Her phone, forgotten on the passenger seat, suddenly buzzed to life, shrill in the stillness.
The name on the display made her stomach twist into knots: Dominic.
A year had passed since their messy breakup, a year since he caught her drunk with someone else leaving him shattered. She begged, saying it was an accident but he left her.
Finally after what seemed like hours, she stepped out of the car, her stomach tightening into knots. The restaurant was exquisite and beautiful. She was ushered into a room by a waiter.
Dominic sat there in a table, sipping a cold wine. Tessa's heart thumped maddeningly, for no reason.
"Hi," she mumbled a greeting, still rooted to the spot.
Dominic looked up slowly but didn't say anything. His silence was palpable, heavy with unspoken emotions. His gaze was cold, almost evil. This isn't the same softhearted Dominic she knew a year ago. Her knees felt wobbly.
Then, Dominic's low, familiar tone sent shivers down her spine. "Hey, it's been a while. I hope you had no difficulty getting here?"
Tessa shook her head, gulping. The only difficulty she's experiencing right now was her irregular heartbeats.
"Still looking beautiful, Tessa." He smiled sweetly, his eyes raking the sexy blue dress she wore – his favorite color. She was still dashing and he smiled secretly, wickedly.
He damn despised her after everything but he sure as hell is in deep shit and she's the only one that could help him out.
"Thank you.." she replied uneasily, taking a seat opposite him.
She didn't know why she was breathless. Shit! She was dating and yet she's finding him attractive again. What the hell??? Her eyes couldn't stop staring at the perfectly sculpted man in front of her. Oh goodness....
"Let's get to business. I need a fake wife for a month. And you'll fit just perfectly.* He didn't mince words.
Tessa felt her heart stop at that moment.
Fake marriage????? What the hell???
"Are you nuts???" She screamed out, tossing her purse angrily that it crashed on the wall. It hit a beautifully decorated vase which was sent crashing into the floor.
"Chill, hothead. I'm running out of time Tess and you're the only one I could think of!!" Dominic said tersely, getting up slowly.
That was the criteria. He had to marry before his dad gave him the companies. And he had to visit his dad with his wife. The worst part is that he already told him he was newly wed, although it was a court marriage. He had no choice but to go to her.
"I'm not marrying you!!" She growled.
"I don't wanna marry you either that's why it's fake! Until I get what I need from my Dad, you're my pretend bride. Is that comprehensible enough?" He shot with a dark look.
Then calming down a bit, he said," I know of your mom's surgery."
Tessa swallowed nothing, staring at him angrily. Her mom was dying and even her boyfriend has assisted in many ways but it still wasn't enough. She's had five surgeries already and he's the one taking care of the bills. Now five months later, she needs another because she has a frail system. And they're all in need of funds. Her boyfriend had traveled and for three months, she hasn't heard from him. Fúck!
"She has few days to live right? Agree and sign the contract and I'll pay for it. Everything." Dominic drawled softly.
His dad was a manipulator! Very sneaky man that's how he's thrived in his"business ". Dominic couldn't find anyone that fit perfectly and he was running out of time!
"Fine, I agree." Tessa frowned, tightening her fists. She was incredibly helpless about it. They're middle class, a shattering amount of the surgery was something that would destroy them. We're talking about millions here!
"There are a few rules though." Dominic brought up and she frowned bitterly. Just when she thought it'd be easy.
"What is it?" She snapped, still boiling in raw anger. All her apprehensions and nervousness melted under his unexpected request.
"We will consummate our "marriage ". That is– we're gonna fúck."
Tessa's throat dried up and her face turned white as if she just saw a ghost wave at her.
"I'm not having sex with you! Rot in hell!!" She shouted defiantly, mad.
"What? You think playing pretend is going to cover up your mom's surgery?" He laughed viciously. "If you refuse, Tessa you'll loose her. I'm trying to help a one time girlfriend here."
"I have a boyfriend, he just traveled. " She said gritting.
"We'll be done before you know it. Besides if you're afraid of cheating on him, don't be, you're a cheater already, aren't you?" Dominic gave a twisted smile making Tessa quiver slightly.
He didn't know the truth. She tried explaining but refused to believe her.
"Now soon-to-be wifey, let's practice our kissing in front of my Dad. Even if we don't kiss now. On our wedding photos we will. I never knew you had such a sexy body until today. The hips are killing," Dominic winked, getting up, walking closer to her.
"Don't...don't touch me.." her voice got stuck in her throat as he wrapped his arm around her waist.
"I never stopped loving you, Tess." he smirked and she felt her heart explode. With excitement