Chapter 1

Olivia sat at her desk, looking closely at her computer screen with a mix of anxiety and tiredness. She had been working long hours at her job as a secretary at a large corporation, but it never seemed to be enough to take care of the family needs. The bills were piling up, and she could barely make ends meet. Just then, she gave as loud yawn to complement her tiredness  As she checked her bank account balance for the hundredth time that day, she received an unexpected email.

"Hello, Miss Olivia. My name is Nathaniel Blackwood, and I would like to meet with you in person to discuss a business proposal. Please let me know if you are available, Thanks."

Olivia was surprised, she read the mail over and over again, refreshing the computer to confirm if the message was sent to her. She had never heard of Nathaniel Blackwood before, and she possibly wasn't in the position to be approached for a business proposal, "who am I?" She asked herself aloud. However, her curiosity got the best of her, and she replied with an affirmative "Yes".

The following day, she received a follow-up email from Nathaniel's assistant, confirming the meeting at a luxurious place in the city;"The Montgomery Enterprise". When Olivia arrived,she stared up at the large structure in front of her, the towering skyscraper that housed the headquarters of Montgomery Enterprises. She took a deep breath as she salivated, straightened her shoulders, and took her steps inside, her heart pounding in her chest. This was it, the moment she had been waiting for, the chance to change her life for the better by working in a place like this.

As she made her way through the modern lobby, Olivia couldn't help but feel a sense of envy at the well-dressed people she passed. They all looked like they belonged, with their designer suits, expensive wrist watches, and confident, purposeful style of walking. Olivia, in her simple dress and modest heels, felt like a fish out of water.

She had never been one for luxury or excess. Growing up in a small town, her family had always find it hard to make ends meet. Her parents had worked hard, but it was never satisfactory. When her father died of a heart attack a few years ago, the burden had fallen on Olivia's shoulders to take care of her mother and younger siblings.

Olivia had moved to the city to look for a job, and after a few search for jobs, she had landed a position as a secretary at a mall along the streets but the pay she got  wasn't still enough for her family needs. It wasn't her dream job though, but it paid fairly well, and it allowed her to support her family with the little she got.

As she made her way to the executive suite, Olivia tried to ignore the nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach. She had been invited to Mr. Montgomery's office, and she had no idea why. She had never met the man, and she couldn't think of anything she would say when the business proposal discussion would commence.

Finally, she arrived at the door to the executive suite, and after a moment of hesitation, she was led into a private room with Nathaniel.

"Come in," a deep, commanding voice called out.

Olivia took a deep breath and stepped inside. The office was even more impressive than the lobby, with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline, complemented with leather chairs, and a massive mahogany desk that dominated the room.

Sitting behind the desk was a man, his back to the wall. Olivia couldn't see his face, but she could tell he was a tall, handsome man with wide shoulders in his early thirties. He wore a well ironed suit that fit him perfectly and had an air of confidence that made Olivia feel a bit shy and intimidated. His hands were folded in front of him, this made her ponder on why he hasn't turned to see his guest yet.

"Miss Thompson," the man said without turning around. "Thank you for coming."

Olivia stepped forward, her heart racing. "Yes, sir. You wanted to see me for a business proposal?"

" Sure, Thank you for honoring my invitation about a business proposal" Nathaniel said, giving her a signal to take a seat across from him.

"Of course. I'm just curious about what this business proposal entails," Olivia replied.

The man finally turned around, and Olivia gasped at the sight of him. He was easily the most handsome man she had ever met with sharp, features and piercing blue eyes. "Wonderfully and carefully made" she thought. He looked like he had just stepped off the cover of a magazine.

"Yes, I did," the man said, his voice low and smooth. "I'm Nathaniel Montgomery."

Olivia's eyes widened the more. Nathaniel Montgomery was the CEO of the company, the billionaire who had built it from the ground to the top . He was a powerful man in the business world, and Olivia had never dreamt to meet him in person one day.

"Mr. Montgomery," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "It's an honor to meet you."

Nathaniel gave her a little smile. The honor is mine. Please, have a seat." He told her for the second time

Olivia sat down in one of the chairs in front of his desk, feeling like she was in a dream. She couldn't believe she was sitting here, face-to-face with one of the most powerful men in the world.

"I wanted to talk to you about something," Nathaniel said, leaning forward. "You've been with the company for a few years now, and you've done excellent work. I've been keeping an eye on you."

" Working with you for a few years? She asked in confusion.

" As surprising as it would sound to you, I'm the owner of the mall that employed you to work as a secretary, but I have my office here. But that's not the deal.

Nathaniel smiled. "I'll get straight to the point. I'm in need of a wife."

Olivia was taken aback. "Excuse me, I don't get it?"

Nathaniel leaned forward, placing his hands on the table. "My family has been pressuring me to settle down and start a family for years. I have no interest in love, but I need to comply with their wishes to secure my inheritance. I'm offering you a proposal: a contract marriage. You become my wife, and in exchange, I provide you with financial security."

Olivia was shocked. She had never thought of such an arrangement, but the mention of financial stability was tempting. She thought about her struggling family, her mounting debt, and her own desire for a stable future. But still, the proposal seemed too good to be true.

"I don't know if I can agree to something like that," Olivia said, hesitating.

Nathaniel leaned back on his chair, studying her. "I understand that it's an unplanned proposal, but think about it. You'll have financial security, stability, and a comfortable lifestyle. You won't have to worry about bills or debt anymore. Plus, we can make the arrangement as brief or as long-term as you'd like."

Olivia considered his words carefully. She knew the risks involved in a contract marriage, but the thought of finally being able to support her family and pursue her own dreams. This was too tempting to pass up.

