The Arrangement: Book one in the Seattle Billionaires Series

by Nora Ford

“You might not be pregnant now, but you’ll be someday. You should take better care of yourself.” I argued.

  She shook her head, gave me a weak smile and said, “Not anytime soon.”

  “It’s been two years; you must start living again.” I gently patted her shoulder.

  Tessa lost her fiancé in a car accident two years ago. Although she is trying to hide it, she’s still grieving.

  “Now stop acting like a mom and tell me what’s wrong?” She asked changing the subject.

  I let it slide and said, “Okay, eat something first, and I’ll tell you everything while you’re eating.”

  She nodded and started to bite into her sandwich. “Now tell.” She said with a mouth full of food.

  I told her everything. I started with how I was trying to make an appointment with Adam Grant for weeks without any success, passing with the stunt I made at his office last week, the meeting and finally his crazy offer.

  Tessa was listening carefully; she didn’t interrupt me even once. When I finished, she gave me a knowing look and said, “So, you want to accept his offer.”

  “I didn’t say that,” I said quickly.

  “It’s obvious, if you are not considering it, you won’t be here.” She shrugged.

  “I couldn’t just ignore an offer like that,” I said almost to myself.

  “So, you’re considering it.” She repeated.

  “It’s not the money, although it’s a lot. The publicity, the connections, do you know what this means, it’s the breakthrough that I need.” I was thinking loud now.

  “You may be right, but at what cost Tal?” She asked.

  “What cost? I’ll marry the richest, hottest bachelor in Seattle for twelve months, what’s wrong with that?” I said trying to sound convincing.

  “People don’t plan their divorce before they get married and you know it.” She tried to talk sense into me.

  “Now you sound like mom, besides I’ve tried the real thing before and it didn’t last long either,” I said and tried to shake off the memories of my first marriage.

  “You were too young back then; it wasn’t your fault.” She was referring to my short marriage that lasted just a little over a year.

  Jeff, my ex-husband was an assistant doctor my dad was training; he’s charmed his way into everybody’s heart in my family. I wasn’t immune to his charm; I fell in love with him. He was ten years older than me, but I didn’t mind the age difference. I liked the fact that he was experienced and mature.

  Shortly after we got married, dad got him a post in one of London’s Hospitals, I left everything behind, and moved there with him. Before long I realized that all he was after was my dad’s connections and money.

  When I refused to ask my parents for money, he started to show me his ugly side, he didn’t abuse me physically, but emotionally. Although he was discrete about his affairs, he made sure that I knew about every single one of them. After I got pregnant, things got worse. He didn’t want the baby; he said we couldn’t afford a baby with only one income.

  He demanded that I either end my pregnancy or ask my parents for financial support. I didn’t like the options that he gave me, that day I booked a ticket back to the States, and we got divorced a few months later.

  “I was twenty not sixteen, I should have known better,” I said, pushing the painful memories from my mind. Tessa didn’t respond she just gave me a sympathetic look. I shook my head and said, “I don’t regret it, I have my son. I won’t trade him for the world.”

  “Speaking of Timo, have you thought about how this deal is going to affect him?” She asked.

  “He won’t be affected; he won’t even notice any difference. Adam is a very busy man; he won’t be around most of the time. This is a fake marriage remember; feelings are not involved. So, Timo won’t have to share me with another man. He will remain my one and only.” I explained.

  “There is nothing wrong about Timo sharing you if it is with the right guy.” She said and gave me a warm smile.

  “Right guys don’t exist,” I said shortly.

  She ignored my last sentence and asked, “Are you sure this is going to be safe?”

  “What do you mean?” I didn’t understand her question.

  “I mean are you sure he’s not in any kinky stuff?” She asked concerned.

  “Do you mean the Fifty Shades of Grey kind of things?” I asked amused.

  “Yes, and why are you grinning? These things exist.” She said.

  “I am not sure about that, but I am sure about one thing, he is not interested in me in that way. He made it clear that this marriage will be on paper only. So, no sex kinky or not.” I assured her.

  “You made up your mind; you’re going to accept.” She was stating a fact, and she was right.

  Chapter Four

  Adam

  The next day, I sat in my office waiting for Talia. I was hoping she would come. Something about her challenges me, she radiates original beauty. Nothing about her is fake.

  Her stunning blue eyes and warm chestnut hair which flows over her shoulders were enough to knock a man’s breath from his lungs. She is tall and has a slender body. The fact that she is unaware of her prettiness made her even more beautiful.

  However, I was attracted to her spirit and courage rather than her physical beauty. She will show up I assured myself.

