Emma's POV
I was afraid of falling over if I stood up. I was so light-headed and dizzy; but, then, Mr. Hollen asked me to dance. I looked at him, trying to show him that I was now a dizzy light weight, but didn't want to be rude in front of his grandmother. I recalled, looking at her closer, that she was the same woman I'd seen at the park who left the newspaper behind.
Mr. Hollen held out his hand and I took it. He led me to a dance floor where over a hundred couples were dancing as well. He wrapped his arm around my lower back and pulled me closer to him as we began swaying slowly to the music. I'd never danced like that before so I stepped on his shoes a couple of times, and the alcohol wasn't helping. I laid my head on his hard chest, saving my balance. His manly scent tingled in my nostrils as I inhaled deeply. I was so comfortable in his strong arms; I instantly felt like no one else existed around us. It was just us and the music.
I hugged him tightly.
Ethan's POVI didn't wait until the auction was completely over. I left half way through because I was worried about my Emma. When I got home, she was already asleep. I kissed her forehead and laid besides her.She stirred. "Mr. Hollen?""Baby, shh. Go back to sleep," I told her as I rubbed her back slowly.She laid on the pillow and went back to sleep instantly.I stayed with her a little longer then went to my room, planning how I would spend my time with her in the morning.She rested her head on my shoulder as we looked out at the horizon. She looked so calm. I was happy she was asking me questions and showing emotions without me having to force it out of her. I wanted her to be comfortable with me and not afraid of me."What are your goals in life, Emma?""I want to do something for homeless children who are left on the streets. There's orphanages and foster care homes but that's all there are.
Emma's POVIt was only one week until my birthday and, for the first time in my life, I was looking forward to it. Mr. Hollen was throwing me a joint birthday party with his grandma. Double the cake and double the enjoyment.When we'd gotten back to New York from Miami, he'd brought me to a bakery shop and told the bakers there what cake I would like to have on my "special day". He also said he had some special surprises for me.Sharon extended her stay so she wouldn't be back until after my birthday, and Mrs. Hollen wouldn't be attending because she had to travel. Mr. Hollen didn't seem to care much about that. He was busy making calls for arrangements on the party.Halley and I were in the laundry room folding clothes."The party is going to be amazing. I know he would go the extra mile for his grandmother, and for you.""Thanks Halley.""So are you going to be with him if he breaks up with Sharon?""I don't know. I
Ethan's POVI was one of the happiest men on earth when Emma accepted my proposal.I was in my bedroom drinking my coffee she had prepared. I insisted she stay longer with me."You know you're no longer my maid, right? You're my fiancee now."She looked at her ring. She was still memorized by its presence on her finger. "Mr. Hollen," she began, but I cut her off."Emma, baby, call me Ethan, please.""Ethan. There's something I have to say.""I'm listening, sweetheart.""I can't accept this ring. This doesn't feel right. I can't do this."I was puzzled and disappointed. My happiness was short lived. "Why not? You accepted it last night.""That's because I didn't want to refuse it in front of your grandmother and your friends. I have feelings for you but you're still engaged to Sharon. That's the fact.""Emma," I heaved a frustrated sigh, "I'm breaking it off with her when she gets back. I don't want to do i
Emma's POVI woke up and noticed I was all alone in bed. A note was next to me so I read it. It stated that he had gone to the office and he loved me. I blushed. I couldn't believe that my life had changed suddenly. The nerd in high school, the outcast at college, the one that couldn't fit in at the fosters home, was now engaged to a very successful man who loved her and she love him back.I got dressed and got out of bed. I headed downstairs to make something to eat. Halley was in the kitchen."Congratulations on the engagement, again, that's so unbelievable.""Thanks Hal, I can't even believe it either. I have to keep pinching myself because I still think I'm dreaming.""It's not a dream, darling. He really does love you.""And I can't seem to understand why. Why me?""Why not you? You're beautiful, caring, and you're sweet.""Yeah, but I am just his maid.""Now you're his fiancee."We prepared pan
Ethan's POVI was upstairs in my bedroom searching for my car keys when I heard her voice from downstairs calling out to me. What the fuck was she doing here already?I walked out of the room and went down the stairs. She was standing at the bottom, all excited with another woman beside her. She informed me that she'd caught an early flight and introduced the woman beside her as Dianna Promme, a wedding planner. What the hell was wrong with this woman?She moved in for a hug but I pushed her away gently. I tried to explain that I needed to talk to her but she began talking to Dianna Promme. I was getting impatient.She squealed at the pictures of a wedding magazine.I noticed Emma in the corner. I went over to her and instructed her to go to the guest room while I handled Sharon. Things had the potential to get ugly and I didn't want Emma getting caught in the middle of it. She complied and I sat next to Sharon, watching the woman who
Emma's POVI walked out of the bedroom and into the living room."Excuse me, Sharon. There's something we have to discuss with you," I interrupted her silly excitement but she ignored me.My patience was running thin.Ethan arrived beside me."Emma, let me handle this," he whispered in my ear."No," I stated, taking a stand.I grabbed the magazine from Sharon's hand and held it behind my back. She looked at me wide-eyed and seemed ready to kill but I didn't move; I couldn't."Now that I have your attention, there's something we have to talk about in private, or we can do it here. I don't give a damn but we're going to talk to you now."I had no idea that I had that in me but lately I had developed a courageous attitude, which I loved."Ethan, what's going on?" she asked as she stood up."Sharon, lets discuss this in the study. Mrs. Promme, please excuse us," he sai
Emma's POVIt had been one month since my engagement with the handsome Ethan Hollen. His former fiancee, Sharon, had left his mansion and his life completely. I was finally at peace with the world around me. Ethan had already begun to spoil me rotten, shopping for clothes, shoes, jewelries and other accessories, taking me to fancy restaurants for dinner dates, and spending all of his free time with me.I was so grateful to him for changing my life for the better. He was such an incredible human being. Never in my life had I thought I would actually get the chance of becoming so happy.You'll never amount to anything!" my foster mother screamed in my face and pushed me into my tiny, cold, dark room.I was ten.I was doing the chores of washing the dishes after dinner and accidentally broke a cup.She punched me in the back and yelled at me. She said that I was and always would be an outcast and that was w
Emma's POVSharon and Ethan's mom appeared before my eyes. I was half naked and wrapped up between the covers on the bed."I don't believe my eyes," Ethan's mom started as she walked into the room and her eyes locked on me."I told you that we'd find her here. Here's the little black prostitute who seduced your son— my fiancee!" Sharon butt in, holding her chest as if she had just swallowed a very large pill."You're a shameless maid who'll do anything to get some money, even if that means sleeping in bed with your employer," Ethan's mom said with a hard look on her face. "You're disgusting and you disgust me. I'm giving you five minutes to get up and get out of my son's house!"I was stunned. So stunned that I couldn't speak. I couldn't wrap my mind around what, and who, was in front of me."I said to get up!" her voice echoed throughout the room.I pulled the sheet around me as I stood. She moved closer