Contract marriage: My billionaire’s cure

“You went back to his house?” I could picture Ally with an ugly scowl on her face on the other end of the line. Anger was evident in her voice as she spoke.

“I know you love me” I replied with a smooth voice trying to diminish the igniting fire that I could sense inside her.

“Don’t play that card on me. Do you even know what ‘Hard to Get’ means? Haven’t you watch enough romance movies to know that you should not give in without a fight?”

“But he was so sweet. I mean he’s changing” I whined trying to explain my situation to best friend.

“Oh my god! I think I’m having a fit. You are possessed” Ally breathed loudly as if she was really having a fit.

“Sweetie, darling, I love you! See you later” I chuckled as I ended the call. I knew for sure that someday she would barge in at night and kill me .

I didn’t tell her about the attack. I didn’t want her worrying about me anymore. She was a strong girl but I unfortunately happened to be on her sensitive side.

I was at my office , relaxing after a long meeting. My bandage was removed today morning as I went to the doctor. Tomorrow I had to visit my parents which I dreaded, knowing my mom would kill me. So many people looking forward to kill me these days, how wonderful.

For the past two days, Marcus and I had been getting along well. He had to go for work but at night we always cooked together. He still had his nightmares. At night I kept my alarm so that I could wake up when Marcus did.

I looked at the pool every night, peeping through my window. As usual, he sat in front of the pool. But one thing was different. Even though he sat by the pool he kept glancing at my room.

I was brought out of my trance as Sarah walked in with a huge stack of files.

I exhaled loudly in annoyance.

“Nope, this is not all. You have more papers to sign”

“You will be the death of me” I folded my arms in front of my chest and I leaned my head on the chair.

“Ma’am the fashion contest between the companies are coming up soon. We are the ones who is hosting it this year. You do remember right?”

“Oh my god. I can’t” I slid down my chair like a slug while groaning loudly.

Ignoring me Sarah continued the torture.

“We are planning to have it at the Anderson’s hotel in New York. But since the contest lasts for a month they are not willing to give us the hotel for such a long period ”

“So what do you want me to do?” I narrowed my eyes already knowing what her answer would be.

Sarah grinned like a Cheshire cat.

“And you happen to be the lovely wife of Mr. Anderson”

“You’ve got to be kidding me” I hissed through gritted teeth, earning a chuckle in response from my lovely secretary.

“Let’s go and see the Andersons” Sarah squealed in delight and hopped out of the room. I swear she has something going on with Steve.

We drove to Marcus’s company which was literally a skyscraper. The building rose high up to the sky almost touching the clouds with it enormous helipad at the roof top. The glass walls in each floor reflected the light of the day blinding the vision of those who walk on the ground.

I covered my eyes with my hand and looked at the building, mentally counting it’s floors.

“I want this”

Sarah rolled her eyes and walked past me into the building. Steve was waiting at the entrance waving at me , no- waving at Sarah who was grinning like a mad witch.

She tucked her hair behind her ears, biting her lip seductively, Steve smiled at her with red cheeks.

“Did you two sleep together?” I asked astounded.

“What? No-no”

“Nothing happened”

They both said at the same time looking very, very, very embarrassed. Something was definitely fishy and I’m going to find it out soon. They say curiosity killed the cat. But what if the cat couldn’t help it?

As I passed the Empire employees, I heard many whispers, jealous girls eyeing me with disgust. I felt like I was in high school, walking through the hallway while dating the biggest jock in school.

We took the elevator and reached Marcus’s floor. I got out and walked till I found his room at the end of the floor. I knocked on the door and heard a weary come in.

I opened the door and walked in, not surprised at the interior.

His room was made primarily of glass, as expected. Behind his table was a huge glass wall overlooking the city, giving me a Christian Grey feeling.

Except for his table all the furniture in the room was white. And there behind a laptop and a stack of files sat my Cupid.

His coat laid on the chair, a few buttons on his shirt undone , his tie was loosened. His disheveled hair was partly covering his eyes as he concentrated on his work. It was a mouth watering sight. I would’ve been fangirling right now if he wasn’t my husband.

His eyes were glued to his laptop and he didn’t even notice me coming in. I stood in front of him and knocked lightly on his table with my knuckles.

