Chapter 2 Become The Wife of The Heartless Devil

Chapter 02: Become The Wife of The Heartless Devil

Braun's POV

--

It was past two in the morning when I stepped out of the hotel, where we'd just wrapped up a welcome party for one of the most high-profile artists in my company.

I was walking toward my car, ready to call it a night, when a figure suddenly stumbled from a nearby bar into the road. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't have given it a second glance, but something about her made me pause.

"Mr. President, is there a problem?" Luigi, my assistant, asked as he held the car door open for me.

"Hang on," I told him, my eyes fixed on the woman leaning against a traffic light post. There was something oddly familiar about her.

I started walking toward her, each step drawing me closer. She was clearly intoxicated, swaying unsteadily, one hand pressed against her temple as if she were fighting off the entire world.

"Sir?" I heard Luigi call after me, clearly stunned. I didn't blame him. I'd never once stopped for a stranger in all the years he'd worked with me.

But this wasn't just any stranger.

She tried to walk again but stumbled, bracing herself against the post. I stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

"Don't you know it's dangerous for someone like you to be out walking at this hour?" I asked, my tone colder than intended. It's an old habit, I guess.

She looked up at me, her eyes glassy yet still defiant. Even through the haze of alcohol, she had a fire in her.

"Don't you know how painful it is to be cheated on by the one you love most?" she snapped back, her voice cracked and slurred. She pointed to her chest, her expression twisted in pain. "It hurts like hell! I gave him everything he wanted! I sacrificed my fcking career so that he wouldn't complain and in the end? He still cheated on me?! Fck him!"

Then she broke, just like that. The wall holding her together shattered. Without warning, she collapsed against me, her sobs shaking her body as if they had been trapped inside her for years.

She cried like the world had betrayed her. Maybe it had.

I wasn't sure what instinct took over, but I wrapped an arm around her waist to keep her from falling. She clung to me like I was the last solid thing left in her crumbling world.

Then, just as suddenly, she looked up at me again. And before I could react, her lips pressed against mine. The kiss was impulsive. Raw. Desperate.

It wasn't a romantic gesture. It was survival-a cry. A need to be seen, felt-anything but invisible.

And in that moment, I didn't push her away.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Luigi scrambling out of the car, eyes wide, checking the surroundings like he expected paparazzi to jump out of the shadows. The last thing I needed was a scandal before sunrise.

But right then, none of that mattered. Because the broken woman in my arms had just kissed me like her heart had nothing left to lose.

"Mr. President," Luigi approached me cautiously, and concern etched across his face.

I didn't answer. I just stared down at the woman in my arms. Her face was tear-streaked, her breath shallow, her body still trembling from the weight of everything she'd just let out.

"Take me with you," she whispered, her voice barely audible, but the plea in her tone was unmistakable.

Luigi looked unsure of what to do. I couldn't blame him. This wasn't how I usually operated-not with emotion, and not on impulse.

Without another word, I bent down and scooped her into my arms. She didn't resist. She just melted against me.

"Mr. President!" Luigi called out, hurrying to catch up.

"Find your way home," I said calmly, moving toward the car. "And bring one of my lawyers first thing in the morning."

He blinked in confusion. "W-What for?"

I paused at the door, looking down at the woman who shrank before me. Her eyes were closed now, exhausted from the weight of betrayal and alcohol.

"Prepare the papers," I said. "I want a marriage certificate ready before noon."

Then I stepped into the car, holding a broken woman in my arms and not caring about the consequences. I wasn't thinking logically-only instinct.

Something told me her presence in my life wasn't just fate.

It was a decision.

--

Briella's POV

--

A strange sensation pulled me from sleep, like a thread tugging at the back of my mind. I felt eyes on me.

My lids fluttered open, and the first thing I saw was an unfamiliar cream-colored ceiling. I sat up in a rush, confused, as I scanned the room.

This... isn't my place.

The space was too big, too elegant. Soft gray walls, clean lines, expensive decor. A balcony to my left let in a breeze through sheer curtains. Everything looked like a scene from a luxury magazine.

Panic started to rise in my chest. Where the hell was I?

Before I could climb out of bed, the door across the room swung open-and I swear my heart stopped.

A man walked out. Shirtless. With just a towel hanging low on his hips.

And holy hell-he looked like the gods had sculpted him. Broad chest, defined abs, wet hair slicked back. His presence sucked the air out of the room.

My jaw dropped. My eyes trailed downward, then shot back up as I clutched the blanket to my chest.

Was I still drunk? Dreaming?

He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Done staring?" His voice was deep, smooth, and could make a woman melt. "Did I pass your inspection?"

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. I felt like a blubbering fool. My cheeks burned.

He walked over to the bed, setting down a neatly folded set of clothes.

"Go take a cold shower," he said. "Meet me downstairs after. There's something you need to know."

I blinked, still in disbelief. My gaze flicked to the paper bags beside the clothes, designer labels.

"They're new," he added casually. "I had my assistant buy them for you."

He even read my mind. What in the world had I gotten myself into?

Just as he turned to leave, he suddenly stopped. "On second thought, I'll wait for you here."

My heart skipped a beat. Panic set in.

I scrambled toward the bathroom, shutting the door behind me. As warm steam began to fill the space, the fog in my mind started to clear, and reality slammed into me like a freight train.

How did I end up here?

The last thing I remembered was Xander's betrayal. Drinking. Crying. And... kissing a stranger?

