The Billionaire Contracted Wife

Life is not as easy as we think it is. For others maybe, like those people who were born rich, they make think differently but for people like me, who are born ordinary and do not live in opulence, this is not the case.

Always struggling for everyday living, always thinking about how to stay alive each day. But can't even complain because nothing can be changed anyway.

I was not born wealthy, and I have a broken family. Treasures and possessions were nothing special to me but mere decorations. I can say that love is the real gem. But when it comes to our family, it is the hardest thing that we can't acquire. Love? We don't have that. I don't know why. But maybe it's just not for us. A great treasure that we never had for ages now, and maybe until the end.

My dad left me when I was just 8 years old and eventually found someone else and married her years later. Mom, however, was still clinging to the idea that we will still get back together to what we used to be. And that's an absurd idea that will never happen. After months of living just with her and without dad, I slowly became physically insightful but painfully invisible. I was merely living up to her shadows. Knowing nothing but to just hide and live in the darkness.

But despite living in this bittersweet situation of mine, I ought to make this life worthy and happy just how it should be. I don't want to hide forever. I'm tired of hiding. I just want to live my life to the fullest, be contented, and be happy. That's exactly how it should be. My life is more than what I deserved.

So without depending too much on them, I strived hard for myself. I have lived on my own when I turned 16. I don't want to be a burden to my mom anymore, even though I know that she doesn't care.

Trying to at least erase several wistful remnants of my past, I put up a pretty facade. Within the smiles, I made each day were the tears I never shed at night. The mask that I wear every day is the only thing that keeps me alive today.

Often misunderstood, I was thought of as a happy-go-lucky since I was a teenager. Thanks to my parents for giving me such a wonderful attitude to be a great pretender and hide what I feel and who I am. They mistook pain for pleasure and silent sobs for courage. And I became what they expected of me. I pretended that I'm happy. I pretended as I care. But I don't.

For numerous years I spent in this crazy world, nobody has seen the girl behind this mask that I kept wearing --- even my so-called friends. I'm trying my absolute best to hide it as much possible as I can.

"You know what Kein, you should tell your parents about it," my friend Layla told me.

We are currently in my apartment right now fixing my things and cleaning my room because I was so busy that I don't even have the time to do it.

"There is no way I would tell them. And they don't seem to mind if I say so. They don't even give a damn about me."

"You wouldn't know if you don't try."

"That's why I didn't bother to try asking for their help because I already know the answer. I just gotta take my life into my own hands."

I'm having a mid-life crisis right now. I'm busy thinking about where to get money to pay the rent of my apartment. I haven't paid my landlord for almost 2 months now because I got fired from the restaurant I was recently working for no reason. It's already my 3rd job for this month.

And I never last long at any of my jobs. I'm not sure; I'm trying, but it appears that bad luck is following me.

"Yeah whatever, says the girl who doesn't have any kind of plan for the future. You are already 26 and you don't even have a boyfriend, girl."

It was true, I didn't have any set plans for the future. It was very tough for me since my parents got divorced. I had a boyfriend once, and we lasted for almost 5 years but we broke up because he cheated on me with some girl whom he met in a bar. That mother fucker.

"For now I don't. But just because I don't have any plans, for now, doesn't mean I don't have a plan for my future also. Besides, having a boyfriend in this kind of situation will do nothing good for me. Well, there is actually, headache." I laughed at the last sentence I said.

"You sounded like you are so smart."

"It's because I am."

We both laughed as we continue to finish fixing and cleaning everything.

"So what's your plan now by the way?" she asked while trying to get a bottle of water from the refrigerator.

"Haven't thought of it yet but maybe I'll just look for another job."

"Want me to come with you?"

"I appreciate your effort Layla but no thanks. You'll just exhaust yourself."

"Well if you say so. Anyways, don't be late for our gig tomorrow okay. Maddy the monster will get mad at you if you'll come late again," she said and laughed.

"Don't worry. I won't be late. I will be there half an hour early as you guys."

I looked up at the clock, it was around 5 pm now. Gladly, we already finished everything.

