The Billionaire’s Creed

ADLEY

I feel so embarrassed.

I was aware of the fact that this day would come that I had to face and end this foolish, irrational fear of the unknown. Knowing that it was only in my head, I couldn’t let that trauma control my life.

Mykel was right. And I’d been too caught up with the illusion that I could live with it. And I had been living with it for sixteen years.

“Adley, I’m still waiting.”

“Yes.” Mykel slipped the ring into my finger and kissed my hand. As soon as I said yes, I heard the applause behind us. I wasn’t aware that we had an audience.

Then we were served two flutes.

“To our future together.” He proposed a toast with a huge smile on his handsome face.

I lifted and sipped the champagne. Mykel joined beside me again.

“How long is the flight?” I completely forgot to ask. I was still pretty shaken until now, but I held on to his promise that he would not leave my side.

“Five. Maybe less.”

“Five?” I covered my mouth with my hand, and his gaze dropped to the engagement ring.

“It looks perfect, almost like your eye color.”

I checked it out. “Whoa! This is not what I chose.” No wonder it was a little heavy.

“I made a little upgrade,” he proudly said.

“A little? You mean huge.” I inspected it. The center stone was around four or five-carat in a cushion cut. What shocked me was the two rare blue diamond stones on both sides. I’d say it was stunning.

“Do you like it?”

“Superb. You’ll have it back after a year.” I didn’t know why I said that, and it did a little twinge in my chest.

“You can keep it.”

“I’ll pay you back.” I drank the remaining champagne.

“We’ve talked about it, Adley.”

“I know. Sorry. Bad habit.”

I tried to get some rest as I was exhausted earlier. I didn’t know it was too severe until I was already there. Mykel fixed the blanket around me as I leaned to his side. He also adjusted my seat to make me feel comfortable. It was a simple gesture, but knowing we were strangers days ago meant a lot to me right now.

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“Get some rest. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

“I know.” My lids felt heavy, and I couldn’t keep up anymore. I fell into slumber.

I felt a high-intensity quake that jolted me up. “Mykel!”

“It’s okay. I’m here.”

I realized I was gripping his arm tight. His thumb ran circles on my knuckles as they turned white before I let loose. “Sorry. I must have been dreaming. I thought there was an earthquake.”

“It’s normal. Just a little turbulence.” He tucked the strand of my hair behind my ear. “Get back to sleep.”

“How long was I out?”

“Forty-five minutes.”

A lough erupted behind us. That must be Elise and Blaze and his guys.

“They’re playing cards. Wanna join them?”

“Tempting, but I’d rather stay in my seat.”

“Baby steps. I understand.”

“How about you? Aren’t you bored? Wanna use the bathroom or something?”

“I’m good.”

“Are you sure?” I raised my head and looked up at him.

He nodded. “Yes, baby. Now get some sleep. No more talking unless you’re hungry.”

“I don’t think I can eat something right now. I don’t wanna throw up.”

“Okay. Let me know if you want anything.”

“You can do whatever you want if I fall asleep. I’m sure you have a lot of things to do.” I felt sleepy again. My voice slurred in the end.

***

We arrived at the hotel earlier. Thankfully the entire flight went uneventful. After I showered, I applied makeup and put on a mini dress because Elise and I had plans. This girl was incredible. I got it why Mykel was fond of her.

I put my Bride to Be sash on. I looked in the mirror, asking myself once again.

The door pushed open.

“Elise?”

“It’s me.”

I turned around, grinning like a fool. “How do I look?”

There was a prominent frown between my best friend’s brows. “Is this really what you want?”

“I just asked myself that in the mirror.” I pursed my lips.

“And?”

I shrugged.

“Damn it, Adley.” I knew this would come up. “I’m not gonna sit here without saying this out loud because you are my best friend. For fuck’s sake, it hurts that I’m still the last person to know.”

“I know you’re gonna argue and withstand my decisions.”

“Because this is not you. You’re throwing your life away. This is too much even for your inheritance. And you went overboard with this payback.”

I sighed and went to sit on the edge of the bed. “This is your idea, remember?”

He huffed out his irritation. “Are you really going to marry that guy? I mean, yeah, you two are financially stable, but are you sure you wanna do this? Think about this again, Adley.”

“I thought about this a thousand times.”

“Maybe you need to do it a million more. You are always planning ahead of time, so meticulous and calculated about your actions and decisions. And you’ve never been this reckless and impulsive.”

“Blaze-”

“Look, if you’ve thought this through, then I’m with you. If this is what makes you feel fulfilled, then do it. Remember, he may demand something you can’t give and feel guilty about it. You may feel something toward him, and you know his rep. I don’t wanna see you getting hurt.”

“We signed a prenup, and we have conditions. This is only for a year or less. And this is not to dissuade or get payback against my grandfather. I want what’s rightfully mine. And he’s going to arrange me to someone else to get what he wants, anyway.”

