Emma's Point Of View
The air in the hospital wing was cold and sterile. The faint scent of disinfectant clung to everything, making my stomach churn. I sat on one of the hard, wooden benches near the nurse’s station, the creak of my shifting weight echoing faintly in the quiet. In my right hand, I clutched a file.. the infamous contract Adrian Steele had handed me. In my left, a cheque with enough zeroes to save my brother’s life. I stared at them one at a time, my thoughts a chaotic mess of fear, anger, and desperation. How had it come to this? How had I ended up here, forced to decide between my dignity and my brother’s life? A bitter laugh bubbled in my throat, though I swallowed it back before it could escape. Adrian Steele. Just thinking about him made my blood boil. His smooth, infuriating voice echoed in my head: "Marry me… or get the fuck out of my Office. And if you choose to get fired, I’ll make sure you never work in this city again. I mean every word of it." I believed him. He didn't have just the money he had the power and the connections as well. Adrian Steele wasn’t the type of man who made empty threats. I closed my eyes, squeezing the bridge of my nose. “What the hell am I supposed to do?” I whispered, my voice trembling. Part of me wanted to tear the cheque into tiny pieces, march into his office, and throw them in his smug face. Why would a man like him want to marry me, anyway? He had the world at his feet. Women far more beautiful, far more experienced, would have thrown themselves at him for a fraction of what he was offering me. But then there was the other part of me, the part that couldn’t stop thinking about my brother lying in that hospital room. The doctors had made it painfully clear: without the surgery, Nathan wouldn’t make it. What was two years? That was all Adrian wanted... two years of a contract marriage. A sham. A lie. Could I endure two years with a man I despised if it meant saving my only surviving sibling? The sound of approaching footsteps pulled me from my thoughts. I looked up just as Dr. Bennett, Nathan’s doctor, stepped into view. His expression was somber, his voice even more so. “Miss Carter,” he began, folding his hands in front of him. “I’m afraid there’s been a development. Your brother’s condition is worsening. If we don’t operate within the next 24 hours…” He didn’t need to finish the sentence. I felt the weight of his words crash down on me like a ton of bricks. I looked down at the cheque in my hand, the numbers blurring as tears welled up in my eyes. My fingers trembled as I held it out to the doctor. “Here,” I choked out. “Take it. Start the preparations. Do whatever you have to do to save my brother.” Dr. Bennett hesitated, his gaze flicking between the cheque and my face. “Are you sure?” “Yes,” I said firmly, even as my voice wavered. “Just… save him. Please.” He nodded, taking the check from my hand. “We’ll get started right away.” As he walked away, I felt a hollow ache settle in my chest. The check was gone, but the contract remained. I opened the file with shaking hands, my eyes scanning the lines of text. Adrian had been meticulous, of course, covering every possible loophole, ensuring that I had no way out once I signed my name. “This is just a contract,” I whispered to myself, my voice barely audible over the hum of the hospital equipment. “Nothing more.” I grabbed the pen tucked into the file and pressed it to the paper. My hand trembled as I wrote my name, each letter feeling heavier than the last. When I was done, I stared at the signature for a long moment. “Emma Carter,” it read. But who was Emma Carter now? The assistant who’d prided herself on her independence and resilience? Or the woman who’d sold her soul to save her brother? I closed the file with a snap, my jaw tightening. I couldn’t afford to dwell on that. This wasn’t about me. It never had been. Pulling out my phone, I dialed Adrian’s number. He answered on the second ring, his voice as cold and smooth as ever. “Miss Carter.” “I’ve signed the contract,” I said, trying to keep the tremor out of my voice. There was a pause, just long enough to make me uncomfortable, before he spoke again. “Good. Meet me at the registry in two days. We’ll finalize everything then.” “Two days?” I echoed, my stomach twisting. “Yes. And you’re on leave starting now,” he added. “Take care of your brother, prepare for our first media appearance, and do try not to embarrass me.” Before I could respond, the line went dead. I stared at the phone in disbelief, my hand tightening around it. The audacity of that man. He’d just upended my entire life, and he didn’t even have the decency to pretend to care. Forcing a deep breath, I slipped the phone back into my pocket and stood. My legs felt like jelly, but I willed myself to move forward. Nathan’s room was quiet when I entered, save for the steady beeping of the machines monitoring his vitals. He looked so small in that hospital bed, his pale face framed by the oxygen mask. I sank into the chair beside him, taking his hand in mine. It was cold, his fingers limp in my grasp. “Hey, buddy,” I murmured, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. “I know you can’t hear me, but… I’m doing everything I can for you, okay? You’re going to be fine. We’re going to get through this.” My voice broke, but I forced myself to keep going. “You’re all I have, Brandon. Mom and Dad… they’re gone. It’s just you and me now. And I’m not going to let anything happen to you. I promise.” Tears slipped down my cheeks as I tightened my grip on his hand. For Nathan, I would endure anything, even two years with Adrian Steele. This was for him. Only for him.Emma's Point Of View The air in the luxury suite was thick with the hum of activity. I sat in the center of the room, surrounded by a swarm of stylists, makeup artists, and hairdressers who seemed determined to reinvent me. Brushes swished across my cheeks, hot tools hissed in my hair, and a steady stream of orders filled the air."More volume on the crown.""Darken her eyeliner. She needs to look bold.""That dress has to be steamed again, every wrinkle must disappear!"Their chatter blurred into white noise as I stared at myself in the mirror. Was that even me anymore?It wasn’t the first time I had prepped for one of Steele Enterprises grand events. For three years, I’d been in the background at every company anniversary and gala, efficiently managing guest lists, sorting out seating arrangements, and ensuring everything ran smoothly. I was always the effective assistant. The invisible one.But tonight was different.Tonight, I wasn’t Emma Carter, the assistant. I was Emma Steele,
