Contracted Wife for the Hollywood Billionaire

It was undeniable to those on the outside that something was happening between them. They exchanged glances filled with so much emotion that it seemed as though they were having a conversation of their own. The smile he gave her during the rehearsal was genuine, revealing just how happy he was to be there.

Deep inside, Soph yearned to strike him, to feel the sting on her hand as she slapped him. But she restrained herself, concealing her feelings and continuing with the photo shoot.

The closeness, the moments of eye contact, and the touches made her heart race. How could her heart still stubbornly harbor affection for such a scoundrel, after everything he had done?

"You're furious," he remarked, interrupting her thoughts. She blinked, thinking she had imagined his words, but then she noticed him looking at her, surprised. The photographer stopped taking pictures. Cornered, Sophia felt a mix of confusion and embarrassment.

"What?" she feigned ignorance.

"At first, Alex hated Christophe, but you don't need to bring all of that back. We can focus on the good parts," he said, dripping with sarcasm.

"I don't think this position favors them," the other man commented as he approached them, repositioning them as he pleased. "Remember those passionate looks you shared on set? Try to bring them back."

As if it were easy. It wasn't a film shoot. In those situations, the two of them weren't as connected. Especially after that request, the words exchanged, and the provocations that occurred once the cameras stopped rolling.

"The poor guy doesn't even know you hate me," Chris whispered as soon as the man left.

Sophia squinted at him and noticed his gaze drifting toward the blonde he had been talking to earlier.

"Want to invite her for the shoot?" she wanted to tell herself not to show her disdain for their exchanged glances and smiles, but it got the better of her. "Perhaps there would be a better atmosphere."

"It's not my fault," he said, relishing in provoking her. He knew it was contradictory. Soph would say one thing but do another. Jealousy? He enjoyed rubbing that in her face. "It's you who looks at me as if you're hurt."

"You're the one ignoring me," she finally confessed.

"Do you want to know something? I'll give you both some space," the photographer huffed, giving up at that moment.

The two of them didn't care. The heated argument was far more entertaining.

"I'm not ignoring you," he furrowed his brow. "You told me to stay away. What am I supposed to do?"

"I never said any of that," Soph regretted uttering those words because that's when he caught her off guard. "Are you angry because I said 'no' to you?"

Things were getting intense. A mischievous smile formed on his lips, fueling anger and regret in Soph.

"Angry?" He restrained himself. He had to do this. "Darling, I don't have to stoop to that level. I made a proposal, you said no, and I moved on."

She was shocked.

Was I discarded?

To an onlooker, it appeared as though a couple was having a heated discussion. Some paid attention without hearing or knowing what they were saying, while others tried to ignore them.

"So, that's it," she crossed her arms. "You jumped into the arms, or should I say, the breasts, of some random blonde you just met?"

She would tell herself, "Stay calm, Sophia. Don't let him provoke you. Why are you so bothered by this?"

"I've known Scarlet longer than I've known you," he lied. He had never seen her before in his life. But it was enjoyable to provoke his colleague. "I have a pertinent question." Chris approached her, their faces just inches apart, feeling her perfume, locking eyes, and smiling. "Why are you jealous, or rather, irritated, that I understood your message and moved on?" She crumbled, realizing how ridiculous she looked, and uncrossed her arms, feeling shy. "After all, I still need a girlfriend. Speaking of which, please don't mention this to anyone, or it would ruin everything."

"So... How are things?" Donald's voice sent a chill down Sophia's spine.

She remembered the previous night, when she was at an event like the many she had attended before. He was a famous producer, and she had a small role in a series he was producing. On that occasion, Donald had gotten too close, pulling her in, asking intimidating questions, and nearly kissing her.

By a mistake, but a justifiable one, she claimed to be in a serious relationship. She didn't even recall Chris' absurd proposal; she just wanted to get away from there. She had never experienced harassment like that before. She felt he was leveraging his position, importance, and power over her work to take advantage of her. Sophia didn't confide in anyone except her personal assistant, who warned her that challenging Donald would be a mistake, as he was one of the big shots.

