MY CONTRACT BILLIONAIRE HUSBAND

As she stared up at the blazing hot sky, she wondered what her life was going to look like. The clouds floated around happily in humor to her predicament. Being fired from the only place she had worked so hard to get into after graduation was quite a comic story indeed.

As she crossed the pathway leading up to her rundown apartment close by, a few blocks away from the building that had held all her dashed hopes and dreams, her heel got stuck in the broken cemented sidewalk. Thrusting out with all her might, the heel of her favorite suede stiletto broke. She stumbled backwards and landed on her butt, grazing her hands onto the ground. It hurt. She knew that right at this moment, the universe was mocking her.

Working endlessly and tirelessly for years, only to come out with the best degree and getting admitted into the workplace she had applied for, seemed so far away now. She looked down at her stubbed heel and wept for her bleak life.

"What's a beautiful girl like you doing on her ass on the sidewalk?"

Her head whipped around so fast she was afraid her neck would snap. She raised her head up to look at the stranger who had his hand outstretched with a huge smile on his face.

"Am sorry, who are you?" she spoke before her body could register what she had said.

The said man was gorgeous, with chestnut brown hair and blue eyes; he looked so handsome it took her breath away.

"Why don't I help you up?" he offered, gesturing to his outstretched hand.

She nodded because words had seemed to fail her. "Yes, thank you," she stammered.

He pulled her up; stumbling due to her wobbly legs, she collided with his chest. "Sorry," she said abruptly, straightening up.

"Can I buy you a cup of coffee?" he asked politely.

Nodding, her lips widened in a shy smile as she felt her cheeks redden.

"There's a great coffee shop just two blocks away if we can just make it," he took the lead.

Being careful not to lose him, she walked as fast as her legs could carry her to match his long strides. She noticed that he slowed down a few times to give her time to catch up, which was very thoughtful of him.

"Come on in," he said, ushering her in through the double glass doors that held the coffee sign.

The place had an aesthetically pleasing mahogany feel to it. There wasn't much of a crowd for the lunch hour, but it wasn't completely empty. There were customers scattered around the shop, chatting away and sipping away at their coffees, worry-free.

She let out a defeated sigh.

"What's wrong? Don't you like coffee?" he asked.

She shook her head vehemently. "No, no, I do. I was just... thinking about something else," she reassured him.

He nodded and walked over to the counter to place their orders. Busing herself, she picked a table at the far end of the coffee place and slid into the curved seats overlooking the floor-to-ceiling windows.

She watched as the people breezed by, some tired, some happy, but most of all she noticed the satisfied looks they all had as they passed by, probably on their way back to work.

Clearing his throat, she jerked back away from her internal musings.

"Are you alright?" he asked. Concern etched on the creases at the base of his forehead.

She gave him a wan smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yes, I'm fine. Just work," she summarized.

She didn't need to bore a total stranger she had just met with her life problems when she was a total mess. She just had to relax and savor this moment.

"Sorry, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Michael. Michael Wheeler," he said, giving her his outstretched hand once again, this time for a handshake, and she obliged.

"My name is Alina. Alina Sanders," she replied.

He nodded, taking the information in, a wistful smile etched onto his lips.

"That's a really nice name," he added.

She felt her cheek go pink. "Thank you. But thank my parents. They're the ones who gave me the name."

He chuckled at her awkward attempt to lighten the mood, feeling his laughter was contagious, she followed suit.

They were so wrapped up in the invisible bubble that they didn't fully notice when the waiter placed their drinks in front of them.

She stared at the leaf design of the sweetened coffee. She wasn't a fan of sweetened coffee.

"Am sorry I went ahead to order your coffee. I figured you would prefer to drink yours sweetened," he explained, as he watched her stare at her coffee, her expression unreadable.

Her eyebrow arched upwards.

"And what gave you that idea?" she asked, a little annoyed now.

"That's the impression you gave off. I might be wrong though," he interjected, raising his hands up in surrender.

"That's much better," satisfied with his answer, she returned to the cup of coffee staring back at her, she stirred before finally taking a big gulp.

"So, about your parents, what should I know about them?" he asked.

She raised her head up from her cup of coffee to collide with his amused gaze smiling back at her. She looked at him over the rim of her coffee and wondered why he was interested in knowing about her parents. What kind of stranger gets into such details? she wondered, and suddenly felt unsafe. Secluded in the corner with him, in a room full of people, was supposed to reassure her, but she felt goosebumps crawl up her skin.

Who was this stranger? And what the heck was she doing with him? The questions kept bugging her. She eyed him skeptically as he sipped his coffee, waiting for her response.

"Am sorry, but as nice as you are, I don't feel comfortable telling you about such details of my life," she responded, almost apologetically.

He chuckled. Settling back in his seat, he leaned back and looked at her for a while.

"Look, like I said, I'm Michael Wheeler. Doesn't that seem to ring a bell for you?" he spoke.

Shaking her head vehemently in confusion, she tried to grasp where this conversation was going until...

