Billionaire's Accidental Bride

Trapped before the dinner

Natasha's POV

Help! I'm here! My voice echoed through the basement as I pounded on the door like my life depended on it.

"Help me! That's not me!" Hot, helpless tears streamed down my face.

"I'm over here!"

"Please!" My fist ached but I banged harder on the door.

My hands were sore from hitting too hard

"Please..." My voice broke into a whisper now.

No one was coming.

No one could hear me.

I heard the rum of the car engine and the screeching of tires as the car drove off.

I slid down the door to the floor, knees buckled, my back pressed to the cold wood,

Then I sobbed, ugly tears wracking my entire body.

Why did things like this always happen to me?

…

I pulled on a black sweatshirt and a pair of jeans.

It was Friday and we didn’t need to wear those slutty clothes at the restaurant today.

I spritzed my perfume, the scent reminding me of just how much I loved chocolate-musk fragrances.

I picked up my small black sling bag, the inside already peeling grateful that at least no one would notice yet, and flung it across my chest.

There. I was set and ready.

I headed out, glancing at myself in the mirror one more time before leaving my room.

I skipped down the stairs, grateful neither Amber nor Eliana was in sight.

I couldn’t handle them being insufferable.

Ping!

A notification rang on my phone.

If I guessed right, it was Allison.

I pulled my phone from my bag and saw I was right.

“Get your ass here already, it’s been five minutes.”

I chuckled.

“I’m on my way.”

My fingers flew across the screen.

I was heading out to meet Allison before my shift started at 9.

We had only an hour to catch up, and I couldn't wait.

The city smelled like Friday, coffee, burgers, and fried bagels when I shut the door behind me.

I put on my earpiece, listening to my favorite song Too Good at Goodbyes by Sam Smith, and walked briskly.

Allison was already waiting for me.

I was halfway down when I realized I had left my name tag.

“s**t,” I muttered, dragging myself back to the house.

The only thing keeping me upbeat was the music in my ears.

I sang along as I walked home, the song mirroring my mood.

I was just about to reach the porch when strong hands yanked me, and my face slammed against a hard chest.

Warm hands grazed the small of my back, steadying me.

“Owww,” I yelped.

The smell of his cologne wafted through my nose.

I knew that smell before I even looked up.

Gray eyes met mine.

“Miss me?” Devin winked.

My stupid heart fluttered.

I jumped back when I saw how close we were.

It was already too late, I could feel the electricity from how close we were

Dammit!

I gave a slight nod to Alfred standing by the sleek black Mercedes. His hands folded across his chest as he waited.

“What are you doing here?” My eyes darted around the street

If Amber or Eliana saw him…

He stood out like a sore thumb in my neighborhood.

His navy-blue shirt and gray trousers were too polished for the simple surroundings.

“You know what? Get into the car.” I shoved his chest but he didn’t budge.

He only looked at me with an amused expression.

“Get in! No one can see you.” I glared

He let out a chuckle and got into the car.

I glanced at Alfred.

He followed suit without me needing to say anything.

I slid in behind him.

“What are you doing here? What if someone saw you?” I hissed

His lips curved into a grin.

“What’s funny??”

“You look cute when you’re bossy.”

His words caught me off guard, and heat crept onto my cheeks. I looked out the window as his laugh echoed in the car.

“We’re going to see my grandparents on Sunday,” Devin said smoothly, leaning into the car seat.

His tone left no room for negotiation.

My stomach dropped

The gravity of the situation was settling in faster than I expected.

“Alright,” I muttered.

“I’ll send everything you need for dinner.” He adjusted his tie.

The contract? He c****d his head

I bit my lip.

I hadn’t signed yet.

“I’ll get that to you soon.”

“Where are you headed?” He asked

“Uhh… nowhere,” I lied.

No way in hell I would have him drop me at work

What if Amber or Eliana saw?

“Alright then, take care. Don’t miss me too much,” he breathed, grazing my ear.

A shiver crept up my spine.

I bolted out of the car, bid him goodbye, and watched as the car zoomed off leaving me with a racing pulse.

What was I here for again?

Right…my ID.

I pushed open the front door and froze.

Eliana and Amber's gaze pierced me.

“Who was that??” Amber asked, her eyebrows raised.

“And what was he doing with you?” Eliana spat, disgust evident on her face.

…

I groaned as the hot water touched my skin.

Just what I needed after a weird shift.

The scent of my lavender soap filled the bathroom as I rubbed my skin carefully with the sponge.

Making sure to wash off the smell of grilled meat and bread, I particularly scrubbed my left hand, where a customer had tried to grope me before one of my male colleagues came to my rescue.

