Dangerous Affections

Emma Parker awakened herself from sleep with the sound of her alarm. She tried to quiet the groaning, continuous beeping. The computerized panel showed 4:30 a.m. and said, "Another day, another struggle." Emma, wiping her eyes, threw her legs over the side of the bed. Her little studio apartment was still dark. She shifted gently, trying not to wake Lily, her five-year-old daughter, who was soundly asleep on the pull-out couch. Emma's heart softened as she looked at Lily's celestial face. That wonderful child helped her to keep through every demanding day. Lily would not even burn the midnight oil; there is absolutely nothing for her. Emma started the espresso maker pussyfooting to the kitchenette. As the small area smelled like freshly made coffee, she cleaned and got ready. She was ready to face another challenging day by five-fifteen. Emma gently woke Lily, helping her slow little daughter get dressed and eat quickly. Emma reassured her, smoothing Lily's wild twists, "Keep in mind, sweetie, Mrs. Rodriguez will get you for school." "I know, Mama," Lily said, yawning. “Would you be home tonight for dinner?" Emma's heart contracted. "Baby, I'll try my hardest. If not, the cupboard features mac and cheese. You presumably know how to create it." Lily nodded, her big green eyes reflecting Emma's and full of knowledge much beyond her years. Emma hated to be so often, yet what choice did she have? Emma gave him one final kiss, and embraced her and dashed out the door. In the cool morning air, she hurried to the adjacent coffee shop, where she worked the morning shift. She mentally checked off her packed schedule: coffee shop until 2 p.m., a dog-walking gig until 3 p.m., and driving for a ride-sharing app until late at night. Her mind flew. Emma arrived at the coffee shop already packed with customers. She tied on her apron and bird into the morning surge, a tsunami of coffee shots and foaming milk. Her colleagues' talks disappeared from view as she focused on every order. "For Mark, a supercharged soy latte!" Emma yelled out and passed the cup across the counter. She looked at the time—one fifty-five pm. roughly completed. As Emma's shift finished, her phone chimed. From her ride-share application, a note: "Popularity in Midtown. Bonus rates are now on offer! Emma started to pout her lips. Although the extra money would be a boon, she had promised to walk Mrs. Abernathy's poodles this evening. She acted fast and sent Mrs. an apology claiming a stomach bug, Abernathy, from a mistake. Guilt chewing at her as she ascended her battered Corolla. She hated lying, but the benefit might be that Lily's rapidly growing feet would mean another set of shoes. Emma headed for Midtown while afternoon traffic-choked New York City's streets. Her eyes looked for expected rides; her mind was occupied with calculations on bills and financial plans. She almost missed the red light somewhere deep in dreamland. Emma swiped on the brakes, her car screaming to stop simple creeps from the crosswalk. Her heart pounding, she shakily exhaled. She considered it the terrible crunch of metal against metal when she heard it. Emma's stomach turned over when she realized what had happened. She had been back completed by the car behind her in her scurrying to stop. Not just any car either; it was a sleek black Maserati, most likely worth more in a lifetime than she would have earned. Emma stammered, "No, no, no," panic building in her throat. This cannot happen. She couldn't afford to fix, let alone replace a nice car with damage. A Maserati driver approaches a young woman, Emma Parker, following an automobile accident. She promises to cover the damage and apologizes for it. The most qualified lone ranger in the city, well-off businessman Michael Waverly, suggests something that might address Lily's worries as well as hers. Emma, who is unmarried and never had a committed relationship, finds Michael's proposition shocking and confusing. Then he introduces himself as Michael Waverly, with a business card bearing a message on the back outlining ten million reasons to say OK. The recommendation fascinates Emma, who wonders about how it will affect Lily and her. Emma's thoughts load her with trust, fear, and interest as she drives home. Whatever Michael Waverly has to give, she thinks it could change everything for Lily and herself. However, at what cost? Standing outside Waverly Enterprises at 8:55 in the morning, Emma is sweating profusely and has a beating heart. She thinks of Lily and the life she was due, but Emma is unable to provide for her. She inhales deeply