Chapter 2 Well Shit!

Xander's POV:

"My beautiful wife and personal lawyer here will be reading my will to the hearing of everyone." He said, gesturing to my mother before taking his seat back at the head of the long dinner table.

The room fell deathly silent.

To say I was shocked was an understatement.

Seeing him step down was something I never expected to happen so quickly.

Despite being at the ripe old age of sixty, my father, Russo Velasquez was still a very ruthless business tycoon.

As the overall CEO and founding father of the Velasquez Business Empire, whatever fetched money or had the potential to, Russo had a hand in it.

Within three decades, he had successfully trampled upon his competitors like mere parasites, therefore emerging as the top businessman in Las Vegas, while still remaining very much in shape.

So, it had come as a little more than a shock to the entire Velasquez clan when he suddenly announced his retirement at dinner.

"Ahem." Mother cleared her throat, casting a sharp gaze on the servant head. A subtle warning ordering them to make themselves scarce.

Her warning had the desired effect because seconds later, the maids had all cleared out of the grand dining hall, leaving only Velasquez blood to listen as she read the will.

Dressed impeccably as she always was, in a pinstriped suit and a silver hair styled to perfection, Julietta Velasquez rolled out the will her husband had entrusted her with.

"Velasquez Fashion House and all subsidiaries under the fashion industry goes to Anastasia Velasquez."

Anastasia squealed with joy as soon as she heard that.

"Heck yeah!" She pumped a fist in silent victory before giggling.

"Language." Mother gave her a sharp look.

"Sorry." she whispered, her excitement still evident on her face.

As a redhead with a fiery personality and stunning looks, my sister, Anastasia had always loved Fashion. It had been her dream, her fantasy, one that had started with her borderline unhealthy obsession with Barbie dolls, make up kits and lots of sparkles.

Being the first daughter and last born child of the Velasquez family, she lived in a glitz world of her own. Growing up and being exposed to the real world, she definitely built her very own fashion line – Anastasia's Secret. A luxury line selling anything from classic make up kits to designer clothes and fancy jeweleries.

Her brand screamed the words 'exquisite taste' and had quickly scaled up over the years as the one of the best luxury brands in the country, second only to the Velasquez Fashion House, which she had now been given full control over.

"Velasquez Refineries as well as Velasquez Arms and Weaponry will now be spearheaded by you Robin." Mother continued.

Robin, the second son of the Velazquez clan, shot a cocky smile before going back to typing away on his phone. Born with the looks of a demigod and blessed with good genes as well, Robin had naturally become a playboy.

Never settling with any girl for long and having never been married, he had quite a reputation. Knowing how to rile up the public, he quickly built a fortune for himself from it as a male model / influencer.

Though seemingly quiet on the outside, he lived a dangerous life on the rebellious edge.

"And you Xander, as the first son and heir to the empire. Given your quick rise in the business and finance industry, as well as your impressive features by the largest brands..

You get the throne as the overall CEO of the Velasquez Business Empire grossing in billions of dollars in yearly revenue." Mother finished with a flourish.

Her eyes silently shone with pride as the pearls atop her neck glittered under the light of the extensive chandelier overhead.

I flipped a stray lock out of my face dramatically before giving a devilish smirk.

"You will get all these benefits and lots more..." She began again but I was barely listening at this point.

Finally!

I was at the peak of my career,

The envy of my business partners,

The cusp of greatness!

I could already smell true freedom..

That is, until she said the next seven words that threw me into a lifetime of despair.

"...Under the condition you get married first."

I couldn't believe my ears.

"But–" I tried making her see reason.

"No buts. You are to either get a wife within the next 72 hours or forfeit this empire."

"Failure to comply will get you disowned and all your assets confiscated."

Well, Shit!

***

That had been hours ago. It pushed me to where I was now, drinking heavily in an exclusive suite of my favorite club, Omnia.

"Oh my gosh! Tell me I'm not dreaming- That's Xander Velasquez!" A girl squealed. Immediately taking out her phone to take pictures.

"He's even more handsome in person. The magazines didn't do him justice." another piped beside her.

Voted repeatedly as Vogue's: Billionaire Of The Week, and currently trending on Forbe's list as the youngest most successful billionaire at 28, fame had come naturally to me.

What– with luscious golden brown hair, a chiseled jawline, six well defined abs, piercing grey eyes and a fat bank account, women had found me impossibly hard to resist.

It was never a problem getting women under my sheets, they practically threw themselves at me. But I wasn't here for that tonight. I came here to drown in my sorrows for a bit before finding a solution to my pressing problem.

Cutting my eyes to the bodyguards, they Immediately got to work, confiscating phones and deleting pictures of me. A crowd was the last thing I needed.

Downing shot after shot of my Louis XIII Cognac, time sped by. Before I knew it, I was as drunk as a skunk, despite my high alcohol tolerance.

That was when she sashayed in.

Having spotted me from across the room as she came to help, I took note of her features.

Looking ravishing in her gorgeous red bodycon gown which hugged her curves perfectly, coupled with her wavy brunette locks which cascaded down her waist in a blonde finish, she seemed unearthly.

I blinked rapidly, certain that my mind was playing tricks on me. There was no way this ethereal beauty was actually here.

But then, here she stood in front of me as she bent to help me up. And when she spoke.. I knew for certain she was real.

I had found my contract wife.