THE CONTRACT WIFE: A ONE NIGHT STAND BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE

Zara’s POV

Upon waking up, I felt a throbbing pain in my head and senses. I stared blankly for a few minutes, letting my vision adjust and trying to figure out what was happening. As I realized my situation, I stood up, almost stumbling because I still felt dizzy.

My hand was handcuffed to the bed. I looked around, observing the white and brown designed room. From the sound of the waves outside, it seemed we were by the seaside.

Despite feeling dizzy, I tried to think of a way to escape. Maybe they were planning to kill me or do something terrible! I should have known better! I shouldn’t have left home if I had known this would happen!

I attempted to find something to break the chain, but everything I tried seemed futile. My hand just hurt from the constant banging. The door opened, and the man responsible for my kidnapping entered. He was wearing a tight sleeveless shirt and shorts. His appearance was captivating with his poker face and messy hair.

But wait! What am I thinking, Zara?! Snap out of it! Have some pity on yourself! Why am I fantasizing about a guy who might be the reason I end up six feet underground? I quickly moved to the farthest corner of the bed and glared at him.

“Don’t you dare come near me! If you don’t want us both to die, stay away! Don’t you even dare!”

He seemed bothered and tired. He placed a tray beside the bed containing a bowl of soup and the usual breakfast set. That was when I realized how hungry I was-my stomach was growling.

“I never knew you could be so stubborn, my love. Eat first, then we’ll talk,” he said in a commanding tone, almost like a boss.

Who was he?! And what’s this? He just called me ‘my love’.

“We have nothing to talk about because I have no intention of conversing with the person who forcibly took me from my own home! And stop calling me ‘my love’! I don’t even know you,” I replied, noticing a momentary look of pain in his eyes.

I felt a bit guilty about that.

He approached me, and he was so close that I found myself staring at his handsome face, as if it was pulled out from a book due to its exceptional handsomeness. His cologne smelled very familiar. His eyes seemed to pierce through my soul.

“You might not recognize me now, but I will make you remember who I am in your life, my dear. We won’t leave this island until you remember me, Zara… I promise you that,” he said.

I felt myself melting a bit at his words. It was as if my heart was pounding too fast. He had an unusual effect on me. It was like my heart knew him. It was as if he hadn’t been forgotten by my emotions.

My mind wanted to believe. I wanted to believe him. But what about Nick? Didn’t he say we were married? What does this mean? Now I’m even more confused!

“I know that you are still confused, my love. I know that you won’t easily remember our past. But I will patiently wait until you remember us. That’s how much I love you, Zara. I’m willing to wait, even if it takes a lifetime,” he said and kissed my forehead. He left the room, but he left my heart racing.

Who was he really? Why do I feel this way whenever he’s close? What is he in my life?

So many questions were swirling in my mind. My thoughts were in turmoil. I wanted to understand why my heart acted this way whenever he was near.

Who should I believe? Ugh! My life is a mess right now.

I decided to eat the food he prepared. What was his name again? See? I can’t even remember his name, and how could I trust him? This amnesia thing is frustrating!

I started eating the food, using only one hand since my left hand was still handcuffed. It was a bit difficult, but I was really hungry, so I didn’t mind.

Unexpectedly, memories flashed through my mind as I ate. There was an image of a man embracing me from behind while I cooked. We seemed so sweet to each other.

After eating, I lay back down. I hadn’t realized that my thoughts had wandered so much that I fell asleep. I woke up when I felt something moving on my hand.

“W-What are you doing?” I stuttered as he held my hand. I felt my cheeks warming.

He smirked. “I’m just loosening your chains a bit, my love. We can’t do that yet until your memories come back.”

I blushed even more. Why did he have to be so charming? And why did he call me ‘my love’ again?

I pushed him away, not realizing how strong my push was until he fell back. I quickly approached him, seeing he was holding his side.

“Oh no, are you okay?”

“Do I look okay? Shit!” he cursed while grimacing in pain.

I felt a bit guilty, even though he deserved it. He was so cocky, and he was a kidnapper! But my conscience couldn’t let me leave him suffering, so I helped him sit on the bed.

“What do you want me to do? Let you invade my personal space? Seriously, let me go! I’m sick of being imprisoned, and now you,” I said with frustration.

I didn’t realize that I was almost crying.

He raised an eyebrow, looking even more handsome to me. Shut up, Zara! Stop fantasizing about your kidnapper! Snap out of it!

