The Billionaire's Lover

01

QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND

The BlackBerry clattered carelessly across the glass surface of the coffee table. Jayden swore under his breath, his long, lean fingers raking through his thick hair in frustration. What the hell was he supposed to do now? This was supposed to be his holiday, and a holiday was supposed to be stress-free. No work. No family. Just peace and relaxation.

No work? Yeah, right! As a self-confessed workaholic, it was unsurprising now that his five out of eight companies had recently been floating in the international market, hitting the multibillion-dollar level on the way. That kind of money needed looking after, nurturing, and feeding. Still, he loved the job, even more so now that he didn't need to be in the office twenty-four-seven. He could simply flick an e-mail from wherever he was, whether in a hotel room in some lush French wine valley, a Hong Kong restaurant, or even his own bed! Whenever, wherever he was, his people could handle everything he threw at them.

But this was supposed to be different. This was supposed to be about him. This was supposed to be time away from everything-away from work, away from the constant buzz of e-mails, calls, and deals that never seemed to stop. A chance to breathe. To find some peace. Some balance.

Yet, as the ringing of his phone echoed through the quiet of the hotel room, his thoughts raced back to the mess he'd been trying to leave behind. His mind returned to the chaos his life had become in the past week, and the sickening memory of that phone call that shattered everything.

The family pressure was unbearable. His mother, Gracie, married to his father, Tom McCartney, for thirty-five years, had insisted he bring his current girlfriend to attend his sister Kelly's upcoming wedding in order to meet the whole family for the first time. And Granny Beth-Elizabeth McCartney, as she was formally known-had already issued a reminder that it was high time his girlfriend was tested against her infamous set of criteria for a suitable granddaughter-in-law.

It had been one of those moments that Jayden should've seen coming. His grandmother was notoriously traditional. Her standards had always been impossibly high for anyone entering the McCartney fold. But, honestly, he hadn't expected Sarah to be so... disappointing.

The problem wasn't just his grandmother's impossible expectations. It was Sarah herself. The woman he thought he'd been building a future with. Now, as Jayden sat on the leather sofa, staring out at the picturesque view of Queenstown, he realized how easily everything had fallen apart. What was supposed to be a time of reflection and escape had turned into a personal nightmare. He had come here to find some clarity, but instead, his mind was a whirlwind.

He took a deep, calming breath, as though the crisp, apple-scented air from outside could somehow wash away the bitter memories of Sarah's betrayal. It didn't. Instead, all that filled his thoughts was the image of her-her flawless skin, her body entwined with Kyle's-his best friend, of all people.

The memory of walking in on them, of the shock and the disbelief that had clouded his senses, still felt raw. He had expected confrontation, sure, but not this. Not betrayal at that level. His mind replayed the scene over and over again like a cursed loop, each time adding more weight to the sinking feeling in his chest.

His breath hitched, and he squeezed his eyes shut. How had it come to this? He had been so blind. So trusting. Jayden had always been the guy who believed in loyalty, in love. But Sarah had ripped that belief to shreds in one agonizing instant.

When he tried to picture her face now, it was as though a shadow clouded his memories, distorting everything that had once seemed so perfect. And it made his stomach twist. She had looked so beautiful that night, so seductive, even as she'd writhed beneath Kyle's touch.

It wasn't just the act itself. It was the feeling of betrayal that haunted him. That sickening feeling that the person he'd trusted most had let him down in the worst possible way.

The confrontation with Sarah had been brutal. He'd told her, in no uncertain terms, that he couldn't be with her anymore. There was no future. No second chances. She had begged, pleaded for forgiveness, for a chance to explain, but Jayden's fury was uncontrollable.

"Not what it looked like!" she'd cried, her eyes wide with desperation.

But Jayden had seen enough. He had seen what he needed to see, and no explanation would change the truth. She had betrayed him in the most unforgivable way, and the raw anger in his chest had risen to a boiling point.

"You were screwing him!" he had shouted, his voice hoarse with the weight of his fury and regret.

"I don't know what's worse-your betrayal or his," he had snarled, the words slicing through the air between them like a blade.

And then, as the tension reached its peak, he had said the words that would end it all.

"Get the hell out of my life."

She had done exactly that, walking out of his life as quickly as she had entered it. Her final words had been a cruel jab, a last attempt to hurt him. "I never loved you," she had spat, the words biting through the air.

Jayden hadn't had the strength to reply. He'd simply stood there, feeling empty, cold, and broken. The nights that followed were a blur of alcohol and self-doubt. Days spent in a haze, trying to escape the feelings that relentlessly gnawed at him.

