" I don't mind getting married to him, as long as he keeps to the end of the deal we are good" Sophia said with no form of optimism to her mother. She really didn't care at this point the pressure to get married from the press and her family was no longer breathable
"It's just for a year my love"Claris pacified her as she looked at her daughter a bit worried
"Let's make it 3 years it's more believable" her cousin Matthew suggested as they all sat in her office
"Matthew has a point, three years seems believable. At least no one would suspect when you file for a divorce " Claris Concordes but Sophia wasn't having it
"Three years, how do you expect me to stay with a total stranger for three years" the audible disgust in her voice as her nose shrugged looking at her mother
"He's a fine young man Sophie, you both will get along so well" Matthew added pouting his lips as he applied lip gloss to his already well moisturized lips
"I don't care Matthew" she was exhausted from the daily talk and match making at this point
"It's just three years Sophie, you can stay in separate rooms. You just need to do this" her mother tried to make her feel better about the situation
"No, I'm not agreeing for three years, at most a year" she folded her arms. She was in disbelief ,how on earth did her mum persuade her to do this.
She swallowed hard and let out an exhausting sigh as her head ached from the work of the day
"Fine then, two years " Claris stood her ground and wasn't backing down on the two years contract
"Fine" Sophie rolled her eyes in agreement
It was the only way she was going to agree to get marred at least. Sophia inherited her fathers company at a young age and she did well to keep his name and reputation for so long. Marriage wasn't on her mind and neither was it on her list on things to ever do
Francis Duke on the other hand was at the verge of loosing his share in his company, if he wasn't legally married in 6 months. What better combination than the two desperate singles trying to hold onto power and wealth
"And what's her name " he asked his assistance Jude who stood behind his desk with an iPad
"Sophia kings" he replied showing him a picture of Sophia
"Sophia kings, that name rings a bell" he had heard of that name before but where exactly
"Yes, she's the executive head of Kings Group of Company "Jude explained smiling ear to ear
"She's beautiful " he complimented the dark brown haired young lady on the iPad
"Yes she is. And very powerful" Jude added almost immediately
"Schedule a meeting for Monday by 9"
"Okay sir" he nodded and excused himself from the office while Francis mind was clouded with a lot of thoughts
"A year couldn't be that bad, and after that we go our separate ways, I have my share in the company and she keeps her father's company " he raised the glass of wine he sipped talking to himself in his office
3 weeks later
"They just arrived ma " Sophia's secretary informed Sophia as her eyes were glued to her laptop. Taking a sip of the black coffee from the tea cup
"Let them in" she said without raising her head a bit
"Okay madam"
Francis stepped into her office, his demeanor was very noticeable, his dark hair and blue eyes caught Sophia as she looked at him, he was prettier in person than the pictures. That didn't really matter at this point, It was all business.
Francis caught her eyes on him. She was beautiful, slender and with very beautiful eyes, the gaping length of her top exposed her cleavage a bit too much making him feel uncomfortable. His eyes roamed her body, she was definitely eye candy he smiled within
He was handsome she thought to herself , still sitting . She smiled a bit at the thought of the adventure she was about embarking. Maybe this wasn't that bad
"Have a seat" she ordered with no form of expression on her face. Francis looked at her in disbelief, she was rude and pompous, at least she could have stood up for a handshake but what did he care, it was all a contract
"I'm sure my mother has informed you on the situation at hand" her gaze moved slowly to Francis. He was a fine young man she must say, the well tailored suit hugged his body a bit too well, making her imagination wander in ungodly ways and she didn't mind
She had flirty eyes, she talked slow and poise, she was seductive those were the right words. She exuded power and authority, she was a woman that knew her strength. Francis looked at her observing her a bit too well
Sophia was spoilt, she had everything ,anything and anyone she wanted. She was the owner of Kings Group of Companies.
After her father passed away, she inherited everything he owned at 22, but in his Will he gave her 10 years to settle down and get married or else everything that belongs to her will be given to charity and time was definitely not on her side
She had less than a year to get married, but Love was far from it for her. She had any man she wanted, she couldn't imagine boxing herself in a life of living with just one man for the rest of her life
"The contract is self explanatory " she continued fingers crossed as she spoke
"Hi Sophie, good afternoon" he greeted In a bid to make her realize she didn't welcome him well
"Forget the formalities Mr Duke, we're here for business" she rudely said rolling her eyes
What a spoilt brat, how could she not even have courtesy to greet. One year would definitely be long and hard with her. He expected someone more simple, someone timid and nicer, it was a contract marriage so he expected the agency to pick a girl,any girl not a billionaire. Not Sophia Kings
The news headline and the blogs were definitely going to run with the talk
" Billionaire Francis Duke weds the famous Billionaire Daughter Sophia Kings" he let out a sigh of disappointment when he realized what he got himself into.
