A cold master with hidden heart. He, who doesn't know what love means, doesn't know how to trust, doesn't know how to love.
She, a hired wife for a year, to pay for her mother's hospital bills. A beautiful, intelligent and fragile young woman who has never been in love. They meet and contract is signed.
Vanity vs. Love
Chapter 1
Sound of footsteps echoed in the halfway. Conversation died after half an hour. Silence followed. Mr. Darcy came out of his grandfather's room with the thought, "I must find a wife. Quickly, the better."
He left to the office, trying to start his search for a wife as soon as possible. After few hours of search for potential candidates with his secretary, he was too tired to think anymore. He stared out of the window, remembering his grandfather's words:
-"You are my only grandson. You shall inherit the Pemberly Corporation, but with only one condition. If you marry within a month, then I will transfer the Corporation to your name."
Although it seemed like an easy condition for a normal person, for Darcy it was complicated. He did not want to marry. He never opened his heart to a woman. Ever. Woman only wanted to be with him for his money and status. They were all like foxes. Sly, but beautiful. They all betrayed him at the end, after getting the money. All women, same creatures. He never started a serious relationship after she broke his heart six years ago and abandoned him with no second thought…
For now he just needed a woman who was willing to sign a contract with him for a year of marriage. He could lure her with money. Yes, of course, money could do anything! But where could he find such a woman, who would be willing to marry him for a year and play the role of his wife and then disappear from his life after a year? Where could he find such a woman?!
Headache was killing him. He needed to put off his search for tomorrow. Tomorrow! There must be someone who could play the role of his wife! There must be someone, somewhere!
Tomorrow did not help either. How ironic it was, that he was the one looking for a wife instead of other way. Cruel fate! But maybe not… he remembered Bingley. His buddy through all of his life. He could help! After all, Bingley was probably the biggest player.
Without thinking further, he took his jacket and went to hospital at which Bingley worked. Or more like fooled around, since his parents owned the hospital! Upon arriving, he was met by his friend in the hallway.
-"Darcy, the last time I saw you were cold, this time even colder!" said Bingley with a humor.
-"Bingley, I have no time to fool around!"
-"Then what's with the occasion of visiting me? Oh, so you did not come here to see me after all. How disappointing!" Bingley could not hold his laughter; he knew his friend was always serious, so it was his job to lighten up the mood. But sometimes, he failed, almost terribly.
Seeing that this was going no where, Darcy said;
-"Let's go to a quieter place. Rooftop. Let's go!"
Seeing his friend with such a serious face, Bingley followed him.
On the way, while they were passing hallways, Darcy was lost in his thoughts to the point where he did not notice a young woman running from the other side. After bumping to each other, she quickly said
-"I'm sorry" and left quickly as she came, without even looking up. Darcy did not even have time to think, but said;
-"Do you know her, Bingley?"
-"I believe so. Yes, she is new. Heard that she is in the dentistry division. She looks like a child, does she not? But it seems like, she is very smart!"
Bingley did not notice his friend not listening to him at all.
Darcy only caught a glimpse of her; wavy brown hair with matching chocolate brown eyes. Her skin so pale, so white. Her looks were not gorgeous, but from Darcy's perspective they were above the average. And if Bingley was telling the truth, she was intelligent. "Perfect, just perfect!" Darcy thought. Just what he needed. But he could still remember unshed tears in her eyes! Why was she crying? Remembering that he was in the middle of not started conversation with Bingley, Darcy regained his composure and walked further.
He told Bingley about his situation and carefully explained that he needed a wife, a fake one to inherit the company. His mind kept going back to that woman! Not hiding his curiosity, he asked in a neutral tone;
-"Bingley, does that girl have a boyfriend or is she married?"
-"Seems like not. I talked with her on one occasion and seems like she has no interest in relationships and dating. And I did not see a ring. But why are we talking about her? … You cannot be serious!"
-"Well there is a possibility."