CONTRACTED TO THE BILLIONAIRE.

My marriage was a huge failure. Well, what did I expect? It was an arranged marriage after all. Usually, nothing good ever comes out of an arranged marriage. Just pain, frustration, despicable stares from people around, and miserable life.

This miserable life was assigned to me by my parents.We were well-off. Riches were underestimation. We were loaded; we had virtually everything in the world.

Regardless of that, it appeared that mum and dad were not satisfied with that. They craved the whole world for themselves. My parents were what I could call insatiable individuals if those words even sounded good enough to assess them.

My name is Jasmine Nova Hill and I'm 28 years old. When I was little, I never really enjoyed quality time with my parents. They were either busy with work or I don't know. I spent most of my time with babysitters who took good care of me; more than my parents ever would.

It was not long before they chose to drop me off with dad's parents. Mum's parents were dead long before I was born so I don't know them.I was only 6 when they dropped me off at Nana's and Papa's place and they seldom came to visit. I lived with my grandparents and spent time with them more than I ever did with my parents.

Nana and Papa cared for me better than my parents ever did. My parents were never there for my birthdays. Rather, they would bring a gift two months after my birthday. Multiple times, they'd simply deliver it through the driver or a secretary.

Papa and Nana never made me feel the rejection of my so called 'dear parents'. They made me feel loved and accepted. They treated like I was their own kid and I must say at some point, I saw them as my birth parents.

They told me every single day that my parents loved me so much and were busy working so they could give me all the good things I desired but I knew they were just saying all that so I would not grow up to despise my parents.

An awful incident happened when I was 16. Papa left us. He died in his sleep. Nana and I wept so much our eyes almost jumped out of its sockets, especially on the day of his cremation.

Few months later, Nana left me too. I was miserable and wept so much I felt my eyeballs would fall out. It was not until after Nana's funeral that mum and dad chose to take me back in.

Now after forsaking me all these years, they come back now thinking they could do as they liked with me by making me walk down the aisle with the most arrogant, cruel, man I've ever heard of. Sebastian James Kings.

They want me to tie the knot with Sebastian just because they want to be in coalition with his parents, who were business moguls.

Like I said before, mum and dad wanted more fortune for themselves so they are ready to do everything and anything they could to have the whole world, if that was even possible. That included marrying me off to a total stranger.

"Mum, Dad, do you realize that we don't even know these people except for what we read about them on the tabloids.

They could be drug lords or something way dangerous than that for all we know. Besides I don't know or love this man in question and yet you just want to marry me off to him", I ranted when they told me.

"Well, it's not like you are in a relationship in someone else at the moment and even if you are in a relationship, you have no choice because this could be a tremendous breakthrough for our family.

This could be our chance of becoming multibillionaires, child", her father replied.

"So you prefer to swap your child with money so you could be a multimillionaire, Dad. I used to think you were frugal but now I know you're not only frugal but callous as well.

I shouldn't be amazed. You and mum have never liked me; you've always chased wealth and prestige and you never even remembered that you have a child. I'm not going to sit back and watch myself get married to that man. I might just escape", I said.

"You wouldn't dare. If you do just that then you do not wish to continue being my daughter", my father replied.

.

"You heard me correctly. If you choose not to get married to Sebastian then I'd have to repudiate you as my daughter. If you won't help our family become a multimillionaire family, then you have no purpose to remain here under my roof", Dad announced.

I couldn't believe what I was listening to. My own father would waste no time in repudiating me if I refused to get married to someone I don't even know or love. I couldn't say anything else because I was so pissed so I stomped off to my room. I wasn't going to agree to my parents wish without a fight.

I recalled that throughout the whole time dad and I were contending, Mum just sat there tapping and swiping on the screen of her phone profusely, probably attending to some issues pertaining to business.

I have always thought perhaps mum and dad didn't hate me; they were just busy with the company like Nana and Papa always told me and now this has proven to me that they were wrong all along.