"Wheeler of Wheeler Enterprises?" she asked hesitantly.

He blinked in confirmation.

She gasped as she suddenly realized who and where he was. He was her boss.

"I guess the surprise has already hit you"he observed.

Unable to speak,she nodded her reply.

"I know that this may come as a shock to you but you were highly recommended "he continued.

She frowned in confusion.

"What is that supposed to mean?"she asked skeptical of his intentions.

With a wide grin on his face,he leaned in closer across the table.

"I have a proposition for you"he said.

"What proposition?excuse me,but am trying to wrap my head around the fact that am sitting across from the owner of the enterprise I work in.Wait,was this even planned?"she blurted out.

Her mind going in different directions trying to piece everything together.

He straightened up now.And gave her a once over before opening his mouth to speak.

"This meeting was purely coincidental.Although I can't say,we wouldn't have met either way.But am glad it happened sooner rather than later."he explained.

"So what do you want from me?"she asked .

"I just want to propose something to you"he declared.

"You've said that already"she interrupted.

"That's how serious I am about it.So hear me out"he ordered.

Her eyebrow raised in defiance and her lips puckered in a pout .

He would be lying if he said he didn't find that so attractive about her.She was everything he was looking for.Inquistive,curious,a little fisty and respectful.And her body made his blood boil.She had curves in all the right places and judging from the peach stripped tshirt she wore and the body hugging skirt she wore,she wasn't afraid to hide that fact.

Goodness, he was feeling his insides boil for this woman unlike anything he had ever seen.Thats why she was perfect.

"Marry me"he said without a doubt in his mind.

Her folded hands fell to her sides,her mouth stood agape as she stared at him wide-eyed and in shock.

"What?!"she exclaimed.

He watched as she blurted out laughing.

"You're joking"she said in disbelief.

He leaned back in his chair with folded arms to stare straight into her eyes.She gulped .

There was no way that she could escape this now.

"And why would you want 'me' to marry you?you don't even know me."she stuttered looking around as if the word itself was an abomination.

"Because I want you" he answered firmly.

She stared at him with shock.She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out.

From her facial expressions,he knew that this was going to take a while.So to break the awkward silence, he raised his hand up to signal the waiter.

At this point,they needed to the ice.The waiter took their orders and was back almost immediately with the light lunch he had ordered for her.

"You should eat up.Apart from coffee,they make a mean batch of sandwiches.They're really good,try it."he advised.

She grimaced but obliged either way.

He smiled at her blind obedience.He liked her naviety.He liked her childlike trust in him even though she didn't know him and his preposterous idea but she didn't react violently or cling to him because of his money upon knowing his dentity,just like a few other girls had tried to do when he had offered them the choice as well.

He knew he needed it but he wasn't desperate to think that all girls would be compatible with him that's why he ran the search in the first place.

After she had eaten a good portion of the sandwich which was good,she would need it ,if she was to keep up with him. He wanted a woman who was unashamed about eating and had a good appetite.

She looked up from her half eaten sandwich.Clearing her throat,she finally spoke.

"Am sorry sir,I may not know why you would want to do this or why you would even think I was a good match to be your wife,but I would have to decline."she replied.

"I know that I may not have much or the fact of me never being in a relationship ..."she trailed off.

His eyes widened in shock.He felt his smile grow wider much to her confusion.

"...but I can't marry you.You see,love will always be a big part of my life.I grew up in a not so loving home so I wouldn't want to repeat the same mistakes my parents did."she finished.

His lips pursed in thought.

"Would it help to say that I am attracted to you. You're beautiful"he responded.

She felt her cheeks flush with excitement but quickly recomposed herself.

He almost chuckled at her cute expression.keyword,Almost.

He has never in his entire life being refused of anything except once.And that was a very long time ago.And he didn't handle rejection well.

Of all the girls to reject him,it had to be her.All the girls he had interviewed had accepted on a whim,some had feigned innocence but he knew what they were really after.who wouldn't want to be his wife.Which made it even more confusing that she was refusing his offer.

It was a great deal.

"I don't think I've fully explained what's in it for you?"he negoitated.He was grasping at straws now .He knew from the determined pout to her lips that she wasn't changing her mind.So with a deep frown,he resorted to the only way he knew would work.

Playing nice so far hadn't gotten him anyway.So with the proud set of his shoulders and his folded arms,he stared her down and proceeded to talk to her with his really good business skills.its why he was known to be a ruthless billionaire and a very successful businessman.

"Alina Sanders ,a very hardworking young lady,25 years of age ,graduated top of her class,is ambitious and driven and is very passionate about working.She lives in an apartment 10 blocks away from the company on the 10th Avenue in Brooklyn. Lives with her retired mother who is currently in need of surgery for her reoccurring spinal cord injury. Is on bed rest and is constantly in and out of the hospital. "He recited smugly.

He paused to raise an eyebrow at her.

"You are in a great deal of debt young lady.With your student loans and stacked up hospital bills,i don't think you will be able to last a week without a job.besides, it's been a while since you filled out your mum's prescription."he added.

