Emma looked him up and down, wondering how this stranger was. He was about as tall as Will, but leaner. He had shoulder length dark hair that was tied in a low ponytail, and bright hazel eyes. She’d gotten so used to seeing men dressed in sharp suits, that she found it refreshing to see someone in normal clothes. *He’s cute,* Emma thought. “Yes, I am. How do you know me?” “I saw your design work on the competition site. I loved it and wanted to meet who the talent behind it was.” “Oh, wow. Thank you,” Emma blushed. “Sorry, for not properly introducing myself, my name is Spencer.” Emma’s brain stopped working. “Spencer? Spencer Lucas?” “Guilty,” he smiled. She almost dropped her blueprints in shock. The brilliant designer she was admiring had just told her that he liked her work. It was the greatest day of life. “May I escort you inside?” “Yes!” Emma shouted in her excitement. “I’m sorry, that was loud. I never thought I would meet you, let alo
Emma and Sabrina flew out of the chairs, squealing and jumping for joy. “Oh. My. GOD!” Sabrina screamed. “You got it! I knew you would get it! You're the best, girl!” Sabrina looked excited and proud. Emma felt so touched. She was so happy to have Sabrina by her side to share the great news with her. They hugged and screamed and Emma cried tears of joy. “I can’t believe it,” Emma cried and laughed at the same time. She never thought she could get accpeted into the final. She thought she would just give it a try and she'd be prepared to be rejected. But that's just... too good for her. “Believe it, boo!” Sabrina embraced her. The people at the bar were looking at them, and wondered what the commotion was about. “Drinks on me, everyone! Let’s celebrate my best friend tonight!” The patrons cheered and clapped for Emma. She’d never been this happy in her life. Sabrina was true to her word and bought drinks for everyone in the VIP. People came by them and congratulated
“I’m sorry. I’m going to do what next month?” Emma’s mouth fell open. “We’re getting married,” he said. His tone was so even, and collected that Emma was frightened by it. “I won’t say it again.” “You’re serious,” she breathed and led herself to a chair. Her legs went dead from shock. “I am.” “Why?” Will was indifferent to her shock. “You don’t need to know why. You need to make a choice. Do this, and I’ll end our former agreement. Right away.” “What?” Emma leaned forward, her eyes like saucers. “I won’t be your ‘pet’? Your ‘thing’ anymore?” “That stops the second you agree. And I will also do you one favor. Anything you want. That’s outside of caring for your father. I already promised I would do that. This is a marriage of convenience. I’ll pay you the previously agreed upon amount after twelve months.” “A year? This is a lot to process.” “You have an hour to decide,” Will was impatient. He stood and began to walk out of the room. “
Will’s head popped up. “I said I would give you anything else you wanted. And you ask for that? No.” Emma wouldn’t budge on her condition. She knew that more than anything, she was addicted to how Will made her feel whenever he touched her. She was powerless against him. He could do whatever he wanted to her and she would let him. If she took sex off the table, she could keep her wits about her. “This is a negotiation. You’re under pressure from your company and your grandfather to get married. So you almost don’t have a choice but to accept. And you better watch how you speak to me and how you treat me. There won’t be a wedding if these conditions aren’t met.” Will just stared at her. There was no emotion in his eyes. To her surprise, he didn’t argue. “You better hope you don’t regret it.” Emma lifted her chin, and ignored him. *I will regret it.* “This is a partnership. We are equals in this so you need to respect me. I’m not your ‘pet’ anymore.”
