Contract With Mr Billionaire

Tears pricked at the corner of Lauren's eyes and the phone she was holding fell to the ground. "W-what did you just say, Asher?" Lauren asked, her lips trembling.

"Lauren, I know you heard me. it's over between us," Asher stated coldly as his piercing green orbs bore into Lauren's blue ones. He wrapped his arm around the waist of the lady next to him and pulled her in for a hug. "I'm in love with Lisa now, and I plan on making her my wife."

Lauren was stunned and she held the wall for support. At that moment, it felt like her heart had shattered into a million pieces as the words from her boyfriend pierced her heart like a sword.

Lauren swallowed painfully, trying to mask her hurt. "A-asher, this has to be a joke, right? You can't possibly be having an affair with my sister, right?" Lauren asked, disbelief laced in her tone. She then turned to face the lady standing next to Asher and she asked. "L-lisa, this is a prank right?"

"Oh no sis, this is no joke. I am Asher's girlfriend now, and you have to deal with it," Lisa said before flashing a victorious smile at Lauren. She then leaned on Asher's chest and began rubbing it seductively.

Lauren sniffled as tears threatened to burst out from her eyes, but she held them back in. Her gaze darted from Asher's face to the hand rubbing Asher's chest and then back to Asher's face. "W-why? What did I do wrong Asher?"

Asher shrugged, his face remained stoic. "I owe you no explanation Lauren. Just accept the fact that I love Lisa now and that I want nothing to do with you anymore."

Lauren bit the bottom of her lip, masking her pain as she tried to convince herself that Asher was lying to her. There was just no way Asher didn't love her; his words had to be a lie.

She clenched her fist as she sucked in cold air before walking towards Asher, who stood in the middle of his office, and then grabbed his hand tenderly. "I'm sorry Asher, but none of this makes sense to me. I know, and I can swear with my life that you love me, so please stop with this joke-" Lauren's voice betrayed her as it trailed off.

"Stop it Lauren! Just stop it!" Asher barked as he yanked his hand free from Lauren's grip. "Why can't you understand that I don't love you anymore?! Just deal with it! We're over and that is final!

The tears Lauren tried hard to hold burst out from her eyes and she fell to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. Her lips quivered and she trembled uncontrollably on the floor. She couldn't believe that Asher was breaking up with her, he truly didn't love her anymore.

Lauren sniffed a snot before she turned to face her sister who had an amused look on her face. "Lisa, how could you do this to me? What have I ever done to you to deserve this? Wh-"

"Oh shut up Lauren. It's not my fault that Asher doesn't love you anymore! You should be grateful that he fell in love with me and not some random bitch," Lisa sneered. She grabbed a tissue from her purse and threw it on Lauren's face. "Instead of crying and making a fool out of yourself, you should be thanking the heavens that the man you love ended up with me; it's the next best thing to being with you." Lisa finished before she let out a mocking laugh.

There was a hint of guilt and pain in Asher's expression after hearing what Lisa had said, but he quickly masked it with a frown. He noticed Lauren was about to speak but he cut her off in a cold cold voice. "Lauren, you have to leave now. I have things to attend to."

"B-but."

"Leave!!" Asher yelled, and Lauren jolted back. She was taken aback, wondering where the caring and loving guy she fell in love with went. It was unlike Asher to yell at her, but he did it twice for the first time that day.

When it finally dawned on Lauren that the man standing before her wasn't the man she fell in love with, she got up from the floor, grabbed her phone, and then ran out of Asher's office.

The moment Lauren reached her car, she broke down in tears. Her cries grew louder and stronger, pouring out from her eyes like a stream. With her eyes closed tightly, she slumped against the headrest, cursing her fate as she cried.

After a while, Lauren wiped off her tears with the back of her palm. "What a shame," Her raspy voice came as she cleaned her nose. How dumb was she to think Asher was different from other men? She should have known better; all men were the same; they were cheaters and liars.

"B-but why? I believed Asher was different!" Lauren wailed as she thought back to the time she met Asher.

