A Loveless Marriage With A Cold Hearted Billionaire

TIA POV

I wish there was a way to help my parents from going bankrupt but everything just doesn't seem to work for me, no matter how I try.

It's my entire fault for trusting that strange man who was only a con. I just wish I could change the hands of time back to how things were.

I'm Tia Collins, the only child of my parents. My dad owns the Collins Corporation which was once a great success but everything all went down after I took over.

It all started when I took over the company since my dad became sick. The company was moving great until my boyfriend introduced a man who claimed to be a business expert unknown he was only a con.

I trusted my boyfriend and invested half of the company's stock money with the man, unknown it was all a planned work carried out by my boyfriend to steal from me.

I haven't been able to open up to my dad about it with how he trusted me with the company and telling him about it would only worsen his health, which I don't ever want to happen.

I was also hoping to tell my mum about it as well but I just don't have the courage to tell her.

I was totally lost in my own world until I felt a light pat on my hand which startled me and made me come out of my spacing.

"Hey Tia. Are you alright?" Katie, my best friend, asked and took a seat in front of me.

"Yeah, I'm fine bestie. When did you get here? And why didn't you tell me you were coming?" I responded with a weary smile.

Katie and I have been childhood friends and ever since we have promised to remain best friends forever.

"What's wrong? Why are you staring at me like that?" I questioned as she furrowed her brows.

If there's one thing I know Katie is good at, is that she can tell from the face when someone is happy or sad and I'm sure she has noticed my mood.

She's the one person I can't ever keep things away from no matter how I try.

"One second, don't tell me you're still on that issue?" She frowned.

"What can I do Katie? It's been over a week now and I can't seem to find any solution to stop my father's company from going bankrupt."

"Come on Tia. I thought we talked about this? I'm sure you're going to find a way to prevent the company from going bankrupt. I'd told you about Philip but you wouldn't listen to me."

"You aren't helping matters here by bringing him up, Katie." I sighed resting my back on the chair.

"I'm sorry babe but you have got to believe everything will be back to normal like it used to be."

"I wish I could." I confessed.

"I'm sure you will, in a short time. Nevertheless, I came to take you out to have fun." She beamed.

"I don't feel like having any fun with the situation I am dealing with right now."

"What do you mean? You can't just reject Katie's great offer for anything? There's no way I will accept that." She frowned.

There's one thing I really find hard to take about Katie and that's her mood swing.

"I will only accept to go with you because of your constant tantrum."

"It's a good thing you know me very well." She chuckled and stood up straight.

"Let's get going or we're going to miss out on the fun I already planned." She added, pulling my hand.

"Hold on, where are we going?"

"It's a surprise babe which will definitely cheer you up." She responded.

"If you say so, let me round up my work and assign the other stuff to my secretary."

"Alright. You have got three minutes to round up fast or I'll pull you out of your office."

"You're really something else, Katie." I chuckled, packing up my bag before reaching out to my secretary over the phone and in less than a minute, she showed up.

"I'm leaving the office and I want you to work on these files before tomorrow." I stated, handing two files to her.

"Okay ma'am. Have a nice day."

"You too. Let go Katie." I signaled Katie who got on her feet as we strolled out of my office leaving my secretary behind.

**

"You have got to be kidding me, Katie!" I disapproved the moment we stepped out of her car.

I can't believe she brought me to a club to cheer me up. I thought we were going to hang out at a restaurant but it turned out she was thinking the other way round.

I remembered the last time I got drunk. My boyfriend took advantage of me without my approval and ever since I had made up my mind not to get drunk again and Katie knows about it as well. She's supposed to recall the incident better than anyone.

"Nope, I am not joking here, girl. As far as I'm concerned, this is the only way to cheer you up."

"You're wrong, Katie. There's no way bringing me to a club will cheer me up. Did you remember what happened the last time when I got drunk?"

"I do and Philip isn't in your life again. It's just me and you. Also you have got to forget about the company situation for a while. Thinking won't do you any good, trust me, babe. The moment one shot of whiskey gets into your mouth, you will forget you even have a problem for the meantime."