The university was hosting an end of the year dance for the graduating class. It was a huge event, and the students were buzzing about the festive occasion. With everything going on in her life, Emma had forgotten about it. When she stopped by her dorm, the invitation was stuffed under her door. For a moment she contemplated skipping it all together. But she promised herself that she would do her best to celebrate her successes, and enjoy her life despite everything that had gone wrong. “I have to go,” Emma said to herself. She thought of all the dresses Will got for her at Jason’s boutique. She had to put them to some sort of use, didn’t she? But who would even go with her? Will was her “fiancé,” but their relationship wasn’t one where he would take her to an event like that. She may be Cinderella, but he wasn’t the prince that was waiting for her at the royal ball. Either way, she was positive he’d say no. She got home that night, prepared to ask him prepared to be turned
“Hello Vivian,” Emma rolled her eyes. “You really love to assume that everyone is as perverse as you. This is my friend, Spencer.” “Friend?” Vivian laughed. “That looked a little more than just friendly to me. You just move on from man to man, don’t you? Pretty soon you’ll just have everyone on campus.” “I think you’re confusing me with yourself,” Emma spat back. “I know how you work. You know you aren’t good enough for any man, so you move on to the next one before the current man finds out.” “Excuse me,” Spencer stood up. “I don’t know you, but you have the wrong idea. Emma is my friend, and you are incredibly rude.” People had begun to gather around them due to the commotion. “Let me guess,” Vivian continued. “You’re rich and successful. That’s her type, you know. You looked like you could be smart, but it looks like you’ve fallen for her tricks, just like all the rest of them.” “That’s enough!” Emma stood. “Say what you want about me, but leave
The atmosphere was charged with hostility as Will drove. Emma waited for some kind of explanation from him, but he offered none. When she couldn’t take his silence anymore, she decided to get the explanation she deserved on her own. “What was all that about? You said you had more important things to do tonight, that you weren’t my doting boyfriend. Then you show up and put on that show and announce our engagement like that?” Will didn’t answer her. “Say something!” “You shouldn’t have been all over that guy. We’re about to get married, and I walk in to find some random man practically on top of you.” His eyes never strayed from the road and his voice was clipped and measured. “You aren’t serious. You want to talk about me when I know you’re still seeing other women? How could be so hypocritical? You can’t ask me to do something if you’re not going to abide by your own rules. Since we started,” her hands flailed, gesturing between them. “whatever this is, no one else has
Evening had settled in by the time Emma packed up her dorm room. Her old duffel bag was stuffed with her things. She welcomed the time alone. It allowed her to think and sort out the news she had just heard. Had someone told her that Will would take down her arch nemesis, she would laugh at them. But in the same vein, she remembered how he had saved her from Maurice. “Why can’t I figure him out?” she asked the room. “What does he really want from me?” She pondered this on the way back to the apartment. Will was an enigma, a riddle she would never be able to solve. “Have you had a productive day, Miss Emma?” Jack asked as he loaded her bag into the car. “I think so. It will be strange not coming back here. It feels like I’m leaving part of myself behind.” “You have a new life to look forward too,” he said in reference to her upcoming marriage. “Yes,” she forced a smile. “I do. It will take some getting used to, I suppose.” “Mr. Stewart is a good person.
Six months later “Stewart Industries Landmark building construction was completed today. The twenty-story building boasts retail, commercial, and event space. The impressive building has already become a hallmark of the city with a silver tower as its crown. Glass windows glisten in the sun. And anyone in the city can enjoy the gorgeous public park that surrounds it. It is a gorgeous and shining collaboration of the best and freshest minds in the city. William Stewart has named the structure, ‘The Conrad Tower,’ in honor of his beloved late grandfather. The city awaits now for the building to open and for all the new opportunities it will create. This has been Susanne Winters for Channel 16 news.” They all cheered and toasted the completion of the building, gathered around Will and Emma’s living room. “Here’s to The Conrad Tower!” Will raised his glass. “And to all the people that helped make it possible! I wouldn’t have been able to do this without you all. Thank you.” They raised
The high from the success of the show had worn off, and Will felt himself spiraling. His pulse quickened; a sheen of cold sweat sprouted on his forehead. He held it together the best he could while around others. But alone, with nothing but his memories to accompany him… it was always the worst.As he arrived home and prepared himself for another lonely night, he was greeted by something unexpected. A large truck was parked in front of his home. Men moved in and out of it, bringing things inside.“…The fuck?” he muttered as he parked his car. “Excuse me,” he called out to them. “This is my home. What are you doing here?”“I hired them,” a voice said from the doorway of the house. He looked over towards the familiar voice, not daring to believe it. But there she was, bathed in the light from inside the house. “Hi, Will. I’m sorry if I startled you, but I w
