Chapter 6 Emily
“Have you completely lost your mind?” my usually mild-mannered mother screams down the phone, her voice so loud I instinctively flinch.
This is definitely not the conversation I wanted to have right now. I’d been putting off telling my mother for as long as I could, but when Andrew mentioned today that he told his parents and they were on board with it, I realized I couldn’t wait any longer. The last thing I need is for her to hear it from someone else—like Andrew’s mother. So here I am, driving to Andrew’s house, having the worst possible conversation, at the worst possible time.
My fiancé—I have to get used to thinking of Andrew as my fiancé—hadn’t even flinched when he broke the news to his parents. The word fiancé still feels strange on my tongue, even if this marriage is purely business.
Not that my mother cares, but, I must admit that telling her over the phone is probably not my best idea. And yet, here we are.
“Mom, calm down,” I say, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter as I navigate the streets. “It’s the same thing I was doing with Daniel.”
Even as the words leave my mouth, I cringe internally. I know it’s a weak defense. My mind scrambles for something better, but what else am I supposed to say? At the end of the day, it is the same arrangement—it just happens to be with a different Bennett.
“That’s your defense?” she snaps, her voice still elevated, disbelief laced with every syllable. “Andrew is Daniel’s brother! You don’t know anything about him! Daniel was a friend!”
“For the record, I was never intimate with Daniel.” The very idea makes nausea swirl in my belly. “I never even kissed him.” I can’t believe I’m saying all this to my mother. Too much information.
But, I care what she thinks, and I’d hate for her to go around thinking she has a sick husband and a slut for a daughter.
“That is not what is worrying me,” Mom says. “They are brothers at the end of the day. ”
I wince, knowing she’s not wrong. “It’s a business arrangement, Mom,” I say for what feels like the hundredth time. “Andrew’s family needs this just as much as we do. It’s practical, and it’s the only way to save the hotels.”
“You’re playing with fire.”
I bite my lip, trying to stay calm as I merge into traffic. “I’m not playing with anything. It’s a simple agreement, nothing more. We both get what we want, and that’s it.”
“And what about your happiness?” she presses, her voice gentler now but no less worried. “Are you really willing to marry someone for the sake of the business? What would your father say?”
I feel a pang in my chest at the mention of dad. I know exactly what he’d say—he’d want me to find another way, a better solution that doesn’t involve sacrificing my future. But the reality is, I don’t have time for that.
“I’m doing what needs to be done, Mom. I don’t have any other options. If I don’t go through with this, everything Dad built will crumble. It’s just a year and then I’m free. It will all be over and Riviera will be safe, stable, and have a promising future again.” We’ve had this conversation so many times that the words just flow seamlessly from my mouth.
There’s a long pause on the other end of the line, and I know my mother’s struggling with what to say next. She’s always been protective, always the one to tell me to think about my choices. But right now, there’s no other choice and the ink on the paper is already dry. We’re having this wedding.
“I just don’t want you to lose yourself in this, Emily,” she says finally, her voice quiet, but I can hear the pain there. “Don’t let him change who you are.”
I swallow hard, forcing myself to focus on the road instead of the knot tightening in my stomach. “I won’t. Andrew knows this is business. He’s not trying to change anything. We’re in this together, and we both know what we’re getting into. ”
“Alright,” she sighs, the sound heavy with reluctance. “Just promise me you’ll take care of yourself. And if it gets to be too much, don’t be afraid to walk away.”
“I promise, Mom,” I say, my voice softer now. “I’ll be okay.”
I end the call just as I turn onto Andrew’s street, his house coming into view for the first time. It’s large and imposing. I expected nothing less. It has a beauty to it though, a sort of rugged example of wealth, not too overbearing or in your face, but definitely well-maintained.
As I pull into the driveway, I take a deep breath. I can still hear my mother’s words swirling around in my mind, her concerns lingering in the air like a shadow. But, I push them aside.
This is business. Nothing more. I can handle this. I have to handle this.
The gate opens automatically, gliding aside as if expecting me. The front lawn is impeccable, manicured to perfection, with lush green grass and flowers that look like they were arranged by a professional. Of course, they probably were.
Everything about this place screams control, order, and wealth—just like Andrew himself.
I park the car as the front door opens.
Andrew steps out, and before I can even process what’s happening, two enormous dogs bound out after him. They’re huge, barking excitedly, and circling my car with such energy that fear surges through me.
I tense up, gripping the steering wheel as I watch them, my heart racing. I expected tiny, white, huggable dogs—the kind you could cuddle on a couch—not these gigantic beasts with enough muscle to knock over a small tree.
Their barking echoes around the quiet lawn as they circle my car. My breath catches in my throat. Are they trained? Are they going to attack ?
Then, Andrew strides over, completely unfazed by the chaos his dogs are causing. He knocks on the window, his expression calm, but amused.
With trembling fingers, I lower the window a few inches, just enough to speak to him but not enough for those dogs to stick their snouts inside.
“Are you coming in?” Andrew asks.
