FRIEND OR FOE?The man who had barged into James's office like he owned the place, stood in front of them. He was tall, a few inches shorter than James, he was dressed in a very well tailored dark suit that oozed luxury, he had sharp features and piercing eyes that stared into your soul. James stood his ground, he clenched and unclenched his fist, giving the strange man a menacing look. James could not recognise him from anywhere and that thought alone unsettled him because he was right here in his office, his territory. “Who are you?” James repeated the question, more demanding. The man laughed, he wasn't at all bothered by James's reaction towards him. He stretched his hand to him in a form of handshake but James ignored him. He withdrew, sliding it in his pocket. “I sincerely apologise for my imperative entrance. My name is Isaiah Langwood.” The man said, his voice as sharp as he looked. “I am part of a team of International investors and we're looking into partnerships with y
MISUNDERSTANDING The ride back to the house was very quiet and the atmosphere felt tense. Emily kept staring outside the window, letting her thoughts drift back to what Isaiah had whispered to her. What did he mean by what he said?James noticed Emily's mood, she wasn't one to keep quiet during a ride. She always complimented at least one thing on the streets. He decided to question her.“Is everything alright?” He started cautiously. “Did he say anything to you?” Emily snapped out of her thoughts, turning to him. “You heard?” Emily asked, shocked. “Well no, your expression is saying a lot.” James answered. Right. He was very observant.“He just said something very odd to me. Emily paused for a moment. “It's probably nothing.” James adjusted himself on his seat. “Emily, if it's something that has you thinking like this, then it's not nothing. I don't trust that man and if he said something to you, tell me.” It was a command that Emily could not disobey. “He just whispered some
FEELINGS?The next day, James sat at his desk, reviewing documents sent by Isaiah regarding Jacob. There wasn't really much to look at, it didn't say what kind of criminal Jacob was and what sorts of things he'd done, it was just a bunch of documents James didn't understand and instead of cracking his head further, he dropped them into a drawer. He believed Emily would tell him all about Jacob when she's comfortable enough. Emily walked in with two cups of coffee and one packed sandwich. “You didn't go out for lunch so I'd figured you'd need these.” She dropped the cup on his table, holding out the sandwich to him.James collected the sandwich, placing it on his desk and going back to what he was doing. “Thank you.” He said curtly. Emily took the seat across from him, she took little sips from her coffee. The silence made her uncomfortable so she decided to break it.“I think you're spending way too much time on this stuff. I believe Isaiah so you should take a break.” She said sof
THE PITCH The quiet hum of the car engine filled the atmosphere, Emily stared out the window as the drove through the city test beautiful morning. She kept thinking about Isaiah and what ways he'd affect the company since he just joined them officially days ago. His pitch and whole demeanor had won over the board of directors. They didn't know Isaiah worked as a secret agent because he said telling her and James alone had put him in so much trouble with his superiors.James sat next to her and noticed how she had been quiet and they're halfway through their destination. “You've been awfully quiet. Are you okay?” James asked, breaking the silence. Emily smiled. “I'm fine, just thinking.” “Is it about Isaiah?” James asked, Emily looked at him in shock.“How'd you know?” She asked him, the surprise still evident on her face.“I've had the same thoughts too. But it's alright, I'm sure everything will work out well.” James said, offering her a reassuring smile.Emily felt taken aback b
OVERSEAS Emily sat across from James in the plane, he was going over the details of their first deal before they landed. Brad and Cassie seemed to be having the time of their lives as they chatted away together. Meanwhile, the other person in the plane sat alone by the end. With a glass of wine in hand, quietly sipping as he did something on his phone.When Isaiah announced he was coming with them, eight confused eyes stared back at him. But James's look was mixed with a little irritation, he didn't want Isaiah to go with them. To be honest, he felt really uncomfortable around the guy but he agreed for Emily's sake and because Isaiah said it was important for him to be there too as a joint partner. Isaiah hadn't said a word since they got into the plane and it was two hours before they landed in London. Emily looked over at the rest of the people and everyone seemed occupied with one thing or the other so she decided to get a shut eye before they landed. **********“Emily.” She f
LONDON AND JEALOUSY The next day in London was a very stressful one for all of them. They got into the whole preparations for the deal that morning, this was an everybody's hands on deck type of thing. The main deal itself was by 6pm that evening so they still had little time to kill before then. The client had coincidentally picked out the hotel they were staying at for the deal and Emily had never been so happy. It was 12 in the afternoon, Cassie and Brad had decided to go out for lunch before the client arrived. Emily could smell something going on between them but she didn't want to acknowledge it just yet. She was glad her best friend and James's were getting along just fine.“Do you want to go get lunch?” James asked her, heat rose to her face as he remembered what happened between them last night. It wasn't anything like you're all thinking. The room was big enough for like five people but Emily couldn't let James sleep on the couch, she knew how uncomfortable that could be
