CHAPTER 4: LIAM

Emma Hart is the only child of a single mother, Lilian Adams, half American, half Italian.

Raised alone, drowning in debts, graduated from Florence Academy of Fine Arts, Florence.

So, she does live in Rimini, interesting.

I misjudged her earlier, she was probably looking for toothpaste to freshen up, and I realized the wrapping on the toothbrush was torn open.

But, I won't apologize, I don't do that, ever.

"One more thing sir." My assistant James said. "I recently learned her mother has been diagnosed with stage two lung cancer, and they, er…have some financial difficulties."

It's been four days since my interesting one-night stand. People are easily bought with money, she'll be my wife with a snap of my fingers.

"You know what to do James. Find out her workplace, I want to meet with her as soon as possible." I instructed. He nodded and walked out of my office.

I have to marry Emma, she's my way out. My mother, Isabella Caruso, wants me to marry Serena Moretti, that Jezebel. I understand that marriages are business connections, Serena's dad is one of the most powerful political figures in the country, if not in the continent. And, to make things worse, she's a 'daddy's girl', whiny, can't take no for an answer, annoyingly sex-oriented, and unappealing in every way.

I thought I couldn't get out of this trap, till I saw Emma, she's absolute defiance. The total opposite of what my mother wants, poor, uncultured, ignorant to the world of wealth, no connections. My mother drafted a contract to expand my business dealings into South Africa, one I need to sign. But, the condition, was to get married as soon as possible, who I'm to marry was not stated, so, I'll marry Emma discreetly before my mother can do anything about it.

Will it enrage her? Yes. Can she do anything to annul it? Probably, but I won't let that happen. As long as Serena is long gone, her father won't stand for her as a second option, and that will be enough to drive her away, hopefully.

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.

"Serena Moretti sir… I-I--I--- couldn't stop her, I'm sorry sir." my secretary stuttered, fearing for her life.

Ah, the new secretary, she's too timid for my liking, I should fire her. I make a mental note to tell James later.

"Hey, Liam." Serena slurred pushing her way through my secretary.

I clenched my jaw to avoid expressing any emotion.

"Leave us." I motioned to the about-to-be-fired secretary. She stumbled on her feet and shut the door.

"I had to come to see my fiance since he hasn't been picking up my calls." she pouted. "Had to make sure you're okay Liam boo."

"I am well, just busy, as usual, Serena, I can see you're well too. Now, if you don't mind, I have work to do." I gestured to the pile of paperwork on my table.

"That…can wait, you're the vice president, you don't have to work." she sat on my table, crossed her heels, pointing her red bottoms very obviously in my direction. "You look incredibly sexy with this…tie you got on." she slurred seductively.

I didn't reply to her. She moved off the table, walking slowly to my seat, I didn't take my eyes off her. She toyed with my tie, all while moving closer to my face.

It was like getting seduced by a brick, I want her to continue, to see the extent to which I'm appalled by her. It fascinates me, my sexual libido is usually quite high, but I don't even get a hard-on when getting teased by the 'very sexy' Serena Moretti.

She grunts in frustration. "Fine, I'll leave." She huffs and heads for the door, obviously expecting me to stop her, like the spoilt, attention-seeking brat she is.

Like I predict, she turns back and says "You can hate me all you want, be disgusted by me, but you're mine. No one else's, ever. Keep that in mind, pretty boy." She poured out and waited a few seconds for my response, her cheeks flushed red with anger.

I give her no reply, I know how to deal with her very well. She gets tired and leaves, slamming the door behind her.

Good riddance. I sigh in relief.

Just in time, James informs me he's found one of Emma's workplaces and her shift starts in an hour.

I prepare to leave immediately.

She looks different today, her dark hair is packed up in a bun, a few curls hanging out, one in front stuck to her forehead. I watched as she attended to a customer at the beach resort she worked a. The asshole was gawking at her, his eyes almost popping out from staring at her ass.

"Are you ready to leave the car yet sir?" James asked beside me. I have been staring at her for quite a while through the tinted windows.

"Yes," I replied. "I'll get out by myself, alone."

"Alright, sir." This is why I like James, he listens to me. If it were some other pretentious ass, they'd pretend to be concerned and insist annoyingly.

I stepped out of the car. She didn't notice me at first.

"Welcome to Three Moons Beach Resort sir--" she bows, then looks up. The expression on her face changes but she continues nonetheless. "You can book a room right inside, at the reception. Would you like something to drink?"

"Emma Hart." I start. "I'm Liam Caruso, I never got the chance to tell you my name. And no, I'm not here seeking accommodation, I need to speak with you."

"This is my place of work, I would very much not like to be fired." She remarks sarcastically.

"It's fine. This is my building." she thinks I'm lying, the look on her face tells it all. I thought the Caruso name was popular, a reason why I tried to not mention my name so often.

"Please leave, I really can't afford to lose this job now." Her voice has a slight quiver to it.

I remember her mother's condition. "Look, I have no choice, but you don't believe me. So, what if I say I can help with your mother's condition?"

"What?" she blinks

"But you have to marry me, Emma Hart."