My Billionaire's Taste

Synopsis:

That moment when you are being stood up by your lover on your special day. When you are standing at the altar feigning smile at the one you ought not to marry..the one that fills the space of your beloved..

"Do you take .......to be your lawfully wedded wife" the priest asked. It was not meant to be her nevertheless for reputation, he obliged..

"Yes...I do"

###

A young woman is persuaded into marrying her cousin's Fiance to save her family's image. She agrees eventually willing to take the risk. She knew she was entering a loveless marriage with a man whose heart belongs to another. Still, she did it all for family.

Clarissa David, faces a dynamic change in fate when her cousin gives her a chance for happiness. Will she be able to steal the Billionaire's heart like she wanted many years ago?

___

She sat at the edge of the bed. It was the second day after their wedding and still, he hadn't had a proper conversation with her. Not because she was a stranger or anything but because, he couldn't shake off the feeling just yet that he couldn't be in wedlock with the one he ought to. Everything was still a blur to him.

"Why aren't you coming to bed?" He asked after a while of hesitation. He probably knew what she was going through and it was going to take her a while to let it all sink in. Imagine being surprised with a life partner, not just any but the one that should be calling out vows to your cousin instead.

She sighed and turned to him and he only hoped that she could see he was really concerned about her. But when she looked at him, instead she saw relaxation and calmness. Quite the irony of herself at the moment and she only frowned the more. How was it possible, she thought, that he was so calm about everything? He should be angry, frustrated and livid that he didn't get married to her cousin but he was calm?!

"You don't want this marriage, do you? How are you so calm about everything? For goodness sake Daniel, all of this is disturbing." She told him and he sighed in tiredness.

"It's the middle of the night Clarissa and you talk about this now? You know I think you're just stressed out, the least you can do is getting rest."

Rest?! She almost scoffed out loud. This was exactly what she was implying when she said that he was a little too calm about this whole thing. Too calm that it was already confusing her.

"Won't you come to bed?" He asked. Instead, she turned to him and said, "I need to be alone for a while, I'll come to bed when I'm ready."

Lying back on the bed, he gave a tired yawn. "Suit yourself." He muttered before shutting his eyes immediately to sleep. The gesture was enough to get her to stare at him for quite a while. She took her attention away from him when it was evident that he had fallen asleep.

Perfect! She was going to spend the rest of her life with a guy who couldn't stand a conversation with her. Just perfect!

Probably, a guy who was in love with another.

____

Daniel rolled over immediately furrowing his brows at the morning sun that managed to penetrate the curtains. He groaned in discomfort before letting his eyes open. The first thing he noticed, was the feeling of loneliness and the cold side of the bed. Slightly, he was upset and worried at the same time. Looking around the room for where she could be, his eyes eventually landed on the sleeping figure on the couch. For first, there was no need to be worried after all, he almost thought she pulled through with the idea of not sleeping.

As if she could!

And for second, he couldn't make out why he wasn't glad that she slept on the couch. Yesterday, she was fine with it. She even fell asleep before him. He had no problem at all seeing that she was tired from all the activities. And today, she sleeps on the couch, confusing! He sighed and got out of bed.

"Clarissa," and that was all he needed to wake her up. She slowly opened her eyes and covered her self more with her blanket. Her eyes darted around until they finally landed on him. He gave her a soft smile which she returned without much hesitation.

"I didn't mind you sleeping on it." She frowned in confusion but he gestured to the bed to ease her of her confusion.

"Oh, I thought it made you uncomfortable, that's why, but it's fine I'd totally preferred the couch."

"I insist but if you think you can manage you should make yourself comfortable at least, get yourself some pillows." He said and she nodded.

---

The sounds of cutleries acting against ceramics were a little pronounced at the dining table. The whole family was down for breakfast already. Clarissa couldn't tell half of what they were talking about. Daniel could tell, she was very much distracted and the reason could be because she was probably still overthinking the whole arrangement.

