The billionaire's coalition

Chapter 1

My father was in debt.

Yes, he was a millionaire. He was.

The house was enveloped in a tense tranquillity for the past few weeks. My father and mother were both busy discussing the debts in his study every day.

While I, as usual, was inside my room all day, hardly going out. Not want to be a part of all this, not that they would include me.

My father even stopped me from going to college. And even at the age of twenty, I was still living with my parents. I did hope to finish college find a job and leave here but my plans were ruined.

I wanted to leave here as soon as possible because they clearly didn't like me. I was just a burden to them. They made sure to keep reminding me of that.

I was just a pathetic, crybaby. But I can't help but cry knowing I have no one in this world, I am all alone. Not even a single friend to comfort me.

A few years back, I had Adrian, my bodyguard who soon turned into my first friend. He was really sweet to me, he understood me, and made me feel happy but...

My father started to suspect us and fired him immediately thinking we were having some sort of secret relationship.

No matter how much I begged him that it wasn't true, that he already had a wife he loved, and that he was ten years older than me, my father didn't agree and till now, I didn't get to see Adrian again.

I apologized to him before he left and he assured me that it wasn't my mistake. But still...I felt guilty about it.

I sighed deeply, burying my face into the pillow, wishing to escape reality. Escape everything.

"Drea!" Someone called me from downstairs making me groan. "Come down, right now!"

What are they calling me downstairs for? Did they finally remember that they have a daughter too?

Forcing myself to stand up, I walked out of my room and down the stairs, slowly, half-heartedly.

The once empty, silent living room was buzzing with excitement as servants moved past each other swiftly. The excitement prickled my skin, a weird feeling settling in my stomach.

What happened suddenly?

One of the servants told me that my parents were waiting for me at the dining table to have dinner.

Which was once again weird because I was hardly ever invited to have dinner lunch or breakfast with them. I hardly existed for them.

Something was wrong. Swallowing my nervousness, I made my way to the dining room, my parents sitting beside each other at the table which was already laden with dishes.

I suspiciously glanced between my parents who gazed at me with neither warmth nor coldness in their eyes.

"Sit. Have dinner", father said gesturing to the chair opposite to him.

Curtly nodding, I sat down, my hands resting in my lap, my fingers fiddling with each other nervously, and my eyes lowered.

"You are supposed to eat..." I heard my mother speak as she passed me a plate filled with food.

"Thank you," I mumbled before I started to eat.

Silence descended upon us as we all focused our attention on eating. I really didn't feel like eating though cause my stomach churned with nervousness, wondering what was going to happen next.

Dinner finished soon and the table was cleared away while we remained sitting.

I made an effort to get up only to sit down again when my father said, "We need to talk."

Are they once again going to tell me how much of their money is being wasted on me? I am not going to college either now. Plus this voice inside me keeps reminding me of my worthlessness...they don't really need to remind me again.

"Yes?" I managed to say softly.

"I'm sure you were well aware of my company going into loss. How I was in debt."

I nodded in agreement.

"Well..." He continued. "Today I had a meeting with a CEO...I mean the former CEO of a powerful company and he made a deal with me."

"And...?" I urged him to continue because if my father gets out of his debts then maybe I can go back to college again and suddenly I was very interested in this conversation.

Father's eyes bore into mine. "And the deal is that he will convince his son, the current CEO to invest in our company if you marry his son."

"Marry his son?"

My mouth fell open. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

My mother decided to speak up in a firm tone. "You are going to get married to get that company to invest in ours."

"No." I objected promptly. "I am not getting married to some stranger. You both are literally selling me off."

Father's jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed at me. "You will do as I say. I have already made a deal with him. You are getting married next week and that's fucking final!"

I flinched at his tone, a lump forming in my throat.

I was about to start crying once again.

"Such a crybaby." The voice inside me taunted me and I took a deep breath to force back the tears that had welled up in my eyes.

"Please." I pleaded. "Don't do this. Please. I am just twenty...I have my whole life ahead of me."

They both had cold looks on their faces, not a bit bothered by my begging.

"Drea, you are going to marry that man and make yourself a little useful for us. Besides you should be grateful someone is going to marry you and thankfully, you will be out of our lives." My mother's harsh tone really hurt as she looked exasperated.

A tear threatened to escape my eye but I hastily wiped it away with the back of my palm. "But...what...what about my studies? I want to study further."

