B R E A N N A

“I’m sorry, Ms. Breanna. We’re left with no other choice than to withdraw every treatment concerning your mother.”

The doctor said and my heart fell. He looked like he was feeling just as awful as I did.

Tears gathered in my eyes and I placed my hand together, “I told you I’m going to find a way to get the money, please don’t let her die in there. My brother and I will pay every cent of it, please don't give up on her.”

I watched as the older man shook his head and he placed a firm hand on my shoulder, giving it a soft squeeze, “As much as I would have loved to still help you, I’m at the risk of losing my job.”

“You have to understand that this is the last one I can offer. If there was a way for you to get the money then by all means go ahead and do so before the end of today or else we can no longer continue the treatments. I am deeply sorry about the situation, but this is the only thing I can do. Please, understand this is out of my hands. I will pray for your family's safety and well-being.”

I bit down on my lip, the tears threatening to fall from my eyes, "It's okay, Doctor. I understand." He gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze and he took his leave.

How the hell was I going to come up with two hundred thousand dollars for my mother’s treatment? I don’t know anyone that had that kind of money and if I did, they would probably have their own family and friends to look after.

I decided that I needed to do something fast. Maybe if I went to the restaurant where I worked, I could try and see if my manager could lend me a large amount of money. I knew it was a stretch, but it was worth a try.

I arrived shortly after and entered. The restaurant was fairly empty and so were the seats.

“Where have you been, Breanna?! Your shift was supposed to start fifteen minutes ago, I could have fired you, you know that, right?" The older man said.

David, the manager of the restaurant, had a reputation for being quite a pain.

At this point, I was desperate to save my mother. Even at the risk of my own job, "I know. I'm sorry, sir. My mother is in the hospital and she needs urgent treatment. I came here as soon as I could."

The man sighed, "Look, you're a good worker and all, but if you continue coming to work late, I won't hesitate to fire you.”

"I'm sorry, sir. But please, could you possibly give me a loan? Just a couple thousand?"

David gave a small laugh, "I don't have that kind of money and neither do I want to loan you any. It's not my job to do that. Now get to work or you're out of here!"

I clenched my fist tightly and gave him a small bow, "Yes, sir." My voice came out cold.

"Go wash up, your tables need you!"

The next few hours went by fairly quickly and by the time I knew it, it was five thirty.

My shift ends in thirty minutes. Just as I was about to walk back to the kitchen, a chime rang through the restaurant, signaling the entrance of a new customer.

I looked up and my jaw dropped at the sight of a tall, handsome man standing before me. His green eyes were looking straight at me and I felt a shiver run down my spine.

I cleared my throat, snapping back to reality, "Good evening, welcome to the restaurant. Do you have a reservation?"

"No. I don't." His voice was low and smooth, sending another chill through my body.

I gave him a slight nod, "Right this way, sir."

I handed over the menu to him and he took it, his fingers slightly brushing mine and a spark ran through me.

I looked down, "Our special is a delicious sirloin steak, medium rare. It comes with a side of vegetables and a cup of our soup of the day. Would you like anything to drink?"

"I'll take water, thanks." He said dryly.

"Very well, I'll be right back."

I don't know why I was so nervous around the man, but I had a feeling that I had seen him before. Shaking the thought out of my head, I grabbed a glass of water with shaky hands and walked over to him.

I was just one feet away from the table when my ankle twisted and I let out a gasp, the water spilling onto the table and all over the man.

I winced, holding back a yelp and looked up at him, "Oh no, sir! I'm so sorry!"

His once neat shirt was now wet, his white undershirt clung to his broad chest and his black hair was a mess.

He gave a deep sigh, "Are you kidding me?!"

My cheeks were bright red and I placed the empty glass onto the table, grabbed the napkin and started wiping away the water, "I'm so sorry, sir. Let me help."

He brushed away my hand, "Don't bother. It's useless." He sighed and stood up.

He towered over me, his body so close that I could smell his scent, his eyes were locked with mine and I was frozen.

“Breanna, what are you doing?! This is a place of work, not a playground! Do you know what you’ve just done!" David yelled, stomping his way over to us.

My heart fell and I turned around, "No, sir. It was my fault. I-"

"Of course it is, you're out of here! I've had enough of your screw ups. You're fired!" "What? No, please. Don't do this. I need the money, please." I begged.

"Well, that's too bad. If you need the money, go earn it somewhere else." He sneered. "Now get your things and get out! I can't have a clumsy worker like you around, messing up and scaring off the customers!"

