My Nightmare Billionaire

"We'll certainly feel your absence, Dr. Chloe," Receptionist Anna conveyed, handing me several documents. I accepted them with a faint smile. I'll genuinely miss this place as well.

"Feel free to reach out whenever you like, Ann; I'd always avail myself."

"Thank you, Chloe." She placed my transfer letter neatly on the desk.

"Wishing you the very best on your new path."

I nodded, and as my eyes fell upon my name within the documents, a slight grin crept across my face.

At times, it feels peculiar to witness my name inscribed without any accompanying surname. Yet, it's beyond my control. The identity of my family remains a mystery to me. I remain uncertain about their existence or whereabouts. All I recall is an assertion from someone at the orphanage many years ago, asserting that I had been there from the very day I came into this world.

My entire childhood and adolescence were spent yearning for the warmth of a family's love. I observed many of my fellow orphans finding new homes through adoption, and I couldn't help but envy them. It appeared as though no one ever spared me a second thought for adoption. However, that sentiment has since lost its grip on me. Having lived a solitary existence for the entirety of my twenty-four years, I've learned that love isn't solely about anticipation, but more about offering it willingly.

"Dr. Chloe, are you all right? You appeared lost in thought," Anna inquired.

I chuckled nervously in response to Anna's question and embraced her, offering assurance of my well-being. After saying farewell to everyone, I embarked on my journey to the airport.

Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in my life, commencing in the very place where my story began. After a six-year absence, I am returning to the homeland of my upbringing."

I can vividly recall the momentous day when I celebrated my eighteenth birthday, poised to bid farewell to the orphanage that had been my home. Fortuitously, I received a scholarship to attend a prestigious overseas medical college. Upon successfully completing my studies, I secured an internship in the field of psychiatry. In due course, a few years later, I proudly earned the distinguished title of 'Dr. Chloe.'

***

Upon reaching my destination, a deep sigh escaped my lips, laden with anticipation. The winds of change were blowing in my life. A fresh country, an unfamiliar city, a novel hospital, strangers yet to become acquaintances, and a completely new existence awaited. My earnest hope rested on this journey, that it would script new chapters in my life.

"Barbie doll," a familiar voice rang out, and my face lit up with an enormous smile.

I tilted my head slightly, raising my eyebrows in surprise as I approached the figure standing before me. My backpack snugly settled on my right shoulder, and my suitcase trailed behind.

"Hey," I whispered, enfolding him in a warm embrace.

"Welcome back to the grandeur of New York City," he murmured in response.

"How are you, Joe?" I inquired, disregarding the perpetual smirk gracing his countenance.

Evidently, he harbored some undisclosed intentions.

"Well, considering your imminent inclusion in the hospital where I am employed, I'd venture to say I'm quite well," he replied with a mischievous tone. I couldn't help but shake my head at his playful demeanor.

Joe and I are longstanding friends, we met few years ago at a medical conference. Since that serendipitous meeting, our friendship has grown strong.

He's a renowned surgeon, but at times, he can display rather immature behavior.

"Darling, despite this scorching weather, I made the effort to collect you from the airport. Please, let's not linger here as if you were a statue. Come along, let's go."

I nodded and promptly settled into his car.

As I pondered, nervously nibbling on my lip, I grappled with the persistent question that had been troubling me for quite some time.

Glancing to the side, I observed him, and there, I discovered a broad grin illuminating his face. I couldn't help but wonder why he appeared so elated by my presence.

"Joe," I inquired cautiously, "What's the reason behind your eagerness for me to join you here?"

He met my gaze, then responded, "You'll soon find out."

"Indeed, it appears he's not inclined to disclose the true underlying motive," Chloe remarked.

She fixed her gaze upon Joe, her curiosity piqued. "Joe, why do I think I am here because you need my assistance for something. If I am, just let it out already"

Joe's composure remained outwardly tranquil, yet a subtle gravity underscored his words.

With a steadfast commitment, Chloe assured him, "Rest assured, Joe, I've already committed myself to this journey. There's no turning bak You can confide in me; I promise to beof help to the bestr of ability.

His gaze averted from Chloe, fixating on the windshield ahead.

" Do you know Alex Peterson?"

I had a sudden urge to laugh at his question.

" Come on, who doesn't know him?" I replied and that's when the corner of his mouth broke into his signature smirk.

" Well, he's going to be your next patient."

