Contract Marriage To The Tech Billionaire

Taylor POV

Taking a deep breath, I approached the massive corporate building, a skyscraper that screamed wealth and power. My dad's condition had worsened, and the doctors insisted on immediate surgery for a liver transplant. Without the funds, he would remain in critical condition.

My heart pounded as I contemplated how to tell my boyfriend of two years about the contract marriage. Sleep had eluded me the previous night, and my nerves were frayed. Lost in thought, I accidentally bumped into someone, knocking my glasses off.

"Watch where you're going!" a girl in an exquisite couture dress sneered.

"I'm sorry. I didn't see you."

Her face twisted in disdain. "Ugh. What are you wearing, did you get that outfit from a dumpster?"

Suddenly, the doors slid open, and Ryder stepped out, towering over me with his dark, meticulously styled hair and crisp suit. My dislike for him grew with every passing second. He would eventually ruin my relationship, and the thought made my stomach churn.

He wrapped his arm around the girl's waist as she fawned over him. "Mr. Jones, you promised you wouldn't miss my modeling debut at 7 pm."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world. I'll see you later," he replied, his calculating gaze shifting to me. "I have very important business to take care of."

She strutted to the limousine, trying too hard to be seductive. I wished she would just trip and fall.

"Taylor, you're quite early. The meeting with my lawyer starts at ten. It's only seven."

"I didn't want to be late," I mumbled. The truth was, I lost the business card he gave me and forgot the time.

He looked me over and sighed in disapproval. "I thought you'd wear something more... appropriate.

My mother died giving birth to me, and I ended up living with my grandmother since my father was always drunk and unfit to care for me. Things worsened after he fell ill.

"It's none of your business what I wear," I muttered, staring at the ground. I wore what I could afford.

He lifted my chin with his fingers, forcing me to look at him. "It will be my business soon," he said, his eyes cold and devoid of warmth.

I batted his hand away. "Don't touch me."

He laughed softly. "You're a feisty one. I have other matters to attend to. Wait in my office until I return."

He strode off, leaving me alone. The shuttering of cameras caught me off guard as a swarm of paparazzi flooded the entrance when a Lamborghini arrived. Alexis Normandy, the famous French chef, stepped out, gracing the screaming crowd with her elegance.

They stood together in the spotlight, and I hid behind a small bush, watching them. She kissed him on the cheek, and the cameras went wild. He was leaving with her! This was the important matter he had to attend to? We had a meeting soon.

If it weren't for my dying father, I'd reject this offer. Just being here was hard enough.

"Mr. Jones!" a journalist called out. "I saw you with a girl earlier. Who was she?"

My body froze.

"No one special," he replied, slamming the door shut as the vehicle sped away with the journalists chasing behind.

That stung. I knew he was a douche, but I didn't expect him to be that harsh. My life felt pathetic. My boyfriend wasn't rich, but he was caring and considerate. Marrying Ryder would devastate him. I had to prepare for the worst.

Ryder's personal assistant led me to his office and opened the large oak door. "Please wait in that chair in the corner," she said, her voice plastic and doll-like. She crossed her arms under her plus-sized chest, leaning on expensive suede heels. "And don't touch anything. If you break it, you pay for it."

She looked me up and down, her tight-lipped mouth creasing with disdain. It was then that I realized just how out of place I was in this building.I gingerly walked into his office and sat on the farthest chair close to the window.

The office was built with fresh air and health as a priority, very spacious.

"Why should I let this gutter rat in Mr. Ryders' office. I'll have to get some Lysol." She closed the door at her back, the clacking sound of her heels slowly disappearing.

Why do I have to be humiliated like this? Anger and desperation made me clench my fists. But then a soft gasp escaped my lips as tears poured from my eyes. This isn't happening. Crying in Mr. Bastard's office is so pitiful.

Two hours later.

The door clicking open jolts me awake from my slumber and I tried straightening my clothes. Ryder enters the office with a man in tow. His slightly peppered hair was elegantly brushed to the back of his head, he smiled warmly at me and I nod acknowledging him. He must be the lawyer.

"Let's get down to business shall we?" Ryder gestured for me to sit closer to his desk which I did. "This is Williams. My lawyer, he'll be taking care of the necessary documents."

He gave me a stern eye when I wiped the drool from my mouth.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Taylor." Williams extended his hand and I shook it.

"The pleasure is mine." I squeaked.

Unlocking his leather briefcase, he removed some paperwork. He handed me a paper with information and I flipped over one of the pages to read what's provided there. What's this? My eyes popped wide open.

Williams cocked one eyebrow, "Is there something wrong?"