“So, are you gonna stay with him after this?” Blaze looked painfully disputed.

“That’s our agreement. Just to make our marriage looks believable.”

“Of course, and this a real marriage, Adley, even if this seems like a scheme to me. Nice ring, by the way.” He looked down at my finger.

“Adley?” A soft knock followed.

“I think your fiance is a little excited.”

“Are you in there?” It was Mykel behind the door.

“Yeah. Come in.”

The door swung open. “Blaze, you’re here.”

“I was trying to talk sense into her deluded brain, but it seemed that she already made her mind.” Blaze turned and walked out of the room, leaving us in profound silence.

“He will come around and understand why I am doing this,” I said to a stunned Mykel. My chest still felt heavy, and I felt like crying.

“He cares a lot about you, and if I were in his shoe, I’d feel the same.”

“Wow. You made me a lot awfully better.” I rolled my eyes.

“Adley, he is your best friend, and I thought you keep him in the loop about your plans.”

I stood up and picked up my purse. “I hate you right now. You might as well tell your family before they find it out from someone else,” I said as I stomped toward the door.

“That’s the plan. My mom, anyway. The rest, I don’t give a fuck.”

“You might have to refrain from using that word more often when I’m with you.” I was angry at him, at everything that didn’t go as planned.

He was stalking me toward the elevator, pressing the button to the lobby. “Adley.”

I ignored him and his devastatingly handsome look in a crisp white shirt and blue suit. He watched me through the lift mirror as I entered in silence.

“You’re gonna ignore me the whole night?”

One thing he had to learn was if I was beyond mad, I chose to keep silent. I avoided the things I might say and regret later.

Finally, we reached the lobby.

“Let’s get this thing over with.” I walked out.

Sax and Kye were already there waiting, as did Blaze, and Elise smiled brightly at me. She was such a free-spirit human.

“Let’s go.” I hooked my hand around her arm as we walked away from them. We got drunk tonight because this would be the last few hours of my single life.

The dance floor was crowded. The smell of alcohol, sweat, and perfume was crazy. I was sweating everywhere and on my third shot of tequila. Elise was a light drinker, so she chose to be sober with a club soda.

“I’d been missing a lot!” I yelled at her. My heart was pumping hard as I danced with her. “Who cares about tomorrow when what we have is today? I mean tonight, right!”

She was laughing at me. “I think you’re a little drunk, Adley!”

“I want this life! I can’t remember I had fun like this. I mean, Blaze and I went to the club sometimes, but this is-” I stopped talking. “He’s mad at me!”

“It’s okay. Blaze understands. Trust me. He’s scared that you might be getting hurt.”

“Can we get out of here?” I felt emotional. My chest squeezed tight.

“Sure.” She held my hand as we got out of the crowd. “You’re gonna be okay.”

“You sound like Mykel right now.”

“You would be in good hands. Mykel is a good guy, believe me.”

“I wanna go back to the room.” I ignored her words of encouragement because, honestly, it was not helping.

Elise helped me out of my shoes and dress as soon as we got into my hotel room. I was drunk, but I still knew what I was doing. I went to the tub and soaked myself. Suddenly, I felt the water comforting.

“Thank you for being here with me.”

“There’s no place I’d rather be.”

“Am I stupid?”

Her brow arched, twirling her blonde hair. “Why’d you say that?”

“I’d never been this reckless in my entire life. Yet, somehow, it feels right.”

“Then it’s all that matters. At first, I was a little hesitant and not on board with this. Honestly, I care about my boss more than anyone. He pulled me out from that dark place and gave me this life.”

“What do you mean?”

“I fell for the wrong guy years ago. I lost my scholarship and apartment, but I thought I was in love, so I didn’t care. Mykel was just starting up at that time. He almost ran into me while I was with a small duffel, walking out of the apartment building of my ex about to cross the street.”

“Your ex kicked you out?” I stared at her in shock, my insobriety fading.

“Yeah. I thought Mykel was a gang member picking up girls and selling them for sex slaves.”

I laughed with her.

“He explained to me his line of work. He gave me his card and a hundred bill. He told me no strings attached. I was sleeping in the shelter at that time. Then I called him. He paid for my senior year tuition, and I got the best job in the world.”

“I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks. And Blaze is behind the door. He wants to talk to you.” She got up and walked out.

Blaze came in, shaking his head, amused this time.

“I think I drank a lot.”

“Looks like it. Yeah.”

“Can you forgive me?” I asked sincerely.

“No forgiveness necessary. And I had a little chat with that bastard.”

“I still want you to forgive me.”

“You’re forgiven.”

“Did you break his nose?”

“And then what? Sue my ass for an assault charge? No, thank you. Considering he is taller than me, I don’t even have a chance. But if he breaks your heart, I will run him over a roller.”

We cracked into laughter.

“You know I love you, right?”

“I actually doubted that for a second.”

I hit him on his arm.

“Kidding. I love you, too.”