Emma Starr
We got to my house, only to see three paparazzi with their cameras. It seemed like they were already waiting for me. I gulped, glaring at Nicholas.
Why did he have to be this famous?
“Great, how do we go in now?” I wriggled my brows.
Clenching his fists, he hit his hands on his steering wheel, “I will try to find a way, baby.”
Nicholas drove in slowly as we studied the entire place. My neighbors were peeking to see what was happening.
As if that wasn’t enough, Nicholas had announced me to be his bride-to-be. I wondered if it has reached publication yet... Bringing out my phone, I checked only to see my picture with today’s outfit.
The headline read:
[Nicholas Russell announces Emma Starr as his Bride-To-Be. Turns out they had a son all along! What could they be hiding?]
“Look here, they already made news from it!” I exclaimed, bringing the phone forth so Nicholas could see it. “How fast can they be?”
I mean they already settled in my neighborhood, so what were the chances?
“Move in with me.”
“Huh?!” I let out in an alert look.
“In Country Club, you and my son will be protected. You will have no paparazzi issues, financial or any miscellaneous expenses.”
“This is not necessary-“
“Have you seen how desperate these people are?”
I looked out the window only to see them running after the car. One of the males slipped and fell only to dust his cloth, pursuing after us and making me sink into the chair.
I ran my hands through my son’s brown hair, patting it softly. “For the meantime, okay?”
“Okay, do you need some assistance in packing?”
“There is little stuff so no. I will be fine alone.”
“Alright, snowflake.”
I scoffed at his words, highlighting from the car only for the reporters to gather around me once more. My movements were entirely fast this time, making me rush through opening and slamming my door shut on them.
“My drugs...”
I said, slipping the first necessary thing and sitting down so I didn’t strain my muscles too much. I had to figure out the family that will raise my son if I didn’t survive the surgery or never got to do it.
The Doctor said I could die at any time.
“Hello?” I sniffled in tears as I dialed the foster parent’s agency number. “This is Miss Emma. May I know the update on parents who intend to adopt a child?”
“I’m sorry but there are already many people in line.”
“Oh... I see. Is it okay if you write my number down and call me when there are more spots?”
“Sure, I will do just that.”
“Thanks so much!”
“Welcome, Miss Emma. Do have a nice day!” she said.
I hung up after replying. I was almost rounding up the packing and took just two bags, not forgetting to take my work attire. Jonathan’s clothes were more than mine so I took extra care in folding them. I was out minutes later, locking the door and walking to Nicholas’ Rolls Royce. I got in the car saying,
“Sorry, I took time.”
“You didn’t take long. This is the shortest time I’ve ever seen someone prepare to move.”
Surprisingly, he sat down with Jonathan in the back seat, allowing him to place his head on his lap. Warm air was turned on, making me sigh in relief humming as I kicked off my shoes.
He carefully transferred Jonathan’s head to my lap before coming down to enter the driver’s seat. The paparazzi sighted him running once again but he was faster than them this time. “Thank goodness! Yes!”
I exclaimed joyously, as he reversed chuckling at this too.
On getting to the Country Clubhouse, Nicholas took a hold of the luggage while I carried Jonathan in my hands.
He was still fast asleep oblivious to whatever was happening around him. His uncle was the first person we saw as we entered from the main entrance.
“Emma, what are you doing here with Jonathan? Is all well?”
“Emma will be staying with me for time-being, uncle.”
Nicholas put his hands around my shoulder, almost like he was claiming me and just that instant, three women passed us.
“We heard the news.” one elderly woman said. “Congratulations on your engagement to Nicholas, Emma!”
“Engagement? What engagement?” Mr. Henry asked, only for the other woman to reply,
“Didn’t he tell you? He announced to the town that Miss Emma is his bride-to-be. Isn’t this a good thing?”
“He did what?! Whoa...” His uncle stared at us with a confused gaze pointing his walk stick at us.
“I see you’ve started keeping secrets from me.”
“Uncle Henry, it isn’t like that-“
“Oh, isn’t Jonathan your son, then?” A woman out of the three stepped forward asking Nicholas.
“He is,” he answered.
“Then what isn’t like anything?”
“Gosh.” Another woman said. “The town is so excited! I mean we might be having a wedding soon from the famous movie producer himself!”
I felt embarrassed that instant, with my cheeks heating up.
“I um, I have to go and put Jonathan to bed.”
Bowing at them all in respect, I hurriedly paced out of there rushing to the little janitor’s room I always stayed in when I wasn’t working.
A knock came in, “Emma?”
I recognized that voice. Low, guttural, it was just cooling.
“Yes, Nicholas?”
“A staff told me you came here. What are you doing? Shouldn’t you be in my suite?”
“Your suite? Won’t that be a barge in on your privacy?”