Emma’s Point Of ViewThe murmurs of conversations and the faint clinking of glasses echoed in the grand hall, blending with the low hum of classical music in the background. My fingers fidgeted with the fabric of my dress, its luxurious silk far too extravagant for someone like me. Standing beside Adrian, I could feel the weight of the evening bearing down on me. He looked completely in his element, exuding confidence as he discussed business with a client. Meanwhile, I was struggling to breathe normally under the scrutinizing gazes of Evelyn Steele and Celia, the blonde woman who seemed all too comfortable in Adrian’s world.I forced myself to keep my shoulders straight, though my palms were sweaty, betraying my nerves. Evelyn's icy eyes scanned me with such intensity I almost squirmed. Celia, with her model-like elegance, stood poised and graceful, her sharp gaze darting to me with subtle disdain. My thoughts wandered, questioning yet again why I had agreed to this charade. Then I
Adrian’s Point Of ViewThe sun broke through the curtains in soft golden rays, the only hint of calm in a house that felt unsettlingly quiet. My sneakers scuffed the hardwood floor as I entered, sweat dampening the back of my tee from my morning run. The silence was jarring, and for reasons I couldn’t quite place, it made me uneasy.Normally, for the few days Emma had been here, I’d usually hear her bustling around the kitchen and with house work, her faint humming betraying her nervousness in my presence. I had told her severally to let the house staffs do their work but for some reason she returns from work and still goes on to make food, but today, though, there was nothing but the hum of the air conditioner.I made my way to the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of water and leaning against the counter, a disguise to see if she was there but she wasn't. Maybe she’s upstairs, I thought, though the nagging feeling in my chest said otherwise. She was always so punctual, so predictable. That
Emma's Point Of View “Sleeping Beauty,” a voice teased gently, tugging me out of the comforting void of sleep. My brother Brandon’s hand was on my shoulder, lightly shaking me. His faint smile, so rare these past few years of constant pain and struggle, was like a ray of sunlight breaking through a stormy sky.I rubbed my face with my palm, smiling back at him. “Morning, lazybones,” I teased, though my voice came out groggy. “How was your night?”“Not bad,” he replied with a casual shrug that quickly turned into a wince as he shifted his weight.I shot up, instantly alert. “Are you in pain? Should I call the nurse?”Brandon chuckled softly. “Calm down, Em. It’s nothing serious.”Just then, the door opened, and the doctor walked in with the nurse trailing behind him. “Good morning, Ms. Carter,” he greeted with professional warmth.“Good morning, Doctor,” I replied, smoothing my hair as if it mattered.The nurse handed him a file, and he flipped through it briefly before handing it bac
Emma's Point Of ViewThe doctor’s words kept echoing in my head non stop like a haunting melody I couldn’t shut out. “If treatment doesn’t commence in a few days time, your brothers condition might get worse of perhaps he might lose his life.” The phrase played on repeat, each word cutting deeper than the last. I stared blankly at my laptop screen, the spreadsheets and deadlines a blur. My chest tightened as I grabbed my phone to check my bank account for what felt like the hundredth time today.My savings were laughable, a cruel joke in the face of the mounting medical bills. I had a good paying job but the bills that followed the pay was way more than I can handle, every cent I had managed to save wasn’t enough to scrape the surface of what they needed to save Brandon. The helplessness clawed at me, my throat dry, my hands trembling.I didn’t even hear the elevator chime at first. The sharp ding only registered when the doors slid open, snapping me back to reality. My eyes darted t
Emma's Point Of View The elevator doors slid shut with a soft ding, sealing me inside as the floor numbers ticked upward. My heart pounded against my ribs, a relentless rhythm of worry. Adrian Steele’s reaction to yesterday was anyone’s guess, and I wasn’t naive enough to think he’d just let it slide. The man wasn’t known for his mercy, especially not when it came to his staff. Rumors had it that I am the longest assistant he had ever had. The rest would one to work for him with the intentions of seducing him, it did work, they seduced him but the hot fired immediately after the fun. I on the other hand despises him and nothing would ever happen between us that's why I still have my job!I leaned against the cold metal wall, I took my mind off the consequences of my actions yesterday and the doctor's words began slicing through my thoughts like shards of glass. "Miss Carter, you are running out of time, If he has an episode like this one more time, we might not be able to save him."
