The Billionaire's EX

Zale Harris:

I strutted into my company with a scowl on my face, my workers who were standing around doing nothing all scampered over to their respective cubicles and pretended to be busy the moment they caught sight of me, and those that were far from their offices immediately stood to the side with the heads bowed and I could see the fear and nervousness they were emitting. They muttered greetings to me as I walked past them but I didn't bother gracing any with a reply, and just walked into my private elevator and pressed the button for my office floor.

In a few seconds, I was on the highest floor AKA my office floor, and I walked into my office and took a seat. I picked up the intercom and buzzed my PA, who came running in the next second, "yes sir?" He said as soon as he walked into my office.

"Cancel all appointments I have today" I ordered in a monotone voice, and he frowned.

"But sir, you..." He started but I cut him off by raising my hand.

"No buts Olives, I want all appointments canceled. I don't care how important it is, I want it all canceled" I sneered and he flinched. He stood at a spot and cocked his head to the side, he stared at me for a while before a sigh left his lips.

"Alright, Zale," he said and I knew he had just switched from my PA to my best friend, he walked over to one of the office chairs and sat down, "what is wrong? And don't even think of lying to me, you know I'll always sniff it out".

I let out a breath and threw my head back, "It's the doctor's appointment" I started and slowly raised my head to meet his eyes "I have a brain tumor and it's cancerous, it's been estimated that I only a year to live" I mumbled and his eyes widened.

He stared at me motionless for a while before he chuckled and shook his head, "okay! Nice prank, it worked! I was scared. Now knock it off" he said with a smile, but when he saw I was not smiling, his shoulders slumped and he paused, "Yo-you're serious?" He stuttered and I nodded my head.

"I only have one year, Liv, only a year" I mumbled and my chest clenched painfully with each word I said.

"No man! That can't be. There's.. there's probably a mistake somewhere" he stood up and paced around the room, then stood before me again, "there should be something we can do, Zale! You can't just die in a year" he banged his fist on the table and stared into my eyes, but I sighed and turned away from him. "You possibly can't just give up without trying!" He exclaimed and I snapped my head towards him with raised brows.

"Give up? Without trying?" I repeated and he rubbed his face with his hand, "you think I haven't thought of options and asked around? My only option is surgery with only a 40% chance of survival, and I'd rather die than keep my faith on something that has a shaky 40% success" I said and by the time I was done, I was panting heavily.

Oliver immediately tensed up when he saw me panting and immediately rushed to me, "are you okay? What's happening?" He grabbed my shoulders and shook me gently as he pressed me with questions, "take a deep breath, take a deep breath Zale" he repeated softly and I tried to follow his instructions, but the world was already blurry for me and his voice was quite distant.

"Liv... I think I'm..." I didn't get to finish my sentence before the darkness overcame me.

The sound of machines beeping kept resonating in my ear, and I groaned, "what's.. what's happening?" I crooked as I slowly opened my eyes, and I nearly yelped when my eyes adjusted to the brightness and found 3 frowned faces staring down at me, "can you guys please shift away from my face?" I rasped out when I recognized the faces belong to my parents and best friend.

"You're awake! Ralph, he's awake, my son is awake" my mum exclaimed and I had to resist the urge to stuff my fingers in my ear, I love my mum but sometimes like right now, she's unbearably loud. I heard her exclaim, "he's awake" one more time before she started sobbing.

I groaned internally and looked at my parents, my dad held mum as she sobbed into his chest, while he whispered comforting words into her ears. I would have rolled my eyes at them, but It felt like I'd pass out again if I did so I just averted my gaze to Oliver.

He stood at the foot of the bed, staring at me with hooded eyes, "please get me water" I pleaded and he immediately rushed to my side, poured water into a glass, and passed the glass of water to me. Which I took gratefully and drank to my satisfaction, I let out a breath with my mouth and mumbled "thank you" to him as I returned the cup to him.

"What happened to you, Zale? Oliver called us a while ago and told us you passed out" my mum asked the moment I finished drinking water, "Oliver, what happened to him?" She turned to Oliver when she realized I wasn't willing to talk.

Oliver made to tell her what happened, but I immediately held his hand and shook my head. He stared at me in defiance, and I shook my head again, "please" I mouth and I saw his resolve weaken. He then sighed and turned to my parents who had seen our little interaction and were now frowning.

"What was that?" My dad was the first to break the ice, after Oliver turned back to them, "are you two hiding something from us?" He asked, and before Oliver could answer, the doctor, Alfred, walked in.

