"Pardon!! Who arranged that?" "Your head of PR, Mr silver," she said. "They think it'll make you more humanized and social. You know, billionaire CEO let's loose for once." Damon exhaled sharply, having a mix between a sigh and a scoff. "Humanize me. What nonsense is that!!" Amelia refrained from saying that, at times, Damon could certainly benefit from appearing human. "I already know you're going to hate it," she said instead. "But right now boss, the merger hinges on public opinion. You need this to work." Damon looked at her for the first time since they entered the SUV. His sharp, assessing eyes almost made her disappear from her seat. "And what do you know about public opinion, Amelia?" She looked at him squarely. "Enough to know you can't afford to be seen as an unreachable isolated billionaire anymore. The board is given a hint about new leadership. I think you need to play their game this time." Damon hated hearing the truth, especially when it was said so bluntly. But that was Amelia, always unafraid to speak her mind when others pretended in his presence. "Fine," he relented, facing his phone back. "But if I have to suffer through Ember Club tonight, you're coming too. Someone has to keep me from throwing a drink in someone's face." Amelia blinked. "Excuse me?" Damon Blackwood, an overworked billionaire CEO finds himself in an impulsive, drunken Las Vegas marriage with his assistant Amelia Harper. A wild night at a club, he expects to end it swiftly. However, a media scandal forces Damon to keep the marriage alive in other to protect his company's image and secure a critical business deal. What starts as a fake arrangement soon pulls Damon and Amelia into a journey of self-discovery and love. Amelia a strong-willed woman with dreams of opening her cafe, begins to chip away at Damon's cold exterior. Damon, haunted by loneliness and distrust, starts seeing life through Amelia's compassionate perspective. Complications arise with jealous ex-lovers, meddling family members, and the looming truth behind their fake marriage. As their six-month contracts near its end, both must confront their feelings and choose to return to their separate lives or risk everything for love.
Chapter 1 THE STRICT BOSS
Damon Blackwood doesn't have a frivolous lifestyle, he does not smile and most certainly doesn't like a friendly and informal way of talking, always "The strict boss".
The last Vegas summit was not optional. It was the backbone of a massive merger that would elevate Blackwood Enterprises to unparalleled heights. A deal Damon had spent years pursuing was now dancing towards the door of failure, thanks to an untimely media scandal and the meddling of competitors eager to exploit any crack in his empire. His public image needed rescue, and his PR team had pushed for his presence at the week-long event. "Show the world you're unshakable," they said. "Smile, act informal and close the deal...That's simple."
The sharp lines of his custom-tailored suit revealed his tall, chiselled frame stature as he stepped down from the sleek black private jet. The Las Vegas sun was unjustly harsh beyond control, almost sending Goodbye to his lens, making him demand his dark shade. Damon adjusted the cuff of his crisp white shirt, feeling irritated by the city's excess and chaos -- two things he despises. Yet here he was, right in the middle of it's noise and glamour.
Behind him, Amelia Harper, his assistant, held her leather bag and hurried to meet up with his brisk pace. Unlike Damon, Amelia looked decidedly out of place amid the entourage of polished executives and assistants swarming the jet-like bees. Her collar slacks and simple white blouse, though neat, lacked the luxury expected at such an event. Her caramel brown hair was tied back loosely, and some strands of hair stood out to frame her face, giving her a professional look with mild irritation.
"I thought you hated Vegas," Amelia said breathlessly, trying to meet up the pace with him as they approached the convoy of black SUVs awaiting their arrival.
"I do," Damon replied coolly, with his deep baritone. "But remember we're not here to enjoy the scenery."
"And yet," Amelia countered, "your PR team has planned a full and well-detailed schedule, including tonight's relaxation event. Something about a club? I don't think you dance Mr. Blackwood."
"I don't," he replied curtly. "And don't sound so pleased about it, Amalia. Your job is to keep me on schedule, not mock me."
Amelia rolled her eyes safely out of his view as they approached the car. Working for Damon Blackwood was like managing a tornado -- it's very deadly and exhausting. His relentless ambition gave him the courage to build this empire, but it also left him emotionally closed off, becoming a steel with sharp edges. Amelia only sees a bit of humanity in him, a rare smile when she organizes an impossible task or sometimes a bit of concern when she misses a day, Damon always buried it quickly.
"Don't worry Mr. Blackwood," Amelia said lightly. "I'll make sure your schedule stays accurate."
Inside the car, Damon pulled out his phone and scrolled through his emails. While Amelia sat across from him, going through her note for the meeting. She'd taken the assistant role for the steady pay and stability it offered, but she'd quickly learned that working for Damon was not for the faint-hearted. He was demanding, sometimes ruthless, and often frustratingly dismissive, but... Amelia had a knack for pushing through without overstepping. It was part of what made her so valuable to him, even if he would never admit it.
"Amelia, where are we at tonight's event?" Damon asked suddenly with his eyes still fixed on his phone.
Amelia looked up. "You em... You're expected at the Techworld Reception at the hotel. I booked you in for thirty minutes. Just long enough to shake hands and make a token appearance. After that, your PR team insists that you attend the 'Networking social' at the Ember Club."
