Contract marriage to my billionaire ex boyfriend's brother

Marissa: Saturday evening had come, excitement and anxiety filled me up. I had planned my outfit weeks ago for the party at the Holloways. I was nervous and excited at the same time. While shopping for my outfit, I was unsure, scared that it wouldn't be good enough for the party. Tonight was important and I didn't want to mess that up, especially for Justin. I had planned out a black long tight dress with a slit, ruffles on the shoulders and little gemstones plastered all around it. I laid it out on my bed.

The gorgeous Givenchy shoes Justin got for me two days ago as my anniversary present were placed by the side of the bed, and my Chanel bag which my sister Camille bought for my birthday. I started to doubt if I'd look good enough and even fit into his social status. Doubts crept in, my mind running wild with thoughts. I started to get really hot even with the air conditioner on. My doubts kept growing. "What if Justin didn't like my outfit? What if he thinks I look tacky?" " Would I even fit into that type of party?" "What if -what if people see me and talk about how it's obvious we never really looked good together as a couple and I wasn't good enough for him?" My family was comfortable, but Justin was a Holloway and there was the constant need to impress. I started to doubt my outfit choice, but I decided to shove it aside. He would definitely love my dress. I got into the bathroom, showered, and got out ready to beat my face to perfection. I got started off on my makeup and put my hair in a slick bun. I looked in the mirror and a small smile curved my lips, and I was satisfied with how stunning I looked. Orrr at least that's what I thought. I did some finishing touches, and my doorbell rang. My heart pounding, palms sweating, I started to miss my step. I pulled myself together before getting the door. I paused and took a long breath before I opened the door, and there he was. Justin. Looking at Justin's face, I was searching for something, anything that shows that I have impressed him by my look,but... but I found nothing. His face was straight and unimpressed. "Let's go," he muttered. He walked to the car and I followed behind, getting into the back seat with him. " Was this the best outfit you had?" I couldn't believe what I had just heard. I didn't even know what to say,but I managed to get word out of my mouth. "You- you don't like my dress?" "Babe, it's a beautiful dress, but you could have done better." "Justin, I put effort into my outfit. I wanted you to be impressed." "Well, I'm not," Justin said flatly. My shoulder fell flat. It felt like all the effort I had put into my outfit went unnoticed. I wanted the ground to just swallow me.I felt cold water had been poured over me. We rode in silence. *** We got to the party, got out of the car, and we headed in. Justin locked arms with me, and I forced a stiff smile and walked side to side with him. We got in. The party hall was short of exquisite. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high vaulted ceiling, scattering bright light across the room. The walls were encrusted with gold. Tall windows lined one side, draped with gold curtains that floated gently. The marble floor reflected the lights above. Guests scattered around, and everyone was chatting and looking like they all fit into the cover of a magazine. Servers with gold champagne glasses lined the entrance. It was a beautiful party, and I started to feel a little out of place. It was also the first party Justin would ever bring me to. "I would be back," Justin said quickly. " Would you be long?" I asked. "No, I wouldn't," Justin said quietly. "Okay." I decided to wander around a bit, got some champagne and chocolate cake slices, and attended different performances-from the exquisite dancers to the beautiful ballerinas. It was breathtaking. The dancers moved with such grace that it was indeed a beautiful sight to behold. I noticed Justin had been gone for a while. I decided to go up to look for him since I saw him go up. I checked the first room, but he wasn't there. I moved to the next one where the door was slightly ajar. "Ohhh yeahh....Justin don't stop" I didn't believe it. I didn't want to believe it was my own Justin. The sound grew louder as I got closer to the door. With trembling hands, I pushed the door open... and froze. There was Justin -and Peyton. My heart clenched; it felt like air had been ripped off my lungs. Everywhere suddenly got blurry. I ran away from the scene. Justin ran after me, screaming my name. "Marissa!!! Stop right now" He said it with the most commanding tone like he didn't just cheat on me with my best friend. She didn't even seem fazed by the catch. I didn't look back. I ran down the stairs, my makeup ruined, mascara streaming ...My chest tightened as if I had forgotten how to breathe, my vision blurry. Before I realised it...Justin had caught up to me. He dragged me by the arms and whispered..."don't cause a scene. " I yanked my arms free and I was taken aback when I saw cameras flickering and out of nowhere someone came and pulled me out of the scene. I didn't even realise where I was pulled too. My emotions were a mess , I was scattered and hurt all at once. My hands trembling. All I knew was I was in a strange man's car. I couldn't believe what I just witnessed. How could he -how could they do this to me? I raised my hands to my face to wipe away tears from my eyes when a hand suddenly appeared in front of me, handing me a handkerchief. I looked up. I hesitated a little bit then I took it. I started to notice my surroundings: brown leather chairs with dim interiors and the engine humming. That was when it hit me. I was in a stranger's car... my hands trembling as I spun around to take a look at him. "Will you marry me?" He asked with his voice calm -like he hadn't just asked a life-changing question.

Marissa: I didn't understand who this strange man was, or why he thought he could just ask me to marry him? "Who are you?" I asked, my voice trembling. He glanced at me."The question is if you'd marry me or not-which I know you will" The arrogance in his tone made my skin crawl, I wanted to just get out of the car. I yanked the car door open, desperate to get out. I felt a strong grip on my hands. "Sit down" His voice was low, calm but commanding, it made heat flow through me- anger, shock and something else I couldn't quite understand. But I sat with no fight -I just sat.

