The Billionaire Contract Engagement

1

The clock ticked as time moved in the city of New York. A grand cathedral was decorated and adorned for a wedding. White lilies were decorated on the aisle and the walls of the church as guests walked in and they all bristled with happiness. The air was filled with excitement for the big day. The guests started coming into the church filling up the church.

Victoria, the bride of the day, walked into the church with her father next to her, dressed in a beautiful white dress. She looked like a fairy as she walked with elegance as she moved. Her hands moved nervously as she held the bouquet of roses as time slowly began to pass by.

Her groom and husband had still not shown up at the wedding and time was passing by. Her best friend and bridesmaid, Evie, was also late too. She wondered where the two of them could be. How could they be late on such an important occasion.

The doors of the church suddenly flew open, and all the guests turned to see who it was. All eyes turned towards the door, but it wasn't Levi who appeared. Instead, it was Anthony, the best man, and her brother-his tuxedo looked disheveled, and his eyes were wide with panic. His breath came in rapid succession as he stumbled towards the altar.

"Victoria," he panted. "I am so sorry, but Levi... he's gone.

The world spiraled around her, and she suddenly felt weak. "No, this can't be happening. He wouldn't abandon me. I don't believe this," she said, shaking her head in disbelief.

"It's true, see he left a note. He said he didn't love you enough to go through with the wedding." He gave the letter he was holding to her, and she recognized Levi's handwriting.

"I can't marry you, Victoria. I love someone else. Please forgive me."

She could never forget his handwriting. it was definitely Levi's and he had written it. The pain suddenly came crashing down on her as it dawned on her that Levi had just abandoned her. Tears trickled down her face and she fell down to the ground. The guests watched, looking at her with pity.

"Where has it all gone wrong?" she wondered.

Victoria and Levi had first met as sophomores in college and had quickly became close. He'd asked her out a couple of months later and they'd been dating ever since. They were so close to each other that they were often voted as the most likely couple to get married to each other after college.

Victoria had gotten a very good job as soon as she'd graduated from college and they both moved to New York to start a new chapter of their life together. After so many years of dating, he'd finally proposed to her and Victoria had been so excited about it. Everything was going just as she'd expected, so what had suddenly gone wrong between them?

During the past few weeks leading to their wedding, he'd been acting really distracted and was always on his phone. At the time she'd thought that he was just having problems at work he didn't want to share with her so she'd overlooked it. How naive was she?

Victoria felt warm hands wrap around her, hugging her. It was her father. He pulled her towards him, wiping her tears. Her brothers all stood behind him, offering silent support.

"It was all her fault," she blamed herself. Her brothers had warned her not to rush into marriage yet, but she had ignored their warnings. Now she regretted it. The only thing left to do now was to leave with the rest of her dignity intact. She stood up, gathering her strength; she straightened her back and faced the guests, her voice remained steady.

"I am sorry for wasting your time. Please go home; the wedding is over.

The guests dispersed into groups, whispering in hushed tones. After that, everything else passed in a blur. Her brothers took care of everything. They brought her to a hotel to rest because she didn't want to go to the apartment she shared with Levi. Finally alone in her room, the tears came rushing down, and she cried all through the night.

The next morning, she woke up feeling sore all over her body due to lack of sleep, and she felt extremely tired. Her phone rang beside her, and she picked it up.

"I know where your fiance is. If you want to find out what he has been doing behind your back, come to Royalty Hotel Room 103, and you will see," a female voice said to her. She looked at her phone, it was not an unknown number .

"What do you mean?, look if this is a prank call I don't have the energy for any jokes right now" Victoria responded in anger. But the person had already disconnected the call before she could say more.

She didn't know what to do-whether to take it seriously or not. Something bothered her at the back of her mind then. Levi had said he had fallen in love with someone else. She needed to know who the person was and why he'd chosen.

She stood up to take a shower and donned on some makeup. She would be damned if she would show up in front of his mistress looking like she'd been crying all night even if she was. She didn't bother telling her family where she was going as she walked nervously out of the hotel. A few minutes later, she arrived at the hotel and walked towards the room. She could feel her heart beating fast in her chest with each step she took

When she finally reached the room, she noticed it was left slightly open and Victoria found it strange. Taking a deep breath she pushed the door open and walked in. The room she entered was a little dark and she could barely make out the figures she saw on the bed. She reached for the light switch and gasped in shock at what she saw. Her fiance was lying in bed next to none other than her best friend ,Evie.

