What was the first thing that I was supposed to feel, say, or think? Well, I wasn't sure because I had never been in such an embarrassing position in my life. The memories of the previous night came rushing back again and I felt sick instantly.
I stood frozen in the doorway, my gaze locked with Ethan Warner's. The man from last night. The CEO of TerraNova Holdings. The man I'd just spent the most mortifying yet exhilarating night of my life with. A million thoughts raced through my mind, each one more absurd than the last. Should I apologize? Should I run? Should I pretend I didn't recognize him? No, that would be stupid because definitely recognized me judging by the look of disbelief in his eyes as he stared at me. This wasn't just my dignity on the line! It was also my goddamn job! What if he said he didn't want to work with me? Fuck, I needed the money fast. Ethan broke the silence, his voice a cool, detached baritone. "Ms. Thompson, I presume?" He asked as though he hadn't heard me the first time. I nodded dumbly, feeling tongue-tied and acutely aware that we were alone In the office, and damn me for closing the door. There goes my escape. "Please, have a seat," he gestured towards the plush leather chairs in front of his desk. I gingerly lowered myself into one of the chairs, my movements stiff and awkward. Ethan leaned back in his seat, his gaze fixed on me with an intensity that made me quickly look down at my feet. I fidgeted under his scrutiny, acutely aware of every imperfection, every flaw about me. He was trying to unravel me, to see what was beneath my exterior, and judging by the indifferent look on his face, I wasn't sure if he succeeded. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore. "Mr. Warner," I blurted out, "I want to apologize for my behavior last night. I... I wasn't myself. I think someone drugged me." That was the only thing that came to mind and I just blurted it out. Ethan raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "Drugged?" he repeated, his voice laced with confusion. I nodded, my cheeks burning with shame. "I only had a few sips of the drink, and I've never reacted like that to alcohol before. I woke up this morning in your hotel room, and I have no memory of how I got there." I explained, leaving Ronan out of this because someone of my caliber didn't accuse someone like him. His family would probably make me go missing. Ethan leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "That's interesting," he said slowly. "Because this morning, my secretary informed me that the...escort I'd requested never arrived. I was so puzzled because who was the woman I was with and why did she leave so fast? And then I found your note." My heart sank. Escort? He thought I was a prostitute? "I'm not an escort," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'm an event planner. I was at the party last night." Ethan's lips curled into a wry smile. "I know who you are, Ms. Thompson. I was impressed with your work at Mrs. Valeria's event, and I asked my assistant to book you for tonight's party. I just didn't expect that you were the one who showed up at my door... in that state." I winced. "I'm so sorry," I mumbled, my gaze fixed on my lap. "I don't know what to say." Ethan sighed. "It's alright, Ms. Thompson. I'm not going to hold it against you. It was a misunderstanding." He paused, his gaze hardening. "But I do want to apologize for taking advantage of you. Even if it was a mistake, it was still wrong." I looked up at him, surprised by his sincerity even though it sounded forced. "Thank you," I said softly. The next few moments passed in silence. Ethan seemed lost in thought, his brow furrowed in concentration. Finally, he spoke. "Ms. Thompson," he began, his voice low and serious, "I need your help." I blinked, taken aback by his sudden request. "My help?" I repeated. He nodded, his gaze unwavering. "I'm in a bit of a predicament. My parents are pressuring me to get married, and they've even threatened to arrange a match for me if I don't find someone soon." His icy blue eyes were fixed on me and I found myself gawking at how ethereal he looked. He stood up and walked around his desk, his tall frame looming over me. "I need a wife, Ms. Thompson. At least, for a year. Just long enough to get them off my back." He said nonchalantly. My mouth gaped open. Was he serious? "I know this is a lot to ask," he continued, "But you're the only one I can think of. You're intelligent and capable, and you look like you can get a job well done. Also now that we have…history together." I shook my head, my thoughts racing as I opened my mouth to say no but he beat me to it. Ethan leaned closer, his blue eyes piercing into mine. "I'll pay you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Ninety million dollars. For one year. All you have to do is be my wife." Ninety million dollars. The number echoed in my mind, a sense of hallelujah echoing in my head. It was more money than I could ever dream of earning. It was enough to pay for Sage's surgery, to give her a chance at life. My resolve crumbled. "Okay," I said, my voice barely a croak. "I'll do it." I wasn't thinking. I was crazy and I didn't even think about it. Ethan's face remained impassive. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a silver ring, a simple band with no form of diamonds or any of the fancy stones that people of his caliber wore. He took my hand and slid the ring onto my finger. "One year," he said, his voice firm. "Be mine." I nodded, staring at the ring. I'd just agreed to marry a man I barely knew. A man who thought I was a prostitute. A man who was offering me an obscene amount of money to be his pretend wife. What had I gotten myself into? Ethan stood up, his expression softening slightly. "I'll take care of everything else," he said. "You just need to meet me tomorrow." I rose to my feet, my legs feeling like jelly. "Tomorrow?" I squeaked. He nodded. "Tomorrow. Welcome to the family, Mrs. Warner." I stumbled out of his office, my head still reeling. I'd just sold myself to the devil. But at least I'd saved my sister's life. As I made my way back to the party, the realization hit me like a pail of freezing water. I was married.ALEXANDRA'S POV “You're back, I was beginning to think that you had gotten lost in this labyrinth of a building” Sarah exclaimed, her eyes looking worried.I forced a smile at her and hid the ring on my finger by folding my hands together. “There was a slight hitch in the payment plan so I was going over it with him,” I said nonchalantly, sweeping my gaze over the dinner.