Married a Billionaire as a Side Hustle

BRIANA'S POV

As I stand at the altar, adorned in a gown that isn't mine, I can feel the weight of deception pressing down on me like a leaden veil.

The soft strains of the wedding march fill the air, mingling with the whispers of the gathered guests. All eyes are fixed on me, but they do not see the real me - they see the illusion I've been forced to embody.

I steal a glance at him, the man I am to marry, the heir to a wealthy dynasty. His chiseled features are a mask of composure, but I couldn't deny the love that shone in his eyes. He looked at me like I was the most precious jewel, and the sincerity with which he smiled caused my heart to ache painfully for him.

Does he know the truth, or is he too blinded by duty and love to see through the charade?

My chest tightens with every step I take closer to him, knowing that this union is built on a foundation of lies. I am not the woman he was meant to marry. She fled, leaving behind a void that I, with my uncanny resemblance, have been forced to fill.

The officiant's voice washes over me, a solemn reminder of the vows I am about to speak.

"Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

The words echo in my mind, each syllable a piercing reminder of the betrayal I am perpetrating, but I can't back down now, not when there's so much at stake. I meet his gaze once more, searching for a hint of hesitation, a spark of uncertainty. But all I find is a burning want and need that didn't match my own, this man was head over heels for me, or rather who I pretended to be. And so, with a heavy heart and a voice that threatens to betray me, I utter the words that seal our fate.

"I do."

As the ring slips onto my finger, I can feel the weight of it settling like a shackle, binding me to a life that is not my own. And yet, amidst the sea of unfamiliar faces and the swell of emotions, I only look for one person. The elegant lady who sat with the groom's parents, her expression was unreadable, but her gaze was sharp, reminding me of the terms of our agreement. It was because of her that I was now privileged to wear a gown that I never thought I would, and it was because of her that I was pulled into a world that was vastly different from the one I had known all my life. This story had only just begun, a tale of how I married a billionaire as a side hustle.

Two weeks earlier....

"You dumb bitch!"

A sharp slap resonated around the small cafe, and my cheeks stung as my fists ball at my sides. Anger bubbled in my chest, but I remained silent as the customer continued his onslaught on me.

"How dare you say that it's my fault after you messed up my order!" The man yelled, his veins bulging as he looked at me in pure disgust, like I resembled a grain of dust he could easily wipe away. But I continued to stay silent, trying my best to bite down the insults at the tip of my tongue, there was no use to escalate the matter forward.

"I'm sorry sir." I force out, the words leaving a bitter taste in my mouth, but it seems my apology was not enough to soothe his rage as he takes the rejected latte and pours it on me. The hot liquid burns my skin but I don't flinch.

"Sir! You can't assault my workers, please leave you're causing a commotion."

That was my boss, Mr. Riley. The frail old man steps into the scene to defend me, and my heart warms with gratitude. The customer scoffs and turns on his heels, making sure to make a declaration of, "I'll never shop from this store again." before finally leaving.

Once he was finally gone, Mr Riley turned to me, worry evident in his features as he examined my form. He opens his mouth to apologize but I stop him by giving a gentle pat on his back. He doesn't have to take responsibility for someone's lack of home training. "It's okay boss." I mask my true emotions with a smile, but the old man doesn't look convinced.

"You should take the rest of the day off Briana." he insists but I shake my head at him in refusal. "This isn't enough to faze me, I'll simply just change my clothes." I tell him, " I would only leave when my shift is over, and besides I couldn't possibly leave you to do all the work alone. It's a full house today." I add once more, hoping he listens. Well, I couldn't blame him, it wasn't the first time I had been harassed by a customer. But he finally agreed, making sure to check up on me if I was feeling overwhelmed, he was truly a sweet man.

In the bathroom, I washed my stained clothes, grateful for the fact I always brought a spare outfit with me. I wince as the cold water runs over the scald burn marks on my arm, my expression grim as I heave out a heavy sigh.

I want to believe that I shouldn't accept this kind of treatment but the voices in my head say otherwise, constantly reminding me that I deserved much worse.

"Get yourself together Briana," I mutter to myself, shutting out the voices that threaten to consume me.

I was determined to not let my hardships define me .

Never again.

Finally, my shift comes to an end and I wave Mr Riley goodbye as I clock out, looking down at my watch as I hurry to my next job. But as I navigated the busy streets of Seattle I couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling that washed over me. I felt like I was being watched, but each time I took a glance around me, I couldn't spot anything or anyone suspicious lurking around me. It had been happening for the past few days now, and the feeling still lingered till now.

"Bri! Oh my gosh! I've missed you!" I'm tackled into a hug the moment I step foot in the department store, rolling my eyes playfully as I let out a light chuckle. My coworker Sally was such an energetic soul, and it's one of the reasons I don't particularly hate this gig.

