EMILY'S POV
I stood admiring the arts hung on the wall along Hoffman's hallway when my phone rang and I also heard some one call out my name. “Emily,is that you?” He asked , raising his eyebrows. 'Andrew? What's he doing here?” I muttered, clenching my fists.He is the last thing I want to see right now, seeing him makes my blood hot. “Babe , you are here.” Ronald said walking towards us. “ Babe?” Andrew muttered but audible enough for us to hear. Ronald introduced us and I was surprised that his family is related to the Hoffman's in a way. it's such a small world. We went to eat dinner with the rest of the family. All eyes where on me as I sat beside Ronald , making me nervous. Andrew kept staring at me from where he sat across the table making me more uncomfortable but I ignored him. Soon,we were all done with dinner and it was dessert time. Ronald stood up from his chair to break the news of our wedding to the family and we were congratulated. I excused myself from the gathering to get fresh air in the garden. ‘ This garden looks beautiful,' I said in my thoughts admiring and touching the rose flowers. “ Beautiful, right?” Andrew said, smirking , cigarette in between his fingers. I focused on the flowers, ignoring him. “I wasn't expecting to seeing you here,Emily.” He said ,puffing out circles of smoke from his nostrils. “ You are getting married to that asshole? was that the reason you broke up with me? You know you can't do this to me.You love me , don't you?” He paused,grabbing me by my arms. “Look at me, I'm not done with you yet. I will make sure this wedding do not hold,mark my words ,bitch,” he spat , gritting his teeth. “ You wouldn't dare , you asshole.” I said , irritated by his behavior. “Try me,you know I always keep my words,” he said tightening his grip on me “ Get your hands off me, you are hurting me,” I said , struggling to get out of his tight grip. “ What's going on here?!” The sound of Ronald's voice vibrated through the air, clenching his fist. “ We were just chatting. I was just getting to know Emily.” He said smirking, loosening his grip on me. “ It doesn't look like you were chatting,you were hurting her!” Ronald said “Ronald ,I'm fine. See I'm not harmed,” I said , showing him my arms. “I didn't mean to…I was just having a conversation with her,” Andrew said,his voice trembling.I guess he wasn't expecting Ronald to walk in on us. “ Just a conversation? You need to leave. Now.” Ronald stated authoritatively. Andrew walked out of the garden without glancing back. “ Are you sure that you are okay?” He asked worry laced his voice. “ I'm okay,” I forced a smile , assuring him the positive. “ You don't have to waste your energy pleasing the members of the family. I know it's not an easy fit getting to know them so don't succumb to pressure about pleasing them. I promised to protect you according to what we agreed on but I want you to protect yourself too.” He said , folding his hands on his bossom as we walked back to the mansion. I yawned, nodding at his words, fatigue kicking in. It been a long day,I craved a hot bath and a peaceful sleep. “ I guess you are exhausted. A room has been prepared for us to sleep for the night,” he said . One of the maids led us to the room prepared for us . “ We are here. This is the room Ma'am Claire prepared for you. Provisions have been made available inside the room but if you need anything ,you can call on me.” The maid said. “ Thank you. You can leave” Ronald said dismissing her. Ronald unlocked the door and we entered the well furnished room.The room decor is the best I have ever seen,it exude comfort and elegant. The night sky shown through the window into the room. ‘ I guess I would be having the best night rest tonight' I hummed, unpacking my small bag. “Ahem,” Ronald cleared his throat. I will be working downstairs,I have some work to cover. You can have the bed,I will sleep on the sofa.” He said , picking up his laptop and going out of the room. “ Okay” I replied, smiling from ear to ear . I rushed to the bathroom to take my shower afterwards and retired to the bed to sleep. ************** The ray of light sipped through the half opened curtains. I rubbed my sleepy eye and sat up on the bed. “ Good morning, I trust you had a good rest,” Ronald greeted adjusting his tie. “You've got an hour to prepare. we have to be on our way,” he said working out of the room. I rushed to take my bath ,got dressed and was on our way back. Our breakfast was packed for us to eat in the car because Ronald was running late for work. We had a quite and short journey back. Ronald dropped me off on his way to work. I stood in front of my apartment searching my bag for my keys in my bag when I realized that my door was slightly opened. ‘I remembered locking my door. How is it now opened?' I said in my thoughts. I felt a chill run down my spine, finding anything that I can use to protect myself from the intruder. I finally found a baseball bat which my former left behind. I walked into the apartment as quickly as I could and saw the intruder in a black trouser and hoodie backing me . “ Got you” I shouted , knocking out the intruder with the baseball bat making the him fall flat on the floor. I moved closer to the intruder , uncovering the hoodie. “ You?” I spoke out,my eyes widened the person on the floor.RONALD POVThe family gathered in the mourning hall where all the guests were as we got notified that Father's lawyer had some information to relay to the family privately.The Hoffmans sat down in the private room quietly ready to hear what father's lawyer has to say. The lawyer cleared his throat “Mr Hoffman left a will detailing his assets, properties and share with a suspensive condition.His will is as follows: “I leave my mansion and cash to be donated to Home orphanage” The lawyer paused for a while adjust his glasses “I also will all the Empire business and affiliate and shares to a designated legatee.The designated legatee is Ronald Hoffman” My eyes widened when I heard my name mentioned.Shock written all over my face.“Why?”I said with a low tone at no one in particular, staring at Father's picture.The lawyer continued “The condition attached to this will is that Mr Ronald Hoffman can only have access to this inheritance if he gets married within one month, unable to c
EMILY'S POVI went straight to my boss's office who is also my boyfriend. I waited for him to hang up on the call when I entered his office.“Hey babe,” he said,moving close to me and about to kiss me on the lips when I avoided it.“What's wrong?”He asked with furrowed brows.“I am here to tender my resignation letter,”I said keeping a straight face, trying to suppress the emotions running through me .“Why?” He asked ,his eyes bewildered at my outburst .I shook off his hands from arms “I'm not only quitting this job , I'm quitting our relationship too”I said ignoring his question.“You can't be serious, quitting our relationship? you must be kidding” he said, running his fingers through his thick platinum hair.“I ain't kidding,you are nothing but a douchebag,you cheated on me with my sister, How could you?” I said with disdain raising my voice. “Ha,is that why you are quitting your job and our relationship? don't tell me you were jealous?It was a mistake. You know you are the one
RONALD'S POVI sat in front of my computer, typing away at the screen when my phone rang,without glancing at the phone screen I picked the call. “Hello,”I said hoarsely, my eyes still on my computer screen“Let's meet.We need to talk," A feminine voice said across the phone.I paused looking at the strange number that called then my mind drifted to the previous day.“Aghh, it slipped my mind,I almost forgot I had a deadline. I guess I can't get used to this," I sighed, realization dawned on me .I swiftly put on my suit that had been laying on the couch. I picked my phone to send a text to her “Let's meet at Daily Grind”Daily grind is a coffee shop that sells the best brewed coffee in the area,just a few blocks from my office. I quickly reserved a private room for the meeting.I checked my golden wristwatch at intervals waiting for Emily,after some time she arrived at Daily grind looking stressed.“I'm so sorry for being late,got into traffic,” she apologized, removing some strand
EMILY'S POVI was about entering my apartment when someone stopped me“Good day. I'm here to deliver a package to this address,”—. “I don’t remember purchasing anything.I think you are mistaken,” I cut in sharply .“ This was the address I was told to deliver to.You can confirm and sign on the receipt here,” said the delivery man . “ Thank you,”I reluctantly signed on the receipt and entered my cozy apartment.‘Who could have sent this?’ I muttered , unboxing the package.The box was sealed with a red ribbon. I loosen the ribbon and brought out the contents;a red gown , black heels,a black purse and a letter printed on a black card. The letter reads ‘ “wear these for today's date.Ronald,".I let out a deep sigh and landed my butt on the sofa, ‘Emily are you really ready for this?’ I said in my thoughts, staring into space.After a while I dragged my lazy body to the bathroom and soon I was done with my makeover,wearing the clothes Ronald sent to me. I glanced at the mirror one l
RONALD'S POVDinner was set and I was waiting for Emily's arrival but she seems to be taking long. I decided to reach her on phone but it was going on voicemail.‘I hope she gets here safely,' I said under my breath .I walked down to the mansion hallway where series of arts where hung.I dailed Emily's number again and it finally went through.“ Gringgg,” a phone rang in the distance ‘ That sounds like a phone ringing tone. I think she is here already' I made a mental note tracing the ringing tone to the other side of the hallway.“Emily, is that you?” A voice echoed in the hallway as I approached but there was no response from the other end .That sounds like Andrew. He must be here for the dinner.I was against inviting those who are not relatives to this dinner but my stepmom won't agree. ‘How does Andrew know Emily by the way?’ I said in my thoughts as I approached them.“Babe, you are here.” I said smiling , closing the distance between us, placing my hand on the small of her b