Adrian’s Point Of ViewThe steady hum of my office filled the silence, broken only by the faint ticking of the clock on the far wall. Outside, the city stirred with life, but here, within these four walls, I was locked in thought. My chair creaked as I leaned back, fingers steepled under my chin, staring at the faint reflection of myself in the dark monitor.Emma Carter.Her response still echoed in my mind, crisp and defiant, though her voice held a strong uncertainty which made me believe I could crack her if I pushed harder "With all due respect, sir, I cannot marry you. You are my boss"The corner of my lips curled upward, a wry smile forming despite myself. She actually thinks she is better than me? She thinks she could just walk away from the deal I’d laid on the table?"Two years, No emotions, No intimacy" She had indirectly turned it down but she’d learn soon enough.I’d offered her salvation, an escape from her desperate reality, any girl would jump on my lap at such opportun
Emma's Point Of View “Sleeping Beauty,” a voice teased gently, tugging me out of the comforting void of sleep. My brother Brandon’s hand was on my shoulder, lightly shaking me. His faint smile, so rare these past few years of constant pain and struggle, was like a ray of sunlight breaking through a stormy sky.I rubbed my face with my palm, smiling back at him. “Morning, lazybones,” I teased, though my voice came out groggy. “How was your night?”“Not bad,” he replied with a casual shrug that quickly turned into a wince as he shifted his weight.I shot up, instantly alert. “Are you in pain? Should I call the nurse?”Brandon chuckled softly. “Calm down, Em. It’s nothing serious.”Just then, the door opened, and the doctor walked in with the nurse trailing behind him. “Good morning, Ms. Carter,” he greeted with professional warmth.“Good morning, Doctor,” I replied, smoothing my hair as if it mattered.The nurse handed him a file, and he flipped through it briefly before handing it bac
Adrian’s Point Of ViewThe sun broke through the curtains in soft golden rays, the only hint of calm in a house that felt unsettlingly quiet. My sneakers scuffed the hardwood floor as I entered, sweat dampening the back of my tee from my morning run. The silence was jarring, and for reasons I couldn’t quite place, it made me uneasy.Normally, for the few days Emma had been here, I’d usually hear her bustling around the kitchen and with house work, her faint humming betraying her nervousness in my presence. I had told her severally to let the house staffs do their work but for some reason she returns from work and still goes on to make food, but today, though, there was nothing but the hum of the air conditioner.I made my way to the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of water and leaning against the counter, a disguise to see if she was there but she wasn't. Maybe she’s upstairs, I thought, though the nagging feeling in my chest said otherwise. She was always so punctual, so predictable. That
Emma’s Point Of ViewThe murmurs of conversations and the faint clinking of glasses echoed in the grand hall, blending with the low hum of classical music in the background. My fingers fidgeted with the fabric of my dress, its luxurious silk far too extravagant for someone like me. Standing beside Adrian, I could feel the weight of the evening bearing down on me. He looked completely in his element, exuding confidence as he discussed business with a client. Meanwhile, I was struggling to breathe normally under the scrutinizing gazes of Evelyn Steele and Celia, the blonde woman who seemed all too comfortable in Adrian’s world.I forced myself to keep my shoulders straight, though my palms were sweaty, betraying my nerves. Evelyn's icy eyes scanned me with such intensity I almost squirmed. Celia, with her model-like elegance, stood poised and graceful, her sharp gaze darting to me with subtle disdain. My thoughts wandered, questioning yet again why I had agreed to this charade. Then I
