Played By The Billionaire

The day I had long awaited had finally arrived. I couldn't wait to be pronounced as Elliot's wife.

"Miss, I am done," the makeup artist informed me, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I took the bouquet and made my way to the wedding hall, feeling excited that I was finally going to walk down the aisle.

As I stepped out of the waiting room, my friend Patricia ran up to me, panting.

Confused, I asked, "Patricia, what's wrong?"

She hesitated before replying, "Elliot isn't here. I have searched everywhere for him and tried calling him, but his phone isn't connecting."

My bouquet fell from my hands as my eyes widened at her words. There was no way Elliot would forget that today was our wedding day.

"Let's wait for him. Maybe he's stuck in traffic..." My voice trailed off as I tried not to break down.

He couldn't abandon me on what was supposed to be the happiest day of my life. Not after everything I had done for him and how I had anticipated this moment.

"Amy, it doesn't seem like it's just traffic. If it were, he would have called you," Patricia said, sounding realistic.

Without saying a word, I returned to the waiting room. I walked up to the table where my phone was placed. I wondered why I hadn't thought of this-maybe he had tried to call me.

I had been so focused on looking good that I had forgotten to call him, or maybe I hadn't bothered because I thought he was waiting for me.

Right in front of everyone.

"It can't be..."

My lips parted as a soft gasp escaped. My phone fell from my shaky hands as I tried not to believe what I had just seen.

I must be dreaming, right?

"Amy, what is it?" Patricia asked as she hurried up to me, picking up the phone from the ground.

As she read the message, which seemed like a goodbye from Elliot, a gasp tore out of her lips. She was equally surprised.

I couldn't believe this was how things were going to end between us. I thought he was the right man for me. I thought his promises to stay by my side forever and be the father of my kids were real.

But reality dawned on me. Maybe it had all been lies from the start. Maybe he never loved me. Maybe he was just trying to humiliate me in front of everyone present today.

It was supposed to be the grandest wedding in the city, but it ended up being...

"Amy! Amy!"

My friend's voice made me snap out of my thoughts. I raised my gaze to meet her eyes, tears streaming down my face as they washed away my mascara. "Patricia, what am I going to do? I thought he loved me! I foolishly gave him everything," I sobbed.

"What are you doing here? Aren't you done with the makeup?" Patricia's voice made me turn to face the makeup artist, who I thought had long gone.

The makeup artist bowed apologetically before leaving the waiting room.

"Amy, don't cry; you're going to ruin your beautiful face," she muttered before turning to face me. "Let's wait for him. Maybe he..."

"He's not coming. He said it's over between us," I whispered, my voice barely audible as tears cascaded down my face. "What am I going to do? Everyone's waiting for me-for us to be pronounced husband and wife!"

"It's going to be fine. I'm going to use another number to call him. Maybe it will connect," she informed me, trying to stop me from crying.

Even though I had ruined my life by trusting the wrong guy, I didn't want to ruin my family's reputation.

Patricia, this wedding must go on," I said, trying not to think of the shame I would bring upon my family if the news of my being abandoned by my fiancé got out.

I had already brought enough shame upon my family by blindly signing off my family's legacy to Elliot... Only to be betrayed!

In an instant, my broken heart was fueled by anger. The will to destroy Elliot and make him regret betraying me. After all, I was Amy Reynolds!

"But there can't be a wedding without the groom," she explained calmly.

"I'm going to find Elliot... We must get married today," I whimpered, more tears streaming down my face.

Patricia heaved a sigh before embracing me in a warm hug. Patting my back, she muttered, "Don't cry because of Elliot. That jerk doesn't deserve your tears."

Before I could speak, the sound of someone knocking on the door made me snap out of my thoughts.

"I'm going-"

"Don't worry. I'll go and check. Maybe it's Elliot." I walked up to the door, hoping it was him.

I turned the knob, my heart heavy as I opened the door. My heart sank with disappointment as my gaze met the person who had knocked.

It was Kai. Elliot's uncle.

"I heard what my nephew did. I'm sorry about that," his voice echoed, not sounding as if he had come here to console me.

Even though I didn't know how the news had reached him, I pretended to be fine by forcing myself to smile. "Oh, is Elliot running late?"

"You don't have to lie to me because I know Elliot isn't coming. I've searched everywhere for him but couldn't find him, leaving me with no option but to conclude that he disappeared," he informed me. "I can't allow Elliot to disgrace my family; that's why I'm here."

Wondering what he meant, I asked, my brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"Marry me. I'll get back everything you gave Elliot and make him regret betraying you while I save my family's reputation."