He smirked, straightening his blue shirt as he stepped closer. “After all these years... I missed so much time in my son’s life and you think I’d be worried about that?”
I patted my son’s head saying,
“You have so many women around you and I don’t think that’s the best environment for my son. If we stay in a different suite, it will bring more advantages for you and me.”
“My son stays with me. I need to keep an eye on him, and since everyone thinks we are engaged, I’m suggesting you come live with me too.”
He had a point. Why didn’t he say anything about his harem though?
Maybe he is still fascinated it. “What about the women?”
“You mean the actresses?”
“Yes, the ones you sleep with.” I nibbled my upper lip, with curiosity on my face hoping he told me the truth.
“The town won’t like me sleeping with other women so I will try my best to not bring them here.”
“It’s not about the town!” I sat saying, “I don’t want Jonathan exposed to that kind of environment, Nicholas. Please... for heaven’s sake. He’s just five!”
“Okay.”
“Yeah,”
He said, staring at me with his dark orb eyes and a smirk on his features. “Are you jealous, Emma?”
He said as I stood up to walk to his private suite, making me laugh uncontrollably in a way that sounded far too weird. “Me? Jealous?”
Was I…
Did I sound like I was or was I protecting my son’s best interest at heart?
“It seems like you don’t like women around me, or am I mistaken?”
“Of course!” I rushed to open the door. “Feel free to invite as many as you can, as long as it’s not in the suite I and my son are in.”
Nicholas Russell connected his hands to his pockets walking outside with another dark grin at my words.
He flipped a hand over his brown hair, which appeared entirely gorgeous and flirty making my insides melt! What was happening?
“Wait up, baby.”
Suddenly saying those words, he took Jonathan from me. My son woke up at the sudden movement, rubbing his eyes and staring at his dad. “Mommy?”
“Yes, baby?”
“Why is the red ball man carrying me?” he said.
“He’s your father.”
I confessed finally, not wanting to hide anything from him again. “Jonathan...”
“You’re my daddy?”
“Yes, my little boy,” he replied, glancing at him with a warm expression. “I’m your father.”
I gave them some space to get to know each other, and as soon as we entered the suite arranging some clothes inside the wardrobe. It didn’t mean I prevented myself from eavesdropping though.
I was entirely curious about what my son had to say if I was honest.
“Mommy said you traveled all this while. I thought you’ll never come.” he sobbed, hugging his father.
“At school, the fathers of my friends show up when they play their games but for me... none shows up.”
“Is that so?” Nicholas lifted him in his hands that minute. “Then as of today, daddy promises to escort you to any game, Jonathan!”
7Emma StarrHey Emma, You can’t let your heart melt from this billionaire’s tactics. He’s pretending, gorgeous. He doesn’t even mean any of that.These were the words my head was saying. BLARE! BLARE! Like a warning sign.But... why wasn’t I even going along with that? Why did it sound so genuine? That smile... I enjoyed seeing it on Jonathan’s face. The way he shook his father in an innocent and surreal way. It was something that made me want to stay. That made me hope.It was crazy, God I knew…“Daddy, do you want to see my toy house?”“Sure, where is it?”“Over here, come on daddy,” Jonathan replied to his father who took his hand, guiding them both as they walked to the other side of the room. “My toy house is apart...”“Yes, baby, we had to move so I made it that way so it was easier.”I told him from where I folded the clothes.“Oh...”A sad expression formed on his features. “It’s not the same anymore, mommy. Will Bob the Builder come help put it together.”Nicholas chuckl
8Emma StarrWhat more horror could that do to a woman’s life?!Engaged to a lady’s man...Thing was, it was a fake engagement. I shouldn’t give a damn about anything or care about his entanglements!“Where are the casting crews?”I could hear Nicholas yell from the rehearsal room as I cleaned the rehearsal’s entrance.“And the actresses? Goddamn, and the lead actress? Where the hell is, she?!”I wriggled my brows wondering why he was angry. Was it due to what happened earlier? Or work stress? Was it something I wasn’t aware of?“I’m sorry sir,” someone replied to him. “We just got a call. She was involved in an accident and is currently bedridden.”“An accident? How did that, fucking happen?!”“A hit-and-run. Sources say she was trying to avoid hitting an animal only to collide with a huge tree.”“Dammit.”Nicholas seethed. “It just had to happen at this moment. The final shoot. Damn, our competitors are ahead. They released several movies and we haven’t even successfully released
9Emma StarrGod, I could feel my entire body heat up at his gaze.I tore my eyes off him with the intent to take off the outfit.“Going somewhere, princess?”A familiar voice tuned in, making me look behind me. It was Nicholas. His hands were in his pockets... and, there was this gaze in his eyes. It was raw and full of wanting.“W-what are you doing?” I started, only for him to surge nearer. “Hmm, why don’t I ask the questions instead? How does it feel to kiss anyone apart from me? I was in your head the entire time, wasn’t I?”I narrowed my eyes at how he knew that.“Nope, I saw it as an act. Why are you getting worked up?”“Worked up? That’s incorrect. I make people work up. For women, it’s rarely the other way round.”I glared at him, wondering why he was a jerk most time.“Then go meet those ‘women’.”He moved to stop me but I was quick to sidestep his grasp. On realization that I did that, I gave myself some sort of inner accolade.Maybe, just maybe… I could resist him after al