Layla bid farewell to return home because she appears to be going somewhere else. After she left, I took a quick shower then threw myself on the bed. I need to get a night of sleep because I'm so tired. I grabbed the clock sitting on the table, set the alarm to wake me up. I just need to rest to freshen up and enlighten myself. I had two alarm clocks, one in my room and one right next to the couch outside my bedroom. There are days that I fell asleep on the couch because when I get home at night, I'm so tired from work that I can't go straight to my bedroom.

I fell asleep as soon as I closed my eyes.

My alarm went off right at what I set to. I didn't want to get up though, I felt so lazy even though I slept for almost 10 hours. Once again I took a shower and fix myself, putting my hair up in a ponytail, put on light makeup, and make my way out to the bus after locking my apartment.

Right after arriving from the bus station, I sat on the bench. I don't know if where to start finding a stable job. Tsk. Life sucks. I was starting at nothingness when someone approached me.

"Raszhiel? Raszhiel Kein Moncada?" she asked while trying to recognize my face.

"Yes it is me, Raszhiel Kein Moncada, and you are?" I answered while still trying to figure out who she was.

I don't know her name, but I do recognize her by face. I think she was my batchmate in high school or maybe in college.

"It's me, Emily. Emily Ferrer. It's so good to see you. How are you?" she asked as she sat beside me.

"Oh! I'm good, how about you?" I smiled though I still don't remember her.

"I'm doing great. What are you doing here? Are you off to work?"

"Nah! I just got fired yesterday. I'm trying to find another one." I explain.

"Oh is that so? What a coincidence, I have someone I know who's looking for a person who is willing to work in a company."

"Really? What position are they hiring?" I excitedly asked her.

That's a piece of great news for me. If I get hired, I will be able to pay my apartment's rent and I would also get a stable job, hopefully.

"Don't have any idea about that, but you can email or text her about the details. Here."

She gave me a piece of paper. It was a business card of someone. Maybe it's her friend whom she said earlier.

"Aw thank you. I'm really having a hard time finding a job. Thank goodness you saw me and offer this. You're like an angel to me."

"You're welcome. You know what I'm so happy that we met together after all these years."

"Yes, a long time has passed. Why are you here anyway?"

" I'm going to work."

"Wow. Lucky you."

"Yeah, I'm now working as a doctor. Anyways, I gotta go. I'll be late for work as I have so many patients to take care of these days. Message me on Instagram, okay. It's Mels_Ferrer or text and call me at this number" she then gave her number.

She is a lucky person, indeed. Having a stable job these days is also considered as being lucky. It's not something that all people can have, just like me.

"Well do." She got on the bus as soon as it stops rights in front of us. She waved to me in the window and so do I.

I left the bus station and hurriedly went to a cafe nearby. I ordered a latte and sandwich since I wasn't able to eat breakfast at home because I forgot. While waiting for my order to arrive, I took the business card from my bag and read what's written in it. It's the name of Emily's friend, her number, and her email address. I took out my phone in my bag and started to type a message and send it to her. I texted her about what Emily said. Minutes later I received a call from an unknown number. I hurriedly answered it and a woman from the other line spoke.

"Hello Good morning, is this Miss Raszhiel? Emily told me that you were looking for a job. Are you available right now? Can we meet up so that we can discuss about it?" Said the woman on the other line.

I told her I'm available right now. Luckily, she said she was nearby the cafe I was in right now. She told me to wait for her and she hang up.

Wow. Just wow! I hope finding a job was always this simple and easy. Even though I don't know if I will get accepted or not. But it's fine if I don't get the job. At the very least, I still did my absolute best. Maybe it's not just for me.

A few minutes later, a woman who may be the same age as mine approaches me. She is wearing a white dress top with a blazer and classic heels not higher than 3 inches. She looks dazzling.

"Hi! It's Raszhiel Kein Moncada, right?" asked the woman who had just arrived. I stand up and offered by hand and introduced myself.

"Yes ma'am."

"I'm Zera Leonardo, just call me Zera, and not ma'am, it feels like I'm too old to be called ma'am." she laughed a little and also extended her hand for a handshake.

We then sat down after a short introduction. I asked her if she would like to have something but she decline.

"Well, about the job Emily said, can you please give more details about it."

"Oh yes. Apparently, my boss is looking for someone who can work with him. You will receive a salary of 250 thousand a week."