Remaining silent after being harassed would be the real mistake.

The man was conversing with those around him and observed her. She knew he would approach her, so she looked at Chris, who, despite being a scoundrel, was someone she trusted. They had this love-hate dynamic, but she felt that if something went wrong, he would be on her side. Especially with the secret they shared.

"Christian," she called his attention before swiftly pulling him close and planting a passionate kiss on him in front of everyone.

At first, it was timid and unexpected, something that surprised Chris. Then, as he pulled her by the waist, it became intense and fervent. It was the beginning of a crazy story. He had never really kissed her before, and experiencing it now was mind-blowing. It was challenging to remember reality.

She pulled away, gazing into his bewildered blue eyes and pleaded, "It's just temporary. Don't tell anyone, or I'll personally kill you."

Working with Christian wasn't something Sophia expected to be so challenging. Yes, she was a professional who knew her limits, but she had a past with this man that he didn't remember. And she would do everything to hide that in the dark recesses of her memory.

Christian Harrison was the most seductive man in all of Hollywood. That had been the case since he started acting at the age of ten. At twenty-four, he played the role of a teenage football player.

During that time, Sophia was just another girl captivated by the magical world of TV series and movies. At the age of ten, she collected posters of Christian, wearing only worn-out jeans, adorning her bedroom walls. Her notebook was filled with images of him as Tomas Philips, the boy with dreams of becoming a great football player that he portrayed.

That was the period when fan clubs exploded, and she was there, fascinated by the hottest guy of the moment.

She wanted to be a dentist, like her father. It would have been a source of pride for her family. But her passion for movies and for Chris led her to pursue theater. Thus, she declared war with her father, who freaked out, claiming it would never amount to anything.

The poor man had no idea that his daughter's determination and her passion for a certain celebrity would push her to strive so hard that she would soon find opportunities in small series, leading her to many others. Even though her significance was minimal back then, she waited patiently until she finally made it to the big productions.

In the meantime, all she wanted was to meet Christian Harrison, her ultimate teenage idol. The party at a famous producer's house presented her with the perfect opportunity. Nervous and anxious, she nearly lost her composure, but then she took a deep breath, waited for the right moment, and approached him, timidly and with her heart pounding.

He didn't notice her arrival; his gaze was fixed on a blonde across the room. She didn't mind. She took a breath and spoke, letting him know she was his fan. And... Chris acted just like Christian always did: he ignored her, raising one hand, stating that he wasn't signing autographs and that she wasn't more important than his potential busty conquest on the other side of the room.

Sophia stood there, speechless. She had hoped he would at least look at her face, but he left, leaving her disappointed.

As they say, never meet your idols.

However, in Hollywood, things are never perfect; sooner or later, they were bound to run into each other. "It took long enough," she thought. She thought it would be a brief and insignificant interaction. However, it was when the film written by Jonathan Spector came along: My Fake Love. She landed the role of the leading lady. Sophia had been a protagonist several times since she started, but this time things were complicated.

Initially, she didn't know who her co-star would be. The director made a big fuss, keeping the information secret and making her dislike him from the start. Then, on the first day, with the script in her head and in her hand, she entered the film set, went to her dressing room, and went through her usual routine. That's when she bumped into a tall and incredibly arrogant man.

They locked eyes, and she was left speechless with surprise. Chris, on the other hand, with that hunter's gaze, scanned her from head to toe and ended it with a mischievous smile. He didn't recognize her from their past but rather from her acting career.

That smile captivated her and made her body tremble. Her tongue disappeared, and she could barely hear him speaking.

Unlike in the past, Sophia piqued his interest. She was a beautiful 27-year-old woman with curves and wavy chocolate-colored hair. Her fit physique was strictly regulated by her agent and personal assistant. Even in the costume she wore, she looked beautiful and shapely.

