Dear Mr. Billionaire Our Marriage Is Just A Contract

One: The

I take a shaky breath, trying to calm myself. I know I have no business being here, no business asking him for this favor. But with my fa

knock, barely abl

omposed, almost bored, coming f

arge, polished desk surrounded by neat stacks of paperwork. He doesn't glance up ri

ould be. I clear my throat, hoping to try again wit

rrupting me, Miss Rachel," he says in that cold, even tone he always us

. "I. . . I need a loan. My father has been so ill lately.

't soften one bit. There's no indication of sympathy or warmth in his ex

Can you tell me how exactly you plan on paying this back, Miss Ra

can't afford right now. "I'II work extra," I say, attempting to keep the desperation fro

ps staring, his eyes making

t a warm or reassuring smile, either-it's a smile that makes my

ost tauntingly. "Do you think there's anything you

of hope. "Yes, Mr Noah, anything," I say a

ey are disturbing me to settle down. They want me to get married, to show some stability. Even when I don't think I am ready, I just want th

s if they were physically th

es without hesitation. "This is a business arrangement; I want you to know nothing more. Remem

is not a proposal; it's an inanimate contract with no feelings attached. But there i

th to answer,

rying to make sense of his o

ng as if it were just another business deal. I glance down at

oice slicing through my reve

cold impatience. But in the back of my mind, I see my father lying weak and helpless in that hospit

before I can stop it. I really have to know

ck, his eye

And I need someone who won't make this complicated." He stops, his eyes

in amount of truth in that statement- I am desp

barely above a whisper.

oes not touch his eyes. He leans forward, d

No one else will know about this-not your family,

y decision settle over me. This is

into his usual

"This is a business arrangement. Nothing more. You're here to

an a pawn in some chess game he's playing. I swallow

versation has been nothing but a minor nuisance. "

n my legs. I head for the door, reaching for t

always been there for me. I could have met him, but h

questions course through my mind. What ha

t the biggest question

boding grips me like a bad omen-I have somehow signe