Emma Livingston never thought she would end up in an arranged union. The twenty-four-year-old fashion and event planner, who just finished her master's programme, is heartbroken to learn that her father has signed her up to wed 30-year-old billionaire barrister Liam Henderson in order to pay off his enormous debts. Liam consents to the convenience marriage because he feels pressured by his father to provide a family-friendly image. Emma and Liam start to see surprising aspects of each other as they work through their unplanned union. Beneath Liam's cold, entitled exterior is a compassionate guy battling familial demands. Emma is unable to ignore the rising sentiments that are emerging between them, despite her initial resentment of the arrangement. With the support of their best friends, Samantha and Ryan, Emma and Liam must decide whether to surrender to the love blossoming between them or fight against the odds stacked against their happily ever after.
View MoreEmma’s POV“Why’s it so bright already,” I groaned as I struggled to get out of bed. I checked the time and saw it was 11:03 am. I got in at past midnight, so seeing the time made me realize this was the longest I’d slept in a while. It’s been three weeks since the day Sammy and Liam’s friends were over at the apartment, meaning it’s been three weeks since Liam and I last spoke to each other. It’s honestly been so funny and crazy. We haven’t had a reason to be out publicly together in that time, so we’ve been able to take that time off from our pretense. Considering there’s been no reason to make any public appearances with Liam, I’ve been working later hours at the Fashion House because of the upcoming fashion show the company is hosting in three weeks, but I know within myself that the real reason I’ve been working late is so I can easily avoid Liam without having to make it seem like I’m purposely doing it. He hurt me, but I don’t need him knowing that he hurt me. It makes me lo
Liam’s POV“Hey, man. Come on in,” I said, dapping up Ryan, Tim, and Louis. “Samantha, these are my friends. You already know Ryan, but that’s Tim, and that’s Louis,” I said, pointing at Tim and Louis, respectively.“Hi,” she responded, waving at them. “Hi, Ryan,” she said to Ryan, her cheeks turning visibly red. “Hey, Sammy,” Ryan responded, walking over to her and grabbing her hand in his. “Uhm, what's going on?” I asked, looking between the both of them. “Well,” Ryan started, scratching the back of his head. “Sammy and I have kind of been seeing each other since the day of the wedding,” he continued, looking guilty. I was taken aback. “You’re kidding right?” I asked. “How? I didn’t even see you guys talking that day”. “We spoke later in the evening, man. I told you. Don't you remember? When you and Emma took that walk in the garden or wherever it was that you both wandered off to. I was looking for you, so I asked her if she knew where you guys were and she told me, then we
Liam’s POV“Well?” I asked, urging her to speak. “Do you have a problem with my friends coming over?” I asked again. “I don’t have any issues with your friends coming over, Liam,” she said, grabbing a piece of bacon and munching on it. “It’s just that earlier, you mentioned it was just Ryan who was coming over. Now, you’re saying two other people are coming as well,” she said, looking between me and the bacon in her hand. “Okay, so?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “Forget about it, Liam,” she said, rolling her eyes at me in a dismissive manner then standing up. “I don’t want to talk about it,” she continued, walking over to the kitchen door. “Emma,” I called out her name, grabbing her hand, and stopping her in her tracks. “I don’t appreciate your attitude. Fix it,” I warned. “No way you just said that to me,” she replied, scoffing. “I’m serious, Emma. I expect you to respect me,” I said, letting go of her arm.“First of all, don’t ever grab me like that again, and secondly, what’s
Emma’s POV“Ryan? As in Liam’s best friend, Ryan?” I asked slowly.“Yes, Liam’s best friend, Ryan,” she said laughing to break the awkwardness that was growing between us.“How? When? Why?” I asked.“Is there a problem, Emma? Is there something about him that you know and I don’t? Because I honestly don’t understand why you’re reacting this way. Don’t you like that I’m happy?” she asked, getting agitated.“You’re happy?” I probed.“Shouldn’t I be?” she asked, getting up from the chair, growing more angry.“Calm down, Samantha. I’m not trying to rain on your parade. I guess it’s just that I don’t really know anything about Ryan and I just find it weird that you’re dating my husband’s best friend and you’re just now telling me about it,” I said, standing up as well.“First of all,” she said, holding a finger up, “Ryan and I aren’t dating. We’ve been on two dates and that’s it. We’re still figuring things out. Second of all, he’s your fake husband. Liam is your fake husband,” she correct
