Bound to the Billionaire's Deal

Camelia POV

"Can you hurry up with this?" I asked the nurse checking my vitals.

"Just one more thing, ma'am," she said, wrapping the blood pressure cuff around my arm.

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, glancing at my watch as time was ticking away. It was me and Brady's two years anniversary and I wanted to do something special,but I had to stop at the hospital first for a checkup.

I tapped my foot impatiently as I waited for the monitor to read. Suddenly, I caught a glimpse of a familiar figure across the room. My heart skipped a beat as he turned around. It was Brady, my husband. "What was he doing here"?

But before I could call out to him, a woman emerged from the crowd grasping his hands. My eyes narrowed, trying to get a better look at her, but I could not tell who she was. Questions swirled in my head. Who was this woman? And why was she holding his hand like she owned him?

"Ma'am, please remain still," the nurse advised, but I was already on my feet, my eyes fixed on Brady and the mysterious woman.

"I'll be back in a minute," I said, tearing off the blood pressure cuff. "I need to know what's happening."

With my mind racing, I hurried towards them.

"Emergency! Emergency!" The warders shouted, rushing in an injured patient on a stretcher and blocking my path. I froze, my eyes still locked on Brady and the woman. Immediately the path cleared I ran down the hallway following them, my heart racing with each step . I caught a glimpse of them going into the gynaecologist's office.

"How can I help you? Do you have an appointment?" the nurse at the reception asked, looking up from her notes.

"No, I'm... uh... with my brother," I lied, pointing towards the office Brady entered. "Can I go in"?

The nurse nodded, and I slipped into the office. As I entered the office, I heard the doctor say, "The baby is doing well and growing very fast," his words sending chills down my spine.

"Baby?" I asked, ignoring the doctor.

Brady and the Lady beside him turned around to look at me, and my entire world came crashing.

"It was the one person I trusted with my deepest secrets-my best friend-sitting beside Brady!"

"Camelia?" Brady whispered.

"Maddie??" I whispered, my voice trembling.

My chest tightened, as I felt my breath knocking out of me.

"Wha...t is going on?" I stammered as tears pricked out of my eyes.

"What baby was the doctor referring to?" My eyes darted between the both of them.

"What does it look like?" Brady snapped, his eyes cold as he gazed at me with no hint of remorse.

"Maddie is carrying my child!" he added.

"Whattt!" I screamed in disbelief. "Maddie, how could you?"

I felt like I'd been slapped. The room began to spin around me, and I stumbled backward, grabbing onto the chair for support. The doctor's voice was a distant echo.

"Are you okay?" he asked, but Brady's response was icy.

"She's fine, " he replied.

"I am not okay!" How can I be fine? I yelled back.

"I didn't want you finding out about it this way, his voice dripping with disdain. But that doesn't mean you should make a scene here, he sterned ".

"We would talk about this at home." With that he grasped my arm but I shook it off and grabbed Maddie's hair from behind and pulled it.

"You don't deserve to be called human!" I screamed, but Brady lifted me with both hands, his grip like a vice, and dragged me out of the office and Maddie watched me with her gullible expression.

"Take a taxi home" he added and he shut the door. A small crowd had already gathered at the door, I hid my face as I walked past them. Mrs Camelia the nurse called, you're not done with your vitals yet. I ignored her, wiping my tears as I stepped out of the hospital and took a taxi back to the house.

****

No! No!!

"How could they do this to me?" I sat on the chair with tears clouding my eyes. Maddie has been my friend since childhood. We shared almost everything. How could she?? I placed my hands on my cheek wallowing in pain when the door opened and Brady walked in.

"Camelia I want a divorce" he said with his brow furrowed, and chills ran down my spine.

"Divorce" I stammered.

" Don't you think I deserve some kind of explanation"?? I said, staring at him in disbelief.

With that drama you displayed at the hospital?. "You already understand everything! What other explanation do you want?" He said pacing around.

"We both know this marriage is not working and would never work, I never loved you and you know that". Brady was reminding me of my pain.

"Now that I've found who I want to spend the rest of my life with, I want to move on, you should also do the same" He added.

Really Brady? "And that person you want to spend your life with is my best friend?" I snapped, standing up from the couch.

"I don't want this conversation any more, Camelia!" He shunned. "I only married you out of pity and because of your naivety, but now I'm done with you'.

"Take this" he said handing over some papers from his briefcase, sign them they are divorce papers.

