The Contract Bride of Mr. Reid

The taxi pulled away, leaving Bella on the bustling sidewalk. Her gaze shot upwards, mouth agape, as the monolithic office building loomed before her, its sleek glass facade reflecting the morning sun. The sheer scale of the structure stole the air from her lungs.

Squaring her shoulders, Bella smoothed her dress and took a fortifying breath. The revolving doors hissed open at her approach. The air was filled with a faint, sophisticated fragrance. Marble floors beneath her feet gleamed under the lights from the high ceiling.

Bella's heels clicked against the polished surface as she made her way to the reception desk, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nerves.

"Good morning, I am Bella Dawn from Brico," she said, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach. "I'm here to deliver the file to Mr. Reid."

The receptionist, impeccably dressed and exuding efficiency, gave her a warm smile and nodded. "Of course, Ms. Dawn. Please take the elevator to the top floor. Mr. Reid's office is waiting for you."

Thanking her, Bella took the elevator to the top floor. When the doors finally opened, she stepped into a hallway lined with abstract art and plush carpeting that muffled her footsteps. At the end of the corridor stood the CEO's office with grand double doors shut tight.

Steading her breath, she walked over and rapped on the door.

"Come in," Theodore's voice, boomed from behind the imposing double doors.

With a mix of excitement and nervous energy coursing through her, Bella pushed open the door and stepped inside. Her gaze immediately landed on the imposing figure seated behind a massive mahogany desk, its surface clutter-free except for a sleek computer, a few neatly stacked papers, and an exquisite vase of fresh lilies.

As their eyes met, Bella's steps faltered slightly. His commanding presence, coupled with the aura of quiet confidence he exuded, intensified the nervous flutter in her stomach. She forced a professional smile onto her face.

"Hello," she greeted him. "Here is the file you requested." She placed the file on the polished surface of the desk and took a small step back, maintaining a professional distance and waiting for his next instruction.

"Have a seat," he said, his voice deep and measured.

"Thank you." She sank into the plush chair across from him, her eyes taking a moment to absorb the opulence of the room.

It was a masterpiece of design, a clear statement of power and elegance. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking panoramic view of the city sprawled out below.

But it was the wall behind the desk that truly stole Bella's breath away. An entire wall was dedicated to a curated art collection, each piece a meticulously chosen masterpiece that spoke volumes of both immense wealth and impeccable taste.

Theodore's expression remained stoic as he reached for the file and flipped it open. The sound of the papers rustling filled the air, momentarily pulling Bella's gaze down to the design drawings now spread out before him.

Bella's eyes sparkled as she took in the drawings. One particular drawing snagged her attention, causing her hand to shoot out and grasp it before she could stop herself.

Her brow furrowed as she studied the intricate lines, a silent murmur escaping her lips, "This drawing... something isn't right."

Theodore froze in the middle of his action, his gaze locking on her. "You know about design drawings?" He was stunned.

Bella offered a curt nod, her eyes glued to the flawed design. "It's unbalanced," she muttered, tracing her finger along a specific area. "Something is missing here." Her lips pursed into a determined line before relaxing slightly.

Theodore watched her curiously, eager to know what she was going to do next.

"Can I get a blank sheet of paper?" Bella requested.

"Sure." Theodore, still processing the unexpected turn of events, reached for a pristine sheet and slid it across the desk towards her.

Bella wasted no time. She snatched a pen from the elegant holder and began to sketch with a practiced fluidity that captivated Theodore.

He watched, mesmerized, as the pen danced across the paper, effortlessly bringing a vision to life. He was curious to know if she could draw better than the defective one, as per her claim.

Slowly, a spectacular design began to emerge. It was significantly better than the previous one. Theodore's expression froze.

A flicker of surprise crossed Theodore's face, a stark contrast to his usual stoicism. He hadn't anticipated this. He had expected her to fumble through some haphazard attempt, not create a masterpiece that surpassed the original. The beautiful sketch lay testament to Bella's undeniable talent for design,

When Bella finally put the pen down, she glanced up at Theodore, whose eyes were fixed on the drawing, his expression a mixture of admiration and disbelief.

Theodore remained speechless for a moment. Finally, his voice emerged, low and measured, "Where did you learn it?"

"I graduated with a major in fashion designing," she replied. "I wanted to be a fashion designer, but I had to drop that dream because of," she paused for a while, then added, "some personal issues."

She didn't divulge the real reason – the family's financial issues.

Theodore nodded slowly, his gaze lingering on her for a beat too long. "I see," he murmured, his voice betraying a hint of curiosity about the life she wasn't sharing. "But your talent is undeniable. You shouldn't let it go to waste. Pursue your dream."

His words, laced with unexpected encouragement, ignited a spark of hope within her. "Do you think so?" she breathed. It was surreal that someone like him, a powerful figure, saw potential in her.

A faint smile played on Theodore's lips as he picked up the drawing she had created. "This," he stated, holding it up for emphasis, "this is better than that one."

"Really?" Bella's eyes sparkled with delight. "Thank you. That means a lot to me." Her pulse quickened with a surge of excitement. "I've always wanted to chase my dream, but I needed a job to support my family. So, I had to drop my dream. But…"

Her voice dipped slightly before gaining strength again, a flicker of determination igniting in her eyes, "I heard that Miss Willow will be leading the design team for the upcoming project. She is an inspiration to me, a role model I deeply admire. And that's why I'm here. I want to work with her. Could you… could you please help me and allow me to assist her? I simply want to learn from her. I promise not to disturb her in her work."

Bella held her breath, her gaze pleading as she awaited Theodore's response. This was her chance, a potential turning point that could rewrite the course of her life.

Theodore leaned back in his chair, considering her request. He could see the passion and determination in her eyes, a reflection of the talent she had just demonstrated.

"Miss Willow is indeed heading the new project," he said thoughtfully. "She is always looking for talented individuals to assist her. Your work speaks for itself, Bella."

He knew Willow would like the drawing. But his face remained stoic, not betraying his inner zeal. "I'll consider speaking with her. But first, let me check some of your work. I can't just introduce you to Willow, you know."

Bella's face lit up with joy. "Thank you so much! This means the world to me."

A hint of a smile played on Theodore's lips as he gestured to the stack of design drawings. "Let's see what you've got then. Help me select the best pieces from these. Additionally, feel free to create some new sketches of your own. If your designs impress Miss Willow, she might just consider taking you on as her assistant."

Bella's heart soared with the possibilities that lay ahead. The prospect of working alongside her idol, of reviving her long-dormant dream, filled her with a renewed sense of purpose.