The 10 Million Naira Wife

Chapter 2: Wifey Material

The penthouse elevator opened directly into hell.

Or what passed for Khalil Adeyemi's living room. All black marble, glass walls, and a view of Lagos that cost more than my entire existence.

"You're late." His voice was ice.

I stepped out, clutching the contract like a shield. He was worse in person. 6'3", suit jacket off, sleeves rolled up, veins on his forearms like he'd strangled companies for fun. Which he had.

Mine included.

"Sit." He pointed to a chair. Not asking.

"I'm your wife, not your dog," I snapped. Then realized. Damn it, Zara.

One eyebrow went up. The Shark smelled blood. "Wife," he repeated, tasting the word like poison. "Let's get something clear, Mrs. Adeyemi. This is a transaction. You will live here. You will attend events with me. You will smile. You will not touch my business, my phone, or my life."

"And what do I get?" I shot back. "Besides the ten million?"

His eyes dragged down my body, slow and insulting. "My name. My protection. My bed, if I want it."

Heat flooded my face. "You wish."

"I never wish, darling. I take." He tossed a keycard on the table. "Guest room is down the hall. Master is mine. Don't enter without permission."

I grabbed the keycard. "Fine. One question."

"One."

"Why me? Why a fake wife?"

He walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, hands in pockets. For a second, he looked almost... human. Tired.

"My grandfather's will," he said to the city. "I inherit the entire Adeyemi Group in 12 months. But only if I'm married. If I'm single by my 30th birthday, it all goes to my cousin."

"So you bought a wife."

"I bought a solution." He turned. "You were cheap. Desperate. And your background check was clean. No one will question why I married an orphan."

Orphan. The word was a slap.

He didn't know. He didn't know I was Anon. That the "clean" orphan he bought ran the tech empire he'd been trying to acquire for 6 months.

Good. Let him underestimate me.

"One year," I said. "Then I walk away with ten million and we never see each other again?"

"Exactly." He checked his watch. ₦200 million Patek Philippe. "We debut you at the Adeyemi Foundation Gala tonight. 8 PM. Don't embarrass me."

Tonight. I had a NairaFlow board meeting tonight. As Anon.

My double life just became a collision course.

"One more thing, Mrs. Adeyemi." He stepped closer. I could smell his cologne and danger. "My enemies will try to use you. Hurt you. If anyone touches you..." His voice dropped. "I'll end them."

Possessive. Tsundere. The Shark was showing teeth.

"Noted," I whispered.

He smiled. It wasn't nice. "Welcome to the marriage, wifey."