Falling for the Tycoons Charade A Contract Marriage Saga

The wedding of the year was on the covers of every magazine and newspaper in Moscow. The blogs and social networks have been talking about nothing else since the news of Dimitri Vassiliev's wedding began to circulate.

More than the news of the sudden marriage, the bride was the subject that attracted the most attention. A rich young woman with a terrible reputation, completely without talent, who tried to become an actress at all costs, and who was constantly involved in scandals, Juliana was what everyone called a social climber.

Nobody knew about her past, nor the origin of her fortune... but the fact was that the girl had managed to hook and tie the most desired bachelor of the moment.

Nothing in that relationship seemed to make sense to those who knew Juliana, and even less to those who knew Dimitri. But the fact was that a wedding had happened.

***

Facing his own reflection in the mirror, Dimitri could only think of Filippa, the woman for whom he would not think twice about giving up his bachelorhood.

The truth is that while he was tying the knot on that damned tie, he felt like he was going to the gallows. The more time goes by, every day, the pressure for him to take control of the family business increases. And this was definitely not in Dimitri's plans, even if sometimes Filippa insisted that accepting his fate once and for all was the best decision he could make.

Dimitri took a deep breath as he finished getting ready in front of the mirror, impeccably lining up his navy blue suit. In his mind, the thoughts and memories were like incessant whirlwinds that made his head throb slightly. Staring at his own eyes in his reflection, Dimitri picked up the glass of whiskey and turned away, not even caring.

Juliana watched as her brown curls cascaded delicately over her shoulders, and the white dress, tailored in a lightweight fabric, outlined her curves perfectly. And it was a fact, Juliana approved of what she saw. The black eyeliner highlighted her intense blue eyes, one of her trademarks.

While waiting for his fiancée, Dimitri mulled over his emotions, feeling the tension and anger take over every inch of his body.

"Man, you need to get a grip..."

Almost at the same instant, Dimitri turns Juliana around. And as much as his mind said otherwise, his body had reacted to the sight of that beautiful woman and her perfect curves approaching him. If he hated the situation he was up to his neck in, deep down, even if he insisted he didn't, he felt he wanted her more than he should.

Juliana had stood firm in her decision to marry Dimitri. And not for a second had she felt any shadow of insecurity within herself.

As they approached each other, Juliana felt herself enveloped by the smell of Dimitri's perfume, but she didn't allow herself to become involved with him or what he represented at that moment. She shouldn't, couldn't, and didn't want to fall in love. Not with this man.

With the marriage contract before them, and surrounded by the richest and most powerful people they knew, Juliana and Dimitri were playing a role... or at least trying in every way to look like they were happy to be united.

Juliana signed first, a courtesy, a completely unnecessary gesture of chivalry. And then, avoiding looking at her, Dimitri took the pen and signed, completely against his will, the nuptial contract.

The moment he finished signing, the meeting of Dimitri and Juliana's eyes was inevitable. She was not intimidated by that man who tried so hard to show her indifference, contempt and coldness.

Dimitri, upon meeting Juliana's gaze, felt anger run through his veins. But at the same time, he felt his body longing for the woman before his eyes, now his wife.

It was done.

They were officially married.

Juliana, with a triumphant smile on her lips and an impetuous look in her eyes, offered her hand to her now husband so that together they could leave that damned den of vipers. Reluctantly, Dimitri touched the delicate skin of the woman beside him, deep inside, fearing what small gestures like this could cause from then on.

***

The room reserved for the couple's wedding night was sumptuous, the most expensive suite had been prepared for Dimitri and Juliana.

Everything had to look real.

Everything had to be perfect.

But the truth was that Juliana and Dimitri were nothing more than two complete strangers to each other. Except for the attraction they inevitably felt for each other, nothing about this marriage was real.

As soon as they entered the suite, Dimitri took off his jacket, which he threw carelessly onto the sofa, and on a table near the window with a privileged view of the city, his inseparable black suitcase was waiting for him.

Juliana watched apprehensively while Dimitri slowly, without saying a single word, went to the table where his briefcase was and opened it, removing what was clearly a contract.

Juliana felt a shiver run through her body.

Dimitri felt the possibility of taking back the reins of his life.

"Sign it."

He said unceremoniously.

"What's this?"