Chapter 3

Preparations

Amelia's POV

The Knight mansion was a flurry of activity as preparations were underway for the annual charity gala, a highly anticipated event that drew the city's elite. The spacious ballroom was transformed into a dazzling spectacle of shinning lights and flowers, the air fills with excitement.

I stood in front of the full-length mirror in my room, my reflection staring back at me in a stunning evening gown that hugged my curves in all the right places. The deep fabric accentuated my skin and brought out the warmth in my eyes. I felt nervous in my stomach as I smooth down the fabric, taking a deep breaths to calm my racing heart.

As I stepped out of the room, William appeared at my side, dressed in a suit. His looks sweeps over me, a look of admiration flashed in his eyes before he masked it with his usual coolness.

"You look stunning, Amelia," William remarked, with a low and controlled voice.

I feel rush at his compliment, my cheeks flushed slightly.

"Thank you, William. You don't look bad yourself, do you?"

A smile on William's lips before he schooled his looks into a composed mask.

"Shall we make our entrance, Mrs. Knight?"

I nodded, my heart beating with a nerves as William offered his arm, leading me towards the ballroom where the guests were eagerly waiting for our arrival.

As we stepped into the ballroom, all eyes turned towards us, the crowd wanting to make way for the stunning couple. The murmurs of curiosity rised through the room, the guests whispering amongst themselves as they were looking at the latest peer.

I felt a bit proud as I stood by William's side, my head held high as we greeted the guests. I saw the looks of envy towards my direction and for a brief moment, I allowed myself to listen to the murmurs.

Throughout the evening, we play our parts perfectly, exchanging polite smiles and engaging in small talk with the guests. But as the night wore on, a sense of restlessness covered my insides, a yearning for something more than the surface of our charade.

During the process of the festival, I found myself standing on the balcony, my gazed on the lights of the city. The cool night air brushed against my skin, sending shivers down my spine as I wrapped my arms around myself, lost in my own thoughts.

"You seem a million miles away from here, Amelia," a voice asked.

I turned to find William standing beside me, his eyes searching mine with a depth.

"I guess I was just taking in the view. It's beautiful," I replied.

William leaned against the wall, his looks on mine, as a thing of something unreadable passed through his eyes.

"You know, I never thought I'd find myself in this position - a contract marriage with a stranger. It all feels so...surreal."

I felt a bit of sympathy for him, realizing that despite his wealth and power, William was also bound by the expectations and pressures of his family.

"I can imagine it must be difficult for you, William. But we're in this together, and we can make the best of it," I said.

He studied me for a moment, he looks slightly as a ghost of a smile touched his lips.

"Thank you, Amelia. Your support means more to me than you know."

As we stood in silence, the tension that had always been between us seemed to grow, replacing our sense of understanding and mutual respect. It was a fragile bond, but a bond nonetheless, one that bridged the gap between us. It brought us closer together in ways neither of us had expected

As the night gala drew to a close, I found myself alone with William in the dimly lit ballroom. The guests had all departed, leaving us in silence. I looked up to find him watching me.

"Amelia, there's something I need to tell you," William began

I felt a knot form in my stomach, a sense of foreboding into my heart.

"What is it, I asked William? You can tell me anything."

He took a deep breath, his words measured as he speaks.

"I may have entered into this contract marriage out of duty and necessity, but I've come to realize that there's more to it that meets the eye. Amelia, I...I've started to care for you in ways I never thought possible."

My heart skipped a beat at his admission, a rush of emotions moving through me as I met his gaze.

"William, I...I care for you too.

Despite the circumstances of our marriage, there's something between us that I can't ignore."

In that moment, the barriers that had kept us apart begin to remove, the walls of our carefully constructed façade falling away to reveal the true emotions that brings us together.

We found ourselves cheaply fall in love with one onother, even in the midst of our contract marriage, our hearts had found a connection that could not be denied. And as we reached out to each other in the darkness of the empty ballroom, our hands comes together in a silent promise, we all knew that our bond was stronger than any business arrangement could ever hope to be. And in that moment, we realized that a contract marriage had evolved into something far more precious and profound love that would defy all odds and stand our test of time.

"Will the Billionaire mogul fall in love with a daughter of nobody?"