I would rather leave the house than get married to that man. For days, dad didn't talk about the topic of marriage and neither did I.

I pretended that day didn't actually happen. It continued until one day, I came back from work to meet some visitors at our house. Dad and mum were all smiles while discussing to the visitors and when they finally caught sight of me, dad and mum walked up to me with phony smiles on their faces.

"Jasmine darling, we were just talking about you. Sebastian and his parents are here to meet you and begin preparations for the wedding", mum said, gaily.

I've never seen mum so joyful, however I knew it was all but a phony. Wait, what? I think I heard 'wedding' and 'preparations in the same sentence.'

"Who is getting married?"" I questioned, playing dumb.

My parents hurled death glares at me and turned with radiant smiles on their faces to the guests."Oh please, don't mind my daughter. She loves to tease around and besides she's still in surprised that she would be getting married soon", dad, replied.

Dad twirled around to face me and with a soft, but threatening voice, he said, "Don't you dare humiliate me now". Mum and dad dragged me towards the guests and I could see Sebastian and his parents.

This was the first time I was seeing them in person. All I've seen were their pictures on the internet and tabloids. Well, I must admit, he looks really attractive but then again I guess his attitudes are just as awful as the tabloids say they are.

His mum walked up to me and embraced me so tight I thought I was going to run out of breath and die. She released me from her tight grip.

"She's so beautiful", she announced, turning her husband now, who simply nodded his head. He seemed less interested in whatever was going on.

I simply smiled at her, not wanting to seem rude. Through the corner of my eyes, I peeked at Sebastian. He was on his phone, just tapping, scrolling, and swiping. He looked like he was compelled to do this marriage thing too.

He had the same facial expression as his father. Unconcerned. Irritated. In a hurry to leave this place."Bro, I'm in a hurry to leave this place as well", I thought.

I glanced back at his mother who was staring at me like I was a gold medal she had just won. This was beginning to feel absurd. What if I was right? What if she's into trade of poor girls like myself and now is thinking of how to sail me off to Africa as a prostitute or something? The smile on her face was so adorable and contagious but I didn't know what's going on in her head.

"Anyways, since you've signed the contract, the wedding will take place in two weeks. You don't have to worry about wedding arrangements. We have settled everything, including her wedding dress", she turned to my parents, who had bright smiles on their faces. They looked like they've just won a lottery.

While I on the other end couldn't believe that I was going to get married to a stranger in two weeks' time. I heard Sebastian's mother talk about a contract. I guess I'll have to ask 'my parents' what she was talking about.

Plus, I vividly remember telling dad that I would be getting married to nobody. Not Sebastian. Not somebody I wasn't in love with.

After the formalities, the Kings' left our house. Then I spun to face my parents cos we really needed to discuss about that contract they had just signed.

"So mum, dad, first of all, I really don't understand why the Kings' were at our house. I certainly remember that I told you I wasn't getting married to Sebastian. Also, I heard you signed a contract, is that something I should worry about?" I mentioned.

"They were here to finalize your wedding because the contract we just signed was to seal the deal of partnership we had with them. We signed the contract because we were afraid you'd run away after you strongly refused to get married to their son", mum uttered, for the first time since this matter rose up.

""Mum, dad, do you both understand what you've just done? You just sold me off to the Kings", I cried out.

"Don't be ridiculous, child. We just became multibillionaires. We are rich!!!"" dad exclaimed, laughing alongside mum.

My chest started aching. My head was spinning. My eyes were getting moist. My own parents just sold me off and here I was terrified that Mrs King was a bad person meanwhile my parents were too. Indirectly.

I stomped to my room and sat on my bed. Those words kept haunting me.

"Anyways, since you've signed the contract, the wedding will take place in two weeks".

"They were here to finalize your wedding".

"We just became multi billionaires. We are rich!!!""

