3. Crushing on my Fake Husby

EMILY POV

The moment I stepped into Leo Robbins Villa, I could tell that the family lived up to their name.

The artistry on the wall was unique and the architecture was like nothing I'd seen before.

Despite the beauty of the house, its only flaw was the owner. Leo approached me in the living room with no tees on.

It was so distracting and I stuttered to find my words. Even when I did, he insulted and accused me of something I knew nothing about.

My family might be poor and I might be struggling but I would never extort money from anyone. I began to calculate what could have happened that night. Was there someone out to hurt me? Was it the same person that kidnapped Max?

My mind was blurred with a series of unending questions waiting to be answered.

Leo's movement brought me back to reality as he moved to an area of the room and took some documents.

He came towards me and showed evidence of my message to the press men. 

"The messages were tracked to your contact number so what have you got to say for yourself?"he said, almost yelling.

"I don't know what to say but trust me. I didn't send that message. I don't even know how I got on your bed that night,"I said, trying to hold back my tears. I was getting emotional and I hated it.

"I'm not interested in whatever happened that night. You threw yourself at me and that was it. The deed is done and you're about to ruin my life and career all because of money,"he bellowed.

No matter what I had to say, I knew he wouldn't believe me so I kept mute. He kept raving on about his single life and how I was a lowly stripper. He nailed my entire body with his provoking and inhumane comments.

"You don't have to worry as I've decided to cover up your crimes. However, you must pay for deceiving and exploiting me without remorse,"he said.

That was his plan. To coerce me into doing whatever he wanted. I stood there, completely overwhelmed with hatred and bitterness for this man who was out to soak me in agony. He pulled out a document and handed it over to me.

"Those are the rules of our contract,"he announced.

I perused the document but a point caught my attention.

We'll do what couples do but you must never get pregnant.

Contract ends after I get appointed as chairman of the R &B Group.

"Don't I get to have a say in this?"I asked.

"I already stated this earlier and I guess you aren't such a smart woman. This isn't a negotiation. You'll get paid for the job so I'll provide the terms,"he said, picking up wine from the wine cellar. He poured himself a glass and stared at me as he sipped his drink.

"So we'll do what couples do but I must never get pregnant? Aren't you being unrealistic and impractical?"I asked.

"There's nothing unrealistic about it,"he said, moving over me and scanning me through with his eagle eyes.

"It shouldn't be impractical since you're a stripper."

I felt an energy surge through me and I pushed him away. "For the umpteenth time, I'm not a stripper,"I screamed. I got the urge to give him a hard smack on the face but I controlled myself.

"Whatever,"he said and added, "once you sign the document now, we'll head to the court and finalize the agreement. You'll have a day to get your personal effects ready and transported to my house. We'll also have a party and press conference afterwards."

My lips quivered as I got a little excited. Apart from my nasty fake husband, It'll be smooth sailing into wealth and fame.

I noticed his unusual gaze and became uncomfortable. I wiped the silly smile off my face and requested for a pen.

"One more thing. What's your family name?"

I guessed I wasn't important enough for a background check. "I'm Emily Jones, an artist."

"I'm not interested in what you do,"he said and almost immediately added, "You'll also be joining an art gallery after the press conference. Jude will fill you in with the details."

I couldn't hide my excitement about the news. I had been working several odd jobs to cater for myself and my brother.

After my father's death, I realized that he owed a huge pile of debt, leaving our house as collateral for one of his creditors. I never got to know much about my mother who died after giving birth to my younger brother, Max.

Then suddenly, Max disappeared and I never saw him for days. He wasn't a rascal and he tried so hard to make me proud by studying. I had vowed to help him attain those heights I couldn't reach but my hopes were shattered when he went missing. 

My neighbor, Madam Beatrice saw him lying almost lifeless on my front lawn after a week. I had rushed him to the hospital where the doctor revealed that he had a 50-50 chance of survival.

I had to pay a huge sum of money to get him all the surgeries he needed to live. The situation I found him in was so bad to the extent that I kept the police in the dark to protect him.

I can't imagine who kidnapped my brother and turned him into a vegetable. I would work my butt off if it means keeping Max alive and safe.

I was willing to take up the contract marriage for Max. I'd investigate what happened the night I met Leo and how Max ended up in his situation. All I needed was money and I'll be getting lots of it soon.

Maybe the contract marriage wasn't a terrible thing but the universe trying to help me out after all. 

"Thank you so much, Mr. Robbins,"I said with a wide grin.

He ignored me and spoke after a few minutes. "I'm Leo not Mr. Robbins. We need to appear as the perfect couple,"he said and climbed a huge staircase to change into an elegant tuxedo.

The next day, we headed to the state court to sign the marriage certificate with Jude in attendance.

In just two days, I became married out of the blue and would be moving in with my new husband in a week's time which would suffice for our fake honeymoon schedule.

I had no one to share the news with. Max was at the Hospital. I didn't have any close friends or relatives apart from Madam Beatrice who cared deeply for me.

I couldn't bring myself to inform her so I lied that I was traveling to work. She was in her eighties so she rarely read any online news or newspaper. I was safe.

Jude came over to pick me at around 9pm and dropped me at a huge mansion. The maids helped me with my bags and left me at the guest suite.

The room was lavishly furnished with exotic furniture and curtains. One of the maids informed me about my after-engagement party with Leo which would take place that night.

Leo had instructed them to make me look as elegant and expensive as possible. A bride befitting of his status as a high-class business man: a billionaire.

My evening gown was custom made from a french designer and my bespoke jewelries from a high-end brand in Italy. My red hair was dressed into a wedding style bun.

I finally met Leo at the car park where he stood beside his exotic car. He left his gaze on me for about two minutes and I began to wonder if he was falling for me or just lusting after my looks.

To be honest, I can't explain how I started crushing on the arrogant man. He was all I wanted in a man which had always been beyond my reach. He was tall, handsome, well-built, had an enticing accent and extremely wealthy. 

He helped me into his car and we drove to La Elegante, one of the best and revered 5-star hotels in the city.

I felt my leg give way beneath me as I stood in front of the crowd and press to walk down the red carpet with Leo.

My phone slipped out of my purse while I was waiting for Leo to finish giving instructions to Jude. I picked it up and stared at the screen in horror. My face was already trending on every news which reads; 

Who is the strange bride of Leo Robbins, the heir to the conglomerate, R&B Group?