no, no Richard, not terms. Agreement”, Claire then removed her hands from Richard's neck and went back to sit on the bed. She was enjoying the direction that her conversation with Richard was going. For the first time in her interactions with him, she felt in charge, and she was determined to enjoy every bit of it.

“There will be an agreement on how our marriage will be led, the dos and don'ts, agreed by both of us, and signed on paper by a lawyer”

Richard began laughing, an uncontrollable and taunting laughter.

“Why are you laughing?” Claire asked in surprise, as she knew none of what she just said was meant to make Richard laugh.

“You owe me Claire, I paid for your mom's treatment in the most effective hospital in the world, I paid you tens of fold of what I was supposed to pay you normally. Do you think I didn't know what I was doing?”

“I still don't understand Richard, how does what you said have to do with the contract we must sign before marrying you?” Claire asked, very anxious to know what Richard was driving at, that he found amusing in the midst of her shattering his ego.

“Oh my dear Claire…” Richard remarked jeeringly, “Why do you think I let you have a taste of a good life? Do you think I was being too romantic?”

“Oh no Claire, it was all a tactic, for you to know what it feels to be wealthy and powerful.”

“I wanted you to taste people bowing and cheering you on as you walk, eating in expensive VIP restaurants, meeting and talking with influential people, solving issues you couldn't dare imagine fixing if you were poor.”

Richard then walked towards where Claire sat on the bed with a sly smile on his face, and he proceeded to sit down beside Claire and held her hands, “Do you think you'll ever want to experience being poor and helpless again, after tasting good life?”

Richard paused, then continued speaking. He wasn't expecting a reply to that question and definitely Claire knew that was a rhetorical question, so she didn't respond either, but just stared at Richard blankly. She knew all he was spitting out of his mouth was nothing but facts.

“And I can bet you, Claire, if you reject marrying me, there's a slim chance you'd enjoy this lifestyle you so crave.”

“Mind you, this is just a glimpse. You can only imagine how almost the whole world would be yours if we got married.”

“Are you trying to sell yourself to me?” Claire confirmatively asserted, the power in the conversation was slowly leaving her, and she could feel it. That was the last thing she wanted.

“Well, my dear, call it whatever you want. A contract marriage is what you want, a contract marriage you'll get.” Richard then leaned forward and gave Claire a kiss on the cheek, followed by a slight smack on her butt.

“This is way past midnight, Claire…” Richard then checked his wristwatch, “wow, it's past 4am already. Get some sleep Claire, so your migraines won't worsen. We'll finalize this issue later today.”

Claire didn't say a word. At this point, all she wanted was for Richard to leave the room, so she could jump up in joy that she'd successfully deceived him.

Claire just stared blankly as she watched the back of her soon-to-be husband graciously leave her presence oblivious of the immoral activity she had done a few hours ago. The sweet part was that Claire didn't regret any single moment spent intensely with Joshua.

She felt bad, but she just couldn't cheat herself of nature. She enjoyed Joshua.

“Whew… at last” Claire heaved, the moment the door to the room shut close with Richard's exit. “I can't believe we pulled this off” Claire then rested her back on the bed with her arms stretched wide as she stared at the pop ceiling in the room with a big smile evident in her eyes.

“I'll sort out our marriage contract fairly with you, Richard. I just needed a topic to change the discussion about why I didn't come for your surprise date” Claire said aloud, as she closed her eyelids to be taken into deep slumber afterward.

Unfortunately for the sleep, an unrelenting sound came from a cell phone placed in the corner of the room.

Richard had gifted her a cellphone a few days back. It was the latest Apple product. An iPhone 14pro.

Her joy knew no bounds as she received the phone, but presently she wanted to smash the phone. This was the fourth time the phone had been ringing, disturbing her from the sleep she had just entered.

If only the phone was within her reach on the bed, she would have switched it off. At the fifth ring, she reluctantly pushed herself out of bed to switch off the phone.

“Joshua!...” Claire voiced out as she saw the name Joshua on her phone screen. With surprise and joy, she had to pick the call instead of her initial intent.

“Hello Joshua” Claire said as she swiped the accept call button on her phone.