Chapter 14 Iknew when I got this job I would be working with bigger artists. Playing in the real game and not just from the sidelines. I hoped that I would have a decent amount of say when it came to what music we would be writing and pitching. That I could let my creative freedom run rampant in the studio the way it does in my head. And I dreamed of using top of the line equipment to execute it all. But I never imagined that it would all come true and for more money than I've ever thought I could make. I also never thought that I'd wind up in the Hardin family and that I would be going to elite dinners at posh restaurants in NoCa with three month waiting lists and private performances by rising artists. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ ƒind ηøᴠel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Yet here we are. I've pinched myself enough times to leave marks on the inside of my thigh and I haven't woken up. Which means I'm not dreaming. I will say, though, that I wish I'd had more time to prepare for this. I have literally nothing to wear. I own a lot of dresses but most of them look better suited for concert going than cocktail drinking. Between being a rule following, mother figure to my younger sister by day and a music writing alt girl at night I supposed I'm a bit of a walking contradiction, and my closet currently doesn't make the cut. Other than maybe the dress I wore in Vegas. When Kate chose it for me, shoving me with the dress into a dressing room and holding me hostage until I stripped down and walked out in it, I swore that if I did wear the dress it would only be in Vegas and after that, it would just happen to end up in a Goodwill. Not that it's not gorgeous, it is. But blood red, shapely Marilyn Monroe style dresses aren't my go-to so I planned on tossing it, along with the memories. But I couldn't... And now, here I am again, pulling that dress on because it's the only thing in my closet that comes close to looking chic enough for cocktails on the rooftop of Seared Steakhouse and Cocktails. I am ready to walk out the door when I get a text. My heart does a somersault when I see that it's from Callum. Callum: I just pulled up to your apartment complex. Amanda: Oh. I didn't know we were riding together? Callum: We're married... I really, really wish he'd stop reminding me. And even if it's necessary, it would be nice if he didn't say it so casually. I start to type out a text telling him I can't go through with this. But I think of the studio. Of the paychecks. Of the way I feel when I get up in the morning knowing I am about to go write music at Hardin Records and I backspace until the text screen is clean. Amanda: I'm on my way down. I shake my head at my own inability to back down and tell myself that this, all of this, is for the greater good. I just have to play along. And with how many games I've played to survive living in my sister's shadow over the years, I think I can manage one little fake relationship and a hidden accidental marriage. "Remember," Callum says as we ride the elevator up to the roof of Seared. "Just smile. Look like you're supposed to be here." "Am I though? Supposed to be here I mean." I shift my weight tugging at my dress. It feels weird wearing it anywhere other than the strip of Vegas under the lights of the city. "You are my wife, legally and for our agreement. So yes. As far as everyone in that room is concerned, I chose you. I want you. And everyone in there is going to believe it." "I'm glad one of us is confident. I'm not great at working rooms," I mumble, pulling at the hem again. God, was it this tight in Vegas? My boobs are shoved up and out so far I can hardly see my feet. I could have toilet paper stuck to the heel of my stiletto and I wouldn't even know. "We aren't just going to work the room, Amanda. We are going to rule it. Also," Callum reaches out and takes my hand in his. "Stop fussing with the dress. You look incredible." My breath catches in the back of my throat and my heart slams into my ribcage. Is this...acting? The door opens and we are still standing there, staring at each other, his mouth close enough to mine that if I simply tilted my chin up, our lips would touch. But he looks away, his jawline sharp and an intense gaze in his eyes. The elevator literally opens to the rooftop lounge and heads turn our direction. Callum puts his hand on my lower back, his skin warm on mine, and he guides me out. "Just keep smiling," he says almost without moving his lips. We make our way through the small lounge, past the tiny