"Clarissa?" Daniel called but she was distracted enough to ignore him. He had to place his hands above hers and she recoiled in shock.

"What's wrong?" She shook her head and continued to eat and he just watched her silently.

"Would you like to work with us?" Every one turned to Frederick who gave out a smile. Clarissa could say she was caught off guard, she stuttered. Kara paused her eating and raised a brow at her husband in curiosity. What was he trying to do?

But then, her response didn't surprise them all. "Well...yes. I would love to." Clarissa told him and he smiled in reply.

"Are you interested in giving her a job at the company dear?" The man nodded and Kara frowned.

"Wouldn't it be best we see how hard and well she works before burdening her with several tasks?" Kara said smiling to herself when her husband actually contemplated her words. Daniel stared at his mother wondering where all of this was headed.

"I mean you haven't done anything like it before, have you? I found out you were too busy making a life for yourself to actually have interest in working at aunt's company, am I right Clarissa?" The girl was dumfounded at that point to alter a response. Daniel wanted to interrupt but the voice of his father made him pause. Before she became his wife, Clarissa was first a friend and his mother humiliating her, was something he noticed he couldn't take.

At least he hoped that it was the only reason.

"What do you suggest then?" Frederick asked.

"New workers are said to possess novice qualities. I would suggest that she starts from the scratch. A secretary wouldn't be that bad."

The moment she heard this she almost spilled the contents of her mouth. Kara was forgetting something really important. Being the billionaire's wife, she would have the media at her back and what would the headlines be? 'The wife of the famous Daniel Thompson working as a secretary in her in-laws company? Now that, is a very interesting topic the media would like to detail about.

She would make the topic of the country. For now, she cared less.

Just for now.

"Oh, I'm sorry, do you have a problem with that?"

"No, no, no. I'll work as a secretary. It's totally fine."

Audora had caught a glimpse of Daniel glaring at his mother but then he went impassive all of a sudden. It almost made her think as if nothing was ever there.

Audora shook her head the moment Daniel excused himself. Clarissa swallowed hard on her meal before gulping down some water.

"Excuse me," she requested and they all nodded.

Kara was doing a bad job at hiding her distaste for her. She made it obvious that she had not preferred her for her son but someone else instead.

---

Clarissa closed the door behind her finally sighing in relief. She cursed before turning around to scan the presumed empty room only to find to find a pair of green orbs staring back at her. She yelped in shock before cursing again. He stood taking his precious time to get to her and she retreated in ignorance.

"It's been awhile since we had a proper conversation," he said. "Circumstances have caused us to drift apart Clarissa. Still, I'm going to give you a little heads up for old time sake."

"It's obvious my mother doesn't like you," It was then her gaze darted to him. "I would suggest you try to do what she asks for now so you don't spike her anger."

"I don't know what she wants from me, Daniel." Clarissa told him. "Besides, I've never worked as a secretary before."

"Trust me when I say it's just doing what you are told to do...not something too hard."

___

Daniel got out of the car followed by Clarissa as they started towards the building. Clarissa returned the greetings of practically everyone as they went further. Her mouth went agape when they stepped foot into the building. She remembered the last time she was here, the place wasn't looking as good as now. They took the elevator, to the 13th floor actually and got out immediately it let them. His footsteps eventually slowed until it stopped and she did too, slowly turning to view her environment.

He turned to her, finding her taking in the environment. "This is where you'll be working." Eyes scanned her thoroughly.

"Here?" She asked just to be sure and he nodded.

"Hope it's not too sophisticated?" She gave him no reply as she scanned the room.

"Everyone listen, I want to make a very important announcement!" He started and all attention darted to him.

"This here is your new Co worker. She'll be joining you all as a new secretary here." He heard whispers and he swore he heard one calling her his wife.

"Now!" It stopped. "If you do know what is good and you wish to keep your jobs, you wouldn't be rude and disrespectful towards her. Am I understood?"

"Yes sir!!"

He spared her one last lingering glance before walking into his office. She decided to move and take an empty sit besides some girl on glasses.

