Married On Paper To The Billionaire

“I now pronounce you, Mr and Mrs Beaumont. You may kiss the bride,” said the minister with a wide smile.

Emilia stole a glance at her new husband, wondering if he would kiss her or not. He watched her with hot hazel eyes as if he was thinking the same thing. He finally leaned forward and kissed her chastely on the cheek.

“Classy!” his mother complimented him and clapped like an impressed audience.

“Congratulations, darling,” her father said happily.

“Congratulations, sweetheart,” said her mother. She was the happiest person in the room.

Emilia smiled brightly but she was annoyed. This wasn’t how she’d pictured her wedding day to look. She’d dreamed of wearing a white ball gown and walking down the aisle with a large bouquet to join her handsome husband at the altar.

Instead, she was wearing a pink skirt-suit that her mother chose and marrying a brooding stranger in the family room of his mansion. She felt like a sacrificial lamb.

The Beaumonts were from old money and they were into several profitable businesses including consumer goods production, oil and gas, real estate, banking, and information technology.

“Let’s all go to the dining room now, shall we?” said Elsie Beaumont, Emilia’s new mother-in-law. Her perfectly styled silver hair matched her dazzling jewelry.

Everyone followed her lead. The table was already set for the seven of them which included the newlyweds, the minister, Elsie, Emilia’s parents, and her younger sister, Chloe.

“It’s a shame the rest of the family couldn’t be here for the ceremony,” said Lara Taylor, Emilia’s mother.

“My other children are always traveling somewhere,” Elsie laughed. “Emilia is lucky to have married the most reliable one among them.”

Kane smiled tenderly at his mother. It was the first time that Emilia was seeing his hard face soften today.

“I’m sure Jack and Lillian would’ve loved to be here today,” he said. “But they too have their lives to live.”

“Of course,” replied his mother smoothly. “Let’s eat.”

The food was delicious and enough to feed a battalion. They ate in silence for a few minutes before Kane’s deep baritone overshadowed the muted sound of cutlery clashing with plates.

“Please, give the marriage certificate to my assistant before you leave,” he said calmly to the minister. “He will file it properly for me.”

“That’s not necessary,” said the elderly man. “I will give it to your wife. It’s her property now.”

“And she’s my property. Give the certificate to my assistant, will you?”

“She’s not your property, she’s your wife,” Chloe snapped.

Emilia’s face turned red with embarrassment. “Chloe, please stop!”

“Let’s all calm down, shall we?” Said Elsie. “It doesn’t matter who keeps the marriage certificates, as long as it’s safe.”

“I apologize for my daughter’s rudeness,” said Andrew Taylor, Emilia’s father. “You know how teenagers can get sometimes.”

Chloe was going to respond to that but her mother stepped on her foot under the table and gave her a warning look.

“That’s fine,” said Kane dismissively.

Emilia hated his coldness towards her family but they were practically at his mercy. Beggars can’t be choosers.

After dinner, her family said their goodbyes and left Emilia was left alone with her new family. Kane was busy on his phone and completely ignored her.

“Welcome to the family, once again,” Elsie said to her warmly. “The butler will show you to your room.”

Harry, the butler, showed up and took her to the second floor where her room was located. It was a large room with a queen-sized bed and was lavishly decorated. Her things were still inside her box beside the bed.

As she began to undress, a door opened behind her. She was shocked to see Kane strolling into her room, looking like a Roman god in a suit. Her heart skipped a beat.

“What are you doing here?” She asked.

“What else? I’ve come to consummate our marriage,” he replied confidently.

“I beg your pardon! I barely know you.”

“Does it matter? We’re already married and I have a marriage certificate to prove it.”

Emilia took a step backward. “Listen, I’m not in the mood for this right now. At least, give me some time to warm up to you.”

“Don’t worry, my hands will warm you up.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“I don’t care,” he said flatly. He was now standing only a few inches away from her and she could smell his expensive cologne.

Without saying a word, he began to undress. Emilia’s mouth went dry as she watched him reveal his toned torso and began to undo his pants.

“This isn’t how a normal wedding night should go,” she protested.

“We didn’t have a normal wedding, did we? Now, stop whining and take off your clothes.”

Her fingers shook as she began to take off her clothes. Wasn’t he even going to seduce her?

He had stripped down to his underwear and she could see the large bulge in the front of his boxers. She blushed and looked away.

“Your father said you’re a virgin. I’m beginning to think that it might be true.”

“Why would he even tell you that?”

He shrugged. “I guess he figured that’s your biggest selling point.”

Emilia resisted the urge to punch his handsome face and wipe that smirk off it. She’d never met anyone as rude as this guy.

“I don’t have all night,” he snapped. “Get undressed and lie on the bed.”

Her temper flared. “I’m not doing this with you.”