Both of us shared a panicked look and I slowly sat up on the bed as the doctor walked closer to us, "Mr. Harris, you are awake!" He pointed out with a smile, and I bobbed my head, "any pains?" I immediately shook my head and he wrote that down on the tablet he was holding.

"I'm glad you are not experiencing any pain, but as days go by, this will get worse if you don't carry out the..." I didn't let him complete was he was saying, and immediately cut in.

"Yes Alfred, noted. I'll carry out the due rest you've asked me to take" I said with a forced smile on my face, and he scrunched up his brows.

"What are you saying?" He queried and I chuckled.

"Dr. Alfred, are you confused? I came earlier and you told me I was too stressed and I should get plenty of rest, but because I didn't listen, I passed out" I laughed heartily and Alfred still had the confused look on his face, so I began wiggling my brows hoping he'd get the hint, but he didn't.

"Let's go, Dr.Alfred, So we can discuss the bill and let the patient rest" Oliver suggested, coming to my rescue.

The moment he walked out with Alfred, I released a breath of relief and then turned to my parents, my next big challenge, "oh! Mum, Dad! You guys look so cute!" I teased, trying to divert the attention from what just happened but that only worked as far as a lame joke would work on an extremely intelligent person.

"What was that, Zale?" My mum was the first to ask and I shrugged my shoulders.

"What was what mum? Nothing happened" I squeaked out and she instantly sat on the bed, then grabbed my face gently and her eyes hovered around my face.

"Don't lie to me, Zale! I know something is wrong, please tell us. Did anything happen? Why were you at the doctor's earlier? Please tell your mother" she pleaded and tears pooled in her eyes, and that was my breaking point.

I can't stand to see my mum cry, but right now I can't afford to tell her the truth either, that'd only open up a dam in her eyes, so I sighed and cradled her face with my hand, "Mum, there's nothing to worry about, I just didn't want you to know that this was all a result of stress, because I know you'd scold me" I said, but the look on her face told me she wasn't in the littlest bit convinced, "plus, I wanted to get the doctor out of the room because I have something to tell you guys"

My dad immediately stood in front of me with raised brows, "what do you have to tell us?" He asked and I glanced at him with a half-hearted smile on my face.

"Mum, Dad" I called and they hummed in response, "Congratulations, your son is getting married!".

"What?!" A voice thundered from the door, and we all turned to see Oliver staring at us like a drenched rat, "you are getting married?" He asked as he swiftly walked up to us, I slowly bobbed my head and slightly nudged my head towards my mum, and he immediately got the hint, "wow man! I thought you were joking when you said it earlier" he exclaimed and shook hands with me.

"Oh my God! I can't believe this!" My mum exclaimed and we all turned towards her, "you're getting married!" She whispered and looked up at my Dad who was grinning like he won the lottery.

"We will have a daughter soon and grandchildren!" My dad said and I choked on air, but they paid no mind to me and were busy giggling like little children. I exchanged panicked glances with Oliver before I turned back to my giggling parents with a tight-lipped smile.

"So when are we going to meet her? When is the marriage taking place? Have you proposed to her yet?" My mum asked all at once and I smiled.

"Easy there mum! I'll answer all your questions when I'm out of the sickbed" I said and she bobbed her head excitedly, "now, you and Dad should go home. You know I hate seeing you guys at hospitals" mum looked like she wanted to protest, but dad shook his head and she reluctantly agreed.

"Alright, we'll go now. Call us!" My dad said and gently dragged my mum up from the bed, she pouted and placed a kiss on my forehead, "and try to rest up" he added and I nodded. He smiled at me and then walked away with mum sulking behind him.

The moment they were out of the hospital room, I immediately whipped my head towards Oliver, who was already staring at me, alarmed "I don't care about anything else right now, we've got to find a bride, fast"

Aria Smith

I smoothened out my skirt, took a deep breath, and clutched my daughter, Zoe's hand, "are you ready to watch mama slay?" I asked Zoe who has been staring at me with a childlike curiosity since we got to the restaurant, and she bobbed her head excitedly.

A warm smile graced my face at her enthusiastic response and I once again took a deep breath before I walked into the restaurant. I sighted him the moment I walked into the restaurant, seated at a corner of the restaurant answering a call and my breath got knocked out of me, butterflies erupted in my tummy and my palms got sweaty, but beneath all that was anger. The anger about what happened 6 years ago burned even more inside me like a volcano waiting to erupt, I had thought I'd be able to pull this off without all these emotions but at this moment, I began doubting the success of pulling this off, civilly.