Divorce pa..pers? "Brady, please", I whispered, the papers slipping from my fingers to the floor. "Don't do this to me," I pleaded, my hands grasping Brady's legs. I sank to my knees, the cold floor biting into my skin. Tears streamed down my face, and my sobs echoed through the room.

"I don't have anywhere else to go." My voice cracked as I continued begging him. "Maddie can keep the child. I'll raise the child, but please don't let us get a divorce". I cried making such horrible bargains, but that was the only choice I had left. There was nowhere to run or turn to. I've invested all I have into this marriage, even given him the signatory to my account and letting go of my dream to become a journalist. But all my pleas fell on deaf ears.

"Just sign the papers! And leave this house," he said angrily, throwing a pen at me.

But anger flared within me. "Why am I begging? I was the one who'd been betrayed" I sobbed.

"Oh really"? He said with a surprised look, "since you're so innocent just sign these papers and let's get this done with." With a heavy heart, I picked up the pen and scribbled my signature at the bottom of the page next to his signature.

"What's next?" I spat, trying to sound bold. "You're acting tough now" he laughed in a sarcastic way. But I didn't flinch.

"Let's see how long this will last, " he snapped. "You can leave now, Maddie will be moving in today," my heart dropped when he said that, but I maintained a straight face still. "I'll send your things to you later",he added.

A message popped on my phone. "The flowers and cake are ready," it read. "Who even cares about that anyway?" I muttered, still reeling from the shock of him pushing me out of the house. "I no longer need them". My hands trembled as I typed back a reply.

*****

I finally settled in a taxi going back to my father's with my purse and the envelope clutched in my hands. "My father's disapproving face flashed in my mind. He never supported my marriage to Brady.

"Thank you for the ride", I said to the driver as I was dropping from the taxi, but I saw my father outside with some men in black suits. I didn't hesitate. I quickened my steps to meet them, hoping nothing bad had happened, but he didn't wait for me to get there. He also took some steps towards me, and Lily, my younger sister, followed behind him.

"Good afte..." I didn't finish my sentence before a hot slap landed on my face, sending a searing pain across my cheek. "What have you done, Camelia?" My father thundered and shivers ran down my spine.

"You gave out our house as collateral!"

Camelia POV

"Are you Mrs. Camelia?" One of the men on black suits asked me. I shook my head trying to process the chaos before me. "No, I'm not..." I stammered, wincing as the pain from the slap radiated through my cheek. Remembering that I'd just been divorced, I corrected myself. "I'm Camelia."

'"Father, what's going on? What collateral are you talking about? And who are these men?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady.

"What do you mean by you're not Mrs Camelia"? He shunned at me, avoiding my questions. I felt a sting of shame but there was no need to hide it. "Brady divorced me" I broke the news, holding back my tears not to show any weakness.

"Divorce??" He screamed.

"You went against my advice and married that wretched being and now he has divorced you!"

"I'm sure you took out that loan for him, using my house as collateral"! He spat.

"Father," I muttered as my heart dropped. I wasn't expecting him to sympathise with me but at least he should have asked what happened.

"You can be useless alone!, but you won't drag me and your sister into your foolishness", he added.

"What loan?" I asked dumbfounded by my father's words and accusations.

"You would know very soon," he said, turning to the men in suits who have been watching our family vendetta.

"This is the person you've been waiting for". "You can do whatever you want with her", he said, handing me over like a possession. "Make sure she pays back every dime she has collected," he added, and "I sever any tie I have with you, until you pay back that money!"

"Are you disowning me, Father?" I asked him with my voice shaking.

"Don't call me that" he yelled, sending shivers down my spine.

"How can you do this?" I pleaded, my voice cracking. "Without even listening to my side of the story? Without even trying to understand?"

"I don't want to hear your lame excuses!' He growled. "I'm glad your mother isn't alive to see the shame you've brought upon our family" he said, turning his back at me.

The men in suits stepped forward, their eyes cold and unyielding. "Enter into this car!" one of them demanded showing me a way into a tinted luxurious car.

I dug my heels into the ground, refusing to budge. "I'm not going anywhere!" I spat, trying to shake off the men in suits who attempted to drag me towards the car. But I couldn't shake them off, they were too strong. They grabbed me, one on each arm, and pulled me inside the vehicle. I kicked and struggled, but they held me firm.