"You're really crazy, bestie."

"Of course, I know. Let's go inside." She uttered and pulled me inside the club.

The moment we stepped in, the high pitch of music welcomed us with a large number of people dancing on the dance floor.

"Let's go to the bar parlour." She whispered in my ear as we approached a bar man serving some people drinks before taking a seat in front of him.

"What can I get you ladies?" The bar man asked.

"Hey handsome, two shots of whiskey will do." Katie answered flirting with him.

"I really don't think I can take it, Katie." I disagreed.

"Come on babe, just trust me. You really need it."

"Here you go ladies." He announced dropping both glasses filled with whiskey.

"Here you go, babe." She offered me the drink which I hesitated for a while before collecting the drink from her.

"You had better be right about this, Katie." I grumbled.

"Trust me, Tia. To less worries and the great success that will come your way soon." She announced as we both jam glasses together before taking the whiskey in one gulp.

ANDREW POV

The moment the car pulled to a stop, I knew we had arrived at our destination.

One of the bodyguards opened the door for me as I stepped out of the car staring at the environment I have been visiting in the last three months.

"Good morning sir." Some nurses passing by greeted me but I snubbed them and walked inside the hospital with my face up.

"Get the doctor to the ward." I ordered one of the bodyguards behind me.

"Okay sir." He answered while I headed in the direction of the VIP ward ignoring some nurses and patients' greetings and praises about my looks.

They are so foolish to think I don't know how I look.

I took the elevator to only the VIP wards created for billionaires only.

I arrived at the VIP wards as I walked over to the special one which belongs only to my family.

I instructed the bodyguards to wait at the door while I walked in and found my mom seated on a sofa beside the man who I had always loved but seeing him on a life supporting machine really pierced my heart more than mom.

"Good morning mom." I murmured and gave her a light hug.

"How are you son?"

"I'm good mom. How's his health?"

"He's not really responding to treatment."

"Does that mean the bastard doctor who I pay doesn't know how to treat him or what?"

"Calm down son. You and I know why he isn't responding to the treatment."

"He brought it upon himself when he made the wrong idea of bringing such an immoral human into the house." I grumbled.

"He's your father and he demands some respect, young man. He wasn't the one who wanted someone for you, I did and you should blame me for it and not him." She screamed as the doctor rushed in unannounced.

"Why can't you wait outside when you knew we were having a discussion?" I flared at the doctor.

"I'm so sorry Mr Walton, I didn't mean to eavesdrop on your conversation." He apologised.

"Get the hell out!" I roared as he rushed out in fear.

"Son, when will this cold attitude of yours change? You weren't the son I know who was once a loving and caring man."

"Let's forget about the discussion, mom. Do update me when there's a new development in dad's health. I'm heading to the office to handle some business deals."

"I just hope you can take in my words and understand your father's undying love for you."

"I will see you tonight. Bye." I pecked her on the cheek and made my way out.

The moment I stepped out of the room. I found the old looking doctor shivering upon seeing me.

"I'm sorry once again, Mr Walton. I wasn't aware you were busy with your mom." He stuttered.

"The next time such insolence happens. I won't hesitate to fire you." I declared.

"I promise it won't ever happen, Mr Walton."

"Why isn't my father responding to treatment?"

"It seems he doesn't want to come over the shock. He's blaming himself for everything that happened."

"Get in some specialists if you can't do your job properly."

"I'm doing my very best, Mr Walton. We just have to give your father some time or try to do something he has always wanted, which might trigger him to respond to the treatment."

"I will look into it." I replied and strolled away.

TIA POV

Oh my goodness! What the hell really happened last night? I grumbled, holding my head as I opened my eyes to see Katie beside me on the bed.

I looked around before it drowned on me, I was in Katie's bedroom. I can't even remember how we got to her house.

All I could recall was having a challenge with her on who drinks most, that's all I can remember.