candle-lit tables occupied by formally dressed couples. A bar stretches across the wall lined with hundreds of bottles all lit with a warm orange light. We head out the back to the patio overlooking the city. There, a handful of people sit at the only table. The Hardin's. I recognize Noah, the agent from yesterday who led me upstairs. With him is a thin woman in a sleek black dress. She has warm brown skin and an easy smile and a tattoo of a black rose on her collarbone. Next to Noah is Avery. I know him because he looks similar to Callum but a little rougher. His features are sharper, and he's got a glint in his eyes and a mischief on his lips that tells me he is the more reckless of the Hardin twins. A tall, also thin, woman with long straight blonde hair and a pink ball gown is sitting across from Avery next to the girl with the tattoo. There are two vacant chairs next to Avery and the blonde, saved for us I assume. And after that, sitting at the head of the table is Hiram Hardin. I know it's him because I've looked him up more than once. He's also all over the internet and there are several framed photos of him throughout Hardin Records. He stands up, along with Noah and Avery. "Son. You made it." Hiram shakes Callum's hand before his eyes trail over to me. "And who is your guest?" His eyes fall on me hard and it takes everything in me not to curl up into a ball or even leap off the edge of the building. I very much do not fit in here. But Callum doesn't waver. He doesn't miss a beat. And his hand is still sitting warm on my back. "This is Amanda. She is our new writer." "I see. I didn't realize we were choosing random plus ones. Maybe I would have asked the secretary to join us." I can feel the heat in my face, as much as I try to keep it hidden. I am nothing short of mortified. But then Hiram lets out a haughty laugh. I look at the table and see Avery smiling as well. Noah's face hasn't changed (it never does), and the girls look bored. Callum doesn't so much as blink. Instead, he pulls my chair out for me next to the blonde, and I sit. I very, very much could use a drink. Though the idea of eating anything right now makes me want to puke. I also feel disoriented not sitting next to Callum, but I guess it's customary to sit across from your partner. The waitress is beautifully prompt in offering me a drink menu and I immediately order a gin and tonic without even looking. "Would you like the Aspen?" she asks and I just stare, reaching for the menu again. "I'm sorry, I don't know what-" "It has muddled blueberries and juniper berries in it," the girl with Noah says with a smile. "Oh, that sounds lovely. I'll take one of those." I giggle nervously and it's an instant regret. Avery is arching an eyebrow, Barbie is disgusted with me, and Hiram's eyes are heavy on me. The waitress doesn't even ask Callum what he wants. She probably knows what he wants. She probably knows what everyone wants because they all belong here, and I don't. Minutes later, she sets our drinks down and another server brings out some appetizers for the table to share. Oysters, caviar, and the fanciest charcuterie board I've ever seen. I reach for my drink, give it a quick stir, earning me my fourteenth dirty look from Barbie and take a sip. It's lovely. Florally and sweet and heavy on the juniper. In other words, it tastes expensive, and I don't hate it. "So, Callum, you still haven't introduced us." Hiram says, his gaze melting a hole in my face. He's smiling but I know better than to believe it's real. Or that he likes me. I mean I technically work for the man, and he has no idea who I am. "Of course," Callum sets his drink down and smiles at me. I can't tell if it's real or not. On one hand, I've seen this man smile. Laugh even. It took getting him half naked and a little drunk, but he did it. "This is Amanda, our new ghostwriter." "This is Amanda?" Hiram asks, sitting up straight and sweeping his eyes over me like he hasn't just spent the last eight minutes staring at me. "Isn't that interesting." I look at Callum, hoping for a clue as to what that means. Good? Bad? I really need a bone here. I decide to drink more instead. "I hope it's okay that I joined you," I say, looking around the table. "I just started and-" "It is kind of odd. New hires aren't usually a part of these dinners," Avery says flatly, and I can feel the heat rising to my face, starting in my chest. Callum sits up straighter, takes a sip of his drink and clears his throat. "I invited her because she is my partner." "In...songwriting?" Avery asks. "In life," he