PHONE CALLAfter the whole deal was a success, James decided it'll be better to stay for one more. Look around the city, they succeeded in what they went there to do, might as well celebrate the victory. James had confessed to Emily the other night, he immediately left the conference room and headed back to their hostel. This had been awkward ever since Emily returned to the hotel too. James knew it wasn't the ideal time to confess to someone you're supposed to be in an arranged marriage with that he had somehow developed real feelings for, but he at least expected a reply from her. A rejection would have sufficed, but now he had to deal with the silent treatment he wasn't emotionally prepared for.Celebrating now left a bitter taste in James's mouth, Brad already prepared what they were going to do today after they finalised the deal but he had gone and spoiled it all by saying something foolish to Emily. He wondered if she would still want to tag along for the ride.They were in t
LEAVING Emily's world shattered as she stared at the scene before her. James sat in the middle of the bar and a very beautiful woman clutched to him as they shared a kiss. A sharp pain went through her heart, she tried drowning out all the sounds in her surroundings but it was impossible. She choked out a gasp, She turned away and walked back to the lobby. She wiped unshed tears from her eyes.“Emily, did you find him?” Cassie was the first person to see her leaving. “Are you alright?” Brad followed with a concerned look. Emily tried hiding her face from them but they could tell something was wrong. “Everything's fine, let's just go.” Emily replied, clearing her throat. Brad and Cassie looked at each other, they knew something was wrong but didn't ask further.“If you say so.” **********James woke up the next morning with a sharp pain to his head. He rubbed his eyes, the lights coming in through the curtains making his hangover worse. The scenes from last night replaying faint
SHADOWS IN THE OFFICE The tension in the office was palpable. Every employee worked effortlessly and tirelessly on their parts. They didn't speak about what was happening in the office, but they knew what was happening. James walked into the conference room that morning, and even the receptionist looked drained. It got to her, too? He saw Isaiah and the rest sitting in their various seats. Emily sat next to him. A bunch of files were arranged neatly in front of him, despite everything happening in the office, he looked to be the one who was still well put together. James doubted if anything could disorganise him. Since Tokyo, things have been weird between them. And it so happens that this problem started after Isaiah went back to New York. They've been trying to manage most of their clients while him and Emily worked on damage control of the office.“You're here quite early.” James said as he dropped into the chair beside Emily. It had become a habit, staying close to her whenev
NEW YORK The sound of them landing broke Emily from her light sleep. She turned to see James still working on his phone. He didn't seem to get enough sleep these days. “We're finally back.” Emily said with a smile as he saw the familiar airport through the window. Don't get her wrong.Travelling to six different countries in the span of a month is a dream come true for anybody, but she missed the familiarity of her home. The whole trip had been a roller coaster for Emily. With the deals and everything that happened afterwards. The partnerships were fairly easy to secure, but there was one that made even James lose his footing. You guessed right. The Yakuzi's. Emily was right when she assumed the daughter was the one with the power in the family. She spoke so fiercely and authoritatively. Her parents just stood there like supporting Characters while she went on about what they were offering and receiving. It was really tricky trying to win them over, but Emily stepped with a ne
THE NEXT DEALFor the next five hours. Emily, James, and the others prepared for the deal in Tokyo. Emily had a feeling that it would be their hardest yet. And she prayed to all that was holy that it didn't go that way.Leaving Paris made Emily feel a sense of bittersweetness. She knew that they were initially there for business, but the things that happened after securing the deal was what made her emotional about leaving. Her and James's relationship was stronger than ever. They were married, but it felt like they just started something real.Something even better and stronger than the marriage. She knew they'd face different challenges along the line because this wasn't just about business anymore. It was about their future together. The future they were trying to build. Packing their things wasn't an issue. The airport wasn't even as crowded as she expected, so boarding their plane was hassle free. “You're all packed?” James asked. Coming to stand next to her as their luggage
