NAOMI'S POINT OF VIEW

People say weddings are magical....They're lying.There's nothing magical about running across a five-star hotel in four-inch heels while balancing a tray of champagne and trying not to get yelled at by your boss.

"Naomi!"I stopped so abruptly that two champagne flutes nearly toppled over.

"I'm here!" I called, turning toward the frantic voice.My supervisor, Monica, marched toward me with a clipboard clutched tightly against her chest. Even from across the ballroom, I could tell she was seconds away from a meltdown.

"Where have you been?"

"I just delivered the flowers to the bridal suite."

"Good. Now take these seating cards to table twelve. The photographer is looking for the bride's bouquet, and someone spilled wine near the stage. Fix it before the guests notice."

Before I could answer, she'd already disappeared into another crowd of panicked staff.I sighed.

Another day,Another luxury wedding......Another reminder that I was helping other people celebrate the happiest day of their lives while mine felt like it had been on pause for years.

Balancing the tray on one hand, I glanced around the ballroom....It was breathtaking.

Crystal chandeliers sparkled above us, casting golden light over rows of beautifully decorated tables. White roses covered almost every surface, while a string quartet rehearsed softly near the grand staircase.

Everything looked perfect,Expensive and elegant.....Exactly what you'd expect from the wedding of one of the richest men in the country.

I had heard the staff whispering about him all morning.Xavier Kingsley,CEO of Kingsley Group....A Billionaire.

Apparently, he'd closed a multi-million-dollar deal while attending his own engagement party last month.

I snorted quietly.Imagine checking business emails on the happiest day of your life....Rich people were strange.

"Naomi!"I looked up again.This time, it was Mia, another event assistant.She rushed over, her face unusually pale.

"Have you seen the bride?"

"The bride?"

"No one can find her."I frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean..." She lowered her voice.

"She's missing."I laughed.

"She's probably just nervous."

"I thought so too."Mia shook her head.

"But the bridal suite is empty."

"What?"

"Her dress is still there."A strange feeling settled in my stomach.

"Maybe she's in the restroom."

"We've checked."

"The garden?"

"Checked."

"The spa?"

"Checked."My smile slowly disappeared.

"Oh..."Mia looked over her shoulder before whispering,

"The wedding starts in thirty minutes."I stared at her.

"You think she ran away?"

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to."Before either of us could say another word, Monica's voice echoed across the ballroom.

"Everyone!"Every employee immediately stopped what they were doing.

Monica climbed onto the small stage, trying her best to smile despite the panic written all over her face.

"There has been... a slight delay."Guests exchanged curious glances.

"The ceremony will begin shortly."The lie was obvious.Even the violinists had stopped playing,The atmosphere changed instantly.Whispers spread across the room like wildfire.

"What's happening?"

"Why hasn't the ceremony started?"

"Is something wrong?"I exchanged another look with Mia.Something was definitely wrong.

**

**

**

An hour ago......Everything had been perfect.Now.....The wedding of the year was falling apart.

******

"Naomi!"I turned just in time for Monica to shove another clipboard into my hands.

"I need you upstairs."

"Why?"

"Just go."I hurried toward the private elevators reserved for the bridal party.The higher I climbed, the louder the chaos became.People were running through the hallway.

Two security guards rushed past me and A makeup artist stormed out of the bridal suite, muttering under her breath.

"This is a disaster."Inside the suite, dresses, shoes, and bouquets were scattered everywhere.It looked as though someone had left in a hurry.

"Did anyone check the security cameras?" someone asked.

"We're reviewing them now."

"What about her phone?"

"It was left behind."I froze.Left behind?Who leaves their phone on their wedding dayMonica pulled me aside.

"Naomi."

"Yes?"

"Take these emergency bouquets downstairs."She handed me two arrangements of white roses.

"And don't ask questions."I nodded.Working events had taught me one important lesson.

The less you knew...The less trouble you got into.

As I stepped back into the elevator, I couldn't stop thinking about the missing bride.Would she come back?Had she changed her mind?Or had something happened to her?

The elevator doors opened onto the main floor.The ballroom was even louder now,Guests were openly gossiping.The photographers kept checking their cameras.

Outside the hotel's glass entrance, reporters had already begun gathering.

