All Chapters of More than a billionaires contract : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

River The dining room was unusually quiet. Sunlight streamed through the floor to ceiling windows, spilling across the polished oak table. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the scent of buttered toast, filling the room with the warmth that contrasted sharply with my mood. I unfolded the morning paper more out of a habit than interest. “You are reading a newspaper?” I looked up. My mother walked into the dining room, dressed elegantly as always. Even on breakfast, she looked like she was in her way to an important meeting instead of spending a quiet Sunday at home. “I didn’t know people still did that,” she teased as she took the seat opposite me.“I like the silence.” She smiled. “A rare luxury in the family.” One of the house keepers poured her coffee before quietly excusing herself. For a few minutes, we ate in silence and I had hoped it would stay that way. “I saw something online last night.” I didn’t look up immediately.“Mhm.” She picked up her cup.

Zara The rest of the drive passed in silence. My question lingered in the air long after I’d asked it. River never answered. Instead, he’d stared ahead at the traffic light as though the question had unlocked a door he’d spent years keeping shut.I shifted in my seat, stealing a glance at him. Maybe I had asked something too personal. His hands rested loosely on the steering wheel, his attention fixed on the road.I bit the inside of my cheek. Deciding not to ask anymore questions and just remain quiet. The city slowly changed around us. The busy streets gave way to quieter ones lined with sleek glass buildings that seemed to scrape the clouds. A few minutes later, River turned into the driveway of one of them. I couldn’t stop myself from looking up. The building was breathtaking. The glass exterior reflected the afternoon sun like polished crystals, and uniformed security guards stood at the entrance, greeting residents as they arrived. Expensive cars occupied almost every

Zara The smell of fresh linen and the unfamiliar softness of the mattress was the first reminders that I wasn’t in my apartment anymore. I blinked sleep from my eyes and stared at the ceiling. For a brief moment I did not remember where I was until I bent my head to look out the window. Then I remembered I lived in a penthouse. A quiet sigh escaped me as I sat up, pushing the duvet aside m. Sunlight poured through the windows, painting golden streaks across the wooden floor. Today was officially my first day living here. After showering and changing, into a pair of jean shorts and an oversized cream sweater, I tie my hair into a loose ponytail before leaving my room. The hallway was silent. I wondered if River was awake or still asleep.As I reached the kitchen, something caught my attention. A single sheet of paper rested neatly on the marble island. Beside it lay a matte black card like the one he gave me last night. Curiosity got the better part of me. I walked over an

Zara By the end of the week, I had settled into my normal routine. River woke up and went to work most mornings before I did. I worked from the penthouse, and it was very exhausting, I missed my normal life and my best friend. And find myself talking to Herbert whenever I needed a break. Living with River wasn’t nearly as difficult as I’d imagined. He was quiet and unpredictable. Organized to an almost frightening degree. But also considerate in ways he probably didn’t even realize. The times I didn’t abide by the rules, he doesn’t complain. He simply just does it. I want to go to the office today and probably have lunch at my favorite spot. I put on a pair of tennis skirts with a crop pink sweater, my pink sneakers and a packed my hair into a bun. A few moments later, the elevator doors opened onto the lobby. A gentleman I what looks like his early fifties stepped inside just as I stepped out. He paused and offered a warm smile. “Good morning.” “Good morning.” “I don’

River The penthouse was unusually quiet when I got home. I loosened my tie as I walked through the living room, instinctive glancing towards the kitchen. Empty. I checked the dining area. Still empty. Her bedroom door was slightly open, the lights were switched off. She was at home. I frowned almost imperceptibly. Normally, by this hour, she would either be working on her laptop, making dinner, or talking to herself while wandering around the apartment. Somehow, in the space of weeks, that had become the new normal. Today was just silent. Different even. I set my keys on the console table and slipped my phone from my pocket. No messages. For a brief moment I simply stood there. She was an adult and she had a driver. So she was safe. There was no need for me to worry. I looked at my watch. Nine-thirty. Before I could talk myself out of it, I tapped her contact. The phone rang twice. “Hello?” Zara answered, her voice as bright as ever. “Where are you?” A beat of silenc