Chapter5
984 Words
Nathaniel kept a close, perceptive eye on Emily. "You want him to stop?" he said in a smooth, almost informal voice. "Then give him a legitimate cause for concern."
Emily scowled. "What does that mean?"
With a gentle clink, Nathaniel put down his whiskey after taking a sip. "A marriage under contract."
Absurd and thrilling, the words lingered in the air between them.
Emily blinked. "What?"
"A marriage under contract." Nathaniel's voice stayed level, as though he hadn't just made a totally crazy suggestion. "If Daniel believes you've moved on in the most permanent way possible, he won't continue to play these games."
Emily shook her head and gave a little laugh. "That is absurd. We hardly know one another."
Nathaniel grinned. "You still joined me for dinner in spite of that, or by sending me a text message tonight."
She folded her arms. "An arranged marriage is not the same as that."
With a hint of amusement in his eyes, Nathaniel remarked, "I'm not saying we ride off into the sunset." It would only be business. Short-term. However, it would resolve your issue.
Emily gave a sharp exhale. "And what do you gain from it?"
Nathaniel remained, smirking. "I have explanations."
She wasn't satisfied with that response. He seemed to have already calculated the advantages on his end, and she was only catching up, based on the way he spoke.
He went on, "Consider it before she pushes." "Do you want Daniel to retreat?" This would suffice. He desires to steer the story. It would be destroyed by this.
Emily's thoughts were racing as she gazed at him. It was ridiculous. Careless.
However...
Wouldn't it be good to be free of Daniel's incessant interference at last? To regain authority over her own life?
Daniel never allowed her to show that she had moved on, despite her efforts for so long. Whether it was through deceptive texts or chance meetings meant to test her resolve, he was always there.
Nathaniel might have been correct. Perhaps this was the only way to get Daniel to stop.
Leaning forward, Nathaniel observed her intently. Emily, I'm giving you a chance. One in which you are no longer forced to fall for his tricks.
She looked him in the eye, looking for any hint of dishonesty. But she only saw assurance. Confidence.
She asked, "And when it's all over, I just walk away?"
He gave a nod. "No conditions." Just a straightforward agreement that is advantageous to both of us.
Emily bit her lip. Nathaniel's ease of handling situations and his assurance that he could solve her problems with a straightforward arrangement gave him a dangerous air.
Perhaps that was the reason for her hesitation.
She rubbed her temples and muttered, "I'll give it some thought."
As though he already knew she would, Nathaniel nodded.
Later on in the evening
Staring at her phone, Emily sat in bed.
Daniel has another message.
Do you truly believe that Cross will be your future? Emily, you're making a mistake.
Anger made her heart race.
Before she could stop herself, she typed back, "You no longer get to decide that."
Another response a few seconds later:
This isn't you, as we both know.
Emily's jaw tightened. The conceit. The boldness.
Despite everything, he still believed he had the right to identify her.
She ought to disregard him. She wished to ignore him.
Instead, though, she opened a message for Nathaniel.
Describe this contract marriage in more detail.
The send button was hovered over by her finger.
She paused.
Did she truly want this?
Even on paper, marrying Nathaniel Cross would be a daring move. It would communicate to Daniel, the press, and everyone else that she was no longer under his control. However, it also meant entering Nathaniel's world, where high-stakes transactions and power struggles were commonplace.
Would she be able to manage that?
She exhaled slowly.
Then, without giving it any thought, she hit the send button.
The reaction was immediate.
"Tomorrow, my driver will come get you and take you to my office." Then, we'll talk about the specifics.
Emily's heart was racing as she gazed at the message.
Now there was no going back.
Emily was standing outside the sleek black car that had just arrived at her apartment.
Without saying a word, Nathaniel's driver, a tall, polished man wearing a fitted suit, opened the door for her.
After a moment's hesitation, she slid inside.
The slight aroma of Nathaniel's cologne permeated the air, and the leather seats felt cool against her skin. Before she had even consented to anything, it was like entering his world.
Nerves tangled in her stomach, she stared out the window as the car backed away from the curb.
Was this really what she was going to do?
Imagining a contract marriage in her own mind was one thing. Sitting across from Nathaniel and signing a deal that would alter everything was another.
Before they reached the tall glass structure that housed Cross Empire, she had hardly time to process.
Emily's heart pounded in her chest as she stepped out after the driver opened her door.
The lobby was as impressive as she had anticipated, with marble floors, tall windows, and a front desk manned by immaculately attired receptionists.
"Miss Carter?"
Emily turned and saw a young woman smiling confidently. "Mr. Cross is anticipating your arrival." Please, this way.
She felt the consequences of her choice weighed heavily on her as she was escorted to the private elevator.
No going back.
Nathaniel was waiting inside when the doors slid open. Wearing a dark suit with an open collar, he appeared as calm and collected as ever, his eyes unreadable.
With a gentle chime, the doors behind her closed as Emily entered.
After examining her for a while, Nathaniel grinned. "Good morning, Mrs. Cross of the future."
She gasped.
This was actually taking place.
- Writer
