A Marriage to Cure A Broken Billionaire

Dexter Lee: (Male Lead Character)

When I arrived at my parent's home, it was with caution. I entered the house, and the smell of sweet homemade bread infiltrated the air. My childhood home held good and horrible memories.

"Dexter, is that you?" My mother calls out from the kitchen happily.

Dexter, speaking in a low tone. "Hi, mom," he hugs and then kisses his mother on her rosy cheek.

"Why are you whispering?"

"I must ensure you are at home alone, that's all."

"I tell you, the men in this family are some proud men." My mother says, shaking her head at me.

"Come on in here and take a seat, son. It's just you and me here. Your father is away on a business trip and won't be home until tomorrow afternoon. Guess what?"

"What?" Dexter said, happily relieved his father wasn't going to be around and that he had his mother all to himself this evening.

"I cooked your favorite meal. Salisbury steak with cream potatoes, fried bacon bits, melted cheese, and grilled carrots. You have to eat your carrots."

"Oh wow! Thanks, mom, you're the best. I don't know how long it's been since I've eaten a home-cooked meal."

"Dex, that's why you need a wife. You are so stubborn, just like your father."

"I'm nothing like my father," I say, disgruntled as my mother rub my jawline.

Her motherly touch makes me smile at her. I tell my mom. "I don't mean to come off as stubborn. I'm being careful, marriage is a lifelong commitment, and I only plan on doing it once."

Whenever I say words of wisdom, it makes my mom feel reassured. That one day, I'll marry and have a family. But truth be told, I don't ever plan to marry. I made that decision the day I had a conversation with my father. I got the greatest satisfaction from his shock and stunned reaction when I told him. I had finally pained him the way he had been hurting me for most of my life.

I remember when I made a vow to him and him alone. I was so hurt and angry. It felt like it happened yesterday. When I came home from classes that day, I had no intention of conversing with my father, but he called me to his office.

There weren't many days I felt alive living under the same roof as my father. But I was so excited about my music and the rave reviews I got from my music professor in college that day. And I made the ultimate mistake of sharing it with my father. I couldn't believe the things he said to me.

With no regard for my feelings, My father asked me. "Why are you wasting your time doing something like music and singing? You must know that no one will want to pay to see a broken and impaired guy on stage. So stop refusing and accept that you are damaged. Since you were a wasted seed and can't benefit me as an heir, and your mother can't have any more children. Shouldn't you at least try to do something right in your life? Like focused on finding a suitable healthy marriage mate and having a child. So you can give your mother and me a sound and healthy heir."

That day I vowed before him and the one in the heavens. "I promise you I will never marry or have a child. That day will never come. I would die before I pass on your genes to another human being."

I sit here today and look at my mom; we have a close relationship. But I could never tell her what had transpired between my father and me that day. And as for me and my father's relationship, I, unfortunately, can't say the same. From the day I was born to four, it felt like we were inseparable. I would follow him around and mimic his character. I admired him. He was also fond of me, and I can remember telling him.

"When I grow up, I want to be just like you."

But things change drastically, ripping what was once a close bond to shreds! As an adult, whenever I visit with my dear mother, she always tries to share this story with me about the day I was born. To remind me of my father's love, a love I can't see and haven't felt in years.

Taesha Tran: (Female Lead Character)

Since the breakup with my rotten fiance', I have had a lot of trouble sleeping. I would be up at all hours crying and eating, depressed and feeling worst than I've ever felt in my entire life. So for a solid year, I have been stuck in the same place.

Looking back, I hated not recognizing or ignoring all the red flags, but I was so in love.

"Hey Taesha," Her best friend snaps her fingers to get her attention.

"Oh, Girl, I'm sorry. Now, what did you say?"

"Look, Girl, I'm going to tell you straight. You need to move on from him."

"Cam, you don't think I want to?"

"Taesha, love can be a wonderful thing."

"Yes, and you know I was all about love. But I learned it could also be dangerous. I would know. Look at the pain it caused me. So that's why I stay away from it. The thought of having that wonderful feeling and then having it ripped away can be disturbing and very sad."