"What's going on?" I demanded, my voice hoarse with fear and confusion. "Nobody's explaining anything!". But nobody gave me a reply.

To my greatest surprise My father and Lily stood on the sidewalk, watching the scene unfold without doing anything . For a moment, I forgot about the divorce, the betrayal, and the heartbreak. All I could think about was the fact that my own family was abandoning me as the car screeched away from the curb, leaving my father and Lily in a cloud of dust. I sobbed uncontrollably, my body shaking with rage and fear.

"What is this all about?" I screamed at the men, but they just stared straight ahead. I tried to open the door, to make a desperate bid for freedom, but one of the men grabbed my hand and pulled it back. His grip was like a vice, and I cried out in pain.

The car sped through the streets until it finally came to a stop in front of a building. The men dragged me out, their hands still gripping my arms like steel cuffs.

I stumbled, my legs weak,as they finally freed my hands, I looked up at the building and the name read CHARLIE'S MORTGAGE & INVESTMENT.

"What do you want from me?" I spat, my voice echoing off the walls.

But there was no answer. Just the sound of the car driving away.

As they propelled me to move into the building, a message popped on my phone, I looked at the screen and it was Brady. I unlocked my phone with my heart racing in anticipation.

"I'm sure you didn't see that coming, Camelia," the message read.

My hands shook as I quickly opened the next message. It was a picture of a loan agreement, and my signature stared back at me like a betrayal.

"No, no, no," I whispered, my mind reeling with horror. And then, the final blow came: "Enjoy your time paying off the loan." The message was followed by a blocked notification.

It hit me like a ton of bricks: Brady had tricked me into collecting a loan. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. I wanted to scream, to rage against the world, but we were already inside the building.

I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself, but my mind was still reeling. "How could he do this to me?".

********

"Here she is," one of the men said to a fat, round man lounged in his chair, a smile spread across his face. "Is she the one we've been looking for?" he asked, standing up from the chair.

"Yes, sir," the man who had dragged me in replied, pushing me forward like a prisoner.

The round man's eyes lit up with excitement as he took a few steps towards me. "Young lady," he said, his voice low and menacing. "Do you have my money?"

I stood frozen, my heart pounding in my chest. I know exactly what is happening, and I know I was in grave danger. The round man's face turned red with rage. "Are you deaf?" he thundered, slamming his fist on the table, making me jump.

"Do you have my money?" He barked.

I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice. "N-no, sir," I stuttered, my body shaking like a leaf. "Not yet, sir."

His eyes flashed. "Not yet?" he repeated, his voice dripping with venom. "Do you know what I don't joke with?"

I shook my head, my eyes fixed on the floor.

"My money," he spat, "and my business." A voice chorused from the back.

"Uncle Charlie" the voice called out letting out a sarcastic laugh. What's funny? He asked, turning to the man.

A young man stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "I've told you to leave this line of business," he said.

"But you've refused. Do you have fun pestering people for your money?" He laughed again.

As the drama unfolded, I caught myself stealing glances at the young man's chiseled features, his well-trimmed beard, and his luxurious outfit. He was hot, and I couldn't deny the flutter in my chest.

"Camelia what are you thinking about?" I asked myself, jolting myself back to reality. I had to stay focused if I wanted to survive.

"It's fun seeing people make hasty decisions when they're in need," he sneered, "and then they're in a dilemma when it's time to pay back" he added, giving me a long stare.

"Stop standing there and sit!," he barked at me, pointing to a couch at the corner of the room. I sluggishly made my way over to the couch, my legs heavy with shame.

The fat, round man turned to him, his voice booming across the room, "Henry, what brings you here today?"

"You're yet to go through the documents I sent to your mail, Uncle Charlie," he said, his eyes locked onto the older man's.

"Father said I should seek your approval before releasing money for the building materials of the new shopping mall," Henry added.

"Ooh... that? Come into the office, let's talk" he said, leading Henry to the office. Henry's eye lingered on me for a moment before he turned to follow his uncle.

"But what's her story"? He whispered to him as they moved away. "Why are you interested in knowing her story?" His Uncle shunned back at him. "Let's focus on the task at hand," he added.

"How's Lydia?" He chirped in diverting Henry's attention from my situation and their voices faded as they entered the office.

*****

I took out my phone to call Brady again as I awaited my fate, but his number did not go through, a reminder that he has blocked me, I glanced around the unfamiliar environment and some group of men were at the end of the room stacking cash into a briefcase, while people bustled in and out of the room.

