Billionaire Baby Daddy and I

AURORA'S PoV

I chewed slowly at my finger nails while my legs kept bouncing of its own accord while I waited for the assistant to usher me in. I've been here for what feels like hours but actually was just a few minutes. Being here does that to you.

My eyes roamed around the hallway again and I swallowed hard. Each time I let my eyes wander and take in my environment, I make myself even smaller on my chair. The hallway was twice the size of the apartment I could barely afford the rent to, the realization of my predicament washed over me and I bit down hard on my bottom lips.

I was one of those people that never really has a plan for themselves, and just let love and their passions take them to wherever, and while I'd seen it work out for some, it led me into piles and piles of debt, is about to make me homeless, and somehow has made me a fraud, and if this goes well, I might as well have duped the richest CEO in New York.

"Miss Aurora Dobre" a tight high-pitched voice called out, and I immediately sprang to my feet.

"Yes?" My voice came out squeaky and I hated it.

"You can go in now, Mr Rodrigo is ready to see you" The sleek back haired girl, with lips as red as blood said, pointing towards a door. I immediately nodded and walked up to the door.

I grabbed the handle and took a deep breath before I knocked and walked right in. "Good day, Mr Rodrigo" I greeted without looking up from the floor, afraid to realize how small and insignificant I would seem in the room, and most importantly, I was scared to look into the eyes of the man I'm about to lie to.

"Miss Dobre" His rich baritone called out, and my stomach knotted painfully. "Are you greeting me or the floor?" He asked and I immediately rose my head.

"You, sir." I finally dared to look at him, and I was not in the least bit surprised at the Greek god that stared back at me. His hazel eyes looked daunting as they stared at me, and I guess that's why my heart wouldn't stop thumping.

"Take a seat" I dragged my feet to the chair and sat down.

Silence immediately shrouded the room, and while I did everything possible to avoid looking at him, I could feel his gaze boring into me.

"For someone that works with children and has been to quite a number of interviews, you are rather awkward."

"Well..." I started, trying to find the right words to say. "Well..." I dragged my head up, careful to avoid his gaze as I spoke, "I've been to a number of interviews but not to one this big, so.. yeah, and working with children and adults are two different things"

"Fair point" he said and I gave myself a pat on the back. "Let's get down to business then, shall we?"

I bobbed my head immediately, eager to end the meeting as quick as possible.

"Miss Dobre, I understand that you are an excellent babysitter from your profile, and I guess you believe you already know why I called you here, right?" I nodded and he tsked. "Use your words, Miss Dobre"

"Yes sir, I have a guess as to why you requested for me"

"Good, I have a job offer for you." I immediately gulped as the realization of what I was about to do set in. The richest CEO in New York was about to offer me a job, a job I had very little experience in. I swallowed hard and contemplated on backing out.

I could stay with a friend for a while, sleeping in the streets doesn't sound as bad as what would happen to me if he finds out I lied about my experience.

"The job offer comes with a pay of $50,000 per month, of course your living expenses and other necessities excluded." I felt myself freeze on the chair.

"Just to babysit your child?" I asked when I got my voice back, and he let out a laugh.

"No, not really" I raised a brow, and he placed two envelopes before me. "I want you to be my pretend wife for 2 years, babysitting is of course an important part of the job"

"What?"

"You heard me, Miss Dobre. I'm offering you a job as my pretend wife for 2 years. Terms and conditions apply of course"

"I'm sorry, Mr Rodrigo, but I'm confused. Why exactly are you offering me this?"

He pretends to think for a while before he shrugged, "I need a wife to gain custody of my child. I'm sure you have seen the news about the charge" I absolutely have not, I've been too busy trying to keep a roof over my head to care about celebrity gossips. "And your profile is something that will buy the court. Does that answer your question?"

I stiffly bobbed my head. "Good, so what is your answer?"

I took a very long and dragging breath before I met his gaze. It all sounds too good to be true. "Can I take some time to think about this?"

"No." I drew back in surprise. "There are two envelopes before you, one contains the contract, the other NDA form. You'll sign the form either ways to ensure what happens here stays here, but you have to decide now if you're going to sign both contracts or not. My time is ticking and the day for the trial is drawing closer, I do not have the time to give you to think, Miss Dobre, you are either in or out"

Lowering my gaze, I intertwined my fingers and began fiddling with them as I let myself weigh my options. Finally, I looked at him. "I accept"

For the first time since I walked in, what appeared to be a smile spread on his face and he passed me a pen. "Good choice. Read through the contract and engrave the rules into your head. You have 30 minutes to do so because we have a long day ahead of us."

Right as I was about to probe him about his statement, the door creaked open and a young boy of about 8 walked into the office with his backpack. He bore an uncanny resemblance to Mr Rodrigo, and i had no doubt he was the one his father was doing all this for.

He ran up to his father and quickly latched unto his laps, and after exchanging warm pleasantries he turned to me, and our eyes widened simultaneously and we quickly pointed at each other, while our voices echoed, "You!"

AURORA's PoV

I glanced at the kid, who was busy playing away on his iPad and I let out a breath of relief thinking about when we first met each other. It was at a park, I'd gone to get some inspiration for my art when I saw a child being pursued by a dog.

