She wanted him. He wanted her. But it was an arranged marriage, nothing can make a love out of that. He wanted to give her all. Though she wanted something he never wants. A surprise will come, it will shock them both. Will he accept or not? Will she be able to keep the secret from him? Against all the odds and difficulties, will she be able to fight for her right as THE BILLIONAIRE'S WIFE?
PROLOGUE
"Stop."
But I didn't dare to. From the moment I hear his plead for me to stop, I continued further unto my plan. Besides that, my position is rather comfortable and beneficial for my part. I won't trade something so sweet because of a word.
"Elle, NOT TODAY..."
His words made me stare at him for a moment before smirking.
"Elle. Not now..."
I stared back at him before sighing. Now I have to deal with the snappy old Gabe, again. I get off his desk and strut around his chair, earning another groan from him.
"Elle--"
"Okay, Okay. I'm going out now." I stated in a non challant tone but before I completely went out, I gave him a thought to remember.
I lean down on his seat. Grabbing his cheek using both of my hands, I kissed him and pulled his lower lip with my teeth."El-"
"Elleana Cassidy!" Oops, almost full name. Oh, well. I still won't stop, Mr. West.
They thought he was heartless and I thought the very same thing when I married him. It's not like we marry because we really love each other. It was all just a partnership. A partnership which results to a very powerful company, the Greene-West Holdings Inc.
It all happened a year ago.
When my father called me from Paris to get my ass back here in New York right at that very moment, I know something's up. I am worried sick of course, because he won't tell me the reason. I thought it was my mom or something that concerns my past. But as I step down from the cab, I know that the reason why I'm here has nothing to do with my family. Or even me.
It was for the freaking company.
The memory was so vivid that I have to smile every time I reminisce that day. The day that me and my husband met back at his father's office. We both have gone mad when they announce the agreement but opted to do nothing about it. We are born to comply.
The craziest thing is that we even have to marry before the end of August. Not to mention that fact that we had only two weeks to prepare. Not enough time to plan for a very grand celebration. The wedding was simple and closed from media. It happen inside a chapel in Italy with only our relatives and close friends witnessing it. But the privacy is not maintained. Soon, a couple of paparazzi's came at our reception, spoiling our supposed to be first dance.
Of course, a billion worth of marriage is a breaking news! Two rival families joined as one is a century worth history.
It was that kind of clichè.
But the fact that he'd actually move unto his penthouse after the reception had finished was insane. For me at least. Not to mention the week-long honeymoon vacation spent by only me in Miami. Only me, swimming on the beach while he type away on that piece of metal they call 'laptop' somewhere inside his 'cave'.
Yet the assumption of us not going to have a chance on this marriage change the moment we went back to New York.
It was all because of that chocolate cake I gave him for his birthday. If only I knew from the very start that only a chocolate cake was the key to our relationship!
I don't even expect that he will open up to me right after he had his first bite.I guess I'd never get the chance to have his heart if I hadn't force myself to bake that cake.
I was so engrossed on reminiscing about our past when I hadn't realise that I am now sitting on his lap, again. My hands are raking his hair as I moan. "Elleana...oh Dio!" He groaned, crashing his head on my neck as he took a whiff.
I was about to undress him and let him do the DID to me when his phone rang. "MIO DIO!" He spat, pulling his phone from his pocket.
"West, " he answered looking at me as his lips flattened themselves into a line. A slight frown developed on them as he listen on the voice from the other line.
I sighed, getting up from his lap only to sit on his desk. I watch him as he talk on the phone. He was speaking in Italian so fluent that I haven't had the chance to understand a single thing.
I was almost ready to give myself to him completely but, I guess now is not a perfect time. I am surprise when he stood, ending the call as he look down at me, his eyes wild with emotions.
Fear, anger, lost, and guilt.
"What happened, Gabe? Tell me, bello..." I tried to geab his arm but he pulled away, raking his hands on his hair, "It's Papa..." He stated, his voice breaking before he ran out of the door.
"Gabriel, " I ran down the stairs following his steps but his strides are longer than mine, "Gabe!" We were out of the house now, he entered the garage and click a button, unlocking his car.
"Gabe..." He abruptly stopped and stare back at me before he made a move to open the car door. "Gabriel, " I latch myself on him like my life depended on it but as he kissed my forehead and say "Tiamo..."
I know that everything will change.?
"We've done all that we could, but we cannot save him, sir."
"There's too much blood lost."
"We found him on his office, already dead."