"Hey, I'm Becky,"

"Clarissa, nice to meet you."

"Why do I think you're familiar?" Becky asked again and Clarissa raised a brow. She practically just walked in with her husband and she's still thinks her to be familiar?

"Of course on TV! She's married to Mr. Isaiah." A Blondie said and the other girl confirmed it.

Becky gasped in shock. "Say what now?!"

"Who would have thought that she would work as a Secretary?" The Blondie stated and the other girl joined her in laughter. Becky smiled apologetically at her but the laughter died down too soon immediately footsteps halted. Scanning around, Daniel saw her busy arranging her desk getting ready for work. He smiled at her when their eyes locked before walking away.

---

"What are you going to do now?" Someone spoke to the same Blondie that found Clarissa's predicament quite amusing but Cynthia paced around in reply.

"I don't have to do anything Hailey, he's mine!"

"You don't mean that, do you? He is married Thia. Besides, he hasn't even given you attention for a day at most and now you sound just too possessive about him." Hailey asked.

"Look Hailey, I've waited for such a long time. Ronnie's resigned now and I'm his new personal assistant. Finally I have chances of seeing him always, not even that wife of his can keep me away."

She had a disheartening conversation with Nick early in the morning and it put her in quite the mood. He said to her that he missed her so much. He realized that he couldn't accept her new life so quickly than he expected.

She felt that she broke him beyond repair with the news of her marriage. And now telling him that they couldn't see each other, shattered him to pieces. He literally told her that he couldn't live without her. Despite the fact that she didn't have an answer to that, the truth clear. She never felt the pull in her chest every time he was near her. She never felt her rapid heartbeat any time he kissed her. The fact was that, she was never in love with him.

The day he acted sinister, was two nights before she became aware of her wedding, before she exchanged rings with her husband. She went to a party with him. A college frat party hosted by the women's man, Jake Phillips, who was having 'an actual' friendly conversation with her but Nick went all cave man on him. Jake frowned at his accusations.

For first, when Jake wants a girl, he gets one but Clarissa, was off limits considering they were friends and for second, he never likes to be intimidated. Nick sounded annoying, frustrating the guy enough that they exchanged fists. She shook her head and winced at the memory.

The fact in all the drama was that there was no chance for the both of them anymore and there stopped being any when her cousin fled with her lover.

---

"Come in," Thia entered into the office shutting the door behind her immediately.

"I thought I made it clear I didn't want to be disturbed." He said to her but sighed afterwards, "What do you want?"

"I just wanted to deliver some papers your father sent, he said to go through it thoroughly." Thia told him.

"Sure, let me see." She gave him the file. "There, you can go take a break now." He told her taking his attention back to the file he was formally working on.

"Are you sure you want me to leave?" He stared at her. "I mean, your father wants the papers sent back right now."

"Really Cynthia, you can go have lunch, I'll bring him the file myself." He told her and she tightened her fist in rejection. Nevertheless, she forged a smile and went on.

She cleared her throat and started again. "I heard about your wedding-"

"You hear about a lot of things these days correct? But now I have things to do, you should really use the door." She stood up and did as he said. Shutting the door behind her, she bumped into Clarissa.

"I'm so sorry-oh it's you." Forging a smile, Thia muttered. Clarissa frowned in confusion as Thia stretched her hands waiting for the file to be handed to her.

"It's lunch time already. You must be really hungry, you should go have lunch I'll give him the papers." Thia continued.

"Personal documents, Sorry you don't really need to bother yourself."

Thia glared at her for a second or two rolling her eyes and muttering a 'Whatever' before walking away from her.

----

She opened,

The clicking of heels made him sigh in frustration.

"I thought I told you I don't need to be disturbed Thia?" He turned around and the heels stopped.

"Well I'm not Thia." He looked up immediately to the familiar voice.

"Oh, it's you. I thought it was-"

"She seems to be really pissing you off." Clarissa mentioned and he nodded it away as if it was nothing.