Everyone thought it was his dog and was probably just playing, and the dog indeed seemed like it was just having fun, but I saw the terror in the child's eyes.

I massaged my temples and let out another breath of relief. Imagine I'd ignored the child.

"Are you okay? You look a little restless" Mr Rodrigo's voice pierced through my thoughts, and I immediately plastered a smile on my face.

"I am okay" I lied through gritted teeth, and he just stared blankly at me. I could tell he didn't believe me, but there was nothing I could do. I cleared my throat and dusted imaginary dust from the new dress I had on.

Mr Rodrigo took me to a boutique the moment I signed the contract, and dolled me up into someone I barely recognize. He had somehow managed to give life to my hair, dolled me up in makeup, and dressed me in something other than the thrifted clothes I survive on.

He had refused to tell me the reason for dolling me up, but I guess he just wanted me to look presentable if I was to be seen with him. I began fidgeting with my fingers at the thought, what would people say if all of a sudden they see the billionaire with a girl from nowhere? They'd undoubtedly call me names. It almost always happens, and I don't know if I'm ready for that. Maybe I should have said no.

I glanced at him, but he was staring right ahead, his jaw tightly clenched. I sighed and went right back to fidgeting with my fingers, when all of a sudden the car stopped.

"We are here" Mr Rodrigo announced and I quickly looked up, part of me was expecting a restaurant, but instead I was met with a mansion and I frowned. "We are here to meet my parents," he casually dropped the bombshell and my heart sank. "Carl, drop the phone, we are here"

"Wait!" I said before I could think, and instantly two pairs of eyes were on me but I focused primarily on the one before me. "You can't expect me to just waltz in there and meet your parents without any preparations, what are we going to tell them? And..."

"Hold on" he cut in and I drew back and gulped. "There's no need for you to fret, nor a reason for you to prepare anything. They already know my plans, we are only going in there for them to see you. All you have to do is sit still and look pretty, I'll take care of everything else" He came down from the car and opened Carl's door.

"Oh" the tips of my ears felt like they were on fire.

"Your ears look funny, Aurora. I don't think Grandma would like that" Carl pointed out with his nose scrunched up as he made his way out of the car, and that only made me blush even more.

Soon enough, my door was pulled open and I practically jumped out of the car. Mr Rodrigo shot daggers at me before he inched a little closer to me. "Next time, just wait... I'll help you out of the car. There's no need to hop out like that" he whispered and I nodded frantically before he held my hand and led us into the house.

And just like I expected, it was like a house straight out of a fantasy. Everything looked grand, and extremely delicate and I tried my very best to avoid contact with anything. Carl on the other hand was practically stampeding on everything and I almost reached out to hold him back, but caught myself right on time. He was used to this.

"My parents must be at the dinning, let's go" Mr Rodrigo drew me back to reality, and walked right ahead.

I trudged behind him quietly as he walked through what felt like a maze, before we finally broke out into the dinning room, where true to his words, his parents were.

Upon catching a glimpse of us, his mum sprang up from her chair and walked up to him with her arms outstretched and a big smile on her. "Alexandro" she called out, her Spanish accent heavy, and pulled him into a brief hug. "It is so nice to see you"

"You too, mum" he placed a kiss on her cheek, and with their arms intertwined, they both walked up to his father, who has remained seated, and they both took their seats.

I was grateful that I was barely noticable because I had nothing to say, but my ego suffered a pinch. I stood there deliberating on what to do when Mr Rodrigo turned to me with his arm extended.

"Aurora" my name slipped off his tongue with so much grace, "come here." All eyes were immediately on me, and I suddenly forgot how to walk.

"Is she the one?" His mum asked and he nodded.

"She is" he turned to me again and called me, "come here" he persuaded, and with so much difficulty I walked over to them.

Once I was close enough, his arm enclosed on my waist and he stood to his feet. "Mum, Dad, this is Aurora" he introduced, and I smiled at them but only his dad managed a smile in response, "she's the one I'm getting married to... In a week" my eyes slowly widened, and I turned to him so fast I almost got a whiplash.

"What?" I whispered, but it seemed like my voice echoed throughout the room because of the silence that hung heavy in the air.

A chair creaked, and Mrs Rodrigo was on her feet once again, this time she faced me with a smile. "Aurora, right?" I nodded, "come, I need you help" she tugged gently at my arm, and walked away, while I followed her silently with my heart threatening to burst right out of my chest.

Once it seemed we were out of earshot, she turned to me, and this time there was no trace of a smile on her face. "You cannot marry my son" she spat out and I took a step back.

"What?" I thought they knew why we... Her son is doing this.

"You heard me right, Aurora. Alexandro has his reason for doing this and I understand, but you..." She laid emphasis on 'you' with a look of disgust on her face. "You can not marry my son. You have to bail out before the week's up, and that's final." She finished and made to leave, when she paused and glared at me. "Don't think of doing otherwise or letting him in on what I said, or else...," The words trailed off, but I heard her loud and clear

AURORA'S PoV (wedding day)

I felt blood rush to my head for a split second the moment I stepped into the arena. The song immediately changed to "Here Comes the Bride," he moment the DJ caught sight of me, and instantly all eyes were on me and I swallowed, hard. I never for once thought that this many people would be at my wedding.