"Arrrrrrrrrrgh", I screamed out in frustration. I started thrashing things around my room. I was beyond upset. I was mad at my parents. I felt like a commodity in the mall that had just being sold off.

Hot tears began to pour down my cheeks. I closed my eyes and cried out the resentment I felt within. My parents just sold me off. That truth is gonna hurt forever.

I lay on my bed in stillness and just stared at nothing in particular. Looks like I am bound to get married to Sebastian anyways. I thought over the hell my life was going to be when I get married to him. I would have to suffer in silence, with no one to rescue me.

The supposed day came and I was in a room staring at the mirror in front of me. I was dressed in a white ball-gown wedding dress and a veil was resting on my head.

My face had been padded up with various cosmetic products, some of which I've never heard of. I was looking glamorous on the outside however on the inside, my soul was shattered. I was unhappy and scared at the same time. Unhappy to be getting married to someone I do not love and scared about what would happen after we say I do.

I was ruminating over what my new life will be when I heard the door open. I looked up to see the man I was going to be married to in a few minutes. I wondered why he was here but since he came here to see me privately, it must be something important.

Maybe he came to tell me the wedding has been cancelled.

"I won't waste your time. I came here to inform you on what you should not expect from this marriage.

Don't expect love because this is not a love marriage to begin with. Don't expect that we'd become close or get familiar with each other. I'll give you a list of the rules and regulations later after the wedding", he said and stomped out before I could realize what was going on.

I blinked twice at the door he had just walked through. I haven't even said 'I do' and he has already making life difficult for me and has already told me what I should be expecting.

Should I just run off? If I did, mum and dad or even the Kings' would hunt me down. I sighed and buried my face between my palms of my hands.

The door opened again and I looked up to see what more he wanted to say but I came face to face with someone else.

It was Javier himself who had just walked through that door and towards me. I was astounded and was expecting him to converse with me in the very same manner his son did.

"Sorry I walked in without your approval. I have been knocking on the door for a while and when I got no answer, I let myself in", he said.

"No, it's ok. I hope there isn't a problem sir", I replied.

"No, I just wanted to talk to you and give you a few advises before walking down the aisle with my son", he replied.

"Sure, no problem", I replied, expecting him to taunt me.

"I want to apologize for whatever you might go through after you get married to Sebastian. He may seem brutal, tenacious and cold sometimes but then again I believe he has a good heart.

He had a brawl with his mum over this arranged marriage and I know he's going to make life a living nightmare for you and that is why I've come to ask for forgiveness on his behalf.

I see you're a good woman and I guess that's what my wife saw too. We were both tired of his wild lifestyle and that was why we chose you for our son", he spoke.

I was obviously shocked.

I thought he didn't like me. I felt wetness on my cheeks and when I touched it, I saw tears. I didn't even realize that I had been crying. "Oh come on, don't cry my dear. If there's anything you need, you can meet my wife and me", he added.

"Ok sir. Thank you", I replied.

"Oh please, you can call me dad", he mentioned, with a smile.

"And you can call me mum", a feminine voice said and I turned to see who had spoken. I turned to face the door to find Sebastian's mum standing just in front of the door.

I didn't even hear the door open. She walked in and had a bright smile on her face. I felt relaxed at once and thought, 'even if I am marrying a bad man, I'll get to have good in-laws'. That was a consolation.

My face lit up and I had a little hope within me. She pulled me to herself and held me in a cosy embrace.

"I'm sorry dear. I might have messed up your life because of my selfish intentions for my son and I also know this is not the kind of marriage you've dreamt of having but I'll be here whenever you need me", she guaranteed. She pulled out of the hug and continued.

"It's time to get you married. You look beautiful in your gown by the way dear. We better move on, we'll send in your father so he can walk you down the aisle", Naomi uttered.

They both walked out of the room, hand in hand, looking so beautiful together and happy to be with each other. That was the kind of thing I wanted to experience but I could never have it now.

