2: Say What

Emily's POV:

Say what?

“What are you talking about father?” Gray was as surprised as I was.

“I don’t want you to drag my name down if your company fails. You’re getting married to a billionaire who runs a successful company.”

I was livid. How could he do that? And drag his name down? Is he serious?

“Who says my company is going to fail? And drag your name down? The public doesn’t even know I’m your daughter! Or did you forget how you hid my existence from the whole world? For all they know you only have one son who will take over your company one day! So I don’t see why my marriage is necessary in any way.”

“Please understand Emily. We only want to see you settled.”

“Why do I have to get married for that? And what if I was dating someone?”

“From your calls we assumed you weren’t-“

“From my calls!” I exclaimed, raising my arms in disbelief. “I’m sorry but out of everyone you should have known I never would have told you something like that on a call. Or at all. I may be your daughter but you two are the last people that would receive the news. And I see it was for good reason. You could have sabotaged my relationship to make sure I would be available for your arrangement. Just like you did for every good thing that ever happened to me. Just tell me the real reason. I know very well that me getting ‘settled’ has nothing to do with it.”

“Does this have to do with the new investment?”

I turned to Gray. What was he talking about?

“Please tell me this has nothing to do with the new investment, Dad?”

I winced a little. So he was allowed to call him ‘Dad’? Why am I even surprised? Or affected for that matter.

“Of course not.” His jaw ticked and my eyes widened.

“How could you? This is all about your damn company as always!”

“Emily! Language! You are talking to your father!”

“Father? What kind of father sells their kid away?”

“He’s not selling you away for God’s sake! He just told you it had nothing to do with the company.”

“An entire childhood of being rejected and ignored will help you notice ticks in people, dear mother.”

“You’re basing yourself off an imaginary tick. I expected more from you, Emily.”

“She’s not the only one who saw it. Tell us the truth Dad!”

“Your future father-in-law is a college friend of mine, that’s all there is to it.”

“And what is our in-law’s surname?”

“Stag why?” my mother replied.

“I can’t believe it!”

I hardly ever saw Gray this angry. He was about to snap.

“It doesn’t matter anyway. The deal is done, they already agreed. You are to get engaged tonight.”

“But I haven’t agreed.”

“There was no need. We did it for you.”

“Let’s go now. It’s time for my rest.”

My mother turned his wheelchair around and led him back to his room. I just stood there fuming. What could I possibly tell them? It wouldn’t change anything. I can only hope I’ll manage to convince my future fiancée not to get engaged to me. That sounded really weird.

I walked towards my room with determined steps.

“Em? Em! EM!”

Gray finally caught up to me and grabbed my wrist.

“Em? Where are you going? We have to try convincing them to stop this.”

“It’s no use. They won’t budge. It might ruin their image to cancel their secret daughter’s engagement.”

“So what? You’re just going to get engaged to a stranger.”

“Nope! I’m gonna do this my way. I’m a businesswoman after all. Negotiations are my thing and most of the time I manage to have my way.”

“Are you sure about this?”

“Ten billion percent sure.”

At that he had a small smile.

“Okay. If you need my help in any way, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“I might require your skills.”

He grinned.

“Perfect. Let’s stop your engagement.”

We went to my room and started planning a way to convince my future fiancé not to marry me.

"So..." Oh, oh! He dragged it out. I won't like what comes next.

"How has your dating life been?"

"Oh! I expected worse. Simple answer: Non-existent."

"Really? Not even one little date?"

"Nope!"

"Were all the guys blind there or something?"

"Aww! That's sweet, little bro."

"It'll be rare so enjoy it while it lasts but stop calling me little bro!"

"No can do."

He sent me a glare and I sent him my brightest smile in return.

"So back to boys and you? Why is my ugly a** sister still single?"

I pouted.

"Apologise and I'll tell you."

"No way! I told you it wouldn't last long."

"Fine! Then you can keep wondering."

We both stayed silent, staring at each other. I couldn't even unpack because I was planning on staying at Gray’s place. I looked around trying to figure out what I could possibly do with my time.

“Okay fine! I’m sorry. You’re beautiful. Now tell me why you haven’t been dating?”

“I didn’t feel ready to share my life with someone just yet.”

“That’s it? I apologised for that!!”

“That sounds a lot like a you problem.”

 He rolled his eyes.

“Come on, don’t tell me no one ever piqued your interest.”

“Well, there was someone but we only met once. I had to leave for my trip shortly after and we didn’t keep contact. That was the only time I felt a spark.”

“You’re boring!”

“At least I’m not the one who does not have the guts to go talk to my childhood sweetheart after promising to find her.”

He blushed bright red. He cleared his throat before speaking again.

“We’re done planning and I have my answers, disappointing ones but still. So what do we do now?”

“Brooklyn?”

“I’m down!”

A few hours later, we were all in the lobby awaiting the arrival of my future in-laws. Right now, what bothered me more than having to ruin my engagement, was this stupid dress. My mother forced me to wear it. Something about first impressions.

I couldn't care less about their opinion. The more horrible, the better. I was busy pulling on the dress, trying to get comfortable when the doors opened. Finally! Time to set my plan into motion. I looked up mustering all my strength, it needs to be perfect. However, I took one look at my future fiancé and my plan went out the window.

"Jason?"