Their days were filled with appointments. Every time they turned around, there was somewhere to be. Will had been discharged and had the company to take care of. With the building finally underway, Stewart Industries was thriving again. It was a rare moment that he got time to himself. And even when he did, everyone else was busy with their own hectic lives. Will floated around his giant, empty home. He went to work, came home, did his physical therapy exercises, and went to sleep. Alone. He found, in recent days, that alone was not a good place for him to be. Nightmares plagued his sleep, and he jumped at the slightest noises. Monsters had moved from under the bed and in the shadows to inside his mind.He hated it.Emma hadn’t been able to make good on her promise to move back. Things were hectic, and no one had time for anyone anymore. It had been almost two weeks before he saw anyone. They all called and messaged each other, but it wasn&rs
Will’s recovery was slow. The doctors had informed him that taking that bullet as such close range did a lot of damage, but it was the reason he wasn’t dead as nothing major was hit. He wasn’t out of the woods yet and would need a good round of physical therapy. The medical staff agreed that he needed to stay in the hospital for at least a week so they could monitor him. Emma and Alex fussed over him, making sure he listened and did everything according to the doctor’s orders.On the fourth day, he was restless and just wanted to leave. Alex was in the room with him, telling him off for not listening.“You’re being a brat,” Alex scolded him.“I just want to get out of this bed,” Will whined.“Try getting out again, and I’ll break both your legs.”“How very Mafia of you,” Will smirked.“Shut up,” Alex swatted at
Chaos exploded around them. Shouts and screams filled the air as Captain Whitlock ordered that Ghost be apprehended and an ambulance be called. Ghost dropped his gun and raised his hand in surrender as his fantasy came to life right before his eyes.“Beautiful!” he said over the din. “It’s more beautiful than I could ever imagine.”“Shut up,” Captain Whitlock spat as he wrenched Ghost’s hands behind his back. “You’re going to go away for a very long time. They may even make a case for the death penalty against you.”“I hope they do,” he said with a contented sigh. “I’ve done all I have ever wanted to do.”“Take this vile piece of shit. And read him his rights. This arrest needs to be perfect. I swear if this fucker gets out on a technicality, I’ll fire the lot of you!”An officer took Ghost a
Will turned around and the world moved in slow motion around him. About ten feet away from them, there he stood. Ghost. Denis. The man responsible for all the pitfalls in his life stood ten feet away from them, the sunlight glinting off the barrel of an ornate silver gun. How could he have been so careless?“Surprise,” Ghost sang.“How…” Will began to ask.“How did I get so close?” Ghost finished. “Without anyone noticing. Hmm…” he used the gun to scratch his temple for a moment and then pointed it back at them. “I’m the monster in the dark. The one under your bed. The one your parents warn you about. Oh wait… your parents wouldn’t warn you about anything. They’ve been trying to sacrifice you to the darkness for years,” he said with feigned contrition.“What do you want?” Will asked. His eyes darted around, looking for
They really thought they were smart, huh? They thought he would fall for their little traps. However, he couldn’t deny that they had presented him with the perfect opportunity. Will was serving himself on a silver platter. It would be so easy to just take care of him then. His ultimate fantasy could play out the way he’d always dreamt of. The very public murder of William Stewart was just something he couldn’t pass up.What reason was there even to hide anymore? They had revealed his identity. Everyone knew who he was. So, what purpose did the shadows serve him anymore? Perhaps it was time to come out into the light and end this charade. His last card against Will had been used up. He’d run out of games.“Let’s play,” he chuckled, loading his gun. “No plans. No backups. This is it.” His heart raced with elation as he envisioned a bullet ripping through Will. Hearing his loved ones cry as his body crump
The interview was a smash. The city was on high alert, and Ghost’s name was on everyone lips. The few times Sabrina went out, it’s all she could hear anyone talk about. She couldn’t help but feel a little proud. Captain Whitlock received dozens of calls and tips. Many people said how they knew Denis, and how there was no way he could be Ghost.Others said that they’re surprised they never saw the signs. Some offered clues and places that Denis used to frequent. He traipsed the city, following these clues. Most led to nothing. Just traces of an old that Ghost himself probably wouldn’t recognize. But there was one call…“Um… hi. Is this Captain Whitlock?” It was hesitant man’s voice.“Yes, how can I help you?”“I’m calling about Denis Ratcliffe.”Captain Whitlock received so many of these calls he was numb to them.
Will let the water wash over him as he tried to steady his frenzied heartbeat. The truth was that they were terrified. For Ghost to be so brazen as to just waltz into the police station and open fire did not bode well for any one of them. It was clear that Ghost was just as ready to end this as they were. He leaned his forehead against the cold tile, letting the rhythmic beating of the water of against his back soothe him.Soon enough, a shower wouldn’t be such an event. At least not the ones he took alone, anyway. Steam rolled off of skin as he emerged from the shower. Emma had laid out some clothes for him. Just a white t-shirt a pair of gray sweatpants. He laughed. Now that he was free and clean, he wanted to hold his baby.He went downstairs, back to the dining room where everyone was gathered.“Where is Lizzie?” he asked.“Right here,” Emma said. She stood behind him, holding a