Emma’s POV“You have got to be kidding me!” I yelled at the movie I was watching on the TV.“I don’t think it’s ever that serious, Emma,” Liam said, laughing, as he walked down the stairs and into the living room where I was.“Good morning,” he said, walking into the kitchen and grabbing a glass of water.“Good morning,” I responded, glancing at him briefly.It’s been about three weeks of me living in the same house as Liam Henderson, a bit over a month since he and I got married, and two weeks since I started my new job at the Williamson Fashion House.If I was to be honest, life was going surprisingly smoothly. I mean, it’s not where I expected to see myself right now, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought things would be, especially considering my current situation.Living with Liam wasn’t entirely that bad. With the way we moved around, we were more like housemates who shared the same apartment. He respected my space and I respected his. The only thing was there have been days that we
Emma’s POVAfter being away from the crowd for over thirty minutes, Liam decided it was time to walk back out and rejoin them, so we did. “Are you ready to continue the show?” he asked as we made our way back to where everyone was seated. “Not one bit, but let’s do this,” I responded, letting out a deep breath. “Come on,” he said, grabbing my hand and squeezing it in a reassuring manner. I don’t know what’s going on with Liam today, but for some reason he’s been sweet to me throughout the day. Maybe it’s because of the fact that we just got married, but whatever it is, it’s making me see him in a whole new light. With how he constantly changes his approach towards me, I can never fully beat my chest to say that Liam is a good person, but with the way he’s been over the past few days, I want to assume he’s either working on himself or he’s faking it. I really hope it’s the former. “There you are,” Mrs. Henderson said as she saw us stepping out of the main house. “Your mother an
Emma’s POVThe setup was beautiful. I was in genuine awe of how everything turned out and how the event planners were able to put all these things together. The guests looked ravishing and the decorations made it seem as though I was getting married into royalty. To be fair, with how rich the Hendersons are, I most likely am. The ceremony was taking place at the back of the Henderson residence and initially, I was concerned that it wouldn’t look nice but I was so wrong. I had finally put on my dress and left the dressing room. Now, I was standing at the beginning of the aisle, my dad standing beside me, his left hand intertwined with my right hand at our elbows. All the guests stood up as they saw me and the pianist began playing the opening music. All of a sudden I was feeling very nervous and I just wanted to drop the bouquet in my hands and take to my heels, but I knew couldn’t do that. I had committed myself to this and I had to see it through, for the sake of myself and my p
Emma’s POV“Saturday, 23rd March,” I said to myself repeatedly as I stared at my reflection in the mirror.“Emma? Are you okay?” Sammy asked as she walked back into my dressing room.“I get married today, Sammy,” I responded, breaking out of my cycle. “I get married today,” I said again, my voice trailing off.I felt dizzy, so I went over to the couch to sit down.She came up to me and engulfed me in a hug. “I know this wasn’t what we planned, but everything’s going to be okay. I promise,” she said, rubbing smooth circles on my back in an attempt to calm me down. “Please don’t cry,” she beckoned as she released me from the hug, noticing tears starting to form at the corners of my eyes. You’re looking way too beautiful to cry, Emma. Please don’t cry,” she pleaded, pulling me back in for another hug.My hair and makeup were done so I understood why she didn’t want me to cry, but it was hard. Very hard. A few tears dropped, but not enough that it ruined my makeup.She released me from th
Liam’s POVIn about twenty minutes, we got to the tailor’s shop. “Are you fine with this, Mr. Henderson,” my tailor, Clarke, asked. “I’m not sure. What do you think, Ryan?” I asked, looking back to face Ryan.“I like it,” he said, taking a sip of the champagne in his hand. “The color fits your skin tone for sure,” “Are you sure?” I asked. “That’s the other option I was thinking of going with over there,” I said, pointing toward the burgundy-colored suit hanging on the rack behind him. “Hell no,” he laughed. “That’s an ugly ass color, dude. What’s wrong with you?” he asked, still laughing. “Alright, alright. I get it,” I replied, rolling my eyes. “Okay, Clarke. This is the one,” I said, turning back to face Clarke. “Alright then, Mr. Henderson,” he responded. “You can take it off now while I do the finishing touches,” he continued. I nodded then went back to the dressing room to take off the suit and give it back to Clarke. “Alright, Clarke, thanks for everything,” I said as E
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