The Arrangement: Book one in the Seattle Billionaires Series Read online

  The Arrangement

  Book one in the Seattle Billionaires series

  Nora Ford

  Text copyright © 2018 Nora Ford

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the Publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter One

  Talia

  I just got off the phone with my mother. It was the third time today, and it’s driving me crazy. Though I kept telling her that it’s a business meeting and not a date, she doesn’t get it. She is so excited about my meeting this evening and checking with me every couple of hours.

  However, every time she uses a different excuse for her call, this time she was telling me that Timo, my son, ate his supper and is playing in the garden. That was clever of her because my son comes on top of my priority list and my work comes second, what she refuses to understand is that men are not on this list at all.

  Since my divorce six years ago I’ve sworn off men for good. My mom won’t accept that though.

  I have a great family; they are loving, caring and supportive. Although I didn’t follow my father’s footsteps and didn’t study medicine like my sisters, they weren’t disappointed.

  When I dropped out of college and left everything behind to move with my husband to England, they respected my choice although they weren’t happy about it.

  When I came back a year later, broke, pregnant and with no college degree, they never said we’ve told you so. They encourage me to start over and even financed my courses in graphics and web design, after my ex-husband took every cent of my trust fund.

  They taught all three of us that one has to love what one does to excel. That is what I do, I love my work, and I am good at it. With my son and my work, I don’t have time or energy for anything else, and I like my life the way it is. However, my parents and sisters worry about me all the time.

  As much as I love them all, they could be a pain in the ass sometimes. My mom wants all her daughters to have what she has with my father, a perfect marriage. They have been married for thirty years now, and they still love each other dearly. But it’s a gift not everyone can have.

  They fell in love and got married in England, while my dad was in his first year of residency.

  My mom was a nurse at the same hospital. Shortly after my elder sister, Olivia was born, she quit her job to become a full-time wife and mother. Although she loved her career, she was happy with her role as a wife and a mother.

  When my dad decided to return to the states a few years later, my mom left her country, her family, and her friends and came here with him. That was twenty years ago, she never regretted it. She always says with the right person one can be happy anywhere.

  She is probably right, but the right person doesn’t always exist, I learned that the hard way. I quickly pushed the memories from my mind, when I caught myself thinking about my painful marriage experience. I got up and started to get ready for my meeting.

  Two hours later, I was dressed to the nines and sitting in my car on my way to the restaurant, where this meeting is going to take place. I don’t meet with clients outside their offices, but Adam Grant was an exception.

  He is a legend when it comes to money and success. He was only twenty-four when he took over his father’s investment company. In a little less than ten years, he turned it into an Empire.

  He is now one of the wealthiest men in the states; he was only thirty-two when he made it to the Forbes world’s billionaires list. He radiates charisma. Everything about him is public news. Like everyone, I read that he recently broke up his engagement. Although I wasn’t interested in his personal life, a story like that was everywhere.

  I tried to make an appointment with him for weeks, but it was hopeless. So, I decided to take another approach. I stormed into his office last week dressed in jeans and a hoodie. I knew I had only a few minutes before his assistant could get the security, but all I wanted was to get his attention, and I got it. I left him my proposal and contact numbers and left before his assistant could return with the security guard.

  I knew I was taking a risk, but I had nothing to lose. My proposal would end up in the trash bin if it went through the conventional channels. I couldn’t believe it when Adam’s assistant called and told me about the meeting details. I didn’t hesitate and instantly agreed.

  I desperately need the money I will make doing work for him. Most of my clients were small business owners, who needed my help to set their web pages or online shops. After I do the initial settings for them, they do the rest themselves. This wouldn’t be a problem if I have new clients every day, but this wasn’t the case.

  I need to do some work for bigger companies, which would regularly use my services, so I can maintain a reasonable income and can pay my bills.

  My parents won’t mind helping me with the bills, but I don’t want that, I need to be able to do it on my own. I am twenty-seven, and I find it awkward asking my parents for money. If everything goes well this evening, I won’t need their financial support.

  After walking into the restaurant’s door, a young waitress welcomed me. When I told her my name, she politely accompanied me to Adam’s table. I’ve never been here before, but I’ve heard about it. One has to wait for weeks to get a table here. However, I don’t think Adam had to wait. Some rules don’t apply to everyone.