News spread fast when billionaires were involved.I adjusted the flowers in my arms and headed toward the reception area.

Halfway there........Crash!

A young waitress stumbled, sending an entire tray of champagne crashing onto the marble floor.Glasses shattered, the golden liquid splashed across the entrance.

"Oh no!"The waitress looked ready to cry.

"I'm so sorry!"Several guests stepped back to avoid the broken glass.Without thinking, I set the bouquets aside.

"It's okay."I knelt beside her.

"I'll help."Together, we quickly gathered the larger pieces while another staff member fetched a mop.

"You should go," I whispered.

"I'll explain to Monica."Her eyes filled with grateful tears.

"Thank you."I smiled.

"We're a team."She hurried away.

I picked up the last shard of glass and stood, brushing invisible dust from my uniform.That's when I felt it.....Someone was watching me.Slowly...I looked up.

Across the grand lobby stood a tall man in a perfectly tailored black tuxedo.His tie hung loose around his neck.

His dark hair looked as though he'd run his hands through it one too many times.

Several men in expensive suits stood behind him, talking anxiously, but he wasn't listening.

His eyes.....Were fixed on me.For a brief second, the noise around us seemed to disappear.I frowned,Did I know him?....He looked kinda familiar.....No....I'd definitely remember a face like that.He looked away first.

One of the men beside him leaned close and said something.

The stranger gave a short nod before walking toward the elevators without another glance.I watched him leave.

"Who was that?" I murmured.A nearby employee looked at me as though I'd asked who the president was.

"You don't know?"I shook my head.

"That's Xavier Kingsley."My stomach dropped....The heir of Kingsley Enterprise.....wow... he's the groom??

I looked toward the elevators again.....The doors had already closed behind him.Poor man.....No matter how rich someone was...No one deserved to be abandoned on their wedding day.

I picked up the bouquets again.Hopefully...They'd find the bride before everything fell apart.Little did I know... before the day ended, my own life was about to change forever.

**

**

**

The moment I returned to the ballroom, Monica was waiting for me.She folded her arms.

"Finally."

"I'm sorry. One of the waitresses........."

"I know."Her expression softened for a second.

"I heard what you did."I blinked.

"You did?"She nodded.

"You covered for her."

"It wasn't a big deal."

"It was."She handed me another file.

"That's why I'm trusting you with something important."I looked at the folder in my hands.

"What is it?"

"The marriage certificate."My eyes widened.

"What?"She sighed.

"The bride signed most of the documents this morning. The officiant needs the originals before the ceremony."

"Oh..."

"If anyone asks, you're taking them to Mr. Kingsley's wedding coordinator."I nodded.

"I'll be careful."

"You'd better be."She lowered her voice.

"Everyone is already on edge."I tucked the folder safely under my arm and hurried toward the private corridor leading to the groom's waiting room.The hallway was almost empty.Only security guards and hotel staff moved through it.

As I approached the large double doors, raised voices echoed from inside.

"...we've searched every floor!"

"I don't care!" another voice snapped.

"Find her."I slowed my steps.Someone sounded furious.A second later, the doors burst open.

A man from earlier in a navy suit stormed out while speaking into his phone.

"Check the parking garage again."He nearly collided with me.

"I'm so sorry," I said quickly.He barely looked at me before rushing away.....I exhaled.Definitely not the time to be here.

Before I could knock, the door opened again.This time, another man stepped out.He looked a little younger than Xavier.Friendly face,Sharp blue suit....Unlike everyone else, he wasn't panicking.

His eyes landed on me.

"You work with the event team?"

"Yes."

"What do you have there?"

"The marriage documents."He stared at the folder for a second.

"Come in."I frowned.

"I... I was told to give these to the wedding coordinator."

"I know."He held the door open.

"She's inside."I hesitated before stepping into the suite.The room looked nothing like the glamorous ballroom downstairs....It looked like a war room.Several lawyers stood near the windows.

Two security guards were speaking into earpieces.

An elderly man with silver hair sat in a leather chair, gripping an elegant walking cane.His expression was unreadable.Standing in the middle of the room........was Xavier Kingsley.

His jacket had been removed,His sleeves were rolled to his forearms.One hand rested on his hip while the other rubbed the bridge of his nose.

He looked...Exhausted.Not angry,Not arrogant.Just...Tired.