"I don't care about it anymore, okay? You want to study, ask your husband after you get married." Father silenced me.

"I can't let my husband decide whether I get to study further or not," I argued.

He slammed his fist on the table and gritted his teeth. "Take your feminism somewhere else! It won't work here!"

This time a tear rolled down my cheek, and my lips wobbled. No, they can't force me to marry a stranger.

"Their family is coming for dinner tomorrow. Dress properly and don't embarrass us." Mother ordered and before I could break down completely, I stood up and ran back upstairs to my room.

This can't be happening. They can't do that. They can't. Am I really such a burden to them that they are selling me off? Am I not a bit important to them that they chose their company over me?

I can't let this happen. I have to do something.

Tears were flowing down my cheeks; I pinched the middle of my forehead where a headache was starting to form.

I don't know what to do. I can't even run away because I don't know where to go nor do I have any money.

I simply couldn't get married, my heart refused to because I was still head over heels for that man. Sorin Zaveri.

He didn't even know of my existence but still, I loved him. He already has a girlfriend but still, I love him. I am nothing in comparison to him but still, I love him and refuse to marry anyone else even though I could never get him.

Throwing myself on the bed, I cried my heart out while gazing at his picture on my phone. And my heart ached for him.

I gently brushed my finger over his smiling face, an involuntary smile gracing my lips through the tears on seeing him smile.

He is the only reason I force myself to get up every day, to not give up completely and take my own life. He is the only reason I am alive because I wake up every day thinking that at least I would get to see his face on my phone. He is the only good part of my life. He keeps me going.

I am not getting married to anyone if that person is not Sorin although I know that never in a million years could I get married to Sorin himself.

I don't even have Adrian here with me, he would have helped me. And I don't even know where he is or else I could have gone to him, asking him for help.

"Drea, you are going to marry that man and make yourself a little useful for us." My mother's words echoed in my mind causing more tears to stream down my face. "Besides you should be grateful someone is going to marry you and thankfully, you will be out of our lives."

My heart clenched tightly, it hurt, it hurt too much. I grabbed a fistful of my hair and tugged at it, my mouth opening in a silent scream.

It was too much. It hurt too much. I couldn't breathe. Everything was suffocating me.

Please, someone, save me. Please. If only there was someone who could love me.

You don't deserve anyone's love. The voice inside my head reminded me.

And I felt numb. It's right. I don't deserve anyone's love.

I don't deserve anything. I am nothing.

With those thoughts in my mind, I drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 2

My eyes were bloodshot and puffy having cried almost the whole night. My hair was a mess, and my body looked weak, both mentally and physically. Overall, I looked like crap, not that I looked good anyway.

I leaned my back against the bathtub, submerging my body in the warm water, drawing my legs closer to my body, and placing my chin on top of my knees.

I contemplated several times whether I should stay here the whole day, in silence and peace instead of leaving this small space and facing reality, facing the war my heart and mind are fighting, facing how much my own parents hate me that they decided to sell me in return for their company.

The former sounded like a better option because I didn't dare to go out. I scoffed at how ironic my name was. It meant courage, I was supposed to be courageous, not a coward. I sometimes wonder who exactly named me that.

Someone slammed their fist against the bathroom door. "Drea! Do you think you can hide in there all day, come out!" It was my mother. I got startled and shrunk back into the tub, drawing my legs even closer to my body.

Tears fought their way out of my eyes no matter how much I tried to hold them back and a sob escaped my mouth causing me to cover my mouth with my palm.

"You better be out within two minutes!" She again ordered.

I took a few deep breaths and tried calming myself down before I stepped out of the tub dried myself with the towel and slipped into a pair of leggings and a t-shirt.

I couldn't even dry my hair properly before I walked out of the bathroom to find my mother standing in the middle of my room, her hand crossed over her chest and her foot tapping against the floor impatiently.

She was an exact copy of me, same hair, the same pair of eyes, and every feature of my face except, I didn't get her attractiveness, I was plain and simple.

She fixed me with a cold glare, her eyes roaming over my face before glaring at me again. "You are looking pathetic, always crying. Sometimes I really don't feel like glancing at you. Your forever sad face ruins my mood."

Her words cut into my soul but thankfully I couldn't feel the pain settling inside me cause I was almost numb. I wasn't feeling anything.

I lowered my gaze and said nothing, waiting for her to tell me why she was here in my room.