“How's things here?” I asked with a soft sigh.She looked back at the employees and she smiled. “Successful as usual”Great, at least that was working out fine.“So how much longer until we have to leave?” I asked her She checked the glittering wristwatch on her hand and smiled. “An hour”“Shit. Get Tom and Paige to make sure the drinks are still available and make sure the line chefs are still doing their job behind.” I said, collapsing into the nearest seat by the side of the hall.“On it” Then she was off leaving me to my thoughts.Fuck, what was I doing?I was usually very conservative and shy but now, I didn't
ALEXANDRA'S POVMy phone buzzed. Once. Twice.What the hell was it this time?I groaned and rolled over in bed, my eyes lids heavy.One thing I hated most was people disturbing my sleep after a night of work.Groaning, I reached over to my bedside table and I grabbed my phone, struggling to focus my eyes on the bright screen.Missed calls. Lots of them and messages too.What? What happened? Did I win the lottery or something?I decided to check my missed calls. Sarah, Ethan, and Piper.My eyes widened. Piper?! Why had she called? She was out on a business trip with her boss, wasn't she? She never called during those times so whatever she called about had to be fucking important.I quickly opened her messages first.“Girl, you better call me before I lose my mind” followed by an angry face emoji.I smiled at that. This was probably just one of her shenanigans to get me riled up so I quickly dialed her number.After just a ring, she picked up the phone call.“Were you expecting my call?
“It's a massive success” Mrs Valeria namely the queen of this town and the proud CEO of the largest bar and hotel in the country was saying over the classical music in the background, her poise proud and snobbish. Oh right, and she was also the one who had given me the contract to prepare this party tonight. I stood beside her, looking smaller compared to her taller frame. “I'm glad to be the one to whom you entrusted this,” I said, bowing slightly as a sign of respect She didn't pay any heed to me, her hand wrapped around the wine glass and her smoky eyes surveying around her guests. “I sent the cheque already… oh Mr. Harry, such a pleasure to see you…” she exclaimed and she was gone. Sighing, I straightened up and looked around the venue. It was filled with people, the rich kind, the type who threw money about. This was the kind of parties where only the most successful businessmen and women attended. The only reason why I was here was because I was the event planner who got
The party was a roaring success, just like the other parties hosted by Mrs Valeria. I honestly wasn't surprised by the way it seemed, I was used to stuff like this. I had grown up in this and I absolutely hated it.The expectations. It all didn't make sense to me.The memory of my parents cornering me on the balcony, their relentless pressure about marriage, and carrying on the family's name In case something happened to me echoed in my head. Someone would think they were actually planning to harm me by the way they seemed hell-bent on getting me to settle down."Ethan, you're not getting any younger," my mother's voice, was high-pitched as she spoke to me. "It's time you found a nice girl and started a family.""I'm not interested in getting married," I'd retorted, my gaze sweeping over the familiar nightlife of New York City.My father's booming voice joined the chorus. "Don't be ridiculous. You need to carry on the family name."I'd scoffed inwardly. The family name can carry on it
My head felt like it was splitting in two. I groaned, rolling over and burying my face in the pillow. What the hell happened last night? I didn't drink anything so why did it feel like I was having a hangover?Slowly, the memories trickled back, hazy and blurry but they gave me enough detail. The party, the champagne that Ronan had given me, the handsome stranger… The handsome stranger? My eyes snapped open, and I bolted upright in bed.That was enough to throw me into a panic. What was I even doing on a bed? And where the fuck was I?. I was in a luxurious hotel room, the kind that screamed 'expensive' from every corner. Sunlight streamed through the plush black curtains, casting a soft glow on the plush furniture and king-size bed. It all seemed familiar.I knew where this was. I knew my own handiwork. Then it hit me, I was in one of the hotel rooms that I had prepared for the guests last night.And then, the most horrifying realization hit me. I was naked.I felt sick to my stomach
The clock ticked slowly towards 7 pm, the official start time of the TerraNova Holdings party. I was pacing about my small office, biting on my nails, something I did when I was agitated about something and nervous. Despite the events of the previous night, I'd managed to pull myself together and put on my 'event planner at your service' attitude. My team had done a fantastic job transforming the TerraNova event space into a space that looked something straight out of an exquisite party, complete with sparkling lights, and a variety of flowers and I had made sure to confirm that no one had an allergy to anything, and a mouthwatering buffet.But no matter how much I tried to focus on the task at hand, my mind kept wandering back to him. The stranger from the hotel room. The man whose name I didn't even know.I'd been extra cautious tonight, sticking to water and keeping a watchful eye on my glass. I wasn't going to let myself be taken advantage of again.As the guests began to arriv