Chapter 3

*****Emma*****

…Considering how famous Ethan was, with his face boldly printed on every magazine and news outlet in the whole of New York City, everyone would know him, including me, but he came with his face fully covered with sunglasses, a face cap, and a nose mask. The darkness of the room and the face cover made it impossible for me to know who was behind the disguise.

The smack on Ethan's face was not just felt by him but also by Alex, as this was all new to him.

"This would teach you to respect a woman and not talk trash about anyone just because you have some change in your pocket," I yelled angrily.

"Have you both lost your voices suddenly? Or do you want me to give you a second smack to restore the voices?" I asked.

Feeling the heat and pain of the slap, Ethan took off the glasses, mask, and cap to have a breath of fresh air.

Suddenly, a heavy wave from nowhere pushed me back to my seat, with my hands in my mouth.

"What have I done?" I murmured. A few hours ago, I was just reading a magazine in the hospital, and it had Ethan's face all over it. The magazine was dedicated to him alone, and his face was stuck in my subconscious. Knowing who I had just slapped, I felt like I was going to die before my mother.

"I am…I…I am…" I struggled for words as I rushed to my knees. "I am so sorry, I didn't mean to hit you. It was a mistake. Please don't call the cops," I pleaded, hot tears already forming in my eyes.

"You see why I said she was a disaster!" Ethan yelled in pain as he caressed his cheek and took a sip from Alex's glass.

"I am so sorry, please forgive me," I continued begging and eventually started sobbing. "And yes, I am a disaster," I agreed out of fear.

Finally finding his words, Alex called the guards and asked that I be arrested immediately.

"And to think your life was about to change for the better, what a waste," he added as the guards walked in and began dragging me out.

"I will do anything, please just forgive me," I pleaded at the top of my voice. "I am all my mother has, and she is sick, so please," I continued begging, but it felt as though my words were falling on deaf ears.

"Take this trash away and make sure she sleeps in the station tonight," Alex insisted.

"Let her be," Ethan suddenly said slowly but loud enough for the guard to hear and obey, and also for Alex to be shocked.

"What? This crazy b**ch just slapped you, this nobody, and you want to let it slide?" Alex asked, feeling frustrated. "This is unlike you, man."

Ethan repeated his words, but this time with a smile. "Come back to where you were sitting," he ordered, and I obeyed swiftly.

With my head down, I apologized while still sobbing quietly.

"You look strong and bold, and you seem like someone who can withstand any pressure," he began. "You said you would do anything for me to forgive you, right?" He questioned.

For a few seconds, I remained silent but nodded my head in agreement.

"That settles it then, I have a proposal for you," he said.

"You can't be serious bro. Forget about her, and we can find someone else in a few hours," Alex lamented.

"You said that I should get someone who I can control and would be eternally grateful to me, right?" Ethan asked Alex.

"Yes, but…"

"This is her, right here. She is all I need and would be perfect for the job," he added with a smirk.

"What would you have me do, sir?" I asked, with my head still down.

"I want you to be my wife," he finally let the cat out of the bag after hesitating for a few seconds.

Sounding like a joke to me, I burst out into uncontrollable laughter. I laughed for over thirty seconds before realizing that the men before me wore stern faces.

"Is something funny, Miss?"

"Miss Parker. Emma Parker," I introduced myself before continuing in my laughter.

"Sorry, but I haven't laughed this good in months, and this just cracks me up. Me, a nobody, wife to Ethan Brooks? Come on, you and I know that is a big joke, and it was indeed funny," I added.

"He is not joking, you idiot. He is as serious as he can be," Alex said as he hit the table hard and yelled, sending a shudder down my spine.

"Wait, you are serious, like seriously serious?" I asked, my eyes wide open.

"Yes, I am, Miss Parker. Now, is that something you can do?" Ethan questioned.

"But you announced yesterday you were engaged, so what about your fiancée? What about the media?"

"Let me worry about the media, and as for my fiancée, there is none. I just posted that, and now I need to present one to the world," he spoke.

"I don't understand, but why fake it when you can get it for real?" I asked curiously.

"Look, knowing the details is not your business, okay? This marriage is going to be a business deal that would last for about a year or two, and after that, we get divorced. You get settled, and we move on with our lives," Ethan explained.

"And you think it is that easy?" I asked.

"And what could be hard about that?" Ethan retorted.

"Everything, sir. Your reputation, mine, and a whole lot of things could go wrong. I may not have the best life, but I would rather go to jail for hitting you than put up with a sham marriage. I am sorry, but I can't do this," I said firmly.

For a second, everywhere was quiet. "I thought you said you would do anything?" Alex asked.

"Yes, I did, but this I cannot do. I don't want to put myself in such a situation. If things get out of hand, it would be easy for you to fix it for yourself, but I would drown in it with people calling me names and stuff. I already have too many problems on my table, and I would not want to add more,” I explained.

"So what are you saying in essence?"

"Mr. Ethan, a good name is better than silver and gold. That is what my father taught me, so no. I cannot accept your offer, sorry," I stated clearly.

As I spoke, my phone was buzzing, and it was my mother's doctor that kept calling. I took an excuse and picked up the call a few steps away from Ethan and Alex. Although I was a bit far, my conversation could still be heard.

"Sorry, but I have to leave now,” I excused myself as I walked back to where they were. My countenance had changed, and one could easily tell that I had received bad news.

"What if I clear off your debts? Would you still consider being my wife?" Ethan suddenly questioned as I made my way to the exit.

"I have a job that I can use to pay my debts, so thank you,” I replied, not sure of my choice of words.

“You mean a job that with just a phone call can be taken away from you? I am talking about paying your mother's hospital bills, and also your father's debts, and on top of that, you get to be the face of our modelling agency and get to be the wife of the boss,” Ethan proposed. I was stunned at the offer, as it felt like a lifeline for me to a better life, and I would be foolish to let it go just like that.

“What are you still thinking about? You know you will gain more than me in this, so…” Ethan trailed off.

“That is the point. I have a lot to gain more than you do, so why choose me and not someone else? I fear you will make my life a living hell if I accept,” I interjected Ethan in his words.

“I do not need to respond to anything. Just accept the offer and let us move on to planning the wedding.”

If not for anything else, I considered my mother in this and had to accept the offer. I mean, how hard can it be? No matter how hard it gets, everything I am about to receive can cover up for it all.

I accepted the offer, and the contract was signed. My phone kept buzzing as I was urgently wanted in the hospital. I skipped reading through the terms of the contract, and for that, skipped a clause in the contract that I was going to regret.

“Get ready for a press conference tomorrow,” Ethan added as I was about to leave. It felt too fast for me, but I couldn't wait to get it done with.

Ethan also ordered his driver to take me to the hospital and back to his mansion, as we had a lot to prepare for the conference meeting tomorrow.

Just as we drove out, a red Porsche blocked our exit intentionally. As I tried to understand what was going on, I noticed the customized plate number… Isabella.