Contract Marriage With Mr Billionaire

Three months earlier...

I wake up wrapped in my light blue sheets, rubbing my eyes as the harsh sunshine strikes them. I look over at my clock, which says 8:00 a.m. Oh, I'm going to be late for the meeting! I get out of bed and stroll to the bathroom. I adjust the water to my satisfaction before getting out of my pajamas and entering the bathtub. The warm water washes over my body and dark hair. I quickly wash my hair and scrub my body before rinsing one last time. I put a towel across my torso and hair. As I leave the restroom, steam comes out. I go to my clothes and pull out my black pencil skirt, black pink stripped-off-the-shoulder ruffled shirt, and black voltage peep-toe platform shoes.

I apply makeup before brushing my hair and tying it into a tight bun that sits atop my head. I collect my apartment keys and suitcase before driving directly to my 2013 BMW 328i. I open the door and put my stuff in the passenger seat before strapping up and heading to RicardoCorporations.

***

It wasn't long until I arrived at the huge glass structure. Before entering the lobby, I parked my car and secured my ID card to my shirt. The front desk receptionist, Anna, greets me with a pleasant grin.

"Good morning, Kate.", he says.

"Good morning, Anna," I reply. "Has the meeting started yet?"

"Yeah." She reacts. "Mr. Ricardo and his father are in the meeting room."

"Oh, okay, thank you," I say as I enter the elevator. "I will see you later."

I dial the number for the fifth level and wait until the elevator doors glide open. I immediately searched for the conference room before entering without knocking, which was a major oversight on my behalf. The entire room became silent, and a variety of known and strange faces turned to face me. As I stood there beneath their keen gazes, I could feel my cheeks turning scarlet. I don't usually enjoy being the center of attention, so having fifteen people gazing at me made me uneasy.

"I am so sorry.", state as I take my seat next to Dave, the son of the owner of this firm, Mr. Ricardo. "You may continue on with the meeting."

Mr. Ricardo saw this as a hint to continue the meeting.

Dave leaned down and whispered into my ear, "We need to talk after this meeting." His fingers stroked over my thigh before he turned to face his father.

Yeah, I could have something going on with Dave. He and I are dating, but his father is unaware of it; in fact, no one is aware of our relationship.

***

After the meeting, I closed my notebook, which had all of the notes and issues discussed during the discussion. I'd have to type this out and submit it to Mr. Ricardo later today. As I approach the town's office, I notice him kissing one of his mother's models. Dave's mother is the CEO of Next Management, a modeling firm. The blonde bitch shoved her tongue down Dave's throat, and he did nothing to prevent it. I cleared my throat, and Dave immediately backed away from the kiss as he wiped away the red lipstick smears, while I struggled to hold back the tears that were ready to fall.

"Kate um come into my office we will talk there." He said this before whispering, "I will see you later" into the girl's ear.

With an eye roll, I enter the office. Dave quickly comes in and closes the door.

"Kate I apologize for that, but you just aren't what I want anymore." He states.

"I am not what you want anymore?" I ask in disbelief. "What happened to the 'I love you, Kate and I want to marry you soon'?"

"Those were only words, Kate. They never meant anything. My parents want me to marry someone who meets their criteria.

"Oh, so I am not up to their standards now huh."

"Kate, my parents found out about our dating and are threatening to take away my riches. I can't let that happen, so I'm sorry Kate, but we're done. Also, my father wanted you to know that you were dismissed." Dave explains as he heads to his desk. "He wants you out of the building by twelve."

I peered at the man in front of me, who seemed unconcerned about what he had just said. Did I actually mean nothing to him? I turn on my heel and walk out the door, letting tears stream down my face. I walk to my desk and place everything in a box, as more tears fall down my cheeks. Anna questioned what occurred as I walked to my car, but I ignored her and kept going. I get into my car and head back to my flat. As I approach my apartment door, it is open. I rush inside, only to discover Philip the landlord, and another man removing my belongings.

"Philip what are you doing?!" I shout as I rush over to one of the large muscled men, grab the vase he was going to take out, and return it to its place.

"I apologize, Kate, but you are falling behind on your rent. I previously gave you two months to pay me."

"Philip "I promised you I'd pay you soon."

"You said that two months ago Kate, too."

I groan in irritation and massage my temples. "I know."

My apartment was incredibly expensive, and I haven't been able to pay it off. Dave's father had slashed half of the staff's wages since the firm wasn't doing well.

"Kate I'm sorry, but I can't allow you to remain here any longer."

"Give me until the end of this week, at least until I find somewhere to stay." I'm pleading.

Philip groans in despair and nods. "Fine."

He tells the man to return everything, and I offer him a heartfelt embrace.

Right now, I need a long, warm bath and a good night's sleep. I assured myself that things would get better.

Hopefully, they do.

However, they didn't.

•~•~•