Lauren and Asher met at the beach three years ago for the first time and it was love at first sight. Asher didn't waste time to ask Lauren out, and since then, they began dating; their love grew stronger with each passing day. Lauren loved Asher so much and she thought Asher felt the same way.

Earlier, when Lauren got a call from Asher to come to his company, she happily took permission from her boss and then drove down to his company, thinking that he wanted to surprise her with gifts like he normally did on a good day. Never in her life would she have imagined that Asher wanted to break up with her. Guess he planned a different type of surprise for her this time around.

Lauren quickly wiped the tears rolling from her face with her hand when her phone began ringing. It was her boss calling. "Come to my office now!"

In less than twenty minutes, Lauren arrived at the company where she worked. Her eyes were still red and puffy from crying too much but she ignored it as she sprinted towards her boss's office.

Lauren knocked on the door twice before she twisted the door knob and then walked into the office. "Good afternoon sir." She greeted as she bowed in respect.

The middle-aged man seated behind his desk studied Lauren intently, his eyes cold and emotionless. "Here." The man let out as he pushed a brown envelope towards Lauren.

Lauren bowed again before she walked towards her boss and then grabbed the envelope from his table. Before Lauren could check what was inside the envelope, she heard her boss say,

"That is your sack letter Miss Lauren. Please clear your desk as soon as possible and send the keys to the secretary," Lauren's boss, Mr. Collins, stated in a firm tone.

For a moment, Lauren remained frozen in shock, unable to comprehend what her boss had just said. She thought she didn't hear right, so she asked, "S-sir, what did you just say?"

"How dare you question me!". Mr. Collins

barked as he slammed his hand on the table. "I said that's your sack later Lauren! Pack your things and get out!"

Lauren was still too stunned to move as her mind was racing with different thoughts, wondering what the hell was going on. When it finally sunk in that she was getting fired, she fell on her knees. "Sir please don't fire me! I promise I'll work harder!" She pleaded desperately.

Mr. Collins' eyes turned dark as he let out a displeased growl. "Lauren, don't make me call the security on you! Get out now before I lose my temper!".

"S-sir-"

"Get out!!"

Lauren's mouth hung open, as she struggled to form words. She had a lot of questions to ask Mr. Collins, but she didn't know where to start. Besides, he was very angry and looked like he would harm her if she didn't leave his office soon. She got up, bowed before him, and left his office.

Lauren ran towards her car and then broke into tears. Why all of a sudden?! Why did she have to lose her job? Why did fate choose to play a cruel game on her? What had she done to deserve this?

"It's been barely forty-eight hours since I got this job," Lauren's hoarse voice rang out as she thought aloud. She could still remember how Mr. Collins had complimented her so much on her first day of work, stating she embodied the ideal candidate the company sought. If he thought that way, why then did he fire her?

Lauren looked down at the envelope which was already soaked with her tears. Her eyes turned dark with rage and she began ripping it apart, cursing herself and her ill fate. She couldn't believe she lost the man she loved and then her job on the same day.

Lauren continued sobbing in her car for hours until her phone started ringing. At first, she ignored it as she thought it would only bear bad news like every call she had answered that day. However, the call became nonstop, and she was forced to pick it up.

"Lauren, you have to come now, your father needs you!"

In less than an hour, Lauren arrived at the address of the hospital her stepmother sent to her. She asked for directions from the receptionist before she ran towards the elevator leading to the VIP room upstairs.

Lauren noticed the elevator doors were about to close as someone had just entered. She quickly used her hand to stop it before she squeezed herself into the elevator.

"Wow sis, you made it, I thought you would have already died from heartbreak on the road."

Lauren's hands tightened into fists as she drew in a sharp breath. She recognized the voice to be Lisa's but she chose to ignore it as she focused her gaze ahead. Her father was more important to her at that moment.

"You bitch, how dare you ignore me?!" Lisa spat as she dragged Lauren's hair from behind. She spun Lauren around and sent a hard slap across her face, "Do you have a death wish?!"

Lisa raised her hand to slap Lauren again, but Lauren caught her hand mid-air and held it firm, her eyes blazing with fury as she yelled. " What is wrong with you Lisa?! Why are you always trying to get on my last nerves?! What have I ever done to you?!