then rides the elevator to a big office with floor-to-ceiling windows offering an amazing view of the city. Emma is welcomed by Michael Waverly, who also obtains some knowledge regarding his recommendation. Emma is a successful and rich businessman, hence he claims he knows her. Emma falters. Michael is the most desirable bachelor in New York, he says with a nod, a picture he has deliberately built. Emma finds it logical that his image is becoming a burden and wonders how it would affect Lily and herself. Emma wonders about the consequences of her recommendation and the life she and Lily warrant as she drives home, her thoughts racing with fear, interest, and trust. Emma squinted. "I'm not sure what I have." Michael stood then, walking behind his desk. "I want to seek the Senate next year." Still, my advisers advise that my reputation as a womanizer could limit my options. They believe I truly want to calm down and show I can commit." Emma came to know about this. " You have to get hitched." Michael said, praisingly, "Smart girl." Indeed, I do desire a partner. Still, none of my wives. I need someone who comes from an ambitious family trying to advance in life and lacks ties. Someone not going to interfere with my life or my work." His piercing eyes turned first on Emma. "Somebody like you". Emma started to lose her tongue. Me personally? But then why me? Michael shook his backhand. "You are beautiful and smart. After our little mishap yesterday, I also dug a little. A single mom keeps several income streams to make enough to cover the expenses. There is no family. You're fantastic. Emma's cheeks reddened at his laid-back assessment of her existence. "Exactly what are you suggesting then?" Michael said obviously, "an agreement marriage." "You will pretend to be a loving wife for one year. Attend events, smile for pictures, and create conjugal rapture. Ten million dollars in return will be given to you. Emma gave her a shake. Ten million dollars ten times over. She didn't know how much it was, enough to guarantee Lily's future and more. She asked cynically, "What's in it for me?" Michael's lips turned slightly. " Conscious and deliberate. That fits me. He leaned forward and corrected himself. "The catch is it has to be convincing. We will be seen together and live accordingly. You will have to stop living as it is now. Apart from that, total discretion is flawless. Reality cannot be known by anyone." Emma's mind flew. Put a hold on her life? Still, what is life like? Great long stretches of challenging work, hardly touched by And with that kind of money, Emma could provide her child with everything she had always dreamed of. Still, at the same time, the whole idea was crazy. Married an outsider? Profess to be in love with? It ran counter to what she believed in. "My... "I'm not sure," Emma hesitantly responded. "One has a lot to absorb." Michael pointed, not surprised. "I get it. It is a big decision. He retrieved a thick organizer and slid it across the workspace. This is the deal. Take great care reading it at home. You have twenty-four hours to decide what to do. Emma shook hands and grabbed the organizer. Her speech stopped when Michael spoke, standing to go. He said, gravely, "One more thing, Emma." "There is no getting out assuming your permission to do this. Signing that deal sets you on a year-long search. Still, regardless." Emma shuddered at his words down her spine. His eyes showed a warning, a hint of something dangerous under the cleaned-out front. Emma held the packet near her chest as the elevator dropped. Her psyche was a storm of likely results and anxieties. Whatever, this decision could make a significant difference. Emma went over the contract that evening as Lily slept. The terms were clear, and the money was kind. Still, might she at some time start it? Emma decided under the rising sun. She shook her hands and then picked up the number Michael had given her. His booming voice replied to the first ring. Certainly? Emma exhaled deeply, not sure what she would say next. "I'll do it," she informed him. "I will wed you." Michael paused and then spoke in an incomprehensible voice. "Perfect. Come to sign the paperwork at my office at noon. "I hope you're ready for this, Emma," he said, pausing. Your life will turn in ways you cannot see. Emma looked out the window at the vibrant metropolis as the call went dead. What had she consented to just now? A deal with Satan or a time of luxury and financial security? The reality of the matter would finally show up. All the same, one thing was certain: nothing could ever be the same once more.