I wrapped my towel around my wet body and stepped out of the bathroom, humming to no particular song.

I was giddy today.

Maybe because it was Sunday and I was meeting his grandparents.

Or maybe you're excited to see him, a voice in my head shot back.

"That's not true," I countered.

The black dinner gown Devin had sent was sprawled on my bed.

It was conservative, unlike the ones he brought for me to choose from during dinner.

Maybe because he was trying to make a good impression.

So he wanted to see me sexy but didn't want his grandparents to see me.

A smile crept up my cheek.

Omg, why does his wanting me to look sexy for only him make me smile?

I pulled my hand to my face as heat crept up my cheek.

"Pull it together, Tasha," I whispered.

I got dressed.

The black conservative gown went a little below my knees. The sleeve hugged my arms like the fabric hugged my curves.

I decided that I would wear my hair in a bun, with just a few curls loose.

My makeup was mild.

I slipped on the black Zara shoes and picked up the Gucci purse he sent.

I glanced at the clock.

It was 4:57.

He said he'd be here by 5.

At least, that was what the note that came with the parcel he sent said.

I just hoped he was punctual.

…

"Well, well, well, where does the princess think she's going?"

Amber mocked me as I descended down the stairs.

I ignored her and walked past.

A hand yanked me back, and I landed on the floor with a big thud.

Pain spread through my buttocks.

"Owwww."

"Don't you dare walk past me when I'm talking to you just because you have a sugar daddy."

"What did he send to you?"

She snatched the purse from the floor.

Her eyes widened when she saw the brand.

"No way, you got an original Gucci series bag.

Who are you going to meet?" she growled.

"That's none of your business," I said, standing up, trying to find my balance.

"Give me my purse."

"Do you know how much this is?"

She waved it in the air.

"I don't care.

Give me my purse!!!"

"The plates aren't done," she tried to change the subject.

"Yes, they are," I retorted.

"No, they aren't.

Take a look," she gestured to the kitchen.

I strolled to the kitchen my eyes almost searing out of tor socket at the mess she created.

"You've got to be kidding me.

What are you?

An animal?

This place was spotless thirty minutes ago."

"Well, now it's not, and you have to get it cleaned."

I rolled my eyes at her.

"It will wait till I'm back. Now give me my purse."

I grabbed it and pulled.

Her grip was even stronger.

We pulled hard, then suddenly she let go when her mom walked in.

She landed on the tiles with a thud.

"Mom!!" she whined.

I didn't have a chance to explain when a slap landed on my face.

My face was hot and red.

"How dare you push her?"

I caressed my now sore face with my hands.

I didn't answer the question.

There was no point.

She wouldn't believe me anyway.

"Mom, Eliana faked a sob.

I was only trying to get her to do the dishes before she left when she suddenly pushed me."

Amber eyed me from head to toe.

I noticed her eyes grow wider when they landed on my shoes and purse.

Then she met me squarely in the eyes and said,

"You will finish the dishes before you go anywhere.

Otherwise, you're not going anywhere."

"What?

This is ridiculous.

I already did the dishes thirty minutes ago.

Eliana messed up the place.

Let her do it."

The doorbell interrupted us.

I stepped as if to open the door when Amber blocked me.

"I said you can't leave the house.

Want me to tell your father again?"

"Eliana, check who it is."

I rolled my eyes, stepping back when I noticed she raised her hand again.

Eliana came back minutes later,

Her eyes shifty as she looked at her mom.

"Mom," she gulped,

"There are two men from the Tate group.

They are looking to pick her up for dinner."

My shoulders slumped a bit when I realized Devin wasn't coming by himself.

Something flashed in Amber's eyes, but it was gone before I could realize.

"A word, Tasha," she pointed toward the guest room.

I hesitated before joining her there.

She closed the door,

Her voice was lower than normal.

"Your suitor is from the Tate group.

Why didn't you tell us?"

She pretended like she was brushing something from my shoulder.

I cringed in response.

She masked a smile.

"If that's the case,

You can go.

We can't turn down someone who could potentially change our family status."

"Really?" my eyes beamed.

"Yes," she smiled, not the crooked one she'd always given me.

It was genuine.

She was doing something good, so why did I get this sinking feeling in my belly?

Maybe because I wasn't used to this side of her.

"So that means he was the one who gave you the ring?"

I nodded carefully.

"Let me get you the ring then.

Wait here."

I watched her walk out of the guest room.

I gasped when I heard the doors lock as I rushed to the door.

"Wait!!

Noo!!!"

I banged the door.

"Amber, open it!!!

You don't understand.

Please."

"You just stay right there," I heard her voice across the door.