3. I don’t want her

Dominic’s POV

“Mr Sinclair, it’s all over the news,” Greg said, swiping though his tablet. “Your brother was caught having sex orgies with underaged boys and girls. It's a real mess."

Furious and shocked, I snatched the tablet from his hands and scrolled through the endless articles and headlines. Each one seemed worse than the last. “This is the third scandal in as many months,” I muttered under my breath, my anger boiling over. “First he was involved in a ponzi scheme defrauding over 1200 people and now this! How could he be so reckless?”

Greg shifted uncomfortably, his face etched in concern and worry and I could tell he pitied me. “We need to do damage control. Immediately!” I emphasized.

I threw the tablet onto the desk, rubbing my temples in frustration. “Call all the news channels and blogs. I don’t care what it costs. Get the story deleted.”

“Yes, sir,” Greg said, pulling out his phone to start making calls.

Tired of the situation, I slumped into my chair, feeling the weight of the world pressing down on my shoulders. At this point it was now obvious that My brother wasn't going to change, he had always been the black sheep of the family but I'd thought he would change, I'd thought that when we grew up he would get jealous that i was the CEO of the family Business and make some efforts to do better. But no, instead he doesn't care, instead he has forced me into the family business, making me carry the burden of the family Business and legacy from a very young age. I had learned to be tough, to take on responsibilities that were never supposed to be mine. I sighed, running my fingers through my hair, the familiar ache in my chest intensifying. Trying to calm down I picked up the TV remote and switched on the TV, but the whole world seemed to be against me, right there on the screen was news about my brother. Hissing, I immediately switched it off and closed my eyes, trying to calm myself.

Soon Greg finished his calls and looked back at me. “The PR team is on it, but it’s going to be a while before we can get everything taken down. This one’s pretty big.”

I nodded, frustration still simmering beneath the surface. “Why can’t he ever learn? Why do I always have to clean up his messes?”

Greg didn’t have an answer. He never did. Instead, he gave me a sympathetic look and said, “There’s something else. Donnie is here to see you. He’s got someone with him.”

I frowned, pushing the tablet aside. “What now?”

Greg opened his mouth to respond, but a knock on the door interrupted him. I glanced at the monitor and saw Donnie standing outside with a lady in a red dress. I pressed the intercom button. “Come in.”

As they entered, Greg excused himself and my eyes were instantly drawn to the woman in the red dress. My eyes glued to her curves and the sway of her hips. I wasn’t one who cared about curvy ladies, but something about the way she moved them appealed to me. My eyes travelled down her body, eating up the sight of her, I looked back up but her head was bowed, so I couldn’t see her face yet, however from that body I knew she was going to be very beautiful. However, as they stepped nearer, she raised her head and recognition hit me like a punch to the gut. I had seen this woman on my security camera footage this morning. She was the one who had stolen my money and Rolex wristwatch after sleeping with me.

What the hell was she doing here? She was lucky I hadn’t found the time to get her arrested. Surely it couldn’t be what I was thinking. There’s no way Donnie would bring me such a classless lady to marry. Even though it was a contract marriage, I wouldn’t marry a thief. Irritated, all my excitement dissolved as I gestured to the chairs in front of me for them to sit down.

“Dominic,” Donnie began, his voice dripping with insincerity, “meet Ruby, the one for the contract marriage.”

I clenched my jaw, my gaze icy as I looked at her. “Donnie, are you serious? Is this your idea of a suitable candidate?”

The lady flinched but kept her eyes downcast, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Donnie, ever the smooth talker, leaned back in his chair with a grin.

“Dominic, I know what you're thinking, but hear me out,” Donnie said. “You have less than two weeks until the important proposal meeting. No other woman is willing to marry you without probing into why you're choosing to have a contract marriage. But Ruby here didn't ask a single question about it. She's desperate, but that makes her perfect for this arrangement.”

I studied Ruby, my mind racing. Donnie's words held weight. My condition was a closely guarded secret, one that I couldn't

be exposed. But the thought of being tied to Ruby, even temporarily, was a bitter pill to swallow.

“You need to find someone else.” I said, my eyes narrowing on Ruby as I studied her. “I can't be with her.”

Donnie chuckled, a sound that grated on my nerves. “That would be impossible, while you're offering very good money, every woman wants to know a billionaire they don't know wants an arranged marriage. Left to them you could be a sex trafficker or organ haverster. She was the only one stupid enough to not ask questions."

My eyes immediately darted to Ruby's and our gaze locked. I knew she recognized me, I knew she knew why I was rejecting her, but as I looked into those eyes I caught a glimpse of plea, a gentle desperation that begged me to say yes. Those blue eyes pulled me in, and for a moment I wanted to know why she did what she did.

Was she just a prostitute? Is this something she does to earn a living?

"Why are you doing this?” I asked, my eyes narrowing on hers.

"My sister needs heart surgery. I need the money."

"And you?" I turned to Donnie. "Why did you bring her to me?" I asked.

"Like I said earlier, she's perfect for the role, you're less than two weeks away from your most defining career moment, I can't take the risk of not getting you want you need the most. But more importantly, I'm just happy knowing I’ve helped you out of a tight spot.”

I eyed him suspiciously, my eyes darting between the two of them for some seconds before returning back to Donnie. Truth was, I didn’t trust him for a second. Donnie was always looking out for himself, and if he was this adamant about her there had to be a bigger angle he wasn’t revealing.