He released me,took out a sheet of paper and started scribbling. "My number is on it, for when you change your mind. Which I know you will." My jaw clenched. I wanted to slap his face badly. I just took the sheet of paper and stepped out of the car. I could feel his eyes on me while walking away. I didn't look back. I refused to. I stood at the door, hesitant to knock... I couldn't face my sister -she had always warned me about Justin, I always had my defense card on whenever she tried to say anything about him. I knocked. immediately I saw Camille , I fell into her arms,she didn't ask any questions all she did was embrace me. It felt like she sensed my pain before I even said anything. "Are you okay" she asked softly. I didn't know what to say- I knew I wasn't okay I just nodded and decided to retire to my room. I sat on my bed hands over my mouth, I didn't want my sister to hear my muffled crying...I don't know if I can ever heal from this. I looked in the mirror, wiped off my makeup which had already smeared down my face from all tears. I peeled off my dress and shoes then I dragged myself to the bathroom. I didn't realize when tears filled up my eyes, my body felt empty, it felt like I lost my soul... " I hate my life" I whispered I let the shower run through my body and I got out. When I stepped out,I heard my Camille call my name. I sighed. I didn't feel like talking but knowing Camille she wouldn't let me be sad all by myself. I changed into something comfortable and I went down to meet her. "Hungry?" she asked while searching my eyes. "I'm not hungry" I said avoiding her eyes. "You are going to eat, she said firmly. I spent hours cooking, so you will eat" She damn well meant every word. I was hesitant I didn't know if I wanted to tell her everything that had occurred today, but I decided to... If something terrible happens to me, I wanted my sister to know. "Justin cheated on me with Peyton" I said it straight away, I didn't want to have to think about it too much. "What???" She snapped " I saw them at the party" I didn't realize when tears started to stream down my cheeks. " I'm so sorry Marissa, that jerk and that bitch never really deserved you." I tried to see if there would be any I told you so moment, but she did none of that. That gave me a bit of a relief. " That's not the only strange thing that happened today." I said and I could see my sister's curious eyes waiting for me to tell her what I meant by that statement. "What other atrocious thing happened Marissa?" " A strange man asked me to marry him" " What ??" She said but this time she wasn't fuming. It sounded more like excitement, "He gave me his number and said to reach out when I am ready." "Soo have you reached out to him?" " Camille please, I'm still nurturing my pain, why would I reach out to a man I don't even know" " Well the man you know, cheated on you so you might as well try." Camille paused. " I didn't mean it like that" I stormed out of the kitchen, by the time I got to my room, my thoughts had betrayed me- drifting me back to the strange man from earlier. He was undeniably handsome, but something about him intrigued me

Marissa: It was Saturday and I woke up feeling -not so good, but a bit better. My job as a makeup artist is quite tasking. People need to get glammed up, bills need to be paid, and I couldn't be caught slacking. Clients don't care if your world is crumbling; their appointments are important. I showered and got out swiftly. I was late. I slipped into a blue jean and a white T-shirt, took my bag, and wore my sandals and dashed out of the house . Mrs Shauna, one of my best clients, had booked me for today, and I'd be damned if I missed that appointment.

On my way to my little studio, I stopped to get coffee at my favourite coffee shop. "What would you like, ma?" "Iced latte, please." I sat for a bit to wait for my order. Thankfully, Mrs Shauna had called to say she'd be an hour late, and I was thankful for the lateness. The little bell at the front of the café rang, and that meant someone was coming in. I wasn't paying attention- until I was. The scent hit me first: sandalwood. Sandalwood. My chest tightened before my brain could catch up. I already knew who it was. Justin. Holding hands with Peyton. He dared to bring her to our favourite café. "Bastard," I muttered. My heart splitting like I had just been torn apart. They couldn't even have the decency to hide. I quickly made my way out of there. My hurt turned to something else, something hotter, sharper. My anger felt like it was easier to carry than a heartbreak. I took one last glance at them from the transparent door and made my way to my studio. I didn't even bother about my coffee. I got a call from Mrs Shauna when I was out of the café, and I quickly made my way to my studio. At the studio, I prepped everything I would need to beat her face to perfection ... I was angry, not hurt ...it was anger I felt. That didn't stop me from doing my job right. "Hello, dear," she said with the brightest smile that got to her eyes. Beautiful blue eyes, hair that flows to her back. She is so beautiful. " Good afternoon, Mrs Shauna. You may have your sit." I got started off on the makeup, and in two hours, I was done, and I was happy with the glint of satisfaction in her eyes. "This is so beautiful, Marissa." Her eyes sparkling with joy, and that alone brought a smile to my lips. She tipped me and made her way out. Thankfully, my other two clients called and cancelled. I sat in my studio chair; the earlier day's occurrence sufficed. Anger took over me once more. Hands trembling, legs tapping lightly on the ground, I was furious. I decided I was going to call that strange man. *** Got home, and I dashed to my room, took the paper from my drawer where I had stashed it. I stared at the note in my hand and my cellphone in the other. "Is this a great idea?" I debated. "Why am I even bothered about anything?" I Dialed the number, and a voice came in. His voice was calm in a way that felt deliberate. "Hello, Marissa." I hated the warmth his voice stirred in me. This man has some sort of effect on me that I didn't like. I had thought about his proposal all day after seeing Peyton and Justin together. I couldn't believe the word I was about to say... I was going to marry a stranger, but the thought of the marriage, for some reason, didn't scare me. "I will marry you." It fell from my mouth, and I knew I couldn't take it back. "Meet me at Casa dien. I'd send you the code to get in," he didn't even seem surprised. It felt like he knew I was going to call back, and he was right. Am I really going to marry a strange?, the question didn't linger too much before I gave myself an answer. I definitely will if it's going to destroy those two.