Chapter 4 Stay With Me For A Year

Terrence's POV

I was staring at the paper Dan gave me while sitting in the driver's seat of my car. I went to Anne's condo but she wasn't there. I even called her friends and anyone I know who might know her whereabouts but I still couldn't find her.

The fact that she disappeared on our very wedding day is making me so fcking frustrated and worried. If she was abducted, her abductor should've called by now but none.

"Emery Craig," I whispered the name of the woman I married today.

I got a substitute bride just like what Tiffany said but I'm not happy about it. Why did Anne leave me like that? If there's a problem, she can just tell me. I'm willing to listen to everything she's going to say. She's my fiance. If she's not ready to marry me, she could just tell me.

Someone knocked on the window of my car. I rolled it down after seeing Dan outside.

"Sir, I already talked to the manager of the bank. You just have to meet him tomorrow with the debtor and settle."

I nodded. "Thanks, Dan. You can now go home and rest."

"Sir, I think having Miss Craig as your wife isn't a bad thing at all. I mean, she was an executive and she's a respectable woman. Plus, her zodiac sign matches yours—"

I glared at him. "Are you tired of living, Dan?"

He immediately bowed his head. "I should take my leave now, Sir. It's past my working hours. Have a good night."

I hissed and rolled the window up.

It was almost dawn when I got back home. I was rubbing my sleepy eyes when I saw Dad sitting on the couch while drinking coffee.

"Dad…"

"Where have you been? Where's your wife?"

I glanced at the stairs. "Upstairs. And she's not my wife, Dad."

"You married her."

I shook my head. "We haven't signed legal documents yet and I have no intentions of signing anything."

He took a deep breath and shifted his weight. "Son, I think you should keep her by your side even just for a year."

My forehead creased. "Dad, can you hear yourself? My real bride is missing and you want me to stay with a woman I mistakenly married? I won't do that."

"You have to. For the sake of the company, Terrence. If the board found out about this, they'd think you're not responsible enough to carry the responsibility of being the president. I may be the chairman, but the board has the right to appoint an executive."

Clenching my jaws, I thought about the position I had a hard time reaching. Damn it!

I squeezed my eyes closed and massaged the bridge of my nose. "I can't just stay with her, dad. She's not my real bride and Anne is missing."

"You don't even have to treat her as your real wife. Just do this for the show. And you said it yourself, you haven't signed any legal documents yet. I won't force you to sign one. Just keep her for a year. We need her to reassure the board now."

***Emery's POV

I woke up early the next day. When I sat on the bed, I saw some paper bags on the couch inside my room. I guess that's the clothes Terrence Gray was talking about.

The paper bag has a dress, shoes, shampoo, body wash, and everything I need for the day.

Nodding, I went to the bathroom to take a bath. I should talk to Terrence Gray now about our agreement. And since we didn't sign any documents, I don't think I should stay here.

I went downstairs expecting only Terrence Gray but I found more people in the dining hall. So, this is a family house?

"Good morning." A man slightly resembling Terrence was the first to notice me. He smiled sweetly while his eyes were intensely looking at me.

"Come and sit with us, hija." An old man who I presumed to be the head of the family smiled and invited me.

I smiled, giving back the same respect before bowing my head a little. "Good morning."

I sat beside Terrence who was just sitting while reading the tabloid. In front of him was a cup of coffee. He didn't even greet me. What a jerk!

"How's your sleep?"

I smiled at the old man again. "I had a good sleep, sir."

When I looked at the other people on the dining table, I realized they were all looking at me. The young girl yesterday named Tiffany was looking at me with a bitchy look on her face. She's sitting in front of me. Beside her was the man who greeted me, still smiling and staring at me. While in front of Terrence, a woman I presumed was the mother was sitting silently while looking at me with a creased forehead.

I know a rude person when I see one and I can definitely tell that this family is full of rude people, except for the head of the family.

After breakfast, Terrence brought me to the balcony to talk. He was puffing a cigarette early in the morning and it's making my forehead crease. He looked so problematic when I couldn't see any problem here.

"If you think I'll be sentimental because of our accidental marriage, I won't. I will leave as soon as we settle our agreement."

He looked at me, still not pleased with what I said.

"You can't leave just yet. You have to stay married to me. Fakely married, I mean."

Confusion filled me. "Why? I don't see any reason for me to stay. We're not really married."

"I need you to pretend to be my wife. I need to do this for the company."

"What?!"

"We're going to meet the manager of the bank today. If you agree to be my pretend wife for a year, you'll clear your debt this instant and your company will be saved. If you refuse, I'll buy your company and make you suffer. The choice is yours, so pick the best one."