But no amount of whiskey or beer could erase the pain, the humiliation. And then, one evening, Peter Thompson-a good friend from New Zealand, or Godzone, as they liked to call it-had found him nursing a beer in a nameless, expensive bar. Peter had been a steady presence in his life since university, a man who had never wavered when Jayden needed advice, even if it was just an excuse to get away from the chaos.

Peter had placed a strong hand on his shoulder, his voice low but firm.

"She's gone. Let it go, man. Plenty more fish in the sea."

It hadn't been the perfect advice, but it had been enough to snap Jayden back to reality. It was time to stop wallowing in the past. It was time to move on. He couldn't stay trapped in the mess Sarah had left behind.

Still, letting go wasn't as simple as Peter had made it sound. The pain lingered, even as Jayden tried to drown it out with the beauty of Queenstown. The rolling hills, the turquoise lakes, the snow-capped mountains-these were all distractions, reminders of how small his problems seemed in the grand scheme of things.

But his mind wouldn't be quieted. Sarah and Kyle's betrayal had left a scar. A mark on his heart that wouldn't fade as easily as Peter had promised.

Maybe time would heal the wounds. Maybe distance, a holiday away from everything, would help. But for now, Jayden had to face the truth. His life had been shattered. And no amount of scenery or escape would change that.

With a deep sigh, he reached for the BlackBerry again, his fingers brushing over the keys. He had no choice but to keep moving forward. The world didn't stop for his pain. And neither could he.

Chapter 02

He laughed when Peter suggested flying halfway around the world to indulge in some interesting and somewhat suicidal sports. He agreed because he felt the need to do something-anything-and suicide by itself was not an option. Besides, even in the bleakest moments, he felt that there was much more for him in this life.

So, he flew with Peter to Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand, if not the world, and threw himself off bridges, out of airplanes, and into raging rivers. Once, they even strapped on skis and jumped out of a helicopter over the high, snowbound southern mountains. He hadn't killed himself, wouldn't have counted as suicide anyway, and the combination of exhilaration and exhaustion had driven away any thoughts of Sarah or Kyle-for a little while at least. He knew the healing process would take far longer, but for now, he found a little peace in this isolated place.

Now, Beth asked him to bring his girlfriend to Kelly's wedding. If he didn't bring Sarah, they would want to know what happened, in excruciating detail naturally, and they would start matchmaking again-a thought that brought a shudder to his core. The very thought of them playing Cupid with his life after everything that had happened made his stomach churn.

It was then that Jay heard somebody whistling in the corridor. A moment later, Peter Thompson walked in. When the man saw the look on Jay's sour face, he queried, "Jay, mate, what's up?"

"Just got a call from Gracie and Beth."

Peter raised an eyebrow. "Well, from the look you're wearing, it doesn't sound good."

"Of course it's not good, Pete."

"Spill it, then."

Jay glanced at his friend, the one he had met at Harvard University, now his confidant through thick and thin. "They're at it again."

"What, matchmaking?" Peter chuckled.

"It's not funny! What the hell am I going to do?"

"I suppose they are getting worried. You are twenty-seven. Not getting any younger, bro," Peter said, heading to the refrigerator in the kitchen. He opened the door and rooted around among the various brands, searching for a bottle of Heineken. "Want one?" he asked over his shoulder.

"Yeah, sure," Jay replied distractedly, already feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him.

Peter took out two and tossed one to Jay. They both sank into the couch, cracking open their beers as the conversation lingered in the air like the tension between them.

Six bottles of Heineken, two packs of Blue Bird chips, and four packets of Giant Cookies later, they were still contemplating the dilemma at hand.

"Any suggestions?" Jay asked finally, his voice heavy with frustration.

Peter glanced sideways at his friend. "I suggest you find yourself a new girl, bro, and take her to New York."

For an extended moment, complete silence fell between them. Jay's blue eyes stared intensely into Peter's green ones, searching for any hint that this was some kind of joke.

"You're kidding, right?"

"Nope," Pete replied nonchalantly, stuffing some crisps into his mouth, chewing loudly, and taking a solid gulp of beer. His casual demeanor seemed to mock the seriousness of the situation.

Jay considered this for a second. "I'm not up for it, Pete. You know I'm not."

Peter raised an eyebrow, clearly not understanding the depth of Jay's hesitation. "Sarah?"

"It's still too new," Jay muttered. No, he wasn't over Sarah yet. Dating again right now just seemed wrong and odd, like they remained linked in some way. It felt like cheating, even if there was no actual cheating involved. Basically, he was just not ready. He wasn't sure if he'd ever be ready.