"But my mother's in the hospital, I have no other source of income, please. Let me keep the job."

"No, you're out!"

I bit my lip, holding back a sob, and walked towards the staff room. I took off my apron and grabbed my coat, walking out.

Once I was out the door, the tears began to flow and I sniffled, wrapping my arms around myself. I was doomed.

B R E A N N A

“So, what the hell are we gonna do now? Mum is fighting for her life and you also managed to fumble your job?!”

I gave Xavier the most deadliest look to ever exist. “Are you even listening to yourself right now? Aren’t you ashamed of yourself! I’ve been the one providing for the family for the past two years since you’ve refused to get a job!”

“I am your older brother, you will speak to me with respect–”

“Older brother my foot–”

He was about to cause a tantrum when we heard a knock on the door. I glared at him, before going to the door.

My mouth dropped as soon as I saw who was at the door. It was him!

Same man that was responsible for the loss of my job.

“YOU!” I yelled, pointing a finger at his face. “What are you doing here?! How did you know my house? Are you stalking me?! You–”

“Are you going to shut up and let me speak?” He said in a cool voice, his arms folded. His rich physique looked out of place in my small home.

“I want to know what you’re doing in my house, you are not invited here and I could call the cops on you–” I started but he only cocked a brow.

“I’d like to see you try, you wouldn’t want to go down that route with me, Ms. Breanna. I came to have a serious conversation that will be beneficial for both me and you.”

I looked at him with so much anger, every attraction I felt before, dying at once. His audacity!

“I do not wish to have a conversation with you, you’ve caused enough trauma for me. Please leave.”

“It’s about your mother.”

I was about to shut the door, but stopped when I heard him and I abruptly turned my head towards him. What did he mean?

“My mother?”

******

We were sitting at a small cafe at the nearby street as I tried to wrap my head around what he just said. “You want me to be your wife for one year and you will save my mother?” I repeated his words.

He took a sip from his black coffee, his eyes meeting mine. The sun rays shining in through the window, made his eyes appear a lighter green. The cafe was a little empty except for an old couple and the waitress behind the counter.

He leaned forward to face me, “I will pay your hospital bills, make sure she is receiving the best treatment possible, and make sure she is living the rest of her life in luxury with the money you’ll be paid at the end of our contract. And all you have to do is play the role of my wife whenever we are seen in public.”

He continued, “No sex or touching is needed, only that you are seen as my wife, nothing more, nothing less. If you agree, I will get started on your mother as soon as possible. So what do you say, Breanna, is it a deal or not? You have till tomorrow morning to give me an answer. I expect your call, no matter the hour of the day. But, I do need an answer by tomorrow, no later.”

He stood to his feet and was about to walk away, but I immediately spoke, stopping him.

I had to take a moment to think. The idea sounded ridiculous, but I didn't care, I just wanted my mother to live. I needed to think about this very carefully, it could either end really good or really bad, there was no in between.

But then, what if this was the only way for my mum to get the treatment she needs? She was slowly dying right in front of my eyes. She wouldn’t last long without her treatments. I couldn’t put myself first at this point, I had to put the life of the woman I love most.

I'd have to take this opportunity, it's the only chance I have to save her.

I looked at the man, a little lost in my thoughts, as I stared at him. I had just met him today and I literally knew nothing about him. Not even his name. And I was going to suddenly be his wife? I needed to remind myself that I was left with no other choice than this.

With that in mind, I looked back at him and said, “Alright, I'll do it.” It felt weird to say it, and I could tell he was surprised I agreed.

He gave a smile and sat down again. He took a paper from his briefcase, and handed it to me. “Here's the contract, read it carefully and sign.”

I scanned the whole contract, and I couldn't help but wonder what kind of person he was, to do something like this. It was an extremely long contract, which stated rules and regulations we had to follow. There was also a section about the consequences if I break the contract.

I signed the document and returned it to him.

“Well, now that everything is settled," he took out his phone and dialed a number, "A dress will be sent to you first thing tomorrow morning. Get dressed and be at the church by 11:30 sharp.”

The dress? Church?

I frowned, “What's happening tomorrow morning?”

“Our wedding of course,” he replied, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

I choked, almost spitting out the water I was drinking, “What?!”

“Didn't I mention that?”

“NO!”

“Oh, well, now you know. Our marriage will be official tomorrow. Don't be late. On our way to our honeymoon, the details of the do’s and don'ts will be explained to you as there are some boundaries you shouldn’t cross as my wife.”