She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Tears of betrayal stung her eyes, and she broke down in tears. Her sobs woke them up, and they both got up hurriedly. Her eyes locked in with Levi, and she saw his expression shift-a mix of guilt, fear, and regret.

"Levi," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "Why did you do this to me? We have been together for so long so why did you cheat on me with my best friend?".

"This isn't what it looks like. I can explain; our relationship was already strained, and you were always so busy, you didn't have time for me, and I was-".

"So you decided to find comfort in the arms of my best friend?" she said, cutting him off. "I trusted both of you."

She looked at her best friend who was still lying on the bed. Sweet, kind Evie who'd stuck by her side during their intern days. But her loyal friend was gone. She was looking at her with so much disgust and hatred.

"He doesn't love you; he loves me. He has always loved me. I couldn't bear the thought of him being with you anymore so I took him away from you. And by the way I have never thought of you as a friend. You are just a spoiled brat who thinks everything should go her way". Her every word was laced in venom and it cut deeper into Victoria's heart.

Victoria was surprised. This was not the Evie she knew. Her sweet friend, whom she trusted, was a liar. It hit her then-the mysterious phone call, the hotel room being left open-Evie must have planned for her to find out. That was why she led her here. She felt the weight of betrayal lodge deep in her throat, and she couldn't breathe. Gasping for air, she fled the hotel room.

Her phone suddenly rang, and it was her manager from work. "Victoria, come to the office at once. How can you make such a huge mistake on the project of one of our biggest clients? The president is furious and wants you out. I am afraid you might get fired at this rate.

"No, you can't fire me now, I have worked so hard for this company, and I am sure there must be a mistake somewhere," she tried to plead with him.

Her job was the only thing left for her in New York, if she lost that too she didn't know what she would do. Today was definitely not a good day for her.

"I am sorry, Victoria; it is no longer up to me; my hands are tied," he said before disconnecting the phone call.

Victoria's head reeled. What was going on? She didn't even know what mistake she had caused on the project. She needed to find that out first. She couldn't lose both her love life and her career on the same day. She headed towards a waiting taxi and caught a glimpse of the betraying cheaters coming out of the hotel holding hands like a couple madly in love.

Evie walked up to her with a knowing smirk. "Judging from your expression you must have heard the news by now, just so you know I set you up," she blurted out.

"What are you talking about? You set me up? When? How?

"I manipulated your report, I made sure it was flawed so they'd kick you out of the company."

Victoria's heart raced. "Why? What have I ever done to you that you hate me so much?." The taste of betrayal tasted bitter in her mouth.

"You had everything I always wanted; a happy family that loved you, a loving boyfriend you were about to get married to and you were about to get a promotion. I've always been jealous of what you have and I wanted to destroy it. Levi and I will be getting married very soon. You can come to the wedding if you want", she tossed a wedding invitation into Victoria's hands and there it was a wedding invitation of her fiance and her best friend who betrayed her. It felt so unfair.

Her life had come crashing down. Her mind swirled in hurt. She was betrayed by two people she trusted the most in life. Evie had succeeded, she had not only taken her man; she had also ruined her career and her life.

Chapter 2

Five years later

The hyenas were circling in.

Victoria Smith watched, holding a wine glass, studying the crowded party room. The event was supposed to be a mixture of business and pleasure, but she knew business was on the forefront of the minds of the people standing there. It was filled with all the upper level executives and CEOs of the advertising world.

She scanned the room. Her gaze landed on the person she was looking for. Augustine James. All the powerful and respectable people in the advertising world had shown up at the event today just for him. He was the owner and CEO of one of the most successful athletic wear companies in the world, James Enterprise. He recently made it into the list of billionaires as one of the youngest self made billionaires in the country.

Just recently he'd fired the advertising agency that worked for him and everyone was trying to get him to choose their agency. It was obvious that any lucky advertising agency that gets picked will be raking in millions just advertising for his company.

She'd been studying him all night, trying to decide the best way to approach him. The agency she worked for was really struggling to survive and a collaboration with James Enterprise could actually save their agency.

