Renting The Billionaire's Heart

My ears perked up when I heard a loud cry from my neighbor's house and someone calling for help. I grew worried and rushed out. Little did I know that my curiosity would lead to a shocking discovery, and I was about to receive my first slice of heartbreak.

Sixty-four-year-old Gwen had fainted while having marathon sex with a young dude. Many emotions ran through my mind: amusement, sympathy, and finally horror at the sight of the young man responsible for her predicament.

The last person I expected to see half-naked and sweating like a faucet was my boyfriend, Drake.

A lump formed in my throat as I struggled to process the scene. With all the stories of cheating circulating, I had begun to suspect Drake's suspicious behavior-his unexplained money despite being jobless, his lavish spending on gaming at the casino, and other activities-but I never imagined he'd be cheating on me with an older woman.

Without thinking straight, I marched straight to him. "How dare you!" I cried out and slapped him across the face. My hand stung from the force. "You're a disgusting pig!"

He was shocked to see me. Tears flowed uncontrollably down my cheeks, despite my best efforts to hold them back. Gwen's fifteen-year-old granddaughter was frantic and tried to revive her.

Drake's hand flew to his cheek. "Mimi...baby, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at work?"

I struggled to contain my emotions, speaking through trembling lips, "Drake, you're fucking someone old enough to be your grandmother? A married woman whose husband is lying helplessly with a stroke?"

Drake's response was a stinking lie: "I don't know what you're talking about. I came over to help with plumbing."

His excuses were growing more ridiculous. He lacked any skill, and I was more handy than him. My tears kept flowing, and I wiped them with the back of my palm. "Why, Drake? Why cheat on me and lie to my face? You're an asshole!"

His face became hard, almost unreadable. "So what if I cheated? What's so special about you that I cannot cheat on you? Gwen is older, but she's better in bed. You're just a wallflower, boring as fuck!"

My tears streamed in torrents now as I struggled to make myself speak. "You can't possibly blame me for that! You took my virginity, and even if you wanted to cheat, you had other options and not an old woman! How can you be so selfish? It's over!"

Drake rolled his eyes. "Good riddance."

My mouth hung open in shock. A part of me wanted to plead with him, but my hurt overpowered that desire. I felt that he owed me an apology, not the other way around.

I struggled to compose myself and asked, "You took all the money from my savings last week, claiming it was for your mom's medical bills. Can I have it back?"

Drake sneered, pulled out the cash, and flung it to the ground. "Now stop yelling like a banshee and get a grip." I watched in disbelief as he jumped on his bike. "One more thing: don't come back begging. I'm done with you."

He sped away, leaving me stunned and heartbroken.

"Please, Miracle, can you help me lift my mom? She's awake but still on the floor," Gwen's granddaughter begged.

She was terrified and I felt sorry for the poor girl. Gwen was naked and her hair was damp from the water used to revive her.

I helped lift her onto the bed, and when our eyes met, I knew that her affair with Drake was intentional. I had seen her watching me with Drake many times, as I lived with my aunt, who was a next-door neighbor.

"Shame on you," I spat out, my voice bitter with anger, before turning and running away.

------

"I'll take the offer. I'll do anything to get out of here," I cried on the phone to my best friend."

Dani's squeal nearly blew out my phone's speaker, leaving me wincing in pain and wondering if my eardrums would ever recover.

She had brought up a suspicious

contract weeks earlier, where she had used my photo and personal information for a gig involving a billionaire seeking a contract girlfriend. At the time, I had refused due to my commitment to Drake, but now that he had shattered my heart, I had no reason to hesitate.

"Get your beautiful, heartbroken self down to Beverly Hills and make some cool cash. Be grateful that your cunt-lapping ex dumped you for that old woman. He did you a favor. If only I looked half as stunning as you do, I'd be swimming in cash by now."

My doubts began to grow when I booked my flight. I needed the money, but I didn't want to land in trouble.

"The pay is three million dollars, Miracle. Take the offer and become a millionaire, or continue struggling as a sales assistant with a broken heart," Dani said sternly.