I was about to take a step toward him but I shook my head and decided it would be best to just leave, quietly but that didn't happen because of Zoe, "Mummy, are you okay?" Zoe asked in her high-pitched voice and I groaned internally and immediately turned to her with a forced smile on my face and nodded.

"Mummy is fine, princess" I assured her and she stared at me incredulously for a while, before she turned away and looked around the restaurant.

I sighed and turned back to him with hopes that he'd still be busy on the call, but Zoe's voice had drawn his attention and now he was staring at us, no, he was staring at Zoe with a rather stoic look on his face. I immediately pulled Zoe to my body and hid her face away from him, my actions snapped him out of his trance and he looked up at me with raised eyebrows.

I forced a smile on my face when he looked up at me and released a shaky breath, there was no way out now. With a smile on my face took a deep breath as I started walking closer to him, getting to him was barely 15 feet away, but it felt like a long road trip to hell and each step I took was a foot dip in burning charcoal.

"Go-" I started but my voice came out muffled and full of anger, so I took a deep breath to calm my nerves and slowly stretched out my hand.

"Good morning Mr. Harris" I greeted, this time, my voice was firm and clear, "I'm Miss Smith"

He stared at my stretched-out hand for a while, then cleared his throat and looked away, "Take a seat, Miss. Smith" he said with his swoon-worthy voice, which was my weak point back then, that was until he broke my trust, and his disrespectful action earlier only made his voice nauseating to me.

I clenched my hands tightly and slowly dropped them to my side, "Take a seat, Zoe" I mumbled to my daughter, who has been staring at him awestruck since we got close enough to him. She glanced at me when she heard my voice and nodded, then took a seat on the chair closest to him.

Her antics made me smile and I shook my head at her before I took a seat in front of him.

"Do you normally take your child to interviews?" He asked with a frown the moment we both were seated, "that's not professional, Miss Smith" he taunted but before I could answer him, Zoe beat me to it.

"Good morning sir, my mum doesn't take me to interviews but there was no one available to babysit me today, so she decided to bring me with her. Please don't be offended and be polite to my mum" she said in a firm voice while maintaining eye contact with him.

My mouth dropped open at the audacity, and I made to caution her but before I could say a word to her, I saw Zale smile from the corner of my eyes.

"Alright...?" He paused, obviously clueless about what her name was.

"I'm Zoe, Zoe Smith" she introduced herself proudly and brought her hand like I did earlier for a handshake. He smiled brightly at her and shook her hand gently.

"That's a nice name, Zoe. I'm Zale"

"Thank you, Mr. Zale your name is nice too."

"Thank you, Zoe. You're so kind" he cooed and She smiled even wider "Alright Zoe since you so nicely asked, I promise I would be polite to your mum if you promise to seat quietly throughout the interview," he said and stretched out his pinky finger.

She grinned at him and immediately intertwined their pinky, "I Promise"

I stared at the both of them starstruck at how comfortable they were with each other, and I just wanted to grab Zoe and run out of the room, but I shook my head and took a breather. Zale has always been good with children, this shouldn't freak me out, it's perfectly normal for children to be comfortable with him.

He smiled at her again and then turned back to me with a blank look on his face, "So, Miss. Smith, can I have your CV?" He asked.

"Yes sir, hold on," I said and immediately brought out my CV, then handed it to him.

He took it from me and glanced at it for a second, then closed it and propped his elbows on the table, and leaned closer to me, "You do know the role you are applying for, right?" He asked and I frowned.

Of course, I know the role I was applying for, everyone knows the role I'm applying for, it's everywhere "Yes, I do. The role of your PA" I stated and he smirked.

"You still don't pay attention to details," he said and my frown deepened, "You are not applying for the role of a PA, Miss Smith, I already have one. You are applying to be my contract wife"

My eyes widened and I began shaking my head, "that can't be, sir. The title clearly said, Vacancy for PA."

"But another notice was sent to those that applied, and if you read it to the end, you would have seen the little note" he tsked and I immediately brought out my phone.

I scrolled to the email that was sent to me earlier and read it all over again, my eyes slowly widened when I got to the end and what he said was true. There was a small note at the end that said he was looking for a pretend wife for a year. I closed my eyes and sighed, and when I opened it back, I shook my head.

"I'm sorry for the mistake, sir. I'm not applying to be your wife, I'll be on my way now" I said and made to stand up, but he held my hand and gestured to my seat with his brows.

"Not yet, Miss Smith. Please sit back down" he ordered and I raised an eyebrow, "we might as well finish the interview," he said.

