The Billionaire's Unwanted Bride

Tessa's POV

Aidan is not picking up his calls. I am going crazy with fear and anger. I am trying to calm myself down as I pace the floor of my room with the phone glued to my ears.

I am already dressed and I can't think of one single reason why he hasn't come to pick me up. Why can't he send his driver if he is busy?

He sent me the dress I am wearing and I can't even wait for him to see me in it. I have a new hairstyle and I have glamorous makeup on my face.

I don't want to go alone because I want us to go to the party together. This is my plan and that of Trevor's. Besides, Aidan also said the same thing yesterday and this morning and now I can't think of anything. "Goodness", I flop to the bed. "What the hell is happening?" A sudden feeling of uneasiness sweeps through me.

Something isn't right, I say inwardly.

Did something bad happen to Aidan? Why isn't he here yet? Should I just tell the driver to take me there while I wait for him in the car then we can go out together when he arrives? What if the media sees us coming out from different cars?

I sit upright, trying to figure out what the problem is. Should I call my father or Trevor?

It is past 8 pm already and I was told the event was going to start at 7 pm.

I can no longer stay here and die of curiosity. I should go and see things for myself, I say inwardly and pick up my phone from the bed.

I stand up and begin to walk to the door when the door opens and Zoe comes in. I am relieved she is here. I had called her after waiting and calling Aidan for 30 minutes. Zoe and I were supposed to go to the party differently since Aidan was supposed to come to pick me up.

"What happened?" She questions with wide eyes. She looks at me from head to toe, waiting for a reply. I don't even know what to tell her. I am having a sinking feeling that the reason why Aidan isn't here is really bad and not favorable.

"Tessa?" She touches my arms. I am jerked out of my thoughts by her touch and I move to the bed to sit. I am beginning to have a throbbing headache. Zoe follows me in and closes the door.

I admire her dress. She is wearing a mini backless party dress with black heels. Her hair is loose and she is wearing stud earrings. I am wearing the lavender dress Aidan sent to me, instead of my initial plan to wear a high neck red velvet party dress with black heels.

The lavender gown has a slit up to my thighs and I love it. I am wearing it because I love it and because Aidan choosed it.

"Tessa", Zoe calls me again as she sits beside me on the bed. I am looking towards the window opposite the side of my bed. It has a brown sofa beside it and I feel like sitting on the sofa to get enough air from the window.

From my bed, I can see how great the night is but it isn't great for me and I am having a feeling that it will turn bad if Aidan doesn't pick for the last time.

"Aidan isn't picking his call, Zoe", I tell her, still looking out of the window. I can feel tears welling up in my eyes but I am determined not to let them fall. Not until I know the reason why he isn't picking his calls. "What? Why?" She questions with a furrowed brow.

"I don't know." I shrug.

"Maybe he is busy or something. Get a grip of yourself, he will call you soon."

"Aidan is not the type to go late to important events like this. We are an hour late already", I stress sadly.

Zoe looks thoughtful for a while after my remark. "What could be wrong then?"

"I have no idea."

"When was the last time you spoke?"

"This morning, before I called you", I reply.

"Ok. Should we go together then?"

"His father said we need to come together", I say to her.

"What do we do then?"

"I don't know", I stamp my feet on the floor in frustration. I want to cry.

Why is Aidan disappointing me? My phone rings and I pick my phone up quickly. It is Trevor.

"Where the hell are you guys?" His angry voice booms into the phone.

"I'm at home, I haven't seen Aidan yet", I try to stay calm.

"What?" Trevor exclaims.

"Isn't he there?"

"That's why I am calling, I haven't seen him. He can't come here without you, I have been calling him...."

"He isn't picking right?" I ask him.

"He doesn't pick my calls, even now", he says in a low tone.

"I have been calling for the past 30 minutes and he isn't picking. I just hope he is fine."

"Goodness! I hope Damien hasn't..."

