The Billionaire's Special bride

Amelia Morgan is a talented artist, she is so passionate about her craft, the referrals she gets from clients tells of her passion fuelled into her craft but the pay she receives were nothing to compensate her for. Her dreams were overshadowed by a burden that seemed to grow heavier than what she could bear. The thoughts of her debts always weighed her down and the thoughts of how to assist her parents in her little way made her almost want to give up in pursuing her dreams.

She had borrowed money to get almost all that she wanted to pursue her dream but in a way or the other, the money goes to her parents.

In her small apartment, Amelia sat on her worn-out chair, her paintbrush held loosely in her hand. Her mind, however, was clouded with different thoughts from different angles. Bills piled up, list of Jobs with little pay stare at her, their unpaid debts reminders interupting her every thought.

The weight of her financial struggle seemed too heavy to crush her down. Amelia had taken loans to pursue her art education, purchase her equipments and had hoped her talent would pave the way to success. But the art world was unforgiving, and her works, though admired, hadn't gained the attention she had expected, she was getting enough jobs but the pay she got wasn't what she wanted.

She sighed, putting her paintbrush down, her eyes drifted towards a stack of unopened letters. She knew they were likely filled with overdue notices and demands for payment. Avoiding them wouldn't make the problem disappear, but the fear of facing her financial reality was so scary.

Amelia's heart sank as she recalled the sacrifices she had made to pursue her passion. Countless nights she had worked odd jobs, some of which were free just to get referrals, sacrificing sleep and social activities to make ends meet. But no matter how hard she tried, the debts kept accumulating, dragging her deeper into a never-ending cycle of debts.

A knock on the door interrupted Amelia's thoughts. She almost jumped from the chair since she wasn't expecting any visitor. With carefulness, she rose up and took steps to the door, she opened the door to find a tall man in a suit, holding a brown envelope.

"Amelia Morgan?" he asked, his voice sharp and professional.

"Yes, that's me," she replied, her voice shaking.

The man handed her the envelope and said, "You've been served. You have fifty days to settle your outstanding debt or face the legal action."

Amelia's heart pounded in her chest as she watched the man turn and walked away, leaving her standing there, holding onto the envelope that held her financial debts.

Tears gathered up in Amelia's eyes as she sank to the floor, overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness. Her dreams of becoming a renowned artist felt further out of reach, buried beneath the weight of her debts.

"No more running," she whispered to herself. "I won't let these debts define me." She said as she rose from the floor. She dropped the envelope on the table and headed into the room to have a change of clothes. "Not anymore! She exclaimed almost loudly, staring into the dim fainted mirror in front of her. She changed her clothes for almost eight times before she decided to go out with a long sleeve top on a blue jean trousers. She hurriedly combed and packed her hair to the left side, looked at the mirror again and dashed out without having a particular place in mind.

As she walked out of her apartment., She stood at the T-junction looking at the three roads as she tried to decide on what path to take. Out of frustration, she took the path in front of her and walked aimlessly until she got to the front of a bank. She stopped and looked at the bank as if she had never seen it before. The thought to go in and make an arrangement for a loan flashed through her mind. "Should I go in and apply for a loan to clear my debts?" She asked herself. " Or should I go and take a loan to pursue my dreams?" She asked herself as she faced the bank building head on.

She dropped her shoulders as she walked briskly closer to the gate, she raised her hand to invite the security to let her in, but just her phone rang. "My debt!" She shouted as she brought out her phone to check who it was. The caller ID says "Mr Ben". She took few steps away from the gate to answer the call.

"Good day, Mr Ben. She greeted quickly.

"You can keep that to yourself for now. I called you because of the agreement we had. What about it? He asked her, his voice firm and serious.

"Yeah...but...I...Mr Ben, I didn't know that things will turn out this way but I promise to...." She tried to say but she was interupted by him.

"Hold it Amelia, I don't want to regret what I did but I'm giving an extra 40 days to do the needful, if you don't do what is right, then be ready to face me. Bye for now and have a good day to start doing whatever pleases you!"

"It's not that...Sir Ben? Are you still there?" She asked as she glanced at her screen. "O my!" She exclaimed loudly. "Why did he end the call?"she asked as she bent, not minding that she was outside.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Ethan Blackwood, the enigmatic billionaire CEO, sat alone in his spacious well furnished office, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a full view of the busy city below. The calmness and grandeur of his surroundings only served to heighten the weight of the expectations that bore down on his broad shoulders.

As he reviewed the latest financial reports of his global empire, Ethan's mind wandered to the dinner conversation he had endured the previous evening. It was a tense gathering with his overbearing parents. Their desire for him to settle down and produce children had reached a level he could no longer bear, their disapproval of his reasons he gave them was disapproving to them as they carefully chose words to counter his reasons.

His parents, guardians of tradition and societal expectations, had never understood his relentless pursuit of success. To them, his accomplishments were mere stepping stones on the path to a suitable marriage that would solidify their social standing.

