His Paper Bride

The room was silent except for the faint hum of the air conditioner. Ella stood by the door, waiting for his usual harsh tone, but what she heard next was... different.

" Ella..."

Her name rolled off his tongue softly, not with authority this time, but hesitation. His voice was calm, almost uncertain, as though what he was about to say required courage.

Ella blinked, taken aback by the sudden shift.

" Yes, Sir?" she answered carefully, her voice steady but her heart beginning to race. 

Ben rose slowly from his chair, his eyes locked on hers. There was no arrogance in his expression but only something serious, something that made the air between them tense and quiet.

" I would like you to be my wife....for two years," he said each word deliberate and heavy. 

The world seemed to freeze around her.

Her breath caught in her throat.

" How can I be your wife, Sir?" she stammered, her voice trembling. " I'm below your king of woman, I'm broke, poor, low class and don't meet you in any form." 

Ben's jaw tightened, his gaze unwavering.

" Why me? " Ella whispered. 

He sighed deeply, walked to the window, and slid his hands into his pockets. He spoke, his tone was edged with frustration and quiet desperation.

" My father has decided to give my inheritance and everything I've built to my junior stepbrother if I don't introduce a woman I want to marry to the family. He wants someone ready for marriage. And he gave me..." he paused, turning to her, " .....two weeks". 

" Two weeks?!" Ella's voice echoed, sharp with disbelief. 

Her mind spun in circles - this was absurd, ridiculous even. A man like him? Proposing something like this?

" No, no sir," she said quickly, taking a step back. " This is something I can't do in a rush. I need some time, please." 

Ben studied her carefully, then nodded once, slow and controlled.

" You have only two days,"  he said quietly 

" I'll reward you well; a house, a car, any business if your choice to set yourself up. Something you couldn't achieve here, even if you worked for ten years. Think about it" 

His words hung in the air like a weight.

Ella left the office in silence, her heart pounding with confusion. That night, she sat on her small bed, staring at the cracked ceiling of her room. Thoughts raced through her mind; his offer, the risks, the possibilities.

She thought of her parents, of the struggles, of every night she had cried herself to sleep wishing for a chance, just one chance, to change her life.

The promise of a house. A business. Freedom. Stability.

It all sounded like the kind of miracle she'd been waiting for.

By morning, her decision was made.

She walked into the office, the air crisp and new with dawn, her steps firm even though her heart still wavered. When Ben looked up, she met his gaze directly.

" I'll do it, " she says. " But only if a valid contract is written, signed, and sealed.

Ben's lips curved slightly, a ghost of a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

" Agreed," he said simply 

They both went back to their daily routine, pretending everything was normal but nothing about this day was ordinary.

Later that noon, Ella went to her regular eatery to get food. As soon as she walked in, she felt the weight of eyes on her. Whispers slithered through the tables like smoke.

" That's her, the boss's toy."

" Can you imagine? She is marrying him for money."

" Gold digger. She'd do anything for a car and a house."

Ella didn't flinch. Her face remained calm, her heart still.

For the first time, she wasn't sad. She wasn't angry. She was free because she knew why she was doing this.

Every insult rolled off her skin like water. She smiled through it all, her lips curved with quiet triumph. Let them talk. Let them hate.

She knew where she was going. And for once, she felt in control.

Back at the office, she walked to her desk with light steps smiling as she imagined what life might be like after two years. When the contract ended, when she'd finally have everything she dreamed of.

Her peace didn't last long.

" Ella..."

The deep voice came from behind her. Ben. She turned quickly.

"You know this isn't about love," he says, his tone serious, eyes dark and fixed on her.

" I'm not asking for that," Ella replied with a calm smile, her confidence radiating for the first time. 

Ben tilted his head, studying her face with that same soft smile, that same calm..

" Why me again?" She asked quietly 

His answer came without hesitation.

" Because I know you can handle this "

And in that moment, they both knew this was not just a deal. It was the beginning of something neither of them could control.