“She needs the money desperately,” Donnie continued, sensing my hesitation. “Her sister needs surgery, and she's willing to do whatever it takes. You need a wife, and she needs the money. It's a win-win.”

Ruby's eyes flicked up to meet mine for a split second, a silent plea in their depths. She was driven by a desperation I could understand, even if I couldn't condone her past actions. I took a deep breath, weighing my options.

“I see I don't have a choice then, my meeting is almost here and we need to get married before the meeting, so I guess it's a deal." I finally said, my voice measured. “But make no mistake, Donnie. If this blows up in my face, I will hold you accountable.”

Donnie's grin widened. “It won't, Dominic. Ruby will play her part, and you'll get what you need.”

I nodded, though my mind was still clouded with doubt. “Fine. Let's discuss the terms.”

Donnie pulled out a stack of papers, sliding them across the desk to me. “Here’s the contract you drafted."

You've signed them already, so I assume you're okay with the contract terms?” I asked, glancing at Ruby and she nodded her head in response.

“This is totally a marriage of convenience. We’ll stay married for a minimum of two years, after which either of us can file for an amicable divorce. Any attempt to file for a divorce before the end of the two years will result in you having to pay a severance f*e, which is three times the contract amount. You'll receive a sum of twenty million dollars after our wedding signing, and another final payment at the end of the year.”

I studied her closely, searching for any flicker of emotion. But her demeanor was cold, ice-cold and emotionless, a stark contrast to the woman whose eyes had pleaded with me just minutes ago.

“Is that okay with you?” I asked, trying to provoke some reaction. Once again, she simply nodded. Couldn’t she speak? Was she scared of me? Did I look that scary?

I glanced back at the contract and signed my part. Everything seemed straightforward enough.

“Also, you must know that you can't go digging into my personal life,” I added, looking up at her.

She smirked, her voice sly. “I’m not in any way interested in you, so you can rest assured that things like that wouldn’t happen.”

Oh wow! She talks! Amazing for her to say this when she was all over me just yesterday night.

“Good then,” I said, remaining collected. I knew she was trying to act nonchalant, but I’m a master at that game.

Donnie clapped his hands together, a triumphant look on his face.

“Excellent! Now that we’re all on the same page, I’ll leave you two to get acquainted.” He stood up and left the room, leaving us alone.

As the door closed behind him, I turned my full attention to Ruby. The silence in the room was thick, and I could feel her tension. She kept her gaze down, avoiding eye contact.

"So," I started, leaning forward in my chair, "care to explain what you were doing in my hotel room last night?"

Her head snapped up, eyes wide with shock and then quickly masked by indifference. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

"Don’t play dumb with me," I said, my voice hardening. "I saw you on the security footage. You took my money and my Rolex."

Her jaw tightened, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of defiance in her eyes. "I needed the money," she said flatly.

"You needed the money," I repeated, my tone incredulous. "And you thought stealing from me was the best way to get it?"

She crossed her arms, her gaze steady. "I didn’t have a choice."

"There are always choices, Ruby. You just chose the wrong one." I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the desk. "Now, here’s how this is going to work. You’re going to return what you stole."

"I don’t have it anymore," she replied, her voice steady. "I used it to clear some of my sister’s hospital bills."

I stared at her, taken aback by her honesty. "Your sister, how sick is she?"

Her eyes softened for a brief moment before hardening again. "Yes, my sister is very sick. And no, you don’t need to know anything about her, after all, you said no delving into personal matters."

I leaned back, considering her words. This woman was full of surprises. "Fine," I said finally. "I’ll let that go for now. But if you ever steal from me again, there will be consequences."

She nodded, the defiance back in her eyes. "Understood."

"Good. Now, let’s get one thing straight," I continued, my voice firm. "This marriage may be a contract, but I expect you to play your part. Publicly, we’re a happy couple. Privately, we can be strangers. But I will not tolerate any more lies or theft. Are we clear?"

"Crystal," she replied, her tone matching mine.

“Don’t you care about why I’m looking for a contract wife?” I asked, wondering if she was really okay not knowing.

“So far, I think I’m good, whatever the condition is, as far as I’m safe and get paid.” She said, keeping a straight face.

“Well I think you should know, I can’t have a child due to some conditions.” I said, closely watching her reactions.

“Oh!” Her mouth rounded up in shock.

“Yes, but I assume that’s not an issue right? After all it’s just a contract marriage.”

“It’s not an issue.”

“Good, also this must not go out from us. Remember, you’ve signed a contract and NDA, so this remains between us.”

“Of course.”

"Excellent. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a business to run." I stood up, signaling the end of our conversation.

Ruby got up as well, her posture rigid. As she turned to leave, I couldn’t help but feel a strange mix of emotions. Anger, yes, but something else. Her body moved with a sensual grace, each step accentuating her curves. The memory of her touch from last night flashed through my mind, the way her hands had roamed over my body, ignited me to my very core.

Unable to take my eyes off her, I watched as she walked toward the door, her hips swaying subtly. The sight was undeniably arousing, stirring something primal inside me. A part of me craved to be devoured by her again, to feel her body pressed against mine, her lips exploring every inch of me. The desire was intoxicating, almost overwhelming.

I shook my head, trying to clear the thought. This was business, nothing more. I couldn’t afford to let my guard down, not with someone like her. Yet, as she reached the door and glanced back at me, her eyes briefly meeting mine, I couldn’t help but wonder if this arrangement would be as straightforward as I had hoped.