The Daring Billionaire’s Wife by Lypstical

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Thank you for reading this far! I just want to let you know that this is Part 2 with the same title and a new set of characters in relation to the main characters of Part 1. INTRODUCTION:

When 23 year old Aileen moves to the big city in search of her biological parents and also for a fresh start, she encounters the enigmatic Liam Richards, a 27 year old billionaire. While she isn't swept off her feet right away, he's so persistent that she falls for him and becomes his wife, something that not everyone seems to accept and they'll stop at nothing to find a way to ruin it all.

Now faced with the shocking truth about the whereabouts of her biological parents, one which could ruin her marriage, she attempts to hide it, but her enemy is already a few steps ahead and aims to expose it as the Richards value their reputation more than anything else. With a husband who makes her feel so desired in their passionate moments and a new family that adores her, will her determination to make her marriage a success be enough to stand tall against her influential and powerful enemy, or will the truth shatter her new life until there's nothing left of it?

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Chapter 1: Who? Aileen

Down to the last phone number on the small paper in my hand, I make the call and it's the same thing all over again, leaving me so frustrated that I shove the paper in my purse and ball my hand into a fist. I'm only seconds away from hitting the counter but soon realize that'll only draw the attention of the other customers in the bar with me. I wouldn't want to ruin anyone's evening since it's a Friday.

I barely have any money in my purse and have the options to pay for a cab and go home, or buy myself some drinks to make myself believe it'll help me forget about my problems. I'm not sure how much longer I can do this. It's been 2 days now and still no luck. Lowering my head, my hair falls over my face and I flip it back, running my hand down in the process as I look to the left, making eye contact with the two gentlemen and a lady dressed in the finest suits. They all stand out from the rest of the customers by a wide margin and I can tell that everyone just seems to acknowledge their presence.

Suddenly, one of the two guys rises to his feet, fixing the lapels of his jacket while looking right at me with a smirk. There's still quite a distance between us but his brown hair is so silky that the warm lighting from the chandelier bounces off of it. It's also perfectly styled and not a single strand is out of place.

His friend seems amused and even chuckles, but the lady seems to whisper to him while shaking her head, all this while shooting glares at me.

I can't tell what they're up to, but it's none of my business, so I face the counter again, deciding to buy myself a drink. I can always just walk home. I only hope there's no downpour as I came here with no umbrella. How could I think of carrying one when the person I came to meet told me she had exactly what I had been waiting for? Thinking back to it, I clench my fist. Meryl has said the same thing everyday and I've fallen for it, holding onto the hope that this is finally it, but it never is.

As I tell myself to never fall for it again, I signal the bartender to come and take my order. I don't even have second thoughts using that to get on a cab and go home. I'm just so over it.

While I wait for my drink, a cologne with a seductive scent wafts its way to my nose and I inhale, making me close my eyes as I let it completely take over. I tilt my head to the side, wondering how it's possible that someone could smell so good.

"You sure do stand out sitting here alone." A deep and manly voice says right next to me. I open my eyes and look to my left, immediately realizing it's that guy from the table across the room and he's actually the source of the cologne.

I lose my senses just for a moment as I take in the view before me. His grey tailored suit accentuates his broad shoulders and the fabric hugs his toned body in all the right places. The white shirt and tie only adds to his polished demeanor as it radiates an aura of wealth and sophistication. After my eyes move past his chiseled jawline, I find myself looking right into his blue eyes but soon look away and realize this isn't what I'm here for.

"How about I join you?" he says, holding his head high.

I raise an eyebrow, skeptical as I face him. "Do whatever you want."

He flashes me a charming smile, his pearly whites only making him more attractive.

Sliding onto the stool beside me, he says, "You're the lucky lady tonight."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I narrow my eyes.

He chuckles again. "I see you're trying to be funny."

"I really don't get it." I emphasize.

"Come on. It's me." He arrogantly points at himself.This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

"Who?"

"Liam Richards."

"Who?" I repeat myself.

He sighs. "Let me put it this way, Dominic and Vanessa Richards."

"Who?"

He places his elbow on top of the counter, poking his cheek. "You seriously don't know who I'm talking about?"

"No and I don't care."

He chuckles in disbelief. "What's your name?"

"Aileen."