The room fell silent the moment I entered and every pair of eyes turned toward me.Immediately I froze.

"I... um..."Why was everyone looking at me?The younger man smiled politely.

"She's from the event team."The attention shifted away from me....Thank goodness.I quickly walked toward a woman arranging papers on a table.

"I was asked to bring these."She accepted the folder with a grateful smile.

"Perfect. Thank you."I turned to leave.

"...Wait."The voice stopped me and I looked back.Xavier was staring at me.For one awkward second, neither of us spoke.Then he asked,

"Your name?"My heart skipped.

"Naomi."

"Naomi...?"

"Bennett."He nodded once.

"Thank you."

".......You're welcome."That was it.I left the room wondering why he'd asked for my name before the door closed behind me.

XAVIER'S POINT OF VIEW

I should have been standing at the altar.Instead, I was watching security footage.

The monitor replayed the same scene for what felt like the hundredth time.Isabella walked into the bridal suite.A few minutes later, her makeup artist left then the hairstylist, then her bridesmaids.

But Isabella.......Never came out.I leaned both hands against the conference table, my eyes never leaving the screen.

"Run it again."The technician obeyed without question.The footage restarted,Same hallway,Same door but still same result.

"Sir..."The head of security stepped forward.

"We've searched every floor of the hotel."

"No sign of her?"He lowered his head.

"No, sir."A muscle ticked in my jaw.

"This hotel has over three hundred cameras."

"I know."

"So explain to me how a bride disappears without being seen."No one answered.

Tap.......Tap......Tap.

The sound of a cane striking the marble floor echoed through the suite.I didn't have to turn around because I already knew who it was......My grandfather.

He stopped beside me.

"I warned you."I finally looked at him.

"This isn't the time."

"It is precisely the time."His voice was calm, but that made it worse.He wasn't angry,He had already made up his mind.

"The board has been informed."I frowned.

"What?"

"If today's wedding does not take place..."He met my eyes.

"...your position as Chief Executive Officer will be reviewed immediately."Liam let out a disbelieving laugh.

"Reviewed?"Grandpa didn't even glance at him.

"Victor will assume control until the board reaches a final decision."I looked away.

Victor??My cousin had spent years trying to prove I wasn't worthy of leading Kingsley Group.Today was the opportunity he'd been waiting for.

"This is ridiculous," I said.

"My bride disappears, and somehow I'm the one being punished?"His expression didn't change.

"You are not being punished."

"You are being tested."I laughed bitterly.

"By losing everything?"

"If you cannot protect your own future..."He paused.

"...how can you protect this family's future?"The room fell silent again.

Liam finally broke the silence.

"So..."He rubbed the back of his neck.

"What's the backup plan?"

"There isn't one," I answered.

"There has to be."

"There isn't."He started pacing.

"We're running out of time."

"I know."

"The guests are already talking."

"I know."

"The press is outside."

"I know."He stopped in front of me.

"Then think."I closed my eyes.For the first time in years...I had no solution.

Then......A memory surfaced.

The young woman kneeling on the marble floor.Broken champagne glasses scattered around her.nstead of blaming the waitress who dropped the tray, she smiled.

"It's okay."

"We're a team."Later...She walked into this very room carrying the marriage documents.

She hadn't stared at me like the way other girls had.She hadn't tried to impress me....She'd simply done her job.Even when everyone around her was panicking...She stayed calm.

My eyes opened.Liam noticed immediately.

"You've got an idea."I reached for my jacket.

"It's not a good one."He grinned.

"Those are usually your best ideas."I slipped my arms into the sleeves while Grandpa watched me carefully.

"What are you going to do?"I fastened the first button.

"What I have to."Without another word, I walked out of the suite.The hallway buzzed with anxious employees pretending everything was under control.

It wasn't,Nothing was.As the elevator doors opened onto the ballroom level, the noise hit me all at once.Guests whispered behind champagne glasses.

Reporters crowded the entrance,The musicians stood awkwardly beside the stage, unsure whether they were supposed to keep playing.

Then.......I saw her.She was standing near the head table, carefully adjusting a crooked centerpiece while another employee apologized for knocking it over.

"It's fine," Naomi said with a reassuring smile.

"We still have time."She fixed the flowers herself.

