Liam
I stare at the message that Dad had sent and I shake my head in disbelief. This is his way of punishing me? By finding me a gold-digging whore to marry?
I laugh at how ridiculous this whole thing is. I assaulted an officer for putting his hands on me, I should be defended but because I’m a son who has lost his way, it doesn’t matter what I fucking do. I’m always at fault.
Anger seethes through me as I stare at the picture he had attached to the message. She stares back at me with her big brown eyes and I already hate her. The fact that she looks so innocent makes my blood boil.
My last scandal caused a worse stir and he said nothing. But I knew Dad would not ignore it this time, but marriage?
Especially when he knows what kind of betrayal and pain “she” left me in.
This is a stretch and being threatened with being stripped of my position if I don’t cooperate makes me grind my teeth in irritation.
“Sir, the engagement party will be starting soon and you are expected to be early because the media and other families will be present,” Jake says and I roll my eyes.
“Sometimes I wonder who you work for. Is it me or my father?” I ask without hiding the irritation in my voice but the fucker has been with me for so long that it means nothing to him.
Sometimes I even doubt if he has any feelings. I wish I was like that too because all I have inside me is anger and pain.
“The car is ready.” He responds instead, ignoring my question and I lazily walk downstairs.
This is going to be hell.
Only that, I am the one who was going to stir it. I vowed never to be in “that position” again.
And I intend to keep that promise.
Emily
“So soon?” I stare back at him after having signed the contract.
He stands up and opens his curtains and turns back to me with a warm smile on his face which makes me trust him despite the rush in my bones, ‘’Yes. The company is in trouble and even though we took down the articles, the board is still planning on dismissing my son and I can’t have that.’’
‘’So the engagement party is tomorrow?’’ I ask even though I heard him the first time. It was for me to digest the news I had just received.
‘’Yes. Also, don’t worry about what to wear. I will send you the address and you just need to come as you are.’’ He assures me with his usual warm smile which I return.
‘’Okay,’’ I respond as I stand to take my contract and head out the door when he stops me in the tracks.
‘’You can’t tell anyone about this Emily. Not even Liam or your family.’’ He warns me and I force another smile when all I want to do is curl up and cry.
Who would even believe me? They would probably think worse of me than they will tomorrow when those pictures go out.
‘’I know.’’ is all I can say and he nods in acknowledgment.
I return to the hospital and time is a blur only this time, my heart is at peace as I hold Dad’s hands who is still unconscious.
The balance was paid and the operation has been successful. It’s shocking what money can do.
I signed the contract a few hours ago and he has been operated on already.
It was all worth it after all. I smile with tears in my eyes. He was generous enough to pay before the engagement so I know, I can’t disappoint him.
A soft knock makes me turn as Aunty Melan walks in and I run to give her a warm hug. I missed her, "Silly girl. Why didn’t you call me?’’ She pinches my cheeks and I smile through the tears.
I hate that she had to leave her own family to take care of us but we had no choice especially with my exams coming up soon.
And your marriage. A little voice adds but I shut it down.
“How were you able to pay the bills? This place is very expensive and you’re not yet working.’’ She adds in question and my heart is pounding as I come up with a lie.
“Mum had left some savings for my school.’’ I lie with a straight face.
Who have I become to easily deceive people?
“ I will try to push for my money so I can help with your school fees next term.’’ She promises as she takes a seat next to Dad.
I’m not sure if she believed me or not but she doesn’t ask or call me out.
“You can go ahead and study. I’ll watch over your father.’’ She smiles and I hug and kiss her goodbye as I walk back home.
I didn't think Richingard would make the payment before the engagement, now that he has, it’s only right that I fulfill my end of the deal.
Maybe his son will be as kind as him and the tabloids have been wrong. People post anything for money these days.
***************
The next morning, I find myself sitting in a hotel room as the make-up artist works her magic on me. My mind is all over the place but one thing is for sure, I feel so out of place. It's the first time that someone has ever done my makeup worse off, being in a hotel room.
‘’We are done.’’ says the lady whose name I have learned is Kylie.
They have done such a great job that I can barely recognize myself. My brown hair has been done up in curls which fall slightly on my face as the rest of the hair is pinned up.
I'm given a red dress to wear and it goes all the way to the floor as it hugs me like a second skin.
My father would faint if he saw me like this. I laugh to myself.
Jake stands by the door as he waits and guides me silently to the room where the engagement is being held.
When we reach it, I'm in awe. The man has outdone himself.
It's certainly not a small gathering. People who look so wealthy stand and continue to chat in low voices until I walk in. All eyes turn to me as my heart starts to beat so fast I feel like I will fall.
Without realizing it, a big arm pulls me into an embrace and I look up to see the most handsome man I have ever laid eyes on. Yes, I have seen him in pictures but they did not do him any justice.
Blue eyes, perfect hair, a chiseled face, and a huge body. My breath gets caught as blood rushes to my cheeks. I am still recovering from shock when he whispers in my ear,
‘’I know your type. Gold-digging slut! I don’t know how you convinced my father, but you better crawl back to whatever shit hole you came from before I ruin you.’’