"How dare you?"she sneered mortified.

He eyed her from underneath his lashes .

"Now,do you reconsider or do I continue?the choice is yours.Either way I win..."he said victoriously .

She gulped.Her eyes darting around the room for someone to intervene. But it seems there was noone.

"You're such a vile person!"she spat out with as much venom as she could muster.

She felt her eyes sting with tears and her throats constrict in discomfort.

No way was she going to let him win.

She wouldn't let him.

So with a defiant stance,she stood from where she sat,glaring at him.

"This conversation is over,Mr.Micheal.Thank you for coffee "with that she walked out leaving a very confused micheal thinking through the points that may had lead to this very moment.

Never in a million years had he seen this coming.No one had ever attempted to walk out on him or end the conversation until he was done.

He pulled out his phone and dailed.

His secretary picked up at the first ring.

"Doris,I want you to do something for me.Its about Alina"he spoke.

* * * *

On her brisk walk home, her mind reeled and her heart picked up a few more beats unable to calm the sensation that had washed through her with her encounter with her boss.

She had never thought this day would go this way but she was determined to take this as a bad dream that she wanted so desperately wanted to forget.

"Am so sorry Alina but I have been authorized to not give your mum any additional treatment until you've cleared out your outstanding bills."the older man clad in a white hospital lab coat said apologetically.

She gripped his arm frantically as he turned to leave.

"Please,my mum won't be able to stand the pain for another week.she needs her prescription."She pleaded.

The doctor shook his head emphatically but she knew he couldn't do anything. He was just following orders.

Something seemed off .There was no way that they would be turned down.They were on government assistance and as such,had a credit bill for hospital expenses. No matter how much they owed,they were not to be turned down.

"What's going on,this has never happened before "she asked confused.

The man hesitated to respond but eventually, he leaned in closer to whisper.

"I don't know who you offended but It must have been someone very very high up,even higher than the hospital director.Our orders came from higher up"he whispered and scurried off into the patient wards leaving her standing by the entrance confused and lost.

Immediately it clicked.

Her frown deepened.Who does he think he is?

She stormed off out of the hospital,took a cab and drove straight back to the very building that her rejected her.She knew in her heart of hearts that he would be waiting and she was right.As soon as she arrived,she was ushered into the elevator up to his office on the last floor by security.

She was then shown his office and was led right into the lion's then.They led her in and locked the door behind her leaving her standing there so out of place in this fully furnished expanse of his office.

Her poor choice of outfit that consisted of her faded jeans and crop top that hung loosely along her belly,exposing just a little bit of skin a huge contrast to the beige leather furniture that decorated the room.

He stood,facing the floor to ceiling glass windows overlooking the city.They just stayed in complete silence for a good minute or two before she couldn't take it anymore.

"I know what you're doing"she spoke up impatiently.

"And am here to tell you that it won't work"she added and waited for his response but he said nothing. He just stood there gazing out the window in silence. She opened her mouth to speak but stopped in her tracks when he began to speak.

"Do you know how fleeting life is?"he finally spoke up.

She frowned in confusion.

He whipped around and was facing her now before she could say anything .

"You know my offer will change your life. It would help your mum.Who needs love when you could have money,fame and power."he argued.

"Micheal,you might not need it but I do."she retorted.

His lips eased into a smile at the way she said his name.

"Where is love now when you need it?"he asked.Staring into her eyes a silent challenge in them.

"Why are you doing this?"she cried. She threw her hands up in fustration.

"Marry me.that's the only way I will make this all go away"he answered.

Later that evening as she walked arm in arm with him clad in a tight red dress as he led her through the crowd, her mind wondered to her mother.And how her mother would feel if she knew that her daughter had sold herself just to get her to fly to Japan for her spine replacement surgery.

She felt her body tense as his huge hand splayed across her waist as he shielded her from the cameras and flashes that had surrounded them.He pulled her into his body and the scent of his strong cologne wafted through her.He smelt so good with a combination of mahogany and an earthy scent she couldn't recognize yet still made him feel like a real man .They were able to wrestle their way into the reception area that had been blocked off from unregistered paparazzi and reporters.

"I'm sorry for the discomfort. It wasn't easy to arrange this last minute. "He whispered closely.she felt the hairs at the back of her nape stand on edge.

"Come,lets say hi to our guests"her spine stiffened as he wrapped an arm around her waist again and led her towards the crowd of expensive looking people that had directed curiously glances their way from the moment they had made their entrance.

As she went through the motions,greeting and smiling so much that she feared her face would crack,her thoughts drifted to her mother being taken care of by someone who was not her.Although,she had been reassured by her impressive resume that she had had a great deal of experience with being a home nurse and taking care of her patients.

"Alina, meet my mother"his voice broke through her internal musings just as they approached a beautiful blonde woman clad in shimmering diamonds and a velvet green dress,her hair was laid beautifully behind her neck.

She gulped. Nervously clutching and releasing her purse as she watched the woman walk over to them.Her eyes trained on her.