“I am not in the mood to play games with you, Emilia. I have honored my part of the deal by paying off those monsters who wanted your father’s head and his business. Now, it’s your turn to do your part.”

Her anger disappeared. He was right. She owed him.

She finished undressing and stood in front of him naked. He scanned her body with his eyes, leaving a trail of heat on her skin. She could feel his desire for her and it stirred something within her too.

“Lie down,” he ordered her and she obeyed quickly.

He joined her on the bed and ran his hand over her soft body. Emilia gasped with pleasure, surprising herself. She couldn’t believe that she was getting turned on by this man that she didn’t even like.

“Look at me,” he said softly.

Her shy green eyes met his hazel eyes. He kissed her tenderly while his hands continued to roam over her body. He touched her thighs and she shivered with excitement.

“I – I haven’t done this before,” she stuttered.

He smiled. “We’ll see about that,” he replied and slid a finger into her.

Emilia gasped and closed her legs, trapping his finger inside her. That little taste of intimacy had sent her to the edge of heaven.

He withdrew his finger and got up. And then, he began to get dressed. Emilia was confused.

“What are you doing?”

“Getting dressed. I have a date tonight. I just wanted to be sure that you and your father weren’t playing tricks with me.”

The humiliation she felt could not be described in words.

“Wait, so you were just checking to see if I’m truly a virgin?”

“Of course. I paid a high price for you, so you must be worth it. I’ve got to run. My date is waiting for me.”

“But you can’t just leave me here and go on a date with another woman!”

“I can do whatever I want,” he replied coldly. “You knew the terms before you agreed to marry me. It’s none of your business if I decide to set up a harem in this house.”

“Then what the hell am I here for?”

“To be my trophy wife. This isn’t a love marriage, Emilia, so don’t fool yourself by expecting something you’ll never get.”

His words cut her like a knife. Tears gathered behind her eyes but she blinked them away.

“When my sister returns from her trip tomorrow, she will take you shopping for new clothes and accessories. My mother will train you on how to be a perfect hostess and select which charity events you’ll be attending this month.”

“I can’t believe this…” she whispered.

“Believe it. This is your life now. The sooner you get used to it, the better for you.”

He walked away through the adjoining door on the opposite wall which led to his room. Emilia was speechless. This wasn’t what she’d expected when her parents talked her into marrying the billionaire in exchange for his money and protection.

She grabbed her phone from the bedside table and called her mother.

“I can’t do this!” She wailed as soon as her call was answered.

“You can and you will,” her mother replied firmly. She didn’t even bother to ask what Emilia meant because she knew.

“You don’t understand, Mom. He’s horrible!”

“Don’t say that, Emilia. Why are you so ungrateful? Have you forgotten what that man has done for us?”

“I don’t care!”

“Well, you should. This isn’t just about you, Emilia. You’re doing this for your family. Now, get off the phone and do whatever your husband says.”

The line went dead.

****

“I haven’t seen Kane in three days,” said Emilia.

Lillian giggled. “You’ll get used to it, darling. My brother is a workaholic.”

“But why isn’t he coming home after work?”

“The mansion isn’t his only home, you know. He has a condo near his office. He likes to stay there sometimes with Kendra instead of bringing her here. Mother doesn’t like her.”

“Who’s Kendra?”

“Oops! I’ve said too much. Sorry.”

“Is she his lover?”

Lillian gave Emilia a sympathetic look. “Yes. They’ve been dating off and on for four years but things have been steady between them for a year now.”

“So, why didn’t he marry her?”

“Because our mother would rather eat needles every day than accept a lingerie model/social media influencer as a daughter-in-law. Besides, Kendra is not the marrying type. She’s too restless for that.”

“I’m surprised that she still agrees to be with him after knowing that he’s now married.”

“And that’s because she knows that you’re only married to him on paper. No real wife will allow her husband to spend their wedding night with his mistress.”

Her words sounded like insults to Emilia but she couldn’t deny that her sister-in-law was right. She was like a new piece of furniture in the Beaumont mansion. She had no say in anything, not even in her so-called marriage.

“What would you do if you were in my shoes?” Emilia asked innocently.

Lillian shrugged again. “Either play along or change the game. I’d change the game if I were you though.”

“How?”

“I can’t spoon-feed you, Emilia. You’re a twenty-three-year-old woman, for heaven’s sake. The best I can do for you is to tell you where Kane’s condo is and you can do whatever you want with that information.”

That was all the encouragement Emilia needed. She knew exactly what to do next.

“Excuse me,” said the doorman. “You must be mistaken. Mr Beaumont is not married."

“Yes, he is and I am his wife,” said Emilia firmly. “Please, let me in.”