From across the room, Augustine James walked over to her like a predator hunting its prey. His flinty gray eyes held a note of amusement and his lips were curved into a half smile watching her with every step he took. Nothing prepared her for the magnetic pull that pulled her towards him. She held out her hands in introduction.

"Victoria, Advertising Executive Saint Communications.

"Augustine James, but I am sure you know who I'm already. His voice was filled with so much self confidence.

"Of course everyone knows who you are, I am sure you probably already know why I'm here", she said after a small pause.

"You are here to propose we collaborate, am I right, so I'm all ears, let me hear what you have to say".

"Saint Communications might not be a top class agency yet but I know something no other agency can give you, that is if you agree to a meeting with us", she said without taking a breath.

She could feel the crowd boring holes behind her back. They were discreetly watching them, trying to see his reaction. She needed to convince him quickly before someone else whisks him away.

He took a sip of his wine and regarded her casually.

"Fine then I will give you a chance but I am still considering other agency offers", he said that last part warningly.

"Of course, I wouldn't expect any less from you".

He put his glass down on the tray of a passing waiter.

"Why don't we have this dance and we'll discuss the meeting time later".

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. Augustine James, although successful, was also known as one of the biggest flirt.

Nonetheless, she held out her hand to him and he pulled her to the dance floor. The music slowed and changed to a slow waltz. He held her closely and she could barely resist the urge to run away from the room. All eyes were on them watching them closely. She hated being the center of attention. Augustine didn't seem bothered by the attention, in fact she felt he liked being the center of attention.

"Let's have a meeting next week. I'm busy all week but I've Friday free on my schedule. We could meet outside or in my office first, I will hear your pitch and if I like it we will conclude the rest in your agency, what do you think?

"Of course, Friday works for me", she was ecstatic, finally she would be able to save her company.

"I'll have my secretary call you within the week with the time and location and till then". He released her then and she watched as he walked away as gracefully as he'd arrived, the crowd swallowing him up.

She'd done what she'd come for, there was no point sticking around anymore. On her way out she passed some of her competitors. If looks could kill, she'd probably be dead from the glare and pointed stares they gave her. She couldn't care less anyway about what they thought of her.

She reached the parking lot and stepped into her car. Grabbing her phone, she called her boss to give him updates on what had happened at the party. He picked up on the second ring.

"I will meet with him on Friday", she said immediately he answered. He wants to hear my ideas first. If he likes them, he will arrange a time for us to meet at the agency.

"Well done Victoria, I knew you could do it", she could feel the gratitude in his voice. She couldn't help but feel glad.

"Nothing definite yet, he might not like my ideas. Don't get your hopes too high". She didn't want to squash his excitement but nothing was set in stone yet.

"I know that, but I trust you to get the job done well", he said trying to reassure her. Victoria smiled and dropped the call.

She was so tired and couldn't wait to get home to rest. She had a lot to prepare for before Friday. The fate of saint communications lay in her hands and she hoped she would be able to tackle any problems ahead. She thought as she drove out into the night.

Augustine James loosened his tie as soon as he stepped into his hotel suite. He left a trail of clothing as he passed from the door to his room where he took his socks off leaving them on the floor. He was once again preoccupied with the thought of meeting Victoria. He'd been thinking of her all throughout the week since he'd seen her at the event a week ago. He couldn't get her out of his head. She was one of the most fascinating women he had ever met and she intrigued him in ways he couldn't explain.

It was obvious to him she was desperate for his help. He wondered why she didn't just seduce him to get what she wanted from him. It wouldn't have surprised him. In all his experiences with women in the advertising world, they always resorted to using seductive tricks to get men to do their bidding. After all, he'd gotten quite a number of offers at the event just this night alone.

The ringing of his phone interrupted his thoughts, snapping him out of his reverie. Picking up the phone, he looked at the caller id, it was his mother. He frowned. He really wasn't in the mood for his family's never ending drama, but he couldn't ignore his mother's call. Besides, knowing how persistent she is, she will keep on calling until he picks up.

"Hello, Mom."

"Augustine, I'm so glad you finally answered. I've been trying to get in touch with you for a few days now. Why are you always so busy these days?". He could hear the concern and reprove in her voice. He didn't like hurting his mother.