"They all will be coming here in a few hours, I need you to dress up nicely, make yourself a little presentable, and be on your best behavior tonight. Understood?"

I slowly nodded and mumbling to herself about how ungrateful I was, she left the room, slamming the door shut.

I let out a shaky breath and my eyes landed on the dress that was placed on my bed.

The dress was beautiful but I doubt it would look good on me. I sighed running my fingers over the dress, it's too pretty to be worn by someone like me. But since I don't have any other decent clothes, I guess I will have to go with them only.

One of my mother's personal maids was assigned to help me get dressed up properly and to make me look presentable. She did nude makeup and made sure to hide the dark circles underneath my eyes so that I didn't look like a zombie. She let my hair open, making it fall over my shoulder and I was ready.

My so-called, future in-laws and husband would be here any minute and my father was already shouting downstairs for me to get ready quickly.

I thanked the lady for helping me before I left the room and walked downstairs and to the front door where my parents were already standing, waiting for them to arrive.

I stood beside my mother with my hands behind my back, my fingers fiddling with each other nervously.

They arrived a minute later, the old couple entered first, and my parents stepped forward to greet them while I glanced between them. They both looked above fifty yet they looked young and smart.

Their son was right outside the door, his back towards us as he was busy on a phone call. I just got a glance at his back before I shifted my attention to the others. And I frowned slightly when I felt like I had seen them both before too.

My future father-in-law was not the least interested in greeting my parents, instead, his eyes landed on me and a soft, warm smile formed on his face as he stepped closer to me.

"You must be Drea." He spoke softly. "I finally got to meet you, child. How are you?"

I gulped. I don't really know how to communicate with new people. Taking a deep breath, I said, "I'm fine, sir. How are you?" I tried to mirror his smile.

By then his wife stood beside him, with a wide smile on her face, looking at me excitedly and with warmth in her eyes. "You are so beautiful, Drea!"

That caused me to blush. That was the first time someone ever complimented me. I bit my lower lip. "Thank you, ma'am." Am I supposed to say something else too? "You are beautiful too." Okay...that sounds weird.

She chuckled softly. "Oh, my name's Laura, you can call me that. No need for formalities now."

I nodded in response and my eyes roamed around, looking for their son. At least I want to see whom I am getting married to.

Laura seemed to finally notice my curiosity and she turned to the door. "Sorin, come inside. You can talk about work later."

The only thing my mind registered was his name. Sorin. As in Sorin Araimis Zaveri?

No. This can't be possible. Why would his parents get me married to him when he already has a girlfriend?

No. This isn't possible. It must be someone else, someone else's name can also be Sorin.

But then I remembered where I had seen the couple before. On the internet. While I was learning everything about Sorin, that's where I saw them. They are his parents. That means--

At that moment, their son finally stepped inside and my breath got knocked out of my chest.

Standing in front of me was the man of my dreams, my first love. The reason why I keep surviving each day is my motivation. My everything.

Sorin Zaveri.

My mouth fell open seeing him here, so close. He wore an all-black suit, the coat's buttons were open, black t-shirt was tucked inside the black pants neatly. Both his hands were inside his pocket, a bored expression on his face as he didn't even bother glancing at me.

He nodded curtly at my parents after which he glanced at his parents and he gave them an accusing look which earned him a slight glare from his mother making him roll his eyes.

This can't be happening. There is no way on earth that I am getting married to him. No. I must be dreaming.

Making sure the attention wasn't on me, I pinched my arm. Ouch. Okay, I am not dreaming. But... doesn't he already have a girlfriend?!

Though not much was mentioned on the internet about his personal life, I still know that he has a girlfriend whom he loves. Then how can he be marrying me?!

My heart was racing rapidly while my mind contemplated everything.

Before I could think much, my parents started to lead them to the dining room where the table was already set with ten different types of dishes.

And they even made me sit right next to him at the table, my already racing heart was in my throat. My fingers were almost shaking. I am sitting right next to him! This is like a dream! And he smelled so good, his spicy yet sweet cologne invaded my mind.

I didn't feel like eating, I was so nervous that I started to feel nauseated.

I picked up the fork and since luck was never on my side, the fork fell on the plate because my fingers were shaking, catching everyone's attention except Sorin's.

"Are you alright, child?" Mr Araimis asked and my parents shot daggers at me.

I nodded. "Yes..."

He offered me a warm smile before everyone started to eat again.

Take a deep breath. In and out. That kinda worked and I started to eat slowly.