Five days later, I flew to Los Angeles, looking confused as a fish out of water.

"The client in question, have you seen him before?" I asked Dani at the airport after she assaulted me with a hug. When she shook her head, I groaned.

"Dani, I hate taking risks. I lied to my aunt about getting a job here. What happens if this doesn't work out?"

Dani was too excited to care. She booked an Uber, and we drove to Beverly Hills and pulled into a sleek, all-white duplex with a line of luxury cars in its circular driveway.

I was staring face-to-face at wealth, and it made my knees buckle.

With an overly bright smile, a good-looking man with a strong Irish accent walked over to welcome us. "Ah, there you are. You must be a miracle."

Dani responded instead, bobbing her head."She is, and I'm Dani." Dani wasn't allowed inside, and I had never been more afraid. Mr. Irish accent successfully dragged me into the waiting room, and I felt like a sheep to the slaughter.

"My name is Calvin, and rest assured that this contract is real."

My eyes were restless, bouncing around.

"The lawyer has already outlined the contract. You must sign it before my boss sees you. Let me warn you, though. He's not thrilled about this arrangement, so he might come across as a bit harsh. Just remember, there's a huge amount of money on the line."

"Is he a demon? And who is making him do this?" I asked warily. Calvin laughed, trying to lighten the mood.

"He's no demon, but he can be a bit demanding at times. Keep that in mind and remember that you have me to back you up.

"Thanks for the reassuring words, "I said flatly, and he winked, checking his smartwatch and handing the contract over for me to sign.

"He's ready to see you now. Come with me" Calvin said moments later. My wobbly feet and racing heart made me tremble.

When we got upstairs, a tall, ash-blonde-haired man in a navy blue jacket stood behind a door. I hadn't seen his face, but judging from his hair, he wasn't old.

I began to doubt myself. What if he considers me a wallflower and thinks he deserves someone more beautiful and experienced?

My heart skipped a thousand beats when he turned around and met my gaze.

Fuck my life!

My heart slammed like a door shut in my chest, and I experienced a shockwave that ran through my veins and made me dizzy.

No way!

Standing right before me was the unmistakable figure of a billionaire celebrity, real estate mogul, and YouTube sensation with over fifty million subscribers.

Leonel Hamilton.

I did a double-take, wondering if I was mistaken. Perhaps this man shared a striking resemblance to Leo.

Several questions popped into my head. Why would this perfect-looking man with good looks and a fat wallet want a fake girlfriend?

It made no sense to me.

Intimidated to be in his presence, I gripped the banister for balance. Calvin thought I was going to fall, so he rushed to hold me.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah," I stuttered. "Is he the client?"

"You know Leo Hamilton?" Calvin asked with a chuckle. "Of course you do. You don't live under a rock, and to answer your question, yes, he's the client. Now get a grip on yourself and go introduce yourself to him."

I wanted to yell at Calvin for acting so casual, but I felt so undeserving and unprepared for this. Now that I knew the gig was real, I wanted it badly.

I stole a glance at Leonel, whose brows were contorted with thick frowns like a bull's. His eyes were so blue that they seemed almost transparent.

One thing Leonel was very popular for was having a devoted fanbase of women who fantasized about him as their dream husband. My cousin, Ariel, was one of them, and if she knew I was face-to-face with her celebrity crush, she'd curse me for not bringing her along.

His eyes flashed with displeasure as they raked over me, making me feel like a naked piece of meat. Without saying anything, he had enough power to scare the shit out of me.

My gaze fell on his white shirt, which fitted snugly over his defined body. Calvin must have underestimated his boss's disapproval of this. Leonel looked disgusted and was just about to send my starstruck ass home.

Silence hung in the air like poison. The longer it lasted, the more nervous I got. Calvin cleared his throat, but Leonel chose to ignore him.

I took a step forward and gave myself an inner pep talk. 'He's human, made of flesh and bones. He eats, snores, farts, and pisses. '

"G... Good evening, Mr. Hamilton."

I sounded like a mouse, and I hated it. Leonel's frown deepened. His gaze was on me, but he was speaking to Calvin.

