Kimberly Williams

Emma’s body ached with exhaustion as she pushed open the apartment door, her mind still buzzing from the whirlwind of the day.

Between the shock of running into Chris, the tension at work, and Ivy’s ridiculous bet, she felt completely drained.

She barely had time to set her bag down when Evelyn appeared from the kitchen, arms crossed over her chest, her eyes scanning Emma’s face with suspicion.

“Where have you been?” she asked just as Emma took a seat on the couch.

Emma sighed before replying, “Work.”

Evelyn raised a brow. “You were supposed to go for an 'interview,' not a full shift,” she said as she walked closer to Emma.

Emma swallowed, keeping her expression neutral. “I had the interview. And they asked me to start immediately.”

Evelyn arched an eyebrow. “Just like that?”

Emma shrugged as she stood up and made her way toward her bedroom. “Guess they were desperate for someone competent.”

Evelyn didn’t look convinced as she strutted after her. “And you’ve been off since you came back from that bar—what happened at the bar after I left you? You still haven't told me.”

Emma hesitated for half a second before turning to look at her sister, who had also paused. She forced a casual smile. “Nothing. Just had a few drinks before coming back home. You saw me at home when you came back, right?”

It wasn’t a complete lie, but it wasn’t the whole truth either. Evelyn’s gaze lingered on her face as if searching for cracks in her story.

Finally, she sighed. “Fine. But you know you really suck at lying, right?”

Emma forced a chuckle. “Good thing I’m telling the truth then.”

Evelyn rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Just be careful, okay?”

Emma nodded, offering a small smile before slipping into her room. As soon as the door shut behind her, she exhaled heavily, pressing her back against it as she felt a massive headache coming on.

She hated lying to Evelyn. But she really didn’t want to explain why the CEO of her company had already seen her naked.

Meanwhile, Chris pulled up in front of his mother's house, already regretting answering her call. He should have known she was up to something.

Stepping out of the car, he walked toward the front door, which was opened by the butler.

"Where is my mother?" he asked the butler as he entered the house that was filled with all his childhood memories.

"She is waiting for you at the lounge, Sir Chris," The butler was still saying when he was cut short

“Chris!”

A soft, feminine voice had him pausing mid-step. He turned his head and immediately fought the urge to groan.

It was none other than Kimberly Williams.

She was already making her way toward him. The butler, seeing this, quickly excused himself. Her face glowing with familiarity and something else he wasn’t in the mood to entertain.

Before he could react, she lifted herself onto her toes, leaning in for a kiss.

Chris caught her wrist before she could touch him, his grip firm but not harsh. “You 'know' I don’t like that.”

Kimberly pouted, clearly unfazed. “Oh, come on, Chris. We’ve known each other forever.”

“That doesn’t mean I want your lips on me,” he said flatly, releasing her hand.

A flicker of disappointment crossed her face before she covered it with a forced smile. “You used to be a lot nicer. What happened to you?” she asked with a small pout.

Even though he wouldn't kiss her or get into a relationship with her, she was consoled by the fact that he wasn't dating any girl either.

“I used to tolerate a lot more,” he corrected. “Where’s my mother?” he asked; he didn't want to be in the same space as her; he was getting suffocated already, and the conversation wasn't yet over.

“Waiting for you in the lounge,” Kimberly said, her voice softer now.

Chris didn’t waste another second. He strode past her, his frustration only growing as he entered the lavish sitting room where his mother sat poised, sipping tea as if she hadn’t just forced him to drop everything and come here.

She looked up a pleased smile on her face. “Christopher, darling. You made it.”

Chris crossed his arms, not bothering to sit. “What do you want, Mother?”

His mother gestured toward Kimberly, who had followed him in and now sat elegantly on one of the sofas. “I wanted to discuss something important with you.”

Chris already knew where this was going, but he played along anyway. “Which is?”

His mother set her teacup down with a delicate 'clink'. “It’s time you got married.”

Chris exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Not this again.” he groaned out. They have been on this since he gained ownership of the company. His mother has been on his neck asking him to get married, something he wasn't ready for.

“Yes, this again,” she replied, unfazed by his exasperation. “And I’ve found the 'perfect' match for you.”

He let out a humourless laugh. “Let me guess. 'Kimberly'?”

His mother smiled as if he had just made a brilliant deduction. “Exactly! She’s been part of this family for years; a marriage with her could merge her father's company with ours. Besides, you two already have a connection—”

Chris held up a hand, cutting her off. “This is ridiculous. I’m not marrying Kimberly.”

His mother’s lips thinned. “And why not?”

“Because I don’t 'like' her that way,” Chris said, his voice hard.

His mother sighed as if he were being unreasonably difficult. “Love isn’t always the priority, Christopher. I didn’t marry your father for love. But it was a good match for the company, and we built something strong. I want the same for you and Kim.”

Chris’s jaw tightened. “And 'look' how that turned out. I can do everything but this mother. I can't go into a loveless marriage.”

A brief flicker of emotion passed through his mother’s eyes before she masked it with her usual composure. “This is about more than just you, Christopher. It’s about the future of our family, our business.”

“I don’t care,” Chris snapped. “I won’t be dragged into a marriage I don’t want. The sooner you accept that, the better for all of us.”

With that, he turned on his heel and stormed toward the door.

Kimberly stood as if she wanted to stop him, but he didn’t give her the chance. He was already out the door before she could speak.

Left alone in the lounge, Kimberly turned to Christopher’s mother, uncertainty flickering across her face.

“Do you really think this will work?” she asked hesitantly.

Christopher’s mother took another slow sip of her tea before placing the cup down gracefully.

“I’ve seen the way you look at him,” she said. And I know there’s no one better suited for him than you,” she added. She had made up her mind that she would do anything for Chris to marry Kimberly, whether he liked it or not.

Kimberly swallowed, unsure. “But he doesn’t love me.”

A knowing smile curled on the older woman’s lips. “Don’t worry, dear. Christopher will come around.”

Kimberly lowered her gaze, her fingers knotting together. She wanted to believe that.

She needed to believe that because she wasn’t going to give up so easily.

Chris was hers, and she will go to any length to make that possible.