"You saw me yesterday and the day before that." I remind her, and Sally pulls back from the hug to give me a puppy-eyed look, her expressive brown eyes shining through the curtain of her dark fringe. "Well two hours a day is not enough time, and you're never free to hang out after work,"she whines, her bottom lip jutting out in a small pout.

I brush her off with a slight shrug of my shoulders, not ready to explain how I don't have any free time to spare, it was a luxury I had to forfeit to survive, one I couldn't even think to have with eight different jobs weighing on my shoulders. I worked as a cashier at a cafe, a salesperson at a department store, a pizza delivery girl, a caretaker at an elderly home, a cleaner at a small firm, and finally, my highest-paying job as a waitress at a refined restaurant in the heart of the ever-bustling city.

The day passes rather slowly, and I subdue a yawn while walking through the glass doors of the hospital. I check my watch to be sure I haven't passed visiting hours. It was a few minutes past seven so I had only a few minutes left.

The nurse at the reception acknowledges me with a curt nod, her gaze trained on the desktop screen.

I mirror the gesture and trudge down the pristine white halls, the pungent smell of antiseptic and drugs lingering heavy in the air. I pass a crying couple as I make my way to the ICU, bile rising in my throat as the nurses roll out a stretcher with a petite form shielded under a heavy blanket from head to toe. It was a child.

I averted my gaze from the scene and hastened my pace, shaking my head as if to clear my thoughts. I reach my destination, bracing myself with a deep breath before turning the knob of the door to the room. A sense of relief washed over me as I faced my only reason left to live.

My brother lay still on the hospital bed, an oxygen mask strapped to his face and an intravenous drip attached to his forearm. The beeping of the device monitoring his vitals echoes loudly in the silence, and as I go to sit next to him, my lips curving into a sad smile, I brush his ginger hair off his forehead. They had gotten longer over time and were in desperate need of a trim.

My eyes burned with tears that threatened to fall, but I held them back, not wanting to break down in front of him. I didn't have that right. Everything I do is to make sure he wakes up, so I can see him smile at me again. I'll sacrifice anything to hear him scold me again, but it would never come close to what he'd already sacrificed for me. I didn't care if I worked myself to the bone, as long as I had him, I didn't care what I had to do to keep him alive.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, pulling me out of my train of thought. I recognized the ringtone as my alarm, indicating that it was time for my last job of the day. I heave out a heavy sigh as I stand to my feet, but it does nothing to soothe the ache of longing clogging the chambers of my heart. I lean forward to drop a loving kiss on my brother's forehead before standing to my feet, saying a silent prayer for his wellbeing before taking my leave.

On getting to the restaurant my boss informed me that I had received a special request from a VIP customer, and it came as a shock to me because there were more experienced waitresses assigned to cater for them. When I asked why I was chosen, my boss merely shrugged his shoulders as he was as clueless as I was, and with confused curiosity, I accepted the offer, not that I had more of a choice from the beginning. I only do as I'm told.

Moving up to the private area of the restaurant reserved for the highest paying clients, I nervously look around the exquisite dining hall, spotting the lone figure of a woman who sat next to the glass screen window. As I make my way toward her, carrying a complimentary bottle of fine wine, I'm careful with my steps to not trip and make a fool of myself in the end. This could be my one shot at a raise, and if she leaves with a satisfied review of me, it would raise the chances of me getting a promotion.

"Good evening ma'am." I greet her, setting the tray of wine down. "How may I be of service to you at this fine hour?"

The woman turns to me at my indication, and my eyes widen at her ethereal beauty. She looked in her mid-thirties but possessed a striking youthful beauty that was both classic and contemporary. Her hair, a lustrous cascade of chestnut curls, framed a face of exquisite symmetry, with high cheekbones, a pert nose, and lips painted a bold shade of red.

She was dressed in a stunning gown, the deep navy fabric hugging her curves before cascading into a graceful train that pooled around her feet. A diamond necklace glittered at her throat, complementing the subtle sparkle of her earrings. Her eyes, a captivating shade of emerald green examined me from head to toe, and I gulped under the scrutiny of her intense stare.

"It's good you asked." she starts, her tone refined and purposeful. And I blink in confusion when she gestures for me to sit. I do so reluctantly, sitting stiff as I watch her pour herself a glass of wine. Her presence wasn't just alluring but intimidating as well, and my instincts screamed at me to run, but my curiosity was far beyond ignoring.

"I'll cut to the chase," she adds, her gaze sharpening as she leans back in her seat. "I want you to marry my brother."

"Pardon?"

Did I hear her correctly or were my ears deceiving me?

She answers me with a light chuckle, seemingly amused by my reaction.

"I said I want you to marry my brother," she repeats casually, picking up her wine glass and letting it rest between her fingers. I blinked once then twice, trying to make sense of her statement, but my brain could only come up with one response.

What the hell?

"I don't quite understand what you mean Miss." I start carefully, and she takes a small sip of her wine before setting it back on the table.

