A substitute to my Mafia boss

Marry me or else

It was either I had heard wrong or I had somehow wandered into some alternate universe. I chose to believe the former.

“I'm sorry, Sir. What did you just say?” I asked.

He stood up from his seat and slammed his fists on the table. “I told you already. Don't act deaf with me. You heard right, Emily. I am asking you to marry me.”

My head suddenly started to feel a whole lot lighter than it did earlier. I took a step back trying to process everything that was going on. I had just broken up with my dumb ex and now my boss who was supposed to be getting married at this very moment was asking for my hand in marriage?

If I had gotten up this morning and someone had told me that this was how my day was going to turn out then I would have laughed at the person and suggested they get a place at the asylum.

“Mr. smith, I'm sorry, but I don't think the bride or your wife-to-be or your wife would like that? You know, from childhood I never really envisioned myself as a homewrecker. What you're asking for is a big no. I would rather lose my job any day, any time, than lose my dignity.”

My dear boss clicked his tongue and checked the time on his wrist watch. It seemed as though my speech had only wasted his time rather than changed his mind.

“What if I tell you that you can lose both right this minute? What then?” He asked, folding his arms across his chest.

I was tempted to ask him to repeat himself but he had corrected me twice earlier already and making the same mistake thrice didn't exactly put me in a good position to negotiate.

Crossing my arms across my chest, I eyed Mr. smith carefully. Ever since he pulled that stunt and asked me to marry him, he became fair game. I didn't care if he was my boss anymore.

“What dirt do you think you have on me?”

He smirked. The man actually smirked.

Seeing him act so cocky irked me. What annoyed me even more is that he looked so attractive doing it. Curse my damn hormones!

“Miss Emily Williams, it seems like you're a part of the many employees that forget that we have cameras everywhere in this hotel. Don't you think I know that you and your stupid boyfriend do all sorts of nasty things on these grounds? Refuse my marriage proposal and consider your job and your so-called ‘dignity’ gone.”

Mr. smith ended his threat with a full-blown grin. I would have given anything in the world to wipe that hideous smile off of his face, but there was nothing I could do. He had me right where he wanted me and he knew it.

I could have died right where I stood.

How else was one supposed to act when her boss tells her that he has videos of her messing around with her ex? How exactly was I supposed to reject his offer when we both knew that I was the one on the losing end here?

I know , I was screwed.

“So, you've resorted to blackmailing now? Is that how you run this company?”

He left his desk and in a few strides he was standing right in front of me.

Mr. smith stood a lot closer to me than he had ever done since I started working for him. My chest heaved and my breathing became heavy.

I was never one to get intimidated so easily but Mr. smith made me feel that way in a matter of seconds. He made me feel small. Minuscule. Minute.

“It's not blackmail. It's a fair exchange. You marry me, stay by my side for ninety days and you'll get paid a hefty sum of a million dollars.”

My eyes widened in response. I had never seen a million dollars in my life. Suddenly his deal didn't look so shady. Lines were being blurred and I began to find it difficult to reason again.

Mr. smith noticed just how much that amount had caught my attention and his lips formed into a satisfied smile. The man did have me exactly where he wanted.

“And if you refuse,” he continued, “I'll fire you, release all those tapes of you and make sure you never work anywhere ever again.”

Of course.

He went straight from being charming to acting like an arrogant, perverted and narcissistic bastard.

So much was at stake. I couldn't have everyone judge me at the same time. No matter how strong I tried to act, I knew that I could only withstand so much and leaking such disgusting tapes of me was more than Emily could take on.

It was only ninety days after all. What could possibly go wrong?

I needed the money to provide for my family anyway.

“Fine, I will marry you, Mr. smith. Are we doing it now or… ?”

Mr. smith took my hand and led me out of his office and towards the roof. “I brought my private jet, just in case. I knew you would say yes. Everything always goes my way, even if things don't look like it.”

The cold wind whipped around us as we ascended to the rooftop. My heart raced, not from the brisk air, but from the fear that I had just made the worst decision of my life.

I couldn't believe what I had just agreed to, yet the determined look on Mr. smith's face suggested there was no turning back.

The gleaming metal of the private jet stood out against the backdrop of the setting sun. It was luxurious, just like everything else about Mr. smith. He had a way of making everything seem larger than life, but at what cost?

"Everything is set for us," he remarked, his voice smooth yet assertive. “There's a wedding gown inside. Make sure to put it on before we arrive at the ceremony."

I nodded, my voice caught in my throat. I found it very weird that a man like Mr. smith carried a wedding gown around in his private jet but I asked no question. Playing along, I decided to ask all my questions later.

The weight of my decision was settling in, but there was also a strange high I got from the thrill of risking everything. I was stepping into the unknown, bound to a man I barely knew.

As we boarded the jet, I couldn't help but steal glances at Mr. smith. His demeanor had shifted from the aggressive man in the office to someone more relaxed, yet still intense. I wondered what lay beneath his confident exterior. Was there more to him than met the eye?

Settling into the plush seats, the reality of the situation began to sink in. I was about to marry my boss, a man who had just blackmailed me into this arrangement. Yet, there was a part of me that wanted to believe there was more to this story, a reason behind his drastic proposal.

As the jet's engines roared to life, I looked out the window, watching as the city lights faded into the distance. I was leaving behind everything I knew, embarking on a journey that was as uncertain as it was thrilling.

Mr. smith reached over, placing his hand on mine. "I know this isn't how you imagined your life would turn out," he began, his voice softer than before. "But I promise to make these ninety days memorable for you."

I looked into his eyes, searching for any sign of deceit. But all I saw was a glimmer of sincerity, a hint of vulnerability that I hadn't noticed before.

“Mr. smith-”

“Call me Ander from now on.”

I swallowed a thick lump down my throat. He was going to be my husband soon. I couldn't refer to him as ‘Mr. smith’ forever. “Ander , I think I should go get changed now.”

Ander nodded, his gaze lingering on me for a moment longer than necessary. "Of course, but be fast about it. We should be arriving soon. I've wasted enough time as it is."

I made my way to the back of the jet, my heels clicking softly against the polished floor. As I opened the door to a small changing area, I was greeted by the sight of the wedding gown Ander had mentioned. It was a stunning creation, delicate lace and intricate beading adorning the bodice, with a flowing skirt that cascaded to the floor.

Slipping into the gown, I couldn't help but feel like I was living in a dream. Every detail of the dress was perfect, as if it had been made just for me. I took a deep breath, steadying my nerves. Regardless of the circumstances, I was about to marry Ander smith, a man who could buy my entire home town if he wanted to.

As I emerged from the changing area, Ander looked up, his eyes widening slightly at the sight of me in the gown. For a moment, the air between us was charged with an unspoken tension.

"You look breathtaking," he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper.