A Game With The Billionaire

Chapter 11:

Emma:

Three days have passed since the ‘incident’— that’s what I like to call it, the incident. That’s the only time I let my guard slip in front of Jeremy, the next morning I had told myself never to let my guard down ever again in front of him again. That’s the last time that Jeremy Hart will ever see me vulnerable.

Apparently, the public still haven’t forgotten that Jeremy and I are dating and that’s why a popular TV network known ‘How we met’ wants to do a one on one interview with Jeremy and I. It’s scheduled in the next hour and I am in my bedroom with Kathy sitting on the bed while I rave through my closet.

“What clothes do you think will look good on me?” I ask her. “Blouse or a dress?”

Kathy is glaring hard at her phone, typing furiously. “It seems like you’re putting in too much effort for Jeremy.”

“I am not putting in an effort for him.” I say quickly and Kathy raises a brow in suspicion. “I am going to be on TV and literally half the population will be able to stream it on the internet and that means I should simply care about how I present myself.”

“Keep telling yourself that!” She sing-songs in an annoying manner.

“Whatever. Just get yourself over here and help me with my damn makeup.” I say in frustration and she happily helps with my make-up. Thirty minutes later, I am ready to go. I settle for a white tailored blazer over a black camisole and wide-leg trousers paired with my ankle boots, my hair is in a low bun.

The drive to the media house takes an hour and the half. Kathy and I enter the media house; the camera lights hit my face which makes me take a rushed intake of breath. What am I even doing here? Oh right, I am here to make this fake dating thing work so that the public can know.

Jeremy is already seated on the couch and he gestures towards me with a large smile and I remind myself that everything we are doing here is going to be captured on camera so I have to act normal. Everything is in place, the cameraman, the lights, the stage and even the host. Kathy gives me a go ahead and I nod, before going to join Jeremy on the couch.

“In five, four, three, two, one and we’re recording!” The director announces, and I fix a forced smile on my lips.

“Welcome to another episode of how we met, today we have one of New York’s most respected CEOs, Emma Roberts of Eclipse studios and Jeremy Hart of Titan Games.” She crosses her legs, and adjusts herself on the single couch. “Over to you, both. But before we begin, can I just say my daughter loves your games? She spends all night playing. Imagine if you both collaborated on a gaming project.”

I open my mouth to speak but Jeremy places a warm hand on my leg, as if to tell me that he has got this and I immediately clamp my mouth shut. Jeremy handles the talking, he’s always so good at using his words and his stupid dimple-smile to charm everyone.

“Thank you, Wendy. It’s okay if I call you that, right?”

The host, Wendy, who is in her late thirties blushes briefly. “Of course, Jeremy.”

I frown slightly, rubbing at my elbows.

“Emma and I are working on something.” He looks at me with such warm eyes and I want to smack it off his face. “But we can’t reveal it to the public yet, it’s a surprise.”

“Oh, then we can say that we are excited.” Wendy smiles. “So tell us how you met and what sparked your love story.”

I look at Jeremy with a hopeful smile, he would have made such a great actor but at last, he went into the gaming industry.

“I have known Emma for a very long time, our parents both practically shipped us together when we were little, and we dated but there was a misunderstanding and we both broke up when we were done with college.”

What? Why is Jeremy telling the host that we dated? A misunderstanding? Ha!

“You both dated?” Her brows furrowed in confusion. “No one knew about this.”

“We hadn't started our gaming companies then, and we wanted to keep it private. However, when we started our companies, we were both busy, but there was a family party earlier this year and I remember seeing her and I thought to myself, ‘No way, I am not letting her go this time again.’”

“Oh, that’s so romantic, Mr. Hart!” The host gushes, and from the corner of my eyes, I see the cameraman’s eyes glistening, that’s what Jeremy’s words do.

Jeremy continues, expanding on our love life, but not giving the public too many details, I chip in here and there with a bright smile and not too few words. The show comes to an end and the host congratulates us with a smile. I just want to get out of here.

“Ready to go?” Jeremy looks down at me, his voice soft and I want to scream, ‘Will you just quit the acting already?’

Jeremy and I walk towards his car that’s parked outside; he has this look of satisfaction on his face that somehow makes me calm down. He is always like that, calm, sweet and charismatic. Meanwhile I am the black cat, the thought almost makes me laugh. In the parking lot, a man wearing a brown jacket jogs towards us holding a white pastry box.

“Jeremy Hart?” he asks, making Jeremy cautiously nod his head. “Someone sent this to you.”

A surge of protectiveness overcomes me as I step in front. “You have no idea who sent it?”

“Ma’am, my job is to deliver,” he hisses, shoving the pastry box in my chest and walking away. I look at the box, raising a brow and that’s when the smell of strawberry-baked pastries hits me hard.

“Oh, shit.”

I try to get it away from Jeremy but he’s already leaning closer, “What?”

“Jeremy!” I say, my voice filled with panic when he clutches his chest hard.

I rip the box open and stare at the pastries- strawberry glazed donuts. Without thinking, I hurl it into the nearest trash can and rush to him.

He leans against the car, the colour draining out of his face. “Hey, hey, look at me.” I get on my tiptoes, and loosen his tie so he can breathe better. “Breathe, okay? Just breathe.”

He nods weakly, his eyes glassy.

I grab his hand and guide him into the passenger seat, my heart beating so loud. “You’re okay, I have got you.” I keep whispering. Sliding into the driver’s seat, I jam the key in and start the engine. My fingers fumble over the Bluetooth screen. “Call Andrew.”

After two rings, Andrew picks up.

“Emma?” Andrew’s voice blasts through the speaker as I take a turn.

“It’s Jeremy,” my voice comes out rushed. “I think he had a reaction, it’s strawberries, he’s struggling to breathe.”

“Emma, listen to me. Don’t let him lose consciousness. Take him home, I am heading there right.” Andrew jumps into doctor mode and I nod my head hurriedly.

Jeremy's eyes are closed and I keep looking back, trying to make sure he’s alright. “Hang in there, please.”

When we reach, I lead Jeremy to the bedroom; Andrew is already waiting for us. I sit on the couch, restless while picking at my nails. After fifteen long minutes, Andrew exits out the bedroom.

“He’s alright now, his pulse is faint, but that’s good. He’s sleeping now.” Andrew sighs, “Breathe, Emma.”

“I was scared.” I say, my heart beating so loud.

“I bet,” Andrew says under his breath. “But this isn’t a typical allergic reaction. His heart rate spiked before the breathing issue. The pattern doesn’t fit, it’s odd.”

“Odd?” I follow him into the kitchen, watching how he brings out a bottle of water from the fridge.

“It’s like his body went into shock, but not from an allergen. More like something triggered it.”

“Triggered it?” I echo, frowning.

“I don’t know, Emma. It could be psychological, but the good thing is that he’s okay now. Call me if something happens, okay?”

I nod numbly.

“Love you,” he says, kissing me on my forehead. I mutter it back weakly as he leaves the room. I go upstairs and glance at the bedroom door where Jeremy’s sleeping peacefully. I sigh, that deep ache resurfacing again.

It’s going to be okay, I keep telling myself, but honestly, I am not sure it’s going to be okay at all.