CHAPTER THREE
1185 Words
EMILY'S POV
“I agree,” he said, his brown gaze piercing mine as if searching for answers. “I don't see any other option.”
Andy had been a constant in my life since high school—more than a friend, almost family. Living in the same neighborhood meant frequent visits, the kind that didn’t need invitations or explanations.
I heaved a sigh of frustration. Could things get any worse? I leaned back against the faded cushions of the sofa, my eyes wandering to the peeling paint on the walls and the sagging armchairs that was almost as old as I was.
The job at Dale Valley Hospital had come as a relief—steady pay, a glimmer of hope. And so, losing it had left me down and unsettled. Now, my father was behind bars for drunk driving, and my mom and I had to raise money to hire a good lawyer. There was also the driver of the car who was in a critical condition in the hospital.
“I'm really scared, Andy. What if we can't afford a lawyer? My father could go to prison.”
Tears streamed down my cheeks, a wave of fear coursing through me. Andy pulled me close, burying my head in the hollow of his shoulders.
“I'm so sorry this has to happen to your family at this time. I know you are going through so much.”
“I don't get it,” I said, my voice cracking. “Why would my father do this to us? Why now? He didn't use to drink before.”
“Sometimes, people slip into a moment of weakness. Your father was probably overwhelmed by everything. I'm not supporting what he did. I'm only saying he's human. I'd pick him over my father any day and any time.”
I pulled away from Andy, wiping my face with the back of my palm. Sometimes, I forgot that his ongoing search for his father was taking a huge toll on him. His father had abandoned him before he was even born. And I knew it left a deep hollow in him. It was why he kept searching for answers.
Before I could spiral deeper into my worries, a sharp knock echoed from the door, jolting me back to reality.
“Are you expecting anyone?” Andy said.
“No. I don't remember inviting anyone over.”
Surprised, I shot to my feet and headed to the door. As soon as I pulled it open, I saw a certain man, one I'd never seen before.
“Who are you?” I said, studying his hard-looking face and demeanor.
I wondered who he was, his mission here. Folding my arms, I could feel Andy right behind me.
“Who are you?” I repeated.
“My name is Jack Rideman. Are you Miss Emily Blayke?”
“I am,” I replied reluctantly, a little scared of what he had to say.
The last time a strange man showed up at my doorstep, it was to bring bad news.
“Is there any problem?” Andy said from behind me with concern etched deep in his voice.
“Well, I'd like to speak to you,” the man said to me.
The fear in my heart grew, my mind wondering what it was this time. I didn’t think I could handle any more bad news.
“About?”
“It's very important. Something we have to discuss alone,” he bit out curtly.
He shifted his gaze to Andy, the look in his eyes suggesting that Andy do the obvious—leave.
“It's okay, Andy. I'll be fine. You can leave.”
Andy hesitated for a moment before leaving.
“So, what is this about?” I said, as soon as Andy left.
A mischievous smile crept up his cheek, making me more uneasy.
“How's your father faring in jail?” he said, glancing around the house.
My mouth went dry. How did he know about my father?
“Do you know who owns the car he smashed?”
The words came at me hard. I didn’t know and was scared to know. I stayed mute.
“The car is owned by Victor Dale and I believe it is not the first time you are hearing that name. I mean, you used to work at Dale Valley Hospital before you were fired.”
He walked past me and took a seat. Surprised, I watched him relax on the sofa. But my mind was too consumed with the things he knew about me to speak.
“I have a proposal for you, Emily. It will help free and take your family away from poverty.”
“What do you mean?”
I didn't understand and tried to guess what he meant.
“I want you to fake a relationship with Victor Dale for a short period of time after which you would be paid handsomely and your father will be out of jail.”
My eyes bulged in shock. I could barely process his words. Fake a relationship with Victor Dale?
“But why?”
“It's not your business. You are just to do as you are told. Victor needs it for something important.”
“Why me? There are so many other girls in the city.”
“Easy. The driver in the car your father smashed into is dead.”
My mouth fell open. I thought my heart would fall out of my chest. Dead? I placed my hand against my chest.
“You know what that means, Emily? Things are looking very bad for your precious father. But Victor can make it all go away.”
“Will the fake relationship be public?”
“Of course.”
“But people will find out that I used to work at Dale Valley Hospital. Why would Victor be in a relationship with someone he fired?”
“Even better. The narrative we'll sell to the public is that he realized that he'd treated you poorly.”
“But I was careless in the operation theater. My supervisor and others in the operating theater were aware of it.”
“We could say it was because you weren't feeling well and you didn't tell anyone until after you were fired. And Victor later found this out and reached out to you. From there, an intimate relationship blossomed between you both.”
I didn't know if I could do it, fake a relationship. Fool people. Live a lie. I'd never done anything like it before. It wasn’t who I was.
“How intimate are we talking about here?” I said.
He shot to his feet, his look stern.
“It's your only chance to secure your father's freedom, Emily. Plus, the money. If you don't accept it, I assure you that things will get ugly for not just your father but your entire family.”
He pulled out a card from his wallet and tossed it at me.
“You have 48 hours to make a decision.”
- Writer