His tilted his head up and recognizing me he quickly stood up from his chair and walked towards me.

“Camilla, I didn’t know you were coming. Please sit ”

“You didn’t know? Didn’t Steve tell you?” I looked behind to see Steve only to meet a flirting couple.

Sarah was giggling loudly at some joke that Steve had said. How awesome. I pursed my lips into a thin line and glanced back at Marcus.

“So I think that you might have heard of the fashion contest” I said while sitting down on one of his comfortable chairs. Gosh, I want this too.

Marcus nodded and took a seat in front of me.

“I wanted to know if we could rent the place for one month ” I gave him puppy eyes as I pleaded. “Please ” I brought my hands together and gave him a huge smile closing my eyes.

I felt my dignity leaving me as I begged him. The fashion contest was important and hosting it was a big deal. I couldn’t let other companies find faults in me. Marcus’s hotel was one of the best in New York and holding the event there would make me shine in front of my rivals.

I heard soft chuckles before I opened my eyes. Marcus’s hand was on his mouth as he tried to stifle his laughter. He murmured something which sounded close to ‘cute’ but I shoved the thought aside as that couldn’t be possible.

“Fine I’ll think about it. We don’t normally let anyone rent our hotels for a month but since we have joined our businesses I will think about it ”

Now it was my chance to grin like a Cheshire cat.

“You want coffee?” Marcus asked with hopeful glint in his eyes.

“Down at the cafe?”

“No office coffee” he said with a serious tone.

“What? You’ve got to be kidding me!” I exclaimed, astonished.

“It’s tasty” Marcus stood up gesturing at me to follow him.

“Cheap!” I mumbled somewhat loudly, earning a chuckle from him.

“I have so much work so I have no time to go to the cafe”

I narrowed my eyes shooting daggers at him in a playful manner. He shook his head with a smile and walked past me.

His entire staff was eyeing us as we walked. Marcus slowed his pace so that I could catch up. When I came near him, he grabbed my hand, holding it tightly in his.

My eyes widened in surprise but I kept quiet since I liked the warmth of his hand on mine. It was so comfortable and so sweet.

I saw all the employees’ jaws dropping as they saw Marcus and I walking, holding hands.

I mean what are they expecting? I thought everyone knew about our marriage by now. Specially the employees. But I guess they are not used to seeing this side of Marcus. And neither am I.

We went to a small room with a coffee machine. Marcus made coffee for both of us and he blew on mine for a while before handing it to me. We sipped our hot coffee quietly, enjoying the taste and the comfortable silence around us.

“We will be leaving tomorrow to your parents house”

I nodded while drinking my coffee.

“What should I buy to please your mom?”

I laughed out loud, snorting as he asked it. I quickly bit my lip and looked away embarrassed that I snorted.

After composing myself, I turned to Marcus who had a small smile on his lips.

“She can’t be pleased. Ever” I shook my head in a no.

“Well maybe I can try and give her a flower bouquet”

“Oh ho ho nope! She won’t like it. I know her better. She won’t be happy that easily ”

….

“Oh my god, I love it. This made my day. I wish you were my son. I’m very pleased”

My mouth was hanging open as my mom hugged Marcus after he gave her the flower bouquet.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Marcus turned to me and gave me a wink. I scrunched my nose in disgust as I looked at my squealing mom.

She looked as if Santa had given her a present for Christmas. My father and Jake were both beside me, their expressions mirroring mine.

Mom’s eyes shifted to me and she narrowed her eyes, giving me a message that I was dead meat. I gulped nervously and trudged near dad for protection.

My mom could be insane when she was mad. I even told dad when I was small to send mom to an asylum whenever she got mad. She heard that and tortured me for the entire week with her awful blueberry pie.

We went to the huge balcony on the third floor which was as big as a living room in our massive house.

Mom had prepared tea for us. I had never been this warmly welcomed by my family, ever. Jake was as flabbergasted as me.

We talked for a while and thankfully my mom didn’t make her favorite blueberry pie. It was awful and no one dared to tell her that since everyone was afraid of the consequences.

While we were talking I saw Marcus looking around with a worried expression. He eyed our house intently with a pained look as if he was searching for something.

I suddenly realized what it was.

It was something that I forgot to tell him.

It was something that this big house lacked.

A pool.