With that, he stood up and walked away, leaving me stunned.

I could have sworn, I heard him chuckle as he left.

What the actual hell have I gotten myself into? How on earth was I going to be able to keep a straight face during all of this?

How was I going to act like a perfect wife and a good actress too?

My life was turning into a fucking movie. From being unable to eat a three square meal, to being hired as a wife. Is that even a word?

I was screwed.

I was completely, utterly, and absolutely, royally screwed.

B R E A N N A

The dress was sent, right on schedule. The moment I laid my eyes on the beautiful white dress, tears immediately fell down my face. It was such a beautiful dress.

Xavier and my mum had no clue what was going on, and I had to make up an excuse that I had an interview and didn’t know when I would return.

Xavier had told me earlier, he had plans of visiting a friend so he left the house first. That was a relief, as I didn't have to hear his nonsense anymore.

And my mum was sleeping.

The doorbell rang and a delivery man handed me a bag. In it, was a beautiful bouquet of flowers, and a card.

The card had read:

_For my bride-to-be. _

_I hope this brings you happiness, even if it's temporary. _

_Your Husband-to-be_

It was a simple and straightforward card. No name. And it wasn't signed. But, somehow, it made my heart flutter.

He sent me flowers. He bought me a beautiful white dress, and he is going to pay the bills. My mum is going to get her treatment and be free from cancer.

As soon as I was done putting on the dress, I applied a light make up on my face. I heard a car horn outside and I knew it was him.

I could hear my own heart beating, and my palms were sweating. It was not how I pictured my wedding day would be.

I took a deep breath, and slowly opened the door. There was a black limo parked outside. The driver walked towards me and opened the door for me.

As I stepped inside the car, I realized the man wasn't alone. There were two other people with him, one was a tall, blonde-haired man, and the other was a young woman. They were sitting at the opposite side of him, but the woman stepped down to sit in the front as soon as I came in.

"Who are they?" I asked, glancing at the strangers.

"This is my lawyer, Mr. James," the man pointed at the blonde-haired man, and then, he turned to the woman and said, "And that's my girlfriend.”

I froze.

His girlfriend.

Girlfriend?!

I blinked, "What the actual fuck? You have a girlfriend? What is she doing here?"

The man raised a brow, and chuckled, "You're not going to get jealous are you?"

"Jealous? Why would I get jealous? I just...I just thought...nevermind."

He shrugged, and looked out the window.

Why was he getting married to me when he already had a girlfriend?! Why was she allowing her boyfriend to get married to another woman?! Why was she even attending her boyfriend’s marriage?!

There were so many questions running through my head, but I didn’t dare say them out loud.

The whole ride was silent. None of us dared to speak a single word. I didn’t miss the few hateful glances I was getting from the woman. Her anonymity towards me was quite obvious.

The moment we reached the church, everyone exited the car. I was standing in front of the big entrance of the church.

Everyone was looking at me. I could feel their eyes. And I was afraid that everyone would know what was happening. I was scared of making a fool of myself, in front of a lot of people.

I tried to take a deep breath, but my throat was dry, and my lungs felt heavy.

"Let's go." The man suddenly appeared beside me, holding out his hand. I stared at his hand, hesitating for a while. But, I finally took his hand, and let him lead the way.

As soon as we entered the church, everyone turned their attention to us. Their gazes were focused on me. All eyes were on me.

I wanted to cry. I wanted to run. I wanted to hide. I didn't want to do this.

"Breathe," the man said, squeezing my hand gently.

"I'm sorry, but this is a bit too much," I said.

"Just a little longer. Once the ceremony is over, you will be free."

"I'm not going to survive."

"You'll be fine. Trust me."

Trust.

A man whom I just met yesterday.

A man, who is about to become my husband.

A man who is willing to save my mother.

I have no other choice.

Trust.

And so, the wedding ceremony began.

It was a short ceremony, and there wasn't much said. I was so nervous that I didn't even listen to anything. But, I did manage to remember one thing.

The vows.

We had to say our vows.

Fuck.

The man spoke first, his voice clear and loud, "I, Gabriel Salvatore, take you, Breanna Williams, to be my lawfully wedded wife.

“…To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.”

The rest of his words were drowned out the moment I heard his name. Gabriel Salvatore.

The Gabriel Salvatore.

World renowned billionaire.

Youngest CEO in the country.

And my husband.

Oh, shit.

I was not ready for this.

I didn't have any vows prepared.

And everyone was looking at me.