The Billionaire’s Creed

ADLEY

My first thought was to run away after seeing myself standing in front of a jewelry shop. But looking back at what was at stake, it was a one-way trip. I had to do this.

“This one.” I showed Mykel the ring I chose. It had no center stone yet, but it was gorgeous.

I imagined myself wearing an engagement ring one day, but never had I imagined it would be today and by the man sitting beside me, whom I despised for being so vocal about his opinion.

He took it from me. “I like it. The wedding band, baby.”

He kept calling me that, which might stick for another twelve months. Sometimes, I felt I was blushing, and he knew the effect of his endearment on me.

I chose the eternity design, while he preferred pure platinum faceted squares around the band with a single stone in the center for himself.

“I like that one.”

“Really? I need your honest opinion since you’re a designer.”

“Suits you perfectly.”

His smile was contagious. “Thanks. I’ll be right back.” What I least expected was kissing the top of my head. I sat frozen for a few moments before realizing I had to be accustomed to this public display.

When he came back, he was already on the phone. “Don’t ask many questions, Dash. I’ll send you the details.” He hung up and sighed.

“Was that good or bad?”

“Good. Who are you chatting with?”

“Number 3 in my conditions.”Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

“I’ll read it through. The rings won’t be ready until tomorrow.”

“So, we’re ready to go?” I hurried to my feet.

“I’ll pick them up tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

I was surprised to see his ride waiting for us in front of the shop.

“Thank you for doing this.”

He simply replied as if it was just another day in the office, “You’re welcome.”

Everything seemed to go as we planned. One disturbing thing was his actions-Mykel seemed so okay with all of this. I was overwhelmed by the generosity he offered, and that terrified me.

Throughout the ride, Mykel was busy typing on his phone. I tried not to overthink how my life would be after we got married. And I still wondered about his terms.

One thing that was clear to me- he couldn’t stay celibate for the whole year or six months. He had needs. I did too. And what if I wasn’t ready to offer it. Or what if he wanted from somebody else?

“Adley?”

I was startled to feel his hand on my arm.

“Where did you go?”

I turned to face him. “I wonder how my grandfather reacts to all of this. Can you keep this just for the two of us for a while?”

“Of course.”

“Thanks again.”

Kye opened the door from my side.

“Sax will pick you up at seven.”

“Why?” I stopped.

“To discuss our conditions and the documents.”

“I’ll inform my lawyers.” I nodded. I completely forgot about the prenup. Was this really what I wanted? To fight for my birthright and give my grandfather the taste of his own medicine?

“Of course.”

“See you later.”

***

At precisely seven, Sax arrived at my apartment building.

“Constantly seeing Mykel now?”

“We’re discussing business, and you said it yourself, to give him a chance.”

Blaze smiled. “You don’t have to explain, even if it goes more than business. I want you to be happy.”

“I have to go.” I kissed him on the cheek. “Have fun. I love you.”

My ride drove smoothly through a busy city street. And it seemed Sax was briefed to talk less.

“Would you like me to play music, Miss Kross?”

“Did your boss tell you to do that?”

“No, ma’am.” He met my gaze through the rearview.

“How did you end up working for Mykel?”

“Through a mutual friend. Mr. Wollf recommended Wilder and me to Mr. Creed.”

“Cenric Wollf.”

“Yes, ma’am. His best friend owned the private military contractor I work for.”

“How is he without the money and power? I mean as a person. I know you’re not allowed to say terrible things about your boss. Your own opinion matters.”

“He’s a chick magnet, probably because of his fortune and looks, but he’s also a good man, generous, and has a heroic tendency.”

I completely understood what he meant. In fact, that exactly was what he was doing right now-trying to be heroic.

Everyone had a good and darkest side. Aside from hating his father, what secrets lay beneath that handsome playboy capitalist shtick, I couldn’t wait to peel off those layers until I got to know my future husband better.

I should give him the benefit of the doubt.

Sax already informed me that Mykel was in his office. I arrived at his penthouse and knocked, and the automatic door welcomed me.

I found him working on his laptop. The muted wide tv monitor flashed the current stock exchange and on-time data of cryptocurrencies.

“Is it a bad time?”

“Nope. You know you don’t have to know or wait for me to tell you to come in, have a seat and offer you drinks.” His eyes were still glued to the screen.

“You’re working.” I dropped my handbag on the new sofa set. Then I sat on the chair in front of his desk.

“Nah. An email from Elise.”

“You can finish that.” I rose from my seat when I saw the uneven drapes and cushions. I got back to the chair after I was satisfied.

“You can’t help it, can you?” There was humor in his voice.

“I mean, you spent thousands of dollars for that. It’s gorgeous, by the way.” I smiled.