"Look," Peter began, more earnestly now, "you don't have to do this dating thing yet. I said you just need to find a girl and take her to meet your parents. You don't have to date her."

"Meaning what, exactly?"

"Meaning you hire a girl and take her to see your parents."

Jay didn't make any comment, but his expression quite clearly said, Seriously, dude, can't you come up with a better plan than that?

"Just hire a girl. Simple."

It must be a Kiwi thing, and he couldn't stop himself from blurting out, "Who the hell is desperate enough to want to pretend to be my girlfriend?"

"Lots," Peter said. "Professionals."

Jay narrowed his eyes, skepticism written all over his face. "Oh, no. I'm not hiring those types of girls."

"Okay," Peter said, shrugging his shoulders. "You need a new girlfriend, a fake one. I think I just might know where you can find one."

Jay's mind immediately raced with the idea. Fake girlfriend? It didn't seem like a bad idea in theory-if it weren't for the fact that it felt like a cheap trick. His mind drifted, imagining what it would be like to hire a girl just to act like she cared for him. It made his skin crawl.

Peter leaned forward, sensing the resistance. "Come on, Jay, you know what I'm talking about. You can find someone who needs the cash, and they'll play the role for a weekend. The key is no emotional investment, just a simple arrangement."

Jay took a long sip from his beer, trying to ignore the slight knot in his stomach. He couldn't help but feel the weight of everything-losing Sarah, being pushed into a fake relationship, pretending everything was fine when it wasn't. It all felt like a fast-forward button on a life he wasn't sure he wanted to live anymore.

"You sure this is the right thing?" Jay asked, his voice quieter now. "To just bring in a stranger to fill the space?"

Peter seemed unbothered by the thought. "No one has to know, mate. You take her to the wedding, play the part, and get the pressure off your back. It's only a weekend. You've got bigger things to worry about."

For the first time in a while, Jay allowed himself a deep breath, weighing the options. Maybe Peter had a point. Maybe this wasn't the worst thing. It wasn't like he was going to fall in love with a hired actress. It would be a distraction. A temporary fix to keep everyone from prying into his personal life.

"Alright, fine," Jay said, leaning back and running a hand through his hair. "But if it's going to be a fake girlfriend, I want her to actually look the part. No weirdos who don't know how to pretend they're into me."

Peter nodded with a grin. "Don't worry, I know exactly the type of girl you need. Trust me, I've got connections."

Jay felt a mix of relief and discomfort. There was something unsettling about the entire idea, but at the same time, he couldn't deny that it would be nice to have the pressure lifted off him for just a little while. Anything to stop the constant reminders of what he had lost.

"Alright, I'm in," Jay muttered, though he wasn't entirely sure he believed in his own decision.

"Good man," Peter said, slapping him on the back. "We'll take care of it. Just get ready to go to New York. Fake girlfriend and all."

Jay gave him a half-hearted smile, feeling the weight of what was about to unfold settle on his chest. What had he gotten himself into?

Chapter 03

"She better not be a professional. She has to be perfect," Jay said, his voice low and sharp, eyes fixed ahead. His tone was no-nonsense, the way it always was when he spoke about the work that came first.

Peter grinned, looking like the Cheshire Cat with all its secrets. "Nope, she's not a professional at all." He chuckled, his lips curling upward mischievously. "In fact, she's the total opposite."

Jay raised an eyebrow at him. "What does that mean?"

Peter gave a playful shrug, not offering any further clarification. Instead, he shifted the gear, smoothly gliding the SUV through the empty streets of Queenstown. The silence in the car was comfortable, filled only with the hum of the engine and the soft clink of coins shifting in Peter's pocket. Jay had known his friend long enough to sense that there was more to the situation than Peter let on, but he didn't push it. Not yet, anyway.

Jayden let his mind wander, gazing out at the sleeping town. The streets were empty, save for a few scattered streetlights illuminating the way. The town was quiet now, but he knew that when the sun rose, Queenstown would come to life again, a place filled with tourists, locals, and thrill-seekers. The air outside had a fresh chill to it, and Jay took a deep breath, savoring the crispness that filled his lungs.

He hadn't realized until this moment just how much he had enjoyed this place. The town had a certain charm-peaceful, yet thrilling. He loved the view, the placid waters of the lake reflecting the stars, the food that seemed to carry the taste of the land, the people who welcomed you like old friends, and even the crazy adventure sports that the place was known for. It was a perfect holiday spot. He'd definitely be back.