This wasn't the arrangement ,this was definitely a match made in Hell.
But on the other hand it was the perfect business strategy for both companies
"I'm sure my mother has informed you of the contract, it's simple and straight forward, we get married in 5 weeks, live together for a year, make a news about infidelity, I move out and divorce after a year, making the contract two years" she explained briefly, Francis smiled in disbelief
"Three years" he asked laughing out loud
"And what's funny Francis " Sophia felt mocked as her eyes eyed him
" one year and we're done" they stared into each others eyes, this was definitely not the best match.
Sophia wasn't ready for back and forth . It was two years and that was final
"Seems you didn't go through the contract before signing " she asked raising a brow at him.
She didn't like his audacity, he was too formal, she would have preferred someone different, maybe someone with a 9-5, that needed the money attests not Francis Duke. She had heard tales and different stories of the young mannerless billionaire and she wasn't one to be intimidated by looks or statue
"Luckily I haven't signed anything yet Sophia" his voice was stern and serious
"Two years "she bargained
"One year"he wasn't ready to change his mind
"Two years and that's final" she wasn't up for negotiation
"One year Sophia Kings" he didn't flinch as his jaw clenched
"No one would believe if we get married and divorce in a year"
" I don't bloody care" Francis was serious and he meant every word he said as their eyes were fixed in an intense gaze
"I'll send you the reviewed copy of the contact, sign it and send it back" with audible anger in her voice as a pleasing smirk drew on Francis lips
"See you in 5 weeks, Mrs Duke" he left the office
Francis wasn't one to talk so much, he said few words and listened more. He didn't care about anyone, he didn't have any form of emotional attachment to anyone
Sophia on the other hand was bent on everything going as she planned, if it wasn't her way it was no other way
"Three hundred and sixty five days and we are done" she said annoyed at him
It was three weeks to her wedding and she didn't have an idea of any form of preparation. Laying naked on her bed , the loud ring of her phone woke her up
"Who is it" she replied rubbing the back of her palm against her swollen eyes, warning and stretching on the silk sheets
"Hi miss Sophie, this is Aurora your wedding planner" she informed her over the phone
"My wedding planner " confused to her bone as her eyes widened.
What wedding, a wedding planner ,what wedding planner ? It all sounded strange to her, She had totally forgotten about her plans to get married
"Oh goodness, uhm yes Aurora" she recalled she had hired a wedding planner for her supposed fairy tale wedding
"Today is your dress fitting" she explained over the phone
"Today is my rest day aurora and you know it, schedule for Monday. And I don't think I need a fitting, any dress is fine . As long as it's a white dress we're good to do " she said over the phone as she walked to the living room butt naked
"Okay madam, your court wedding dress has been sent to your apartment already "she informed her . Sophia stared at the well sealed dress on her couch
"Thank you " she ended the call immediately
"It's just a year and it's over " she said calming her nerves a bit
It couldn't be that bad, they live in their separate rooms , live their separate lives and that's it. Marriage scandal and they go their separate ways.
Popping a pill to help her pounding headache ,she sipped a cup of dark coffee rubbing her palm on the nape of her neck exhausted already .
She stood at the ceiling to floor window as she admired the beauty view of the city from her penthouse
"Mrs Sophia Duke, ewwww" she shook in irritation as she mentioned her name with his but that didn't matter it was just for a year
"Congratulations my man" the audible cheer in Leonard's voice as he shook and hugged his best friend
"Thanks" he said smiling in obvious pretense
"You don't seem exited to be getting married, your wedding is in few days and I haven't even met your wife yet" Leonard had his suspicions but not enough to make anything up
"She's really busy with preparation, she will be there for the rehearsal dinner " he informed him.
They had a rehearsal dinner and he had totally forgotten, how do they get married, he had to practice the wedding vows and make it seem believable. Everyone was meant to believe this facade.
"She's really beautiful tho" Leonard threw in a complimented but Francis's mind was far away as reality was about to kick him hard in the ass. He swallowed hard praying silently the wedding would be believable to his family. He wasn't willing to blow this up. He needed everyone to believe himself and his new wife were very much in love