I stared at her for a long moment then I started walking.She noticed me when I was only a few feet away and her smile faded into confusion.

"Mr. Kingsley?"I stopped in front of her.

"I need your help."She blinked.

"My... help?"

"Yes."

"With what?"I looked straight into her eyes.

"Marry me."

NAOMI'S POINT OF VIEW

"Marry me."For a second...I simply stared at him then I laughed.Not a polite laugh.....A genuine, uncontrollable laugh.

"I'm... I'm sorry." I covered my mouth.

"That was actually funny."Mr. Kingsley didn't laugh.His expression remained unreadable.The smile slowly slipped from my face.

"...You're serious?"

"I am."I blinked twice, waiting for him to smile or admit this was some strange billionaire joke.He didn't.

"You can't be serious."

"I've never been more serious."I looked around the ballroom.Several guests were watching us from a distance, pretending not to.

A waiter nearly walked into a flower stand because he was too busy staring.Even the musicians had stopped pretending to rehearse.Heat rushed to my face.

"Mr. Kingsley..."

"Xavier."

"What?"

"My name is Xavier."I frowned.

"This isn't the time to correct me."

"No," he said calmly.

"It isn't."

"Then why are you asking me to marry you?"His jaw tightened.

"My bride disappeared."

"I know."

"I have less than an hour before this wedding is officially declared a failure."

"I'm... sorry."

"So am I."His answer came quietly.

For the first time since we'd met, I noticed how exhausted he looked.The expensive tuxedo,The perfectly tailored jacket,The polished shoes.None of them could hide the dark circles beneath his eyes.

For a brief moment......I almost felt sorry for him.Almost.

"But why me?"

"You stayed calm when everyone else panicked."I frowned.

"What?"

"You helped your coworker instead of blaming her."

"Anyone would've done that."

"No."His gaze remained fixed on mine.

"They wouldn't."I opened my mouth but closed it again.Surely...That couldn't be the reason.

"You don't even know me."

"I know enough."I laughed again, though this time it sounded uncertain.

"Mr... Xavier..."He raised an eyebrow.

"Even if I wanted to help....which I don't......marriage isn't something you ask a complete stranger."

"I know."

"You don't."

"I do."

"No, you really don't."A small silence settled between us.Then he asked,

"Do you trust me?"

"What?"

"I asked if you trust me."

"I met you less than ten minutes ago."

"Fair enough."He slipped one hand into the pocket of his tuxedo.

"I'm not asking because I'm in love with you."

"Good."

"I'm asking because I need your help."

"And I'm not qualified."

"You are."

"No."

"Yes."I folded my arms.

"You really don't give up, do you?"

"I've been told I'm persistent."

"I'd use another word."One corner of his mouth lifted.It was the first hint of amusement I'd seen from him all day.

"I probably deserve that."I sighed.

"Look..."

"I truly am sorry about what happened."

"I can't imagine how difficult today must be."

"But marrying you isn't the answer."I turned to leave.

"I'll pay you."My steps stopped.Slowly...I looked back.

"I'm sorry?"

"I'll compensate you for your time."I stared at him.

"You think I'm saying no because of money?"

"No."

"Then why bring it up?"

"Because what I'm asking will change your life."His voice was calm.

"So it should change mine too."I shook my head.

"You can't buy a wife."

"I'm not trying to."

"It certainly sounds like it."

"I'm offering a contract."I blinked.

"A... what?"

"A temporary marriage."I couldn't help laughing again.

"This gets crazier every second."

"It will last one year."

"And then?"

"We divorce."I stared at him as though he'd lost his mind.

"You've planned all this already?"

"I've had a very stressful morning."

"I can tell."He glanced toward the ballroom entrance where reporters crowded behind the glass doors.

"If this wedding doesn't happen today..."

"My company suffers."

"My employees suffer."

"Thousands of people could lose their jobs."His words caught me off guard.I'd expected him to talk about money,about reputation.Not...People.

Still...It wasn't enough.

"I'm sorry."I shook my head.

"I can't."For a second......Neither of us spoke.Then he took one slow step toward me.

"What if I offered you fifty million dollars?"Everything around me seemed to stop immediately.

I searched his face, waiting for the punchline.

"...How much?"His eyes never left mine.

"Fifty million dollars."