“How can you be so sure that I’m invading your personal space when you’re my wife?” he said, looking surprised.

Wife? Me? His wife?

I couldn’t believe what he was saying. How was this even possible? Didn’t Nick say he was my husband?

“How can you say that? Nick is my husband!” I shouted at him.

It seemed like he was stunned for a moment. He slowly turned to face me, wearing a grin. Was I in trouble? He looked mad and dark.

He moved closer, and our eyes locked. He was incredibly handsome! His face was timeless! I almost believed he was a god’s son. His scent was so familiar. His eyes seemed to see right through me.

“Zara, I am your husband, and you are my wife. Whatever that bastard told you is a pure lie… If you want to believe anyone, don’t believe the person who’s afraid to introduce you to the world, the one who’s hiding you. Me, I am willing to show you to everyone-your family. I’m willing to remind you, my dear. I’ll leave you for now to think, but I know in the end, I’m the one speaking the truth,” he said, leaving me even more confused before he walked away.

I also realized that I wasn’t handcuffed anymore.

I left the room and walked outside. I had no means of escaping. The ocean surrounded us, and I couldn’t see any nearby islands. It seemed like a private beach, and there were no other inhabitants nearby.

I was all alone, with the man who claimed to be my husband. I was trapped, and I couldn’t see a way out.

I DON’T understand why my heart reacts like this. The rapid beating of my heart whenever the skin of this man touches mine. I don’t know why his touch seems familiar, and why I felt longing for this to happen.

When he let go of me, we started eating. I cooked chicken stew, hot soup with lemon grass, and roasted beef. I don’t know what came into my mind, but suddenly I wanted to cook for him.

I started to scoop rice, but he put rice on my plate. I smiled without realizing it. He caught me smiling, so I quickly returned my face to a poker expression.

Embarrassing, Zara!

We ate quietly. I observed his reactions. I don’t know why I felt relieved when I saw him eating heartily and enjoying everything I served.

“Your cooking is still one of the best!” He praised me, making my face blush. I was so embarrassed, yet his words made me very happy.

“How did we meet? What’s your name?” I courageously asked, hoping to know the name of my kidnapper! That’s all.

He smiled, a smile that could instantly melt someone.

“I am Lucas Blackwood, Zara Delafontaine’s husband, and your one and only love of my life,” he said.

And when I heard the stranger’s name, I felt a strange acceleration in my heartbeat.

Lucas, a name that tasted familiar on the tip of my tongue. I never thought I could feel so much happiness just from hearing his name. Does this mean he’s telling the truth and Nick has been lying to me all this time?

What does this mean? Is Lucas the answer to my questions? Is he the key?

I remained silent and ate.

It’s like the sea surrounds us. The gentle breeze of the wind is a lovely sensation on my skin. It feels wonderful to have the warmth of the sun on my skin. Happiness, is this happiness? Why have I never felt it with Nick?

I walked back to the vacation house before it got dark and night arrived. I saw a young boy sitting on the sofa. I felt a strange surge of emotions.

He was the boy who hugged me on the island one day. The boy who embraced me with longing. I didn’t know, but tears started to flow from my eyes.

Is this what they call a surge of emotions? Why do I feel such longing for this child? And when our eyes met, he jumped up from his seat and hugged me. He buried his face in my embrace, and that’s where we cried together.

“Mom, I miss you please don’t leave me. Please Mom, I will do anything! I will be a good boy, I will be honest, I will make you proud… Just don’t leave me, I feel so lonely,” he said, sobbing.

I wiped his tears with my hand. I kissed his forehead and brushed his hair. I could see the resemblance between us, even though he looks more like Lucas.

Could it be true? That my husband is Lucas, and Nick has been lying to me all this time?

If that’s the case, I need to have a deeper reason to regain my memories. I need to fill in the three years of my absence.

I hugged the child and whispered to him, “Sorry, my child, I’m sorry if Mom was gone all this time. I am so sorry if I can’t still remember you. But I’ll try, okay? I’ll try to remember and make up for the days I lost. I promise I won’t ever leave you again. I promise, my child,” I said with longing.

I saw Lucas on the side, smiling at us.

For dinner, I cooked fried chicken, which turned out to be my child’s favorite. At the dining table, I asked about things I had forgotten in the past and what happened when I disappeared.

My child’s name is Enrique. He’s 10 years old now, and I’m so proud to learn that he’s an achiever in school.