"Yes, I know."

"No, you don't, Cam. I don't wish that kind of pain on my worse enemy. I put myself out there to that jerk, thinking he loved me. He was the person I wanted to be with for the rest of my life. But instead of him returning my love, he trampled over it. Do you remember how he called off our engagement?"

Cam shook her head sadly, yes.

"When I received a call on my cell phone from Sean. My fears became real when he confessed that he couldn't go through with the engagement.

I asked him where he was, which was my mistake.

"I'm out celebrating at a strip club. I'm gazing at this topless dancer gyrating her tits in my face. I love you, Taesha, but I'm not in love with you, and I can't marry you."

"That sick jerk had the nerve to tell me that. Not only was I devastated, but humiliated as well. Sean, my ex-fiance, confessed to me in a strip club while I sat there looking at all our guests. Then, he left me with the responsibility of explaining to all my family and friends the wedding was off."

"Tae, he was the epitome of horrible. I know that, but that was a year ago."

"I know it's been a year, and I am doing better. I am ready to move on with my life, but I can't be in a relationship because I will never trust another man. After being trampled over like that, it has made me re-evaluate the meaning of love, and I never want to relive that again. I thought I had everything under control, or so I thought. But love backfired in my face big time. After all the sacrifices to please him and his family, Cam, no more hoop-jumping for me to try to fit in with someone else's family and culture."

"I get it. But can you at least focus on having a good time? There are so many people and hundreds of men out there. Everyone isn't Sean. Try being friends. Can you do that?"

"Yes, with my shield up, I can do it."

"Good. Now let's have a great time planning our first winter vacation. And we will work on this so-called shield later. But wait! Girl, is it a Captain American Shield? Because that is a fine man!" Cam asked as they both laughed.

After My Journey:

It was a cold, snowy night, and I was afraid, shivering, and shaking. My car has broken down on a deserted dark road. There was no cell service, and I was stranded for over an hour until a black car appeared. A tall man stepped out of his vehicle wearing a long black trench coat. From afar, his headlights only reflected a pair of icy blue eyes staring at me. Did he come to save me? Or will he force himself upon my body and leave me alone afterward? Or will he take me by force and make me his own?

Before My Journey:

Filled with giddy excitement, I had closed up my herbal medicine florist shop for the day. I had helped my last customer, who, by the way, was very pleased with my green jasmine tea. Even though I worked about nine hours, I felt alert because I was looking forward to our first winter vacation trip planned with my girlfriends. Taking vacation trips became a thing about a year ago after I had gone through a terrible engagement breakup. It was a horrible experience that I don't think I will ever recover from or be able to trust another man. I was made to feel less than a human in that twisted relationship. I was told I was a waste of his precious time.

Having many heart-to-heart talks with my friends, I admitted I felt broken and afraid to get close to the opposite sex again. My ex-fiance started sweet and seemed to have changed overnight into a cheating monster! But my dear girlfriends decided to help by getting my mind out of the past and giving me a reason to look forward to the future. We begin treating ourselves twice a year on summer and winter vacation trips. My friends have taken it upon themselves to invite a few of their different co-workers on these trips. This year we decided to experiment with a winter vacation at a Ski Resort for fun and relaxation.

None of us had any experience with skiing, so we all thought it would be a great adventure to learn to ski and enjoy the views of the mountains. I was indifferent to winter, so I wore whatever I liked, no matter the season. Months in advance, I saved to buy my outfit. A new pair of light blue jeans, a white turtle neck, and my blue and white mixed suede fur boots were everything! I did a lot of overtime at work to purchase these thousand-dollar boots! Then I looked up at my clock on the wall, and it was time to go, so I grabbed my puffy white coat off the rack in the store then double-checked my bags to see if I had forgotten anything.