Chris had just arrived. He was dressed in summer clothes with a white background and orange and green prints, along with sunglasses that hid his beautiful blue eyes. The jeans hugged his perfect rear, something she had never stopped admiring, even though she harbored resentment towards him since their last encounter.

Those lips were so close to her, and she found herself staring at them for a while.

Speaking of time, it had been far too kind to that scoundrel who seemed to get more irresistible with each passing year.

Christian didn't know the young woman with the brown eyes very well. He had only seen her at a few receptions, casual encounters, or on screens. As soon as he laid eyes on her, he knew she was different. Somehow, she managed to capture his attention in unusual ways. He had an old memory connecting them; he just couldn't remember it.

At that moment, he wanted to get to know her better. Her full lips, subtle perfume, and ample bosom held his attention. But then, out of nowhere, she pushed him away with fire in her eyes, leaving him confused.

He wondered where he knew her from or what he had done to her.

The two went their separate ways until they found themselves side by side in that scene. Without showing it, Sophia was nervous, her heart in her mouth, and her hands sweating. It affected her performance until, surprisingly, he was kind and helped her.

Sophia didn't understand, but years of experience had taught her to connect with her scene partner. She couldn't let her anger get in the way of her work.

Even worse was realizing that by setting aside her resentment and fully embracing her role, they achieved something she never expected: they genuinely got along and delivered a romantic chemistry that almost made Sophia forget that, after each take, he returned to being the odious Christian Harrison.

"Stop staring at me like that, or I might end up cornering you," Chris said from across the room at an event celebrating the film's completion and premiere. He had made a point of leaving his spot just to provoke her and question her furtive glances that revealed how much she craved his attention. However, his seductive and audacious mouth insisted on uttering words that weren't solely about desire.

He enjoyed what had transpired on that film set. All of a sudden, he found a partner with whom he connected so well that they truly lived that love on screen. But without the perks of pleasure.

Christian tried to recall any other time in his life when he had acted alongside someone so spontaneous and... provocative. He sensed how much she despised him. And unlike Sophia, he liked her. His loose tongue had wiped the smug smile off his face several times. However, with this fiery woman, he wasn't willing to fight, even though he saw a burning flame of attraction deep in her eyes.

"If it happens, I will accuse you of harassment."

"If it happens, you'll enjoy it so much that you'll want to repeat it," he whispered in her ear.

He had to admit that her scent was rare, an aphrodisiac that drove him wild. He remembered that every time their characters kissed, it wasn't just acting. In those moments, both of them took advantage of the excuse to let their desires run free.

"Do you think I don't know that your panties are soaked right now?"

"You don't attract me in the least," she said the words angrily, knowing she was lying.

Sophia was aroused. Something that had tortured her for all those months. She couldn't hate that body and the electricity between them, no matter how hard she tried.

Chris laughed right in her face, looking into her eyes. He wanted to take her off that wooden bench, drag her into the bathroom, and prove that she was lying.

"Liar."

"Don't you have anything better to do?" she grew nervous and, as she always trained herself to do, thought of something negative. Usually, she would recall the humiliation he had put her through. By thinking that way, she felt more anger than desire. "Like hunting your next victim?"

"I'm looking at her right now."

For him, it was satisfying to irritate the woman who stubbornly refused to surrender to his well-defined arms. That was the dangerous part of it. Chris only needed a couple of conversations with a woman before they ended up in bed. Sophia, on the other hand, had been testing his patience for months. She was challenging. Worse yet, she was almost making him lose his composure.

"You're annoying, you know that?" he remarked.

"Am I?" She felt proud. "That makes me happy."

"Of course it does. You enjoy torturing me."

"You won't gain anything here." She leaned over the bar counter, showcasing her cleavage. Chris tried but couldn't tear his gaze away from her. "No need to waste your time."

"Darling, I never give up." He leaned in as well.