"I see you brought a file, well can I have a look?" He tried hoping to take her mind away from the recent discovery. He flipped through the file and a frown appeared on his face.

"Well this file....who gave you this?"

"Your sister and she said no one else should come to you but me, she didn't say why." Rissa told him and he nodded.

"You can go."

Did she make a mistake? Well, let's see; old files, personally brought to him by Clarissa? Can it be what was going on in his mind? He paused when he found a note.

'You both have been working all day. Don't you think you should have a glimpse of your wife every second?'

He closed the file and flung it to his desk just when Clarissa walked out through the door.

He didn't know what his sister was trying to do but he knew the kind of person she was and he could already feel her hovering round his relationship.

---

Daniel had gotten home quite late that weekend working out of his sleep hours. He was literally exhausted. He entered into the room and he was greeted immediately with a strawberry perfume he had gotten use to. One he had grown to like so much. He walked over to his dressing room but stopped. Retracing his steps gently, he discovered something very interesting.

She slept on the bed!

For his reason, she had slept on the bed and the sight alone made him smile. Taking off his jacket, he moved over to the dressing room.

He went to bed immediately after changing into something comfortable, too tired to even take a shower. Resting his hand above his head, he turned to the sleeping figure besides him, memorizing every features of her face with ease. He confessed that she was infact a beauty. He was upset that in all her features, it was missing out his favorite, her eyes. Blue as the sea, he would say. He was undeniably attracted to them and worse of all, he was afraid. Afraid that he was already getting himself into something that he wasn't sure he would be able to pull out later on. He turned away from her sleeping figure staring at the ceiling untill sleep overtook him.

----

Saturday was lonely for her. She was seated at breakfast with her sister in law. Daniel had left for a business meeting a little far from home with Frederick and Kara, she was more or less into her fashion business.

"Why the long face Clarissa? For goodness sake he just left not too long ago." Clarissa blinked out of her trance in surprise and Audora smiled at her.

"Okay, spend some time with me then. Since you can't take your mind off him, maybe a little shopping will help."

Clarissa nodded before replying with a 'sure'.

-----

"Why would she even think of running away Henry, that's unlike the Clara we know." Austin stated as a matter of fact.

"I guess we don't always know people to the fullest bro." Henry replied with a shrug and Austin just shoved his hands in his pocket before looking around hoping to find interest in other mall items.

"I wonder how he must be faring, I better pay him a surprise visit sometime, don't you think?"

"You should. I heard Clarissa's a beauty by the way, I'm not sure he can resist for long..."

It was the fourth dress Clarissa had put on that looked magnificent on her.

Audora gave her a thumbs up admiring the dress in approval. When she decided to take her new friend out shopping, she sighed up for a gorgeous looking dress that fit the beauty very well, enough to get her brother's jaw to drop in amazement.

"Will this do?" Clarissa asked. "I admit the dress is a pretty one but-"

"But nothing sweetheart, you look gorgeous." She said with a knowing smile, a smile that no one could read.

Why does this look like she was asking for trouble? Clarissa sighed in defeat and Audora clapped her hands excitedly. "I'll just go pay for these, you just wait here." Audora said to her and was given a smile in return.

......" I just hope she's better." A faint voice was heard and when she turned to look in the direction of the voice, she saw a brown headed guy who got lost typing a message on his phone. His friend walked away from him but her stare didn't waver from him hoping she knew the face somewhere. He noticed this quickly and he didn't waste any time in returning the gesture.

She laid her items in her closet before walking down to her vanity table and taking off her earrings. The day was stressful trying out different quality gowns for the anniversary but it was worth it. She finally found one that was breathtaking, a gown worth to the dollars they spent on it. Holding her top to get rid of it, she froze as her eyes locked with those green ones. Her breath hitched in her throat and she put the shirt down on impulse. She didn't know he would be back today; maybe the meeting lasted for only a few hours for him to have made it home today.