"Katie, wake up." I called out to her, tapping her to get up.

"What is it, handsome?" She mumbled with her eyes still closed.

"It's me, Katie. How did we get here?"

"My dad's bodyguards brought us. Argh... my head really hurts damn bad." She groaned, opening her eyes.

"Same here. I can't even recall what really happened after you posed the challenge to me."

"You were on your fifth shot when you couldn't take it and fell asleep on the floor." She laughed.

"Gosh! I can't believe I embarrassed myself. There's no way I'm drinking again and that's final."

"Asshhuuu... I will ask the maids to prepare some tea for us. I feel my head is going to be plucked out any minute."

***

"I feel much better after getting drunk last night. It wouldn't have happened if you hadn't pulled me out of the office." I uttered and took a sip from my tea.

"I'd told you. We just have to work other things out together in order to bring the company back to the way it was."

"That's right. You're truly a good friend, Katie. I don't know how to thank you enough, bestie."

"Come on babe, what are best friends for after all? I just wished I had more, I would have given it to you to build up the company again."

"You have done so much for me, Katie and words alone can't express how grateful I am to you."

"Come over it, Tia. You're really making me feel like I did something so great for you."

"Of course you did."

"Enough already. Let's get ready to do some shopping."

"You really don't mean it?"

"Trust me girl, I do. After all, my dad owns the mall and we don't have to pay for anything." She grinned.

"You're really unbelievable, Katie." I chuckled as we both rushed inside the bathroom to take a shower.

I had almost all my stuff in her house and the same applied to her. Sometimes I spend the night with her or sometimes she spends the night with me.

After some couple of minutes, we stepped out of the bathroom and did the normal routine before dressing into matching outfits.

We have had this crazy attitude right from kids, dressing in the same clothes to look more like sisters than best friends and even our parents got used to it.

"We look super great, bestie. Don't you think so?" She asked, as we walked out of her room.

"Of course, we do." I smiled and held each other's arm.

ONE WEEK LATER

TIA POV

Today, I have decided to open up to my dad and mom about the situation of the company without getting to hurt their feelings.

I still haven't gotten a solution after several attempts to sign a contract deal with other companies which is a result of our company's current situation being leaked out to them, believing our company isn't up to their standards.

After dressing up, I picked my bag and car keys before stepping out of my room to the living room.

"Hey honey, are you going to the office right now?" Mom asked me halfway towards the living room holding a basket containing dad's food in it.

"Not yet. Good morning mom." I greeted her.

"Good morning darling. Why don't you have breakfast before you leave?"

"It can wait mom. I want to discuss something with you and dad."

"What is the matter, honey? Is everything alright?" She asked with concern.

"Well, it's something serious which I have been keeping away from you guys."

"What is it, darling? Talk to me!"

"I will tell you when we get to the hospital."

"Honey, I hope it isn't something that will endanger your father's health again?"

"Let's just go, mom." I sighed and took the basket from her as we walked out of the mansion.

The driver was already waiting for my mom but I told him I will drop her at the hospital while he can pick her up later in the day.

We both got into my car as I drove us to the hospital.

Throughout the journey I was so lost on what mom said about endangering my dad's health. It would really be selfish of me to endanger his health but telling him the truth about the company might really save me the stress from looking all around for help which isn't coming.

I just hope I am doing the right thing by telling them the truth.

**

"How are you feeling dad?" I held on to his hands.

"I'm much better, sunshine." He replied.

"That's good to hear." I beamed with joy.

"So, how have you been doing and how are you running the company?" He asked with a smile which caused a little sound in my belly.

"The company is really a great success, dad. You don't have to worry about anything. I just want you to get better."

"Wonderful sunshine, I knew I could count on you with the company. You have no idea how proud I am to have you as my daughter." He laughed and pulled me into a hug.

Hearing his words really pierced my heart for lying which is the only reason I have got in not to jeopardize his health.

"Are you alright, sunshine? Why is your face so cold?"

"Yes, I am absolutely fine, dad." I laughed awkwardly.

