Crazy Billionaire: What Do You Want From Me?

General POV

"Hi, I'm Ethan Moore. You're mine from this moment onward," he declares, holding the car door open for her.

"What?-" Elizabeth exclaims.

"Get in the car," Ethan commands, unfazed by her protest.

"What-I don't even know who you are-you think having a baritone voice can make you stand in front of me and spout rubbish from that godforsaken thing you call a mouth?!" Elizabeth's irritation is palpable.

Ethan smirks. Nice, she's got a sharp tongue-he likes sharp tongue.

Turning to the nearest bodyguard, he orders, "get her in the car."

Meeting Elizabeth's gaze, he adds, "if she resists, throw her in the trunk."

Elizabeth almost loses it. Did the guy just say to throw her in the trunk? Her, Elizabeth Claire? Is she some piece of garbage?

Having said his piece, Ethan steps into the car and sits calmly like he isn't about to abduct a stranger.

Having a family that insists he brings a wife home is exhausting. They don't care about his happiness; all they want is a wife, no matter where she comes from.

Ethan sometimes wonders if they expect him to find one on the streets. Well, he practically did just that.

Like many billionaire bachelors, Ethan Moore finds little time for himself amidst the constant stream of business trips and obligations that come with running his father's company.

So, Ethan's parents are eager for him to find a wife, someone to stand by him. Their main goal is grandchildren, about five as his mother often mentions. But to have grandchildren, they need a woman. Ethan can't have children on his own, hence the need for a wife.

His parents, who fell in love and married willingly, don't want to impose any of their family friends' daughters on him, fearing it would lead to a loveless marriage for their son.

But when they realize he's not willing to comply, they threaten to set him up with Anna Campbell, the one and only.

Ethan can't stand her. She's arrogant and constantly seeking attention. Being an only child and heir to Bell Magazines, she's extremely spoiled.

Anna never misses a chance to vie for Ethan's attention whenever possible.

Whether it's at gatherings or social events, she flaunts her artificial charms, batting her long eyelashes and casting seductive glances his way. It's all nonsense.

One of the reasons he dislikes her is that Anna doesn't hold a candle to his mother. Ethan's mother is calm, collected, and reserved.

All Ethan desires is what his parents have-their love, their bond.

He's aware that Anna is only interested in becoming the lady of ENQ Company. She's obsessed with the fame and title that comes with being his wife, not with actually being his wife.

Anna annoys him to no end, and he'd never be with her, no matter what. Even if it means resorting to kidnapping a stranger, as he's doing now. He'd choose anyone over Anna Campbell.

Elizabeth stands her ground by the car, ignoring the bodyguards urging her to get in. "I refuse to get into this damn car!"

She briefly considers running for her life, but she knows it's futile. They'd catch up to her before she could take five steps.

Who are these people, Elizabeth wonders. Why is today turning out to be so cursed? She just finished defending her best friend from some harassers, and now this?

Elizabeth realizes she can't possibly stand up to these bodyguards; there are too many of them, and they seem like professionals. Besides, she's already worn out from fighting those thugs.

Arthur, Ethan's personal and most trusted bodyguard, closes the gap between him and Elizabeth. In an instant, she finds herself hoisted onto his shoulder.

"Goddammit! Let me go! Put me down!" Elizabeth screams hysterically, pounding his back with her small fists. But the man remains unfazed.

It becomes clear that he's as solid as a brick wall, and she's only wasting her energy.

Elizabeth quickly closes her mouth.

"Okay, wait. Please, put me down," her voice turns meek and sweet.

Arthur's eyes sparkle, complying with her request, hopeful that she'll willingly enter the car.

Elizabeth awkwardly clears her throat when her feet touch the ground, watching Arthur cautiously from the corner of her eye. She edges closer to him.

Standing on tiptoe, she whispers in his ear, "How much did he pay you? I can pay you even more. Just please, let me go. Name your price."