"How did I land myself in an unknown debt? I thought as chills went down my spine and how was I supposed to pay it off? I don't even have a job!

Just then the office door creaked open and uncle Charlie's voice drifted out. "Are you sure about this, Henry?".

"I have never been so sure in my life" he responded as the door closed behind them.

"That was a fast meeting" I muttered to myself, dabbing my tears with a crumpled tissue as my heart dropped, reminding me that we have to continue from where we left off.

But strangely, he walked away leaving me with Mr. Henry, before I could process what was happening, Mr Henry's voice cut through the silence sending chills down my spine.

"Marry me and I'll clear your debt".

I swallowed hard to find my voice. "What?" I asked my voice barely above a whisper. "Are... you talking to me" I stuttered as I stood up from the couch where I was sitting.

But he took a step forward covering the gap between us.

"You heard me correctly, Camelia".

"Marry me, Camelia, and I'll clear your debt."

Henry's POV

"You won't walk out on me!". My mother Mrs Raymond screamed, I've always called her that, I literally grew up without her, and now she wants to force a marriage I don't want down my throat!.

"I'll get to make that decision, I don't know what relationship you're trying to create between both families but I'm not getting married to Lydia" and "that's final!" I uttered walking out on her.

"Henry! Stop right there". she barked but I kept walking to the door.

"How's the search going?" I asked Gabriel, my personal assistant, as I stepped out of the house.

"None that fits your description sir" he replied, opening the car door.

"What exactly have you been doing Gabriel?"

"You know what? just get me any girl, any one at all, that I can use to escape Mrs Raymond claws." "And be fast about it!" I snapped, settling inside one of my luxurious cars.

"Alright sir" he replied, shutting the car door.

I drummed my fingers on the armrest, my mind racing with impatience. "I wonder why Gabriel hasn't found anyone yet," I muttered, raking my hand through my hair.

Gabriel began explaining our destination, "We are headed to your uncle's office for the".... "Just drive," I replied , cutting him off.

****

Here I was at my uncle's office with an opportunity providing itself "a way to get off Mrs Raymond claws". With this brief history I was convinced this was my way out. It's shameful that her husband left her after she took out a loan for him. But I didn't care.

"Uncle Charlie, can you let her go?" I muttered. "Let her go?" He repeated.

"Do you think I am running a charity organisation here? He snapped. "I'll collect every penny from her including the interest" he scoffed. "And why would you even suggest that Henry?" He asked, giving me a long stare.

I didn't give him a response. I know it was a bad idea asking him to do such, he wouldn't let his money go just like that. "I wonder why my father is still running business deals with him" I whispered in a way that he wouldn't hear me.

I took out my phone and called Gabriel.

"Hello sir" he answered, his voice crisp and alert.

"Yes Gabriel", I said with a firm tone.

"I need information about Camelia Roy. I want to know about her family, her education, her past relationships- every detail, no matter how insignificant."

" I want it before the day ends" I emphasized with my eyes locked on Uncle Charlie's curious face.

"Okay sir", he replied "and you can stop with your search", I added before hanging up.

"What are you doing with her personal information?" Uncle Charlie asked, his eye brow furrowed in concern.

I couldn't think of anything, more than offering her a proposal. She was in desperate need and I knew she needed help.

"Who would turn down such an offer?"I thought.

"Uncle Charlie, I want to pay Camelia's debt." I uttered.

What?? He snapped. " Why would you want to help someone that you don't even know?".

"She has something I need," I replied .

His eyes widened in shock. "Something you need?," he repeated. I could tell he was trying to understand what I was saying. But I wasn't going to mention my true intentions to him.

"Are you serious about paying off her debt, Henry?" He asked.

"Yes I am, Can you keep this away from the family for now?" I urged him since he is known for having a big mouth.

"At least till I tell them myself?"

Does she know?" he asked, his gaze piercing. "About your family's empire? The corporations, the wealth...?".

I know I had to shut him up by sweetening the deal, "I'll give you more money". I chipped in, and I watched his lips grin from side to side. I know how much he loved money "more like an obsession".

"Of course" he replied, "anything for you my dearest nephew" he replied rubbing his hands together. "So when would you make the payment?" he asked glaringly.

