by Laura Burton
“Talk to me.” Robert relaxed his shoulders and stood upright.
“Your father is here.”
A sense of dread flooded David’s veins and the hairs on his forearms stood on end. Before he could say anything, the sound of loud voices echoed around the room as the front door opened.
“So, you’re David’s secret wife? When I heard that you were here, I had to come over and see....” David’s father strolled in with Emily’s arm linked with his and rested his other hand over hers in the crook of his elbow.
Mr. Marks was never seen in public wearing anything other than a designer suit. His perfectly buffed shoes shined in the lighting and squeaked against the floor. He sported his usual side parting and a neatly trimmed silver moustache. He, too, towered over Emily, though he was slightly shorter than David. However, having a height disadvantage did not deter Mr. Marks from reminding his son who was boss.
Emily held a beaming smile, but he noted her eyes were wide and frantic.
“David. Where have you been hiding this wife of yours?”
Robert offered an apologetic smile at David and inclined his head. He resisted the urge to glare back. Instead, he looked over to Emily, who was staring at him with intent. He didn’t need her to speak; he could hear her screaming inside his head.
How do we get out of this?
Chapter Five
An Unexpected Guest
Emily wrestled with her thoughts as she maintained a perfectly poised stance, still holding onto the arm of Mr. Marks. The look on David’s face would usually have made Emily laugh, but this situation was far from amusing. What could have been corrected as a simple case of misunderstanding, had now developed into a growing web of lies. She was getting in too deep, she never planned to get family involved.
What do you want to do?
David’s jaw jutted out, his smile tense. Following an awkward moment, where no one made a move, Robert excused himself and vacated the suite. Emily watched him with envy.
“I apologize for arriving here unannounced. I just got off the phone with your grandmother and had to come over.” Mr. Marks’ voice was serene and charming. There was a gentleness about him that threw Emily off guard. She clung onto him as if his calming nature were a magnet and she had no choice but to remain by his side. Despite the bizarre situation, she wondered if everything would sort itself out after all.
“Yes, we were caught by surprise earlier, I had been hoping to wait––”
“Not inviting your family to the nuptials is one thing, David,” Mr. Marks interjected, “but to keep me from meeting my newest daughter-in-law is most inappropriate.” He turned and gazed adoringly at her, as if he were her loving father. A pang of guilt ached within her midriff, and she momentarily lowered her eyes from his.
“It’s my fault.” She pulled her arms away as if breaking the spell he had over her and walked over to David. “I insisted we kept it quiet.” She took David’s clammy hand in hers and squeezed.
“Would you like me to get you a drink?” David asked as if on autopilot. Mr. Marks waved a hand as he strolled into the kitchen area and took out a glass from one of the cabinets.
“It’s all right, I can help myself,” he replied as he poured himself a drink. David and Emily took the opportunity to exchange looks.
“Play along?” Emily whispered to him. David nodded his head ever so slightly and cleared his throat. Emily turned to Mr. Marks who had settled himself down on the couch. The same couch she and David made out on just minutes earlier. She bit her quivering lip.
“I was just explaining to Mr. Marks––”
“Please call me Charles.”
“Right, Charles… I was on my way out to the store,” Emily added as she turned back to look at David.
“And I said that was preposterous at this time of night. You have staff to help you with errands.”
Charles took a sip of his drink and surveyed the couple over his glass. Emily stood frozen on the spot, her hand squeezing David in a death grip.
“You’re quite right,” David said as he tugged on her hand and they walked over to join Charles in the seating area. “Emily likes to have autonomy. Nevertheless, I am trying to persuade her to delegate responsibilities.”
David and Charles continued to have a polite conversation about the lifestyle they had been accustomed to, and Emily found herself daydreaming. Private jet planes, security staff, dieticians, a personal chef, driver, shrink… Emily snapped out of her thoughts at the sound of her name.
“Emily, are you feeling well?”
She blinked several times and looked from Charles to David with a quizzical look. She caught a glimpse of movement in the corner of her eye and turned to see Charles place his empty glass on the coffee table and stand up.
“I think it best that I let you to two rest. I apologize for interrupting your evening.” He held out his hand for David to shake. Then he turned to Emily, deep lines formed around his eyes and his cheeks dimpled as he smiled. “It was charming to meet you, Emily. I look forward to spending more time with you next week.”
“Yes, next week! So much to prepare!” Emily said heartily as the three of them walked to the door. David clapped Charles on the back of his shoulders and opened the door for him.
“Good night,” he said as he turned on the spot and left the penthouse.
“Cheerio.”
David closed the door and looked at Emily incredulously.
“Cheerio?”
Emily creased over with laughter.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I have no idea where that came from.” David walked across to the breakfast bar.
“Our drinks have gone cold. What do you say we grab a fresh hot chocolate and talk about our next move?”
Emily sighed. Her ankles were aching, and her neck was sore. She longed to take off her tight dress and get into her snuggly pajamas. But unfortunately, David was right. They had to talk.
“Lovely, but just one thing; do you mind if I take my shoes off? These heels are pinching my toes like crazy.”