Emma's Point Of View The air in the luxury suite was thick with the hum of activity. I sat in the center of the room, surrounded by a swarm of stylists, makeup artists, and hairdressers who seemed determined to reinvent me. Brushes swished across my cheeks, hot tools hissed in my hair, and a steady stream of orders filled the air."More volume on the crown.""Darken her eyeliner. She needs to look bold.""That dress has to be steamed again, every wrinkle must disappear!"Their chatter blurred into white noise as I stared at myself in the mirror. Was that even me anymore?It wasn’t the first time I had prepped for one of Steele Enterprises grand events. For three years, I’d been in the background at every company anniversary and gala, efficiently managing guest lists, sorting out seating arrangements, and ensuring everything ran smoothly. I was always the effective assistant. The invisible one.But tonight was different.Tonight, I wasn’t Emma Carter, the assistant. I was Emma Steele,
Emma's Point Of ViewThe air in the hospital wing was cold and sterile. The faint scent of disinfectant clung to everything, making my stomach churn. I sat on one of the hard, wooden benches near the nurse’s station, the creak of my shifting weight echoing faintly in the quiet. In my right hand, I clutched a file.. the infamous contract Adrian Steele had handed me. In my left, a cheque with enough zeroes to save my brother’s life.I stared at them one at a time, my thoughts a chaotic mess of fear, anger, and desperation. How had it come to this? How had I ended up here, forced to decide between my dignity and my brother’s life?A bitter laugh bubbled in my throat, though I swallowed it back before it could escape. Adrian Steele. Just thinking about him made my blood boil. His smooth, infuriating voice echoed in my head: "Marry me… or get the fuck out of my Office. And if you choose to get fired, I’ll make sure you never work in this city again. I mean every word of it."I believed him
Adrian’s Point Of ViewThe steady hum of my office filled the silence, broken only by the faint ticking of the clock on the far wall. Outside, the city stirred with life, but here, within these four walls, I was locked in thought. My chair creaked as I leaned back, fingers steepled under my chin, staring at the faint reflection of myself in the dark monitor.Emma Carter.Her response still echoed in my mind, crisp and defiant, though her voice held a strong uncertainty which made me believe I could crack her if I pushed harder "With all due respect, sir, I cannot marry you. You are my boss"The corner of my lips curled upward, a wry smile forming despite myself. She actually thinks she is better than me? She thinks she could just walk away from the deal I’d laid on the table?"Two years, No emotions, No intimacy" She had indirectly turned it down but she’d learn soon enough.I’d offered her salvation, an escape from her desperate reality, any girl would jump on my lap at such opportun
Emma's Point Of View The elevator doors slid shut with a soft ding, sealing me inside as the floor numbers ticked upward. My heart pounded against my ribs, a relentless rhythm of worry. Adrian Steele’s reaction to yesterday was anyone’s guess, and I wasn’t naive enough to think he’d just let it slide. The man wasn’t known for his mercy, especially not when it came to his staff. Rumors had it that I am the longest assistant he had ever had. The rest would one to work for him with the intentions of seducing him, it did work, they seduced him but the hot fired immediately after the fun. I on the other hand despises him and nothing would ever happen between us that's why I still have my job!I leaned against the cold metal wall, I took my mind off the consequences of my actions yesterday and the doctor's words began slicing through my thoughts like shards of glass. "Miss Carter, you are running out of time, If he has an episode like this one more time, we might not be able to save him."
Emma's Point Of ViewThe doctor’s words kept echoing in my head non stop like a haunting melody I couldn’t shut out. “If treatment doesn’t commence in a few days time, your brothers condition might get worse of perhaps he might lose his life.” The phrase played on repeat, each word cutting deeper than the last. I stared blankly at my laptop screen, the spreadsheets and deadlines a blur. My chest tightened as I grabbed my phone to check my bank account for what felt like the hundredth time today.My savings were laughable, a cruel joke in the face of the mounting medical bills. I had a good paying job but the bills that followed the pay was way more than I can handle, every cent I had managed to save wasn’t enough to scrape the surface of what they needed to save Brandon. The helplessness clawed at me, my throat dry, my hands trembling.I didn’t even hear the elevator chime at first. The sharp ding only registered when the doors slid open, snapping me back to reality. My eyes darted t