18. Chapter 18
Chapter 18
Jonathan
L ights. Cameras. People.
I notice none of them. I don’t even spare them a thought. My entire mind is consumed by the woman walking next to me, her eyes fixed forward.
Emma . I was so close to losing my composure with her earlier, so close to dropping every ounce of restraint and begging her to be with me for real. But fear held me back—the fear that she would turn me down, that this was all just an act for her, and that I was a fool for believing in something more. Desire coils tight in my chest, so overwhelming that I barely register the flashing cameras as we make our way to the front door. My pulse hammers, my focus narrowing to the woman beside me.
“Smile, Jonathan, you look like you lost your pet,” Emma whispers next to me, looking glamorous as ever. She seems to be basking in the glory of the moment and the cameras in our faces, but I can tell that she doesn’t like it as much as she’s pretending. What else is there in the layers of emotions caked on her face? Do I want to know?
“I’ll smile when they get the cameras out of my face,” I mutter, but I still smile. Something about bickering with Emma makes me feel a little more human.
Emma snorts. “That’s not going to happen. Aren’t you supposed to be used to this?”
I am used to it, but not with her, and never with my emotions so high and all-consuming. She’s distracting, removing me from reality and making me forget to act or even pretend to be in the moment. That doesn’t matter when Emma is here.
I make a show of taking her hand in mine and the crowd roars, taking photos of us nonstop. I hear them telling us to pose on the red carpet for them, their golden couple and the talk of the town. I relish how small and soft her hand feels in mine, and I tightly hold on to her. My heart dances with delight.
I turn to look her in the eyes, something I haven’t done since our little moment back at home. I am once again taken aback by how good she looks. She looks like an angel freshly fallen from heaven, and I find myself asking why she even agreed to this in the first place. Why didn’t she find inspiration someplace else? Why did she have to end up with someone who’s shallow and is lying to the entire town about being married? I cannot begin to fathom her reasons, and when her eyes lock with mine, it’s hard not to wonder.
“Now smile for the camera!” someone from the crowd cries, and Emma laughs, smiling effortlessly. Her smile is more beautiful than any flower I’ve ever seen, prettier than the moon or anything on this earth.
Emma blushes then, her eyes on me. “Artemis will get jealous that you think I’m prettier than the moon.” Her teasing smile tugs at something deep inside me, and for a second, I forget we’re surrounded by flashing cameras.
I hadn’t even realized I said that out loud. “But you are.”
Emma laughs coyly and places a hand on my shoulder, and it takes all of my brain cells to come together to remind me that she’s just acting for the camera. I nearly tell her to get her hands away from me at that thought.
“Enough of the photos, let’s go in,” I whisper, and drag her inside while she throws them kisses.
“I’m beginning to get jealous of the paparazzi. It seems like they get more of your attention than I do,” I say, grinning.
Emma rolls her eyes, but she’s still smiling, “Oh please, there’s enough for you and my adoring fans.”
Before I can say anything else, Reed walks up to us with Ralph, one of the executive directors of the company.
“Looks like the couple of the century finally made it.” Reed grins at the two of us, and Emma laughs.
“Oh brother, you make me sound like a celebrity!” Emma coos.
Reed steps forward. “But you are.” He then turns to Ralph. “Are you aware that you’re standing next to an incredible author? She has a few excellent books out already, and she’s working on another one as we speak.”
Ralph’s interest is piqued, and he steps closer to Emma. She straightens slightly, her lips pressing together in polite curiosity, though I catch the flicker of hesitation in her eyes. “Is that so? I must say, I fancy myself as a sort of…book collector. I would love to have a copy of your works to add to my growing list.”
Emma tilts her head to the side and asks, “What do you mean by book collector?”
Ralph laughs. “Darling, I buy books to display in my personal library. I don’t actually read them, but I enjoy collecting them.”
Emma frowns as she looks at Ralph. “So…what? They just collect dust and you never read them? Sir, that’s against the very idea of books.”