Emily stared up at the white ceiling of the bedroom in her downtown apartment. Her shoes were cast across the bedroom floor, along with her black dress, and she spread out like a starfish on a king-size bed finally in her favorite pair of pajamas. The sun was starting to creep up into the sky and an orange glow flooded the room as Emily replayed the events of the evening.
She was the new Mrs. Marks––unofficially. Surely, this was the best outcome she could have hoped for.
Then, why do I feel so sick?
She rolled over to her side and clutched her stomach as she watched the hands on her bedside clock tick. All her problems were now solved. She could call Matthew and explain to the investors that she was married after all. It would be easy to explain that David, in his high profile position, wanted to keep their marriage private.
Then, I’ll open up a new office in LA and live my new life following an amicable “divorce.”
She narrowed her eyes and scrunched up her nose at the thought. That plan had several ethical flaws.
Or did it? The investors refusal to work with her because of her marital status was downright discrimination. And David was in a sticky situation. His family thought he was married––that wasn’t Emily’s doing. He told that lie. She only manipulated his dating experiences. The somewhat unfortunate chain of events that followed allowed her to step in and take on the role as his wife. She was doing him a favor.
Though David had made it clear in their initial interview he was looking for love. Not just a woman to take on the title of wife.
Emily ruined that.
She rubbed her temples and closed her eyes against the throbbing migraine beginning to form. She had fooled David into thinking that she was doing him a favor, but he didn’t know her motivation was not entirely altruistic.
He’s so sweet and kind… He shouldn’t be with a person like me.
The man had his steak burnt to a crisp because she hat
ed the sight of blood. Who does that for a person they’ve barely met? He spoke to her in a way that made her feel like an equal—that there was not a huge financial rift between them.
His grandmother looked so frail and weak, struggling to hold the camera as she spoke on the phone. Then there was Charles, who had in ten minutes, shown her more warmth than her own father had in her entire lifetime. She rolled onto her back and crossed her arms.
With a frown her mind replayed the conversation with David over hot chocolate. He’d offered to tell his family the truth. He would end the charade and own up to the fact he was not married. Perhaps that was the right thing to do and the best for David. He could be free of any drama and they would go on with their lives. After all, if he knew the truth of her intentions, he would be justifiably furious and probably never want to see her again.
But then she remembered that kiss. She brushed her lips with her fingertips and swallowed. The glint in his eyes as he tugged at his tie and unbuttoned his shirt. Emily turned and pressed her grinning face into a pillow. They had only been in the same room together twice. Twice, Emily! Have you no boundaries?
Despite knowing that it was probably for the best if David told his family the truth, she wanted to see him again. Maybe she could have it all? Help David with his family situation, win over the heart of the investors… and their wallets. She grinned. And find… dare I think it? Love.
Chapter Six
Mrs. Marks
David stood anxiously with his hands clasped together as he shifted his weight. A string quartet played a whimsical Mozart melody, and the guests, dressed in their best clothes, were talking in their seats. The chapel was full of pink and yellow roses adorning the end of the pews, and a huge array of lilies sat on the table at the front of the chapel. David looked over to Joffrey, who was feeding Mandy shrimp. She giggled and adoringly stroked his red beard as she chewed. A sea of faces he did not recognize sat in the crowd, and FBI agents stood at the doors.
A moan caught his attention, and he looked back to see the female priest eating a steak dinner. The music stopped and David watched the priest cough and splutter as she hurried to finish chewing her food.
“Please stand,” she said with her mouth full of steak. David looked at the wooden chapel doors that were now thrown open, and a beam of sunlight flooded his vision. A figure appeared in the light and as it moved forward, he saw her. The chiffon mermaid dress shimmered and dazzled. Emily was walking with Jaqueline by her side. Her dark hair was tied back into a sleek bun. The bouquet in her hands was made up entirely of sunflowers. She beamed at him, her eyes twinkling. David swallowed and took her hand in his when she reached him.
“I love you,” she mouthed. When she opened her mouth though, a forked tongue flipped out and withdrew as quickly as it appeared. David frowned and shook his head. Then he looked back at Emily to find he was face to face with the biggest snake he had ever seen.
“I do,” the snake hissed.
David jolted awake and panted as he lay in the darkness. His heart pounded in his chest as he covered his face with his hands. He sat up and the covers fell away from his chest, allowing the cold air to blast against his bare skin. He shivered.
“Omeba, turn the A/C off,” he said through a yawn and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes.
“Air conditioning is now off. What else can I assist you with?” a robotic voice echoed around the room. David dragged his legs out of bed and hunched over with his elbows resting on his knees. He yawned again and dragged a hand through his coarse hair.
“Open the blinds.” The crisp grey blinds rotated open and a weak stream of sunlight filtered into the room. The sky was almost blue with a tinge of pink as the sun crept slowly into the sky. A new day was born, and David already had a lot on his mind. The previous day had been one of the longest of his life and he was still reeling from it. A vibration on his nightstand jarred him from his thoughts.
“Joffrey, how was your date?”
