Olivia Taylor stood nervously outside the towering building that housed Montgomery Enterprises, her heart pounding in her chest.
She smoothed down the skirt of her simple navy dress, wishing she had worn something more formal for this meeting. She had heard of Ethan Montgomery's reputation as a billionaire playboy, and she didn't want to give him the wrong impression.
Olivia took a deep breath, bracing herself before she stepped through the grand doors.
As she crossed the threshold, she was instantly swallowed up by the overwhelming opulence of the lobby. Her eyes widened as she took in the sheer magnificence of the space. Marble floors glinted beneath her feet, while towering chandeliers cast a warm, golden glow over the room. Sleek, modern art adorned the walls, each piece more abstract and avant-garde than the last.
It was all so intimidatingly glamorous that Olivia felt even more out of place than she had before.
"Miss Taylor?" a voice called out, and she turned to see a sharply dressed receptionist gesturing her over. "Mr Montgomery is waiting for you in his office. Please follow me."
"Thank you," Olivia replied, giving the receptionist a polite nod before falling into step behind her.
Olivia followed the woman down a long hallway lined with glass-walled offices, feeling more and more intimidated by the minute. She couldn't believe she was actually doing this.
She had never even met Ethan Montgomery before today, but he had somehow managed to find her and offer her a way out of her financial troubles. It seemed too good to be true, but she was desperate enough to at least hear him out.
As they approached a set of double doors with a silver plaque reading "Ethan Montgomery, CEO", the receptionist knocked twice before opening them to reveal a spacious office. She gestured for Olivia to enter.
Ethan Montgomery sat behind a large mahogany desk, his piercing blue eyes fixed on Olivia as she entered the room.
"Ah, Miss Taylor," he said, rising to his feet and offering her a charming smile. "Please, have a seat."
Olivia hesitated for a moment before taking a chair opposite his desk. She couldn't help but feel intimidated by him. He was tall and strikingly handsome, with dark hair that was styled to perfection. He exuded an air of confidence and power that made her feel small and insignificant in comparison.
"I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me," Ethan said, leaning back in his chair. "I'll get straight to the point. I've been keeping an eye on you, Miss Taylor, and I must say, I'm impressed by your drive and determination."
Olivia's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You've been keeping an eye on me?"
Ethan nodded. "Yes, I have a habit of seeking out individuals with potential. And you, Miss Taylor, have potential in spades."
Olivia shifted in her seat, feeling both flattered and uncomfortable at the same time. "Thank you, but I'm not sure what you want from me."
Ethan leaned forward, his eyes locked on hers. "I want to offer you a way out of your financial troubles, Miss Taylor. In exchange for a small favour."
Olivia's heart rate quickened. "What kind of favour?"
"I'm a man who values discretion," Ethan said, his voice low and measured. "I need a wife, Miss Taylor. And I believe that you would be the perfect candidate."
Olivia's mouth fell open in shock. "A wife? You want me to marry you?"
Ethan nodded. "It's a mutually beneficial arrangement, Miss Taylor. I'll take care of all your financial needs, as well as the medical expenses for your brother's treatment. In exchange, you'll become Mrs. Ethan Montgomery and accompany me to various social functions and events. We'll maintain the facade of a happy couple, of course, but our relationship will be strictly business."
Olivia couldn't believe what she was hearing. The offer was both tempting and terrifying at the same time. She had not considered marrying anytime soon, and she definitely had not pictured herself getting proposed to like this. Especially not to a complete stranger before, let alone a billionaire.
She was even more stunned that he knew about her brother's condition.
But the thought of finally being able to take care of her family's financial struggles was almost too much to resist.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Montgomery, but I cannot give you an answer right now. I need some time to think things through.," she said, her mind racing with all the implications of such an arrangement.
"Of course," Ethan said, rising to his feet. "Take all the time you need. But I must warn you, Miss Taylor, that this offer won't be on the table forever. I need a response from you soon."
Ethan leaned back in his chair, looking mildly surprised. "I see. How much time do you need?"
Olivia took a deep breath. "I need at least a week. I have to talk to my family and consider all the implications of such an arrangement."
Ethan nodded slowly. "I understand. But let me make one thing clear, Miss Taylor. This is not an open-ended offer. If you don't give me a definitive answer by next Saturday, I will assume that you're not interested, and I'll move on to other candidates."
Olivia felt a knot forming in her stomach. "I understand, Mr. Montgomery."
"Good." Ethan stood up, signalling the end of the meeting. "If it's a yes, you'll tell me on Saturday when I stop over at your place. I have a gala to attend."
Olivia nodded, standing up as well. "Thank you for your time, Mr. Montgomery."
As she walked out of the office, Olivia couldn't help but feel like she had just stepped into a different world, a world where everything was possible but also dangerous. She knew that she had to be careful, that she had to weigh her options carefully before making a decision that could change her life forever.