"Um, no one said anything about moving in with Mr. Jones."

I glanced up at Ryder who seemed super annoyed. By the looks of it, he's not aware of that condition.

He reached for a bit of paperwork spread across his desk and I took in how his white cotton shirt drew tightly across his back and shoulders.

"Naturally, a man and woman live together when they're married." Williams turns over the paper, "For you two, that's going to be a period of six months."

"I refuse!"

"You don't have a choice!" He barked, his eyes were burning with impatience. "Your stuff was already sent to my place." He breathes out a low growl, "Now, sign the document."

I stared at this incredibly masculine male with my lips hanging open. His presence was nearly a physical force.

This is for my father. I snatched the pen from the desk and signed the paper.

He signed his part and his lawyer collected the documents with a pleasing smile.

I shot him a narrow eyed glance, "Mr. Jones, you haven't given me much information about our agreement on this fake marriage." After a period of silence, he said, "I ended up getting drunk in Vegas and found a ring on my finger the next morning. The woman who was with me plans on divorcing me for half of my wealth."

Damn, that's rough but I was smiling on the inside, serve you right Mr.

Pompous high ass. He sighed harshly, pissed beyond words. Williams grimaced, tapping a finger on his knee.

"If I can prove that I'm already married, that would make her claims void. Do you understand that we both benefit from this agreement, Miss Miller?"

"I understand."

"There are a few things I must outline." Williams leans forward in his chair, drawing my attention. "For this marriage to appear believable, you're not allowed to sleep with anyone else throughout these six months." Ryder lifted an eyebrow, staring at his lawyer as if he'd made an error in his statement. This playboy, how is this a problem for him?! "Mr. Jones, who you take to bed isn't my business but if you're caught with another woman in a way that compromises the marriage, the contract falls apart. This can cause big problems. Not to mention the media, they're looking for a hot topic."

His lip twisted a little and he gave me a scornful eye. "If you're going to be my wife, you have to look presentable." "There's nothing wrong with what I'm wearing."

"Dull. Boring. Tasteless. I wouldn't let my grandmother wear that."

My face heats with shame, trapping my lower lip between my teeth.

"I have a red carpet photoshoot in two days, I'll be taking you with me. We're going shopping tonight." He leans forward, so close that I can see his lashes, they were so long. His intoxicating scent surrounded me like a tease, "My driver will take you to my place. I want you to get settled in."

"Y..Yes Mr. Jones." I answered, almost breathlessly. Something's wrong with me. I need a doctor!

He caught my chin between very capable fingers, "My wife shouldn't address me as such."

His name rolled off my tongue like a forbidden spell, "Ryder."

But then he pulls away, fixing his tie. "How was my acting Williams?"

The man seated next to me grins from ear to ear, "You deserve an Oscar."

Clearing my throat, my lips stammered, "I have a boyfriend and I'm not sure how I'm going to bring this across to him."

"Do I have to spell it out for you Taylor, for the contract to stay in one piece, you have to break up with him."

Suddenly, the reality of losing a precious relationship was setting in. This will be very difficult and painful for me.

His tone hardened as he continued, "Make sure you tell him soon." He gave my trembling shoulders a gentle squeeze, "I won't share you with another man." My chest spasmed at his words.

Not that he even cares, we're a fake couple. He's everything I shouldn't want. Everything I should stay away from.

I gulped down a huge metal ball, wiping at a stray tear. "I want to meet with him first before your driver takes me to your home." "That's fine with me." He grabs his jacket from the chair, preparing to leave. "Before you get any bright ideas, you should know that I'm not interested in you in any way or form."

Irritation ignited in my chest and my back teeth clenched. "You bas -" I didn't get a chance to finish my sentence since he was already out the door.

"I will see you again Miss Taylor." Williams makes a speedy exit and I nearly screamed.

My eyes shifted to the filing cabinet next to a potted plant. I stormed over to it and I opened all the drawers, now, let me make your life a little bit difficult. I mixed up all the files and hid some of them under his desk. I'm not a tech geek for nothing, I also planted a virus on his laptop that would keep him from accessing the browsers. Let's see how you deal with this.

His personal assistant popped inside, "Get out. I need to disinfect the place."

"You can start by disinfecting your face," I replied, walking out and leaving her while she gaped like a fish. "I'll tell Mr. Jones this you dirty trash bin." "There's nothing much you can do about it. I'm his wife."

She burst out laughing, "Are you that desperate? You'd even lie like that. Get a life."

I slipped into the elevator and left her fuming. Thinking about meeting my boyfriend, it's already breaking me apart. I'll have to face the repercussions full on.