"Ah, the wine! I can't forget the wine." I grabbed the two bottles of homemade hibiscus red wine I make yearly from the fridge. A few years after obtaining my herbal medicine license, I also explored my love for plants and flowers. I started experimenting with flowers and plants some years ago by making herbal teas and wines. My friends love this hibiscus red wine; they ranted and raved over it, swearing it has healing powers. My girlfriends are hardworking and stressed, so I think they like how good it makes them feel. So now that I have everything, it's time to close up the place for a couple of weeks. I get in my new cherry red mini cooper and drive away around six that evening to head to the next State, Colorado.

I came across a sign that told me to take a detour because the road was closed due to the weather. So, I find myself off the main beating path and now on this narrow road. Nightfall has come along with the snow. On this road, I kept seeing the same sign.

"What the heck is a frost heave?" Taesha asked Cameron, her best friend, who called periodically to check on her since she had to leave much later than everyone else.

"Searching," Cameron said, indulging Taesha.

"The long journey to this lodge feels like I'm going to the end of the earth. Well, Cam, what did you come up with?"

"I need a freaking Ph.D. in geology to understand these explanations, but if I'm reading it right, it's what happens when water freezes under the road, and the pavement heaves upward."

"This road must have the potential to heave because there are warning signs every two minutes,"

I tell my friends as my stomach tightens, along with my fingers on the steering wheel of my cherry red mini cooper, purchased yesterday with this trip in mind. But unfortunately, what should've been a leisurely five-and-a-half-hour drive up the scenic route has turned into seven tense hours due to the weather. My inner-city driving experience had proven no match for the twists and turns of mountain roads.

"Are you almost here? Girl, I'm tired of making excuses for the guy I got lined up for you to meet this weekend. So hurry and get your butt up here! Girl, this trip is perfect for relieving some stress. You must see this view and this large cozy cabin, plenty of snow for the slopes, and the perfect place to hook up with Mr. Right! Now you need to do your part and pick up the speed."

"The GPS says an hour and twenty minutes more. Who is this guy? I have specific types, Afro-Latino, Afro-Italians, Afro-French and African Americans. Anything with African in it. I don't have time for the cultural struggle. I need a man who already understands my culture and me."

"Oh, trust me, he's your type. I know how picky you are, but you do like them tall, big, and rough around the edges," Cam says, snickering.

"Wait! Rough around the edges? No freaks, Cam! Remember that last guy? The one who likes his pet reptile in the bed when he's having sex?"

Cameron laughs. "Oh yeah! Girl, he's twisted. But, Taesha, come on, not all foreign guys are weird. Besides, you love plants and flowers unlike anyone I know, and not because they are pretty."

"First of all, my love of plants and flowers are for medicinal purpose. They can do things and make you feel in ways you can only imagine. Besides, flowers and plants are universal. Everyone loves a pretty plant or a beautiful flower. But not every guy loves the skin I'm in. Cam, do you get my drift?

"Some might think of you as an exotic flower or an aphrodisiac," Cam says.

"Which in their minds amounts to me being a freak in bed. "

"I don't get you, you met one weird guy, and that list of yours has gotten even stricter. Girl, you got to be more open-minded."

"Open-minded, my foot! I don't do snakes and octopuses in my bed." Taesha says, rolling her eyes.

"Girl, you're talking to Cam! I got your back! Would I set you up with a weirdo? They both laughed.

"I'm just trying to stay in my lane...I don't need all that drama from some guy's family and friends. I want to date a normal guy. So I try to avoid issues at all costs if I can."

"Maybe if I send you a picture of the guy I'm talking about, you'll drive faster and get your butt up here sooner than later."

"Send it. I can use motivation," Taesha says. They laugh together, waiting for the picture to pop on her phone. Finally, the notification beeps, and his photo is arriving.

"Oooh, he's big and hot, Cam! Is he a football player? Girl, you know my kind of man! You know me, girl! Manly is my type! I can't get with the pretty kind. Robust is what I like and need."

Then suddenly, my phone made a series of strange clicking noises.

"Cameron? Hello? Cam, are you there? Ugh!"