The two of them were face to face, locked in a seductive game. To those observing from afar, it seemed like an intriguing conversation. Even worse, a romance. That was the point that pleased their audience and agents.

"For me to give up would be to admit that I've lost my spark."

"Oh, don't worry." She picked up her favorite drink, a Martini, and drank while staring at him. "It's more personal than that."

"Oh, really?" He furrowed his brow, curious. "I'm interested to know."

"You're a scoundrel, you enjoy collecting conquests. And I won't be one of them," she declared firmly. "Plain and simple."

"So, I have no chance?" It didn't matter, his goal was to irritate and seduce her.

"None," she shrugged. "I'll stay away from your controversies and not be another name on your list."

"Okay, sweetheart." He stood up from his seat. "But if I were you, I wouldn't say 'never'." Sophia leaned against the glass, watching him. "Besides, it's not me who goes after controversies, they chase me. I'm not the monster you think I am."

"You're arrogant and self-centered. A dangerous combination."

He met her gaze with one of the best smiles he had ever given.

"Everyone in Hollywood runs the risk of getting into shit, even you."

Unfortunately, he was right. Everyone there was in a nest of venomous ants, although that would be an insult to the insects. Nothing there was as magical as she had thought before stepping into that world. Everything, or almost everything, was fake. People smiled falsely, were friends out of self-interest, and had relationships based on falsehood, although some backfired. It was hard to trust anyone who wasn't truly a friend.

Christian had been through some tough times in that place. He was pursued for being well-known, and many didn't look at him with respect. Of course, he wasn't a saint. His choices, often the wrong ones, didn't help. But he wasn't a monster. At least, that's what he believed.

As she watched him walk away, Sophia wondered if she was being too harsh on him. Then she remembered the rude way he had treated her, and even though it had been a long time ago, when they were younger, she couldn't let go of the hurt teenage girl inside her caused by her idol.

The rubber ball wasn't helping Chris relax. That was its purpose, but that idiot Eduard had been lecturing him for half an hour as if he were still 15 years old. Christian knew he was troublesome and didn't listen much to his agent, but what could he do when troubles always found their way to him?

"Are you even listening to me?" Eduard questioned, stopping his frantic pacing and looking at him with concern, while Chris thought about things that weren't his problems.

He felt tired of it all, of leaving his house and doing his job. The years had only made him more stressed, so he had some terrible ideas and made mistakes that the media uncovered.

"I bet you're in another world."

"You're a smart guy, but... you annoy the hell out of me." He put the ball aside and stood up from the chair he was using as a swing. Eduard stared at him, wishing he could punch him, but Chris was twice his size with huge muscles, a result of strict diet and rigorous training. "I can't catch a break. They chase me, they spy on me. I can't even have a cup of coffee without it showing up somewhere on the internet."

"Seriously? Are you saying it's me who's annoying?" Eduard tried to take it lightly, but he was about to have a fit. "I've talked to some people, and the news isn't good." He took a deep breath before uttering those words.

Christian had no idea that all that stress was justified. As far as they knew, he had to toe the line, or he would be sidelined.

"What news?" He narrowed his eyes, getting closer to his agent. "Who are these people?"

"Christian, you're very talented, you've won many awards, but..."

"But what?" He became thoroughly irritated. "I work my ass off in my projects and follow everything rigorously. I stay in shape because if I gain a few pounds, I'm judged or put in irrelevant roles. Damn it! What more do you want from me?"

"Your reputation is at stake," Eduard emphasized.

"When isn't it?" Looking outside, he saw the chaotic city that looked like a painting. It didn't help ease his stress. He believed nothing would.

They didn't know how discouraging it was. After a while, it became a prison. He couldn't have meaningful relationships, and he couldn't even blink without being on the cover of a magazine or blog.

"I've been surrounded by this shit since I was a kid. What do you want from me? What do they want me to do?"