states. Shit. Barbie looks up. "You mean like...you're a couple? How cute. I'm Zoe." Of course you are. "Nice to meet you." I extend my hand with an equally plastic smile. This is one of those 'we will be friends by social association but if I ran into you at the grocery store, we would pretend not to see each other' sort of things. Also, I'd never run into her at a grocery store. She probably has Ken do her shopping for her. And speaking of Ken. "You're dating?" Avery asks, looking at Callum with only his eyes. It's almost weird looking at them from this angle. They're twins but very much not the same person. The only thing similar between them is the fight for dominance. "Actually, that's why I brought Amanda along tonight. There's something I-we- need to tell everyone." Double shit. Every eye is on us. Hiram's heavy gaze, Avery's questioning stare, Barbie's now batting eyes, the girl with the rose tattoo who seems genuinely engaged in whatever is happening, and Noah who is literally open mouth grinning while chomping on crushed ice from his empty drink. "Amanda and I have been seeing each other for a while." "Have you now?" Hiram asks. "Of course you have..." Avery mumbles. "And while we were in Vegas...we got married." Fuck. My. Life. I literally want to crawl under the table. I am actually looking for somewhere to run away to. The panic on my face has to be visible. But then I feel a knee under the table touching mine. It's not an accidental bump either, but a warm, steady press. I look at Callum and his eyes grab ahold of mine, deep and steady. And just like that, my breathing slows. Pull yourself together, Amanda. You have worked crowds before. These Met Gala wannabe's are no different. Actually, they probably have been to the Met Gala but that's not the point. I smile and brush a stray lock of hair back knowing full well it's not going to stay. "Yep. He told me he was headed to Vegas and asked me to join him. And then, while we were alone after landing that incredible artist, he asked me to marry him and...we did it." "Oh, my God that's precious!" Barbie purrs. "Can I see the ring?" Callum's eyes widen slightly but I just smile again. "I took it off. It's a literal rock and Callum didn't want you guys to see it before we announced it." Avery lets out an indifferent, "Mm." Callum ignores it, so I do too. "Well, I think we need another round," Hiram says, snapping his fingers at the waitress who literally doesn't need to be summoned. We are her only table and she's literally just standing by the table waiting for her next move. "Let's make it champagne! Dom Perignon for the table." Jesus. I didn't even know how to properly pronounce Dom Perignon, and I've definitely never had it. A moment later the table is lined with glasses, and the waitress is pouring. Once we all have it in our hand, Hiram makes a toast. "To the happy soon to be couple!" We clink and drink and the edge finally starts to come off. Zoe is rambling about wedding things and how she and Avery might tie the knot and Noah and Callum share some inside jokes. The food slowly starts to disappear, and a third round of drinks is enjoyed. Meanwhile, more questions are asked, and Callum and I work fluidly together to answer them. "When did you meet?" "It was a while ago. At a concert. I was scouting talent, and she was drinking a beer." "Why haven't we met her before?" "We were taking it slow." That one low key makes me chuckle inwardly. "So, you got married in Vegas?" Jesus... "Did anyone see? The press could be a shitshow." "Nobody saw. We were very private about it." I mean if the press were going to grab-and-go with anything it would have been that auction. "Well, that's convenient!" Zoe coos. "Yeah...convenient." Avery grins. But Callum doesn't waver. And honestly, despite everything, I am having a good time. Maybe it's the muddled Hendricks. Maybe it's three-hundred-dollar champagne. Whatever it is, I'm enjoying myself. I mean why not? As things are starting to wrap up, I excuse myself to the bathroom. I check my hair and wash my hands and honestly, I'm feeling pretty good about myself. One of the stalls opens and Noah's friend with the rose tattoo walks out. "Hey," she smiles and it's as warm as her flawless skin. "I don't think I introduced myself. Actually, I've been meaning to for a few days now. I'm Cass. I work in recording." "Oh. Oh! Yes, I think I saw your name on the soundboard. Incredible soundboard by the way." "It's mint. 1969." "This entire thing is just unreal," I laugh. "It's a lot to take in when you're new for