The bartender hands me my whiskey and I take a sip.

Though I avoid eye contact with Liam, he doesn't take the hint and even leans in, his cologne drawing me in even more.

"I've never met anyone who doesn't know my family. Even little kids know who I am."

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seriously don't know you and that doesn't matter."

Up to this point, I'm thinking that by admitting I know nothing about the Richards, which is true, it will make him go away as I'm also unwelcoming, but he gets more comfortable and slowly strokes his chin. "So, Aileen, what brings you here tonight?"

I clench my jaw, thinking about Meryl disappointing me again. "I just need a drink, that's all."

"How about I get you more?"

"No need. What I have is enough."

He sighs. "You've had a long day, haven't you?"

While his question is that of concern, his tone is nothing but a mix of charm and flirtation and I figure out what he's trying to do and I'm not about to fall for it.

"I'm just here for a drink." I finally look in his direction.

"Come on." His deep voice is low and persuasive as he looks down at my lips. "I'm such an observant person when I'm interested in someone."

I scoff, taking that as his usual habit before taking a lady to his bed.

"I mean it." He smacks his lips. "Being observant, I could tell you're troubled. I'm also a good listener. So, what's on your mind?"

For a moment, my resolve weakens and I almost believe him, but he's obviously using this tactic to get me to sleep with him. It's for this reason that I refuse to give in. "I'm just thinking about some stuff."

His gorgeous eyes sparkle with amusement as he flashes me a charming smile.

"Stuff, huh?" he asks. "That's too broad. How about you narrow it down for me?"

My gaze drifts back to my whiskey, my mind racing. I know his type- charming, wealthy, and used to getting what he wants. That's why shouldn't let this happen, but his cologne and the way he almost sounds sincere makes me want to lean toward him. In the end, this has to be his tactic.

Curious, I glance at his friends and the guy still seems amused. As for the lady, she doesn't stop shooting glares at me.

"How about you return to your girlfriend?" I say to him.

"Whoa," he looks to the side, pressing his lips together as he firmly shakes his head. "She's not my girlfriend, not in this lifetime or the next."

Though he clearly seems to distance himself, it makes no difference to me as I still tell myself not to fall for the seductive game he's playing with me.

"It doesn't matter who she is to you. Those two need you more than I do. Actually, I don't need any company."

Liam's smile and charm never waver. "I think you need it. You're just so stubborn that you're not willing to admit it yet."

It takes me a moment to respond as I realize he's seen right through me.

"Think whatever you want. I just don't care." I roll my eyes and look away.

"You really don't know who I am?"

I furrow my eyebrows. "Why do you keep bringing that up? You really make it sound like I should."

"Do you not see the billboards all around town?"

"What billboards?"

He nods, finally understanding something. "Now I'm starting to think you're not from here."

"I'm not. I've been here for two days."

"Where are you from?"

Just as I'm about to respond, I realize I'm playing right into his tactic of having a conversation. How could I fall for this so easily?

"Look," I huff, "this is the part where you return to your table and enjoy your drinks."

He chuckles, his voice deep but filled with wonder. "Aileen, where have you been my entire life?"

"What?"

He slides a card across the table. "Call me."

Though I'm still drawn to him because of his cologne and charm, I slide the card toward him and say, "There's no need."

Anyone else would've been offended by now, but he seems even more amused by my action.

"That's usually someone's golden opportunity," he says with arrogance, sliding the card back to me. "Just keep it. I'll see you around."

And with that, he begins to make his

way back to his table and I look away, only to look back and watch him. With confident strides, his. muscles ripple beneath his clothes, making it even harder to look away

again.

The people in his way immediately step aside to give him room and not only does that make it seem like he owns the very ground he's stepping on, his presence also seems to

command attention without even

demanding it. It's for this reason that I now want to find out all about the Richards. Are they that famous?

Suddenly, he stops midway and begins to return to me, leaving me conflicted as a part of me wants him to leave me alone, but another part of me grows curious about him since he's seen right through me.

"I'm about to tell you something that not even my friends at that table know," he says, his hands casually in his pockets while he keeps a blank expression.

"And what's that?" I roll my eyes, asking myself why I'm still talking to him.

Leaning forward so he gets real close to my face, he looks right into my eyes and says, "I now know who I'm going to make my wife."