My brows furrowed in confusion as she raised her hand slightly, and with a small flick of her fingers, a tall man emerged from the shadows, making my heart jump in my chest as I let out a shocked gasp. How long had he been standing there? I didn't even sense his presence.

He was adorned in a raven-black suit, his expression unreadable, and his features hard as stone. The only notable thing about him was the silver tint of his brown hair and the scar that ran from his left brow to his jaw, barely missing his expressionless eyes in its precision.

Judging from his muscular build and the earpiece strapped around the shell of his right ear, I guessed he was her bodyguard, but something in the way he stared at her told me he was much more than that.

The man bows his head in greeting as he stands beside her, but she doesn't even look his way. Her emerald eye remained trained on me, and with another elegant flick, he dug into his suit and pulled out a slim file. He hands it to her and she reaches out to take it, her gaze never leaving mine.

The mysterious woman sets the file on the table and slides it to me with a light push. I stare at the file warily, twiddling with my fingers on my lap as anxiety takes its toll on me.

"I don't like talking too much. Open the file and read to see for yourself," she orders, and I shoot a nervous glance her way before returning my gaze to the file.

"Go on." she urges me, her tone impatient, and I reluctantly take the file and retrieve its contents. Nothing would have prepared me for what I saw next.

My eyes widened in shock as I came across a picture of a woman. A lady who looked just like me. But she wasn't me. I didn't own any fine jewelry, so the diamond-beaded earrings she wore in the photo rivaled against the cheap plastic that hung from my ears. It was evident that she was a totally different person, someone with obvious wealth akin to the woman sitting across from me, the only difference being that she had....my face.

She had my round face, my pouted pink lips, slim brows, and full eyelashes. The shade of her blue eyes also matched mine, along with the curve of my button-like nose. The only prominent feature that set us apart was our hair.

Hers was strawberry blonde, falling out into smooth waves and stopping at her waist. Mine was short and straight, stopping a little beyond my shoulders, the color being a soft blend of ginger brown. But still, how could we look so alike?

"What...." I trail off, my lips parting in awe. "Who is this?"

I received no response, so I took a deep breath and continued, putting the picture aside to give way for another. And in this photo, the lady was in the company of a man. She was laughing, her eyes shining brightly as the man was caught kissing her cheek with his arms wrapped lovingly around her waist. Although I didn't know who he was, I immediately noticed the resemblance between him and my guest, but his features were softer and less intimidating.

"Is this your brother?" I question, my voice coming out in a whisper and she nods.

"You have a good eye." she compliments, but I'm far from flattered.

"What does this have to do with me?" I press on, and she sighs softly before straightening up in her seat.

"That woman there..." she starts and I don't miss the hint of spite in her tone. "...Is a fraud." Signaling her bodyguard, he quickly adheres to her silent request, digging into his suit to fish out another file. "Her name is Verona Winfield, and she's my brother's fiance. They are supposed to wed in two weeks, and she'd stolen a substantial amount of money from his private account and fled with her alleged lover."

Okay.. that was a lot of drama dumped all at once, but I still didn't understand where I stood in this equation.

"And what does any of this have to do with me? Are you saying you want me to take her place?" I voice out my thoughts, and she grins, perfect rows of white teeth flashing.

"You're catching on quickly." she chimes, taking the other file and peeling it open. "Unfortunately, my brother has a rare heart condition, so telling him that the love of his life betrayed him would have negative effects on his health, and I fear for the worse. Even the slightest shock could be lethal." she adds solemnly, her expression growing sad.

My chest tightens as I relate to her worry, but her offer is far too extreme. To me marriage was sacred, and I've spent most of my years daydreaming of the perfect wedding, with the man I loved dearly, even when I knew the chances of that were slim.

"I'm sorry Miss..."

"Laura Shield." she corrects curtly and I nod in acknowledgment.

"I'm sorry Miss Laura but I'll have to decline."

"Oh but you haven't heard my proposal yet," she smirks, sliding the file in her hands across the table. I take a glance at it, it was a legal contract explaining the terms of the deal. "I'm only asking you to marry him for the time being until his condition is stable and he's fit enough to accept the harsh truth without risks. I also don't expect you to do this for free."

Her words ignited a sudden rush of anger in me, one that made my blood sizzle and boil. Does she think I would stoop so low as to marry a man for money? Do I look that desperate? Is this what it has come to?

"You might not think much of people like me, but I would never sell myself for whatever price you name." I bite out, my tone dripping with pent-up frustrations as I stand abruptly. "I hope that'll be all. Miss Laura Shield."

"That's a shame." Laura sighed, but I didn't give her any more attention as I turned on my heels. "I was thinking we could understand each other. Since we both have something to protect."

What?

I stop dead in my tracks, my heart skipping a beat as I whip my head in her direction.

Don't tell me.....

"If we don't work together, dear Briana Quin, we'll both suffer a heavy loss."