sure. I've seen your profile though, and I'm sure you'll be fine." "God, I hope you're right. I was a little worried out there for a minute." "Okay between you and me," she leans in. "That crowd out there is not the crowd you will normally deal with on our end of things. Those are the ties. The deep pockets. Save for Noah and sometimes Callum when he's willing to admit it, they're not artists. We...we are the painters of their vision." "Well, you and Noah seem great together," I tell her. Cass laughs. "Oh honey, Noah and I aren't...I mean...he's my friend, nothing more." "You sure? I feel like you'd be perfect together." "The man has a dick and that's not my vibe," "Oh...Oh! Okay, I got it." She laughs again. "Just remember one thing. Be honest and true with yourself and real with everyone else. You'll go far. And be careful with those Hardin men, if you know what I mean." I do know what she means. She's telling me to protect my heart. But lucky for me, I am not in love with any Hardin men. I'm married to one, but not forever. And no one needs to know that part. As we are getting ready to leave, Hiram shakes my hand, holding it for a moment. "I may have been wrong about you, dear. You're a lovely girl and I am happy to have you on our team and even happier that you will be keeping Callum in line, in more ways than one. I don't know if you could tell. I don't know if any of you could tell but I am a tired man." We are standing in a circle with Hiram in front of me and Callum's hand is back on my lower back again. Warm, comforting. "You've been tired for years," Avery jokes and while Hiram is smiling, there is something behind it. "I have to be honest with you boys. With all of you. This world has been catching up with me. And it's hard to do it alone. It's taxing to say the least. And my health...has been declining." "Oh no," Cass frowns genuinely. "Dad?" Avery asks, and Callum's brow furrows. "I think you're just tired, like you said," Callum says. "We'll get your driver-" "I'm not just tired, son. I'm sick." The circle stops abruptly enough that it almost feels like the whole world stops with it. "Turns out I'm not as invincible as I thought. And knowing that my sons have found their significant others is important." Callum's hand weighs heavier on my back. On the drive back to my place, it's quiet. Halfway there, I break the silence. "Did you know?" "No." "I'm sorry." Suddenly I realize what he must be thinking. Hiram's urgency to pass the company down is on a clock. A physical clock. A lot of things are making sense now. But it almost makes the stakes much higher. We pull up to the complex and he insists on walking me to my door. I pull my keys out and look up at him, feeling a small smile on me. "You were pretty great back there, you know," he says, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Just doing my job," I smile back with a shrug. "It's not easy to sway Hardin men into liking you when they're dead set on not." "I don't think Avery likes me." "I don't give a fuck what Avery thinks," he says, and I can't help but laugh. Callum smiles and it feels like a real smile, even if it is a bit rueful. "For real though. The way you shifted the mood back there, it was impressive. I could just about kiss you for it." The air between us fills with static. "That's not part of the contract." I say. "I thought kissing was permitted." "Only in public. For sake of show." "Ah. Missed the moment," he rocks back on his heels. "Have a good night, Amanda." With that he walks away. And I have no fucking clue what's going on anymore. Title: Accidental Billionaire Bride Author: CrushReel Genre: Romance, CEO, Sweet Romance, Modern, Romantic, Office Status: ongoing In "Accidental Billionaire Bride" by CrushReel, a surprising twist reveals that she unknowingly married a billionaire. As they navigate through misunderstandings, their hearts slowly intertwine. With the wise guidance of his grandmother, their journey unfolds in unexpected ways. This sweet romance novel delves into themes of unexpected love and the complexities of relationships in a modern office setting. The characters' gradual emotional evolution adds depth to the narrative, making it a captivating read for fans of CEO romances and contemporary love stories. What sets this story apart is its delicate balance between heartwarming moments and intriguing plot twists. Dive into the world of "Accidental Billionaire Bride" on CrushReel for a delightful escape into a tale where love finds its way amidst unforeseen circumstances. Available to read at CrushReel.