CHAPTER 4 - New Life

Liam arrives at his office, where his assistant, Jennifer Johnson, informs him that he had a meeting with the Greysons to finalize the contract – they would be arriving in two hours. She went on to mention a few other meetings, but he wasn’t paying attention. 

He couldn’t get Emma off his mind, and he didn’t know why he’d agreed to this marriage. Now he had a girl at home he didn’t even like… he drifted off, not realizing Jennifer was calling him. Jennifer had been trying to seduce him, but she really wasn’t his type– with her brunette hair and brown eyes that were barely noticeable. She had a really nice figure, but still, she wasn’t his type. 

“Mr. Smith? …Are you alright? You haven’t listened to anything I've said. Is everything alright at home?” asked Jennifer. 

Liam was startled, only then realizing Jennifer had been speaking the whole time. “Yes, Jennifer, I heard. Keep my schedule full.”

 “Sir… you can talk to me if you want. I can give you whatever you want,” Jennifer said, leaning forward so Liam would get a clear view of her cleavage.

“Ms. Johnson, last I checked, you're my assistant – not my special advisor… close the door behind you,” Liam shouted. 

Jennifer stormed out of the office,fuming. Liam opened a set of files and tried to bury himself in work.

Back at home, Emma struggled to think of anything to occupy her time. She called her sister Sophia, but the call wouldn’t go through. Sophia had been so hard to reach even at the wedding– Emma couldn’t help wondering why. Her gaze drifted to the counter, where Liam’s black card still lay. She picked it up, turning it over in her hands, wondering what she might buy. Maybe… maybe she really would have to get used to this life after all.

 Emma went to her room, changed her clothes, then headed back out and asked to be driven to one of the boutiques in town. I’ll just browse and see what catches my eye, she told herself. 

“Ma’am, we’d have to drive into town — there aren’t any shops or boutiques around here,” said the driver.

 “Oh… that’s fine, as long as they sell clothes there,” Emma replied. 

It was 11 a.m. Since she and her so-called husband talked—or rather, argued—that morning, they hadn’t spoken a word. Suddenly, she felt the urge to call him… but then she remembered: he’d left his card behind, but no phone number at all.

 “After shopping, could we stop by Mr. Smith’s office?” Emma asked. She was surprised the words had even left her mouth, and immediately regretted them.

 “No problem, ma’am,” the driver replied.

She didn’t even like him—so why did she want to see him? She thought of his hazel eyes and broad shoulders. That night at the bar, when he’d dropped her off, she’d felt this sudden urge to kiss him. She hadn’t, of course… even though she’d been drunk.

 The car came to a stop outside the boutique. 

“This is where the family shops,” said the driver.

“What’s your name?”

 “Charles, ma’am,” he replied.

“Please, call me Emma. Are you coming in, or will you wait in the car?” Back home, the drivers usually joined her and Sophia when they went out shopping.

“No, ma’am. Just call if you need anything.”

 Emma nodded and went inside. She spotted a few lovely pieces and found herself wishing Sophia were here with her. Even though Sophia was always cold and rude toward her, she was still her sister. 

In about thirty minutes, Emma was done shopping. When she got to the checkout, the receptionist gave her a strange look. She brushed it off, paid with the card, and left. Charles helped her with the bags and they got into the car. 

“Is Liam’s office far from here?”

 “No, ma’am,” 

“Charles… Please call me Emma.”

 “I’ll keep that in mind, ma’am.”

Emma wondered how her sister was doing, since  their parents didn't want her calling home. She phoned Sophia again… it rang, then went straight to voicemail. 

“Hey, Sophia. Call me when you get this. I’m really worried about you, okay?” Emma sent a text too, just in case she didn’t hear the voicemail. 

When she looked up, she found herself facing a glass skyscraper — twenty-one stories, she guessed. Her parents' company was nice, but nothing like this. The building was sleek and modern, with dark glass panels, and the words SMITH ENTERPRISES were engraved in bold letters above the main entrance. 

Charles opened the door for her, and she stepped out, looking around in surprise. Emma walked inside and asked for Liam’s office, but the receptionist first asked who she was. 

“I’m Mrs. Smith.” saying that felt strange,even to her. 

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize! Please take the elevator to the twentieth floor, ma’am,” said the receptionist.

“It's fine,” Emma said with a smile.

As she stepped into the elevator, she wondered why the receptionist didn’t know who she was. It was a contract marriage, after all — surely his employees should have been told. Why did she even care? She didn’t want this marriage anyway. 

When the elevator doors opened, she was stunned to find Liam standing right there.

 “What are you doing here?” he said coldly. 

“Well… um… I…” Emma took a breath — why was she suddenly so nervous? Before she could say a word, he cut her off. 

“Wait in my office. I have a meeting.” 

She walked into his office as he stepped into the elevator.

What is she doing here? Liam wondered. He made his way  to the meeting room on the top floor. When he arrived, everyone was already waiting for him. 

“Shall we begin?” Liam said as he took his seat.   Smiths Enterprise was looking to expand into New York. They were already established in commercial properties, and now they were moving into luxury real estate. These potential investors were ready to put their money into the project. His assistant, Jennifer, presented a preview of what the estate would look like. After an hour of discussion, the meeting came to an end.

Liam walked into his office, exhausted from all that debating. He’d completely forgotten he’d told Emma to wait there — until he saw her on his couch. She was staring out the window, lost in thought. She wore a dark green dress with black heels, and her hair cascaded loosely around her face. For a moment, he’d give anything to kiss those lips of hers.

Damn, what’s wrong with me? It’s probably because I am tired…

 “So… why are you here?” Liam said, startling her. He walked straight to his chair and sat down. 

“Well… you dropped your card but not your number, so I couldn’t reach you,” Emma said. 

“So you couldn’t wait until I got home?” He spoke rather coldly, and he knew his words came out harsh. 

“Oh… well… I didn’t think of that,” Emma stammered. 

“Next time, please do that. That should be all” Liam said, standing to his feet and gesturing for her to leave.