"I'll think about it," Olivia said finally.

"Of course. Take all the time you need," Nathaniel said, standing up to leave. "Just know that the offer will remain open for a limited time."

A limited time! She thought. Olivia sat across from Nathaniel in his office, feeling a mix of nerves and anticipation. Nathaniel had just presented her with a contract for their contract marriage, and she was still unsure whether she was ready to agree to it.

"So, Olivia, have you made a decision?" Nathaniel asked, folding his hands on the desk in front of him.

Olivia took a deep breath. "I'm still thinking about it. This is a big decision."

Nathaniel raised an eyebrow. "You do realize that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, right? I'm offering you a chance to live a life of luxury, with all the financial security you could ever want. And all I'm asking in return is that you pretend to be my wife for a year."

"I know, and I appreciate the offer. But it's not that easy. A contract marriage is a big commitment, and I need to be sure that I'm ready for it."

Nathaniel leaned forward, his expression turning serious. "Olivia, let me be clear. This is not a negotiation. I'm not going to beg you to sign this contract. If you don't want to do it, then that's fine. But you need to understand that there will be consequences if you walk away from this."

Olivia's eyes widened. "What kind of consequences?"

Nathaniel's lips curled into a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Let's just say that you won't be able to find a job in this town, or any town for that matter. I have a lot of influence in the business world, Olivia. And I can make things very difficult for you if you cross me."

Olivia's heart pounded in her chest. She had never expected Nathaniel to be so ruthless. She had thought that they had a connection, but now she wasn't so sure.

"Nathaniel, I understand that this is a big opportunity, but I can't make this decision under duress. I need time to think about it and make sure that I'm doing what's best for me."

Nathaniel leaned back in his chair, his expression softening slightly. "I'm sorry, Olivia. I didn't mean to threaten you. But you have to understand that this is a big deal for me too. I need a wife to present to my family, business partners and clients, and I need her to be someone who can hold her own in high society. I see something in you, Olivia. I think you have the potential to be that person. But if you're not ready, then I understand."

Olivia felt a wave of relief wash over her. She had been so worried about Nathaniel's threats that she hadn't been able to focus on what she really wanted. But now, she felt like she had the space to make a decision for herself.

"Thank you, Nathaniel. I appreciate your honesty. I need to think about this some more, but I promise I'll give you an answer soon."

Nathaniel nodded. "Take all the time you need. And Olivia, just know that whatever you decide, I won't hold it against you. I value your opinion and your independence, and I want you to make the decision that's best for you."

As Nathaniel left the room, Olivia felt her heart racing with the possibilities. Was this really the answer to all her problems? Could she really marry a man she barely knew, even if it was just a contract? She knew that she needed time to weigh the pros and cons, but the temptation of financial stability lingered in her mind.

********

For the next few days, Olivia tossed and turned in bed, thinking about Nathaniel's proposal. She researched contract marriages, read testimonials from couples who had done it before, and even consulted with a lawyer. The more she thought about it, the more she considered  that it might be her only option. " Maybe this is the just the opportunity I need to change the story of my family's struggling. Maybe and Maybe, she said to herself as she tried to stand up from her bed.

She thought about the financial stability he could provide and how it could change her life for the better. She also thought about the risks and how a contract marriage could end up being a disaster. It was a big decision, and Olivia didn't want to rush into it. She thought of consultating some of her family members and of course some of her close friends, but what would be their reaction? She reasoned

She decided to consult with her family and closest friends to get their opinion. They were initially hesitant, but when they saw the financial benefits, they supported her decision. They reminded her that she deserved happiness and stability, and if a contract marriage was the way to achieve it, then she should go for it.

With her family and friends' support, Olivia decided to accept Nathaniel's proposal. She felt nervous and anxious, but also excited about the prospect of a better life.

After days of weighing the pros and cons of Nathaniel's proposal, Olivia had finally made her decision. She knew that the contract marriage was a risky move, but she also knew that it might be her only chance to finally get her family out of their financial struggles.

With a deep breath, she picked up her phone and dialed Nathaniel's number.

"Hello, Miss Olivia," Nathaniel answered after a few rings.

"Hi, Nathaniel. I've thought about your proposal, and I'm willing to accept the contract marriage," Olivia said, trying to keep her voice steady.

There was a pause on the other end of the line. "Are you sure about this, Olivia? It's not too late to back out if you're having doubts."

"I've thought about it, and I'm sure. I understand the terms of the contract, and I'm willing to comply with them," Olivia replied, feeling more confident with each word.

Nathaniel let out a sigh. "Very well. I'll have my lawyers draft up the contract and send it to you for review. Once you've signed it, we can proceed with the wedding arrangements."

Olivia felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. This was really happening. She was going to marry a man she barely knew, and it was all for the sake of financial stability. She couldn't help but wonder what the future held for her and Nathaniel. She had thought she would be able to watch him for sometime before they signed the contract, but he seems to be in a rush. Does he have plans to use her for his own benefits aside the contract they're about to sign? All these questions crept into her mind but she waved them away. She was already ready for the deal and there's no point of having those thoughts.

A few days later, Olivia received the contract from Nathaniel's lawyers. It was a thick stack of papers filled with legal jargon and clauses that made her head spin. She spent hours poring over the details, making sure that she understood every aspect of the agreement. As she read, she made researches alongside so that she would have a proper understanding of what she was reading and have a clearer understanding of the legal jagons and clauses that filled each page of the stack of papers.

Finally, she read the contract to her best of understanding and sent it back to Nathaniel's lawyers. The wedding date was set for the following month, and Olivia couldn't believe how quickly everything was happening. So fast? She questioned herself