CHAPTER 8

WE ALL WEAR MASKS

Emily stood in front of her mirror, adjusting the emerald green gown that hugged her body perfectly. That was the fourth time she had adjusted it. She looked stunningly beautiful but she could not bring herself to care as she kept her mouth in a straight line. Today was the first time her and James were going to attend a public event as a married couple, but ever since that day she and James had that conversation, he had not spoken a word to her and now, he was completely ignoring her.

Behind her, James stood by the door with a perfectly tailored suit that complimented her dress. He looked undeniably good looking and put together but his expression was uneasy.

“Ready to go?” He asked his tone sharp and firm.

Emily turned to him, her frustration surfacing. “Oh I'm ready to pretend to be a happy and loving wife to a person that hasn't said a proper sentence to me in days.”

James's face hardened, but he didn't take the bait. He just extended his arm to her. “Shall we?”

Emily looped her hands with his, albeit reluctantly, her fingers barely touching his sleeves. They went outside to the waiting car. As they stepped in, the driver noticed the tense atmosphere but he didn't acknowledge it.

The event was a very big one, it was organised by one of the Knights associates. Lights glittering in every corner as charters of guests could be heard coming from inside. Emily put on the most charming smile she could muster as cameras flashed and different heads turned to greet the newlyweds.

Emily was distracted by the lights when James effortlessly slid an arm around her waist, the sudden closeness caught her off guard, making her stiff but never losing her smile.

“You look beautiful tonight.” James whispered in a sensual tone in her ear. She hated how her body reacted to his voice. She looked at him from the corner of her eye, trying to see if his words were genuine but she saw a very well organised expression.

“Piss off.” She said with so much venom but with that same charming smile for the audience. Two can play the game she thought.

James ignored her, guiding her through the crowds of influential figures as they politely greeted each one of them. The pleasantries were short, given how long they both had to practise for it. To everyone in that room, they were the perfect couple but Emily just felt frustrated and tired about the whole thing.

***********

During a speech by one of the attendees, James snuck up to Emily, putting a hand down her lower back, it was nothing too inappropriate, just enough to feed the not so subtly lookers.

“On a scale of one to ten, how much fun are you having?” His voice steady, but low.

“Can you not talk to me right now?” Emily said, her anger finally getting the best of her.

“Slow down tiger. They're watching.” James said in a hush tone.

Put the smile back on her face, Emily laughed softly like James had just told her a joke. She didn't know how long she could last in this event.

As the night continued, Emily retreated to a corner, away from James and all the noise, she was already on her third glass of champagne. She watched James from where she was sitting as he laughed at what an older man said to him, the smile so genuine that it made Emily request for another glass.

She hated how he was charming and didn't. seem affected by what was happening around them while she wallowed in self pity.

“You like you're enjoying yourself.” She turned to say James, he gestured to the glass in her hand.

“Barely, I just want to go home.” ‘home’ was that what it was to her now?

He ran a hand through his head. “This was what we agreed to Emily. You need to play along.”

“I know that but what I didn't sign up for was you shutting me out after we started to–” She stopped abruptly, not wanting him to see how affected she'd been by his behaviour towards her.

“I'm trying to protect you.” He said after a moment of silence, bringing down his walls yet again.

“Protect me from what?”

“From me, Emily.” But before she could respond.

“It's no secret that the latest newlyweds are in the house and we would like them to have a dance.”

The crowd erupted in cheers as James held out his hands to Emily.

“Would you like to?”

Emily hesitated, but she saw something in James's eyes that she didn't notice when her hand met his and he led her to the dance floor.

Their bodies merged with one another so perfectly that you'd find it hard to know where Emily’s start and James's end. They moved in perfect synchronisation, saying things they couldn't bring themselves to say.

“Big smiles now.” He whispered ever so gently in her ear.

Emily obeyed, but it felt like a punishment. “You're insufferable.” She said back.

“And you're mesmerising.” He replied, his voice that annoying calmness that drove her mad.

The music continued smoothly, suddenly the word disappeared around them and Emily felt maddeningly calm in the hands of James but she couldn't stop the confusing feelings that came with that calmness. She hated how he could make her feel several things at a time.

After the dance ended, James looked at her and brushed his lips against her forehead in a tender kiss. He pulled back and murmured. “Thank you Emily.”

“For what?”

“For being you.”

What was that supposed to mean? His words kept the wheels in her head turning as he led them back to their sit. She couldn't decide if she believed him or keep her guard up. But one thing for certain. James Knight was uncharted waters and she wasn't sure if she wanted to go there.