"Let's be positive", I cut him short. I know what he is trying to say. Another call comes into my phone and I see dad's name flashing on the screen.

"Let me call you back, Trevor." I tell him and quickly disconnect the call, to listen to what dad has to say.

I know he is calling to scold me for not being at the party yet but the fault isn't mine, or is it?

Dad and I reconciled the day after Trevor insisted that I talk to him. I had to swallow my pride and call him. He told me he was just planning to call me too and I practically jumped up in joy. I went home and I promised to begin work if he would help Aidan to win the award.

He refused until I told him Aidan did not reject me on purpose. I told him Aidan rejected me because we fought during that period and he was still mad at me which is why he misbehaved.

Dad didn't believe me until I called Aidan two days later when Trevor had informed me of how Aidan had agreed to marry me. Dad spoke to Aidan on the phone and he gave him his word. Aidan is going to win, he said to me in confidence.

I believe him, I believe in his power and I know Aidan will definitely win. Damien or whoever his opposition is will be damn disappointed. Aidan deserves the award anyway.

"Tessa?" He calls calmly. I can sense an uproar from the background and my heart skips a beat in fear.

"Dad?"

"Where are you?"

"I'm still at home, I haven't seen Aidan," I declare.

"Tell the driver to bring you, I want you to be here in ten minutes", he orders sternly.

"Ten minutes? But I can't leave without Aidan....."

"You can't leave without him?" He scoffs. "You are so stupid, Tessa. Aidan is here already."

"What?" I am shocked at the outburst and the announcement of Aidan's presence there.

Why is he there without me? This isn't what we agreed on. Why isn't he picking his call? I thought something bad happened to him. What the hell is happening?

"Yes, Aidan is here with another woman who is his supposed bride-to-be", he yells.

"What?" I tremble, as I feel a sudden cold engulfing me.

What is father saying? How can Aidan go to the party with someone else?

Father hangs up and I turn to stare at Zoe who is silently waiting for me to tell her the reason for my exclamation and sudden tears.

I don't even know I am crying until I begin to feel the wetness on my face.

"I am doomed", I shout and break down into tears.

****

Evelyn's POV

I catch Mr. Adams staring at me as the driver increases his speed. I smile shyly and look away. He is sitting beside me in his black suit. He looks good and I told him earlier about his looks.

I am wearing an Asym off-shoulder party silk gown. I didn't have any work today because of the event but I lied to Anna that I was going to work because I didn't want her to know I was going out with her friend's father. Pamela doesn't know either, which is why I didn't tell Anna.

I left home with a bag where I kept my dress and heels including the makeup I will be using. I was glad when Pamela asked me to help with her makeover, she said she was going on a date with her boyfriend. was glad because she won't see me going out with her father.

After she left, I quickly got dressed and we left in his car.

He clears his throat and I glance at him with a smile again.

"I have a sort of confession to make", he utters, without a smile and I wonder what he wants to tell me. My heart is beginning to race again.

"Ok?" I begin to fidget with my fingers nervously like a little girl about to be wooed by her crush.

"I want you to act like we are together", he mutters shyly. I didn't get him so I keep staring with confusion.

"My ex-wife might be there and some of my colleagues who think I have someone, so I just thought you should act like my wife or girlfriend, just for tonight."

I am confused. My heart is racing. I don't know what to think. I don't know what to say or even how to feel.

Should I be happy or sad?

"I'm willing to pay you, Evelyn", he says when I didn't reply to him. He must think I want to decline. I guess this is why he asked me to be his date in the first place.

I have no problem doing that, I thought after swallowing a lump of regret. I gave it a deep thought and I realized he didn't like me like I thought he did. He is only asking me for favors as he said in the first place. "What do you say?" He questions impatiently.

I am here already so I see no reason why I should opt-out. This might be the greatest opportunity of my life.

"I'm in", I reply firmly, with a new sense of the feelings.