As she stepped forward, the doorman put his hand out to stop her. The security guy that came with her stepped out of the gold Bentley parked in front of the building and came to join them.

“Let her in,” he said with authority. “Or you can ring up and let Mr Beaumont know that his wife is here to see him.”

The doorman recognized the security man and he was stunned. “I – I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize – “

Emilia pushed past him and entered the building before he could finish speaking. She went straight to the reception area and introduced herself to the attendant. The lady was stunned too.

“I wasn’t aware that Mr Beaumont is now married,” she said with a nervous laugh.

“Now, you are. Which apartment is he occupying?” Emilia asked crisply.

She was following Lillian’s instructions perfectly. Everyone must recognize her authority and respect her.

“That’s 604b. But, ma’am, I think he’s with a….guest.”

“I know,” she replied and walked confidently to the elevator. Her heart was beating wildly in her chest but she pretended to be calm.

When she reached the apartment labeled ‘604b’, the door swung open before she could even knock on it. Kane stood there, glaring at her like an angry beast.

Emilia drank in his gorgeousness like a thirsty horse. His muscled 6-foot-2-inch body was sweaty and bare except for a white towel that was tied around his lean waist.

“Yes?” he growled at her.

Her confidence evaporated like smoke.

“Will you talk or are you just going to stand there and gawk at me like a deer caught in headlights?”

“Well, I – I wanted to find out why you haven’t been home since… since our wedding night.”

He smiled from one corner of his mouth. “Oh, I didn’t realize that you were missing me.”

“Not exactly, I mean, I just wanted to know if you’re ok.”

“You could have called.”

“Yeah…”

“Who’s it, baby?” a woman’s voice called out from inside the condo.

“The janitor,” he replied.

Emilia’s face turned red. How dare he disrespect her like this? She was his wife, goddammit!

“What is wrong with you?” She asked him angrily. “I didn’t force you to marry me. You and my father made a deal and now, I’m the one paying the price.”

“That doesn’t sound like the janitor,” said the woman inside and she pulled the door wider to see who Kane was talking to.

She was a tall lady with messy blonde hair and sharp grey eyes. She wore an oversized T-shirt that left her thighs and long legs exposed. Her nails were painted a bright red that contrasted with her fair skin.

“Who’s this?” She asked with a raised eyebrow.

“His wife!” Emilia replied sharply.

Kendra Banks slowly ran her eyes over Emilia from head to toe and back again, and then she threw back her head and laughed very hard.

It was the most irritating sound that Emilia had ever heard in her life.

“OMG, Kane. Are you serious? Is this the mouse you married?”

“Stop it, Kendra,” he said but Emilia could see that he was struggling not to laugh.

“Why are you here, wifey boo? Wanna have a threesome with us?” Kendra asked her with a naughty wink.

“Excuse me?” Emilia was shocked.

“Go home,” said Kane. “And don’t ever come here again unless I invite you.”

He shut the door in her face but she could still hear Kendra laughing inside the apartment like a mad woman.

****

“That didn’t end well. Sorry.”

Emilia glared at Lillian. That embarrassing episode had been her sister-in-law’s idea and now here she was admiring her perfect manicure.

She was back at the mansion and they were sitting in the art room. It was a large room filled with a display of paintings and artwork. It was Lillian’s favorite room in the house.

“You know, what? I really like you, Emilia and that’s why I’m going to be straight with you.”

“Ok.”

“You need to find a way to cope in this marriage.”

“What do you mean?”

“Find a hobby, do something to take your mind off Kane and that giraffe he’s hanging out with. You’ve seen her, haven’t you? You can’t compete with that, so don’t bother.”

“So, I’m meant to be miserable forever?”

“There’s no perfect marriage, my dear. Not even the ones built on love, and I’m speaking from experience. Our father had mistresses too and our mother didn’t die because of that. Instead, she outlived him.”

“I see.”

“Find a way to cope.”

“How?”

“Go shopping.”

“We did that three days ago.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, darling. You’re married to a billionaire and there’s no such thing as too much shopping. Travel, hang out with your friends, and do exciting stuff. You won’t even have time to worry about Kane or whatever he’s up to.”

Emilia thought about it. Maybe Lillian was right. She needed to distract herself and keep busy.

“I could go back to my teaching job,” she said excitedly.

Lillian was horrified. She stared at Emilia with wide eyes.

“No way, darling. That is not allowed. The Beaumont women don’t work like that. We host grand events and support charities. That’s what we’re cut out for.”

“But you have a university degree, don’t you? What do you use it for?”

“Please, don’t interrogate me, Emilia. It’s not ladylike.”

“I don’t get it.”

“Don’t mention that work thing to my mother, by the way. It will annoy her.”

Lillian flipped her long black hair that’s always styled in a sleek ponytail and then checked her wristwatch.