Arthur scoffs quietly, muttering a curse under his breath. Does she not realize who his boss is? Funny.

Without a word, Arthur sweeps her off her feet and tosses her over his shoulder again, then drops her into the trunk. He had intended for her to sit beside his boss at first, but since she's unwilling, the trunk will do. At least she'll be alone, free, and comfortable.

He slams the trunk shut and locks it before getting into the driver's seat. His subordinates join the convoy, and the vehicles begin to drive out of the rural area.

Throughout the drive to Ethan's mansion, Elizabeth doesn't stop banging against the inside of the car trunk, cursing and yelling at the top of her lungs.

For some unknown reason, Ethan doesn't find her outburst annoying. Instead, he finds it oddly amusing.

In fact, it's precisely Elizabeth's spirited defiance that initially caught his attention and drew him to her. Her fiery spirit is something he finds captivating, a quality that sets her apart from the monotony of his usual encounters.

***

Earlier that evening, after finishing his discussion about transferring land ownership for a new project with the sellers, Ethan needed to relieve himself urgently. With no other option in the slum, he sought out a secluded spot.

Approaching a narrow alleyway, he noticed a group of men surrounding a small woman. She had striking emerald green eyes and fair, clear skin.

All Ethan wanted was to sign the transfer papers and leave the slum as quickly as possible. So, he proceeded to relieve himself, completely ignoring the situation.

General POV

However, he soon heard screams emanating from the alleyway. What shocked him was that the screams weren't coming from the woman; they were from the men surrounding her.

After finishing his business, he approached cautiously and watched from a distance as the woman fiercely fought off the men, yelling and cursing at them.

"If you mess with her again, I'll kill you! All of you!" he heard her threaten before she walked away.

Ethan stood there for a moment, dumbfounded and amazed.

What a woman!

And it was at that moment he decided...

***

The convoy soon arrives at their destination, pulling into the mansion through the open, sturdy black iron gates.

Ethan swiftly steps out of the car and strides gracefully to the back. He unlocks the trunk, but as it opens, a sudden kick meets his face, causing him to stagger backward.

"Fuck," he curses under his breath, chuckling as he wipes blood from his nose.

He secretly enjoys this violence. He wonders if she'll still be this violent after spending a day in his house.

He'll mold and shape her until she's calm and gentle by the time he's done with her.

"Easy now, Spitfire. Will you?" Ethan steps closer to the trunk.

"Only a fool like you would say that after kidnapping someone. Easy now, you say? How do you expect me to go easy on you?! Who the hell are you to mess with my human rights?!" Elizabeth isn't taking this lightly. In fact, she's starting to feel scared. She doesn't know this man or his people...

"Where have you brought me?!" She demands angrily, scanning the unfamiliar surroundings.

Ethan's grin widens. "My house."

"I feel like slapping that smile off your face," she snaps.

"Do it, then," he shrugs nonchalantly.

Elizabeth glares at him. "Wait, why am I here?"

"Come with me and you'll find out," Ethan smiles at her before striding into the mansion.

Elizabeth has never felt so exasperated in her entire life. How is this even happening, and why?

Earlier in the day, Elizabeth Claire was standing alone by the roadside when a convoy of cars suddenly pulled up beside her.

She couldn't help but notice an extremely tall man stepping out of the first car. She wouldn't deny it, he looked incredibly handsome. He had striking features...

She was mesmerized as he approached and stood right in front of her, leaving only a few inches between them. Elizabeth found herself completely taken with him. She even wished she could bed him that instant.

But the words that came out of his mouth the next second made her mentally slap herself: "Hi, I'm Ethan Moore. You're mine from this moment onward."

"Who does that?" Elizabeth wondered if he had read the line in a book and decided to try it on her, but it wasn't so. He kidnapped her right then and there. Why?

***

"What do you want from me?" Elizabeth questions inwardly, regaining her composure.

