Emery's POV
I 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 don't forget your duty. Or I'll take over your company without showing any mercy."
I rolled my eyes and looked at him. "I won't run away, mister. Just drop me off at a bus stop. I'll manage after that."
"Give me your home address. I'll drop you off at your house."
"What for? There's no need for you to know about my house."
"You're my wife—my pretend wife rather. I need to know where to find you if you're not at my house."
"Fine!" I scoffed and shook my head.
I told him the address and he really dropped me off. I just lazily waved at him while he stared at me.
When I entered the house, I saw Dad and his wife arguing about something. Three men were standing in front of them and it looked like they were harassing them.
"Emery!" My evil stepmother looked at me with blazing evil eyes. I looked at her boredly.
"What have you been doing, woman? These people are saying that you haven't paid the loan. What did you do with the money that you got from Mr. Jones? You're just as useless as I thought."
I gritted my teeth and glared at her. Without saying anything, I took the document off my back and showed it to the people in front of us. "Didn't your manager inform you? I just paid the loan."
"W-We're sorry, ma'am. We should take our leave now."
I lifted my chin and pressed my lips together when Martina, my dad's wife, laughed mockingly.
"Look how she played her cards well. Your skills are really amusing, Emery. Did you satisfy that old man last night?"
"Stop it, Martina!" Dad glared at his wife and just when I thought he was finally on my side, he looked at me and said… "Thank you for doing this for our family, Em."
Our family? I laughed mockingly as I folded the paper and looked at him again with a blank face. I can't believe him!
"You know why I did this, Dad."
He nodded and softly stared at my face. "Yes, and I know you won't disappoint me. Get along with Mr. Jones, Em. Make him happy since he really helped us. If not for him, we—"
"Please!" I growled as I gritted my teeth. I took a deep breath and looked at him with hatred. He never fails to disappoint me.
"I will get my position back, Dad. I will ask the board to put me back in position because I will really not allow a stupid gambler and good-for-nothing mama's boy to bring my company down."
Martina gasped. "How dare you insult my son, Emery!"
I just smirked at her before I went upstairs to get my clothes. Just for a year. I need to endure this for a year. God! I hate my life!
***
Riding my own car, I went to the company first. I need to know the situation in the company. I'm sure the board is pissed because of what's happening.
"I need to talk to her now! Call her!"
A familiar voice welcomed me after I reached the floor of my office. A familiar man, arguing with my executive assistant, is in front of my office.
"Miss Craig is not here, Sir. I'm sorry."
"No! Tell her to come out or I'll ruin the door."
I gritted my teeth and roamed my eyes around. My employees are watching and some are even filming the scene.
"Bonnie," I called my assistant who looked very relieved after seeing me.
"Miss Craig, he's insisting on seeing you."
"I'll handle this."
She looked hesitant but I ignored her and went to my office. Mr. Jones immediately followed me. The employees outside were watching so I had to close the blinds.
"What the hell was that, Emery? You came to me asking for my help, but you didn't attend the wedding?"
I sighed and looked him in the eyes. "I'm sorry, Mr. Jones. Our deal is off."
"What? Do you think the bank will give you consideration?"
"I already paid the bank, Mr. Jones. So, the deal is off."
His forehead creased and I can see that his anger has intensified. "Are you kidding me? I'm willing to give you money with only marriage in return, but you have the guts to say that? Who do you think you are? Do you think someone will give you that large amount of money just like me? Huh?"
I nodded, "Fortunately, someone did. I'm sorry again, Mr. Jones. For wasting your time."
He shook his head and angrily pointed a finger at me. "I will make sure you'll regret this. I will make you pay for fooling me, you gold digger bitch!"
After Mr. Jones left, I shook my head in disbelief. I opened the blinds and sat on my chair, massaging my forehead, but the door swung open again and the person I didn't expect to see here entered.
"Terrence," I called his name as I looked outside the glass wall of my office. Great!
"Why are you here?" I asked with a creased forehead.
He roamed his eyes before he sat on the couch and looked at me. "Visiting my wife."
I laughed without humor. "Don't even try to make me laugh."
"You just did," he said as he stared at me blankly.
I gritted my teeth and glared at him. "Why are you here, Terrence? My employees will be curious and will make a fuss because of you."
"Let them die of envy."
I rolled my eyes. "You're so arrogant!"
"I saw Mr. Jones outside. Was he your supposed husband?"
Looking away, I answered. "Yeah."
"He's a perverted old man, sicko."
"I told you to stop calling me that!"
He smirked. "You have to take an absence today. You're coming with me to my company."
"Why would I?" Raising an eyebrow, I asked.
He walked towards me and I was shocked when he grabbed my swivel chair and pulled me closer to him. His hands rested on the armrest of my chair as he bent forward and moved his face closer to mine.
My lips parted in shock as the corner of his lips rose, showing an arrogant smirk.
"I'm gonna introduce my wife to the board of my company."
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.
Emery's POVWearing a pink summer dress, I went out of the room. Terrence is behind me, combing his hair using his long slender fingers. He's wearing white shirt and black board shorts. He looked dashing even in simple clothes. His naturally thin lips are so red. His eyes are hooded and sleepy. He even yawned and shook his head as if waking himself up while following me.I stopped and waited for him. "Did you lock the door?"He paused and looked at me before he took a step backwards and checked the door.He caught up to me and walked with me side by side."Ah! I'm still sleepy."My forehead creased as I glanced at him. "You're still sleepy knowing you had a good sleep doing perverted things."He looked at me and chuckled. "Come on! I was asleep. I didn't know I was squeezing those."I rolled my eyes at him. "A more convincing reason please?"He smirked. "Do you want me to say that I'm fantasizing you in my sleep then?""Are you not?" I shot an eyebrow up.He shook his head, still smir