CHAPTER 7

DARING HEARTS

The sound of rain outside left the evening cool, and the frequent drips brought calmness to the tense atmosphere that was once between them. Emily sat at the couch that was positioned near the window, looking out and occasionally touching the raindrops that ran down the glass. Meanwhile, James stood by the door like a stranger, his hand gripping the makeup chair next to it like his life depended on how strong he pulled. None of them had said a word to each other after the conversation about the note 2 days ago.

Emily finally broke the silence as usual, it seemed like something she would always do whenever she was with James, she's been questioning his icy reputation lately but one thing was certain, he was not a man of many words.

“You know, for someone who's supposed to be newly married, this doesn't feel that romantic….”

James chuckled lightly as he sat on the edge of her bed. “What were you expecting? Roses scattered around the floor and dim lights? I thought you hated stuff like that.”

Emily smiled as she turned to him. “I don't…hate it. I just never thought I'd be in a marriage of convenience, fighting off secret enemies.”

James paused and got a good look at her. She looked worn out, but there was a certain spark in her eye that he had never expected her to have.

“You're something.” But it was a whisper.

“You're taking this better than I expected.” He finally said.

“Better than you expected?” Emily raised an eyebrow, pursuing her lips. “You thought I'd cower in fear, hide in a corner, and cry? Was that what you were expecting?”

James nodded, a faint smirk playing on his lips. “something along those lines.”

She threw a pillow at him, laughing for the first time in a long time. “You're unbearable.”

James caught the pillow, laughing too before his expression softened. “I do mean it. You're way stronger than I gave you credit for.”

Emily blinked, his words taking her by surprise. She was not used to getting compliments and definitely not from James, a moment passed, and she still didn't know how to respond. “Well.” She paused, contemplating what she was about to say. “I guess being married to you breaks out my inner fighting spirit.”

He laughed. A hearty and genuine laugh, showing teeth and dimples. Her heart skipped a beat. She hated how much she liked his laughter.

“Don't let it get to your head.” She said, trying to keep it light and maybe convince herself too.

James leaned forward, watching Emily. “You surprise me every day, Emily. Everyday.”

Their gaze met each other, and the atmosphere in the room shifted into something she couldn't name.

“James…” She said, her voice barely a whisper.

“Yeah” he answered, his voice matching hers.

She searched his face for any of the rumours she heard about him, she couldn't see any insincerity, all she saw was a man who had built a large wall around himself, and she was beginning to understand him. “Do you ever wonder how things would've been if we weren't forced into this?”

James hesitated. He walked to the window where she was, and his back turned to her. “Sometimes.” He admitted. “But maybe we needed something out of the ordinary to cross paths like this.”

Emily tilted her head to the side. “You think we would've never noticed each other?”

He turned to look at her with an unreadable expression. “wouldn't we? Look at us, Emily. We come from two different worlds, our families are enemies. Without this marriage, we wouldn't look twice if we were to walk past each other.”

Emily frowned, not liking what he said, but it was the truth. “Okay, maybe. But we're here now. We can work something out, at least let's try to be something other than enemies.”

James gradually walked to the couch where she was and sat down. “I don't see you as an enemy Emily, I never did.”

The sincerity in his words and eyes caught her by surprise again. She looked away from him. She did not like how she reacted to his closeness. “We might not be enemies or friends, but we're definitely in this together, whether we like it or not.”

“Together.” He agreed with a nod.

A comfortable silence fell over them, Emily looked at James from the corner of her eye.

“Stop staring.”

“Am I not allowed to stare at my own wife?” James answered with hands in surrender.

“Not when you're looking like that.” She said, turning her face to hide her tinted cheeks.

“Like what?”

“Like I'm hiding something you're trying to figure out.”

“Well maybe I am.” James chuckled softly.

With a scoff, Emily answered, trying to hide a smile but failing. “Happy figuring.”

The faint pattering of the rain could still be heard, the sound calming. Emily's body was worn out due to the day's event. Stifling a yawn, James noticed.

“You should go to sleep. You look tired.”

She shook her head. “No it's fine, I'm alright.”

“You need to sleep, Emily. we'll deal with the rest tomorrow.”

She didn't argue this time. She didn't have the strength to. She stretched and went to bed. “Goodnight James.”

“Goodnight Emily.” He said very softly.

As Emily drifted to sleep, she couldn't help but notice that something had changed between them. The atmosphere was less tense, and they actually agreed on things now. The changes were subtle, but she couldn't help but wonder if there was something real waiting for them after all this was over.

James watched her as she slept for a while, she was bringing down his falls and he didn't like that. He didn't know what was happening, but it needed to stop. Emily Chen wasn't just his arranged wife anymore. It was turning into something James wasn't familiar with, and it scared him to no end.