The Billionaires Heart Bargain

Chapter 4

CALLAHAN’S POV:

“Huh?”

Emma’s confusion was so genuine, so unlike the typical reactions I received, that a genuine laugh escaped me. Her expression was a mix of defiance and bewilderment, like a fledgling caught unawares. I forced the laughter down, aiming for seriousness despite the amusement bubbling beneath the surface.

Unlike others who cowered before me, Emma held her ground with unexpected determination. Perhaps that was what initially drew me to her. But tonight, exhaustion from the evening’s charade gnawed at me, and all I craved was rest.

So, I picked Emma up, not in a bridal hold as before, but gently, my arms bracketing her under her knees and shoulders. I carried her to the bedroom, bypassing her protests with quiet firmness. Setting her down on the soft mattress, I couldn’t help but chuckle at her continued squirming, like a playful kitten.

A frustrated frown flitted across my face. I wouldn’t tolerate disrespect, even in this unconventional situation. With a sigh, I sat beside her on the bed, my voice firm but not harsh. “If you won’t settle down, we’ll be stuck like this all night.”

Her fiery blue eyes locked onto mine, the defiance tempered by a flicker of apprehension. “Let me go,” she demanded, her voice surprisingly steady. “If you release me, I promise-“

I cut her off with a kiss, straddling her and pinning her hands above her head. Shock enlarged her eyes as her whole body stiffened. “Promise me first that you’ll hear me out.”

Hesitantly, she nodded, afraid that would indeed carryout my threats.

“Good,” I said, drawing back. “We have a contract to discuss. It outlines the terms of your…stay.”

I didn’t mention her debt, hoping to avoid escalating the tension. To my surprise, her fiery gaze softened into comprehension. She reached for the contract on the nightstand, flipping through it with newfound seriousness.

I left her to it, taking a much-needed shower to wash away the day’s weariness. My reflection stared back, a mask of stoicism barely concealing the weariness etched into my features. Stepping out, I saw Emma standing by the window, the contract crumpled in her hand.

“This is unfair,” she stated, her voice raw with emotion. “It’s all about rules I must follow. Mr. Callahan Rehan, I’m not your puppet.”

“Perhaps if you read documents before signing them, such situations wouldn’t arise,” I countered, keeping my voice neutral. But underneath, a begrudging respect for her courage began to bloom.

Knowing her stubbornness wouldn’t be easily quelled, I conceded a point. “Some adjustments can be made,” I admitted, “but the core elements are non-negotiable.”

The rest of the night was a silent standoff. Emma refused the bed, opting for the couch, and I chose not to force her. The next morning, she was gone before I woke, a whirlwind of efficiency in her usual usher’s uniform. I only caught a glimpse of her, the towel clinging to her curves, before she vanished into the bathroom. She changed back into her godawful usher outfit in the bathroom, so the only time I got to see her was when she came out of the bathroom in towels to fetch her purse.

But even though the glimpse I got of her was short, she looked like a goddess. Even more beautiful than I remembered. Her short, wet, red hair added an extra layer to her beauty. The freckles on her nose and cheeks were fewer than I remembered, but she still looked adorable. The towel hugged her figure, bringing out her hourglass shape, and her skin was radiant.

I had to tear my gaze away from her to maintain composure even though she was a beauty, I still had to punish her for what she did to me all those years ago …

I couldn’t stand her in that God awful ushering outfit so I had my assistant buy her a few dresses that I believed she would like but even if she didn’t like them, she didn’t complain as she silently ate her pancakes.

“ Tomorrow evening by 4 o’clock , we will head to my family house so you can properly be introduced to them,” I informed Emma earning a reaction from her.

Her long lashes fluttered In a mixture of shock and denial. “ Why do I have to meet your family?”

I lifted my head from my food and raised a brow at her question. “ Obviously because you are my wife?” I pinched the space between my brows as I dropped the fork. “ Emilia, when will you finish reading all the rules of the contract cause I can’t continue like this anymore.”

No reply. Emma just bowed her head and continued eating.

“ I have assigned an assistant and two bodyguards to you to be at your beckon and call for whatever you may need,” I told her with hopes of getting a better reaction from her but reverse was the case.

“No!” Emma objected but when her stubborn sapphire eyes met my angry ones her tone dropped and her shoulders slummed. “ Please, I need to remain as normal as possible. Remember that I need to grow on my own? I can’t use you as a ladder to climb up the social scale so please don’t force me to have a bodyguard or assistant.” She pleaded with desperation in her cores.

“ What you are demanding is almost impossible, once the media knows that you are my wife, your life automatically become at risk—”

“ Then I beg you to keep it a secret for at least 6, months,” Emma cut me off with a terrible bargain.

“Nonsense,” I hissed. “ I can only keep it a secret for a month, nothing more nothing less and please read the damn contract.”

“3 months, please.” Emma bargained, the look in her eyes melted my resolve instantly.

Gritting my teeth, I exhaled. “2 months and that is my final stop and as for the bodyguards, I will let you off but you must have an assistant. “ Not wanting to continue the argument, I rose and pulled a black card out of the pocket of my pants. I gave it to the maid standing behind me and she immediately understood and went round the table to give Emma the card. “Use that to buy some clothes and whatever you need, you are my wife now and for that reason, your wardrobe can’t remain the same.”

Emma opened her mouth to protest but I raised a finger, shutting her. “ It is not debatable, Mrs. Rehan.”

I left Emma in her shocked state and I didn’t expect to hear from her for the rest of the day but around noon, I received a call from the assistant I forced on her.

“Sir, your wife has been arrested for stealing,” her voice rasped though the phone.

“What?!” I slammed my fist on the desk, the news of Emma’s arrest echoing in my mind.

I dashed out of the office, heart pounding with a chaotic mix of concern and disbelief. The accusation against Emma, someone I knew would never steal, left me reeling. Arriving at the mall, I found her struggling with security, face flushed and voice raised in protest. Pushing through the doors of the boutique, I pulled Emma from them and shielded her from them.

I took a deep breath, frustration shimmering beneath the surface. “And how are you sure this card,” I held up the card that she carried, “is not in fact rightfully hers?”

The manager hurried forward, sweat beads forming on his forehead. “ Sir, it appears that there has been a mistake. We apologize for the misunderstanding.”

I scoffed. No apology can save him from my wrath, no one maltreat the wife of Callahan Rehan and go scout free. Though my anger lingered, I addressed the situation calmly. “ Mistakes have consequences especially those that cause distress to an innocent person. I want all the parties involved to get fired this instant.”

The Manager’s eyes widened like saucers. He immediately knelt, hands clasped in a pleading posture. “ Sir, please, have mercy.”

Although he looked pitiful and pathetic, it didn’t soften my heart. I owned this entire mall and for that reason, Emma also owns it. So she shouldn’t be treated less . I looked down at him. “Kindly provide all the people that caused my wife this embarrassment if you don’t want to get fired yourself.”

“No,” Emma stepped forward, standing between me and the manager. “Please let it go, you came in time to save me , I am fine now, let this slide.”

I looked in her eyes and ground my jaws but I couldn’t bring myself to reject her request. A sigh parted my lips as I surrendered but then I frowned again and looked over her shoulders to the manager. Although Emma has asked that I let it go doesn’t mean that he won’t still get punished.