For a moment, I forgot how to breathe. He sounded sincere and shameless at the same time. I couldn't believe he was asking to be a replacement for Elliot.

Her eyes widened at my absurd request, amusement written all over her face. In an instant, her amusement was replaced with a frown. She walked up to me before asking, "Is this why you are here, Kai? To laugh at me?"

I chuckled at her words. Only if she knew this wasn't the time for any of us to laugh.

I raised my gaze to meet her blue eyes before replying, "Why should I laugh at you when you have a real problem, Miss Reynolds?"

"A real problem? This is much more like a mess! In a few minutes from now, I will be known as the heiress who was abandoned by her fiancé! A stupid lady who gave everything to a man because she...." Her voice trailed off, the rest of the words stuck in her throat as tears streamed down her face.

Seeing her cry made me feel irritated. She is supposed to think of how to save her face rather than crying!

"Miss Reynolds, crying won't do you any good. Besides, Elliot isn't coming back. He isn't coming to save you from the shame or express his regret," I muttered coldly.

This wedding might be out of love for Elliot and Amy, but not for both families. To both families, it is a partnership.

Her grip tightened around her white wedding gown as she whispered, "What am I going to do? Now that he isn't-"

"Snap out of all this acting!" I interrupted her. "Elliot is gone. You are left alone now. It is either you save your family's reputation by marrying me or watch your family become a laughingstock in the city," I informed before turning to leave.

"How on earth am I supposed to be your wife? My fiancé's uncle?" She asked, a face that used to be bright with a smile now turned pale.

I hesitated before replying, "I am not marrying you because I love you. I am marrying you because I want to save my family's reputation, which Elliot already tarnished. Our marriage is only for twelve months."

"And how am I going to trust and believe you wouldn't betray me like your nephew?" She asked, a doubtful look on her face.

I took a few steps closer to her. "Amy, this isn't about trust; this is about gains and losses. It is either you join hands with me and regain everything you have lost, or-"

"We are getting married in twelve months, right?" She asked coldly, her teary eyes flashing with determination.

I know that gaze. That one that made one determined to do things they can't ordinarily do.

"Our marriage is going to be a contract marriage. I am going to have my secretary send over the document that includes our terms as a couple... that is if you want to marry me rather than cry about getting abandoned," I replied, my gaze fixed on her as I calculated her reaction.

If she disagrees to marry me, then my plans would come to ruin.

"What if this doesn't work, Kai? What if-"

I interrupted her, staring at her eyes, which were filled with doubt. "You don't have to bother about that because I won't let that happen. Not when my family's reputation is on the line."

"I am going to trust and believe your words," she muttered, her voice barely audible as she locked eyes with me.

Before I could speak, my father's secretary barged in.

"What is happening here?" Daniel asked, a disgusted look on his face.

I raised a hand, cutting him off before he could say another word. "Tell the guests the wedding will start in a couple of minutes," I instructed coldly.

Daniel hesitated, trying to press the issue; however, he knew better than to question my needs now. After watching him leave, I turned to face Amy, who seemed lost in her thoughts. "I want you to get prepared in the next five minutes. We can't keep the guests waiting," I voiced out, making her snap out of her thoughts.

She nodded before walking up to the chair, which was facing the standing mirror. I knew she didn't want to do this, but she had no choice but to trust me-at least for now.

I hesitated before leaving the dressing room. Now, I am one step ahead of Elliot.

I am going to claim his woman, take everything he thinks belongs to him, and make him know he is nothing! I am the one who deserves everything given to me by my grandfather!

"Sir, I already have everything in order. The guests are waiting for you both, and the officials are-"

"You don't have to give me every detail," I cut my secretary off before walking to the wedding hall.

Everyone gasped at my presence. No one expected me here because they knew I had never had an engagement.

I ignored the murmurs spreading in the hall before walking to the front of the altar reserved for Elliot.

"Are you the groom?" The official asked.

I nodded before turning my gaze to my stunned father. He expected his golden boy here and not his good-for-nothing son!

I waited for a while, hoping Amy would walk majestically like a queen to me, but there wasn't any sign of her. I kept checking my wristwatch, already tired of waiting just like the guests who were here to see the grandest wedding. Or so they thought.

The wait went on for about twenty minutes, and still no sign of her. Now, I can't help but wonder if she ditched me or if that jerk has returned...

"Is the bride not coming? I have other things to do aside from wasting my time waiting for the bride. I had spent about two hours waiting for you both," the official complained, making my heart beat faster.

I suddenly became nervous. I suddenly feel like a fool under the watchful gaze of the guests as I wonder what is up with Amy Reynolds.