"Everything Lauren! You've done everything to me! Your existence in this world is my biggest nightmare, and I hate it! I hate you Lauren! I hate that you exist in this world!" Lisa spat as she jerked her hand free from Lauren's grip. Her eyes were bloodshot, filled with rage and hatred as they bore into Lauren's blue ones.

"Lauren, you've always gotten everything you wanted since the day you were born. You were able to make handsome guys cower at your feet, and you got love and attention from everyone in the neighborhood and school, even from strangers! You've got everything, Lauren - beauty, brains, and Dad's love. I've got nothing." Lisa's voice broke at the end as tears rolled down her cheek but she quickly used her hand to wipe off her tears as she didn't want Lauren to see her vulnerable. "Lauren, as long as you're alive, I'll continue to make your life miserable."

Many years ago, it was just Lauren and her loving parents, Mrs. Rose and Mr. Tate, but tragedy struck and her mother passed away, instantly shattering their happy family. Overwhelmed by grief, Mr. Tate transformed from a devoted father to a late-night bar hopper.

Eventually, Mr. Tate found his footing again but he became consumed by work. Even though Mr. Tate barely had enough time for Lauren, Lauren was still happy- her dad was okay and that was all that mattered. However, years later, Mrs. Celine arrived with two-year-old Lisa, claiming Mr. Tate was the father. The child was conceived during a drunken one-night stand. Despite this, Mr. Tate took responsibility and provided for them financially, but his love and care remained invested in Lauren.

Lisa made to walk out of the elevator but she flashed a smirk at Lauren before she added. "Oh, and in case you don't know, I'm the reason you got fired today. Oh my! You don't know how many times I had to sleep with that old fool to get him to fire you." Lisa confessed before she walked out of the elevator, leaving Lauren shocked and confused. She couldn't believe Lisa would stoop so low to hurt her. It took Lauren a while before she got herself back together and ran out of the elevator.

Lauren cleaned her tear-stained cheeks before she opened the door to the VIP room and then walked in. Lisa was already seated next to her father, shedding tears, as well as Mrs Celine, Lauren's stepmother. For some reason, Lauren felt like her stepmother was shedding fake tears, but she ignored it and walked toward her father, who was barely conscious.

"L-Lauren," Mr. Tate let out as he grabbed Lauren's hand into his. He held her hand so tenderly and pulled her in for a warm hug. A deep sigh left his mouth as he relished in the hug.

This scene hurt Lisa so much because she had tried to hug her father a while ago but he said he was too weak to accept any hugs.

Meanwhile, Mrs Celine had a disgusted look on her face as she watched the father and daughter duo hug. She hated the sight so much that she wished she could rip Lauren's head out. Instead, she walked towards Lauren and gently pulled her from her father's embrace. "Lauren darling, that's enough hugs; your father is still too weak."

Lauren growled in displeasure but she pulled out from the hug. She then turned to face Mrs Celine and whispered. "Don't you dare touch me next time."

Lauren opened her mouth to speak again but her father interrupted, clearing his throat before starting. "Lauren, I called you here because I have something important to discuss with you!"

"W-what is it father?" Lauren asked in a soft tone but her heart was racing. She couldn't shake off the feeling that she wasn't going to like what her father would say.

"Lauren, my company has gone bankrupt, and we're in so much debt right now." Mr. Tate voiced, his face pale and gaunt.

"What! How!!" Lauren yelled as she stood on her feet. She was beyond shocked.

Mr. Tate tugged at her shirt, coughing, as he gestured for her to sit next to him. When she sat down again, he proceeded. "Lauren, you know my health has been bad in the past few years, and I have not been able to oversee the company's affairs," Mr.Tate sighed. "To cut a long story short, my negligence has caused the company I worked so hard to build to crumble."

Tears streamed down from Mr. Tate's eyes as he continued. "Lauren, I cannot let Roseville company crumble; I built the company to where it is now because of you and your mother. I just can't let the company die," Mr. Tate's fingers wrapped tighter around Lauren's palm. "P-please, I need your help, Lauren."

