Chapter 2

Emily

Having no time to process any of it, a thud jolted me up. Squinting my eyes open, I saw Cedric standing at the entrance of my door, all dressed up.

“I am giving you a few minutes to get dressed.” He pointed at the blue box wrapped in ribbons. There was also a huge stack of cash by the side. “I got you something to wear. You are going with me to a work event. The cash is just for your upkeep. You can do whatever you want with it I do not care. Meet me downstairs in five minutes. I do not want to drag you out of here.” He was about to leave.

“I am. still very weak from my surgery, I do not think I have to play charade with you this morning by attending a work event that I don't even know of..” I managed to say. I had no words to tell him. I was still pissed about the previous day and my life was spiraling into pieces and I was just catching the flames, getting burned as I go. It was frustrating.

“Do I need to remind you that it is futile to object to this?”

“I don't care how many times you say it, Cedric, I am not accompanying you to your so-called event! I am still very weak!” I yelled at him. It was just a few hours since I woke up to this nightmare and the pain had only gotten worse. My lungs were clouded with pain and it was only a matter of time before I had another attack. This time it wasn't going to be a plane crashing.

Cedric sighed. “This is the first time we are making an appearance as a couple. We need to make a statement.”

“I don't care. I didn't ask for any of this. I am not going and that's it. Nothing you are going to say is going to change my mind.” the confusion about this event only grew and my willingness to stay out was firm. I was not going to be a part of his sick games.

“Then maybe this would change your mind, Emily.” He emphasized my name. “if you do not get dressed right now and come with me, you are going to pay back every money your father had embezzled from the company and you will be going to jail for committing a crime by association.”

“You are making things up! My father would not do that!” 

“Do you believe that, Emily? We can't even find your father in the first place and he made sure to cut a deal with me by selling you off to me to get his freedom. So you will be the only one carrying his cross.” 

I fell to the bed defeated. I was crossed in between decisions. It seemed that I had no choice but to do as he had said. There was no time for me to think why my father would screw me over like this. I couldn't comprehend it. I knew that something was surely going to happen to me if things did not go his way. I was too weak to do anything but it seemed that I didn't have a choice. 

“Are you going to stand there while I dress?” I asked him, he gave me one last glare before leaving the room.

I got dressed as soon as I could. My luggage was saved. I was happy that I had sent my things over to France a few days before I boarded that plane which nearly cost me my life. The drive over to the event was quiet. We finally reached the location which was nothing but a corporate gathering. Wearing a red dress with a black stiletto, it wasn't a place for someone like me.

A tall slender, woman came close to Cedric, holding him she was his. They kissed for a short while and it only sparked anger in me. There was nothing I could do. If we were going to make a statement, nobody was paying any attention to me. I was too embarrassed to be called his wife at the moment.

If he is going to be doing this then why does he need me here? I went as far from them as possible. There was a lone table ahead and I sat there. 

“Why is a beautiful queen watching the crowd from a lone table?” The accent threw me off guard, echoing from behind me.

“I see better from here,” I said, smiling at the man who offered me a glass of champagne.

“What's the name?”

“Emily. Yours?” 

“Elliot. You seem lost in thought. I want to know what's occupying your beautiful mind.” 

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“If you want to know a beautiful woman as yourself, you look through the pages of her mind. I am just a man who is interested in you. There is just something about you that would draw any man close. I want to be that man.” From his accent, it was pretty clear that he wasn't French. There was something in the way he looked at me, I have never felt that much care from someone since I have been here. 

His qualities were more than charming, I just wanted to be close to him. I couldn't stop the excitement in my belly.  

I…was falling for him 

“You have to earn it.” Something else captured his attention. Celine was coming closer to me. I approached her. “Where is Cedric?” She was taken aback by the question, which confused me more. 

“Who the hell are you to ask for Cedric?” I tried to speak but she continued. “you are nothing but a low class who happened to find your way in here and you think you can demand anything from anyone.”

"I…”

“Please shut the hell up and stay out of my way.” I felt embarrassed for the umpteenth time. The only feeling of warmth I had received was from Elliott 

“I will stay out of your way but you need to learn some manners before someone runs you over.” She gasped. Cedric was at the edge of the crowd, clinking his glass as soon as she wanted to speak.

“I have an announcement to make. All things have been done in the background but I decided to get married to my longtime girlfriend.” I gulped as the slender lady, with Cedric earlier and her friends smiled at her with glee. 

I eavesdropped on their conversation. “You didn't tell me, you and Cedric got married. When the hell did you get married, Celine?” She had the element of surprise as she tried to think of an answer to tell her friend. 

While Cedric prepared his speech she was getting ready to get on stage with him.

“I want to welcome my wife and soulmate to the stage. Mrs. Emily Monette.” Cedric gestured for me to come up to the stage. My eyes glanced at Elliott who couldn't hide his sadness and disappointment. 

Celine was embarrassed. The crowd fell into silence, shocked by the news.

“Congratulations, Man.” Elliott congratulated him.