Ralph looks offended. “They don’t collect dust! I clean them myself every few weeks. They are in excellent condition.”
“That’s not what I—” I cut Emma off by squeezing her hand to remind her that we’re here to please these people, not act out. Emma does keep quiet after that, but she looks very displeased about it.
Ralph leaves soon after, but not before requesting that she send him copies of all her work. I know from the set of her jaw that she doesn’t plan on doing that anytime soon.
“Who collects books and never reads them?” Emma mumbles after he leaves. “Do you realize how wrong that is? To collect books and not read them!”
“To be fair, I have a lot of books I haven’t gotten around to reading,” I say sheepishly.
Emma shrugs. “That’s different. You bought the books with the intention of reading them.”
I did, but I also don’t think what Ralph does deserves this kind of anger. Emma, on the other hand, is pissed, and I don’t think that’s a good image for the perfect marriage that people think we have.
After a while, I leave her with Reed to take a breather. She’s in good hands with him, so I step outside onto the balcony to get some fresh air.
“Jonathan! Fancy seeing you here,” an all-too-familiar voice says from behind me, and I have to suppress a groan. I turn around to find Jessica, my ex, giving me a smile that’s meant to be sweet, but it only makes her look sickly.
“Jessica,” I say, tight-lipped. “I didn’t think you’d be here.”
Jessica shrugs as she takes a step forward, almost leaning into me. My muscles tense, a sharp instinct warning me to put space between us. I take several steps back until my back hits the railing of the balcony.
“How delightful it is to run into you,” she coos. “It’s almost like we were meant to meet.”
“It almost feels intentional,” I say, which she ignores. Jessica reaches out with one hand, and I pull away like she’s made of fire. Her smile falters for a split second, a flash of irritation crossing her face before she masks it with another coy expression.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” I warn her.
Jessica pretends to not know what I’m talking about. “What do you mean?”
“Touching me, trying to kiss me like you did a few weeks ago,” I say. “I’m done with you, so I’d rather you didn’t touch me at all, or even talk to me.”
Jessica looks wounded, but I know it’s all for show. “But why? What did I ever do to you?”
“I’m married,” I remind her. “In case you’ve forgotten, I have a wife who’s in that room over there, and I won’t disrespect her.”
Jessica shrugs as though she thinks it’s not that big of a deal. “So? A wife never stopped anyone from having fun.”
I stare at her, unblinking. Her hand is on my arm again, brushing down the length of it.
“That’s how I met you, you know? I had a husband, and I chased after you,” she says with a sneer that makes my stomach churn.
“And that’s why I left you. I’m not like you, Jessica. I don’t dally with people who are disloyal and devoid of morals.” I begin to step out of the way, but she holds onto my arm, her nails painfully digging in.
“I’ll ruin the good thing you have going on,” Jessica promises. “It’s because of you that my husband left me. I won’t have you leading a good life while mine goes to ruin. I was supposed to get my revenge when I partnered with your cousin to have your company ruined, but he had no idea what he was doing.”
I stare at her in shock. I had no idea that she was working with Zain. I realize then that this is sabotage, too—the public won’t take it lightly if I cheat on Emma.
“This isn’t over!” she calls after me. “There’s one more card we’re yet to play.”
“It’s not my fault that you cheated on him. I only let him know what you did.” I pretend to not be bothered by her last words, but now I know to be careful and watch out for Zain. I can’t let anything happen today.
I leave her then, seething and possibly regretting ever meeting me. I wonder what she is plotting right now.
I call my head of security immediately. “I need you to keep an eye out for Zain—make sure he’s nowhere near the premises.” Even as I say it, doubt gnaws at me. Is security really enough to keep him at bay, or is this just another temporary fix to a problem that refuses to go away?
“Got it,” he says, and ends the call. I’m still not convinced that’s enough. I know Zain is nothing but a pest to me, but a pest is still a problem.
