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."
Emery's POVI had no choice but to agree to Terrence's terms. To save my mom's company, we'll keep our fake marriage for a year.After completing the contract, we were now at the bank paying for what my stupid half-brother had loaned.Ten million dollars, even if for Mr. Jones, it was a huge amount and he could only pay in installments. But Terrence paid it off without blinking an eye."Thank you, Mr. Gray. I apologize on behalf of my colleagues for threatening your wife." The manager of the bank who actually threatened me bowed his head at Terrence apologizing. His two-sided face really disgusted me.Terrence didn't bother to glance at the manager and took me out of the building."Thank you," I said after we got in his car again.Terrence silently handed me the legal documents containing the ownership of the company. It's still under Ethan, my stepbrother's name, but I will make sure to get it back. I will not let him ruin the company that belongs to my mom."I've done my part, and d
Emery's POV"Do I really have to be here to convince them that you're actually married to me?" I asked as I watched the people coming in and out of the tall building of Empire Gray. This is really happening. I'm really married—not actually married, but fakely married to the wealthiest man in the country. I still can't believe this.Terrence looked at me lazily and grimaced. "It's not like you'll tell each and every one of them that you're married to me. You just have to act sweet, baby.""Baby?"He shot an eyebrow up. "You don't like that? How ‘bout love? Babe? Honey? Sweetie—""Wait…" I lifted my arm and laughed without humor. "You're not serious with that, right?"He crossed his arms. "Look me in the eye and tell me I'm joking."I gasped and gritted my teeth. "Terrence, I'm not gonna call you using those…cheesy and stupid…endearment!""I'm not forcing you but if they notice something that they shouldn't…say goodbye to your company."I glared at him. "Are you threatening me?"The cor
Emery's POVI couldn't stand losing, so I leaned closer to him and met his playful blue eyes. "Is that kiss…a monkey kiss?"His forehead creased but before he could rebut, I pushed him and stepped out of the elevator. I smiled at the female employee who was staring at me with a shocked face."Alice, inform all the departments and the board. I'm gonna introduce my wife to everyone." Terrence stepped out of the elevator arrogantly as he fixed his coat.The woman in front of us panicked again and quickly picked up the documents she dropped. I picked one and slowly handed it to her. She was looking at me in awe and I don't know if I should be proud or get offended. I don't even know why she's looking at me like that."Y-Yes, Mr. Gray."My forehead creased as I watched the woman turn her back and walk fast but awkwardly. I turned to Terrence and scoffed at him. "Look what you did."He frowned. "What? Is it my fault that we look like we're about to fck when she sees us."I laughed without h
Emery's POVGeorgina put her glass on the table after drinking her shot and looked at me. "So, tell me what really happened. How did you end up marrying the great Terrence Gray."I shook my head. "You sound like you're worshiping him."She lifted her arms. "Girl! That's Terrence Gray, the hottest bachelor. Just tell me. Come on…"I took a deep breath and drank my shot before I looked at her again. Georgina's lips parted as she covered her mouth. "Oh no! Don't tell me this was your pretentious stepmom's doing again."I shook my head and crossed my legs. "Not the stepmother. The stepbrother."She frowned as if disgusted. "That gambling addict asshole? What did he do this time? Gosh! I might cut his dick off and feed it to him. I really hate your family!"I smirked at her and sighed again before I dropped my gaze on the glass in my hand. "I'm too tired to tell you everything. But to make the story short, I gambled.""You gambled? With Terrence Gray?""He was a collateral damage. I just m
Emery's POVI slowly opened my eyes and caressed my aching head. Argh! I didn't drink too much last night but I got drunk. Thankfully, not too drunk to forget whatever happened last night. We ride in my car when I say we, me and Terrence. He really left his car last night and even pretended to be so dead drunk that I had to help him get to my car.I got off the bed and opened the window of my room. This room is cozy and really comfortable. I'm actually more comfortable here than in my dad's house. Here I feel free while in my dad's house, I feel like my responsibilities are imprisoning me.Two knocks interrupted my thoughts, followed by a soft female voice. "Miss Emery? Sir Terrence is waiting for you at the dining table."Shaking my head, I opened the door and looked at the maid. "I just woke up. Tell him to wait for half an hour."She looked very embarrassed by my answer but I didn't pay attention. I closed the door again and went straight to the bathroom. It actually took me half a
Emery's POVI took my sunglasses off as soon as I got out of the car. A smile crept on my lips as I saw the fascinating view of the place I chose for our honeymoon. Amalfi Coast is the perfect choice, I'd say. Even if I have to spend a week in this place with my talkative and perverted fake husband, at least I can enjoy the place."Let's go to the hotel first," Terrence said after paying for the taxi.I nodded and was about to grab my luggage when he got it first and looked at me. "Just lead the way."We entered the hotel and I just sat on the couch while Terrence walked towards the front desk to get a room. I crossed my legs while roaming my eyes around but when my eyes landed on the front desk, I slightly moved my sunglasses down to watch the annoying scene before my eyes.The front desk staff was smiling lewdly while talking to Terrence. She's purposely showing her cleavage and she looks like she's about to cum. What a slut!I heard someone giggling and when I looked at the couch o
Emery's POVI woke up alone in bed. I roamed my eyes around as I sat on the bed. Terrence isn't here anymore. Where did he go? Before I fell asleep, he told me that we'd go to the sea together. That bastard!I looked around the suite but he's really not here. I frowned and decided to shower and change into my swimsuit. I put my sunblock on before putting a cover on my body. I even grabbed my sunglasses since it was just 2 PM.On the way to the beach, I can feel eyes on me. I just kept walking, ignoring men whose eyes were ogling at me as if it was their first time seeing a woman.I hissed and just decided to eat at the floating restaurant. I'm hungry and I won't wait for Terrence. That asshole left first and he's not even my responsibility.I was using my hands while eating seafood. I rented a floating restaurant for couples—not that I'm expecting Terrence to come in the middle of my meal but because it's more convenient.While eating, I was watching the people on the beach when I sud
Emery's POVWe just went freediving and collecting pictures but I'm so exhausted. However, I'm happy. I enjoyed the day even when I lay on the bed, I immediately fell asleep. I didn't even wait for Terrence. I slept on the bed without even thinking if he would sleep on the bed beside me or would choose the couch. Either way, I don't mind. I'm not really a conservative person.The sun was already kissing my cheeks when I opened my eyes again. I had a good sleep. And I feel comfortable except for something that's squeezing my boobs. Wait…squeezing my boobs?I was facing the window, lying on the side of the bed and obviously, behind me was Terrence who owned the hands on my boobs.My eyes widened. I abruptly sat on the bed and slapped his cheek so hard even when I saw him sleeping very peacefully."WHAT THE FCK?" He shouted like he was the one who's aggrieved.I glared at him as he sat on the bed and looked at me, caressing his cheek. I felt like my palm became numb because of the slap.