"Amy, don't tell me you are going to get married to Kai. Your fiancé's uncle?" Patricia, who just seemed to have heard the news, asked, her brow raised as she stared at me unbelievably.

I smiled faintly before replying, "This is the only decision I could make. I can't let Elliot ruin my perfect life."

I turned to face the makeup artist, who was already done with the makeup, before asking, "Have you arranged my hair?"

"Yes, I have," she replied calmly.

I stood up before taking my bouquet with me as I walked out of the waiting room. Even though I tried not to think of Elliot and how I pictured my wedding to be, I couldn't help it.

A lone tear rolled down my face as I thought about everything. Getting abandoned by the man I love and marrying his uncle of all men!

"Ha, she is here!"

The sharp voices from the guests made me snap out of my thoughts. I lowered my gaze to avoid meeting their judgmental gazes before walking up to Kai.

He looked fine compared to me, whose hands were trembling, my knuckles almost turning white.

"Don't worry, all this would be over..." Kai said, trying to calm me. I could swear he heard the sound of my heartbeat.

I smiled faintly before raising my gaze to stare at the crowd who were all amused.

They expected me to be next to Elliot-the man I got engaged to a year ago. How Kai ended up being next to me instead of Elliot made everyone curious. I could tell by their gaze.

"Before I pronounce you both as husband and wife, I want to know why Mr. Kai Linton is here instead of Elliot Linton," the official said, curiosity laced in his voice as he stared at us.

Others nodded in agreement.

Before I could take the microphone to speak, Kai had already done so. A bright smile was on his face as he spoke.

"I know most of you are surprised. You were expecting Elliot here, weren't you? Kai asked, his expression calm and calculated. "Amy called off her engagement with Elliot months ago. We fell in love with each other after a few meetings."

I felt amused at how fluent he was. He sounded as if he'd been practicing those words for days.

A resounding clap from the crowd drifted me back to reality. I didn't expect the guests to be easily fooled by a few words from Kai.

"You both are in love-that is what matters," the official's voice calmed the guests who were clapping. "Amy, do you take Kai Linton as your lawful husband?"

My breath seized upon hearing the official's question. I thought he was just going to pronounce us as husband and wife and be done with this.

But then, it seemed like the opposite.

"I... I... I..." I tried to talk, but I felt the last word stuck in my throat. Or maybe I can't bring myself to say that word.

How can I say 'I do' when I don't have romantic feelings for Kai? This wedding was just to save each other-strictly business, as he said.

"I do!" The words finally rolled out of my tongue as the guests' whispers filled the hall. I can't give them any reason to doubt us.

"With the power bestowed on me by the state, I pronounce you both husband and wife," the official announced, earning applause from the crowd.

Before I could think of what followed, I felt a force push me to Kai before his lips met mine. I wanted to push him off, but his grip was too fierce on me as he deepened the kiss.

After a while, he broke up from the kiss, smiling as if he had done nothing.

The official excused us, leaving us with the guests. Kai walked up to reputable businessmen, ignoring his father and Elliot's elder brother, who was still puzzled.

I excused myself from the wedding hall, and my breath finally returned to normal.

Outside the wedding hall, some guests were pointing fingers at me as they addressed me as Mrs. Linton. I didn't feel any excitement compared to the excitement I always feel when anyone calls me 'the soon-to-be Mrs. Linton.'.

"Amy," a familiar voice, which I knew belonged to Kai, made me turn. "I want to show you something important," his deep voice made me nervous, wondering what else I needed to know aside from this.

Aside from us getting married in the absence of his nephew?

He gestured for me to follow him. Without asking questions, I followed him.

We both walked into his private room. Since the wedding hall belonged to his family, almost every member of the family had a private room.

The moment we got into the room, Kai locked the door behind me, making me anxious. I don't know; I have a bad feeling about this...

As if he could read my thoughts, he walked up to the table before pulling out a document, which he placed on the table. "This is the document containing our agreement as we discussed earlier," he informed me, making me direct my gaze to the document.

I walked up to the table before flipping to the next page, which included our marriage terms. The first term was exactly as he said: 'This marriage is strictly business, a 12-month agreement. In exchange for supporting him with my family image and business dealings, I will also regain control of my family property-my father's legacy that I had lost to Elliot'.

I did not bother reading the rest of the terms before I reached for the pen. I held back the tears that threatened to pour out of my eyes as I signed the contract.

Kai sighed next before raising his gaze to look at me. "I promise to make sure this goes well-you will have your father's assets and go your separate way," he said, sounding like a man I could depend on.

Or so I thought.