They said that when I was gone, my mother managed the business I left behind. Could it be that my mother is still alive? But they said she’s just a single mother and a retired principal. Meanwhile, my grandfather is still strong and working with my mother.

I learned a lot. Firstly, I graduated from a university where I was classmates with Lucas. I finished a degree in accountancy and became a Certified Public Accountant. I left behind businesses – a café and clothing shops.

I also learned about how Lucas and I became a couple. The accidental conception of Enrique, everything was detailed. But I paused the questioning for now. I was feeling a deep pain in my senses. Perhaps my mind couldn’t accept everything I learned.

We slept in the same room, me and Enrique. Lucas stayed in another room since we couldn’t all fit in one bed.

While on the bed, my child started talking to me.

“You know, Mom, I always prayed to see you again. And God is really good for granting my prayers. I thought you hated me, so you left us. But when I learned what happened, I was happy to know you didn’t want to leave. I love you, Mom,” he said and kissed my cheek. It touched my heart.

I kissed my child’s cheek too. “Mom loves you very much, my child. Good night, let’s sleep now.”

My child nodded sleepily and drifted off to sleep. I covered him with a blanket. An hour passed, and I still couldn’t sleep, even though Enrique was sound asleep beside me.

Someone knocked on the door of the room. I didn’t need to guess who it was.

I opened the door and was greeted by Lucas, wearing pajamas and a tank top. He was holding a blanket and some pillows. He smiled sheepishly at me.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

“I wanted to sleep over,” he said, which I found so cute.

Wow! He’s handsome even when shy!

I looked at our bed. It was just right for two people.

“It’s a bit cramped for us,” I said. He smiled.

“No problem with me, I’ll sleep on the floor. I just want to wake up near you. I just want to see you first thing in the morning. So that it’s not a dream that you’re finally back in my life…”

I nodded. “Sure, it’s up to you,” I agreed, helping him arrange his sleeping area. He was on the side, on the floor with a thick comforter.

My hand accidentally fell. I felt him touch it. He entwined our fingers, and it felt magical. I fell asleep shortly after. A comfortable, dreamless sleep that I had longed for.

I woke up earlier than Lucas and my child. So, I decided to cook breakfast for them. I wanted to start fulfilling my role as a wife and a mother. I prepared our breakfast.

I didn’t wake them up; I let them sleep. I heard a thud from the second floor. Lucas quickly came downstairs, along with Enrique, both looking alarmed.

“I thought you were gone again. Please don’t leave us again, Zara. It will drive me crazy if that happens,” Lucas said, hugging me tightly.

I didn’t know, but I felt that they would miss me and feel sad if I were gone. I felt that there would be a void in them.

I laughed at them. “Don’t be paranoid. Where would I go? We’re on the same island, after all. It’s good that you’ve eaten, and there’s food ready on the dining table.”

BELIEVE it or not, we stayed on the island for another week. Time passed quickly, and before I knew it, it had been a week.

I wasn’t impatient, and there were no moments of dead air or boredom while I was with them. Something I hadn’t felt in Nick’s presence. It felt like I belonged here. It felt like I was supposed to be here. This was my sanctuary, the place where I belong. Where my husband and child are.

Even though my memories haven’t fully returned, I could feel that they are my life.

One night, Enrique slept more soundly. While I couldn’t sleep, I went outside to cool down. I wanted to enjoy the coolness. So, I went out and headed to a gazebo near the sea. Lucas was there, with a laptop and some alcohol. He was busy working.

I couldn’t believe it when he said he’s a CEO and wealthy. I couldn’t believe that I’m married to a man with such a heavy responsibility in the world. He’s a multi-billionaire.

I sat beside him and joined him.

“Why are you still awake?” he asked as I sat beside him.

I smiled. “I can’t sleep yet,” I said. I don’t know what happened, but I saw myself kissing him. Suddenly, we were kissing, and our kisses were battling. I felt a surge of desire and love in every kiss.

“L-Lucas, don’t stop!” I begged him as I touched my neck.

I knew he was going to leave a mark there. A mark of love.

“I won’t, Zara. You don’t know how long I’ve waited for this,” he said in the midst of our kisses. It was like he was speaking with his eyes. I could feel that.

I let him take control. It felt like it was our first time. I was exploring, but he was guiding me.

“Lucas!” I exclaimed as he removed my clothes and I was left exposed to him. I didn’t know what to say. He was so well-endowed! I didn’t know if I could handle that.

But I trusted him. And on this night, we finally became one…