"Were you so lazy that you couldn't find my match?"

Okay, I like him less now.

"That's mean, Leo," Calvin butted in. "Hiring a girlfriend is a delicate matter, and we had to get someone unknown. Would you rather have a greedy actress blackmail you after the contract is signed? If you want, I can call Jennifer, whose entire career revolves around sucking billionaire dicks and secretly recording their sex tapes, or her bestie, Rosa, who is fantastic at seducing men with her Brazilian butt lift the size of a mattress."

Leonel side-eyed him, but Calvin didn't apologize.

"Dude, you're too famous. We don't need anyone who'll expose us in the end. She's the ideal candidate."

Leonel crossed his arms and eyed every inch of my body. I felt goosebumps rise on my skin as if every cell was responding to his gaze.

"Why did you accept this gig?" He asked me flatly.

I sucked in a deep breath, hoping I wouldn't stutter. "All answers are in my file, sir."

Leonel and Calvin seemed taken aback by my response. Then Calvin burst into loud laughter, and Leonel's lips curled with an edge.

"Does she know how serious this is?" he asked Calvin. "Let her fully absorb each part of the contract. I won't tolerate any lustful behavior from her. She's not even my type to begin with."

Calvin winced and nodded. "Crystal clear. I'm sure she's here for the money. She won't behave like a hormonal teenager." He turned to me, "Right, miss?"

I swallowed my fear, and the contract terms danced in my head. It was written in bright red letters that falling in love with Leonel would disqualify me.

"My emotions are in check, and I'm here for the money and nothing else."

Calvin grinned, pleased with my response. "Let's hope you keep your end of the bargain, because females fall for Leonel so quickly, it's sickening."

I shot him a twisted smile and felt my boldness rising. "As I said, I have no romantic feelings for him. He's not my type, not someone I'd date normally."

My voice sounded robotic, and Leonel cocked an eyebrow at my bold statement. He went silent, while Calvin let out a hyena-like laugh. I stood there feeling like a fool, and I apologized immediately.

"That was rude of me."

Calvin dismissed my apology. "Speak your mind, darling. I'm sure Leo doesn't mind."

I became extremely uncomfortable.

"Speak," Leonel commanded, his tone cool and detached. My voice trembled as I spoke, "I made that statement because I'm poor and a nobody. We likely have no common interests. My words were poorly chosen, and I apologize."

Calvin seemed disappointed that I let Leonel overpower me. I noticed a smirk on Leonel's lips that vanished almost immediately.

"Let's see if you're capable of keeping your promise. You might also want to watch your words. I don't appreciate my staff, let alone a pauper talking back to me."

I clutched the step railing, attempting to maintain my balance as his sharp blue eyes fixed on me.

"What's your name?" he asked with nonchalance.

"Miracle."

He bit his lip to suppress a grin, but his mouth curled into a mocking smile. "Did your parents run out of names for you?"

My name was unusual, but I refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing he'd gotten under my skin.

"Your assignment begins tomorrow," he said dismissively before turning to leave. "Mess up, and I'll gladly send you back home."

"I promise not to disappoint you," I said, regaining my composure.

He was trying to intimidate me, but I refused to back down. I didn't care about his wealth or good looks. I needed the money, and that was all that mattered. His arrogant attitude wasn't going to get to me; I was there for one reason, and that was to get the job done.

"Liar," my inner thoughts mocked me, and I hated myself.

_____

"I don't like him," I complained to Calvin, following him downstairs when Leonel left.

Calvin's eyes crinkled with amusement. It was contagious, and I found myself smiling.

"He's your new boss, so if you need that money badly, put in some extra effort to impress him. Now, come join us for dinner."

I shook my head. "I'll pass. I don't think I can handle any more mockery."

"Come on, he's watching you and wants you to prove yourself. Backing away means he's right."

I was about to respond when a stunning woman entered the house, commanding our attention with her striking Arabian features.

Her dark hair was sleek, and her perfume filled the air. She oozed elegance in a black jumpsuit and strappy stilettos.

Calvin grabbed my hand and whispered, "Oh shit. We must hide."

