The Billionaire’s Bargain Bride

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SADIE

“Can I ask a favor?”

Devin looked at me through the rearview mirror. “Sure?”

“Sure? You mean you’re not sure?” I asked in confusion.

“Well, it depends. If it involves asking permission from your husband or not.”

I sighed in dismay as I looked outside the window. “Never mind.”

“Come on. Give it a try.”

“I wanna spend some time with Zhuri before I start working. Just Zhuri and me walking around in the park, shopping in the mall, or having a cup of coffee in a cafe. Just for a day. Is it too much to ask? I’m not a president’s daughter, for God’s sake.”

“I can be persuasive I’ll give him a call.”

“No!” I gripped his shoulder before he could dial Cenric’s number. “Don’t do that. He’s gonna give me a lecture and tell me I told you not to blah blah blah.”

“Just trust me, okay?”

I looked at him in the eye before he focused back on the road. “Fine.”

As if Cenric was waiting for his call, he picked up right away.

“Boss, I wanna give Mrs. Wollf a free time with Ms. Hill.”

I watched his body language as he listened to Cenric over the phone, but I couldn’t read him.

“Looks like a sunny day, sir.” He parked the car when we were near the coffee shop. Was that a code for something?

“Copy that, sir. Absolutely. Thank you.” He slipped his phone into his jacket suit, and the wait was frightening.

“What did he say?”

“He’ll call you.”

“What?” That didn’t sound good. I slumped by back, glaring outside the window.

“You should answer your phone, or he will take it back, thinking you’re not safe.”

My eyes sparkled and gleamed. “Why didn’t you just say it?”

He chuckled in amusement. “Go ahead before he changes his mind.”

I quickly fished out my phone and answered the call. “Cenric?”

“Why Devin was calling me if you wanna go with Zhuri without him?”

“I thought you’re okay with this?”

“And you didn’t pick up your phone quickly?”

“Question to a question? Really, Cenric?”

“Okay, calm down, babe. It looks like it’s a great day today. Your brother is in another States. If anything or someone is following you, call Devin or me right away. I mean right away, Sadie. Do you understand?”

“Sure.”

“This is serious, babe.”

“I know.”

“Just be aware of your surrounding.”

I sighed. “Will do.”

“Okay, then. Enjoy your day. I’ll see you tomorrow. I miss you already.”

“Me too.” I took the opportunity while he was on a business trip to promote the game, but I also made sure I was not abusing his trust. That was why I still had to make everything in order.

“Take care, babe. Bye.”

“Yes! Thank you. Thank you.” I hugged Devin from his seat.

“I don’t think he’d appreciate what you are doing right now,” he chuckled.

“He’s not a jealous guy. And he trusts me.”

“Trust me, Sadie. All men get jealous. We know how to handle our jealousy. Some guys don’t do well.”

“Still, thanks for doing this.”

“My job, and you’re welcome. Now go. Take care.”

I literally danced as soon as I got out of the car. Still, he didn’t just let me go without a few reminders.

I stepped into the cafe with a wide grin on my lips.

“You’re late.”

I rolled my eyes at Zhuri, sitting at the corner booth. “By three minutes. At least, we’re free to go wherever we want.” I took a seat across the table.

“Really? That’s new. Where’s your lover boy?”

“You mean my husband?”

This time, she rolled her eyes. “Unless you have another one, then it’s him. The controlling but hot billionaire.”

“He’s protecting me.”

“Overprotecting you.”

I ordered a green latte. “You know my background. My family is different. Then I’m married to a billionaire. There’s always a threat.”

“I get it blah blah blah. So where to? Another flat white and make hers a take out,” she said to the barista before she turned back to me. “Seems like married life did a favor on you. He’s good in bed?”

My cheeks flamed. After my shocking behavior two nights ago, I felt like a new person. Still, I couldn’t believe I had that in me. I shook that thought away.

“I take that as a yes.”

“How about you? How’s that IT guy?”

“Toby? Nah, it was just a one-night thing.” She looked down at his phone when it rang, ignoring it.

“Aren’t you going to take that?”

“It’s not important. How did you convince lover boy to leave you without your pretty dog tailing you?”

“Cenric is on a business trip.” Sometimes Zhuri could be more sarcastic, but she was a good friend. Just lately, I’d been busy, and I couldn’t return her call on time.” And that pretty dog’s name is Devin Reece, and he’s just doing his job.”

A few minutes later our order hadn’t arrived. Zhuri went to the counter to check our order when her phone rang again. She never ignored her call, even if a clingy one-night stander, but this time, in my gut, something was off.

“You’re phone keeps ringing. Maybe you should answer that and tell him that you’re busy.”

She sat back and called back the caller. “I’m busy right now. Can I call back later tonight? I’m with my friend.” It was monotone until she listened for the other line. She then licked her lips and swallowed. “Sure. Why not? Bye.”

Her eyes were still glued to the phone already on the table.

“Is everything okay?”

“Of course.” She smiled at me, but not the smile I used to see from her.

“Okay.” I nodded even if I was not convinced.

We walked around the park. The weather was good. These people seemed in a mood for a picnic and to have a good time, keeping me at ease.

“Wanna go somewhere else?”

“Nah. I’m stuck at work in the boutique for five days a week. I think what I need is fresh air than the smell of clothes.” She worked as a salesperson in a well-known brand for more than a year.

“I do too. I’m kinda excited to work, at the same time, terrified that I might suck at my job.”

She faced me. “Hey. Everything starts with zero. Learn from your experience each day. I’m sure you’ll be fine. If there’s someone who can get through difficult times, it’s you, and you are still here, standing strong and soon will run the future biggest application developer in the world.”

“Thanks. It means a lot coming from you.” I smiled.

“Mark Zuckerberg created Facebook in his dorm, and he’s a dropout. Your husband started his giant crypto in his old apartment, and he’s a Marine. When you have dreams, you never give up.”

Before I could reply, her phone rang again. “Is someone following you? Do you have a stalker?” I just blurted it out.

She looked around as if searching or trying to hide from someone and looking terrified.

“Zhuri?” I held her wrist. She startled at my touch. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” I started to get worried that this day would go awry.

“You know I can help you if something or someone’s bothering you. We can help, Zhuri.”

“Thanks, but I’m fine.” She checked her phone, and I saw the caller too.

My pulse pounded. An icy air seeped through my bones, making me shiver. “Why is my brother calling you?”

She looked shocked. “Um.”

“Why is he calling you, Zhuri? Was he your caller all this time?” My shoulders tightened. I looked around, making sure he was not somewhere watching us. This day was going to be rough after all.

“No. I-I don’t know how he got my number, but he called me once and a while to know if Cenric is treating you well or he wants to know how’re you doing since your husband threatened him not to get near you.”

“And you believe him?”

“Don’t worry, Sadie. I know what I’m doing. I told him you’re happy. Cenric is good with you. Because I ignored him once, he wouldn’t stop.”

“Now he’s calling you again. Does he know we’re meeting today?”

She shook her head, but she couldn’t look at me anymore. “No. I told him you’re busy.”

“He’s not here,” I told her. “Don’t worry. I’ll handle this. This is a family matter, Zhuri. Since he’s bothering you, I will make it stop.”