Chapter 4

 *****Emma*****

Suddenly a lady, luxuryily dressed stepped out and took a stride to the car, flinging her fingers indicating that I lowered the window and I did without a thought.

Although I couldn’t recall where I had met her before I could tell that her face was so familiar.

“Who are you?” she suddenly asked before, throwing me off balance as I locked eyes with her

Snapping her fingers in my face, I snapped back to reality.

“I am nobody” I responded, not wanting to piss her off. I've had a long day and my presence was needed at the hospital, Arguing with some overgrown baby was not on my agenda

“Do I look like a fool to you? So you are the reason Ethan has been avoiding me?” she questioned. her eyes bulging with a stern face

“Madam, I do not know who you are or what your problem is with me. But if you would please just take your car off the road and just let me…”

I had barely finished my sentence when she suddenly held my hair, forcefully pulling it out from the window. Just when I was trying to understand what was going on, she opened the door, forcefully pulling me out onto the dirty floor at the entrance as she cursed at me.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the driver came to my aid. Releasing me from her tormenting grip unto freedom. I could feel my head pounding and my hair about to fall off from her constant grip. 

The pain I felt was so much that hot tears dropped from my eyes. What made everything worse was when I noticed onlookers taking videos of what was happening.

After the contract I had just signed, being in a scandal was the last thing I wanted and so I tried to avoid it, as I simply tried to make my way into the car without saying a word to her, but it was obvious she wasn’t done.

“Come here you bitch” were the last words I heard before I felt a strong wave hit my cheek landing me on the ground. The pain I felt was so strong that I could barely see or hear clearly.

It took me a few seconds to shake off the effect of the slap and this time I was ready to retaliate not minding what people were going to say.

But before I could stand up, I saw her rushing violently at me again but this time it was different as Ethan came in between us, stopping her from attacking me and pushing her violently away from me.

“Are you okay?” he asked as he came to me, extending his hand to help me back on my feet. Staring dead at him, I didn’t know if I should feel thankful to him for helping me or yell at him for putting me in such an awkward position.

Bending one knee to the ground, he leaned closer to me. “People are watching and taking videos, we should leave a lasting impression” he whispered with a smirk.

The nerve of this guy. At this point, this is all he can think of. Concoring to his crazy idea I leaned into him and he raised me up. As he carefully took a soft cloth from his pocket and cleaned any dirt from my dress, before placing a soft kiss on my cheek.

With that act, I could hear murmurs, and an enraged young lady coming at us.

“Isabella” he called with a deep resonating voice

“ it is over between us, and I would appreciate it if you do not attack my fiancee anymore else we will press charges” he stated firmly defending me.

That suddenly didn’t sit well with her, but her anger was the least of the problems when suddenly a group of photographers and journalists surrounded us demanding an interview. 

Without saying a single word, Ethan held my hand and we left the scene in a different vehicle with the reporters still on the run for us but luckily they didn’t catch up.

We drove in silence as the only times he spoke were when he called Alex and demanded that he take care of the young lady from earlier and when he asked for the hospital address.

Pulling up at the hospital, I ran as fast as my legs could carry me to my mother's room and noticed she wasn't there. Fear enveloped me as I ran to the doctor's office.

"Where is she?" I asked in a low and helpless tone

"She is in intensive care. She had an attack and we had to intervene at the last minute, to save the situation. But that is only temporary. She needs to start chemotherapy immediately” the doctor announced

“Can't we just give her some drugs, I really don't have such an amount at the moment” I pleaded almost going on my knees

I knew the doctor couldn't do anything at the moment to help me, but I still pleaded to try my luck. For a moment I forgot about Ethan and the agreement of him paying off the bills until he made his presence known.

“Whatever you have to do to make sure she survives, do it. I will pay” he announced, relieving me of all burden. His masculine presence filled the room, bringing me comfort. 

The doctor knew who he was and agreed to do as told. Ethan also gave a strict warning to keep everything private, hence he will lose his license, which he agreed to.

“Thank you for earlier,” I said, as we got to where we parked

“You can thank me in the car, now get in before someone sees us,” he said, reminding me we were on the run from the prying eyes of the press.

Driving in uncomfortable silence, I looked out of the window as we drove past tall buildings and windows.

“Thank you again. For agreeing to pay for my mom's treatment” I finally said, breaking the awkward silence.

“You do not have to thank me, I am only keeping to my side of the contract, and I hope you keep to yours,” he said as he kept his face on the road, avoiding eye contact with me

“Where are we going?” I questioned, as the environment seemed new and uncomfortable to me, and I hadn't been to this part of the town.

“MY house.” 

I didn't say a word but kept looking blankly

“You better get used to it, as that would be your new home once our engagement is announced to the public. Also, get ready, we would have to move your mother to a more private hospital, I wouldn't want the press finding out about her. They are smart and might smell something” he said as he drove into an estate

That statement made me feel a certain type of way. He clearly was not comfortable with my background but had to keep up with it. 

“We might have some guests waiting for us, so keep your head down the best you can. I can't promise that your pictures won't be taken, considering the event earlier, but I will do my best to cover you. Stay close and have this” he handed me his blazers.

Just like he had predicted, reporters were scattered all over the estate.

“Are they always like this?” I questioned, as I watched from the tinted glass as they followed his car as though we were in a zombie movie and were being attacked.

“Well, I am as shocked as you are. Ever since the announcement of my bride-to-be. They have been consistent and a pain in my ass. Probably after my announcement, they will die down.”

Are people really curious about this man's life? Or were they just curious about me? The question bugged me as I thought of the kind of life I was about to enter. Going back now was not an option as I had already signed the document and my mother's hospital bills settled.

“Alright, here we are. The security team would prevent them from coming closer but not from taking pictures. Are you ready”?

I nodded my head in agreement as he came down first, made his way to me, and opened the passenger door for me to come down. I already had my face covered.

As promised he shielded me in his arms, and we got into the grand yard, and my jaw dropped. I have seen these kinds of houses but only in movies, and never for once in my life had I dreamt of stepping in one, not to think of living in one.

I was still drolling over the yard when we got into the exquisite house and I lost words to describe it. I didn't want to act all classless, so I behaved as though the house interior was something I was used to.

“You know it was stupid of you not to read the contract before signing” he suddenly said from nowhere, drawing me back to reality.

Why did he say that? Was there something I was missing?

"Don't dwell on it too much; the deed is done, and there's no turning back," he informed, his voice carrying an air of finality. Despite his words, an unsettling suspicion lingered, prompting me to delve into the document I had hastily signed.

As I perused its contents, my eyes widened in disbelief. There, hidden within the fine print, lay a clause I had overlooked.

The shock coursing through me was palpable, and the realization hit like an unexpected storm, leaving me at the mercy of a decision I never thought I would make with a stranger.