Chapter three

EMILY'S POV

“You're kidding right? That's not happening Emily.”. Rudy was still against the idea of us fake dating for the public eye.

I didn't see the problem, it would be fake afterall. He was getting worked up over nothing.

“Don't be a pain. It's going to be fine”

“No it won't.”

“You're overthinking this, Rudy”. I rolled my eyes.

“I'm not overthinking anything. Why don't you find someone else? Why me?”. He said annoyingly.

“I'd rather this arrangement be between someone that I know and not a complete stranger. That way I'd be assured that everything runs smoothly. Besides, what's the big deal? It's just for public appearances. We hold hands, hug occasionally and that's it.”

I really couldn't understand why he was hesitant about this. Rudy was always so supportive of my plans and decisions. Then again this did involve us acting like a couple.

He shook his head and rubbed his temples with his fingers.

I walked closer to him and held his hands.

“Rudy, this is very important to me. I need to save my family's name for humiliation. Please it'll only be for a while. And if you want we could make contracts and-”

“Fine, fine. I'll do it. We're getting lawyers, setting boundaries and all that and it'll be on paper”. He said in a defeated tone.

I knew how to get what I wanted from Rudy. Ever since we were kids I always had a way to persuade him to do my bidding. Then again that skill worked with everybody.

I smiled visibly satisfied with his response.

“Good. I'll call my lawyers and they'll draft a contract as soon as possible.”

“Alright then. I'll be on my way. I have some pressing matters to attend to. Just let me know when the documents are ready.”. Rudy said and left immediately.

For the first time in days I felt at peace a little. This new alliance would stabilize my position as Alpha of the Cortez pack.

A part of me still wanted to know why Ricardo would do such a thing and in the eyes of the public for that matter. And the Press Conference?

Then something registered in me.

His grandparents were the ones calling the shots. Of course. I wasn't even angry about that. I was angry that Ricardo still allowed them to control him. Even after all these years.

I remembered how they practically governed his life. Growing up my parents did patrol me, especially my mother. And after my father died she just got worse. But she was nothing compared to Ricardo's grandparents.

I thought he would eventually grow a backbone but these series of events just proved that he would never grow out of their shadow.

Pathetic.

Soon me and Rudy's lawyers got the necessary documents ready and we were officially a “fake” couple.

My plan was coming together. I took Rudy's initial suggestion and planned a charity gala for the newest children's hospital. I invited all the elites including the Marino's.

I wanted to show the public that I wasn't affected by Ricardo's decision, even though deep down my mind was constantly plagued with it.

“Are you sure about this?”. My mother asked as we drew out plans for the gala. I was sending out invitations while she contacted the interior designers for the hall.

To be honest this was a way to redeem ourselves from the last event we held. The one that Ricardo decided to pull that move.

I wanted to pull all the stops to make it the most exquisite charity gala of the year. I was determined to make the public see that Emily Cortex was fit for the role of Alpha of the Cortez pack.

“Yes mother I'm sure. Think of it as a redemption plan”

She heaved a heavy sigh.

“Your father would've brought down the Marino's if he was still alive to witness this. Maybe we've become too soft”

“We haven't become too soft mother. The public has just become too sensitive. Everything is a scandal these days. We have to be careful not to step on the wrong foot.”

“Oh my darling. People are to be careful not to step on our foot. We are the Cortez pack. The definition of power.” I rolled my eyes at her words.

Yes, the Cortez pack was truly powerful. But when my father was alive we were more feared and revered than how we were now. I doubt the Marino's would have had the balls to pull this stunt at that time. They wouldn't have dared.

But now everything had changed. I still wondered what life would've been like if he was still alive, if that sickness didn't take him away from us.

I heaved a deep sigh.

I wanted this charity gala to go smoothly as planned, no hiccups. Although I was afraid that Ricardo's grandparents would make him pull another stunt. He had been quiet though, he hadn't reached out or said a word to me and neither did I. That didn't mean he couldn't take me by surprise.

That was his grandparents' forte.

My phone lit up and there was a text from Rudy. He informed me that the news of the charity gala has spread across the news. Certainly due to his maneuvering no doubt.

He was taking care of things for me behind the scenes. He said he always worked better when not in the public eye. Probably why he didn't want to take the offer I proposed.

A small smile spread across my face, I started to feel satisfied with the outcome. And now the real task had come.

Proving to the public,

That we were in love.