Chapter two

EMILY'S POV

I didn't expect things to go downhill so fast. I thought it would take a day or two for the news to spread. Then again the Cortez and Marino pack were two of the most influential packs in the system.

As I left the hospital a swarm of reporters flooded the scene taking pictures of me in my sick state and demanding answers like I owed them something.

I had always hated the press. How they twisted words just for a good story and invaded your privacy. I had done everything to  avoid problems from them ever since I started appearing in front of the public eye.

Mother gave strict rules on how to act in public. As the heir to the Cortez empire nothing less than perfection was expected from me.

Now this happened just at the peak of my career. This was far from perfect. And I knew all too well that it would put a dent in my image in the eyes of the public. I just hoped that mother's “damage control” had worked.

Spoiler alert… it didn't.

The mansion was quiet and filled with tension. Mother had been running around all day. The staff knew better than to get in her way or disturb her. She didn't even notice that I had come back home. She was too busy making calls to God knows who, trying to figure out how to control the situation.

I could hear her silently cursing the Marino family under her breath after ending every call.

I didn't bother asking her questions. I went to my room and locked myself in. I had to think for myself.

My position as Alpha and heir to the Cortez empire was compromised. It was really funny. All it took was a rejection to make me come crashing down. All my efforts, all my hard work and perfectly curated plans had gone down the drain with one painful move. Everything I had prepared for my whole life was now on thin ice.

I could sulk all day about how Ricardo had destroyed me without any explanation. But no, I didn't have the leisure to do so. I had to pick myself up and plan.

I couldn't let the legacy that my ancestors built go to waste because of someone else's reckless decisions.

I just couldn't let that happen.

My thoughts were immediately disturbed by my mother's shrill scream coming from the living room.

Her loud scream immediately sent me into panic. I didn't know how but the next minute I found myself in the living room asking her what was wrong.

“Mother, what's wrong?”. My voice was laced with worry and panic. She didn't say anything. She was shaking and then managed to raise her finger and pointed at the flat screen TV.

I felt my blood run cold when I realised what she was pointing at.

It was a press conference being held by the Marinos. Ricardo's grandparents were giving a statement concerning the sudden rejection.

“Oh no”. I felt my knees buckled and my heart beat race faster as I heard them speak.

“Yes, your question?”

“Is there any solid reason as to your recent decision Ricardo? Seeing as it landed Ms Cortez in the hospital”

Before Ricardo could speak his grandmother cut in

“Ricardo's decision was as a result of an analysis on the alliance between our family and the Cortez family. He felt it would be… disastrous. We however have no grudge against them and wish them well”. She said with a fake smile and they left immediately while reporters continued bombarding them with questions.

Ricardo has always been spineless and controlled by his grandparents. I didn't know it would go this far. It meant he didn't even care about me.

Yes the engagement was made for an alignment but deep down I thought he actually had feelings for me.

What a waste of my time.

My mother sat on the chair weakened by what she had just seen.

“Take her to her room Rose and get her food and water.”. I instructed the maid.

Of course mother's plans didn't work. I had to fix this myself, but how?

How would I possibly rise up from all this drama?

My thoughts were disturbed by the sound of the main door opening and the maids greeting Rudy.

“Emily, I saw the press conference and came here immediately. Is your mom okay?”. He asked worriedly.

I heaved a deep sigh. I felt defeated.

“She's in her room. She needs to rest, and I need to think fast.”. I started pacing around and Rudy's eyes followed me closely. I could tell he was trying to think of something as well.

“Well you'd need something bigger than this. Like a counter attack sort of thing. To get the media talking and get their attention away from Ricardo's rejection”. He said calmly.

He was right. The public needed more drama or something bigger.

But what?

“What can I do?”

“Maybe a charity event? Or fund a new innovative project”. He sat down and suggested some ideas.

“Those aren't big enough, they're overused. Besides, the public will know that I'm doing it just to get the heat off myself quickly.”

“Well what else can you do? Get into a new relationship?”. He chuckled lightly and continued. “Maybe hire someone to be your contract boyfriend”

I turned to look at him.

Yes. That was it.

“You're right. That's… that's genius”

He looked amused. “You're actually considering it. Well damn. It is a good idea though.” He chuckled again. “But where would you find a fake boyfriend in such little time”

I paused and stared at him.

He immediately realised what I was thinking.

“No”.

“Yes.”

“Emily, think about this”

“I already have. Rudy. You'll be my new boyfriend”