No one had warned me that mountain cell phone reception was spotty at best. I hit redial on the smartphone and reached Cameron's voicemail. At least she was trying to call me back. I put down the phone and focused on driving. In addition to the frost warning signs, there were moose crossing signs. As a city girl, I had no idea what that even meant or why a moose would be crossing a highway.

I had never driven on such a dark road, and now I'm having visions of missing my turn and seeing my car fall off the side of a cliff. My fingers ached from gripping the steering wheel so tightly. It was too bad I had to work this morning. Driving up here with everyone else would have been ideal. My eyes darted from the dark road to the GPS.

I looked down briefly, and when I returned my eyes to the road, something large and black was in my path. A shriek escaped from my clenched jaw as I slammed on the brakes! My tiny car skidded perilously, spiraling into what felt like an abyss. But instead, I smashed straight into an immovable object, deploying the car's airbag smack into my face. That was the last thing I saw before everything went black.

I didn't think I had lost consciousness. But my headlights went out, which pitched me into the inky darkness, unlike anything I'd ever experienced. In the city that never sleeps, it didn't ever get dark. Not like this anyway. With the headlights also went the heater. Within minutes it was cold, and I was trembling from head to toe from cold and fear of being alone in the middle of nowhere with something blocking her path. The smack to my face and lead from the airbag hadn't helped. Oh boy face hurt something terrible, and my eyes were watering.

I reached for my phone. But, unfortunately, it must have slid onto the floor at impact. I panicked, feeling around on the floor; it was soaked and wet. That's when I realized the wine bottles must have broken and spilled onto the bottom of my car. I finally found my phone swimming in red wine; it had no service when I tried to turn it on.



"Ugh! You gotta be kidding me!"



Squinting, I tried to determine what was blocking her path, but it looked like a black wall. So finally, I shoved the airbag aside and turned the key in the ignition. The engine clicked in response but didn't turn over.

"Fantastic!" If I could call someone, who should I call out here? Did the auto club send tow trucks in the middle of nowhere? I noticed it had started snowing again. I was powering up the phone to try again when I saw a flash of headlights coming toward me. With frozen, fumbling hands, I managed to get the door open. My legs didn't want to cooperate as I forced myself out of the car.

Immediately, my beautiful, expensive boots started sinking ankle-deep in the fallen snow. But I begin waving the only movable part of my body, my arms, as I start yelling.

"Stop and Help! Help me!"

1874/500

Dexter Lee had been exhaustively writing lyrics for hours Friday afternoon until late evening. After a long week of writing and recording music, nothing sounded on point to him. Everything he attempted to write this week he deleted from his IPad. Dexter also had a pile of balled-up papers on which he had scribbled ideas, tossing them in the wastebasket. He sighs, running his hand through black-silky strands, feeling depleted. He couldn't understand at first why nothing he wrote had that intense driving force. His music always purposely accomplished two things after hearing it.

The beat made you want to dance in the middle of the floor or between the sheets. Right now, neither one was happening to him. Frustration penetrated his soul. He rubbed his temples to relieve the tension that bothered his eyes as he slowly closed them. He could tell that something was off.

Dexter's POV

"Ah, that's where this frustration is coming from this evening. But, boy, I've been so engrossed in my music I didn't realize that so much time had passed and it went fast. Wow! How long has it been since I had female companionship? About a week, maybe longer? Now that I'm thinking about it, some time has gone since I've entertained female company. Well, I know the remedy for that. " The Niche nightclub is where the beauties will be swarming."

Whenever my music and lyrical writing are off-keel, I know what to do to get my inspiration back. So, I shower, and a few minutes later, I stroll from my bathroom with only my towel wrapped around me. I press my remote, walking through my revolving doors into a sizable closet. I love fashion and unique shoes and clothing styles. My love of fashion is an occupational habit since public relation is the crust of my multibillion-dollar business.

The vents inside my closet are on a timer to release my favorite scent, unlike most people who select clothing by maybe their favorite color. The selection of what I will wear was about smell and touch. I determine what I want to wear by how it feels to my touch. I rub my hands over my silk shirts and cashmere sweaters, trying to decide which fabric will work for tonight. All my clothes are gray and dark custom-made to perfectly fit my slender solid physique. I inhale the scent permeating every single thread of the outfits in my closet. Finally, I selected what to wear tonight. A three-piece designer black suit with a mid-thigh jacket, skinny leg slacks, a Scottish skirt, and leather combat boots.

