Love For Sale

*BENEDYKTA*

*FOUR HOURS EARLIER*

I let out a yawn when I realized that it was morning, and I was stark naked in the arms of a complete stranger.

I smiled to myself because he was still passed out from last night's events, and I couldn't blame him since we went all night long making love.

I placed a kiss on his cheek, and he groaned deeply but kept his eyes closed.

A part of me didn't want to abandon him, but what happened between us was just a one-night stand with no strings attached.

I gathered my clothes and began to get dressed, but I couldn't find my panties anywhere, and I really wanted to leave before he woke up.

I ditched them, got dressed, and with a heavy heart got out of his car carefully without making a sound. Soon enough, I was back on the road in my own car.

My phone began ringing, and I fished it out of my purse and put the call on loudspeaker since I was driving.

It was my grandfather, and I wondered what he wanted this time because he had clearly done enough damage to my life.

"Hello."

"Benedykta Luisa Fernanda Rebel, where the hell are you? Because I am certain that you did not spend the night in my house."

I rolled my eyes.

"Relax, Grandpa. I just went to have a few drinks at the bar, lost track of time, and fell asleep in my car."

He had the audacity to use that ugly full name.

"I won't have my own granddaughter turn into some whore on her engagement."

I stepped on the brakes as the car came to a halt in the middle of traffic, and the blaring cars behind snapped me out of a trance as I made an emergency stop at some random gas station.

"What engagement?" I asked curiously.

He sighed deeply.

"If you paid more attention to my words, you'd know that your engagement is today. So get your ass back to my mansion before I send your useless friend to come get you."

I scoffed in annoyance.

"This is my life, and you can't keep dictating it for me. When will I ever make my own decision? Because I'm starting to feel like I'm nothing but a puppet in this family."

I could feel my anger boiling.

"Get home now because I won't ask nicely, Benedykta."

And before I could utter a word, he hung up.

I let out a scream, hitting the steering wheel angrily, and the couple next to me probably thought I was crazy.

Well, they weren't wrong.

When I finally calmed down, I decided to call my mother. Maybe she would help me find a way to get out of this mess.

I wasn't ready to get engaged to some random stranger tonight.

She picked up on the second ring.

"Hey, Mom."

"Honey, your grandfather has been calling non stop. Where are you?" She asked curiously.

I sighed deeply.

"Don't worry, I'm on my way to the mansion. But why didn't anyone tell me that I was getting engaged tonight? I haven't even signed that damn contract, and I don't think I can give up my life for the sake of the company."

She remained silent.

"I understand what you mean, honey... but there's something your father and I have been keeping from you."

I narrowed my eyes.

More bad news?

What the heck was up with this damn day?

"What is it, Mom?"

I had a feeling that this had to do with my father's lousy gambling bets.

"Uh, your father may have lost a quarter billion in his betting games."

My eyes widened in shock.

"A freaking quarter billion?!" I yelled furiously.

"He says he's sorry... the company is deep in debt, and if your grandfather finds out, he's going to disown your father or worse, send him to prison for embezzlement."

I took a deep breath.

You've got to be kidding me.

"So how does this concern me? Because you're clearly encouraging dad to gamble with the company."

"Your father and I figured if you marry the son of Mr. Esteban, he's promised to invest five billion into the company's project, and the money will be enough to keep the company afloat. Your grandfather won't ever find out about the missing money."

I didn't want to get involved in this scheme, but again, I felt conflicted because I didn't want my dumb father to end up in jail.

"Benny, sweetheart, are you still there?"

I ran my fingers through my hair.

I was only moments away from pulling it out.

"Fine. I'll marry Mr. Esteban's son, but this is the last time I'm getting dad out of a situation like this. I'll marry Mr. Esteban's son but we'll be married for a year, and after that, I'm filing for a divorce."

I hung up on her and continued driving home. Once I arrived home, I signed the damn marriage contract and prepared to put on a good show.

According to the contract, I had to give Mr. Esteban's son a child within the year of our marriage, and it was the only way I'd be eligible to ask for a divorce.

My gaze lingered on the signature I had written, and it was official.

I was married on paper.

*PRESENT DAY*

I let out a shaky exhale when Nolan got down on one knee and pulled out a ring.

I swallowed hard as he smiled at me.

"Benedykta Rebel, will you marry me?"

My gaze lingered on Mr. Esteban.

"Yes, I'll marry you," I exclaimed softly and kept my eyes on him.

His gaze darkened dangerously, and I smirked at him.

Nolan slipped the ring on my finger and planted a kiss on my cheek.

The guests cheered and began to congratulate us.

Mr. Esteban began walking towards us, and he beamed at Nolan, giving him a quick hug. When he turned to me, I felt the air leaving my lungs when he leaned in close to my ear.

"I finally know your name, Piccolo Fiore."

He pulled away, smiling at me, and I froze in shock.

He was deliberately torturing me.

The man that had kept me moaning all night was going to be my father-in-law.

"Welcome to the family, Benedykta."

I forced a smile when he offered me his hand.

Our eyes locked in a frenzy.

I placed my hand in his.

There it was again.

His touch made my skin tingle.

"Thank you, Mr. Esteban."

He grinned at me, and two dimples appeared on his cheeks.

Something I hadn't noticed last night.

"Please, you're family now. There's no need to be formal. Call me Ambrose."

I nodded quietly and pulled my hand away when he didn't make an attempt to release it.

His gaze made me feel bothered and hot.

He probably thought I was a slut.

"You look awfully familiar, Ben. Have we met before?" He mused, and I nearly choked on the champagne I was drinking.

Nolan placed his hand on my back, soothing me, and I felt much better.

"Are you okay?" He asked in a worried tone, and I glared at his father, who looked equally amused.

He was enjoying torturing me, and I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction.

He was taunting me on purpose.

"I think you probably mistook me for someone else because I was home last night."

He cocked a brow at me and smiled.

My heart skipped a beat, and I knew that I shouldn't be feeling this way about my father-in-law.

It was sinfully wrong.