I cocked my head to the side and stared at him for a while. Trying to figure out where he planned on going with this, but in the end, I sighed and sat back down, "What else is there to complete? there was a mistake with the role I was applying for"

"Count it as a blessing in disguise then, because Miss. Smith, you are the most qualified candidate to be my wife, be mine again," he said and I burst into laughter, expecting him to join me as well but my laugh slowly died down and I stared at him baffled when I realized he wasn't laughing with and was serious about his offer.

"You can't be serious, Zale!" I exclaimed and he cocked his head to the side and shrugged.

"But I am"

"That is ridiculous, I can't be your wife! You know that" I blurted out and he leaned closer to me.

"Why?" He asked and my throat ran dry as the memories surfaced again, I bit the inside of my cheeks and glared at him

"Because... Because I'm.." I stuttered and he raised an eyebrow

"Because you are my ex? Specifically, the woman that just one day, vanished out of my life without any explanation and is right now, seated in front of me looking for a job?" he spat out and I clenched my jaw, "I guessed as much, but don't worry, this is purely business. I never mix feelings with business"

"I can't do it, Zale. I'm sorry" I insisted and stood up to leave with Zoe, but he held me back once again.

"Before you go, Aria.." He started and I turned to him, "Is she mine?" He asked and my eyes widened.

I pulled Zoe to myself and forced a smile on my face, "She's not yours Zale, you don't have to worry" I let the lie out just like I've been practicing for days, and hurt flashed through his eyes, but it was gone in a second, it was almost like I imagined it.

He nodded and slowly let go of my hand, "That's a relief" he mumbled and I felt my heart clench painfully but I kept the l smile on my face, "Well, think about the offer. And once you make up your mind, feel free to call this line" he said and handed me his card.

"See you later, little one" he smiled at Zoe and pinched her cheek. He turned to me, gave me a curt nod, and walked out of the restaurant.

I stared at the card he handed me and slowly tucked it into my bag with a sigh, hoping that I'd never have to use it "let's go, Zoe" I mumbled to Zoe, who eagerly nodded and grabbed my hand in her little one and we both walked out of the restaurant. My plan had failed so gracefully and if I ever intend on carrying out what I promised myself I will, this death trap of a marriage that I'm not willing to take might just be the only way.

Zale Harris

"You did what?!" Oliver all but yelled when I told him, I ran into Aria and that I had offered the contract to her, "How could you give it to Aria? Out of all the candidates, Aria? You wouldn't even be able to fulfill your parents' wish if she agrees to this, you know that right?" He said like he was explaining it to a baby, and I rolled my eyes.

"Calm your titties, Liv," I said and he glared at me, "I know all that you are saying Liv, I know I wanted to do this for my parents and give them a grandchild, but when I saw her..." I paused and took a deep breath, "when I saw her, all thoughts of living this one year just to give my parents a grandchild flew out of the window, and all I wanted was to spend the rest of my year with her, as husband and wife" I mumbled, hoping he'd understand where I was coming from.

But all I got was a scoff, "I wish I could understand where you are coming from, but all I can think of is that you are about to get married to a woman that one day, just left you. Without any explanation, absolutely nothing, she just up and left, and now she is back with a child, that is not yours by the way"

I sighed and palmed my face, "you're right" I muttered weakly and a small smile tugged on his lips, "you're right, but if she says yes to this, I am sure as hell going to pull through with it." I said and he shook his head, "she's going to spend the next 365 days of her life, staring at the face she betrayed 6 years ago and I'll make spend every second making sure she never forgets what she did until she breaks and gives a reasonable explanation. That's enough punishment"

Oliver's lips curled up in a wicked smile when I was done talking, "that's more like it" he said proudly and I smirked, "but what about giving your parents a grandchild? You can't do that with her." He said and I nodded my head.

"I'll hire someone to be a surrogate, I don't intend on leaving that wish unfilled" he smiled and nodded his head.

"I still can't believe that there's a possibility that in a year you'd be gone, it feels so surreal. I just can't imagine life without you bossing me around, and making your corny jokes" he blurted out of nowhere, rubbed his eyes, and took a shaky breath. I immediately stood up from my chair, walked over to him, and engulfed him in a hug.

"Common man, it might not happen. I'm con-" I paused and shook my head, I couldn't tell him that I considered getting the surgery after I saw Aria, that'd unnecessarily raise his hopes, "let's just hope for the best," I said and patted his back.

"But I can't believe this tho," I started as we both pulled away from the hug

"Believe what?"

"That I'm the one dying, yet I'm the one comforting you," I said and his eyes widened a little.