"Hey, we need to talk." He hesitated before adding, "I'll be at the pool when you're done." She nodded in reply letting him walk away from her.

There he stood, in front of the pool obviously lost in thoughts. She couldn't help but feel nervous at the thought of what he was going to say. What if he wants to tell her that the relationship could never work? Besides, he is in love with another and he could guess the same for her. She sighed; she was definitely the only one over thinking this.

"Daniel," He didn't bother to turn to her because he was well aware of her presence even before she called out his name. "You said you wanted to talk?" The silence for a moment was almost deafening but he spoke anyways.

"What do you want for this marriage?" He started off. What was she to say? She wanted them to behave like a normal couple? That would sound hilarious to him. He would think her to be desperate. "People can't afford to see us like this; certainly they would know this is all bogus." She patiently waited to see if he had something else to say. Instead, he turned to look at her.

"I know you must be feeling sophisticated already, this wasn't what you wanted. But the truth is, we do not always get what we want." He paused looking for the right way to say this to her. "Mom and dad's anniversary is in a few days and I wanted us....I mean dad wanted us to pretend everything's okay between us for once."

Clarissa frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

"It means we get to behave as if we are together for the anniversary."

"Okay." He raised a brow. "Let's say I agree with you. What happens next? What happens after the anniversary? Are we going to still pretend or what? Are we going to still pretend like everything is alright when it's not?" She scoffed when he couldn't give an answer.

He said, "It is as difficult for you as it is for me."

"Really?" When he said nothing else, she chose to walk away from him crestfallen that he couldn't even make his own choice. Everything wasn't right, she wondered how long till she exploded with all the pent-up feelings within.

He couldn't pinpoint what she really wanted. It couldn't be what he was thinking. She couldn't possibly be wanting chances with him. He had thought of the possibilities once, but no, he wouldn't be deceived by assumptions only. He had been broken once and wouldn't know how to repair the next.

___

Thia had gone into the office for the nth time in the last thirty minutes. She was his private secretary and all but Clarissa couldn't help but get the itch. Seeing her shirt buttons open, exposing her cleavage, the conclusion was quicker than she expected. Something was definitely going on, something interesting enough to put a smile of achievement on Thia's face when she came out of Daniel's office before going in the last time.

"How about tomorrow then?" Daniel raised a brow before throwing the file that he'd been holding on the table.

"For someone who claim to be mature, you behave quite like a child...too curious. Don't you think you should stop with the gestures already? I'm not interested."

But she was bold enough to play with his tie and press further into him.

"You should be careful, I could fire you. The only reason you are still here is because you begged for this job once do you remember. So, I advice you take your hands off me immediately." She paused with her lips ever so close to him. He was getting to her, her expression had began to change to worry and her courage was beginning to fade.

"I was just, I'm sorry i-" She tried but she knew more than to stay another minute. She moved away and quickly adjusted her skirt. When she began to walk away she paused at the sight of the figure that stared at the both of them in disbelief. Thia turned back to Daniel hoping to see something maybe indecision but his eyes were locked with Clarissa's so she walked away from the office. While he, waited for her to make a statement at the scene so he could tell her it wasn't as she thought but there was none from her. She looked away from him praying the burning sensation in her chest would go away. She tried telling herself that the reason she was probably upset was because, she had hopes for them. She felt an itch but an itch could ruin the whole thing for her eventually.

---

What did she think of him now? He groaned when he recalled her taking an excuse claiming to not feel well and went home. She was probably running away from him, avoiding him. She couldn't even meet his stare at the meeting. He had to clear things up really fast. Surely, she isn't meant to think that way of him but the fact that she did, made him worried.

He gripped her wrist when she attempted to walk pass him in the kitchen. "About today," he started.

"It was nice wasn't it?" She interrupted, but he shook his head at her reply. That wasn't what he meant.

"Are you two love birds going to stand there all day or come eat dinner?" Audora called out and she used the opportunity to release herself from his hold and walk away leaving him to sigh in exhaustion.

Now this, was definition of difficult!