My eyes widen as I heard the salary. Holy molly! 250 thousand a week? That's 5th times of my monthly salary when I was still working in a restaurant.

"Are you serious? 250 thousand a week? What kind of a a job is it?"

"Yes, I'm serious and it will be given to you every week. You will also be given a weekly allowance, a car so you don't have to commute when you want to go somewhere, and a place to stay. But those things will be discussed privately by you and my boss if you agree to get the job."

Despite being shocked and awed by the situation, I managed to remain calm in order not to embarrass myself.

"Why privately? Isn't it the responsibility of human resources to evaluate new applicants? What kind of position in the company are you looking for? A secretary? And why is the salary so high? Imagine, it's 250 thousand a week plus there are so many benefits."

"Hmm, didn't Emily tell you about the job?" she asked.

I shook my head as a sign that she didn't. From what I have remembered she said she doesn't have any idea about the job. If it is prostitution then I would rather die.

"Okay. You will be a contract wife."

"Oh. A contract wife," I said as I nodded.

"Yes."

"A what?!" Shocked by what I've heard, I became enraged and shouted it.

People in the cafe look at me with much shock and curiosity because of my reaction. Who will not? A job was offered to me, and I was about to accept it because of the salary and the benefits but what's the fuss all about. Being a contract wife? That's gotta be a joke.

"I thought Emily already told you that's why I got straight to the point."

"Are you serious? I mean you're offering me a job and it is to be a contract wife. Is it even legal? And who's the boss that you are talking about?"

"Yes, I am. And it's legal. Once you get hired, you will receive a contract and that will be signed right in front of my boss."

"What about the man that will become my husband. I mean you said that it's your boss."

" Yes, he is my boss and I'm one of his employees. He is the boss of the company I am currently working for right now," she explained to me.

"So are you willing to take the job? Don't worry, it's safe and legal. You have just to play as his wife for a month or a year maybe, it depends on the contract that you will sign." she added.

I'm still in the middle of nothingness. I can't even decide whether to take the job or not. If I'll take it, I will be able to pay my rent, also, I will have a stable job and that's to be the wife of someone I haven't met. And if I don't, I will struggle to find another job.

"Can I still think about it? I mean, it's not an easy job I'm going to get into. It's absurd. My life is at stake here."

"I know. I'll give you a day to think about it. And if you've already made up your mind, just call me again. And by the way, my boss name is Cayne Shelton."

We both said goodbyes as soon as we finished talking. I walked out of the cafe dazed. I'm still reeling from my earlier conversation with Zera.

I decided to go home because it's already past noon. I'll think about it at home.

Hmm. Cayne Shelton. The name sounds familiar to me though I don't know if I heard it somewhere.

When I arrived home I saw my friends waiting for me. Oh, shoot! I forgot. We have plans. I looked at my friends. They stood with their arms crossed and serious looks on their faces. They all look so ridiculous. I can't help but laugh and rolled my area at them.

"Don't you dare gave us an attitude you bitch!" Shain growled, sounding like an overbearing parent.

"What are you doing in my apartment again?" I asked them placing my hands on my hips.

"Oh hell," Tiff said, tossing her long weave over her shoulder. Her ghetto was about to come out. "We should be asking you that."

"Didn't we agreed to this last week, no latecomers, but here you are didn't even budge and did not come," Mira said.

We made a plan last week that we will be having a morning gig at Shain's house. It was something that we do once a month. It's like a squad morning party.

"Okay okay. I'm sorry, I forgot. I got pre-occupied about finding a new job." I said as I looked over to find Layla, but I can't find her.

"I'm here you little itchy bitchy," said the woman I've been trying to look. She walked straight out of my room.

"So tell us, where have you been that we couldn't d even contact you?" Tiff asked.

"Hmm. As I was saying, I was out trying to find a new job." I explained.

Mira and Shain stayed quiet, silently glaring at me, while Tiff is the one interrogating me.

"And then?" Tiff asked again.

"Luckily, I found one."

"Oh lucky you. In just half a day, you already have a job. So tell us, what kind of job is it that you have to diss out our gig?" Tiff once again. This woman is a question-asker machine. I'm starting to hate this girl, as a joke.