He announced with a casual shrug. I blinked twice to register his words.

Alex Peterson? The billionaire Alex Peterson?

" Relax, okay? He's also a human."

" Do you know him?" I asked him, surprised.

He chuckled.

"Yes, Barbie doll. I know him. He is my best friend."

" You never told me about this," I whispered.

"You never asked."

" B-But why me? He can hire any best Psychiatrist then why me?"

How am I going to treat him? He's such a big personality. I had never seen him, but the stories I'd heard about him were enough for me to have my heart filled with pure respect. He worked hard to build a huge empire in the business world at such a small age. I can imagine the number of sleepless nights he might have spent for achieving all the success. But why does he need a psychiatrist?

" Because you are the best I can ever find for him."

I flushed.

" Can I ask you something?"

" Sure, doll."

" Why does he need a psychiatrist?"

His face became hard at my question and a second later, I regretted asking him that.

" He doesn't, but I need you for him."

I knitted my eyebrows in confusion.

Huh?

He exhaled a deep blow of air and his hold on the steering wheel tightened a bit.

"I will give you his medical files tomorrow."

" Okay."

" We are here. Go and take proper rest, you might be tired from the journey. If you need anything, just drop me a message, okay? Otherwise, we'll meet tomorrow. Take care."

He said before placing a kiss on my temple.

" My life is strange, isn't it?" I asked myself once when I reached the balcony. Grabbing the seat on the couch, my eyes wandered over the sky. The sun was settling down and the slow breeze was passing through my skin.

I don't know why it feels like Joe was hiding something from me. Like there was some other reason besides treating Alex Peterson.

Alex's POV-

"Please leave my office," I calmly stated as I spun the paperweight.

"Sir... I really need this job," he repeated nervously.

I exhaled softly and turned my head toward him. His face displayed anxiety and beads of sweat. I glanced at his trembling fingers struggling to hold some documents.

"Do you want to keep this job? THEN WHY DID YOU TAKE LEAVE WITHOUT NOTIFYING ME?" I inquired, still attempting to control my temper, but all he did was lower his head.

"I've had enough of this nonsense."

"Please leave immediately."

"Sir, my wife was unwell, and I..."

I couldn't help but let out a small chuckle. So, he chose his wife's health over this job? Well done, you've just given me one more reason to let you go from my company.

"Now, you have two options: either leave right now, or stay and witness how I ensure no one will hire you again."

His face turned even paler, and without uttering a word, he exited the room.

I pushed the paperweight, and it crashed to the floor, breaking into pieces.

"Sir, would you like a brief diversion?" Sophie, my secretary, entered, closing the door behind her. She approached me, standing between my legs.

I raised my eyebrows but she leaned closer and loosen my tie with her perfectly manicured fingers.

Who am I complaining about? She's one hell of a distraction. She knows how to satisfy me.

Licking her lips, she pulled her top over her head. I smirked and smashed our lips together. She let out a moan when our tongues collided. Lust ignited into every core of my nerve.

I clenched my teeth as the door swung open, and a familiar voice reached my ears. Sophia swiftly put some space between us, shooting an angry glare at Joe, who returned her look with disdain. I rolled my eyes and sank deeper into the leather chair, pressing my fingers against my forehead.

Joe always seemed to choose the most inconvenient moments. Sophia adjusted her top and began walking toward the door, maintaining a hostile stare in Joe's direction the entire time.

After Sophia left, Joe quickly took a seat across from me and began to playfully wiggle his eyebrows.

"Why are you here? Don't you have any hospital duties?" I inquired with a touch of irritation.

He responded by rolling his eyes and leaning forward to pinch my cheek.

"JOE, I CHALLENGE YOU TO ACT CHILDISH AGAIN, AND I PROMISE YOU'LL END UP IN A HOSPITAL BED NEXT TIME."

He let out a sigh and adopted a blank expression. Frustration coursed through me as I clenched my fists.

What's wrong with me? Why am I in such a miserable mood?

"What's the matter?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.

"Just leave me alone," I snapped.

"Listen, Alex, I'm your best friend. Please, stop acting like I'm your enemy. WHY CAN'T YOU JUST TELL ME?" he yelled, his voice filled with emptiness. When I remained silent, he downed an entire glass of water in one gulp.

"He chose his wife's health over his job," I added blankly and pressed my eyes shut trying to avoid his gaze.