It doesn’t take me long to find Emma, sitting alone on a chair in the corner. She glares at me when I approach her.
“I’ve been looking for you!” Emma says. “Where have you been? You left me alone!”
“I didn’t leave you alone. You were with your brother,” I point out, but she’s barely listening.
“I don’t know anyone here; I literally only came because of you.” She sighs. “Please don’t leave me alone again.”
“I won’t, I promise,” I say. I guide her back to the table she was sitting at and motion for a waitress to get us some drinks. Emma still has that gentle smile in place, even though her words are sharper than they ought to be.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” I ask her. The silence between us is deafening, and I want to talk to her.
Emma shrugs. “Like I said, I don’t know anyone here, and Reed disappeared seconds after you did. Do you know how awkward sitting alone like this is?”
The waiter sets down our glasses of champagne, and Emma lifts hers, taking a bold sip—then another. I watch, amused.
"You aren’t acting very ladylike," I tease. "That wasn’t very demure of you. Shouldn’t you be sipping it slowly?"
Emma rolls her eyes, swirling the champagne in her glass. "Get me another, and I promise I’ll sip it like the proper lady I am."
I chuckle and flag down the waiter for a refill. True to her word, she takes her time, raising the glass with exaggerated elegance.
“So,” I begin. “Reed says that your manuscript is almost ready? Are you excited?”
Emma grins. “Oh, Jonathan! It’s brilliant, I know it. Better than any of my work before this, and Agnes is very pleased with my progress.”
“That’s lovely to hear!” I say, genuinely meaning it. I like seeing her confident about her story like this, when only days ago she seemed ready to give up entirely and move on to something else.
“Am I doing well?” Emma asks, and I turn to her.
“Huh?” I ask, confused.
Emma repeats, “Am I doing well? Are we fooling them into thinking that we’re married and in love?”
I shrug. “The media seems to be buying it, so nothing else matters. But you’ve done your part well, so if this falls apart, it won’t be your fault.”
“l never said it would be,” she says.
We sit in silence after that, and it seems to stretch between us for an eternity. Emma doesn’t seem to mind, but I do. I already miss her voice—like I need to hear it just to stay sane.
I’m a mess, and I seem to keep digging myself deeper and deeper into my feelings.
Emma huffs. “Okay, I need to go find the restroom. Where is it?”
“Down that hall, if I’m not mistaken.” I point her in the right direction and watch her leave. She looks even better from behind—the dress really does hug her in all the ways a dress should.
Just then, a flash of ruby red trails right behind Emma, and I know it’s Jessica.
I follow them, keeping my distance. It might be a coincidence that they’re walking in the same direction, but I know Jessica well enough to know that she’s meticulous and she won’t stop at anything to get what she wants. What Jessica doesn’t understand is that nothing can make me want her ever again.
Emma turns the corner to the bathroom, and so does Jessica. I know this place, and this hallway leads nowhere but the restrooms. Jessica still hasn’t approached Emma, but I stay close, ready to intervene if something happens.
They slip inside the restroom and I realize I can’t follow them into the ladies’ room.
Crap.
The door is shut tightly so I stand there, staring and wondering if it’s worth it to barge into the restroom. But what if nothing is happening and I’m just making a big fuss for no reason? It could be possible that they’re just using the restroom at the same time, and I’m getting worried for nothing.
Minutes stretch by, each second heavier than the last. Neither of them comes out of the restroom. Just as I’m about to call out, a loud thud echoes from inside. Without thinking, I shove the door open, my pulse pounding as it swings wide.
Emma stands in the corner, wide-eyed, while Jessica blocks her path. A dangerous gleam flashes in Jessica’s eyes, and her grip tightens around something small and sharp—a pocket knife. My stomach twists.
“What do you think you’re doing?” My voice cuts through the tension. Jessica startles, just enough for me to lunge forward and knock the knife from her grasp. It clatters to the floor, and she gasps as if I’m the one who startled her.