"Common man, stop saying you're dying!" He snapped and I was about to retort by saying that I am, but one look at his sullen face and I just managed a smile on my face, "I'm going back to work and better get it off your mind that you're dying because you are not!"

I bobbed my head and shooed him away from my office, "I've heard you, Abuela! Now get back to work" I pushed him out of my office despite his protest and locked the door behind him.

I walked back to my chair and slumped on it after I had dismissed Oliver. I had managed to put a strong font with him, but I feel exhausted, I couldn't get a word out without feeling like my breath was getting knocked out of me, I couldn't even stand for more than a minute without proper support and I felt useless. The fact that this would get worse over the days and there will come a time where I'll have to rely on others to get by was worse than death for me, and the fact that the only thing that could stop this was a measly 40% survival rate surgery only increased the macabre feeling at the pit of my stomach.

"Let's get back to work, Zale" I mumbled to myself when I felt my thought traveling farther than I'd appreciate. I sighed and picked up one of the contracts I had to go through for the day, but barely five minutes into reading the contract, my phone started ringing.

I closed the file and picked up the phone, but I hesitated on picking up when I realized it was an unknown ID, "could it be...?" I paused and immediately answered the call, "Zale Harris" I said in a monotonous voice the moment I picked up the call.

"Umm... Zale" Aria's familiar voice said from the other end of the phone and I tensed up, "I wanted to talk to you about the contract you offered earlier"

"Go on" I replied instantly.

"I've decided I'll go through the contract," she said and I released the breath that I was subconsciously holding.

"Well then, Miss Smith, I'm glad you made the right decision," I said, trying my best to remain calm and formal, "when would you like to come over for the contract reading and signing, or would you rather have it sent to you?"

"I'll come over tomorrow by 9 am to sign it, it'll be easier to communicate and point out anything I want to be eliminated," she said and I nodded my head.

"Alright, see you tomorrow"

"Bye Za-, sorry, Mr. Harris," she said and hung up.

I smiled sheepishly after the call had ended, I dropped my phone on the desk and immediately buzzed the intercom for Oliver. I heard him knocking on my door in just a second, and I immediately sprung up from my chair and unlocked the door.

He came in looking apprehensive, but when he saw me standing with a smile on my face he exhaled loudly, "I thought something happened" he mumbled and placed his hand on his chest.

"You've got to stop thinking the worse when I buzz the intercom or you are going to die before me," I said and he rolled his eyes, "Anyway, good news, Aria decided to go through with it" I announced and he arched his brows.

"For real?"

"Yes, I just got off her call"

"Congrats man, I can't believe she agreed to it," he said but I could tell he was far from happy about it, but I chose not to point it out.

"Yeah, now please if you'd excuse me, I have somewhere I have to be," I said and walked back to my desk to pick up my stuff, "I have to go to Mr. Darcy's office to get the contract drafted" I looked at him after I had packed my stuff, but he had a stoic look on his face and I cocked my head to the side, "Is everything okay?"

He snapped his eyes up to meet mine and he shook his head, "listen, man, I'm happy for you and all but why would she agree to this? I mean with y'all's past, the logical thing would be to disagree but she did the exact opposite" he said and walked in further into my office.

A frown appeared on my face as I thought of what he said, "she's probably in a financial crisis or something" I said, trying to find a tangible excuse but Oliver shook his head and tsked.

"I don't know about you, but I feel there's more to this and if you'd let me I could..." I didn't let him finish his sentence and immediately cut him off.

"Listen, I know you are worried about me and all, but I don't have the time to start doubting this. Aria is the safest person to have this contract with and I could care less about her reasons for doing this, it's going to end in a year and after that we both would..."I paused and took a deep breath to stop myself from completing that sentence, "all I'm saying is, there's no reason to fret over this, let's just take it as it goes"

He stared at me for a while after I was done talking, before he sucked his teeth and sighed, "well, I guess to an extent you are right but that doesn't change or lessen my suspicions"

"What are best friends for?" I said and we both chuckled, "well, I have to go now. She'll be here and the contract needs to be ready by then"

"Sure thing, my regards to Darcy" I nodded and walked out of my office and into the elevator.

My mind was Instantly crowded with what Oliver said earlier, the moment the elevator closed and I couldn't help but wonder why she agreed to this. She didn't seem to be in any financial crisis when I saw her earlier and that kind of made my excuse invalid. My mind tried to come up with a million different possibilities for her decision, but K began feeling light-headed and immediately pushed the thoughts aside.

"Guess I'll just have to ask her tomorrow" he mumbled and alighted the elevator.