Once the dinner was over and the table was cleared away, Laura said to me politely, "Drea, why don't you go and show Sorin around the house?"

I glanced between her, my parents, and Sorin (who was completely annoyed) anxiously.

"Yes, Drea. You should show him the garden." Mother decided to speak up, silently telling me to get up immediately.

Obeying her, I got up hoping he would follow me and I wouldn't have to tell him specially.

Fortunately, he got up and silently started to follow me as I led the way to the garden at the back of the house.

Stepping outside In the fresh air, I took a deep breath to calm myself down as he stood beside me, his eyes roaming all over the garden, a subtle, sexy frown on his forehead as he seemed to be ruminating.

It was freaking awkward between us.

I don't even know how to start a conversation and neither does he look in the mood to talk with me.

Think, Drea, think. There must be something that I could ask him. Something.

How on earth do people communicate...I can't come up with a single sentence to start a conversation--

"How long have you lived here?" His deep voice reached my ear.

I blinked a few times. He asked me a question. He was talking to me. My love for the first time in my life, said something to me.

His eyes were fixed ahead, the frown still visible on his face. And my mind was still busy comprehending what he said.

Finally, he glanced at me. The first time he looked at me.

He raised a brow and I realized I was staring at him.

Nice way to embarrass myself further.

"Huh?" That was all I could manage to come up with.

He rolled his eyes. "I asked how long have you lived here? This house."

"Um...I...um...I... I...guess forever...?" I stammered. "W-why...?"

He sighed looked away once again and shrugged. "This place just seems vaguely familiar. As if I have been here before. Several times."

I don't think so. Why would he be here before?

"Oh..."

He hummed and once again silence descended upon us. Awkward silence.

Oh God, please get me out of this situation already.

No matter how much I tried not to think about that, my mind kept wandering off... thinking that he has a girlfriend then why would he agree to marry me?

Should I ask him about her?

No, I

Chapter 3

How many times did I dream of this moment, how many times did I play it over and over again in my mind...

I walk down the aisle and the man I love, standing at the altar, waiting for me.

Everything was the same, almost everything, except for my future husband who was staring at me with coldness in his eyes. It made my heart ache and tears welled up once again in my eyes. I was quick to blink them away before they caused any drama.

The wedding ceremony passed in a blur and I dreaded going back to his house, to be there all alone with him. He clearly didn't like me, not that I expected him to.

During the car ride back to his house he sat as far as he could from me in the backseat gazing out of the window in complete silence.

I wanted to talk to him, a normal conversation but I didn't want to annoy him so I kept my mouth shut I couldn't help but look at him, the side of his face as his head was turned towards the window probably to avoid looking at me.

But that didn't stop me from staring at him like a creep. After all, I was in love with him and he was a beautiful man with a beautiful heart but not for me.

"Quit staring. It's irritating." His voice was cold and hard as he spoke, just for a split second he glanced at me before he started to stare out of the window again.

"Sorry," I mumbled and promptly averted my gaze not wanting to trouble him further.

The car soon halted at a huge and gorgeous house, like the ones we dream of. Exactly like those but it didn't matter to me as it was just another house to me, not a home that I have been searching for all these years. This was like a prison to me.

I was the first one to step out of the car and he stepped out next I followed him silently as he walked to the house, his hands in his pockets and his shoulders tensed.

.

.

.

Earlier he had shown me to 'our' bedroom. I was surprised by that and seeing that expression on my face he was quick to explain.

"My parents made sure to get all the other rooms locked so that we both sleep in the same room." He looked exasperated by that and subtly rolled his eyes, not even bothering to glance at me.

Presently, I was in the bathroom wiping away my makeup and changing my dress into a pair of comfortable pajamas and a t-shirt.

I took a deep breath before stepping out of the bathroom. Standing shirtless and with only a pair of grey sweatpants, stood my husband in the middle of the room. Even though I have seen his shirtless pictures once or twice looking at him, in reality, was completely different. His taut muscles, six packs, broad shoulders, veiny forearms, all of it made my throat dry up and a blush crawled up my neck.

I was snapped out of this trance when I heard him whisper something and I was surprised that he was even saying something to me but that surprise was soon replaced with the realization that he was not talking to me but was rather on an intense call.

Embarrassment flooded through me and at the same time his eyes narrowed down at me realizing I was staring at him once again and I lowered my gaze.