She shrinks back, her expression shifting from predator to victim in an instant. “I wasn’t going to hurt her! I just wanted to scare her.”
I ignore her excuses, rushing to Emma’s side. She’s trembling, her breaths shallow, but when I wrap my arms around her, she clings to me.
“Are you okay? Did she hurt you?” I ask, my voice tight with worry.
Emma shakes her head, though her hands remain unsteady. “No. I—I didn’t see her coming. She blocked the doorway, and then there was the knife…Jonathan, who is she?”
I exhale sharply. “My ex. She’s been following me, causing trouble—but this is the last time.”
Jessica glares at me, arms crossed. “You can’t be serious! You belong with me, not her.”
I step forward, my voice firm. “You need to leave, Jessica. If you ever come near Emma again, there will be consequences.”
Her eyes dart between us, as if searching for an ounce of hesitation. When she finds none, she huffs and storms out, leaving the knife where it fell.
I look back at Emma, my worry growing. But instead of fear, I see something else—frustration.
“She’s your ex?” she asks, crossing her arms.
I nod. “She’s been harassing me for a while. That’s what I was trying to tell you… I don’t want her, Emma. I never did.”
Emma exhales, still shaken. “When can you have her stopped? I don’t feel safe knowing she’s out there, willing to threaten me with knives.”
I take out my phone and send a quick message to security. “She won’t bother you again. I promise.”
Emma’s eyes soften, misty with unshed tears. “You’re sure? You’ll stay with me?”
I smile, brushing my thumb across her knuckles. “Of course. But maybe we should get out of here before someone thinks we’re up to something in this restroom.”
Emma laughs, her fingers lacing through mine as we step out together. The hum of conversation fills the banquet hall, the world outside unaware of what just happened. But all that matters is Emma, safe in my arms. And I don’t plan on letting go.
***
Of course, the party doesn’t end without more drama. I know things are about to go downhill fast when Zain walks in with Jessica on his arm. How did she evade my security detail?
She doesn’t look as terrified as she did in the restroom. If anything, she’s smirking as Zain guides her to the podium. Security guards are closing in on them. I hold the champagne flute in my hand a little too tightly as Emma gasps next to me.
“Absolutely not!” Reed mutters before leaving to deal with the situation while I stay with Emma.
Zain grabs the mic and smiles at the murmuring audience. Everyone here knows about our power tussle.
“I know I’m about to get booted out of my cousin’s fancy party, but I have something to say,” Zain begins. Somehow, his eyes find me in the crowd. “My dear cousin doesn’t know I don’t quit, and I won’t start now. The company is rightfully mine.”
Jessica is smirking next to him, oblivious to the fact that she’s just another pawn in his game. A part of me wonders if she even realizes it, or if she’s too blinded by resentment to see how disposable she is to him. I should feel sorry for her, but after tonight, I don’t think I have any pity left to give. Does she truly believe Zain has her best interests at heart, or is she too desperate for revenge to see she’s being used? Zain is married, so she won’t gain anything from this.
He turns to Jessica and gives her a scathing look. “But this time around, I’ll let him be the champion. Not because I give up, but because I’ll get him when he least expects. As for her, she’s no longer of any concern to me.”
Murmurs are loud as Jessica turns scarlet with embarrassment. Zain smirks and nudges her away as a security guard finally gets to them. Zain doesn’t fight the restraints.
“Watch your back, dear cousin. I will return.” His promise is chilling, and I know he’s not lying. Jessica is also taken away by security, and the atmosphere of the party changes as everyone wonders what a nut job Zain is.
“What an idiot,” Reed murmurs, his words somehow carrying through the room. Everyone laughs, and the mood shifts as everyone forgets about Zain.
I hold on tightly to Emma next to me, wondering why Zain is so determined to bring me down. Is it jealousy? Revenge? Or is he simply incapable of letting go of a battle he’s already lost? In a way, I understand it—I got everything and he has nothing. I just hope that one day, he lets this rivalry die.