  Although Talia was different than my former fiancé, she is a woman and money drives women. I had a lot of affairs before with models, starlets and politician daughters. Every one of them was unique in a certain way, but they all have two things in common, they always want more, and they can’t be trusted.

  I took a last look at the prenup contract that my legal team prepared earlier this week, and I was satisfied. It was a generous one, but it also ensured that she won’t sue me for anything more in the future. I have trust issues, and I don’t trust women.

  Everything was ready for the meeting, the contract and the draft that I wrote about the topics we need to discuss today. One thing was missing though, Talia.

  It was ten-twenty, and she wasn’t here yet. I grabbed the list of the other candidates and looked at it quickly; they were all attractive women, one or two of them were even more beautiful than Talia.

  However, I don’t want any of them; I want her. But I wasn’t bluffing when I said the offer wouldn’t stand beyond ten-thirty. I am a very busy and very impatient man; I don’t like to be kept waiting.

  I was debating who I would call next, when I heard my assistant’s voice through the intercom saying, “Ms. Jones is here to see you, Sir.”

  “Let her in and cancel my next meeting,” I said shortly.

  Before I could reach the door to welcome her myself, she entered my office. I didn’t understand how she could look so sexy, though she was wearing a pair of skinny black jeans and an oversize crème pullover.

  She didn’t bother with greeting me she said, “That was rude, hasn’t your mother taught you to say Please and Thank you?”

  For a moment I was confused, no one has ever accused me of being rude, yet they always wanted something from me. I just shook my head and answered, “My mom had other things in mind than teaching me manners,” She didn’t know about my relationship to my mother, and I wanted to keep it that way.

  I extended my hand to shake hers, but she didn’t take it. Instead, she leaned in and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. Not only her friendly attitude surprised me but also the way I reacted to her simple kiss, it was electrifying. However, I managed to hide my surprise.

  “Sorry, I am late. I was planning to be here on time, but the roads were too busy. Please don’t think I’m trying to play hard to get.” She simply said.

  Again, she managed to surprise me; I didn’t expect this kind of honesty. So, I spared her the lecture about how busy I am and just said, “It’s okay, you’re still on time.” I gave her a copy of the prenup and the draft I wrote earlier. “We have few points to discuss; I wrote everything here.”
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br />   She took the papers I gave her and said. “I have a couple of points I’d like to discuss with you too, but I didn’t write them down though. We can go through your list first.”

  She took a seat on the couch in the seating area of my office. After she quickly scanned my list, I heard her saying, “Well as for number one; I don’t need your shopper or stylist. Believe it or not, I know how to dress. I have a well-stocked wardrobe, but I am willing to add few items to it. However, I’ll buy them myself.”

  Before I could object, she turned to number two. “What’s wrong with my car?” She asked.

  “You can’t be married to me and drive a fifteen years old car,” I said impatiently.

  “How do you know that? No, don’t answer that. It’s stupid to ask. You probably have a file on me.” She asked and answered herself.

  “You’re right; I know everything about you,” I confirmed.

  “In that case, you must know about my car accident record. I guess you won’t give me your Bugatti.” She gave me an amused smile.

  When I hesitated, she shook her head and said, “Don’t worry, I don’t want your Bugatti. I will buy a car, nothing fancy but new.”

  “Your new car will be delivered to your home this afternoon, consider it a wedding present,” I said dismissing the subject.

  “Thanks, but I can’t accept it. First, this is a fake wedding, second, you’re paying me good enough to afford a car. Besides, you don’t want me to look like a spoiled rich man’s wife. It’s better for your image.” She said and moved quickly to the third point.

  “Number three is a deal breaker.” I heard her saying. I looked at the list in my hands and frowned. Number three says that I’m going to hire a qualified nanny for her son.

  “I can’t understand, what is wrong with having a nanny? It’s going to free your time and give you more flexibility.” I asked confused.

  “I’m a full-time mom, and I intend to stay that way. I won’t accompany you on your business trips, dinners, and events unless my mom or one of my sisters would take care of Timo for me. If you have a problem with that, you have to find someone else.” She said in a relaxed but decisive tone.

  I felt it was a take it or leave it deal, although I hate these kinds of deals, I nodded and said, “I can live with that.” I looked at my list and told her, “The next topic would be your ex-husband.”

  “What about him?” She looked puzzled.

  “Well, is he going to cause any problems in the future? It’s not that this will be an issue but I need to know so that I can prepare myself.” I asked her.

  “No, he won’t cause any problems.” She assured me.

  “How can you be so sure?” I inquired.

  She took a deep breath and told me, “Fine, to cut the story short, he married me for the money, I was twenty-one when we got divorced, he took all the money that was in my trust fund, in return he gave up all his legal rights to see or contact his son.”