"You were jealous of him, weren't you?"

I swallowed the thick amount of lump forming in my throat.

Jealous? Maybe.

After all, that employee had someone to return home for, unlike me who got nothing but this company.

"Out. Now." I stated simply and he scoffed.

"Bro, you love me, don't you?"

"Joe stop acting gay and come to the point. What do you want?" I asked ignoring the weird look he has, with wide eyes and lips being pulled out.

Asshole.

"I've found a bride for you." I choked on my saliva at his words.

What the hell?

"Before you consider throwing me out of your cabin, please hear me out, alright?" He said anxiously, casting an innocent glance my way.

I nodded cautiously, and it was at that moment he beamed with a wide, ear-to-ear smile.

"Alex, you made a promise to me that you would do anything for me. Today, I am requesting that you marry someone of my choosing. Just for my sake, please agree to this marriage," he explained hurriedly, his gaze darting everywhere except towards me.

"You would be ruining her life," I countered.

"She's far from an ordinary woman. With a heart of gold, she truly believes, Alex, that one day you'll appreciate my efforts in arranging your marriage to her," he exclaimed with genuine happiness.

I couldn't help but feel the urge to chuckle at his naivety. While I might indeed marry someone of his choosing, not even my future spouse would have the power to transform me.

Joe is my friend, but there are still many secrets he remains oblivious to. If only he knew, he would certainly never have attempted to arrange my wedding with anyone."

Someone like me doesn't merit all of this. I've committed terrible deeds that are difficult to forget. That pain, that guilt, that agony are not things easily erased; they've ensnared my heart.

The woman with a heart of gold will never be able to heal my shattered soul.

"Look at yourself, Alex. You're one of the most eligible bachelors, blessed with perfect looks and great wealth. Anyone would be eager to marry you, yet at the age of twenty-seven, you remain single. But I'm not complaining; I'm glad you're single because if anyone deserves to be your wife, it's Chloe, and only her."

You're not getting Joe; no one should become the spouse of such a nightmarish person like myself.

Chloe's POV-

I gulped down the third glass of water, down my throat in nervousness. I am going to meet 'The Alex Peterson'

I never thought to meet him in person. Joe asked me to wait in the room but to get some fresh air, I walked to the balcony.

What I am going to say to Mr Alex? What if I will end up embarrassing myself? What if..?

I inhaled a deep breath and looked straight up into the sky full of stars, instantly a little relief washed over me.

"Staring them won't solve anything."

Suddenly a strong dominating voice echoes into my ears and I snapped my eyes in the direction only to find a well-built man in business attire. I blinked again to realize that it was no other than Alex Peterson.

Automatically a smile touched my lips and I shifted my eyes back to the stars.

"They don't solve anything but at least they provide peace and I guess that's more important," I said and he let out a dark chuckle.

He stood next to me and my heart started beating at a wild rate.

"Peace, it's impossible to find."

I tilted my head and our eyes held contact. For a second, everything went still. His eyes were the most beautiful pair, I have ever seen but his aura was reflecting confidence, not his eyes. They were holding strange emotions which were hard to read.

"Peace can be found easily," I added, our gaze still interlocked.

But instead of another word, he came closer to me and grabbed my wrist harshly, in between his fingers.

I hissed slightly and stared at him.

What's wrong with him?

"Have you got peace?"

"Where there is pain, no peace can ever come," I replied and his grip tightened more, which made me bite my lip.

His jaw was clenched but soon a smirk appeared on his face. He pulled my lips out of my teeth using his thumb. A shiver rushed down my spine and numerous butterflies jumped into my belly. I instantly pulled myself back and looked everywhere but him.

What was that feeling?

"There was no pain this time, so felt any peace?"

For the first time, I found myself going out of words.

"How much money do you want?" He asked, maintaining his posture.

"What?"

"HOW MUCH MONEY DO YOU WANT TO STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME?" He raised his tone making me gasped in shock.

This wasn't the Alex Peterson whom I expected.

**********

"Hello, Barbie doll," Joe said with a boyish grin and jumped on the bed like a little kid.

I smiled at his antiques and turned the T.V. off.

"So? Any special reason for this random visit to my house?" I asked, raising my eyebrows.

He nodded, looking dead serious.

"Come, first have a seat."

"Everything okay, right? Why are you behaving strangely?" I asked in concern but all he did was give a slight nod and ran fingers through his hair.