  Chapter Two

  Talia

  Adam was already seated and checking something on his phone. I instantly saw him, the way he filled out his designer suit took my breath away. This is a business meeting, I reminded myself.

  He noticed me and stood as I approached. A wave of heat surged over me when he reached out and took my hand in his. His penetrating stare and confident smile quivered as we shook hands.

  “Ms. Jones, thanks for meeting me on such short notice.” His eyes scanned me from head to toe and a small smile touched the corners of his mouth. From the expression on Adam’s face, I could tell that he liked what he saw.

  I offered him a smile as I removed my hand from his. “I don’t normally meet with clients outside their office, but…” before I could finish my sentence, he said with a grin. “For me, you made an exception, everyone does, but I appreciate it anyway.”

  I didn’t know, how to respond to this arrogant comment. So, I chose to let it slide. To hide my nervousness, I buried my face in the menu in front of me and I was thinking, Things aren’t going as planned. Adam dominated the space by simply being there.

  Much to my relief, the waitress came and took our orders. After she left, I asked him. “So, what do you think of my proposal?”

  “Sorry, but I didn’t have a chance t
o look at it yet.”

  “What is the point of this meeting then, if you haven’t read my proposal?” I asked confused.

  “I have another offer for you, and I think it would be much more lucrative.” He smiled widely and exposed his perfect teeth.

  This conversation was going all wrong, and I didn’t like it, but I asked and tried to sound as casual as possible. “What kind of offer?”

  Before he could answer, the waitress came with our orders. Although I wasn’t hungry, I tried to distract myself with the food in front of me. I was hoping he won’t notice, how nervous he is making me.

  After the waitress left, we ate in silence for few moments, then he finally said, “It’s an unusual offer, one you won’t get every day. I want your exclusive services for a year, and I am going to pay you 100,000 $ a month. On top of that you’ll get a million dollars in cash when the year ends to my satisfaction.”

  I could feel his eyes were on me all the time. He was carefully studying my reaction to his words. I didn’t know how he was expecting to respond and I honestly didn’t care. One thing was clear though this meeting was a huge mistake, I was about to correct it.

  I opened my purse and got my credit card out, but he stopped me before I could call the waitress.

  “What are you doing?” He wanted to know.

  “I am paying for my food. Thanks for your offer but I am not a call girl Mr. Grant.” I answered, while I was searching the place for the waitress, who took our orders.

  “Now you're insulting me.” He said and sounded upset.

  “We’re even then,” I said shortly, I was still scanning the place for the waitress and couldn’t find her anywhere.

  “You’ve got me wrong; I didn’t mean it that way. Believe it or not but I don’t have to pay for sex. Besides, sex is the last thing I want from you.” He said with a grin this time.

  I don’t know why I felt this way, but I was upset. Not that I want to have sex with him, but the fact that he doesn’t find me attractive bruised my ego. However, I didn’t show it and just asked him. “Then what do you want from me, Mr. Grant?”

  “Adam please and I want to marry you.” He said simply.

  “Sorry, what did you say?” I asked confused.

  “You’ve heard me right the first time. I want to marry you. If you say yes, we will get married this Friday.” He answered, but I could see my reaction amused him.

  “Sorry, but I don’t understand,” I said confused.

  “You must have heard about my engagement to the senator’s daughter and the scandalous photos of her and her new boyfriend while wearing my ring.”

  He looked me in the eye to make sure he got my attention, and then went on, “She is doing this on purpose to embarrass me. I gave a statement and said that I broke off the engagement, but it’s not enough I need to get married soon. So, I’ll give the press something else to talk about.”

  “I still don’t get it; you broke up with her why do her news and photos affect you?” I asked again.

  He took a deep breath and tried to explain again. “Everything about me is news. Negative publicity doesn’t only affect my image in the market, it also scares small investors and makes them sell their stocks and shares in my companies. I am losing money with every photo she publishes. So, I need to act quickly.”

  “I see now, but why me? Wouldn’t a young model or someone prominent be a better choice?” I suggested.

  He shook his head, “No, I thought about that, but it would scare the shareholders even more.” “They would think I am spending their hard-earned money on a gold-digger.” He explained, but I wasn’t convinced.