  She looked at me and explained, “Timor is carrying my maiden name. We don’t have any relationship with him anymore. He is out of the picture for good.”

  “And you gave him everything without a fight?” I couldn’t believe it.

  “I got the better part of the deal, I got my son.” She said proudly.

  I didn’t know how to respond to that so I just nodded.

  After a few moments, she smiled and said, “Good, the next point would be the wedding party this Friday. It’s impossible for my mom to plan a wedding in four days.” She sighed.

  “That won’t be a problem, I have a capable PR team, they will do all the work,” I assured her.

  “Fine, I will leave that to you and your PR team then. Since the wedding is going to take place at my parents’ house, they have to contact my mom. But it has to wait until tomorrow.” She told me.

  When I nodded, she moved to our last point, the contract. She picked up a pen from the table in front of her and just signed the two copies and gave me mine.

  “How could you sign something without reading it carefully first?” I was shocked.

  “I trust you.” She shrugged.

  I shook my head still not believing what she has just done, “You shouldn’t trust anybody.”

  “Good thing that we’re getting married, you could teach me how to mistrust people, and I will show you how to trust them.” She suggested.

  My trust issues were deeply rooted, but I didn’t tell her that.

  “We have covered my list; now it’s your turn,” I said changing the subject.

  “I have two points. First, I still want to do work for you. If you like my work, your companies will remain to use my services even after the divorce.” She said.

  “You’ve got it; I’ll have my legal team put this in writing.” I instantly agreed.

  “Not necessary, your word is enough.” She gave me a genuine smile.

  I wanted to point out that she should be more careful but I didn’t argue. Instead, I asked, “What is your second point?”

  She hesitated, for a moment I thought she was going to ask for more money. Then she finally said, “Are you… are you going to have affairs? I mean twelve to eighteen months could be a long time and you…”

  “And I might want to have sex. Is that what you’re trying to say.” I finished the sentence for her.

  She didn’t answer, she just nodded.

  “I am not seeing anyone at the moment, but if I had an affair during our marriage, I would let you know first, and I will be very discrete about it,” I assured her.

  “Good, I can be very discrete too.” She simply said.

  I was horrified by her remark, I instantly asked, “Are you seeing someone?”

  “No, but I want both of us to be on the same page. I am an equal partner in this relationship, and I expect to have the same rights.” She warned me.

  I wasn’t prepared for that, but she had a point. I can’t sleep around and expect her to be faithful.

  “Fine, no affairs both of us.” I finally said.

  “Everything is settled then. I’ll leave you to your work.” She rose up to leave.

  Before she reached the door, I stopped her by saying, “You can buy your car today if you want. I have transferred two months payment to your account.”

  She shook her head and said, “You shouldn’t do that, I could run now with your money.”

  Without waiting for my answer, she opened the door and left.

  Chapter Five

  Talia

  The days before the wedding were crazy; I had a hundred things to do. Telling my mom was on top of my to-do list, so I did it right after leaving Adam’s office the other day, and it wasn’t fun. I didn’t want to lie to her, but I didn’t tell her the whole truth either. Although I didn’t mention the money or the fact that the marriage is temporary, she wasn’t pleased about rushing things.

  Sure, she wanted me to get married, but she was not hoping for this. She had this irrational, romantic idea about Adam and me. In her scenario; I would do work for him, we would get to know each other better, fall in love and then get married. I told her that this wasn’t the way things worked these days, and love is highly overrated.

  However, I assured her that I wouldn’t get hurt this time. “I am walking through this marriage with open eyes and mind.”

  She wasn’t convinced, but she wished me luck and left me to go and tell my dad. She knew he would be disappointed; she was right.

  Dad was in his study; he put what he was reading to the side when he heard me coming. I told him what I said, my mom, that this marriage is a business deal, Adam is going to gain the family man image he needed, in return, I am going to do work for his companies, and this is an excellent opportunity for me.

  He couldn’t hide his pain; my dad hasn’t forgiven himself for my first marriage. Although he was against it because of the age difference, he still believes he was responsible since he was the one who introduced me to my ex-husband.

  I quickly went to h
im and gave him a big hug, then I looked into his eyes and said, “For the hundredth time, it wasn’t your fault daddy. It was all me; it was all me.”

  Before he could object, I added, “Maybe I am not marrying for love this time, but I am marrying a better man.” That wasn’t a lie, Adam maybe arrogant and overconfident, but I believed he was honest and fair.

  My dad sighed and said, “I don’t want to see you hurt again.”

  “I won’t, I promise,” I reassured him, and I was determined to keep my promise. As long as no feelings are involved, I wouldn’t get hurt. I kept playing this sentence in my head.