CHAPTER FIVE

EMMA’S POV

“Nothing,” I informed, forcing a smile. “He is a judge. He could stop us from existing.” With a dry laugh, I hid the pain in my voice and quickly changed the topic. “I never asked your name.”

He was quiet for a while. “Salvatore.” 

I nodded, now eating slowly as I awaited my fate.

“My mother….”

“Boss, we have a news.” One of the hefty men stepped forward with a phone in his hand.

Salvatore took it, then glanced at me. “When she is done, return her to her room.” With this, he walked away.

My heart squeezed hard before it sank. What was I thinking that he cared? Mistakenly, he tasted my food to care. I barely ate the rest of the food, and soon, I lay in bed staring at the ceiling. 

Suddenly, the door was pushed open, and he stepped inside, causing to sit up out of fear. The top two buttons of his shirt were open to expose his chest, and his hair looked ruffled.

“You need my help, and I need a bride for a year.” His face was stern.

“Huh!” 

He stepped closer. Every step pointed out that he was in a hurry. “I will pay for your mother’s treatment. I will help you get revenge on your father. All I need is for you to pretend to marry me for a year.” He was close now. So close that I could smell his perfume. 

“And why would….”

He ran his fingers through his hair. “My mother is dying, blonde. Her last wish is to see me married, dammit.” He half yelled, and I froze for a second.

Seeing him in a different light felt unreal, crazy. The heartless man who I had watched gun down two men cared about anyone aside from himself. That was a discovery, but I could take my life away.

“I’m sorry I can’t do…”

“You will be paid ten million dollars when it is over.” He added, and I blinked hard. His jaw was clenched.

It was all a good offer, but it was a gamble. While growing up, I used to fear ending up like my mother. Marrying a man that felt nothing for me. Birthing for a man that would dispose of me the sooner he had the chance.

However, this came with nothing. No affection. No love. Just business and goals.

“And you will let me go to school.” I chirped in, and he clenched his jaw again.

“Fine. Is that a yes?” 

I heaved a sigh. “Mother needs to accept you first. I can’t do that to her, too.” My voice was low now. All her life, her voice had been silenced. I couldn’t let her feel unwanted, too.

Salvatore nodded, his blue eyes softening for a second. Beneath the steel facade, I could have sworn I felt a different aura for a second.

“We leave tomorrow.” With that, he walked out.

*****

As the car drove through the strange road the next day, Salvatore said nothing to me. His words had kept me awake all night. Yet I could tell that more was running through his mind because his expression hardened every second. Soon, the car parked in front of a big building, and Scar opened the door.

“Where are we?” I asked in disbelief.

“Your mother. She stays here now.” 

It was one of the most expensive hospitals in Canada. It cost a fortune. All I could do was walk beside him; the air smelt different. It smelt clean and less nauseous, unlike the cheap antiseptic used to clean the previous hospital’s floors.

Scar pushed one of the doors open, and my eyes glistened with tears. A sigh of relief escaped as I stared at her.

“Mother,” I called out softly, running in to pull her into my arms.

There was a frail smile on her face. “You came…The doctor…How can we afford this place?” Her voice was so low and weak, making my heart break.

“Mother…” I called out. I was out of words and had forgotten that Salvatore was beside me.

“Mrs Benita.” He said, and his mother’s eyes trailed to him.

“Who is this handsome man?” She asked softly, and Salvatore chuckled.

“I’m Salvatore Barone, Ma. Emma’s fiancé.” He informed me and pulled me closer with his arm around my waist, causing me to freeze for a second. “Play along.” He whispered against the back of my ear. His breath on me. The feel of his body against me made my stomach churn. Made me so uneasy. Salv was one hell of a handsome man; being so close was too much of a hell.

“Oh!” Mum’s eyes softened. Never have I seen her that happy. “I’m so glad I get to meet you. Emma here is such a darling, and I was so scared that she would die single because of what her father did to us. It is such a relief that she has a boyfriend.” She was tearing up now. But I was embarrassed.

“Mother, please stop.” 

“But it’s true. Who knows if you are still a virgin?”

Salvatore laughed behind me. That was the first time I heard him laugh; it sounded genuine. He sounded different, and I almost got swayed by that.

“You have nothing to worry about, Mother. I will protect Emma. All we need is your blessing for our wedding, which comes up in five days.”

“Five days!” Mom and I yelled simultaneously, watching Mom look at me curiously. 

“You didn’t know.” She asked, and I laughed dryly.

“Of course I did. Hahaha. How time flies.” I muttered and eyed Salvatore, who still held me firmly.

“My dear wife can’t get enough of me.” 

He was being different again. Saying words men like him shouldn’t say. He was always mean without everyone else but softened at the thought of his mother, and now he was a comedian. How many more traits did he have?

Mother laughed, and it felt good to hear her laugh, and then her expression changed.

“Do you love my daughter, Mr. Salvatore?”