“Six, no. Nine, definitely not. Three and five are negotiable.”

I followed him and sat beside him on the sofa. “Why not?”

“First, who are a married couple living in separate places?”

“I’m not moving in with you,” I answered dryly.

“Then I’m moving in with you. I’ll kick Blaze out.”

“You can’t do that.” My eyes narrowed in a pure challenge as I glared at him. My frustration rose, but it all vanished into thin air-one thing I didn’t expect was the expression in his eyes that stole my breath away. I even forgot for a second that I was annoyed at him. I asked, stunned. “Why in the hell are you smiling at me?”

“Now we look like a real couple.” He released a short laugh.

I tried hard not to smile. I did it anyway.

“We must make it believable in your grandfather’s eyes and that scumbag ex of yours.”

“Ex?”

“May I remind you that you’re now my fiancee.”

“I haven’t forgotten about that. But he was never my boyfriend or ex in the first place.”

“Have you heard from them since?”

“The ex texted me.”

“What the fuck does he want?” he asked harshly. “That’s one of the reasons why we should move in together. Nine.”

“Nine. Why is it definitely not?”

“I’m not gonna sleep with anyone throughout our marriage. If I do, I’ll tell you. And the same goes for you.” Into my astonished speechlessness, he inquired, “Is there someone I should be worried about?”

My head snapped at him. “No. If I had, do you think I would have gone out to meet a stranger and asked him to marry me instead? And you, on the other hand, that’s why I wanted to be open. Well, you have needs. Maybe there is someone somewhere that you visited often.”

My heart stopped dead. I found him gazing at me with such blazing intensity. We stared at each other for I didn’t know how long until I felt my skin was on fire. I was the first one to break eye contact. Otherwise, I lost my focus on the matter at hand.

“I don’t have. You are gonna be my wife, and I’m gonna be your husband. Three, I will provide for everything in the household. I won’t accept anything from you in any form; cash, cheque, wire transfers, digital currencies, or tokens. Nothing. If you want to buy something, I won’t stop you, but what is needed in the house like groceries, gas, bills, and broken furniture needs to be fixed or replaced is on me.”

“Then what’s wrong with number five?”

“I promise and swear not to force you to do anything you don’t like. I won’t touch without your consent, but we need to hug or kiss from time to time when necessary for the show. At home? Fine, but I won’t say no, and I’m always here.”

“Sleeping arrangements?”

“We can sleep in a separate room when just the two of us like here in the penthouse. We’ll sleep in one bed in your apartment or other places like your grandpa’s house.”

“Anything else?”

“We’ll go together for parties, and we should have two days’ vacation every month.”

I wrote it down. “Agreed.”

“And you can’t stop me from buying gifts for you even if you can afford them. And I know you threw the flowers I sent you.”

I wrinkled my nose, amused. “How?”

“I have eyes everywhere.”

We had dinner together and shared a light conversation.

“I was an A student until junior in college when Grandpa started prohibiting me from going out with friends.”

“I had no choice but to maintain my grades. Maybe that’s why I was like an animal on the loose when I finished college-but never used drugs. That’s one thing I would never try. How about you?”

“I partied. I got drunk to the point that I passed out. I also never did drugs. Someone spiked my drinks. Thankfully, my driver was with us at that time. And grandpa paid a college student to look after me.”

“He’s that overprotective of you, huh?”

“Yet I’m still a disappointment.”

“You’re not. You’re just your own person, someone who has her own dreams and stands for them. There’s nothing wrong with taking your own path. You did good. I heard your team are those not hired from different companies.”

“Should I ask how did you know all that? Did you pay one of my team to spy on me?”

“You’re not that observant, are you?”

“Blaze?”

“No. Not exactly.”

“Is he sleeping with Elise?” I asked in shock.

Mykel didn’t answer me, and I took it as a yes. He took our plates and cutlery instead.

“How long have you known?” I helped him out with the glasses and napkins.

“Two days ago. It wasn’t that Blaze spilled everything. Maybe it just came up in the conversation. I hope you don’t mind my assistant is dating your best friend.”

“I really don’t mind as long as Elise won’t break my best friend’s heart. She seems a good person.” I placed the bottles on the island while he cleaned the Chinaware before putting them into the dishwasher.

“I said the same to Blaze the other day.”

I faced him. “Let me guess, you threatened him.”

He pursed his lips. “Kinda.”

“I wonder what he said.”

“He was surprised that I knew.”

“Glad you’re okay with that.”

“We’re flying to Vegas tomorrow after we sign the prenup and pick up the rings from the shop.”

“What?” I froze in motion. “I’m not ready?”

“What do you have to be ready for?”