Lauren's eyes welled up with tears as she witnessed her father's heartbreaking sob. The sight of her father's tears pierced into her heart like a dagger. She hated it so much, she hated to see her father cry. "F-father, what can I do to help?"

Silence stretched between the duo for a while before Mr. Tate revealed. "I have arranged a marriage for you Lauren. You will marry Ethan Reynolds to save the company!"

Lauren's mind reeled as her father's words echoed through her thoughts, freezing her in shock."F-father, what did you just say?"

Mr. Tate's sobs increased. "Lauren, I'm sorry, I'm truly sorry, but this is the only way we can save the company. Lauren, I failed to protect your mother. I can't also fail in protecting the company I built in her name."

"B-but father, why can't we do something else. Borrow money? Sell the houses? Get a loan? Father, I'll do anything, just don't make me marry!" The words rushed out of Lauren's mouth as tears rolled down from her eyes.

"Lauren, I promise I have tried everything, but the bank has stopped lending us money. The money we owe is too much, but Ethan has agreed to pay off the debt in exchange for a wife."

Tears fell like rain from Lauren's eyes as she mourned about the loss of her freedom, dreams, and her chance at true love. Losing her job and her boyfriend was devastating, but being forced to marry a stranger was the final blow. Her heart sank into the depths of despair, instantly shattering the illusion of a happy future.

With trembling lips, Lauren asked. "B-but why does it have to be me? Why can't Lisa marry Ethan?"

Mr. Tate shifted his gaze from Lauren's face to Lisa's, then back to Lauren's. "L-Lisa is still too young to get married; she needs to finish college first." Mr. Tate said.

Lauren let out a disdainful snort, wiped her runny nose, then turned to face Lisa, who stood beside Mrs. Celine in a corner. Her expression grew sour as she remembered Lisa's earlier words about sleeping with an old man to get her fired. She turned to her father, ready to tell him that Lisa wasn't as young and innocent as he thought. However, Lauren closed her mouth. She couldn't bring herself to tell her father such a thing, as she knew it would only break his heart.

"F-father, I'm sorry. I can't marry a stranger because of money. I just can't," Lauren grabbed her father's hand in hers before she added. "But don't worry Father, I'm going to do everything to make sure I pay off the company's depth."

Lauren's words struck a chord in Mr. Tate, and he started coughing uncontrollably. Alarmed, Lauren began rubbing his back until the spasms subsided. "Lauren, where are you going to get seventy billion dollars from?" Mr. Tate's hoarse voice rang out.

Lauren's face turned pale upon hearing this; it was as if all the blood had drained from her body, and her heart began racing within her ribcage. Even if she sold herself, she wouldn't be able to gather such an amount of money.

Meanwhile, Lisa couldn't stop smiling as she stared at the father and daughter duo. She thanked the heavens for being on her side because Lauren was going to marry a billionaire who was rumored to be a ruthless, ugly beast. The thought that Lauren was going to suffer at the hands of an ugly beast made Lisa so happy.

"Lauren, I know that you prefer working for small companies because you are not ready to handle the affairs of my company right now. But please, Lauren, you have to do this for my sake, for your mother's sake, and for your future's sake. Y-you can get a divorce in a year if you no longer want to be with Etha." Mr. Tate explained.

"Lauren darling, I understand this is difficult for you, but please listen to your father. If you do this, you will not only save your father's company, but he might have a chance to recover in time," Mrs Celine said in a soft voice as she tried to reason with Lauren.

Lauren's face contorted in anger as she forcefully removed Mrs. Celine's hand from her shoulder. Her eyes blazed with fury as she shifted her gaze from her father to Mrs. Celine. "You witch! Aren't you tired of pretending to be nice? Stop acting sweet just because father is here!" Lauren yelled, her hands rigid by her side as her body vibrated with suppressed rage.

Mrs Celine tried to speak but Mr. Tate beat her to it. "Lauren, please calm down. I don't want you guys fighting. it's the last thing I need now-"

"Father!!!!" Lauren's eyes widened in horror as her father suddenly began coughing out blood.

