Contract of Hearts

Chapter 3: The Charity Gala

The charity gala held in New York saw the attendance of high profile individuals who contributed billions towards it.

Among them was one couple that stole the show with their happy faces- it seemed like there was never a dull moment for them; they would first raise up the girls’ skirts indirectly asking for dancing Then ride on into wonderful boudoirs.

Everything about him seemed perfect including his smile that could have broken into two pieces from being so wide! Through golden doors they arrived at the ballroom and stepped over its threshold – ‘Alexander’.

He clasped her hand tightly as they walked inside shoulder to shoulder; his other hand was holding Emily’s tiny fingers intertwined with hers.It was all far too good to be true.

We have to make this look real, remember… His breath was warm against her ear; it made the base of her spine melt.

Emily nodded, as she never stopped smiling. “I’ve got this.”

They made their way through the crowd, stopping to talk to some of the most influential guests. Emily did her best, laughed in the right places and had believable screen chemistry with Alexander.

“Alexander, darling!” A voice resounded unexpectedly in the room, suddenly silencing all other chatter.

Alexander squeezed Emily's hand. He said under his breath "Lillian."

A beautiful young woman in a very fetching red dress walked towards them, a small child firmly gripping her hand. There was a sudden hush in the room and everyone stared at what they saw. Here she was, Little Lillian Hayes.

“Miss Lillian,” an icy tone reached her, Alexander.

Lillian glinted sly mischief in her eyes. “Thou art something [wholly]gifted with the recompenses of this world and it is you who has caused anger again. You made a complaint at him, “Ahh you hear now for eh mama meet her son.”

The whispers began as soon as the news broke, rumors of disgrace sweeping across the district. Heart pounding, Emily was forced to duck and dodge cameras everywhere a paparazzi-flash.

“Alexander, does she even know what she is talking about? a reporter shouted.

Alexander remained composed. Lillian, now is NOT the best time to do this.

“Though it's the best time ever,” Lillian spat, her voice practically hunched over with hate. “The world needs to know the truth.”

The insanity unfolding around her froze Emily. She was pushed back into by the crowd, who are always for violence.

“Emily, over here!” Another voice called out. Emily turned, but so did Lillian as she pulled her away from the crowd.

Lillian hissed, her hands gripping Emily's arm into a similar state as they told their mutual friend in front of them "Stay away from Alexander." You don't know what you are in for

Emily blinked at her in shock. “What are you talking about?”

Lillian leaned in closer. I talked to Emily, I know of your past. You have all manner of skeletons in your closet, and I will not think twice about airing one or all of the dirty laundry.

Emily’s blood ran cold. "Lillian, you don't frighten me".

“Really? So why are you so scared? Lillian grinned malevolently.

Before Emily could locate her voice to respond, Alexander was beside her taking hold of his sister's arm and heaving backwards. “Let’s go,” he said urgently.

On the field, they plowed through paparazzi with barely an exchange of words. The thoughts kept playing in Emily's head after Lillian threatened her.

“Alexander what was that?” Emily snapped as soon as they were outside, the cool night breeze almost slapping her in the face.

I will clarify everything, Alexander's voice was more tight with frustration. “But not here. We can head back to the penthouse."

The journey back home was wrought with an intense silence as the two shared not one word. Emily looked over at Alexander, his jaw set hard as he stared ahead. Evening weight, the press of it on both their backs.

The silence between them was weighed down with unanswered questions when they finally reached the penthouse. When they entered, there was a legal envelope on the coffee table and that is when everything came to a stop.

Alexander Gracefully retrieved it, his face darkening as he scanned what was inside. "Summons," he said, his voice as hard and cold as the blade of a sword. Lillian wants a paternity test, and custody hearing.

Emily jumped onto the sofa, her head in her hands. “This looks like a nightmare.”

Alexander sat next to her with his hand on the small of her back. “We’ll get through this. Together.”

He looked down at her hesitantly to find Emily meeting his gaze with uncertainty. "However, what do we do if Lillian threatens us for this? She said that somehow she knows about my history.

Alexander sighed and his face turned less stern. "Whatever it is, we will take care of the business. You’re not alone in this.”

Anger boiling in her chest, one tear slid down Emily's face. “I’m scared, Alexander. No no f*****g way; this wasn't how it was supposed to go down

He wiped it away, his touch soft. “We’ll figure it out. One step at a time.”

Drawing on his determination, Emily nodded. “Okay. What’s our next move?”

Alexander was saying, “We need to hire a lawyer. “And prepare for the hearing. But we have to start from square one. No more secrets.”

The conversation began as Emily inhaled deeply, mentally steeling herself for the worst. “Agreed. No more secrets.”

After the disaster of a charity gala that evening, Alexander and Emily sat together shouldering the remains as if it was by now just another layer in their lives. They were sitting in near-tangible tension, but there was also a sort of closeness between them that he couldn't place.

The silence was finally bridged by Emily's exhausted and determined-sounding voice. And that did not go so great as planned, huh?

Alexander laughed ruefully, raking a hand through his hair. "No, it definitely did not. But at least we are still standing, right?

A tiny smile teased at the corners of Emre's mouth during his nod. I guess there is one positive way to see it. We fell short of our fundraising goal, but for better or worse I guess we made an impact.

Alexander stared down at her, and his pose relaxed slightly; there was even a faint look of admiration in his eyes. Tonight, you were a courageous b***h, Emily. You know, I underestimated you.

An unexpected ribbon of blood spread subtly through the fabric covering Emily's cheeks. "Thank you, Alexander. I suppose we even had to grow up in our own ways because of the change.