He exchanged a few more hushed words over the call before hanging up.

"You will be sleeping on the couch." He sounded authoritative and kinda scary as he pointed to the couch in the corner of the room.

"Okay," I muttered not wanting to question him and make him angry. I noticed that there was already a pillow and a duvet on the couch and I made my way towards it.

"Wait", he said all of a sudden making me halt and exhale loudly when I turned to face him. He seemed to be ruminating, his thumb and index finger pinching the middle of his forehead.

"Never mind." He sighed and turned his back to me.

Um...okay...

I resumed my walk to the couch and sat down on it gently, leaning my back, my body relaxing.

"No, wait." His voice startled me and as I glanced at him, he looked baffled as if not able to decide what to do. He was biting his lower lip which was quite sexy.

"Yes?"

He cleared his throat, and his baffled expression was gradually replaced by his cold features. "We can share the bed. If you are comfortable."

My eyes went over to the large bed, large enough for us both but sharing a bed with him sounded scary. I've never shared a bed with anyone else before.

But the couch didn't look comfortable enough to sleep on...

"Um..." It wasn't easy to make eye contact with him so I lowered my eyes once again. "Are you...okay...with it?"

"Yes." His answer was short and sharp.

Nodding, I got up and went to the bed as he laid down on his side, and slowly and nervously, I laid down on my side, making I was as far from him as possible with my back towards him because I didn't want to give him any trouble.

I hope I don't end up kicking him in my sleep.

Oh My God...what if I accidentally shove him off the bed? I'll be so dead then.

And then I heard him shuffling and I looked over my shoulder and saw him placing some extra pillows between us creating a barricade.

He saw me looking and said, "I hope you don't move and kick in your sleep."

That made my cheeks flame with embarrassment. I don't even know that myself. But I shook my head quickly and looked away.

God save me.

.

.

.

A loud groan woke me up, my eyes snapped open and I searched for the source of the groan. My eyes roamed the room before landing on the man sleeping beside me, well he was awake right now.

Because while I was sleeping, I swung my leg over the pillow wall and kicked him in the side of his chest. And now he was glaring at me, his jaw clenched.

My eyes widened as soon as my sleepy brain could register what had happened and my hand flew to my mouth as I covered it with my palm.

"I am so sorry!" I squeaked against my palm, my voice coming out muffled.

He continued glaring at me as I still was yet to remove my leg, so he gripped my leg firmly shoved it towards me, and got up.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it." I apologized again.

Ignoring me, he started to walk to the bathroom and I realized that it was morning already.

"I'm sorry. " I apologized once again. "Please...does it hurt a lot?"

For the last time, I decided to push my luck. "Sorin?" It felt weird saying his name.

And that's when he snapped and took a few steps closer to me. "Stop acting like a caring wife! And you don't have the permission to call me by my name."

I flinched at his tone but I had to ask, "Then...w-what should I call you?"

"Nothing." He gritted his teeth. "Not that we are going to have a lot of conversations." And with that he walked inside the bathroom, slamming the door shut.

A tear rolled down my cheek.

Since the bathroom was occupied, I decided to make us some breakfast hoping he would like it.

By the time I was about to be finished, I heard the bedroom door open upstairs and a moment later, he walked downstairs dressed in his navy blue work suit looking beautiful as ever.

His jaw was clenched as he walked past the kitchen, strapping his wristwatch to his left wrist.

When he didn't even bother to glance towards the kitchen, I gathered some courage and somehow spoke up, "Um...br-breakfast..."

My words only made him pause for a second, his eyes fixed down, and just like that he walked to the front door and went out, slamming the door shut making me flinch.

I gave a gloomy glance over to the breakfast I made with so much effort.

Not wanting to waste it, I sat down at the table and started to eat some of it half-heartedly.

A lump once again formed in my throat, remembering the amount of hatred swirling in his eyes for me this morning. I wonder how it feels when someone looks at you with warmth and love.

If only someone looked at me like that...just once.

A sob tore through me, my soul longing for some affection and love. Crying, begging, withering with pain hoping someone would come and ease me off it. Someone who would wrap their arms around me and stroke my hair gently. Someone who would tell me that somehow I matter to them. That I am not alone, that I am not a burden to them, that I can be loved.

Every soul craves love and affection and if you deprive it of it, it starts to wither away till the point you are left with nothing but an empty skeleton just waiting for death to sweep them away.

Cause at least death would be less painful than all this.