"I have a company to run, remember", he reminded her.

"It's fine, I actually called to remind you not to forget about this weekend. It's a very important day for the family and I hope you can be there.

There was a note of nervous anxiety in her voice as she spoke. He couldn't blame her, it was a touchy subject for him.

"Mom you don't actually think I would go to their engagement, do you?," he asked in disbelief.

"I know it won't be easy especially with what you have gone through, I understand that but our family needs to be complete again, son. I am begging you. I think it is time you made peace with your brother." His mother said in a pleading tone

"Mom, I don't care about them anymore, they deserve each other. I just don't have the time and desire to go to their engagement.

"Would you do it for me then? Just once in this happy occasion I want my family to be complete again."

He was at a crossroad. If his father or his brother had called, it would have been so easy to refuse them. He couldn't stand to be in the same room as his brother but he didn't want to let his mother down.

"Ok Mom, I will be there, but I will be bringing someone with me." He could almost feel her excitement through the phone.

"Oh my God, Augustine why didn't you tell me you were dating someone new. Of course you are welcome to bring her. I'm looking forward to meeting her already.

"You can forward all the details of the engagement party to my assistant so I can make the necessary arrangements".

"I will see you on Friday. I love you, Mom", he said after a short pause.

"I love you too, son. I'm so happy you're coming.

He ended the call and stared at his phone. He just remembered that Friday was the day he was supposed to meet Victoria for their meeting. He'd had it planned out all week and had been waiting anxiously for that day now he had to cancel because of the party. He couldn't understand why his mother thought it was okay to invite him to the engagement party of his brother and his ex fiancee, the woman he was previously engaged to .

Ever since ex fiancee, Jessica betrayed him he hadn't dated anyone properly and his mother had thought he was still pining for her, so she had taken it upon herself to try and set him up with a new girl any chance she got.

He needed to find a date fast. He had already told his mother he was bringing someone and if he pulled out now, he'd looked pathetic. He needed to convince his mother that he was already over Jessica the minute she dumped him for his older brother, Angelo, when he was appointed as the CEO in their family hotel business.

His mother wouldn't believe him, but he was glad his brother had stolen Jessica from him. She was a not-so-bright girl who thought it was better to go for the heir to an hotel empire than the owner of an athletic wear company. Except she didn't think to check how much my company made every year. They deserved each other. He knew his brother only wanted her because of a stupid rivalry he had for Augustine, he always wanted to steal everything he had. Thanks to that he'd avoided a mistake. But it still didn't mean he wanted to spend an entire weekend with his overbearing father and his immature brother. He'd agreed nonetheless and now he needed a date.

He'd narrowed down his options to four women, when the solution suddenly came to him. It was brilliant. It could solve all his problems. He finally had a way of winning Victoria over and at the same time pacifying his mother.

"Maybe the wedding wouldn't be so bad after all", he thought with a satisfied smile on his face.

Victoria pulled up into her father's driveway, relieved to see her brother's car was already parked there. Her father had invited all her siblings for a long overdue family dinner. It had been a long time since she had gone to her father's house because she'd been too busy with work but now she had a very important favor to ask of one of her older brothers.

"Jacob!" she exclaimed, and ran straight into the arms of her first brother greeting him with a bear hug.

"What about me, am I getting a hug too", Aaron her other brother pouted, as he climbed out of his car.

"I am glad to see you too, Aaron", she whispered to him.

"It's so good to see you, Vic. I have missed you so much". Jacob, her oldest brother, worked as a manager in an interior decorating company and was always busy.

"Come on let go inside, I am starving", Aaron said, slinging an arm over Victoria's shoulders as they walked to the door.

On entering the house, a waft of freshly home cooked meals teased her nostrils. She'd missed her father's cooking.

"Where's Anthony", she asked, giving her father a hug.

"Where else will he be if not seated in front of the television watching a baseball match?"

She slipped past father making her way into her brother's bedroom. Anthony sat on a sofa, legs spread out watching an ongoing baseball game.

"Anthony," she called.

"Hey little sis," he pulled her into a bear hug.

"I've something to tell you and it is really important." She said going straight to the point.