"Some producers are... avoiding you." He felt that would trigger Christian's anger, but it was the truth. Well... the short guy was right. Chris turned with fire in his eyes, as if it were the most absurd thing in the world. "I didn't make it up. That's exactly what they said. Thankfully, not all of them, but gradually, you'll lose your relevance. If some of them..." He noticed the gradual change in his client's expression. He knew something would be thrown at some point, so he avoided standing in front of him. "Getting angry won't get you anywhere, you have to take action."

"How should I take action?" He found it amusing.

Christian was already doing a lot. He was in his best physical shape and had numerous trophies and fans. What else would he have to do? Besides, everything he did was just trying to live his life, even though he understood that sometimes, when he drank too much, he crossed the line, like drunk driving, getting into fights at clubs, and having a lot of sex. The problem was that he had always lived like that. Since the beginning. Life there was stressful, chaotic, and he didn't have the option to be like Mother Teresa.

"Tell me, what do they want from me?" It was hard for him to form that sentence and say it calmly.

"Normalcy," Eduard was brief and confused Chris.

"Normalcy?" He furrowed his brow. "What kind of normalcy?"

"Staying out of the tabloids. No more drinking, racing, women..."

"They want to put me in a chastity belt?"

"They want you to stop appearing with a different woman every day."

"Now there's that too." He ran his hand through his hair and closed his eyes. He didn't know how to solve this problem.

It was true that he was tired of always being cast as a playboy. It was a surprise when he was cast in that role in the recent romance film alongside Sophia.

Then Chris stopped, as if he had a sudden realization. He smiled again, took a deep breath, and looked at the city, which was illuminated and more beautiful after he remembered the woman with brown eyes who resisted him.

"A relationship."

"Yes!" Eduard got so excited with the word that he thought he had lost his composure. "Yes." He cleared his throat. "A girlfriend. Someone who is not in the same position as you. Someone who provides security."

"Sophia Thompson." He savored her name on his lips. His lips enjoyed the word, and his body remembered the way it felt whenever she was around.

"It would be a good idea if Sophia wasn't so difficult and didn't hate me."

"Hate can turn into love if it's well mined." He came up with ideas that she wouldn't like.

"I don't think you should make it a conquest."

"Who said it would be a conquest?" He looked back at the balding man. "It will be good for both of us. She's the princess of the moment, a magnificent woman who attracts me more than I care to admit. She's determined, connects with the young audience, has significant power on the red carpet, and... people already think we're dating."

"You know she always denies it, right?" he reminded him.

Christian laughed. He knew. And it would be even more fun when they found out.

"Good thing we still have plenty of events to attend. We'll have time to build our story."

"Christian, you'll need a lot more than your charm to get her to accept."

He knew that, and worse, he felt motivated to provoke the girl. She was young, beautiful, daring, and always resisted him. That was a combination Chris thought he would never find. He never thought he would see an opportunity like this to explore as a challenge, even though he knew he shouldn't see it that way.

"She'll accept," he was convinced. Thinking, he tried to find a way to win her over. "Everything will be aboveboard. She'll know what she's getting into, and so will I. After that, we'll be done."

"You'll only cause more buzz," he warned. "If you mess with the girl and it goes wrong, it'll be a disaster. They'll bench you."

"I'll never sit on the bench, unless I want to," he snapped. "Now that you've told me the news, leave me alone to think about what I'm going to do."

"God, you're going to sink."

"Then learn how to swim, shorty. If that happens, you're coming with me."

His confidence was envied by Eduard. The guy had absurd luck or was incredibly privileged. The agent ended up agreeing with the latter part. Being good-looking had earned him his fame, but of course, he had the talent for it.

Few times had Chris deviated from the curve, playing characters who weren't the rich guy or the playboy. He wanted to explore those other places more, being other people. However, Eduard was right, but of course, he would never admit it. He needed to prove that he wasn't just another handsome guy playing ripped characters on TV.