10Emma StarrWas it my pre-period hormones?Or it had something to do with the way he taunted me?These thoughts occupied my head because right now, my body couldn’t even control itself. It was like anything related to Nicholas Russell turned it on. I was a grown woman at 28, yes, but this… was becoming so much for me to handle.I think he noticed how aroused I was because he dominantly made his way toward my legs. Sweeping a dark gaze over my lips, he claimed them with me opening up for him.He toyed his tongue with mine, circling them with mine, making me respond to this power he seemed to have over me. God help me, was I becoming a sucker for his kisses? Or holds…Control yourself, Emma.Please do.I tried to tell myself but my body was currently doing the opposite of that, as my hands wrapped around his back clasping around them and clinging to him like he was my dear life.“Mommy?”We disbanded from each other immediately in a quick rush, watching as Jonathan came out from the
11Emma StarrStaring at how good-looking he looked while sleeping, a pout formed in my mouth that minute wondering why he had to be so annoying at times. I mean, there were good sides to Nicholas Russell, but it seemed like the bad side overshadowed the good.God, what am I doing?After a day of hot sex with him, I’m supposed to have a clear head on how we currently were. I mean I was dying but-Right.I’m dying.I thought, looking around. What was I even doing here? I was supposed to be getting everyone ready for my demise. I’m supposed to make them feel like they could do without me.“Dammit.”I whispered, placing my head on the pillows in total frustration. I had a son. Leaving him to the poor world wasn’t fair. “What am I going to do? What, should I do? Talk to me, my Creators. Please, talk to me. Please, please, please.”A yawn brought me out of my daze, making me look back to the sofa to see Nicholas stirring in his sleep. He unconsciously swooped a part of his almond-brown hai
12Emma StarrI searched for what to say only for a certain thought to imprint my mind at his words. It was a flashback of what he said in the past:“I don’t take a woman twice. I don’t fall in love, neither am I looking for a happy-ever-after.”Narrowing my eyes, I thought of how those were entirely separate from each other.“If you don’t take a woman twice, how does not sharing their work? Does that even apply to everyone or just me?”I asked immediately, only for his face to appear flustered like he was caught off guard.“W-What are you insinuating with that question?” he blurted out. To be honest, his expression seemed extremely funny.Who knows, maybe a certain billionaire found a certain woman he met five years ago, fascinating enough to melt his playboy’s heart?I thought.“Who knows?” I shrugged only for him to put his hands in his pockets, commencing to walk forward.“That is all bogus, Emma, and quite tricky. You’re not becoming foxy, are you?”I chuckled walking after him t
13Nicholas RussellI held the script for the next part of Romancing a Spinster in my hands, studying it carefully and re-reading the roles to be played. I desired to know what else Emma was going to act with the lead actor.Not that I hadn’t gone through it in the past. I forgot some basic parts but knowing this was a romantic tale, there was this withheld anger in my chest. Yes, I never let anything get in the way of me making money.The business was never mixed with pleasure.But Emma made me want to break that fucking rule.“Sir, the lighting and stage preparation has been made for the choreography. The female lead isn’t here, yet, however.”“She isn’t?” I wriggled my brows, asking my assistant who nodded his head.“Ah, I see,”I folded my hands wondering what she was trying to pull this time. “Let me try reaching her. Inform the team of the situation.”“Okay, sir.”As he walked away, my brows furrowed at what she was trying to pull this time.Wasn’t she aware of today? This woman
14Nicholas RussellI moved nearer to her with a smirk on my lips.Staring at me like she was astonished on spot, she took a step back but I was quick. My hands snaked around her waist, stabilizing her from falling in tune with the pink flats she was wearing.“Y-You want me to kiss me or it?”She said, referring to the gift only for me to remove the white thread that was sitting on her gorgeous dark hair.“Neither of the above,” I brought the strand to her attention, only for her cheeks to redden.They were pink and had this rosy essence that made me chuckle slightly.“Oh... that, thanks for helping with that.”“Yep.”I muttered, taking steps away from her.“I have to go- I mean we have to go now,” she said, rushing ahead to the rehearsal room’s direction. I went after her that minute.“What now?”The character, acting Declan in Romancing a Spinser muttered in an angry tone. “You’ve been away for the past three months, then you finally show up, city girl? Why... why are you here, I wa