As the SUV cruised through the winding roads, Jay allowed his eyes to feast on the rough beauty of the Central Otago area. The land here was wild, untouched, and magnificent. The snow-covered mountains loomed in the distance, standing tall and proud against the sky. Pristine blue lakes shimmered under the moonlight, and twisted, gusting rivers cut through the valleys like veins. The landscape seemed to call to him, to remind him of how small he was in the grand scheme of things. Here, everything felt eternal.

Occasionally, the road stretched out toward vineyards and orchards, where the land gave way to soft greens and browns. Remote farmhouses dotted the landscape, their windows glowing like little beacons of life in the vastness. Sometimes, the roads were so close to the edges of cliffs that Jay felt the weight of the drop, a drop that seemed to promise the end of the world if he lost his grip.

Three and a half hours of driving later, they arrived in the city of Dunedin, a place that seemed both familiar and foreign at the same time. The streets were lined with old buildings that spoke of a long, rich history. Dunedin, perched on the east coast, had a different vibe than Queenstown, but it still had a pulse-a quiet one that Jay could feel as he looked around.

"So, this is it? This is George Street, the center of the city?" Jay asked, his voice filled with mild curiosity. They were coming through the short stretch of the Octagon toward the north end of the town.

"Yep," Pete responded, easing the SUV to a stop at the traffic lights on Hanover Street. "It's a small town, bro. The Edinburgh of the South, they call it. We'll have to park in the Meridian car park building. Damn busy on a Friday. Bloody students everywhere."

Jay scanned the street, noting the hustle and bustle. "A city of students, huh?"

"Yeah," Pete responded, his hands effortlessly moving to check his phone. "The university's huge here. If you're looking for trouble, this is the place."

Jay's eyes drifted over to the crowd crossing the street in front of them. Students, all of them, yet each with a distinct sense of style. There were young men in fashionable jeans and coats, a few in shorts, a T-shirt, and flip-flops, braving the cold as if it were summer. The girls, on the other hand, were something else. They wore flimsy coats over tight, super skinny jeans or leggings and miniskirts, accessorized with three-inch heels that made their legs look impossibly long. The high-pitched chatter filled the air as they moved about, laughing, shopping bags in hand. Their faces were flawless, not a single blemish in sight, their makeup impeccable, like something out of a fashion magazine. It was all too polished.

Jay couldn't help but compare them to the women back in New York. The difference was glaring. These girls had that effortless beauty, a natural charm that had a freshness to it, but it was clear they were carefully curated. Few people in New York would even know Dunedin existed.

It was then that his eyes locked onto one particular figure. She stood out from the crowd like a beacon, someone completely different from the others. Unlike the others, her fashion sense seemed unintentional. She wore a bright-blue coat that had definitely seen better days-frayed cuffs, faded fabric, and a hood that was slightly askew. Her long, dark hair streamed out from underneath it, a tangled mess that danced in the wind. She wasn't walking in the same smooth, confident stride as the others. Instead, she dashed across the street, weaving through the crowd like a soldier racing through a minefield, her eyes scanning the pavement as though dodging some unseen danger.

Jay couldn't help but notice her sneakers-white, clean but out of place compared to the rest of the crowd's high heels. They were a stark contrast to her black jeans. And that coat. He had to shake his head. She had no sense of fashion at all.

"Done!" Peter's voice pulled him back to reality.

Jay glanced at his friend, who was already sliding his cell phone back into his pocket. "What?"

"You didn't see that," Peter grinned.

Jay raised an eyebrow, unsure of what exactly had just happened, but he didn't push it. Instead, his attention was once again drawn to the girl in the blue coat. She had slowed down, now walking at a more leisurely pace. She slipped her hand into the pocket of her coat and pulled out a cell phone, her head tilted down as she read the message. As she strolled toward a door, Jay caught a glimpse of the logo in bold, blue letters: ANZ Bank.

Before he could process much further, they were at their destination. Dunedin Public Hospital. Jay blinked, taking in the surroundings as they parked. The cafeteria was drab-nothing like the lively, bustling places he was used to. The air inside was thick with the faint smell of hospital food, a combination of reheated meals and antiseptic that somehow managed to be both unappealing and oddly comforting. The walls were faded, the carpet worn out, and the fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting a pale, artificial glow over everything.

Jay scanned the room, feeling the weight of the dull atmosphere press against him. It was the kind of place that reminded him of the fragility of life. Everything felt like it was on the edge of falling apart. And yet, in some strange way, it was exactly what they needed-this quiet, unassuming environment where time seemed to stand still.

He sighed, leaning against the counter as he looked around, the hum of muted conversations filling the air. It wasn't the kind of place he liked, but it had its own kind of charm. And right now, that charm was exactly what they needed.