"You have nothing to worry about uncle, it's just five hundred thousand dollars, I'll have my accountant make the transfer" I answered him. "I trust you" he said smiling sheepishly as he hummed out of the office and I followed behind him.

Camelia's POV

"Marry you?" I repeated, my voice shaking and tears pricking at the corners of my eyes.

"Did your uncle sell me out to you?" I demanded, "Was I looking that desperate?" I sighed, taking a look at myself.

He remained calm, but I sensed some kind of feeling from his face- amusement, perhaps, or even sympathy. "It's going to be a contract, Miss Camelia," he explained, his voice low and soothing. "A contract that would benefit us both."

" This had to be some kind of sick joke"! I shrieked, staring at him in disbelief. My life had been a rollercoaster lately, but this was the most shocking twist of all. "I'm not some damsel in distress who's going to jump at the first offer that comes her way!" " I snapped, salvaging the rest of my pride. But deep down I knew I needed rescuing.

"Mr Henry" I could already tell his name "What do you know about me?" I said with my voice rising.

Not much," he admitted, "but with what I know, I'm sure I'm your last bet Miss Camelia".

His words cut deep like a knife, but he wasn't wrong. I was desperate, and he knew it.

They were a few eyes watching but I doubt they knew the content of our conversation, but I didn't care!.

I turned to leave, without giving his proposal any thought, but my feet faltered at the door. "Go where?" There was nowhere left to run.

Panic set in, and my heart began racing with memories of my struggles flooding my mind,

How could I even consider marrying a stranger just to pay off a debt that wasn't even mine? The thought was crazy, yet..."This maybe my only way out"

I hesitated, with my hand on the door handle leaving me with my last option. I turned to face Henry, my eyes searching for any sign of deceit, but all I saw was a calm man.

I would accept his proposal, i just want to get out of this mess, I said walking to where he was. I could feel the weight of my decision settling in. My heart racing, I stopped in front of him, my eyes locked on his.

"I'll do it," I said. "I'll be your fake wife."

Very good, Camelia." he said as his lips curled up in a smile. "I'll have my assistant bring the papers," he muttered, signaling a thumb snap to a young man standing by the door.I watched as the man dashed out.

You don't have to panic, Miss Camelia. "I only want to avoid a marriage and the lady in question..." he paused, "there'll be no emotions attached" he continued, it's purely business "he smirked.

"You only have to act as my wife for a year till I'm off Mrs Raymond claws". He added adjusting his wristwatch. "If you play your role really well I'll pay you off with any amount you want," he added.

It was obvious that he is rich, but who is Mrs Raymond?...."I thought".

The man that dashed out came running with some papers. "Thank you Gabriel," he said, collecting the papers from him.

"Go through the contract," he said, handing me the papers.

The contract was just as he explained.... "No feelings attached, No kids, No physical contact except in dire situations". Chills ran down my spine as I picked up the pen, my hand trembling slightly as I signed my name. I was divorced a while ago and now I'm in a fake marriage "can life be any cruel"?.

"What's next?" I asked him as he took the contract with his eyes gleaming.

"Call me tomorrow," he said, giving me a paper with his number scribbled on it. "I'll have Gabriel pick you up and drop you at home".

"Home" the word felt new again. I nodded, taking the paper from him. "Why did he give me a paper and not a card?" I thought, maybe he wasn't with any I concluded.

I'll take my leave now, Miss Camelia," he murmured, breaking into my thoughts.

As I watched him walk away, a sudden realization struck me.

"Mr. Henry!" I called out, my voice tingling with desperation.

He paused, turning back to face me..

"I was wondering...if it's possible...could I get somewhere to stay tonight?" I stuttered, my eyes fixed on the floor as I nervously fidgeted with my fingers.

"Gabriel would sort that out. Make sure you get a comfortable place for her to stay", he replied without giving it any thought.

"Right away sir," Gabriel replied.

Madame, please follow me," he said, bowing slightly".

"You can go with him," he said. "He is my personal assistant and also a friend," he concluded.

I tried walking but my legs felt weak and feeble, refusing to budge. The room started spinning, and colors blurring together in a whirl. Everywhere suddenly became dark, and I could only hear voice echoes from a distance which made my head spin. I stumbled, my knees buckling beneath me, and I felt myself collapsing to the ground.

"Camelia! Camelia!" Henry's voice echoed from afar, running towards me. I tried to respond, but my voice was trapped in my throat. My eyelids fluttered, and then finally, they shut out.