I was about to ask why, but then I heard her speak.

"Leo, baby, I'm home."

Leonel

I'd made my share of mistakes, fucked women of all shapes from all over the world, and had a few decent relationships with women in my financial bracket, but those were nothing compared to the hot mess I had with my ex, Nadia Mohammad.

She was the worst mistake my raging dick caused me.

Nadia and I met two years ago at Harvard Business School, where her smartness and humor captivated me. We began a romantic relationship, but I eventually uncovered a string of lies.

One. Her dad, Nasir Mohammad, planned to exploit my family's real estate empire for his gain.

Two. Nadia was in a secret lesbian relationship.

I wasn't the most well-behaved person in the world, but one thing I couldn't stand was cheating.

"My dad will kill me," she cried that night when I barged in on her girlfriend finger-fucking her. "Please, Leo, don't do this to me. I promise never to see her again."

She claimed she was hiding her sexuality for religious and cultural reasons while using me as a cover to keep her family from finding out.

I was unmoved by her tears and fake apology. "I'm done with you. It's your choice whether or not to come out, but I'm not a puppet you can string. It's over."

She'd cried for weeks, pleading, calling, and texting nonstop. Then she started playing mind games with me, constantly gaslighting me and driving me crazy.

Now that my "fake girlfriend" was here, I had to stand my ground.

"Leave, Nadia," I said, pointing at the door. My dog barked behind me, snarling at Nadia and sticking its sharp teeth out.

She moved closer, enticing me with her perfume. I couldn't stop the old flames of lust from rekindling in my mind because, let us face it, Nadia's beauty was like a siren, loud and capable of seducing anyone.

But she was a lesbian, not even bisexual. She wasn't interested in me, and she had been pretending the whole time. Thinking about the times we had sex made me feel dirty, as if I had been having her without her consent. Her moans were fake and my ego was bruised.

Her dark brown hair hung loose, brushing her waist, and her hazel eyes held mine.

"Come on, Leo," she chuckled seductively, tracing my chest with her manicured finger. "Stop rejecting me. We can work things out."

I drew away and created a space between us. "Go back to your daddy, dearest, and tell him to sulk in the corner for losing the government contract to me."

"I don't care about your feud with my dad," she said with a husky tone. "Let's get married, and I'll let you get away with anything you want."

I let out a nasty laugh and headed to my wine bar. "You're delusional."

Grabbing a bottle of whisky to distract myself, I unscrewed the top and poured it into the glass halfway. The heat from the liquor warmed my body, relieving the anger in my chest and warming every nerve ending.

Nadia glided over to me, took the glass and sipped from it. She made sure that her red lipstick smeared the rim. When fingers brushed against mine, I drew away.

"So you're going to reject me after everything we've had?"

"Yes. Now, leave my house."

She didn't move. Instead, she fixed me with hungry eyes. "Come on, baby. I know you want me. Fuck me like old times."

She leaned close enough that her hot breath brushed against my cheek, and her scent tickled my nose. I enjoyed sex, but I wasn't stupid.

An idea came to mind. My contract girlfriend would provide the perfect distraction.

"I have a girlfriend," I blurted out. "She is carrying my baby and is the absolute love of my life, so take your cock-sucking services elsewhere."

Nadia froze for about a minute. Then a mocking smile appeared on the corners of her lips, reminding me of the witches in the horror films I used to watch with my siblings.

"We have the same circle of friends. Why hasn't anyone announced your relationship upgrade?"

"There's a term known as privacy. Leave me alone and move the fuck on."

Her gaze became murderous, and she stepped forward, fists clenched tightly by her side.

"Prove it. Who is she? And why isn't she here with you?"

"I'm not going to reveal her identity to you. And she lives with me. She's upstairs right now, as we speak. Now, please excuse me, I need to give my girl a good fuck."

"I dare you, Leonel Hamilton!" Nadia yelled, a vein popping on her forehead. "Honey, you can never cast me aside. Everyone knows about our relationship."

She burst into fake tears, breaking the silence in the house, and stomped upstairs without warning, already making it halfway up the stairs before I could react.

