Behind Closed Doors
944 Words
Emma stood in front of the gigantic mirror in her new bedroom, still unable to believe that this was now her home.
(The room was larger than the entire apartment she had grown up in. Floor to ceiling windows, and elegant colored curtains swayed gently in the evening breeze. Fresh roses sat on a table near the window, filling the room with a soft floral scent)
She let out a slow breath.
"This doesn't feel real," she whispered.
A knock interrupted her thoughts.
"Come in."
Adrian stepped inside, and was just returning from work.
"I hope you're settling in."
Emma smiled politely.
"I'm trying."
"I know it is a big adjustment."
She looked around the room again.
"Big is an understatement."
For the first time in days, Adrian laughed.
Emma folded her arms, wondering what was so funny
"I'm just wondering how someone needs a house this big."
"I don't."
"Then why buy it?"
He looked around the room.
"It belonged to my grandmother"
His expression softened,
"I couldn't bring myself to sell it."
Emma nodded.
"I'm sorry."
"It's all right."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Finally, Adrian broke the silence.
"My parents are hosting a family dinner tomorrow night."
Emma looked at him.
"I suppose I have to come."
"You do."
"And they'll know we're newly married?"
"Yes."
She sighed dramatically.
"I hope they're nice."
Adrian hesitated.
"They're... complicated."
"That doesn't sound promising."
(THE FOLLOWING EVENING ✨)
Emma stood in front of another mirror while adjusting her elegant cherry red dress.
She barely recognized herself.
The stylist Adrian hired had transformed her appearance, yet she still felt like the same waitress underneath it all.
A soft knock visited the door.
Adrian waited outside.
"Ready?"
She nodded.
He offered his arm.
Emma accepted it, and together they walked toward the waiting cars parked outside.
The ride to the Cole's family estate was quiet.
Emma noticed Adrian staring out the window.
"Nervous?" she asked.
"A little."
"I thought billionaires don't get nervous."
"We do."
"About what?"
"Our families."
Emma smiled.
"I guess money can't solve everything."
"No,""It can't,"Adrian admitted.
(THEIR ARRIVAL)
Cole's estate was magnificent.
(A grand fountain stood in the center of the circular driveway, surrounded by perfectly trimmed gardens,as they entered the mansion, servants welcomed them warmly).
A middle-aged woman approached immediately.
She hugged Adrian tightly.
Adrian smiled.
"Hello, Mother."
She turned toward Emma.
"So..."
Her eyes carefully examined Emma from head to toe.
"This is my new daughter-in-law."
Emma smiled politely.
"It's lovely to meet you."
Mrs. Knight returned the smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes.
"The pleasure is mine."
Before Emma could relax, another voice interrupted.
"Interesting choice, Adrian."
A tall man in an expensive suit walked into the room.
"This is my older brother, Victor," Adrian said quietly.
Victor shook Emma's hand.
"I've heard quite a lot about you."
Emma was confused,
"I don't think we've met before."
"We haven't."
He smiled.
"But I always research people who suddenly become part of this family."
Emma felt uncomfortable.
Adrian noticed.
"Victor."
"What?"!
"Enough."
Victor simply smiled and walked away.
Emma leaned closer.
"He doesn't like me."
"He doesn't like anyone."
(DINNER TABLE)
(The long dining table could easily seat twenty people,Crystal glasses sparkled beneath the chandelier.Emma tried to remember which fork to use first,She accidentally reached for the wrong one,Adrian noticed.
Without saying a word, he quietly switched his utensils to match hers
No one else seemed to notice
Emma looked at him gratefully)
"Thank you," she whispered.
He gave a small nod.
***
Halfway through dinner, Adrian's mother smiled.
"So, Emma..."
"Yes?"
"How did you and Adrian meet?"
Emma nearly dropped her glass.
She glanced at Adrian.
"We..."
Adrian answered smoothly.
"At a café."
Mrs. Cole looked pleased.
"Love at first sight?" She laughed.
Emma forced a laugh,
"You could say that."
Victor smirked.
"Really?"
Emma's heart raced.
He leaned back in his chair.
"Because I heard Adrian spends most of his life working", Victor added.
The room suddenly became very quiet.
Emma realized everyone was watching.
He looked surprised.
"That's true," she said with a smile.
"But sometimes..."
"The best things happen when you're least expecting them."
Adrian looked at her, genuinely caught off guard.
For a brief second, the contract disappeared and that moment felt real for him.
***
(BACK HOME)
Emma kicked off her heels the moment she hit the floor.
"My feet are aching so badly."
Adrian chuckled.
"You handled tonight well."
“I never expected much from you”,
She smiled proudly.
"You certainly did."
Emma sat on the sofa.
"Your family doesn't trust me."
"They don't trust anyone."
“Do you say the same about Victor?"
Adrian's expression faded.
"He wants control over the company."
"And me?"
"He thinks you're standing in his way."?
Emma looked down.
"I never wanted to become part of a family battle."
"I know."
Adrian sat beside her.
"For what it's worth..."
"I'm glad it's you."
Emma's face lightens up.
"So am I”……….
The words escaped before either of them could stop them.
They kept glancing at each other.
The silence felt different this time.
Warmer,and much cooler than expected.
Neither of them noticed the black car parked across the street.
Inside was Victor watching them in the mansion through the window.
He
smiled as he lowered a pair of binoculars.
"If this marriage is fake," he murmured, "I'll try my best to expose it."
He started the engine to his car and drove into the faded lights.
(Unaware of the danger growing around them, Emma and Adrian were beginning to forget that their marriage had ever been just a contract).
- Writer