"Chloe, do you trust me?" I scrunched up my eyebrows at his question. Off course I trust him. It was trust that I came to America just because he asked me to come?

But why he had asked that?

"Yes, I do."

"If I will ask you for something, will you have enough trust in me to do that?" He asked.

"I will try," I replied with an honest answer.

"What do you think about Alex?"

I watched his face in confusion but he maintained a continuous blank look.

What do I think about Alex?

This was not just a question and I wouldn't be able to answer it though. Alex was a mystery, someone who was not what he looks like. There was something different behind the façade of an arrogant billionaire.

"I don't know Joe. I don't have the exact words to define what I think about him. In our first meeting, he had given me an impression of arrogance, egotistic, cold-hearted person but there was something in his eyes which was narrating a different story." I spoke and a small smile automatically formed on his lips.

"Alex is on the edge of destroying his life." joe said

I bite my bottom lips and noticed the frown his face held. He was concerned about his best friend.

His words were like a trigger to my old memories. Mark was also like Alex. The same drug addiction. A shiver ran through my spine and I shook my head to clear my mind.

No. I couldn't. I couldn't watch Alex turning into another Jason.

"Don't worry Joe, your friend is now my responsibility. I promise I will fix his life."

He smiled for a moment but then again a frown took over his face.

"How?"

"He needs care, Joe. We have to make him believe that others care for him. He has to be happy enough to come out from the trap of drugs." I explained.

"Chloe, you still don't get it, do you?"

I slowly shook my head and waited for him to say something and clear my confusion.

"From where Rehan is going to get care? He doesn't have anyone, not a single family member. And happiness? I don't think he has any reason to be happy about."

My eyes went wider in shock. Does have an has no reason to be happy about it? Alex Peterson has a different story which was untold.

"Do you want to make his life better?"

I nodded without wasting a single second.

"Then marry him."

My breath caught up in the middle of my throat. Marry him? I searched his face to get a hint that what he said was a joke but his expressions were otherwise.

What are you saying, Joe? Is this some kind of joke or what? I want to make his life better but that doesn't mean this, I have to marry him. I don't even know him, he's a stranger.

"No. Are you out of your mind Joe? This is not happening." I said, sternly.

"Chloe, please. He needs someone like you. I know you will be able to heal him. Just have a little faith in me, think of your marriage as the only way to save his life. Since the day I first saw you, I knew that you were the only one who could bring my best friend back. You're my only hope, Chloe."

My heart started getting louder and again the face of Mark appeared in the back of my mind. I clenched my eyes shut and felt the familiar pain.

Alex deserves happiness, but how can I marry him?

"Think about what I said. If you want to give up on him without even trying then it's okay otherwise I know that you won't ever regret marrying him." He added with a small smile.

Marriage is a big thing. For me, it will always be a pure bond. I had always thought about marrying the one whom I love.

Tears gathered in my eyes and I felt sudden frustration. Deep down I don't know why but my heart was not against Joe. I sighed and took out Alex's medical record from my bag.

Depression, panic attacks, anxiety, mood swings, drug addiction, anger issues.

There was something more. The way his eyes had flickered with void emotions, there was something which was constantly eating him alive.

Saving even a single life is worth every sacrifice but how can I marry him?

"I can't Joe."

He frowned and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Chloe, remember once you said that I am the brother you haven't got by birth, right?"

I nodded.

"Then believe me that you are like a sister to me and I would never ask you for something which will destroy your life." He spoke, now looking straight into my eyes.

I smiled. "Joe, do you want to tie me into the knots of a lifeless marriage?" Although from inside my heart was at the edge.

"Alex is my best friend. I know that he has his demons but I promise, he's not that bad Chloe. You are my only hope for him." He whispered.

I licked my lips. You are not getting Vishal, are you? I am not scared of Mr Peterson but I am scared of stepping into a hollow marriage.

"Please, Chloe. I beg you."

I exhaled a deep breath and faked a smile. "Okay."

"What? Y-You will marry h-him?" He stammered, his eyes wide in surprise.

"Yes. I will."

He blinked twice and then without thinking next, he screamed in happiness and came forward to hug me. I am ready to take the risk of stepping into this lifeless marriage.

I couldn't let Alex become exactly like Jason. I wasn't able to save him but this time, I promise to decorate beautiful colours in Alex's life.