CHAPTER FIVE

Emily bites her lips. She could feel her heart pounding against her ribcage. She stared at the big rock on her finger, still in disbelief that she married this man seated beside her in the car, a week ago. The car stopped at the venue.

 “It’s time to let the world know you are married to me,” Logan said, stepping out of the car. 

He offered his hand to her. She hesitated before taking his hand, knowing if she did this, there was no backing out.

“Smile. You don’t want people to think I forced you against your will,” he whispered as they stood on the red carpet. The flash light went off as the paparazzi took pictures of them.

“How can I, when this dress is killing me.” She sighed with a pinched expression.

“Nobody can wear this dress better than you,” Logan whispered into her ear.

Emily's muscles tensed. She opened her mouth to say something nasty to him but thought better of it.

They were announced and directed to where Emily’s family was all seated with the Miller’s. Emily walked up to the table. Enveloping both her parents in a stiff hug, and air kissed her sister. Kayla looked away from Emily and began scrolling through her phone.

“Speak of the devil. I thought you said she came down with a cold?” Mrs. Miller asked, sipping her wine.

“I thought so too.” Emily’s mother laughed wryly.

“And who is he? Do you know the man beside her?” Mrs. Miller asked.

“you would have to direct that question to Emily,” Kayla muttered

Emily's face tightened in a grimace, but she chose to ignore Kayla.

“Mom, dad meet Logan_”

“Why, of all places, did you choose here to introduce us to some stranger?” her mother sneered.

“How would I be able to when you both kicked me out of the house?”

Emily’s parents froze, a flush creeping across their cheek.

“Emily, I won’t tolerate it if you ruin things tonight. This merger and the announcement of the engagement between Kayla and the Miller’s heir, Tyler is important.” Emily’s mother said.

Emily turned her attention to Kayla. “I wasn’t aware you were to wed their son. What happened to Ryan?”

“Who is Ryan?” Mrs. Miller raised her eyebrow .

“No one important,” Kayla answered, her face turning pallid.

“This is just Emily being unruly.” Emily’s mom said, forcing a smile.

Logan coughed, bringing their attention to him.

“Pardon, I am Logan Miller the CEO of Petra tech and also the husband to your lovely daughter Emily.” Stretching his hand to shake Emily’s father. Which Emily’s father took begrudgingly.

“You are already married?” Emily’s mother blinked rapidly as she tried processing what she heard.

“Always impulsive” Emily’s father stared at her with cold eyes.

 Emily’s mother stood up and raised her hand to slap Emily, but Logan held her hand. Emily’s mother withdrew her hand, massaging her wrist.

“Why do you always seek to bring us shame?” Emily’s mother shrieked, attracting the attention of people. “Are you by chance pregnant? “

“No mother. We just felt it was the right time,” Emily frowned.

Emily’s mother placed her hand on her head.

 “I think we should all calm down. We don’t want to cause a scene, do we?” Logan said.

This was enough to stop Emily’s mother's hysteric.

“What a nice party, by the way.” Logan complimented Emily’s mother, seated at the table.

“Thank you, Mr...?” Emily’s mother replied.

“Logan miller.”

 Emily’s mother nodded her head and said, “I feel your marriage was rushed. Why not let Emily come home with us. So we can do this properly. "

“I can’t be parted from my legally married wife. But I can assure you, that I would give you a house call,” Logan resting his hand possessively on Emily's waist, bringing her body closer to his.

Emily’s mother's face reddened as her gaze bounced from Logan to her husband, who clenched his jaw.

“You look familiar. Are you related to Evangeline Hall?” Mr. Miller asked. Narrowing his eyes.

“Should I say I am flattered that my father recognized me,” Logan said, pulling out a chair for Emily before taking a seat beside her.

Emily’s mother covered her face in shock. There was total silence at the table.

“No matter how much you try to take out a vermin, they always find their way back,” Mrs. Miller said with a scoff. Breaking the silence  

“That’s enough. We would not be fodder for gossip.” Mr. Miller grunted.    

Emily leaned into Logan and whispered. “You didn’t tell me you are Mr. Miller’s son. "

“I didn’t see the relevance,” Logan said.

“What mess have I gotten myself into?” Emily muttered. Shaking her head.

Mrs. Miller kept glaring at Logan, but he pretended not to see her. Turning his attention to Kayla “congratulation to your impending nuptials, Kayla.”

Logan brings her hand to his mouth. Kayla's expression softened and her lips parted as she stared at him.

“But where is your fiancé?” Logan said. Jerking his head back. 

“He had an important thing to do.” Mrs. Miller interjected with a hard smile.

Emily's mother pointed at the corner where Tyler was flirting with another woman. “Oh, he's over there.”

“I see…if I was the fiancé of this beautiful lady, I won’t leave her side,” Logan remarked.

“Good thing you are not. Given time they would get used to each other,” Mrs. Miller reached across the table and parted Kayla’s hand “I can’t wait for your beautiful daughter Kayla to be part of our family,”

Emily’s mother nodded her head in approval. "This would have been a nice environment to break the ice between our young ones. if Tyler wasn't so busy with the ladies. "

Mrs. Miller's face reddened with anger, but faking a smile, she said. “Let’s refill our wine glass and enjoy the fundraiser.”

Kayla had a pinched expression as she stood up. "Excuse me,” and went toward the restroom. Emily caught up to her and grabbed her hand.

Kayla lost grip of her purse. The content of her purse spilling out. She quickly bent down to conceal the drugs, but it was too late. Emily sighted it.

“You are still into this nasty habit of yours,”

“Stay out of my business” Kayla said tucking a hair tendrils behind her ear

“Just know that I won’t be here to take the blame like before,”

“You are just jealous about Ryan and… now your husband. Because they both want me.”

“They are only drawn to you, because you are nothing but a cheap slut. "

 “If I like, I can have your husband.” Kayla tilted her head and smirked.

“You are playing with fire Kayla and while you are skimming to snatch my husband. Make sure another woman doesn’t take your fiancé. Mom and dad won’t be pleased.”

Kayla's muscles and veins strained against her skin, as she shook with rage.

Emily turned to leave, but stopped. “I wonder if the new man in your collection likes to share.” Before walking away.

***

 “And now the most prized possession. A family heirloom belonging to the Henderson family for generations. Would be going for a million,” the auctioneer announced.

Emily was shocked at what she heard as she walked back into the hall. She quickened her pace back to the table.

“What?! You placed Grandpa's jewelry on auction,” Emily hissed at both her parents.

“It has never been my style, so I donated it for a great cause. If you want it, you can always bid for it.” Emily's mother said.

“Well, it’s my style,” Mrs. Miller chuckled, raising up a placard.

Emily's eyes blurred with unshed tears. She knew there was no way she could raise that money.

“I can‘t let my fiance be sad.” Logan said. lifting up his placard and raising the bid to two million.

“Are you crazy?” Mrs. Miller glared at him. "Three million. Let’s see if you can beat that.”

 “Just forget about it Logan” Emily sighed and lowered her head. “is no use”

But Logan ignored her. Raising it to four million.

“I give up. The necklace isn’t worth that much.” Mrs. Miller said.

“It’s worth it if it makes my fiancé happy.” He smiled at her.

Emily was tired of playing this charade. Her temples felt like it was about to explode.

“I think we should head back home now. I have a headache,” Emily informed Logan. She couldn't believe she just referred to a place she lived for a week,as home. For a strange reason Emily felt safe with Logan.