  “You, on the other hand, are a perfect choice. You belong to the upper middle class, and you come from a respectable family. You will represent stability and people will love you.” He pointed out.

  I nodded “Okay, I see your point but won’t you have this problem again when we get divorced.”

  He shook his head and said. “No, we are going to come up with a good reason for the divorce, like the fact that I’m workaholic and married to my company. This way I’ll gain the trust of the shareholder, and you’ll gain the sympathy of the people. It’s going to be good for you as well.”

  He was waiting for me to respond, when I didn’t, he took out a business card from his pocket and gave it to me. “I have to leave now but here are the contact details of my publicist.”

  When I made a perplex expression, he added, “He is the one responsible for my websites, logos, and all these kinds of stuff. If you decide to refuse my offer, you can still contact him with your proposal. I am sure he will be glad to work with you.”

  “Does this mean I can still do work for you even if I say no?” I asked cautiously.

  “Yes, but if you decide to accept, I will be waiting for you in my office tomorrow at ten. However, at ten thirty this offer will be off the table. I hope you will make the right choice.”

  He signaled to the waitress to bring the check, who came running this time. After he paid the bill, he rose up and just left.

  Chapter Three

  Talia

  There I was, sitting speechless and confused by his offer when he left. I didn’t know how to react to this insane proposition. I probably should forget about it and call his publicist. A chance was all I wanted to gain from this meeting, and I got it. So why the hell do I think about this crazy deal?

  I was still wrapped up in my thoughts when the waitress came to ask me if I would like something else. I politely declined and grabbed my purse to leave. On my way out, I noticed that other guests were staring at me. “Great one meeting with Adam Grant and people start talking.” I murmured to myself when I was walking to my car.

  Before I left the parking lot, I called my mom and asked her if Timo can spend the night. I knew she would love to have him, but still, I had to ask. After I hung up the phone with my mother, I drove to my sister’s apartment. I needed someone to talk to, and I couldn’t think of anyone other than one of my sisters.

  My sisters and I are best friends; we can tell each other any and everything. We’re close to our mom too. However, I can’t discuss this arrangement with my mom; her answer would be a big NO. She believes in love, and forever, a wife for rent isn’t her kind of thing.

  Olivia, my older sister, isn’t an option, she is married, and I don’t get along with her husband. So, Tessa, my younger sister is the better choice. She is only two years younger than me, and she is a good listener. She is a second-year resident doctor, she is specializing in Gynecology and Obstetrics, and she works crazy hours.

  On my way I stopped to buy some essential groceries, I knew her fridge would probably be empty. I had a key to her apartment, but I was praying she would be home. I didn’t bother to ring; I used my key. If she is home, she would probably be sleeping.

  She wasn’t there, but I decided to wait for her. I was putting the groceries away in the fridge when I heard the door close.

  “Tal!” I heard her calling.

  “In here,” I answered.

  “Hi, what are you doing here?” She asked.

  “I am stuffing your fridge, what else?” I said.

  “Thanks, if it weren’t for you, mom and Liv, I would starve.” She gave me a weak smile. She looked exhausted.

  “Why are you doing this to yourself?” I wanted to know.

  “This is the price you have to pay to be a resident doctor.” She shrugged.

  “Yes, but you look like shit.” I was stating a fact.

  “Thanks for pointing it out, I feel like shit too. I wish I could say the same about you, but you look gorgeous tonight. A hot date?” She grinned.

  “No, a business meeting,” I said shortly.

  She gave me a suspicious look and asked, “You’re dressed like this for a business meeting?”

  “Go take a shower and change these scrubs, while I fix you something to eat and then we’ll talk,” I suggested.

  She frowned and said, “You sound serious
, but you’re right I need to shower first so that I can feel like a human again. See you in a few.”

  “Take your time,” I told her on her way out.

  I quickly went to change into a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. I always leave few things for Timo and myself here and at my parents’. It’s practical and efficient. Half an hour later, I set the kitchen table, and I was waiting for Tessa. She came a few moments later dressed in a sleep shirt. “Coffee please.” She said.

  “No, eat something first. I can’t believe you’re a doctor and have all these unhealthy habits. You should set an example for your patients.” I scolded.

  “I tell my patients to do as I say not as I do. Besides, I am not pregnant; I can drink as much coffee as I want.” She shrugged.