She scans her surroundings again, taking in every detail. They might come in handy later.

There's only one way to find out the answer to her question.

She follows Ethan quickly, and they soon step inside the mansion. Wow.

Elizabeth is amazed by what she sees. The interior decor of the mansion is beautiful and exquisite; she can't deny it.

'This is beautiful,' she nods thoughtfully, gawking at everything her eyes land on.

"Thank you," Ethan smiles at her.

Oops, she actually just said that out loud. Pressing her lips together, she clears her throat awkwardly.

"Please, have a seat," Ethan gestures to an armchair while he settles on a couch.

Elizabeth takes her seat but continues to look around, her eyes darting from one angle to another.

Ethan stays quiet, observing her as she takes in every detail of his grand living room. He finds her pleasing to watch, but he knows he needs to get straight to business.

Clearing his throat to get her attention, he begins, "Like I said earlier, I'm Ethan Moore. I'm the executive director of ENQ Company, I'm wealthy, as you can see-"

"What does that have to do with me? Why are you showing off?" Elizabeth cuts him off.

She dislikes rich people, especially those who show off, and many wealthy individuals tend to do that all the time-just like the man before her is doing now.

Elizabeth Claire is a middle-class citizen; she isn't rich, but she isn't poor either. She has never had to beg anyone for food because she is hardworking herself. Having no one to rely on since childhood has made her fiercely independent. So, for this man to sit in front of her and brag about being wealthy and whatnot... It irks her.

Ethan stares at the woman helplessly. He isn't bragging; he's simply trying to set things straight before he gets to the point.

"If only you don't interrupt me a second time, you'll know why I'm saying all of this."

"Oh, okay," Elizabeth replies, irritated.

"As I was saying, I have everything I want. But there's something I need your help with, and that is why you're here."

"You mean that's why you kidnapped me-because you have something you need me to help you with?"

Ethan is speechless. The brat just won't stop interrupting him. It's even surprising that she doesn't seem to know who he is.

Ethan Moore is a name known by the young, old, men, and women. Even children can spell that name in their sleep. E T H A N M O O R E.

So how come the woman in front of him... Ethan is suddenly torn between being happy and being sad.

A part of Ethan likes that she isn't some fanatic obsessed with his fame, but another part of him feels mixed feelings of disappointment that she doesn't recognize him.

"Fine, I'll stop interrupting," Elizabeth mutters after noticing a change in Ethan's expression.

She knows she shouldn't act gullible. She's in the lion's den. She doesn't know this man at all-he could be extremely dangerous. She needs to tread carefully.

General POV

"Thanks," Ethan continues. "There are plenty of girls at my beck and call who wouldn't hesitate to be my wife... but I want you."

Elizabeth blinks rapidly for a moment, suddenly at a loss for words.

"It seems like you've started speaking a different language entirely. Please, speak to me in English. I don't understand Portuguese," she looks keenly into his eyes.

Ethan chuckles. 'She's witty.'

"Here's the thing: I need you to pretend to be my wife," he replies calmly.

Elizabeth almost snaps her neck as she swiftly turns to look behind her, making sure he's indeed referring to her and not someone else.

'...' There's no one behind her.

"I still don't quite understand you. Do you mean figuratively-"

"The exact literal meaning," Ethan cuts in.

Elizabeth falls silent for a couple of seconds, processing his words. Then she bursts out, "Are you insane? Have you lost your mind? Wait, are you a con artist? Is this some kind of joke?!"

"Those are a lot of questions, Spitfire. Easy," Ethan tries to calm her.

"Never in your life tell me 'easy' again! What the hell?! You kidnapped me to marry you?!"

"I'll pay you," Ethan interjects.

This statement is the straw that breaks the camel's back. Elizabeth flares up. "To hell with you and your money!"

"Do I look like I need your money?! Huh?! Do I look like I'm starving and need someone to help me? Take me back to where you picked me up from."