"I think I know why she's acting that way." Mom uttered suddenly which made me choke on my words.

"You really do, mom?"

"Of course, honey. Remember, you want to tell your dad and I something and I think I have figured it out." She frowned.

Did she perhaps find out about the company or something else? God, I hope it isn't what I think it is.

"What is it, my love? I know my sunshine would never hide anything away from me." Dad asked, which made me more afraid.

"Is that so, honey? Then ask her why she's hiding her fiance away from us."

"What are you talking about, mom?" I asked with a little sigh of relief.

"Why didn't you tell me you have a fiance? I want to meet him, sunshine."

"Mom misunderstood everything, dad. I'm not in any relationship with anyone." I explained.

"Come on sunshine, I know you must be feeling shy and it's alright but keeping away your relationship from us isn't the best idea. We will always support your relationship with any man of your choice." He uttered, holding my hands.

"Dad, you have to believe me. At first I was in a relationship with someone but we had a misunderstanding so we went separate ways."

"Is that so, honey? I'm so sorry for misunderstanding everything." She apologized.

"It's alright mom." I smiled.

"Sunshine, I wish you could settle down with a good man who will cherish you and love you forever."

"I will when the time is right. I just want you to get better and be back with us."

"I will, sunshine and also want you to settle down as well with your life partner. Promise me, you will find someone in your life."

"I promise dad." I affirmed with a smile.

ANDREW POV

I stepped out of the shower with a towel tied around my waist and an extra towel around my neck to find my phone ringing.

I walked over to my king sized bed and picked the phone to see, it was from my mom. Without waiting time, I picked the call to hear if there's an emergency at the hospital.

"Hello mom."

"How are you doing son? Are you coming to check on your dad today?"

"Not today mom. I told you I will be traveling to France for business."

"Oh sorry, son, I forgot about that. Safe trip and make sure you give me a call."

"Sure. Talk to you later." I responded and dropped the call before heading towards my closet to select from my suit rack.

With a little glimpse at the countless and expensive suits, I pulled out a black Italian tuxedo and strolled to the bed.

After dressing up completely, I picked my phone and car keys and walked out of the room.

I'm Andrew Walton, a twenty eight year old bachelor and one of the top ten youngest and richest billionaire in the United States.

I'm the only child of my parents which is why I have always had everything I wanted and about looks, I have it all.

I don't need anyone to tell me how handsome I look and about having a woman in my life, that seems impossible.

I only use them for my sexual desire and nothing else. Ladies, this days are only after sexual pleasures and money just like the bitch who was the cause of my father's health condition.

She stole from us and ran away leaving my dad in shock and despair. At that moment, I made up my mind, never to fall for any woman's charm because they pretend to act like saints at first and the next minute, they're deadly like a virus.

I stepped out of my car and found Frank, my personal assistant, waiting at the entrance of the company with one of the project managers and two of the software programmers.

"What's going on?" I asked as they all bowed to me.

"Someone tried to hack into the company software but luckily these two software programmers noticed it and took care of it." Frank said, pointing towards two young men.

"How is that possible?"

"I think the person who tried to link the company information must be a spy inside this company." One of the software programmers suggested.

"If that is the case, I want to see the traitor brought to my office in the next twenty minutes." I ordered and walked inside the company with Frank behind me.

In less than twenty minutes, the traitor was brought before me. He was a middle aged man and one of the software programmers.

"Why did you try to sell the company information to an outsider?" I roared.

"I'm really sorry sir. I was threatened to do it or my kids will be killed."

"Who is the person?"

"It's the former madam." He stuttered.

I'm not surprised she can do this to get to me, thinking she can get away with what she did. I will make sure I ruin her life just like the way she did to us.

"Take your family and leave this country immediately." I stated and wrote down a check of $20 million for him..

"Thank you so much sir." He uttered, taking the check from me.

"Get out before I lose it." I yelled to him as he rushed out of my office.

The battle line had just been drawn. I will make sure I leave her with nothing just like the way she was.