chapter 3
1463 Words
Emma spent the entire night pacing her apartment, her mind a chaotic mess. Every time she considered saying yes to Liam, shame twisted her stomach. But every time she thought about saying no, an image of her father’s face—pale and frail from his hospital bed—flooded her thoughts.
By dawn, she hadn’t slept, but she had made a decision. Or so she thought.
Emma’s car rolled to a stop outside the family diner. It was a modest building with a faded sign and chipped paint, but to her, it was home. She pushed open the door, the familiar scent of coffee and grilled bacon washing over her.
Her mother was behind the counter, wiping it down with a tired smile.
“Emma,” her mom greeted, though her voice lacked its usual warmth. “What are you doing here so early?”
“Needed some air,” Emma said, dodging the real reason. “Where’s Dad?”
Her mother’s face tightened. “Sleeping in. He had a rough night.”
Emma’s chest clenched, guilt stabbing through her. She glanced around the diner, noting the empty booths and the flickering light in the corner. Business had been bad for months, but this was worse than she had expected.
“Mom,” Emma began carefully, “what if I found a way to fix all of this? The diner, Dad’s medical bills… everything?”
Her mother froze, her rag stilling against the counter. “Emma, what are you talking about?”
“Just… a way,” Emma said vaguely.
Her mother shook her head, her expression hardening. “If you’re thinking about borrowing money or making some shady deal—”
“I’m not,” Emma lied quickly.
“Good,” her mother said firmly. “Because your father and I didn’t raise you to compromise your integrity for money.”
Emma swallowed, the words cutting deep. “What if it’s the only way?”
Her mother’s gaze softened, but her voice remained steady. “We’ll get through this together. We always do.”
Emma didn’t reply. She couldn’t. Her mother’s faith was a knife twisting in her gut, and she knew what she was about to do would shatter it.
That afternoon, Emma found herself standing in the sleek lobby of Astor Enterprises, clutching a manila folder containing her hastily drafted terms. The air buzzed with efficiency, every person who walked past exuding confidence and purpose. Emma felt like an outsider.
“Ms. Blake,” Liam’s assistant said, appearing at her side. “Mr. Astor is expecting you.”
Emma nodded and followed her, her heels clicking against the marble floor.
When she entered Liam’s office, he was leaning against his desk, scrolling through his phone. He looked up as she walked in, his piercing gaze locking onto hers.
“Punctual,” Liam said, setting his phone down. “I like that.”
Emma dropped the folder onto his desk. “If we’re doing this, I have conditions.”
Liam raised an eyebrow but picked up the folder, flipping through its contents. His lips quirked into a faint smile.
“A monthly stipend?” he read aloud. “Boundaries regarding physical contact? And a non-disclosure agreement?”
Emma crossed her arms. “This isn’t a free-for-all, Liam. If I’m going to do this, I’m protecting myself.”
Liam’s eyes met hers, a spark of amusement dancing in their depths. “You’re negotiating with a billionaire, Ms. Blake. Bold move.”
“Take it or leave it,” Emma shot back.
Liam chuckled, setting the folder down. “Fine. I’ll agree to your terms. But you’ll agree to mine as well.”
Emma frowned. “What terms?”
Liam stepped closer, his voice dropping to a serious tone. “When we’re in public, you will act like you’re madly in love with me. No hesitation, no holding back. The press will be watching, and they’ll eat you alive if they sense a c***k in the façade.”
Emma’s stomach turned, but she nodded. “Anything else?”
“You’ll move into my penthouse,” Liam added.
Her eyes widened. “Excuse me?”
“It’s non-negotiable,” Liam said. “We need to be seen together, and that won’t happen if you’re hiding away in your apartment. Besides,” he added with a smirk, “it’ll be easier for you. No rent, no bills.”
Emma glared at him. “Convenient for you, too, isn’t it? Keeping me under your thumb.”
Liam didn’t deny it. “Is that a problem?”
She wanted to say yes. She wanted to storm out of his office and never look back. But instead, she said, “Fine.”
Liam extended his hand. “Then we have a deal.”
Emma stared at his hand, hating everything about this moment, before finally shaking it.
That evening, Liam insisted they make their first public appearance together.
“You need to get used to the spotlight,” he said as his driver opened the car door for them.
Emma reluctantly slid into the sleek black car, sitting as far from Liam as the seat allowed.
“Relax,” Liam said, glancing at her. “You’re supposed to look like you like me.”
Emma scowled. “I’ll work on my acting.”
The car pulled up to an upscale restaurant, where photographers and reporters swarmed the entrance. Emma froze, her heart pounding.
“Breathe,” Liam said, his voice softer now. “Stick close to me, and you’ll be fine.”
He stepped out of the car first, extending a hand to help her out. The cameras flashed instantly, the shouts from the crowd overwhelming.
“Liam! Over here!”
“Is this your new girlfriend?”
“How serious is it?”
Emma forced a smile, clutching Liam’s arm as they walked inside.
The restaurant was buzzing with New York’s elite, and Emma felt every pair of eyes on her as they were led to their table. She sat stiffly, trying to ignore the whispers and curious glances.
“You’re doing fine,” Liam said, sipping his wine.
“Great,” Emma muttered. “I feel like a bug under a magnifying glass.”
Liam leaned closer, his voice dropping. “Better get used to it. This is your life now.”
Emma clenched her jaw, biting back a retort.
After dinner, Liam drove Emma back to her apartment to pack her things.
“You’ll need to be moved in by tomorrow,” he said as they pulled up outside her building.
Emma stared at the worn brick façade, her heart sinking. This might be the last time she’d call this place home.
“I’ll be up in a minute,” Liam said.
Emma turned to him, her eyebrows furrowing. “Why?”
“To help,” he said simply.
She opened her mouth to argue, but the look on his face told her it was pointless.
Upstairs, Emma packed in silence while Liam leaned against the doorway, his presence an irritating reminder of the situation she was now trapped in.
“Why are you doing this?” Emma asked suddenly, her voice breaking the tension.
Liam looked at her, his expression unreadable. “Doing what?”
“This,” Emma said, gesturing around. “The fake fiancée thing. You could find someone else. Someone who actually wants to be around you.”
Liam’s jaw tightened. “It’s not about want, Ms. Blake. It’s about need.”
“That’s not an answer,” she pressed.
Liam hesitated, then said quietly, “My father’s been threatening to strip me of my inheritance for years. He thinks I’m irresponsible, unfit to lead the company. This arrangement… convinces him otherwise.”
Emma blinked, caught off guard by the vulnerability in his voice. For a moment, Liam didn’t seem so untouchable.
“I guess we’re both just doing what we have to,” she said softly.
Liam’s gaze met hers, something unspoken passing between them. Then, just as quickly, his mask was back in place.
“Let’s finish up,” he said briskly.
As they stepped out of her apartment building with her bags, Emma spotted a black car parked across the street.
The window rolled down, revealing a man she didn’t recognize. His sharp eyes locked onto hers, and a chill ran down her spine.
“Friend of yours?” Liam asked, his tone laced with suspicion.
Emma shook her head, but her unease grew as the man smirked and drove away.
“Who was that?” Liam demanded.
“I don’t know,” Emma said honestly, though her voice wavered.
But deep down, she had a sinking feeling that this was just the beginning of something far worse.
- Writer
