Contract Marriage To The Billionaire

Taylor POV

Taking a deep breath, I approached the massive corporate building, a skyscraper that screamed wealth and power. My dad’s condition had worsened, and the doctors insisted on immediate surgery for a liver transplant. Without the funds, he would remain in critical condition.

My heart pounded as I contemplated how to tell my boyfriend of two years about the contract marriage. Sleep had eluded me the previous night, and my nerves were frayed. Lost in thought, I accidentally bumped into someone, knocking my glasses off.

"Watch where you're going!" a girl in an exquisite couture dress sneered.

"I'm sorry. I didn’t see you."

Her face twisted in disdain. "Ugh. What are you wearing, did you get that outfit from a dumpster?"

Suddenly, the doors slid open, and Ryder stepped out, towering over me with his dark, meticulously styled hair and crisp suit. My dislike for him grew with every passing second. He would eventually ruin my relationship, and the thought made my stomach churn.

He wrapped his arm around the girl’s waist as she fawned over him. "Mr. Jones, you promised you wouldn’t miss my modeling debut at 7 pm."

"I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I’ll see you later," he replied, his calculating gaze shifting to me. "I have very important business to take care of."

She strutted to the limousine, trying too hard to be seductive. I wished she would just trip and fall.

"Taylor, you’re quite early. The meeting with my lawyer starts at ten. It’s only seven."

"I didn’t want to be late," I mumbled. The truth was, I lost the business card he gave me and forgot the time.

He looked me over and sighed in disapproval. "I thought you’d wear something more... appropriate.

My mother died giving birth to me, and I ended up living with my grandmother since my father was always drunk and unfit to care for me. Things worsened after he fell ill.

"It’s none of your business what I wear," I muttered, staring at the ground. I wore what I could afford.

He lifted my chin with his fingers, forcing me to look at him. "It will be my business soon," he said, his eyes cold and devoid of warmth.

I batted his hand away. "Don’t touch me."

He laughed softly. "You’re a feisty one. I have other matters to attend to. Wait in my office until I return."

He strode off, leaving me alone. The shuttering of cameras caught me off guard as a swarm of paparazzi flooded the entrance when a Lamborghini arrived. Alexis Normandy, the famous French chef, stepped out, gracing the screaming crowd with her elegance.

They stood together in the spotlight, and I hid behind a small bush, watching them. She kissed him on the cheek, and the cameras went wild. He was leaving with her! This was the important matter he had to attend to? We had a meeting soon.

If it weren’t for my dying father, I’d reject this offer. Just being here was hard enough.

"Mr. Jones!" a journalist called out. "I saw you with a girl earlier. Who was she?"

My body froze.

"No one special," he replied, slamming the door shut as the vehicle sped away with the journalists chasing behind.

That stung. I knew he was a douche, but I didn’t expect him to be that harsh. My life felt pathetic. My boyfriend wasn’t rich, but he was caring and considerate. Marrying Ryder would devastate him. I had to prepare for the worst.

Ryder’s personal assistant led me to his office and opened the large oak door. "Please wait in that chair in the corner," she said, her voice plastic and doll-like. She crossed her arms under her plus-sized chest, leaning on expensive suede heels. "And don’t touch anything. If you break it, you pay for it."

She looked me up and down, her tight-lipped mouth creasing with disdain. It was then that I realized just how out of place I was in this building.I gingerly walked into his office and sat on the farthest chair close to the window.

The office was built with fresh air and health as a priority, very spacious.

"Why should I let this gutter rat in Mr. Ryders' office. I'll have to get some Lysol." She closed the door at her back, the clacking sound of her heels slowly disappearing.

Why do I have to be humiliated like this? Anger and desperation made me clench my fists. But then a soft gasp escaped my lips as tears poured from my eyes. This isn't happening. Crying in Mr. Bastard's office is so pitiful.

Two hours later.

The door clicking open jolts me awake from my slumber and I tried straightening my clothes. Ryder enters the office with a man in tow. His slightly peppered hair was elegantly brushed to the back of his head, he smiled warmly at me and I nod acknowledging him. He must be the lawyer.

"Let's get down to business shall we?" Ryder gestured for me to sit closer to his desk which I did. "This is Williams. My lawyer, he'll be taking care of the necessary documents."

He gave me a stern eye when I wiped the drool from my mouth.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Taylor." Williams extended his hand and I shook it.

"The pleasure is mine." I squeaked.

Unlocking his leather briefcase, he removed some paperwork. He handed me a paper with information and I flipped over one of the pages to read what's provided there. What's this? My eyes popped wide open.

Williams cocked one eyebrow, "Is there something wrong?"