Chapter 4
1162 Words
EMMA
I swallow hard.
Father has just asked me if I am ready. After all the weeks of etiquette and deportment lessons, I still don't think I am ready yet.
This is father's idea. A party thrown in my honour to announce to the world that I am his daughter.
If I blew this-
"Yes," I force myself to say the flashbulbs of paparazzi cameras go off yet again in our faces.
"...Ethan and his long lost daughter, Emma Cole," the announcer is saying as the double doors in front of us open.
There is a rush of light and sound as hundreds of eyes turn towards us. For half a second, my steps falter before I force myself forward.
"Don't forget to smile," father says under his breath.
I smile and wave the way I have been taught. As we walk together to the podium, the applause grows louder.
"It's her!" I clearly hear a woman say to her neighbour as we pass. "I heard her mother was just a-"
Thankfully, I don't get to hear more because father's hand is on the small of my back, urging me forward.
The applause swells, dies down. Father, beaming, takes the stage.
During his speech, he is very careful not to give too many details about how we got separated in the first place.
My eyes flick to the side. Victoria sits with a few elderly women at one of the tables in front. She is perfectly composed, watching, unsmiling.
I still think about what I overheard her say on the phone that day. I haven't said anything about it to father yet.
I want to find out what she is up to myself because I personally think father's love for her won't let him see how much of a monster she really is.
Father says something funny. The crowd laughs. He raises a toast.
"Everyone," Veronica's voice suddenly rings out, cutting cleanly through the room. "I am sure my granddaughter has a few words to you all. Don't you, Emma?"
I freeze. Giving a speech had not been part of the plan. What is grandmother playing at?
Our eyes meet then and I know. This is a challenge. Her challenge.
Perhaps she wants to show to her son and everyone that the daughter of a maid doesn't belong in her world.
Father forces a smile and beckons me on-stage. Heart pounding, mouth dry, I climb the few steps to reach the microphone. Dragging in a breath, I open my mouth.
And for one terrifying second, my mind goes completely blank.
Then I see Marcus at the back of the crowd, looking handsome, but a little uncomfortable in a smart suit, give me a thumbs up.
I smile and begin to speak. About finding family. About second chances. It gets easier the longer I talk and when I am done, the applause was deafening.
As I step off the stage, I felt almost giddy with relief.
The party resumes around me. Father introduces me to several of the guests, his friends. When he leaves for a while to take a call, a group of people approach me.
"Congratulations," says one of them.
"That was a moving speech you gave back there," says another.
"Ever considered a career in public speaking?"
I blink. "Umm... I-"
"Oh don't be silly, Arnold," a beautifully dressed woman interrupts with a laugh. "Of course she'll be running her father's company. Won't you, dear?"
All eyes turn in my direction.
"Um- excuse me," I say quickly, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. "I need to use the restroom."
I slip outside instead. I need space and air. The questions... the attention it is all too much, too soon.
I turn my face up to the night sky dotted with stars, closed my eyes and breathed in deeply. I feel a tap on my arm, open my eyes and see a man dressed in a waiter's uniform, standing beside me.
It is a ittle strange that his head is bowed and slightly turned away from mine, away from the light, but I guess he is just shy or intimidated. This is a billionaire's party after all.
"Madam," he says in a soft, polite voice. "Mr Cole asked me to tell you that you you should meet him in the parking lot. Some friends of his are about to leave and he wants you to meet them before they do."
"Okay," I say, but the waiter is already gone.
I head for the parking lot which is deserted as most guests are inside. I get to the limo which brought us here. I don't see anyone.
The hairs on the back of my neck start to prickle and at once I sense something is wrong. Very wrong.
My mouth goes dry. I back slowly away.
That is when I feel the cold muzzle of what can only be a gun pressed to the back of my evening dress.
"Don't make a f*****g sound," a harsh voice says.
My heart crawls into my throat.
A masked man steps out from between a line of cars. He holds a deadly looking knife.
I brace myself to scream.
The second man tenses. "Do it and it'll be the last thing you ever do," he threatens and raises the knife.
I feel the man behind me stiffen.
"Are you crazy?" he hisses. "The bosses want her alive. Come on, let's get her in the van!"
Suddenly, the second man's eyes grow wide and scared. There is a dull, muffled thud. A scream. I don't feel the gun digging into my flesh anymore.
I whirl around in time to see a figure pass swiftly, heading for the second kidnapper. I shriek as I hear two bangs from a gun.
The second kidnapper turns and bolts. The first one, clutching his arm which is bent at an awkward angle, follows him at a staggering run.
"Get them!" someone yells.
I hear other people talking, but their voices seem to come from another planet.
I see a bullet hole on the ground just inches from my feet. The world starts to tilt and sway.
I realise I have forgotten to breathe. My vision blanks and I feel myself falling... falling.
Strong arms catch me. I am pulled against a broad, muscular chest. I open my eyes to see a pair of intense grey eyes staring deeply into mine.
My heart skips a beat.
Though I am shaken , more frightened than I have ever been in my life but a part of me can't help acknowledging that this has to be the most handsome man I had ever laid eyes on.
"What-" I begin.
"Don't try to speak yet, Miss Cole," the stranger says. He brushes some hair out of my face and I feel an odd, exhilarating shiver run through me. "Just take deep breaths." He smiles. It's calm, reassuring. "I'm Jayden, by the way. Jayden Brooks."
- Writer
