Emma’s Playback
1493 Words
At Aiden’s mansion, Emma sat across from him in his study, scrolling through the latest news.
“They are already speculating about our next move,” she said, amusement in her voice.
Aiden leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes fixed on her. “Let them.”
Emma glanced up. “Sophia will not stay quiet for long. She is already planning something.”
Aiden smirked. “Let her try.”
Emma set her phone down. “You sound confident.”
Aiden’s expression remained calm. “Because she is playing a losing game. She built her career on deception. You built yours on talent. The industry may love drama, but at the end of the day, talent always wins.”
Emma’s lips curled slightly. “Flattery, Mr. Brooks?”
Aiden took a sip of his whiskey. “Observation.”
Emma chuckled softly but quickly turned serious. “Sophia is desperate. That makes her dangerous.”
Aiden nodded. “Then it is time we go public.”
Emma raised an eyebrow. “You are ready for that?”
Aiden’s smirk deepened. “I never do anything I am not ready for.”
Emma tilted her head. “Then let’s give them something to talk about.”
Aiden reached for his phone and made a call.
“Bryce, schedule a press event,” he instructed. “I want it done by tomorrow evening.”
Emma watched him, impressed. He did not hesitate, did not second-guess. Aiden Brooks made decisions, and the world followed.
As he ended the call, Emma leaned forward. “What exactly do you have in mind?”
Aiden’s dark eyes gleamed with something unreadable. “A public confirmation of our marriage. But with a twist.”
Emma’s curiosity piqued. “What kind of twist?”
Aiden smirked. “You will see.”
Emma narrowed her eyes. “You enjoy keeping secrets.”
Aiden took another sip of his drink. “Only when the reveal is worth it.”
Emma exhaled slowly. “Fine. But whatever it is, it better be good.”
Aiden chuckled. “I do not do anything halfway, Emma.”
Emma smirked. “Neither do I.”
The next evening, the media was in a frenzy.
Every major outlet was gathered at one of the city’s most luxurious hotels, waiting for the event Aiden Brooks had announced at the last minute. The buzz was deafening.
Cameras flashed as reporters whispered among themselves.
“Do you think he will officially introduce Emma Claire as his wife?”
“Some say it is just a publicity stunt.”
“I heard they are making a major business move together.”
The anticipation grew as the clock ticked down.
Then, finally, the doors opened.
Aiden and Emma stepped in together.
The crowd fell into a stunned silence.
Emma was dressed in a stunning white gown, elegant yet bold, her confidence radiating with every step. Aiden walked beside her, his powerful presence filling the room effortlessly.
Cameras flashed wildly.
They reached the podium, and Aiden took the microphone. His voice was smooth, authoritative.
“Good evening,” he began, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. “I am sure you all have questions. So, allow me to make things clear.”
The room held its breath.
Aiden turned slightly, his eyes locking onto Emma’s. “Emma Claire is not just my wife. She is the future of this industry.”
The reporters erupted into chaos.
Emma smirked, stepping forward. “I know some of you are wondering why I came back. The answer is simple. I never truly left.”
Murmurs spread through the crowd. Some reporters scribbled furiously, while others leaned in, eager for more.
Aiden continued. “Emma Claire will be relaunching her modeling career under Darius Entertainment.”
Gasps filled the room.
Emma’s smirk widened. “I was never meant to be in the shadows.”
Reporters shot up from their seats, shouting questions.
“Are you officially returning to the runway?”
“Does this mean you will be the new face of Darius Entertainment?”
“Will you be competing with Sophia Leonard?”
Emma’s eyes gleamed as she answered. “Competition is only real when the players are equal.”
The room erupted again.
Aiden placed a hand on her lower back, guiding her toward the exit as the media continued to explode with excitement.
As they left the stage, Bryce was waiting with a satisfied expression. “The industry will not stop talking about this for months.”
Aiden smirked. “Exactly as planned.”
Emma turned to Aiden. “You really know how to steal a show.”
Aiden chuckled. “And you know how to own it.”
Emma glanced at her phone. A single message from Isabel.
“Sophia is furious. She just called Howard Taylor from Bella Amore demanding a meeting.”
Emma’s smile widened.
“Sophia is furious. She just called Howard Taylor from Bella Amore demanding a meeting.”
Emma read Isabel’s message again, her smirk widening as she walked through the quiet hallway of the hotel. The press conference had just ended, and already, the industry was spiraling into chaos.
Aiden walked beside her, calm and composed as always, his presence commanding the space around them. Bryce followed a few steps behind, his phone in hand, already handling the flood of media inquiries.
Emma glanced at Aiden. “Sophia is panicking.”
Aiden’s lips twitched in amusement. “I expected nothing less.”
Emma chuckled softly. “She is going straight to Bella Amore. She must think she can secure that campaign before I do.”
Aiden opened the door to their private lounge, stepping aside for her to enter first. “Then let her try.”
Emma walked in and settled onto the plush couch, crossing her legs. “Howard Taylor has not made a statement yet. He is waiting to see who benefits him the most.”
Aiden took a seat across from her, his dark gaze unreadable. “Then we give him an easy choice.”
Emma arched an eyebrow. “You want Bella Amore?”
Aiden leaned back. “It is not about what I want. It is about what you deserve.”
Emma studied him for a moment before smirking. “Careful, Aiden. That almost sounded like you care.”
Aiden chuckled, swirling the whiskey in his glass. “Do not mistake my interest for sentiment, Emma. You are an investment.”
Emma tilted her head. “And what do you expect in return?”
Aiden’s eyes gleamed. “For you to win.”
Emma exhaled slowly, her determination hardening. “Then let’s make sure I do.”
Bryce cleared his throat. “Mr. Brooks, I have updates.”
Aiden gestured for him to continue.
Bryce glanced at Emma before speaking. “Howard Taylor agreed to meet Sophia tomorrow morning.”
Emma smirked. “She wasted no time.”
“She is desperate,” Aiden said simply.
Bryce continued. “I also reached out to Bella Amore privately. They are willing to meet with Emma as well. But they are waiting to see how things unfold.”
Emma exhaled. “So they are playing both sides.”
Aiden nodded. “They will go with whoever benefits them more.”
Emma tapped her nails against the table. “Then we make sure they see my value before they meet with Sophia.”
Aiden studied her. “What do you have in mind?”
Emma’s lips curled. “A little reminder to the industry of who I am.”
Meanwhile, across the city, Sophia paced in her penthouse, her expression dark with frustration.
Eden stood nearby, shifting uncomfortably as she muttered under her breath.
“Sophia,” Eden finally spoke. “You need to calm down before the meeting tomorrow. If you go in there emotional, Howard will sense your desperation.”
Sophia turned sharply. “I am not desperate.”
Eden hesitated. “You called him within an hour of the press conference. That does not scream confidence.”
Sophia’s nails dug into her palm. “Howard needs me. I have been the face of this industry for the last three years.”
Eden adjusted his glasses. “And now, Emma is back.”
Sophia clenched her jaw. “She is nothing without Aiden Brooks backing her up.”
Eden sighed. “That may be true, but right now, she has the industry’s attention.”
Sophia took a deep breath, forcing herself to think. “I need to remind everyone why I am still on top.”
Eden nodded. “Then focus on securing Bella Amore. If you lock in that campaign, it will shift the narrative back in your favor.”
Sophia exhaled slowly. “Howard will not turn me down.”
Eden hesitated. “Unless Emma gives him a better reason to.”
Sophia’s eyes darkened. “That will not happen.”
- Writer