I hugged myself tightly, letting out a shaky breath. Shame, confusion, and a strange curiosity flickered in my chest. My thoughts kept returning to him, his intense eyes, commanding voice, and the way he held me like I wasn't just some random, broken woman.

Did something happen between us? Why did he bring me here?

The questions wouldn't stop swirling.

I showered quickly and put on the clean clothes he'd left. My hair was still damp as I stepped back into the room, my bare feet silent against the marble floor. He was now seated on the sofa, flipping through some documents. I hesitated, unsure of what to say or how to even begin.

"President Braun, I-"

He looked up, and his sharp gaze cut me off immediately.

Without a word, he stood, walked over, and, to my utter confusion, gently guided me back into the bathroom. He opened a cabinet, pulled out a hairdryer, and pointed at the mirror.

"Do you want to catch a cold?" he said firmly. "Why didn't you dry your hair?"

I blinked at him, caught completely off guard.

My hair? Was he seriously scolding me over that? It wasn't even that wet, and the weather outside was warm.

As if reading my thoughts, he added, "The entire house is air-conditioned. It's colder inside than out. You can't just leave your hair wet like that."

For a second, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Still in disbelief, I sat in front of the mirror, watching his reflection behind me as he plugged in the dryer. The powerful CEO everyone feared was now gently drying my hair like it was the most natural thing in the world.

I stared at him through the mirror, unable to look away. He didn't look annoyed or impatient-just calm and focused.

"It's really fine, President Braun. My hair's not that wet," I muttered, flustered.

But he ignored me, continuing until he was satisfied. Then, without warning, he took my hand.

I stumbled slightly as he pulled me out of the bathroom and led me down a long hallway with closed doors. We passed at least six rooms before heading down a grand staircase that opened into a lavish living space.

My steps slowed when I saw two men standing in the living room.

They immediately straightened the moment Braun approached.

And just like that... I knew something serious was about to happen.

"Good morning, Mr. President," Luigi greeted formally. "As requested, I came early with Attorney Guevarra. He'll explain the contract you prepared."

Braun briefly nodded, acknowledging Luigi, but didn't say anything. He held my hand as we sat on the long, plush sofa. The two men sat across from us.

Attorney Guevarra opened his briefcase and pulled out three white sheets of paper. When he placed them on the coffee table, my eyes nearly popped at the bold letters printed across the top.

CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE CONTRACT

What the actual fck?!

My heart skipped a beat. Is this for real? I blinked a few times, hoping I wasn't hallucinating from the aftereffects of last night.

I quickly looked at Braun, hoping to see what was happening. But his expression had shifted. The cold replaced the calm, caring man I knew him to be from earlier, the calculating CEO. His face was unreadable as ever.

Without a second thought, Braun flipped through the papers and began signing them, one by one.

Then he turned to me, his gaze steady, his voice softer than I expected.

"I want you to be my wife. Will you sign this paper for me, please?"

I stared at him, speechless. Was this happening? A proposal? From him? Now?!

Luigi and the lawyer looked as stunned as if they had seen a UFO land in the middle of the room.

Was the infamous "Heartless Devil" of Crown Star Entertainment, known for his ruthlessness and emotional detachment, asking me to marry him?

With all his wealth, power, and influence, why the hell would he need to do this?

As if reading my thoughts, Braun leaned in slightly.

"Listen, Ms. Gabriella Montañez," he said, his voice steady and serious. "I need someone to marry me, or my father will take everything I've built. On the other hand, you need someone to help you take your revenge. So let's help each other."

He slid the pen toward me.

"In return... I'll give you everything you want."

I fell silent. His reasoning made sense, and he could give me the power to tear those two people apart. But that wasn't my real reason for considering this.

"I trust you," I finally said, meeting his eyes. "But let me be clear. I'm not signing this because of your promise or because of what you can give me. I'm doing this to thank you for what you did last night. I don't need your help with my revenge, not because I'm bragging, but because it's my problem. I don't want to drag you into it."

I took a deep breath, my voice firm and resolute. "All I ask is that President Braun stay out of my fight. If you can promise me that, I'll sign this contract willingly."

Without a moment's hesitation, Braun nodded. "Okay. I promise."

That was all I needed to hear.

I picked up the pen and signed the contract without a second thought, my movements quick and deliberate. I didn't hesitate, didn't question it. I just signed.

"You're not even going to read it?" Braun asked, arching an eyebrow in amusement. "What if I slip in something scandalous just to mess with you?"

I turned to him, a small smile tugging at my lips. "Like I said, I trust you. As far as I know, you're not the kind of man who would resort to deception or cheating."

He laughed, a genuine, loud, and full of something I didn't expect. "You clever girl. Alright then. It's settled-you're now my wife. And just like I promised, I won't interfere with your personal matters. I'll give you enough time to solve your problem."

I nodded, my heart quiet with a strange mix of relief and gratitude. Just like that, it was done. In less than an hour, I had signed a contract with no expiration date and become Mrs. Braun El Cueva, the wife of the Heartless Devil of the showbiz industry.

"Please keep this a secret for now," I said softly, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of thoughts inside me. "Once my issue is handled, I promise you, I'll step away and let you return to your life."

"No problem," he replied without hesitation, his tone calm and assured.

Attorney Guevarra soon left with the signed documents in hand. Sensing the shift in atmosphere, Luigi retreated upstairs to the study room, giving us space.

Braun and I ate breakfast in silence. Neither of us said much, but the air between us was thick with unspoken thoughts. After the meal, we both stood up. Without a word, I went back upstairs to my room while Braun headed to the study to meet with Luigi.