“Ooh, it’s almost Crystabel’s bedtime,” she said and got on her feet.

She was nearly as tall as Kane and had the same features as him, except for her brown eyes which she shared with their younger brother, Jack.

“Think about all I’ve said, dear. And please, stop frowning. It will give you wrinkles.”

She kissed Emilia on the cheek and sashayed out of the room. Lillian was by far nicer than her older brother who has spent the past couple of days treating Emilia like trash.

She hadn’t counted on being this unhappy when she agreed to this marriage of convenience.

“Lillian said I’d find you here.”

Kane’s deep voice brought her back to reality. He was dressed casually in a white polo shirt and navy pants. His wavy black hair was neatly combed and he smelled like expensive wine.

He looked like a model on the cover of a magazine and Emilia’s body immediately reacted to his beauty.

“I see you finally managed to tear yourself away from your lover. I hope it’s not because of me.”

“No. She’s hosting a gig at a nightclub tonight.”

“Good for her. At least, she gets to do what she enjoys, besides sleeping with a married man.”

“Don’t be dramatic, Emilia. What do you want?”

“Me? Nothing. I’m just happy to be your latest collection in this room right now. Lucky me!”

He chuckled. “Sarcasm. I love it,” he said and began to approach her slowly.

“I know what you want, but your pride won’t let you say it.”

“And what’s that?”

“This,” he said and leaned down to kiss her.

Emilia melted like butter. If she truly had any pride, she would push him away and tell him to get lost, but she didn’t. She couldn’t.

“Let’s continue this in the bedroom,” he murmured against her lips.

She was tongue-tied. Desire had her in a choke hold and she couldn’t fight it. He held out his hand to her and she accepted it and followed him.

Emilia couldn’t tell if she walked or flew or floated beside him. All she knew was that they ended up in his bedroom and he was peeling off her clothes like a desperate man.

“Wait, I don’t know how to do this stuff,” she said nervously.

“I’ll show you,” he said and began to undress too.

When Emilia saw his full unclothed body, her breath ceased. He was a beautiful man in every sense of the word.

“Wow…” she whispered.

“Thank you,” he replied confidently. “You’re beautiful too.”

He freed her long chestnut-colored hair from the bun it was tied in and ran his fingers through the strands. He then drew her close and kissed her. She was a petite woman and she fit snugly in his arms.

Emilia didn’t know that a kiss could make her feel the blast of fireworks going off inside her body right now. She had been kissed before, but it never felt like this.

“I like how you respond to me,” he drawled.

“I don’t have a choice,” she responded.

He touched her and she shivered with excitement. Any apprehension she ever felt about making love for the first time disappeared in that instant.

She wanted him and she wanted him now. She let her hands roam over his chest and back, feeling his taut muscles and liking how he moaned in response.

“Come here, I need to feel all of you,” he said and carried her to the bed.

He did things to her that made her sigh with pleasure and blush in equal proportions. When they joined together, the beauty of the moment overshadowed the slight discomfort she felt from his first entry.

“You’re amazing, Emilia,” he sighed as they rode the waves of ecstasy together.

“I love you,” she said.

He kissed her and held onto her as they climaxed. It was by far the most delightful intimate experience of Emilia’s life.

She snuggled into his arms when it was over. He may not love her or be in love with her, but this moment was priceless.

“Go to your room,” he said drowsily.

“Huh?”

“I said, go to your room.”

Emilia was confused. “I don’t understand. This is my room too.”

“No, it’s not. It’s mine and it’s my private space. We’re done for tonight, so you can leave now.”

Humiliation washed over her. Was a husband supposed to talk to his wife like this? A ten-year age difference didn’t give him the right to talk to her like a little brat.

“Sometimes, you act like an asshole!” She fired at him and got up.

He grabbed her arm and pulled her against his chest. Their faces were only inches apart.

“Don’t you ever call me an asshole again,” he said through clenched teeth. “Is that clear?”

“Yeah.”

“Say yes!”

“Yes.”

“I’ll remind my mother tomorrow to get someone to start tutoring you on how to act respectably and speak properly like a lady.”

She snatched her arm away from him and got off the bed.

“I’m not a charity case for you and your family. I’m fine just the way I am.”

“I don’t agree but I won’t argue with you. Get out of my room.”

“Now, who needs to be tutored on good manners?”

“Don’t make me lose my temper, Emilia, get out!”

“To hell with you!” She lashed out and began to pick up her clothes from the floor.

“Don’t ever come near me again, you hear. If you want to have sex again, go to your lover.”

“I didn’t need your approval for that, but thanks anyway.”

She marched out of the room through the adjoining door and slammed it hard. Oh, how she hated Kane Beaumont.

This will be the last time she’ll let him humiliate her like that. Never again!