"A contract wife" I bluntly said that shock them and made their eyes bigger than it is.

"What the fuck?!" Mira shouted. I blink. For how many years I had known Mira, this is the very first time I heard her cuss.

Everybody was shocked at her reaction and Tiff almost fell from the sofa because of what I said.

"What contract wife? To whom?" Layla ask.

I started to walk towards them and also sat on the sofa.

"I haven't decided yet if I will take the job or not," I said as I sat down on the sofa beside Tiff.

"Why? Is it because the man you're about to marry is already an oldie? That's an ew! " Shain said and made a face like she was about to vomit. I glared at her for what she said.

"Can you please stop it?" I said.

"What? I'm just saying my opinion girl. I also wouldn't take that kind of job even if he offers me a million dollars, duh! Imagine, you will be sleeping together with a granny." she added.

"So why can't you take it? I thought you badly need a job?" asked Layla.

"Okay, so the job is to be a contract wife. Zera said that I will be given a salary weekly worth 250 thousand, a weekly allowance, a car, and a place to stay in." I explained to them.

They all looked at me wearing their serious faces.

"You are not kidding, right? And who's Zera?" It's Tiff.

"I hope I do but I don't. And Zera is an employee of the person that I am going to marry"

"So, who's this person anyway? I'm really curious to know this guy. Like, why can't he marry his girlfriend." Mira said.

"As if he has one, what if he doesn't," Layla answered.

"Zera said the guys' name is Cayne Shelton. It sounds familiar to me but I don't know him." I said.

They all look at me with so much shock ness on their faces. What's the problem with these girls? They all look hilarious with their reactions.

"Holy motherfucker, son of a bitch!" Mira cursed as if it was her last day on earth.

"Hey! You cursed a lot now huh. What has gotten into you?" I said trying to stand up and planning to go to my room but they all stopped me.

"You said Cayne Shelton right? Are you serious that you don't know him? Seriously?" Tiff asks unbelievably.

I nodded as a sign of saying yes to her question.

"Girl, you just hit a jackpot!" Layla grumbled.

"What are you all talking about? What jackpot?" I asked as I've known nothing.

"Are you dumb? Or just plain stupid? It's Cayne Shelton, you moron!" Shain exaggeratedly said.

"Oh yes, Cayne Shelton is his name. So what now? Is he some kind of a tycoon? A billionaire or so whatever?" I said and rolled my eyes at them.

My god! Their reactions are irritating me and it's killing me to hell. So what if he's Cayne Shelton? I don't even know him. Not even a single thing.

"Because he is you dumbass," Mira grumbled irritatedly.

I looked at them with so much shock.

"Eyes here you itchy bitchy." Layla said, holding out her phone with a news of Weekly News. The front-page picture was a man in his black suit holding the door of his Lamborghini. He has this strict and sexy aura revolving all over his body. He looks so damn hot!

And I suddenly remember him.

"Oh my God!" I said as I put both of my hands on my mouth.

"Yes, it's oh my god. It's Cayne fuckin Shelton," Tiff breathed, shaking her head. "He is one fine ass piece of white chocolate." She fanned herself.

"Damn right." Shaina agreed looking at me in envy.

"Fuck, I wish it was me. I could've said yes instantly to that girl employee of him." Layla fudged with an envious voice.

"Let me tell you bitches, if it was me I would done some things to him. Very awesome and amazing things." Mira said and laughed. We also laughed at what she said except Tiff.

"Eww, Mira." She jeered, swatting her in the arm.

"Bitch, shut the fuck up," Shain said while grinning. "I know you want to jump the bones off that hot ass billionaire if you could."

Tiff just shooked her head at her, looking thoroughly embarrassed.

Things fell back into a playful conversation. They were all joking and acting silly.

My friends left my apartment when I suddenly received a call from a unknown number. I grabbed my phone to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Hey Miss Raszhiel," the other line answered.

It's Zera.

"Oh yes."

She ask me if I have already made up my mind. I also told her that I will take the job and she said that we will be meeting at the cafe near the bus station tomorrow to discuss about the contract then signed them. I answered yes and then she hangs up.

So, this is no turning back now.