PARISIAN TRUCE (PART 2)Emily instinctively reached out to hold the railings. James also put his hands out to steady her. She almost fell off the Eiffel Tower. Why would James say something like that when they were over twenty feet from the ground?“I'm sorry.” James said with concern. “I didn't mean to scare you. That wasn't my intention.” Emily put a hand on her chest, trying to steady her breath. She held onto the railings, supporting her while she avoided James's eyes.“No, it's alright.” She said, finally looking at him. “I was just shocked, that's all.” He looked at her. He wanted to know every little about how. How she could light up the room with just one smile. What her favourite colour was. Every little thing. His pulse quickened. He didn't want to jeopardise any progress he had managed to make, but he couldn't control himself any longer. He wanted Emily, and he wanted her now.“You know what?” He started. “Forget abou–” he turned to leave. “Do you mean it?” Emily said
PARISIAN TRUCEThey secured the deal. It was definitely more challenging than London but the partnership was finally sealed. Everything concerning business has been dealt with. They had three days left in Paris and Emily worried about being alone with James for those days. The next morning, the people in Paris are either morning people or they don't sleep. The streets are filled with people from different places. Different cafés preparing for the hordes of people, tourists walking around with cameras hung over their shoulders. James walked into the room from the bathroom, his hair was still wet from showering. He saw Emily working on something on her phone but he didn't want to disturb her. Things with Emily had him on edge, he was to blame after all he was the one who got drunk and made a dumb mistake. Thinking about everything that led to that horrible day made him uncomfortable again. The phone call. He planned on telling her about the phone call soon but in the meantime, he'd
PARIS Their flight was delayed, Emily wondered how that was possible because it was a plane owned by the Knights, so how does it get delayed? Apparently, there was a ruckus in the airport, and they had to close it down for a while. Emily sat with James by the end of a bench, Brad, Cassie, and Isaiah sat at the other side of the waiting area. Brad and Cassie shared curious glances as they looked at them from the corner of the room. James suddenly stood up, saying he was going to relieve himself. Cassie seized the opportunity, running immediately to her Emily's side. Emily eyed her suspiciously. Cassie looked from left to right to make sure James wasn't in sight, and nobody else paid attention to them. Isaiah and Brad seemed lost in their phones. “Hey, Em.” She started off. “I know something happened back there at the hotel. What is it?” Emily sighed. She knew it was about time people started getting suspicious, especially Cassie. She was a very observant person. “I just
LEAVING Emily's world shattered as she stared at the scene before her. James sat in the middle of the bar and a very beautiful woman clutched to him as they shared a kiss. A sharp pain went through her heart, she tried drowning out all the sounds in her surroundings but it was impossible. She choked out a gasp, She turned away and walked back to the lobby. She wiped unshed tears from her eyes.“Emily, did you find him?” Cassie was the first person to see her leaving. “Are you alright?” Brad followed with a concerned look. Emily tried hiding her face from them but they could tell something was wrong. “Everything's fine, let's just go.” Emily replied, clearing her throat. Brad and Cassie looked at each other, they knew something was wrong but didn't ask further.“If you say so.” **********James woke up the next morning with a sharp pain to his head. He rubbed his eyes, the lights coming in through the curtains making his hangover worse. The scenes from last night replaying faint
PHONE CALLAfter the whole deal was a success, James decided it'll be better to stay for one more. Look around the city, they succeeded in what they went there to do, might as well celebrate the victory. James had confessed to Emily the other night, he immediately left the conference room and headed back to their hostel. This had been awkward ever since Emily returned to the hotel too. James knew it wasn't the ideal time to confess to someone you're supposed to be in an arranged marriage with that he had somehow developed real feelings for, but he at least expected a reply from her. A rejection would have sufficed, but now he had to deal with the silent treatment he wasn't emotionally prepared for.Celebrating now left a bitter taste in James's mouth, Brad already prepared what they were going to do today after they finalised the deal but he had gone and spoiled it all by saying something foolish to Emily. He wondered if she would still want to tag along for the ride.They were in t
LONDON AND JEALOUSY The next day in London was a very stressful one for all of them. They got into the whole preparations for the deal that morning, this was an everybody's hands on deck type of thing. The main deal itself was by 6pm that evening so they still had little time to kill before then. The client had coincidentally picked out the hotel they were staying at for the deal and Emily had never been so happy. It was 12 in the afternoon, Cassie and Brad had decided to go out for lunch before the client arrived. Emily could smell something going on between them but she didn't want to acknowledge it just yet. She was glad her best friend and James's were getting along just fine.“Do you want to go get lunch?” James asked her, heat rose to her face as he remembered what happened between them last night. It wasn't anything like you're all thinking. The room was big enough for like five people but Emily couldn't let James sleep on the couch, she knew how uncomfortable that could be