Ethan heaves a sigh in his seat. "Please, let's not do this the hard way. Just accept my proposition, and everything will be fine. I assure you."

Elizabeth laughs hysterically at his calmness. "You want to force me to do something I don't want to do-I'm not accepting any damn proposition. To hell with you and your proposition."

"Then I'm sorry, you can't leave," Ethan replies calmly.

"Sorry?" Elizabeth feels like there is something wrong with her ears.

She didn't quite hear him right.

"You'll stay here with me until you decide to become my wife," Ethan states matter-of-factly.

Elizabeth almost goes insane with disbelief. Who the hell does this man think he is?!

"Is this a joke or something?" she asks incredulously.

"You'll find out soon enough what it is," Ethan smiles a mischievous smile.

He stands up gracefully. "The maids will help you with everything you need to feel comfortable. And if you feel you need something they can't help you with, I'm at your beck and call," he winks at her.

"Good night," he nods gentlemanly.

Ethan turns around and begins to take long strides out of the living room.

Elizabeth can't believe the man is just going to bed after kidnapping her. She can't let him sleep peacefully, not after what he's done.

She lunges forward, swinging her fist toward his neck, intending to teach him a lesson he'll never forget.

But Ethan swiftly turns around and catches her small fist in the palm of his hand before it can land. He grabs her other hand and puts them both above her head, pinning her down on the couch.

Without warning, he crashes his mouth against hers.

Ethan nibbles on Elizabeth's bottom lip roughly, teasing her with his tongue, as if seeking permission.

Elizabeth parts her mouth open slightly, and his tongue swiftly slips in the next second.

This goes on for about a minute before Ethan breaks away.

"If you keep up with this attitude, I'll have you right here and now on this couch," his voice is husky and ragged.

He presses his lower region against her thighs to emphasize how serious he is.

Eyes widened, Elizabeth gazes into his glowing grey eyes sheepishly. She opens her mouth to speak, but words are stuck in her lungs.

Gathering up the ounce of sanity he has left in him, Ethan pushes himself off her.

He snickers at her flushed face. "The maids will show you to your room. Like I said before, they can help you with absolutely anything you need. Be nice, Spitfire." With that, he strides out of the living room.

Elizabeth gradually blinks sense back to her brain, trying to regain her consciousness.

This is the first time in her life... a kiss... and it's sweet and exhilarating.

Ethan's mouth had felt soft and silky, his tongue moist and enticing as it slipped into her mouth and danced with her own tongue.

Elizabeth falls into a daze, but soon snaps back to her senses as her face darkens in annoyance.

It's her first kiss, and the man is a total stranger. Ethan just stole her first kiss from her-that beast.

Derek. Derek. Anxiety courses through Elizabeth as guilt replaces the anger on her face.

She's never allowed her boyfriend to touch her, not even once. She planned on letting him tonight. However, dammit!

This stupid pervert has ruined her plans. Shattered it! He's stolen her first kiss.

He not only abducted her but also stole her first kiss-all against her will.

Elizabeth's POV

The maids indeed help me settle down. Three led me up the classy spiral stairs I had seen Ethan more or whatever he called himself disappear around.

Oh, so we'll be sharing the same floor... Me and that... pervert. I want nothing but to stay faaaar away from that-

"Here's your room, ma'am." The lady that introduced herself as the head of the maids in the mansion jerks me out of my thoughts.

"Thank you,-" Oops, I don't seem to remember her name.

"It's Moana." She replies respectfully.

I smile sheepishly at her, "thank you, Moana."

She tips her head slightly in curtsy and turns the doorknob. The door squeaks open, revealing a gigantic room behind it.

My mouth drops open as I stare at the marvelous view before me. It's sooo beautiful-everywhere in this huge house is beautiful-just like the other parts I've seen so far.

'I can't wait to explore.'

Shit. Did I just think that?

Explore, really, Elizabeth?!