I dried my tears with a hankie on the table in front of me and luckily my makeup didn't smudge. Thank God the makeup was waterproof; otherwise, the makeup artist would have my head.

He spent 2 hours trying to make my face look perfect. I waited for dad to come and walk me down the aisle. Not like I wanted him to after what he did to me; I guess that's just how it's supposed to be done at weddings. Otherwise, I'd have walked myself down the aisle.

Minutes later, he actually walked through that door. He beamed when he saw me.

"My beautiful daughter is getting married. Come let me walk you down the aisle", he said, reaching his hand for mine.

I was still mad at him and mum. They acted like they did nothing wrong and expect me to pretend too. I'll never forgive them for as long as I live.

After saying 'I do', I'm cutting off my ties with them. They cease to become my parents the minute that ring enters my finger.

I stood, ignoring his outstretched hand. I stepped out of the room but heard his footsteps behind me. I stood at the giant door dad and I will walk through. Soon, he stood beside me. My heart was thumping hard in my chest. My palms were beginning to feel sweaty and shaky.

The music came on and the huge doors before me began to open up slowly and dad connected his hand with mine. We started walking down the aisle in slow motion, following the beats of the music playing.

The congregation all turned back, staring at the bride, which turns out to be me.

We finally got to the altar and he left me there with Sebastian who looked uninterested in all that was going on, obviously.

The music stopped playing and the priest faced the congregation and spoke.

"We've assembled here this glorious morning to witness the union of Sebastian James King and Jasmine Nova Hills in holy matrimony. Where are the rings?" the priest inquired.

Sebastian's best man and possibly his best friend came forward and presented the box of rings to the priest. The priest told the both of us to each take one ring. I took a ring and so did Sebastian.

"Do you Jasmine take Sebastian to be your lawfully wedded husband? In sickness and in health? In riches and poverty? Till death do you part?"

I looked towards my parents who were bobbing their heads frantically. I rolled my eyes a little and looked towards Sebastian's parents. They both stared at me, as if begging with their eyes for me to say yes.

Poor desperate parents, I thought. I turned back to face the priest and with a heavy heart I responded, 'I do'. I slipped the ring into Sebastian's ring finger.

The priest turned to Sebastian and asked, "Do you Sebastian take Jasmine to be your lawfully wedded wife? In sickness and in health? In riches and poverty? Till death do you part?"

With a bored tone, he replied, "I do". He also slipped the ring into my ring finger, a little too rough. Does he want to cut off my finger? I thought. Bro, I don't want this marriage too.

"Is there anyone seated here that doesn't want this two to be joined in holy matrimony? Speak now or forever remain silent", the priest asked.

I really wished at this point that a lady would stand up and tell the congregation that she is pregnant with Sebastian's child. That could free me from this bondage, I guess.

No matter how long I waited, no one was going to have a reason to stop this wedding. This truth angered me.

"If there's no one, I hereby pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride", the priest said with a smile.

Only if he knew the real story behind this, he would know this is not a thing of joy for me at all and probably wouldn't have conducted this wedding.

The wedding ceremony ended and we headed to the reception. I really wasn't in the mood for any partying but I didn't want to offend the Kings'. I was surprised to see my best friend and colleagues from work at the wedding because I didn't invite them. Well, I couldn't because I didn't see it as a thing to be commemorated.

Soon, it was time when the bride and groom dance; we danced for only a few minutes. Sebastian told the guests he was feeling a little sick. The party continued as more people flooded the dance floor.

I knew Sebastian didn't want to dance with me so he made up an excuse. Like I want to dance with you too, I thought sarcastically.

Few hours later, people began to leave after wishing us a happy life together. Like that was going to ever happen, I thought.

Before the last batch of people could leave, my parents and Sebastian's parents walked us to a Mercedes-Benz Maybach that would be taking us to the house we would be living in together.

A tear tinted my cheeks and I quickly wiped it off so no one would see it.

