Chapter 9

Chapter nine 

Malcolm 

“Are you alright?” I asked, the moment I got off my car. We were standing outside my house at Nineth Avenue, and I had a hunch that she was just returning from a family reunion from the look of things.

“Yes, I'm fine. Can we go in please?” Emily replied, barely lifting her face. She was dressed in her long peach gown that concealed away all her curves, but even with that, I still thought she looked adorable.

“Yes please.” I answered, leading the way into my spacious two storey building.

She followed behind, keeping up with my strides as if she needed to prove that to me. “Please, have a seat,” I said, pointing to the couch by the table.

My living room was a spacious lot of exquisite designs, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a high ceiling adorned with murals and expensive artworks. I believed that a man's house said a lot about him, so I polished mine to tellu story. Plush, custom-made sofas and a shiny table made of pine in the finest Italian leather, a fireplace flanked by built-in bookshelves which were not empty. They contained rare, leather-bound journals and books I could memorize. Subtle touches of my personality littered the house with refining elegance of sophistication.

“It's a nice place you have here,” Emily commented as she walked in, her eyes running through the aesthetics. My house was decorated to impress and it did the job well.

“Thanks,” I whispered before disappearing into the kitchen. I returned moments later with a glass of water in hand. “Here, take a sip.” I offered, handing the glass to her.

“Thank you,” she appreciated, gulping down the liquid down her throat while I waltzed to the window.

I waited for her to empty the glass before saying a word. “So, I guess things didn't go as planned where you went?” That was more an observation than a question 

“No,” she belched, clearing her throat. “I didn't have a plan when I went there, but I must say it went better than I thought it would.”

I didn't believe that, but it did seem like I could give her the benefit of doubt. “Okay. So, why are we here?” I asked, rubbing my palms together. I wasn't anxious, it was just an act I'd grown accustomed to.

“About your offer that night, I accept it.” Emily belched firmly, with a flash of something in her eyes. Was it resolve? Pain, or anger?

“I didn't expect you to,” I quickly surmised, with a quick smile.

“Why not?”

“I thought, for someone as cautious as you, it would be difficult to make you agree to a fake marriage considering the cost.” I explained, gesticulating.

“There's no cost I haven't paid, Malcolm.” She answered, suddenly sounding more mature than I could say. “But can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.”

“You wouldn't do this only for me if there was no catch for you, what's your story?” She asked, giving me a good, long stare.

I stifled a chuckle, surprised at her question. I hadn't anticipated it. “Well, what if I told you that I'm doing it just for you?”

“I'd like to know why.” 

We both stared at each other briefly, and I knew I would have to be honest with her. Walking over to her on the couch, I took a seat opposite her and began in a slow, but steady tune.

“For your information, there's been rumors flying around about my sexuality, which I haven't bothered to explain. You don't try to persuade people to believe you. Obviously, the press wouldn't, even if you tried.”

“So, you're going to use this to silence the rumor.”

“You got it.” I replied, with a smile.

There was a short pause, and I knew Emily was putting her mind to good use. After what felt like a fraction of seconds, she looked back at me and as if she was defying an oath, she said, “Let's do this. As long as I can pay them for everything they've done to me, then I don't mind the consequence.”

"Cool, but so we're clear on the terms," I said, pulling out a notebook and pen. “Before you sign this contract, I need you to know the condition.”

“What's that?”

“Don't ever think of falling for me.”

“You don't have to worry about that. I've made enough mistakes with love as a person.” Emily answered, with a vicious energy that I thought was sexy.

“Good then, we're clear, right?”

Emily nodded, her dark hair bobbing curling on her head. "I'm sure.”

I pulled out the terms of agreement from a file on my desk and handed it to her. "Alright, so it's a two-year commitment, renewable by mutual agreement."

Emily nodded, and once again, her hair nodded alongside. "And we both agree to keep the relationship platonic."

"Exactly! No strands attached. We're doing this for practical reasons, nothing emotional here."

“One more thing,” Emily said looking up at me, a firm look in her eyes. “You'll have to sign it that you won't try to force yourself on me.”

“Whoa!” That came like a silencer. I didn't see it coming, but I chuckled. "Don't worry, Emily, I've got my body under control. You're safe with me."

“That's not good enough, I need you to sign. Please.”

I did that without arguing. I didn't harbor such intentions to begin with. "There," I said, showing her my signature. “My lawyer will get in touch with you soon, but in the meantime, we have a wedding to plan.”

“Yea, and I can't wait to see the look on their faces when I make the announcement.” She said, without the faintest sign of amusement.

What really did my uncle do to her? And how much of her did he wreck?

I grinned, realising she hadn't even smiled since we met that evening. "Let's hope we can keep it that way."

"We have to, I'm banking on it."