Ethan had always resisted their demands, determined to tred his own path, to prove his worth beyond their expectations. Yet, as he approached his thirtieth birthday, the pressure to conform grew increasingly suffocating.

Resting his head in his hands, Ethan couldn't help but feel the weight of loneliness that accompanied his success. The women who sought his company only saw the billionaire, the power and wealth that surrounded him. They failed to see the man beneath the wealth, besides that was not even his forth. All he wanted was just to pursue building his empire without the distraction that accompanied falling in love.

In a moment of solitude, Ethan's gaze fell upon a photograph on his desk—a cherished image of him as a young boy, laughing and carefree, with his parents at his side. The memory of their love and acceptance contrasted sharply with the reality of their current disapproval.

A sense of resignation washed over Ethan. He knew he had to find a solution, a way to buy himself time and escape the clutches of his family's expectations. And then, an idea sparked within him. It was an unconventional solution that held the potential to break free from the chains that bound him.

Ethan's research led him to the thought of a contract marriage;a temporary arrangement that would grant him the appearance of commitment without the emotional entanglements. It was a calculated risk, a chance to regain control over his life and silent the voices that threatened to drown out his dreams.

Taking a deep breath, Ethan reached for his phone and dialed the number of the agency that specialized in facilitating contract marriages. His heart raced as he thought about the possibilities that lay before him, but a disturbing doubt tugged at the corners of his mind. would this arrangement simply be another cold, transactional experience devoid of true connection?

Ethan Blackwood leaned back in his leather office chair, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the polished desk. He had finally made the decision to pursue a contract marriage, and now he found himself dialing the number he had discovered during his extensive research.

The call connected, and a professional voice greeted him on the other end. "Good afternoon, Blackwood Enterprises. How may I assist you today?"

Ethan took a deep breath to steady himself before speaking. "Good afternoon. I'm interested in exploring the possibility of a contract marriage. I've heard your agency specializes in facilitating such arrangements."

There was a brief pause before the voice responded, "Of course, sir. We do offer services for contract marriages. May I ask what your specific requirements and preferences are?"

Ethan readjusted in his chair, determined to state his needs clearly. "I'm seeking a contract marriage that can provide the appearance of commitment for a given duration. It should be strictly business in nature, without any emotional entanglements. Discretion and confidentiality are essential."

The voice on the other end of the line remained calm and professional. "Understood, sir. Our agency can certainly assist you with that. We have a thorough vetting process to ensure compatibility between the parties involved. Would you prefer to meet in person for a consultation?"

Ethan considered the offer for a moment before responding. "Yes, an in-person meeting would be preferable. I would appreciate a face-to-face discussion to fully understand the process and clarify any questions or concerns."

The agency representative scheduled an appointment for Ethan to visit their office the following week. As the call concluded, Ethan felt a mix of apprehension and relief. He was stepping into an unknown territory, venturing outside the realm of conventional relationships to seek a solution that aligned with his desire for independence.

In the days leading up to the meeting, Ethan prepared himself mentally. He researched potential questions, scenarios, and outcomes. He wanted to ensure that he entered into this arrangement with a clear understanding of the boundaries and expectations.

When the day arrived, Ethan found himself standing in front of a modern building, the agency's logo displayed prominently on the entrance. Taking a deep breath, he stepped inside, greeted by an elegant reception area adorned with tasteful artwork and attractive colors.

A professional consultant, Emily, greeted him warmly and led him to a comfortable meeting room. As they settled in, Emily began explaining the agency's process, highlighting the importance of open communication, legal considerations, and the thorough screening of potential candidates.

Ethan listened attentively, impressed by the agency's attention to detail and commitment to ensuring compatibility between contract partners. He appreciated their emphasis on privacy, assuring him that discretion would be a top priority throughout the process.

As the discussion continued, Ethan felt a glimmer of hope, a flicker of possibility that this unconventional arrangement could grant him the freedom he craved for. He sensed that Emily understood his state and concerns, treating him with empathy and professionalism.

With each passing minute, Ethan's doubts began to fade. He saw the agency not as a cold, transactional entity, but rather as a mediator of a unique journey. The one that held the potential to break free from societal expectations and grant him the space to pursue his dreams.

As the meeting drew to a close, Ethan extended his hand to Emily. "Thank you for taking the time to explain the process to me. I appreciate your thoroughness and attention to detail. I believe this could be the solution I've been seeking."

Emily smiled warmly, shaking his hand. "You're welcome, Mr. Blackwood. I'm glad we could address your concerns. We're here to guide you every step of the way. Should you decide to proceed, we will work diligently to find the most suitable candidate for your contract marriage."

Ethan nodded, a newfound sense of optimism flooding his senses. With the agency's guidance, he felt a glimmer of hope that this unconventional arrangement could be the key to unlocking a new chapter in his life. one where he could navigate the delicate balance between familial expectations and personal fulfillment.