I go to my jewelry table and carefully select three pure silver chains and two black pearl hanging earrings. I spray my hair with a sensual-smelling mousse, slicking the perfectly jet-black hair off my face. I pick up the remote to my car, head downstairs, and get in my sleek black, imported, top-of-the-line Ferrari.

I speak, and the systems in my Ferrari automatically respond to my voice. The seats and the temperature, visible lights are adjusted, selecting the song and volume of my choice.

I press the remote to open the garage. The snow is falling a little heavier tonight as I take off. First, the GPS directs me down the mountain heading into the city. Then the GPS changes direction only two miles down the hill. Finally, it gives guidance to take a detour. I quickly calculate the risk of going on an unknown road and the fact it will take me fifteen minutes longer to get to my destination, the "Niche."

The music blaring inside my car as I listen to my latest songs will help me absorb the extra fifteen minutes. My fingers tap to the beat of my steering wheel, making my lips curve into a smirk, thinking of my need to feed this craving for new lyrics. Keeping the perfect songs coming provides me with this lifestyle. If I view it as part of my work, I can have a good time as a single man.

I must admit that seeing the hunger in girls' eyes and the lust pounding in their hearts to offer pleasure stirs something unnatural inside me. I dive into their satisfaction with only one purpose in mind, and that is to advance my music. What I do has nothing to do with money because I have more of that than I could ever spend. It's about staying on top and the next big hit. I never let anything come between me and my one true love, my music, not even my secret.

No one but my family knows that I am visually impaired. I love being out on the roads at night. The night is what I can relate to the most. No matter what time of day it is, I favor the night. I don't have to contend with the bright light from the sun burning my eyes or having to keep sunglasses on at all times or heavy traffic because I also love speed. With fewer cars on the road, I could get pure pleasure out of my many sports cars. So tonight, I'm in my black Ferrari, visually equipped. My baby has everything in it for an excellent ride.

Driving at top speed at night is my clearest vision. I glance at my GPS, another 12 minutes on this back road in an unfamiliar area. Tonight due to the weather, I noticed more road closures than ever. The snow now fell at a steady pace. The dark road begins to curve. My Ferrari tires make traction on the wet pavement. It looked like a plow had been through at some point during the daylight. It seems like I'm getting further away from my destination than closer. It is my first time visiting Colorado in February; the winter weather is no joke.

Piles of dirty snow pushed to the edge of each side of the road. The snow falling heavier didn't look good, but when I decided to purchase a house, mountain living was what I wanted to experience and all that came with it. There was snow - and lots of it! Even though it didn't affect my eyes. The heavy snow and falling temperature are both steadily dropping. No good, I thought.

Coming around the curve at top speed, I see a car almost diagonal on the side of the road. I see a shadowy dark figure on the side of the road with their hands in the air, waving vigorously at me as I approach the accident. I slow down a little, wondering what to do; I'm not too keen about stopping in the dark on an unfamiliar road. So I passed the car, thinking everyone these days has a cell phone, the person can call for help. But whoever the individual was, they were frantically trying to get my attention.

My conscience wouldn't let me keep going, even though this neighborly gesture would interfere with my plans for tonight. I knew if it were me, I would want someone to stop and help. So I hit the brakes! I shifted my car in reverse, smoothly driving backward. Looking at my rearview mirror, I see long hair whipping and flying in the wind.

"Oh, it appears to be a female. I think the figure is shadowy. I have to get closer." I'm somewhat slightly surprised but concerned. I park my car park several feet away from the accident. No, I didn't want to get too close in case this was some crazy guy with long hair.

I slow down just ahead of the accident. The person still has their arms raised, waving their hands to get my attention. Cautiously I proceed, trying to figure out what I should do next.

1302/5000