Nova POV
"Five hundred million dollars."
Calvin Carter, the world's richest man, sat before me as his voice slid across the room like silk over the glass, so calm, and cold.
"You marry me. Give me two kids… Attend corporate dinners. You play the perfect wife in public smiles. But behind closed doors, we don't cross lines unless agreed."
I raised a brow, setting my half-full wine glass down slowly before it slipped. "That's it?"
He snorted as he slid the colored contract folder across the table. "Yeah."
Then I picked it up, flipping through the pages with a lazy smirk. "I spend a hundred million when I am bored. I dropped two hundred million last week on a yacht I forgot I already owned."I stated as I looked up at him.
"Then I will give you twenty million, daily."
My laugh was soft because I was amused by this man. "That's cute. But is it enough to stop me from getting my Starbucks delivered with a side of male company?"
He narrowed his eyes like he was trying to read me."You are not bad at negotiation."
"And you are not bad at making me laugh." I crossed my legs, watching him through half-lidded eyes.
"But before you try to shove your clauses into my perfectly chaotic life, has anyone told you I am not the easiest person to live with?"
A smirk appeared on his face as he leaned forward slightly. "Exactly why I chose you."
I paused, seeing how his finger was close to mine, brushing the edge of the contract. The air shifted, and I liked the nearness too much for comfort… but I didn't show it.
"I can have any man I want," I said slowly, flipping the next page with deliberate elegance. "Any time, any place. Don't mistake this deal for me begging to be your wife. If anything… you are the one getting desperate."
That grin of his returned sharply, "You talk like a smug little party girl." I felt offended by his words and wasn't letting things go easily.
"Well, you are the one who's offering marriage like it's a clearance item." I snapped the folder shut.
"I don't care about rumors or your past. But before you make me your wife, make peace with one fact, I am a weapon on my own."
He tilted his head. "What are your terms then, Miss Vaughn?"
I stood and dropped the contract onto the table between us. "Fifty million Daily. A new wardrobe every week. I don't repeat outfits. I throw parties when I want. I don't celebrate birthdays. And if any member of your over-groomed family dares disrupt my sleep in our mansion… they will leave before breakfast." I expected him to get annoyed and say something but he didn't utter a word.
I turned slightly, glancing at him over my shoulder. "I work late also."
He chuckled, but there was uncertainty behind his eyes. "Fifty million daily? Isn't that a little much?"
"For the lucky billionaire who could buy a continent with loose change?" I smirked. "You are the one doubling your ego every time you breathe."
I turned fully then, brushing imaginary dirt off my shoulder. "If you will excuse me, I have better things to do than entertain someone who isn't ready to be my husband."
I was halfway to the door when he moved so fast before I could grasp it. His hand wrapped gently around my wrist, stopping me.
"Deal," he said simply. "I accept your clauses."
I looked at his hand, then at his face, his expression was unreadable. "Good. The signed contract will be on your desk tomorrow morning."
I tugged free from his grip, "I accept the deal but… What do you?.."
"Don't you dare finish that puzzle," I interrupted his words, "My body is looking so beautiful now but you demanded two kids… don't you think that is enough."
He sighed and nodded, "Guess you won that."
"I get some perks too. You're painfully handsome, which can help me create a mini version of myself. And my parents? They will finally shut up about matchmaking me with sweaty oil tycoons,"
He inhaled like he wanted to say something else, but managed to control himself and Just nodded.
"Good night future husband… Have a nice life," I added with a wink before walking out. I blew him a kiss for fun because why not?
I stepped into the back seat of my car, which was already waiting for my arrival.
Just as I slid the door shut, my assistant, Summer, appeared with a sleek tablet in hand.
"First Task is done?" she asked, eyes already skimming over the next schedule.
"Done," I said with a satisfied sigh. "We move on to the next one."
I smiled at this as my eyes hovered over the building I had just walked out of, "I got him…" I whispered as I stared at the contract.
"Who would have thought he would be that easy to catch?" I spoke out loud and then Summer coughed.
"Well, you work so hard to gain his attention in the first place so I get that he…" My eyes met with her through the rearview mirror and she raised her hands in surrender.
"I was just stating the obvious."
Then my mind flashed back to our first meeting at a high social gathering, I had gotten the news that he needed a wife.
I did my best not to look like I was attracted to him at that gathering and I made sure to always be close to him while I talked about business.
This made him get more interested in me, and between the lines of our business discussion, he popped the question, if I was single and that was it.
I responded by telling him I needed a man who would keep my parents shut from stressing about my life, and just then we clicked.
I might not show how excited I was to him that I could finally approach and get him, but it is the best achievement for me this year.
"Ma'am Your parents are calling." Summer's voice disrupted my thoughts and I exhaled sharply.
"Send them the next script. They're terrible actors, but I am pretty sure they might manage."
"One step closer to the throne, ma'am."
I smiled, lips curved like secrets.
"One empire at a time, Summer…One empire at a time."