EmilyWhat do you say to a man who calls you a slut on your first conversation and in front of more than twenty people and cameras are all over the place?A man who is supposed to be your husband?I'm the only one who heard it but that doesn't help. I turn to look up at the man who has decided to think so ill of me and the coldness in his eyes makes me believe he meant every word he had said. A shiver runs down my spine as he turns back to the crowd with a fake smile plastered on his face. He locks his arm with mine and all I can feel are chains weighing me down.We walk forward and the people clap in cheer because, to them, we are the perfect couple put together. We stand in front of everyone and Liam kneels on one knee like a perfect gentleman. I don’t know what he is up to, but he has made it clear that there is never going to be any love between us. I just hope we will at least reason with each other and co-operate. He fakes a smile as he slips a diamond ring on my finger and w
EmilyDad just came out of the hospital and is in a wheelchair until he fully recovers. It has been two days since our engagement party and I can’t for the life of me find where to start from to talk about it to my family. My aunty Melan decided to move in with us until dad was better so that we were not disturbed with school and as much as I feel bad for burdening her, I’m glad she did that. ‘“Come on guys it’s Thanksgiving!’’ Nina complains as everyone is glued to the new TV show. Aunty Melan laughs as she sets the food on the table, “Well at least someone can help me and not just watch me.’’ ‘’Let me help. ‘’ I jump up from my seat and Nina groans in frustration but remains sitting. Nina’s family lives so far away in Canada so she is not able to always go back home but our house is like her second home and it's always fun to have her around. She is like a sister I never had. “I’ll join you later. Me and the old man here need to catch up on what happens next.’’ She defends herse
Emily I’m still in shock and I don’t know what he's up to but I have a feeling it’s nothing good. I turn to Nina apologetically but she gives me a blank face. I would have been glad if she was mad like my aunty but her silence bothers me. Hurt is evident in her eyes. But the worst part is, I still can’t tell her the truth. Before I can apologize to her, Aunty Melan claps her hands together getting everyone’s attention, ‘’Dinner is set and ready. Lewis! Help your dad to the table.’’ Now I have to find a way to deliver the news prematurely to dad. “Is it true? Did you get engaged sweet pee?’’ Dad asks with his brow raised like he didn’t just hear the whole conversation. “Liam Lockhart.’’ He says stretching out his hand which my dad takes and I almost pass out because my dad definitely watches the news and his articles are not the best kind. They’re definitely not about him donating gifts or playing with children. “Aren't you the guy who is always on the news for being in trouble
Emily How the wedding moved from four days later to right the next day is not even a shock. I’m so tired that I just want to get this over with and when I received the text message last night, I couldn’t even cry. I tried and hoped to but the tears just couldn’t come out. “Why are you rushing this Emily? Is there something I should know about?” Dad asks.“No, he has a trip next week and I can only tag along if we are married.” I lie and feel ridiculous at how it doesn’t make sense even to my own ears. “Are you pregnant?” Aunt Melan asks and I almost choke. “No, I’m not” The doorbell rings and I assume that it's Jake who has come to pick me up since I was told I would dress from the hotel again. “Dad please.” I plead and he looks at me with sadness in his eyes before nodding.“You go ahead, we will be right behind you.” He says and I kiss him on the cheek and walk out.The trip is short and Nina is with me as we enter a room that we expect to find empty but it's full of people. Ab
Emily My legs are cold and stiff but they move. My eyes are red and puffy from crying but Kylie rushed back inside and did wonders to my face that one has to come so close to tell I have been crying. It's been the toughest time for me but I know that I have no choice but to be strong. The song starts and I move forward. I chose a song I would never play on my wedding. I chose the very opposite of what I would choose every time I thought about marriage. I hoped I’d have it all. A kick-ass career and a man by my side to fall on when everything goes south but all my hopes and dreams are thrown out the window and the only thing that’s keeping me together is the fact that my father gets to live. It’s not your typical wedding song but it fits the situation like a glove. I didn’t think they would even play “Dynasty by Mia”. It’s pretty sad but I guess the people here are too rich to care. In my world, we definitely pay attention to the words, especially on a day like this but from t
EmilyI close the door, pick the dress laid out for me, and run downstairs as tears roll down my face. I can barely see and I might bump into someone but I don’t care. I find one of the bathrooms and I lock myself. Everything comes crashing down as I begin to sob uncontrollably. The hot tears don’t stop as I grip my chest and my knees give out making me sit on the cold hard floor. Why is this happening to me?I didn’t expect love but cheating? On the very night of our wedding is too painful. I should be by my father’s side but I can’t even be there because the contract doesn't allow me to until this is over.How long will I be made to go through the same kind of pain over and over again? If he is not cheating, he is threatening and insulting me. I wipe the tears but they don’t stop falling so I let them.Only this time, Kylie won’t be here to fix me when I’m needed again. The door knob twists and turns and I ignore it until I hear a voice I recognize, Nina.I force myself to stand
Emily “Dinner at 8 PM, Eleven Madison Park.” The message reads and I sigh. The only thing left was the “Don’t be late.” threat. So much for being civil.It has been five days since our wedding which means five days since I caught him cheating. We have been basically out of each other’s way and we rarely cross paths. The penthouse is very big and I make sure to stay in my room when he is back from work, which is also rare, making me wonder if he ever returns home. When I moved in, I found an elderly woman by the name of Joane who comes in three times a week to cook and clean. Her cooking is excellent but she rarely says a word to me.Another person on the “Not Emily’s fan list.”I don’t know who the woman was on the night of my wedding but I was too tired to even regard her insult. I went home and slept it off that night hoping that when I woke up I would feel better.I didn’t. With a heavy sigh, I tuck my phone inside my back pocket and kiss my dad goodbye. He has been respondin
Hello everyone happy new year, I hope you enjoyed the holidays. We have begun another journey together and I hope it will be one that you will enjoy. I'm excited to write this new book and share it with you all and I hope you will love it as much as I do. I will be updating 4 chapters a day unless something goes wrong.Please leave a review and a gem to help the book. I would really appreciate it. Don't forget to also check out my two previous books and leave a review too. Thank you. With lots of love. The Everywoman. 👑