"Pardon!! Who arranged that?"
"Your head of PR, Mr silver," she said. "They think it'll make you more humanized and social. You know, billionaire CEO let's loose for once."
Damon exhaled sharply, having a mix between a sigh and a scoff. "Humanize me. What nonsense is that!!"
Amelia refrained from saying that, at times, Damon could certainly benefit from appearing human. "I already know you're going to hate it," she said instead. "But right now boss, the merger hinges on public opinion. You need this to work."
Damon looked at her for the first time since they entered the SUV. His sharp, assessing eyes almost made her disappear from her seat. "And what do you know about public opinion, Amelia?"
She looked at him squarely. "Enough to know you can't afford to be seen as an unreachable isolated billionaire anymore. The board is given a hint about new leadership. I think you need to play their game this time."
Damon hated hearing the truth, especially when it was said so bluntly. But that was Amelia, always unafraid to speak her mind when others pretended in his presence.
"Fine," he relented, facing his phone back. "But if I have to suffer through Ember Club tonight, you're coming too. Someone has to keep me from throwing a drink in someone's face."
Amelia blinked. "Excuse me?"
"You're my assistant," Damon said simply. "Consider it overtime."
Amelia opened her mouth to argue, then thought better of it. If Damon Blackwood wanted to drag her to a Las Vegas nightclub, fine. It wasn't like she had come here expecting an easy trip.
Inside the grand Techworld Reception Hall, Damon was every bit the CEO as he made his rounds. He moved like a man who owned the world, his measured steps, his focus and all. Amelia was just on the sidelines holding a clipboard and occasionally exchanging polite small talk with other assistants.
When Damon signalled that they had stayed long enough, she followed him out, breathing a quiet sigh of relief. "That wasn't so bad," she said as they entered the awaiting car.
"You weren't the one shaking hands with men who couldn't put together simple sentences to make sense," Damon said without mixing words.
"Fair point, though," Amelia replied, trying to hide her laughter.
Their next stop was Ember Club, a high-end Vegas hotspot known for its exclusivity and wild nights.
Amelia followed Damon through the velvet ropes, giving her a pass at the door. Inside, the heavy bass beat music was vibrating everywhere. Beautiful chandeliers made of glass and gold were hanging up the ceiling, and of course, the room was filled with socialites, investors and partygoers. Damon looked like he would rather be anywhere else except here.
"Smile," Amelia teased him, raising her voice over the music so that her boss could hear her. "Remember, socialize and humanize yourself," Amelia said, winking an eye at him.
Damon's furious eyes looked at her but didn't respond. His PR manager waved at them from the VIP section to come take a seat as the champagne on the table was already chilling.
Damon was still uncomfortable with the noise and the excess crowd.
"You know," Amelia leaned towards him, trying to say something, "Most people would kill to be here, from the information I gathered, this place set you free from work stress. So, Boss, you should as well pretend to enjoy yourself and boom... You'll like it."
"I don't pretend," Damon fired back. "Not for anyone or any reason."
Immediately, Amelia and Damon freed themselves and began taking the champagne; after several glasses, the champagne was now running through their veins. They were laughing out in ways they hadn't before, dancing together on the dance floor.
"Didn't know you had it in you," Amelia teased, shouting at the top of her voice as she watched him take another glass of champagne and even refill the glass.
Damon smirked in a kind of boyish way, "Careful, Harper. I might start thinking you enjoy my company."
She rolled her eyes and smiled while staggering. "I think I like this part of you."
Damon and Amelia were having a nice drunken time until when he popped up the question... "Let's just get married and enjoy this time together."
"Oh yeah... I would love that." Amelia accepted without thinking about it because she was drunk
Damon pulled her closer and kissed her. They both stole the spotlight as everyone present in that club was cheering them up to kiss again.
Camera lights were just flashing without stopping.
Chapter 1 THE STRICT BOSS
28/12/2024
Chapter 2 MY DIGNITY OR MY FAMILY'S HAPPINESS
28/12/2024
Chapter 3 TO WHAT EXTENT IS THE DAMAGE
28/12/2024
Chapter 4 SIX MONTHS AND THE DEAL IS OFF
28/12/2024
Chapter 5 YOU COULD HAVE SAID NO
28/12/2024
Chapter 6 FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCE
28/12/2024
Chapter 7 PUBLIC APPEARANCE 2
29/12/2024
Chapter 8 EX-FIANCEE'S VISIT
29/12/2024
Chapter 9 YOU'VE GOT RULES YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS!
29/12/2024
Chapter 10 A CALL FROM DAD
29/12/2024
Chapter 11 MEETING DAD AND MUM BLACKWOOD
03/01/2025
Chapter 12 A $5000 ESPRESSO MAKER
03/01/2025
Chapter 13 TAKING A BREAK FROM MR AWKWARD
03/01/2025
Chapter 14 BILLIONAIRES'S HANGOUT
04/01/2025
Chapter 15 WHAT THE F*CK!
04/01/2025
Chapter 16 COULD IT BE REAL
05/01/2025
Chapter 17 HOW CAN I
05/01/2025
Chapter 18 I DON'T WANT EASY, I WANT YOU!
07/01/2025
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