"The gun is nowhere in sight."
"The company needs you..."
"You are the appointed heir, you cannot escape this, Gabriel."
"We need to process the documents as fast as possible."
"The company depends on you now, "?
I am almost there.
I've never seen this coming and I never expected this after all that had happened from a couple of months ago. I've never imagine that something like this will change everything I've worked for. That this kind of happening would alter the current "US".
I thought that everything is perfect.
I thought that things are going alright, that he will finally accept me. That we are going to have a chance in this relationship but, I'm wrong. So wrong, I haven't seen this coming.
And now, he's beyond my reach; like a billion miles away. He's so cold, so rude. He doesn't care, nor would he even care. He's now back to being an insensitive jerk like he was a year ago. He had shut himself off not only from the me but to the world, also.
He's back to that heartless facade of a man.
Gone is the one I have fallen the most. Gone is he, to the deepest of the earth. I know that he's not going to come back, but I'm still hoping. I am waiting for him to fight and resurrect; give me his smiles, those smoldering looks and he'll hug me to death. Too much wishful thinking it is, because I know that it's IMPOSSIBLE.
We've had so many fights these days that I thought about giving up. It had been five months now since he changed because of what had happened to his father.
He blame me for it.
He thought that it was my family who plot the murder of his father. I thought it will change when we already found who the killer is but as the days pass be, he choose to forget my presence. He choose to dwell more on his grieve and forget that he has a wife to lean upon.
I'm now extinct in his eyes.
Sometimes, in a mere second, his cold mask is gone and he'll gave me a smile, but as fast as it came, is as fast as it fade. He'll gave me that poker face again and let me suffer into oblivion. I don't understand why he blamed me for it. I didn't do anything wrong for him to suspect me. I really missed him and even though he's so cold to me, I still love him...
I lost track of seconds to hours and days, and nights. Those memories we've had from the past few months faded in the background.
But I want something he doesn't want.
I'm determined to have my way. I would do it one way or another.
XIU LIAN spent her whole life living in the shadows in hopes that she and her family can hide from their unkind relatives. She agreed to work with a different identity under WANG KAI, the most feared CEO of KINGS corporation, unaware of the job description she signed up for. He has cravings that only she can satisfy, feelings that can be brought by her kisses and gentle touches. KAI showed LIAN the beauty and pain of living in the spotlight. But one secret drives her back into hiding and LIAN left him without any explanations about why she has to leave. Angry but hurt, KAI resigns to isolation and focused his energy upon the company as he desperately rejects the wedding arrangement that his parents made for him. Seven years after, they meet again, though not in the way they have expected. LIAN was not the same naïve and scared girl for she has a secret to protect. KAI is determined to find out the reason of her departure and is adamant to secure her place next to him . He needs her and he wants her to satisfy him, unlike anyone could do.
"Again!" Arryn groaned as she felt his hips against hers. Caius huffed, his eyes changing color, "You have to respect me for I am your alpha. You have to provide me the pleasure that I demand because I am your mate. Do you understand?" Arryn was born a royalty. She was used to being respected and followed but then, everything has change. To keep her status and her mate, she is willing to do everything. Yet Caius was more wolf than human. He is indifferent and cold. He is ruthless and abusive. And most of all, he will claim her, body and soul, until she couldn't give anything at all.
What happens when love meets hate? Caelum Rouen, an ex cupid, meets Rubin Hearthrowe, a cupid in training. All he wanted was to get rid of her and once he finally did, his plan backfires. But what if he was tied to her more than he could ever think of? What if there was a history the both of them are involved in? Will he finally learn to not hate love?
The leaves fell down around us. The summer sun's heat pierces my skin but I couldn't care less. The sunlight bathed everything with that fairytale glow. The sweet breeze blew. The kids walking hand in hand as they ate their ice cream sort of brought me back into the past. Today was like the day I met him: Me, riding a bicycle and him, walking down the pavement. I grab the handle of the bicycle and watch him as he make his way towards me. I do not know why I feel nervous. A trickle of sweat drip on the side of my face, my heart beat fast and I could hardly breathe. He was meters away, until it grow shorter to a foot and then bam, he bumped into me and we fall down, him on top of me. This felt like a deja vù, like it was our very first encounter. We scurried to get up but ended up bumping our heads together. I glared at him as he got up, He didn't even offer me a hand. He didn't even give me a second glance. He just passed by me. Not noticing me. Not even looking at me. I let go of the bicycle and turn to face him. I remove the helmet that I was wearing and grip it tightly before screaming, "YAH! My hands curled into a fist and before I know it, the helmet I was holding was already flying towards him.I raise my hand as if to save him but it collided on his head right before I could even react. It sounded a hollow thump and a pronounced groan. His hands made his way to the back of his head as he turn and face me. With those eyes that seem like it was murdering me, he chase me off and I hastily took my bicycle and ran. I couldn't help but feel happy instead of guilty as he ran after me. This was like before. This was like that summer, that summer I met him.
