CHAPTER2
1476 Words
Emma's POV
My heart leaped into my throat.
"Look out!" Someone Screamed.
The vehicle tilted Sideways.
For one terrifying Second I thought it was going to flip Completely.
The elderly woman's eyes widened in Panic…
She was Still trapped inside… Still Strapped into her Seat.
And now the SUV was moving.
I didn't think.
I reacted quickly and lunged forward.
My Sneakers Scraped against the Pavement as I grabbed the Shattered door handle…
The metal was hot beneath my fingers.
The Smell of gasoline filled the air.
People around me were Shouting… Some were backing away.
Others had their Phones out but nobody was moving toward her except me.
"Ma'am!" I yelled.
The woman looked at me through the Cracked window.
Fear filled her eyes.
The kind that made my Chest ache.
"Please help me."
Three words… That's all it took.
Adrenaline exploded through my body.
I Pulled on the damaged door with every ounce of Strength I had but the door wouldn't budge.
The SUV rolled another few inches.
A Collective gasp rose from the Crowd.
"Oh God."
I Planted my feet harder and Pulled again.
The metal groaned then Suddenly the door Swung open.
"Thank you, Lord," I breathed.
I reached inside.
"Come on."
The woman grabbed my hand… Her fingers trembled violently.
Together we unfastened her Seatbelt.
The moment it Clicked free I wrapped an arm around her waist and helped her out.
We had barely taken three Steps when the SUV rolled Completely onto its Side.
The Crash echoed through the intersection and People Screamed.
The elderly woman Clung to me.
Her entire body Shaking.
I was Shaking too.
But at least She was Safe.
That was all that mattered.
Thirty minutes later, we Sat inside an ambulance.
Paramedics Checked the Small Cut on the woman's forehead.
Luckily it wasn't Serious.
"You Should Still go to the hospital," one medic advised.
The woman waved him off.
"I'll Survive."
The medic Sighed..
Clearly he had learned arguing with Stubborn old ladies was Pointless.
He finally left and the woman turned toward me.
For the first time I noticed how elegant She looked.
Even after an accident, her Silver hair was Perfectly Styled.
Her Clothes Probably Cost more than my monthly rent.
She Smiled warmly.
"You're very brave."
I laughed awkwardly.
"No. Just impulsive."
"Most People would have run away."
"Yeah.” I breathe..
That made her Chuckle…
The Sound was Soft and genuine.
"My name is Margaret."
"I’m Emma."
"Emma Brooks.’ She said.
I blinked.
"I don't remember telling you my last name."
Her Smile widened.
"I asked one of the Paramedics."
Of Course She did.
Something about her Presence felt Powerful.
Margaret Studied me for a moment.
"You look exhausted."
I laughed… Because apparently laughing had become my Coping mechanism.
"You have no idea."
Her expression Softened.
"Tough times?"
The Simple question nearly broke me.
I didn't know why.
Maybe because nobody had asked in a long time.
Nobody except Sophie..
Everyone else was too busy Surviving their own lives.
"Tough enough."
She nodded.
Like She understood… Like She knew there was an entire Story behind those two words.
Then She reached into her designer handbag.
I immediately became Suspicious.
Wealthy Strangers rarely handed out money.
At least not in my experience.
She Pulled out a Checkbook.
"No." I Said quickly.
Margaret blinked.
"I haven't even offered anything yet."
"You were about to."
"Perhaps."
I Pointed at the checkbook.
"That's exactly what people with Checkbooks do."
She laughed.
"Let me thank you."
"You don't need to."
"You Saved my life." She said.
"God Saved your life."
"Through you.”
I opened my mouth but nothing came out.
Margaret tore out a check.
The amount made my Stomach drop.
It Covered my rent, Sophie's tuition, bills, groceries.
Almost everything I need.
My Chest tightened.
God knew I needed the money.
God knew I desperately needed it…
But Something inside me wouldn't let me take it.
I Slowly Pushed the Check back.
"I Can't."
Her eyebrows lifted.
"Why?"
"Because helping Someone Shouldn't Come with a Price tag."
For Several Seconds she Simply Stared at me.
Then Something Changed in her eyes.
Respect… Maybe even admiration.
Finally She folded the Check away.
"You're a rare young woman, Emma Brooks."
I wasn't Sure about that.
Mostly I just felt broke.
The following morning I woke up thinking about rent again.
While making coffee my gaze landed on the business Card Sitting beside the toaster.
