Bargain Bride: The Billionaire's Forced Wife

IN A SMALL AND OLD TREEHOUSE, Chiara slowly cut her medium-rare steak while smiling at the handsome man sipping his wine in front of her. As she put the small part of her food to her mouth to savor it, the man's eyes landed on her before giving her a playful wink.

"What's going on in that pretty head of yours, babe? You've been staring at me for a while now," the man asked his girlfriend while smirking.

Chiara put her palm on her jaw as she smiled at him. "I just can't believe that it's been four years since I said yes to you," she let out a breathe of happiness and relief.

"That was the happiest day of my life, babe," the man said as he reached for Chiara's hand and softly caresses it with his thumb.

"There will be more years ahead of us. I promised that I will marry you, right?" he added.

Chiara nodded with determination. "Yeah, I won't forget that. I've always wanted to marry you."

The man suddenly stood up, walked around the table, and knelt beside Chiara. This made the woman turn her body to her side.

"Babe, what are you doing?" she asked. "Stand up. The floor will ruin your clothes."

But the man didn't waiver. He just smiled at her before touching her right hand.

"Simone?" Chiara cold her boyfriend when he put her hand on his chest.

Simone looked up at her before smiling. "I know that I have my own lapses. I'm not yet successful and rich enough to support you. There are a lot of richer and prettier men compare to me, but you chose me. Thank you, babe."

Chiara's eyes started to swell. "Silly! Of course, I will choose you. I love you!"

"And I love you too, babe. I love you so much," he kissed her hand softly. "You're the best woman in my eyes. You're intelligence makes you so sexy. The way you carried yourself cannot be compare to others. Your smile brightens up my lonely days. You laugh sounds melodic in my ears. Everything about you is so perfect. You're perfect."

It is not the first time Chiara heard those compliments from Simone, but she can't help but shed a tear everytime this happens. Her heart's starting to warm her whole body, as if those words from her boyfriend is enough to make her function.

"I'm not perfect, babe, but I'm trying. I want to be the best version of myself... for you," she responded while drying the tears flowing down her face.

Simone stood up and used his thumb to help her. His huge hands covered both sides of Chiara's face.

"I promise to be with you for the rest of our lives. I promise to fight against whatever hinders our way. I vow to cherish, protect, and love you every day. I commit to give you the happiness you deserve and to be a responsible partner. I will be there in your ups, and comfort you in your downs," his face moved closer to hers before whispering his heart out. "I love you."

"I love you too. I love you more," Chiara responded.

Their lips met as they hugged each other's bodies. For them, this intimate act is enough to express how they love each other.

They've been friends since childhood. It was Chiara who fell first, and she fell hard.

Staring at her boyfriend, Chiara cannot imagine how she will live if her man is not on her side. Whenever she's afraid, Simone is right there to comfort and protect her. He's her knight-in-shining-armor. Her savior.