"Father, calm down please!" Lauren cried out as she rubbed on her father's back, but the cough increased, and his body convulsed with each spam. "Call the doctor now!!" Lauren yelled, but to her shock, neither Lisa nor Miss Celine moved.

Lauren saw her father's life flash before her eyes, and she quickly blurted out. "Father, I will marry him! I will marry Ethan to save the company!" Lauren screamed desperately, and almost immediately she noticed her father trying to catch his breath. It took a while, but eventually, he stopped coughing.

Tears brimmed in Mr. Tate's eyes as he said. "T-thank you Lauren. Thank you." Lauren pulled her father in for a hug and she began sobbing uncontrollably on his chest.

"Lauren Tate?"

Lauren felt a chill as she turned to face two burly men who had suddenly barged into the room. Their presence radiated an unnerving aura as they loomed in the doorway, dressed in matching black suits and sunglasses, exuding an air of authority and intimidation.

"Are you Lauren?" One of them asked in a stern tone and Lauren nodded quickly. "Who are you?" She asked.

"Miss Lauren, you have to come with us now. Mr. Ethan is waiting for you."

"What!!" Lauren yelled. She then turned to face her father. "Father, did you already agree to marry me out before waiting for me to make a decision?"

Mr. Tate's gaze faltered and he closed his eyes in shame. "I'm sorry Lauren. I was desperate." Lauren felt her heart sink into her stomach upon hearing this. "F-father, you didn't wait for me to make a choice before you met Ethan? W-what if I had disagreed?"

"I am sorry Lauren." That was all Mr. Tate could say as tears streamed profusely from his eyes. Mr. Tate hated himself so much for putting Lauren in such a situation. He really wished there was something else he could do, but there wasn't.

Lauren heaved a sigh. She hated the situation she was in, but she understood her father. He was just trying to save the company for his late wife's sake, as it was always Mrs. Rose's dream to see Mr. Tate's company grow. Lauren then turned to face her stepmother and sister; they had a smile on their faces that they didn't try to hide.

"Miss Lauren, we have to leave now or we'll have to drag you out. Mr. Ethan doesn't tolerate tardiness," one of the guards warned strictly.

Lauren bowed before the guards in respect as she said. "Please, give me time to bid my father farewell."

Lauren turned to her father and planted a kiss on his cheek. As she was about to pull away, her father stopped her and whispered, "Lauren, always remember that I love you." Lauren slowly pulled out from the hug and replied, "I love you too, Father," she then turned to face the guards and said, "I am ready to leave now."

Throughout the ride to Ethan's mansion, Lauren was crying widely. She marked that day as one of the worst days of her life because of everything that had happened. She lost her boyfriend, got fired, and then was forced to marry a stranger all in one day. What's worse, the man she was to marry was an ugly, ruthless billionaire.

"We are here ma'am" Lauren snapped out of her thoughts as she heard the driver say. One of the guards exited the car and helped her open the door. "T-thank you." Lauren greeted as she cleaned her face with her palm.

As Lauren stepped out of the car, she gazed up at the breathtaking estate before her. Its grandeur took her breath away. The grand estate stretched before her, with its white walls and tall columns shining in the sunlight. Large windows sparkled like diamonds, and a beautifully manicured lawn stretched out on the sides

"Follow me." The guard said, snapping Lauren out of her reverie, and then she followed the guard into the mansion.

Lauren thought the exterior of the mansion was insanely beautiful until she got inside. Her heart stopped for a second as she entered the massive living room. She couldn't hear what the guard was saying as she toned his voice out, more focused on the luxurious living room, its creamy white walls, dark hardwood floors, plush leather couches, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a stunning crystal chandelier that sparkled from above.

Lauren didn't know when the guard left until she turned around and saw that no one was in the living room with her. Oh snap! What had the guard said?! Why did the guard suddenly leave her?! Where is Ethan?! Damn, she could have paid attention to what he was saying.

Just as Lauren settled into the couch, a firm voice called her name from behind her. "Lauren Tate?"

Lauren's head snapped to the side, her eyes widening in shock as they landed on a man's stern face. Her gaze lingered on him for a while and her mouth fell open in stunned silence. "I'm doomed!"