Margaret had insisted I take it before leaving.
In Case you ever need anything.
Those had been her exact words.
I Picked up the Card and my eyes widened.
KnightStar Entertainment.
I nearly dropped my Coffee.
Everyone knew that name.
One of the biggest entertainment Companies in America..
The Company represented actors. Singers. Athletes. Influencers.
Basically every famous Person on the Planet.
Why would Someone Connected to KnightStar Entertainment be riding around in a luxury SUV freely without Security?
Actually… That was Probably the least Surprising part.
Why would Someone like that give a business Card to someone like me?
That was the real question.
Maybe I Should thank her Properly then return the Card.
Three hours later I Stood in front of the most intimidating building I'd ever Seen.
Glass walls Stretched toward the Sky.
Luxury Cars lined the entrance.
Employees in expensive Suits rushed in and out.
I Suddenly felt underdressed…
I adjusted my thrift-Store blazer.
"Just Say thank you and leave."
I Said in my head.
I walked inside and Immediately, a woman behind the reception desk looked up.
Her eyes widened.
"Oh thank God."
I Stopped.
"What is that?"
She Stood So fast her Chair rolled backward.
"Dr. Brooks!"
I frowned. "Sorry?"
"You're finally here."
Before I Could respond She rushed around the desk.
"The executives are waiting."
My Confusion deepened.
"Executives?"
"Everyone is panicking."
"What?"
She grabbed my arm.
"We have no time."
Then She Practically dragged me across the lobby.
My brain Struggled to keep up.
"Wait."
"There’s no time doctor."
"I think there's been a misunderstanding."
"There's no misunderstanding."
"No, Seriously—"
The elevator doors opened and She Shoved me inside.
The doors Closed.
And Suddenly I was racing toward the top floor.
Panic bloomed in my Chest…
Something was definitely wrong.
The elevator opened.
A group of Sharply dressed executives Stood waiting.
The moment they Saw me relief flooded their faces.
One man actually looked Close to tears.
"Dr. Emily Brooks."
I froze.
Dr. Emily Brooks?
Oh. Oh no.
This was bad… Definitely the wrong Brooks.
I opened my mouth.
"I think you've made—"
"Thank God you Came."
The man Shook my hand hard.
"We're desperate."
My words died.
Another executive ushered me toward a Conference room.
"Please sit."
I Sat… Mostly because I was too Stunned not to.
The giant Screen at the front Suddenly lit up.
A Photograph appeared.
A breathtakingly handsome man Stared back at me.
He has a dark hair, Sharp jawline, blue eyes and he’s dangerously attractive.
The room grew Serious.
The first executive Pointed at the Photo.
"This is Ethan Knight."
The name hit instantly.
Of Course.
The Ethan Knight… Lead Singer of Midnight Riot.
International Superstar. Heartbreaker. Tabloid favorite. Human headache.
Even I knew who he was..
The executive took a deep breath.
Then Said words I never expected to hear.
"Ethan Suffers from Severe Sleepwalking episodes."
I blinked.
The executive Continued Speaking.
But my attention Snagged on one terrifying detail…
Everyone in this room thought I was a doctor.
And nobody was letting me explain otherwise.
Then the executive Slid a Contract across the table… A number Sat near the bottom.
The payment..
My eyes widened and my Pulse Stopped. Because the amount Staring back at me Could Solve every Single Problem in my life.
My Conscience Screamed “run, leave, tell the truth right now before this gets worse”.
But instead I Sat frozen Staring at the number, Staring at the Contract, Staring at the life-Changing opportunity Sitting directly in front of me.
Then the executive leaned forward.
"Dr. Brooks."
I Swallowed hard.
My heart Pounded violently.
Fear. Temptation. Guilt. Desperation, all Crashing together inside me.
"Will you take the job?"
The room fell Silent.
Every eye fixed on me… Waiting.
I Should tell them the truth. I Should Stand up. I Should walk away.
But Instead, my fingers Curled around the Contract.
The Conference room door Suddenly opened and Someone rushed inside breathless.
"Ethan just had another episode!"
Everyone Shot to their feet.
The executives turned toward me.
Their expressions desperate and hopeful.
And before my brain Could Stop my mouth, I heard myself Speak.
"Yes."
The word landed like a gunshot and Silence followed.
Then the executives erupted into relieved Smiles.
And my Stomach dropped straight to the floor.
Because I had just agreed to impersonate a doctor.
- Writer