"Does it have something to do with the agency?". He must have sensed the note of urgency in her voice.

"It does, well, I have this client. He is a really important one I want to land and I need your help with that."

"Ok where do I come in".

"I want you to agree to be an endorser for his new collection of sportswear, if you could agree to it will help me to win points with him and we could finally secure this contract".

Anthony was one of the most successful baseball players in the industry but he didn't take endorsement deals. She had to convince him because it would really help her to win Augustine over.

Her brother didn't say anything for a long time and she thought he would refuse.

"Honestly I still don't like the idea of you working when we could easily provide for you but since you say it means a lot to you I will agree to do it just for you."

"Thanks a lot Tony, you are the best big brother in the world." She was delighted that at least one of her problems had been solved.

Dinner was an amazing affair. It had been a long time since the whole family had gathered together like this. Despite the circumstances that had happened to her in the past she was happy she was with her family.

Because of her delicate looks and her ability to want to believe the good in everyone, her family had thought that she didn't need a career. All she had to do was sit pretty and be provided for. So she hadn't been forced to be a good student or have a career. She had ignored all their objections and had gone to college and thereafter graduated top of the class. After hearing she'd chosen a demanding profession like advertising, they'd been trying to get her to stop for years now. After the betrayal she'd gone through five years ago they'd tried to make her give up her career but it had only made her more determined to succeed.

It wasn't easy. New Haven was a prestigious firm and after being blackballed by them, no agency wanted to hire her. She'd had no choice but to come back home but anytime a new agency heard where she'd previously worked, they immediately withdrew their offer of a job. Nobody wanted to believe that she was framed, until she'd met Marshall. He was her high school senior and was the only one apart from her family who believed her. He'd given her a job in his advertising agency and she'd worked twice as hard to make up for his trust in her.

She didn't want to think about the past but she still felt hurt by it anytime she remembered it. Rising up from the chair, she shook her angry thoughts away.

"I will be leaving now, I will call you when I get home," she said, kissing her father on the cheeks.

She waved her brothers goodbye, with a smile on her face, happy that at least she could present an offer to Augustine that he couldn't refuse.

THE NEXT MORNING

Augustine walked into his suite of offices with a grumpy mood. He'd woken up late and had missed a very important meeting. His secretary hadn't contacted him about the change in schedule and it had left him feeling helpless. He nodded a good morning to his receptionist but paused when she came running up to him with a concerned expression on her face.

"She's in there, I couldn't stop her from entering," Leah said in a hushed whisper.

He raised an eyebrow when he realized she was gesturing to his office.

"Who's she?" he demanded impatiently. He had a ton of work to get back to and he didn't have time for his receptionist shenanigans.

"It's Miss Williams sir, she barged in looking for you. She said she wouldn't leave until you came in". He sighed. It was just his luck. Today was definitely not his lucky day.

He opened the door to his office and there she was seated there like she owned the place. Sometimes he wondered what he saw in her that made him almost marry her. She crossed the room, walking towards him, her face changing into one of fake pain.

"Your mother told me you were coming to the wedding. I am so happy you are finally able to put the past behind you and finally accept me as your brother's wife," she said dramatically. She'd put on a good show, he'd almost believed her.

"Jessica I am sure you didn't come all the way here just to tell me that," he'd already had enough of her nonsense and just wanted to get rid of her.

"Your mother also told me you were bringing a date. Does she know she is just a mere substitute for me? You can't fool me. I know you are not over me yet after all I was your first love. You haven't dated anyone seriously since we broke up, cause you are still in love with me."

How could someone be so delusional? Jessica was just so wrapped up in her world, she thought the world revolved around her. Did she seriously think he was still pining over her?

"You can have it both ways Jessica. You are about to get married to my brother so why are you here? The love I had for you died the day I caught you in bed with my older brother, so if you have nothing better to do leave my office before I call security. He was slowly losing his cool, the nerve of her to come here to his office and talk rubbish.

"Fine, then bring your date. But you and I know that you will never be happy without me."

With that she stalked out of the office, angrily banging the door behind her.

Augustine sank into his chair. He mentally thanked his brother for stealing her away from him. He needed to show that he had already moved on to someone better and only one person could help him with that. He wondered how Victoria would feel about a fake engagement with him.