After the pleasantries, we got into the car and the driver drove away. The faster the car drove, the faster my heart kept banging.

Welcome to one hell of a marriage, I said to myself. I noticed Sebastian was on his phone doing only God knows what.

I was bored out of myself throughout the ride. We've being riding for what seemed like hours and this was like a trip with no end. Soon, I noticed that the car was slowly coming to a stop.

Finally, I thought. I looked out the window and saw a gigantic gate, opening on its own accord. Wow, this was remarkable! The driver started driving again for what felt like minutes.

There were beautiful trees along both sides of the narrow path as we drove on the concreted road. I was so lost in the beauty of the environment around me that I didn't realize the car had come to a halt.

It was until I heard the door on the other side opening and closing. I looked around and saw that the vehicle had halted. I opened the car door and climbed out of the car.

There was a huge and grand building before me. This was where I would be living now? I'm beginning to like this place already.

I saw Sebastian already walking into the house. Rude much, I said under my breath.

I hurried after him because he was walking too fast.

Then I remembered my bags inside the car. Sebastian's mum told me during the party that my parents had already brought my belongings and that my car was already parked at Sebastian's mansion.

I ran back to fetch them but the driver who looked like he was in his late 20's smiled carefully at me and said,

"Do not worry about your bags, Mrs King. The maids will bring it up for you".

"OK thanks and please just call me Jasmine.

Mrs King makes me feel too old", I said, smiling back at him.

I turned back and walked into the house. Oh my God! The living room was so big. It was like 10 times the one we had at my parents' house.

I wonder how massive the bedrooms and kitchen would be. I was just mesmerized by the things I was seeing.

"Would you keep looking around the place or would you let me show you to your room?" I heard a cold, disgruntled voice behind me.

I turned to the direction I heard the voice. He was standing upstairs, looking down at me with icy eyes and a stony look.

"My room?" I thought."Were you expecting us to sleep in the same room?" he asked with sarcastic tone.Oops, I think I said that out loud, I thought."Will you keep standing there or would you follow me?" he questioned, agitated.

I strolled towards him, climbing the stairs slowly until I reached the top. I walked up to him and he pointed towards the door behind us.

"That is your room. You shouldn't come into my room except I call for you which would never happen. There in your room, you'll see a folder on the table.

It entails of the rules and regulations you must abide by if you do not want to get me upset and attract penalties to yourself", he said."Read it carefully, word for word, line by line", he showed.

After he had said all he wanted to, he walked away and entered a room next door. I sighed and walked to the door he has just shown me. I got in and was wowed by the interior of bedroom.

The walls were painted white. There was a chest drawer on the left, a vanity table and a huge bed. The bed was big enough for two or three people. There was a bedside table too. The creamy coloured drapes made the glamour of the room more apparent. There was a door in the room which I assumed to be the built-in bathroom.

I looked at the table and true to his words; there was an orange folder on the table with "RULES AND REGULATIONS" boldly inscribed on it.

Obvious much. I opened the folder and a paper fell out of it. I bent down and picked it up. I began to read what was written down in it and I must say it was silly.

"These are the rules and regulations you should follow while you're living in this house:

You mustn't go into my room or my home office for any reason whatsoever.

You must not go into my library without my approval first.

Whatever happens in this house must stay in this house. That means, do not tell my parents or yours.You do not have the right to question me.

Don't question my actions. You're free to do whatever you want just don't do the things I say you shouldn't do.You must not hold a private party here if I don't approve of it. This will do for now but if they're anymore, I'd inform you of it.

I was overly shocked after reading the so called rules and regulations. This was worse than being locked up in a prison. I kept the paper back into the folder and sat on the chair in front of the table.

Well, if I just follow those rules, I should be able to live peacefully. I'm grateful we have separate rooms at least he'd mind his business and I'd mind mine. I'll just stay out of his way. It's for the best. I can do that; it's so much better this way.