My wedding. The thought felt foreign, almost like a fantasy, yet it was all I spent the last week preparing for.

I barely did anything but show up, but that too felt like I climbed two mountains in a day, everyday, for the past week, and that's particularly because someone whom I desperately wanted to avoid was always there.

My eyes unconsciously flew to hers, and just like I expected, she was shooting daggers at me. Sweat immediately pooled in my armpits, and I quickly averted my eyes from her.

Her words rang in my ears, and I clenched my jaw tightly. If I could I would have listened to her, but I can't. I was in no position to listen to her. I took a very deep breath, and began walking to my groom, who looked like he was tired of waiting.

I felt her gaze boring into my soul as I advanced closer to the pulpit, but I forced myself to keep her at the back of my mind.

Just for two years, I'll just have to put up with it for two years. After that... I released a deep breath and gently placed my hand on Mr Rodrigo's, I'll honour her request.

The music slowly died down, and the officiating priest took over. He expertly saved us from exchanging vows, which was undoubtedly Rodrigo's doing, and in a few seconds, a ring was placed on my finger and I was now officially Mrs Rodrigo.

"You may kiss the bride" I heard the priest say, and my eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. Why on earth is he not skipping that? I glanced at Mr Rodrigo for help, but he was already staring at me, looking disinterested.

There's no way he's going to do that, right? I turned my gaze to the priest, and he wore a smile on his face, and when he noticed my gaze, he simply motioned for us to go ahead and instantly, a familiar scent hit my nose.

I whipped my head towards his direction, and Mr Rodrigo was practically breathing my air. I made to recoil, but he instantly placed his hand behind my neck and pulled my closer. "Just close your eyes" he whispered, when he was just an inch away from my lips and like a dummy I snapped my eyes shut, and waited for the kiss, but it never came, instead I felt his hand disappear from my neck after a brief second and the crowd began cheering.

I immediately opened my eyes, and he was already facing the crowd with what I'm sure he thinks is a smile, and I felt the tips of my ears go red. What the hell was I expecting?

"I now present to you, Mr and Mrs Rodrigo" The priest announced, and the crowd went even crazier, and we both just smiled at them.

"In exactly 30 minutes, I need you to come up with an excuse so we can get out of here. The longer we say, the more opportunity they have to pry something out of us. Is that clear?" He glanced at me and I nodded. "Use your words"

"Oh... Yes, it is clear"

"Good, now let go and greet some guests"

He intertwined our arms together, and waltzed off. We walked up to the first people, and just like I suspected, he easily dominated the conversation. It felt surreal when he introduced me as his wife, and I kept stealing glances at him to make sure all this was real.

"I would tell you to stop looking at me, it's creepy, but then it sells the image of a lovestruck wife"

"I wasn't looking at you!" I immediately retorted, trying to defend myself but he just looked at me blankly, and I instantly felt stupid. How could I lie about something so obvious?

"We are going to greet one more person and I need you to come up with an excuse at the appropriate time, okay?"

I was about to nod in response, but I quickly caught myself and mumbled, "okay"

We were just about to walk towards the said person, when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned and my heart sank into my stomach. Mrs Rodrigo was right behind me, shooting daggers at me.

"Alexandro" her thick Spanish accent sliced through the air, and Mr Rodrigo hummed in response. "Can I steal my daughter-in-law away for a few seconds?"

I instinctively leaned into him and tried to take shelter in him, but he wriggled his hand out of my hold. "Nothing more than 5 minutes, mum " he said and I almost started crying. Didn't he hear the venom in her voice when she said Daughter-in-law?

I was about to come up with an excuse to avoid leaving with her, but my throat dried up when she grabbed my hand. "We won't take that long. Right, Aurora?" Her eyes lowered to mine and my knees suddenly felt weak. "Let's go" With her firm hold on me, she dragged me towards the bathroom.

Once we got to the bathroom and she confirmed the coast was clear, she pushed me against the wall and a whimper escaped my lips. "The name Rodrigo was too good for you to give up, right?" She sneered.

"You think you won because you have his ring on your finger now, don't you?" She took a step towards me, and I pressed myself against wall, hoping that somehow more distance would be created between us. "It's always the lowlifes! Always the freaking lowlifes"

Tears brimmed in my eyes at her words, and I bit the insides of my cheek. "Alexandro deserves so much better, he doesn't realize it but Jessica is one of the few befitting for him and just when things were about to go right, you just had to poke your ugly head!" She jabbed her two fingers at my forehead, and I winced.

"Three months. I give you three months to put an end to this sham or else..." She swallowed her words once again, and with one last distasteful glance at me, she stormed off.

The tears finally rolled down my cheeks, but I immediately wiped it away. "Three months" I whispered and turned to the mirror, and my reflection horrified me. The makeup was all over the place.

I quickly washed it off, and dried my face. "Three months" I repeated and forced a smile on my face.