I glance at the two massive dogs circling the car, their tails wagging but their sheer size making my heart race. “Do they bite?” I ask, my voice smaller than I intend it to be. I’m trying to sound calm, but the panic bubbling up is hard to suppress.
Andrew chuckles, shaking his head. “No, they don’t bite. Bruno and Bear are harmless—big, friendly giants.”
I eye the dogs warily, still not convinced. “They don’t look harmless.”
“They’re just excited to meet you,” he says, with a smile that almost makes me want to believe him. “Come on, Emily. They’re good boys, I promise.”
I take a deep breath, glancing at the dogs one more time before slowly lowering the window the rest of the way. “If you say so,” I murmur, still not entirely convinced as I prepare to step out.
As I open the car door, Bruno and Bear immediately bound over, their tails wagging so hard it’s like they’re going to knock something over. I tense, unsure, but then Andrew whistles, and just like that, the dogs sit.
“They’re trained,” he says. “You’ll be fine.”
I slowly step out of the car, feeling a little ridiculous for being so nervous, but the moment both dogs lean in and give me a friendly nudge, I relax—just a little. They’re huge, but I can tell they’re just trying to be friendly.
“See? Harmless,” Andrew says, patting Bruno on the head. “Now, come on. Let’s head inside before they overwhelm you anymore.”
As we step inside, the first thing that hits me is how unexpectedly warm the house feels. I don’t know what I imagined—maybe something ultra-modern, cold, sleek—but this? This is cozy. It’s the last thing I expected from Andrew.
The entryway opens into a spacious living room bathed in soft, natural light, with exposed wooden beams stretching across the ceiling. The walls are a soft, muted gray, creating a calming atmosphere, while the hardwood floors add a natural warmth to the space.
There’s a large stone fireplace against one wall, the kind you’d expect in a cabin retreat, and on the mantle are a few framed photographs. Personal touches I didn’t expect.
A plush, oversized couch dominates the room, with cozy throws draped over the back, and cushions that look so comfortable it’s hard not to want to sink into them. There’s a bookshelf along one wall, filled with what looks like a collection of classic novels, history books, and a few military memoirs.
The room smells faintly of pine, mixed with the scent of fresh coffee lingering in the air, giving it a homey feel. The large windows let in just the right amount of light, and outside, I can see a glimpse of the backyard, which looks just as meticulously maintained as the front.
“You have a beautiful home,” I say, surprise in my voice.
Andrew closes the door behind us, looking slightly amused by my reaction. “What, expecting something different?”
I shrug, glancing around again. “I don’t know, maybe something more, minimalist? Sterile? I think I was expecting the pristine, sharp, fancy sort or place that makes you afraid to drop a single crumb.”
He smirks, “Ah! You were expecting my parents house.” walking past me toward the kitchen, which is open and inviting, with a large farmhouse sink and granite countertops. “I’m full of surprises.”
I nod, a little abashed. I can’t argue with that. The house is a mix of rustic and modern, but it feels like a home. A real home. That, I definitely wasn’t expecting.
Andrew hands me a bottle of water, his expression softening for just a moment. “Thanks. It’s home. ”
He leads me through the house, giving me the grand tour. I trail behind him, still taking in every detail. Each room we pass through surprises me more—there’s so much personality here.
We make our way downstairs, where he opens a door that leads to what must be every fitness enthusiast’s dream: a fully equipped gym. Rows of dumbbells, a treadmill, a punching bag in one corner, and sleek, modern machines fill the space.
“You really don’t mess around,” I say, genuinely impressed.
“Gotta stay in shape,” he replies with a shrug, though I can see the pride in his eyes.
I can’t help but smile. Maybe moving in won’t be so bad after all. Andrew’s home is nothing like I imagined. It’s warm, inviting, and full of character. A far cry from Daniel’s no frill bachelor pad.
We continue the tour, and I find myself liking everything I’m seeing. The backyard is large, with a fire pit and a view that stretches far beyond the yard, giving the space a peaceful, almost secluded, feeling.
And then I remember what Lisa said when I complained about moving in with Andrew. She pointed out that this was an opportunity—an opportunity I should take advantage of. I’ve been wanting to sell my apartment for a while now, upgrade to something bigger and more practical. But moving is such a hassle, and finding the right place had been more stressful than I’d care to admit. Maybe Lisa’s right. Living here for a year could give me the space I need to figure out my next step. This house has more than enough room, and with the added convenience of being closer to work, it was starting to feel like a win-win.
Andrew pauses at the last stop of the tour, turning to face me. “What do you think?”
I glance around, nodding slowly. “It’s lot nicer than I expected. I can see myself living here.”
Andrew smiles, and I get the feeling he’s relieved to hear it. “Good. I want you to be comfortable. ”
I let out a small laugh, feeling the tension in my shoulders ease just a bit. “Well, you’ve certainly made a convincing case. And if Bruno and Bear approve of me, I guess I’m in.”
Andrew chuckles, gesturing to the two dogs lounging in the corner. “They’re already sold. It’s just up to you.”