A crown prince A kingdom in distress A girl with her dreams A happening from the past A destiny woven by Fate And the trouble of love.
Due to the plight of her family, Phoebe had no choice but to embark on the path of selling herself. In an accident, she had a tangled night with Alexander. Everything began to derail, and even if she fled to the ends of the earth, she would still be found by him and entangled... *** Phoebe screamed in frustration, "What do you want from me?" What was this supposed to be? He raised an eyebrow wickedly. "What do I want? You'll find out soon enough." With that, he hoisted her up and carried her back into the office. The door slammed shut with a kick, and he cleared the desk with a sweep of his arm before laying her down on it, his body pinning hers in place, completely trapping her in his grasp. Every cell in his body was telling him he wanted her. He wanted to claim her again. This time, there would be no escape for her-he wouldn't let her slip away. Never again. If he had suffered for five years, then this woman wouldn't get off easily either!
Three years ago, the Moore family opposed Charles Moore's choice to marry his beloved woman and selected Scarlett Riley as his bride. Charles didn't love her. In fact, he hated her. Not long after they got married, Scarlett received an offer from her dream university and jumped on it. Three years later, Charles's beloved woman fell terribly ill. In order to fulfill her last wish, he called Scarlett back and presented her with a divorce agreement. Scarlett was deeply hurt by Charles's abrupt decision, but she chose to let him go and agreed to sign the divorce papers. However, Charles seemed to delay the process deliberately, leaving Scarlett confused and frustrated. Now, Scarlett was trapped between the consequences of Charles's indecision. Would she be able to break free from him? Would Charles eventually come to his senses and face his true feelings?
To the public, she was the CEO's executive secretary. Behind closed doors, she was the wife he never officially acknowledged. Jenessa was elated when she learned that she was pregnant. But that joy was replaced with dread as her husband, Ryan, showered his affections on his first love. With a heavy heart, she chose to set him free and leave. When they met again, Ryan's attention was caught by Jenessa's protruding belly. "Whose child are you carrying?!" he demanded. But she only scoffed. "It's none of your business, my dear ex-husband!"
Everyone thought Lorenzo truly loved Gracie, until the day of their daughter’s heart surgery. To Gracie’s utter shock, Lorenzo gave the precious organ needed by their child to another woman. Devastated, Gracie opted for a divorce. Fueled by her need for revenge, Gracie joined hands with Lorenzo’s uncle, Waylon, and orchestrated Lorenzo’s downfall. In the end, Lorenzo was left with nothing and consumed by remorse. He pleaded for a reconciliation. Gracie thought she was free to move on with her life, but Waylon held her back in a death grip. “Did you think you can just walk out on me?”
Cathryn, an orphan with no family ties to Grayson, regarded him only as family. He, however, valued her as a precious jewel. From their very first encounter, Cathryn's destiny was intertwined with his. Once lonely and desiring affection, she was ensnared by his love, unable to break free. Eventually, she managed to escape his emotional clutches. Shockingly, she had fallen for someone else. Grayson confronted her sharply. "How could you feel for another?" Unable to meet his eyes, she whispered, "You're family. I can't..." Looking down, he pressed further. "You can't, or you wouldn’t dare?"
Three years ago, Cecilia was left battered and alone by the man she loved most, Alston, yet she bravely completed the wedding ceremony while pregnant. Three years later, although they were married, they grew apart over time. Cecilia focused on her career, no longer foolishly believing in love. But her transformation instantly threw Alston into a panic... And what is the secret from 11 years ago that Cecilia has always been reluctant to reveal? *** "She went to a law firm, met with a lawyer..." A lawyer? Is Cecilia suing someone? Who? Is there any recent litigation against the company? Alston suddenly chuckled coldly, "Who could she sue? I'm the CEO of this company. How come such a matter doesn't come to me first?" The assistant swallowed nervously, speaking softly, "Sir, there's no litigation against the company. She met with... a divorce lawyer."