A resounding groan echoed out of the speakers and David tried to suppress a laugh. “I owe you for that,” he added.
“You don’t owe me anything.” Joffrey’s voice was gruff and defeated. “You said it, remember? It’s my job to protect you.”
“What’s the news?” David crossed his room and pulled a white towel from the linen closet.
“I got a message to call you.”
David draped the towel over his shoulder.
“Right, I’ll send you an address to collect Ms. Stewart. I need you to accompany her for the time being.” The room was still and quiet in response. “Joffrey?”
“I’m sorry––I’m not sure I understand. Am I going on another date for you?”
David rolled his eyes.
“No. Ms. Stewart and I have an arrangement, and I need you to be her security until I say so.”
“Yes, sir.”
David scratched the bristles on his chin.
“How did you end things with Mandy?” he asked, flashes of his nightmare crossed his mind. He recoiled at the thought of Joffrey feeding Mandy shrimp.
“You won’t be hearing from her again,” Joffrey said in a firm voice. Sensing that there was more to the story Joffrey didn’t want to share, David nodded to himself.
“Right, good luck with Ms. Stewart, and keep her safe.”
David had a quick shower and carefully shaved as his mind wandered off. Having a woman pretend to be his wife was not what he had in mind. He berated himself for getting into this mess in the first place. If he just had more time… if Grandmother had not written such a ridiculous clause in her will…. Emily was doing him a massive favor. But why? He wondered what was in it for her? He thought it would have been harder to get her on his side.
David dressed in a blue Armani suit and gelled his hair to tame the curls threatening to form. He surveyed his appearance in the floor length mirror and made a murmur of approval.
“Omeba,” he said as he pulled on his socks.
“Yes, Mr. Marks.”
“What do I have on the agenda today?” He walked over to his walk-in closet and grabbed a pair of brown leather shoes.
“You are meeting your father for breakfast. Lunch with Emily Stewart. And your flight leaves this evening.” Before David could process, he noticed his phone vibrating on the bed. He picked it up and smiled at the name flashing on the screen. “Hi there,” he said charmingly.
“What is Joffrey doing here?”
“We talked about this last night.”
“And I told you that I didn’t need anyone to protect me.”
“Emily, if you’re going to be my wife….”
“Fake wife,” she corrected. David clenched his jaw.
“Then you’re going to need to look the part. There’s no way I would let my wife walk around without security.”
Emily seemed unable to argue. When they ended their conversation, her question echoed in his mind.
“And I suppose you expect me to come and live with you too, then?”
David held his breath as he considered it. How did neither of them think to discuss their living arrangements? He grinned as he remembered why. She was too busy distracting him. She sat, curled up on the couch, with her feet tucked under her legs and her hair fanned out over her shoulders. He said something funny, and her chest heaved up and down as she laughed in response. She touched his arm briefly and threw her head back with a chuckle after saying something witty. Their time could have been better spent exchanging ideas on how they were going to navigate the next few weeks. But it was getting late and his brain had been sluggish.
They agreed to meet for lunch the next day. Emily said she had to go into the office for the morning and deal with some “loose ends.” Whatever they were.
David was able to hand over his work to his team for the rest of the month. Yet, being like his dad, he preferred to wear smart attire even when he wasn’t going to work. He looked at himself in the mirror again, this time wearing his shoes. Is this too fo
rmal? he wondered. Both times he met Emily, she wore a figure-hugging outfit with high heels. He figured if he rolled up in a limousine wearing denim, he’d look underdressed for the occasion. Something about his outfit did look wrong, though. He pulled off his tie and unbuttoned the top of his grey shirt. Then he relaxed his shoulders and pointed to himself in the mirror, practicing a smoldering look on his face. He broke into a grin.
That’s more like it.
David pressed a hand to his stomach as it growled angrily at him. And as if his kitchen staff had spider senses, the doorbell rang, then a small woman pushing a trolley laden full of food entered his bedroom suite.
“Breakfast. Thank you, Marie,” David said as he glanced at his watch, his father would be arriving soon. He popped a mini croissant into his mouth. Having traveled to most countries across the globe, David had enjoyed many traditional breakfasts. However, he was most happy with a continental. Nothing settled a grumbling stomach as well as a buttered croissant and glass of orange juice.
David sat in the empty penthouse and peered around the oversized room with his brows knitted together. Despite having a team of staff waiting to jump into action on his command, David was always alone. He’d attended a private boys’ school in London and having no inclination to sneak off with the other classmates to the girls’ school two blocks away, David never had a girlfriend. Leaving school only posed more obstacles in his way to finding a companion. Girls roamed around in packs, it was near impossible to get to speak to one alone, and no one taught him how. By the time he reached adulthood, David’s family wealth was well-known, and he had Joffrey and Robert assigned as his security, to follow his every move. It made it difficult to have a casual drink with a new girl, or even approach one to ask on a date. There was online dating… But his father strictly advised against it. The question remained: How does a billionaire find a date? He inwardly chuckled at the thought of billboard posters along the freeway with his portrait and the words, Who Wants to Date a Billionaire? across the top.