Shouldn't heels be speed bumps? How did she run up the stairs as fast as a cheetah?

I followed in pursuit, hoping Calvin had taken Miracle to her room. Luck was against me because Calvin's body shielded Miracle from Nadia's brutal assault.

"Show yourself, slut!" Nadia yelled. "I dare you!"

She pounded Calvin's chest, her nails drawing blood from the poor guy's face. Calvin cursed but didn't move.

Nadia dodged my grasp, and if this hadn't been a serious situation, I would have been impressed by her speed.

"Take this bitch downstairs before she pokes my eye with her claws," Calvin yelled at me. Within seconds, he had a bruised nose and swelling around his left eye.

This was getting dangerous. I grabbed her arms and threw her over my shoulder. She screamed, kicked, and thrashed until I tossed her into her white Lamborghini parked downstairs.

"Never show your face here." I won't be so lenient next time."

She jumped out for more trouble, but my Rottweiler, Buddy, rushed out, and because he was a very aggressive breed who knew when his owner needed backup, he growled furiously and bared his teeth, ready to attack her.

Nadia drove away screaming, and I burst out laughing, stroking Buddy's fur for a job well done.

"Good boy. You deserve a treat."

Upstairs, Calvin gave me the stink eye and tossed me the middle finger. His Irish accent became more prominent as he nagged.

"I swear you're giving me a raise because that bitch's nails are all over my face. What the hell, Leo?"

I couldn't stop the laughter from bursting out of my throat. His frown deepened, and I had to stuff my face with a pillow.

"I'm sorry, dude; I didn't mean to make fun of you.

"Then deal with that psycho. How on earth did she find out about Miracle?"

I shrugged, looking around for Miracle. "It slipped out of my mouth, but the result was worth it, don't you think?"

"Miracle kept asking if Nadia was your girlfriend and why she had to act as a fake one."

Then Calvin drew closer to whisper. "Dude, did you notice Miracle's curves? God help you not to shag her before the contract expires."

I glared at him, ignoring the truth. "She is not my type," I replied, mimicking Miracle's jingly tone. "I don't do broke and naive girls."

Calvin laughed. "Of course she's not your type intellectually. But she's sexy as sin."

I grew serious. "The only reason I'm agreeing to this contract is to win my brother. If my dad's will didn't include that ridiculous clause about the first person to fall in love becoming the company's president, I wouldn't need a fake girlfriend. And speaking of which, can we trust her to keep our secret?"

"She won't say a word. She needs the money to upgrade her life."

I headed to my room. The next morning, I awoke to a dull throbbing on the side of my head. I had thirty minutes to prepare for work. Cursing loudly, I dashed to the restroom, shaved, and took a quick shower.

As the founder's son, I was free to arrive late at work, but I had an important board meeting today and couldn't afford to be late, lest my brother gloat about my inefficiency.

I barely noticed my housekeeper, Maria, as I poured myself a large cup of black coffee, needing the caffeine to clear my mind.

Miracle walked into the kitchen wearing glowing pajama shorts that made her look like a disco ball, and I nearly choked on my coffee.

At the very least, I'd get some comic relief.

She froze in her tracks, embarrassed, and turned to leave when I stopped her.

Blinking in confusion, she rubbed her palm against her shirt. Calvin was right. The girl was fucking stunning-a hundred times better without the ridiculous makeup she was wearing yesterday.

Perhaps if I had seen her bare-faced yesterday, I wouldn't have spoken so harshly to her. Her makeup artist should be arrested.

I sipped my coffee while watching her through my hooded lids. She sat on one of the stools opposite me and remained quiet until I spoke.

"Here," I said, pulling out one of my credit cards. "Get yourself some nice dresses and fix your hair. It looks like a bird's nest."

Her hand moved to her dark, curly hair as she stared at the platinum card for a moment, with no intention of taking it.

I shoved it into her hand and immediately felt strange sensations. I backed away, wondering why I was reacting to a stranger.

I grabbed my car keys and briefcase and walked away from her as quickly as lightning.