Falling for the Arrogant Billionaire Doctor

CHAPTER FIVE

EMILY'S POV

I was still trying to get used to the magnificence of the mansion’s interior. It was like something out of a movie. The sitting room had the kind of plush velvet sofas and marble floor only the rich could afford. The chandeliers and even the gilded mirror in my room were a gorgeous sight to behold. The walls, adorned with art—both classical and contemporary were so beautiful that I could stare at them forever. To my left, there was a sweeping staircase curled upward like a sculpture.

It was also a sharp contrast to the small and stuffy house I'd grown up in. I’d been born into my parents’ battles to make ends meet, and now, I’d joined the fight, failing more than succeeding. Living with just enough to feed had drained me, body and soul.

This arrangement with Victor Dale was my way out of poverty forever. I knew it wasn't going to be easy. He was harsh and rude and arrogant. Worst of all, the public thought he was a good person which he was only pretending to be. I sighed. What kind of man faked a relationship just to win an election?

I could still remember his harsh words yesterday, especially the part where he called me stupid. He’d looked at me as though I was thrash which was humiliating. But I had to endure. It would only be for a little while.

I sat on one of the sofas, still mesmerised by the luxury of the entire place. He'd gone to work and I was home alone with Miss Elaine.

The front door creaked open, startling me. It was Victor clad in a tux, looking as dashing as ever. He threw me a look of disgust. A tall blonde lady was behind him. The look on her face wasn't welcoming either.

“Is she the one?” the lady said to Victor as though I wasn't there.

He nodded while she glanced at me again. I could see the disdain in her eyes, could smell her dislike for me. She quickly grabbed Victor by the collar and crushed his lips with a kiss. I was left wondering who she was.

“I'm pleased with the fact that Jack decided to go with someone very unattractive,” she said, pulling back from Victor.

“Incompetent as well,” he said. “She was the nurse I fired from the hospital a few weeks back.”

“Interesting,” she said. “And when will this become public knowledge?”

“Tomorrow,” Victor said.

“I see. Just think of me while you're at it. It would help you cope being around that thing.”

I looked away from them and decided to head back to my room instead. I shot to my feet.

“And where do you think you're going?” she voiced harshly.

“My room,” I said, holding back my urge to tell them that we could carry on the contract without them having to humiliate me.

“By whose orders?” she demanded.

“I thought you both needed some privacy,” she said.

“Sit,” she said. “I'm not done talking.”

Victor gestured at the chair. I knew I had to obey.

“I'm Victor’s woman by the way. The Love of his life. His future wife. You're just the filthy little thing that has been hired to play pretend for just a short while.”

She sounded like she was trying to convince herself. Why did she have to demean me?

“I have to leave now, my love. You know I have an interview with a senator in three hours,” she said, staring intensely into Victor’s eyes.

“Alright.”

She entered Victor’s embrace again and stuck her tongue into his mouth. Pulling away from him, she headed out of the house. Turning to me, Victor gave me a hard stare. I controlled myself from voicing out how annoyed I was. They both deserved each other.

“From now onwards, you are to stay in your room at all times. I don't want you wandering aimlessly around my house or being visible while my guest is around.”

“I tried to go to my room but your girlfriend…”

“You're not paid to talk, Blayke. You're paid to listen.”

“Alright,” I managed to utter all the while comporting myself.

“Tomorrow, we'll be going out on a lunch date at a fancy restaurant. Miss Elaine would arrange clothes for you and a hairstylist to work on that tangled mess of hair you carry around. And try to go shower, you stink.”

His words hit me like a thousand knives, battering my esteem. Why was he so cruel? Did he have to be so mean? I ran my fingers through brown hair, trying to find out if any part of it was tangled.

***

The following day came faster than I expected and I had to do as I was told. Staring into the mirror, I studied my face, especially the red lip colour on my lips. The makeup artist had done a simple beat on my face. Something that would portray me as warm and approachable.

My hair was styled as loose waves while I was adorned in a fitted knit top and high-waisted trousers. I looked different. And I couldn’t tell if it was a good or a bad thing.

I'd never really been particular about my looks because I didn't think I was beautiful. I'd been focusing on my brains. At least I was book smart. I still desired to go to medical school when I'd saved up enough money. I heard a knock on my door.

“It's time, Blayke. Let's go,” I could hear Victor yell.

I sucked in a deep breath, still preparing my mind to face the public and paparazzi. As soon as I opened the door, I was met with Victor’s angry face which quickly morphed into that of surprise.

“I'm ready,’ I said, attempting to kill the awkward silence between us.

“Follow my lead,” he said, his face turning stern again.

I followed him to the Limo waiting for us outside. We remained quiet as the driver steered us to the restaurant.

As soon as we got to our destination, Victor alighted from the car first and held the door out for me. Annoyed, something twisted in me at the height of his pretense. I was ashamed of myself for helping him to fool people like this. But what choice did I have?

Slowly, we walked into the restaurant and sat at the table reserved for us. The windows were transparent and the few people sitting around stole glances at us. I bet it was because they recognised Victor. I mean, I was neither popular nor beautiful. So, they certainly weren't staring because of me. On our table was a plate of caesar salad. We started out eating. I ate slowly as I had little appetite. Visible from the transparent windows, men in cameras began loitering outside.

“It's time,” Victor said. “We must leave now.”

I downed some water and wiped my mouth with a serviette. He pulled back my chair for me to stand and smiled lovingly. He had to be the most pretentious person I'd ever met. He held out his hand to me, and I was forced to return his smile and let him hold my hands.

As soon as we stepped out, cameras clicked at us. Victor held me as though trying to protect me. When he reached the door of the Limo, he lifted my chin and planted a kiss on my lips.

Nothing in the twenty-three years of my life had prepared me for the feeling erupting in my tummy. I could feel my insides melt. I'd never been kissed on the lips by a boy or a man before. And it was shocking how the lips of such a cruel man could taste so sweet.

He withdrew from me and gestured with his eyes for me to get into the car. I did and so did he. We'd just fooled the press and others, too. He pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and spat into it.

“That kiss was the worst I've ever had,” he soliloquized without staring at me and loud enough for me to hear.

I felt crushed, battered, hurt. It was my first kiss and was supposed to have meant something more, something better, anything but what Victor had just made out of it. He could have kept it to himself. But I guess he enjoyed saying things to hurt me. Or maybe battering people's self esteem gave him some sort of satisfaction. Averting my gaze from him, I pretended not to be bothered. It would only be for a while and we would go our separate ways, be done with this rubbish.

“Oscar, take me to Jessica’s place after which you would take Blayke home,” he said to the driver.

“I need the memory of a good time with Jessica to erase this terrible thing I’ve just had to do. I wonder how long I really can endure this,” he soliloquized again, sighing.