Stealing the Spotlight
We went around the wedding reception greeting people, and saying hello to the guests at the party. Half of them were the company’s employees anyway. And since Emerson was the boss, the CEO and owner of the company, people couldn’t help themselves as they came toward us, congratulating us on our engagement.
We both knew that everybody invited here was either in the business, wanted to get into the business, or was some sort of associate. And since I was with the top dog, they might or might not agree with our engagement, but they couldn’t help but congratulate us with a smile.
They congratulated us with plastered smiles on their faces, saying how happy they were for us, but I could see in many faces they weren’t exactly overjoyed over our
engagement.
Some were probably more jealous than happy, wondering how I managed to land a man who had been single for more than fifteen years of his life ever since his wife left. And then all of a sudden, he was getting engaged to me, after divorcing his son nonetheless.
I could see their questioning gazes as they watched me, and I basked in their attention, smiling and having a good time.
Before we knew it, we couldn’t find the groom or the bride. It seemed like Eric and Rita had decided to ditch their own wedding reception. This was supposed to be at wedding celebration, but it looked more like an engagement party. People had already forgotten why they were here.
I guess this is my first blow of many. I managed to steal their wedding day, their celebration and made it mine.
By the time the party was over, I was exhausted. The only thing I could think about was sinking into a bubbly bath, letting the stress of the day wash away. Maybe even get a massage while I was at it.
Emerson looked at me and smiled, that warm, knowing smile of his. He could probably see I was already exhausted with the whole scene.
“I think it’s time we headed home,” he said loudly, making sure the two company executives we had been talking to overheard him.
I smiled up at him, he knew just What I needed. I still couldn’t believe he was helping me with this…..
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Stealing the Spotlight
“Yes, I would love that,” I answered back sweetly.
He kissed the back of my hand, ever the gentleman, and we started making our way outside, leaving the fading party behind. Once we got outside, Emerson turned to me with a curious look.
“So, how did you get here? Did you
drive? Did you come with a car?”
“I was too nervous to drive,” I admitted. “I had the hotel arrange a car for me.
“That’s good, then,” he replied with a nod of approval. “I drove here myself. I’ll just drive you back.”
“Okay,” I answered, smiling at him.
The valet arrived with his sleek car, opening the door for me. Emerson helped me inside, his hand gently resting on my back. It was a small gesture, but it made me feel safe and cared for. I knew I was in the right hands as we drove away.
As we drove, Emerson broke the silence.
“So, where should I take you? Where have you been staying since the divorce?”
I sighed, “Well, as you know, I left Eric with everything because I wanted the divorce to go as smoothly and quickly as possible. And also, you know how my mom is. She called me once when I told her what happened and that I was asking Eric for a divorce and never called me again.”
Emerson frowned. “Your mother’s something else.”
“Yeah,” I agreed, shaking my head. “She was always on Rita’s side, so going home. wasn’t an option.
“So, where have you been staying, then?” he asked, his concern clear.
“Okay, well, I’ve been thinking about getting an apartment, but I haven’t gotten around to it yet,” I admitted. “So, for now, I’m living at the Zion Hotel.”
His eyebrows shot up. “That’s where you’ve been all these weeks?”
“Yes,” I replied, grinning a bit. “It’s actually been kind of fun. I’m treating it like my own vacation. A divocay of mine.”
He chuckled softly. “Okay, I get it. Divorce and vacation. But how long are you planning to stay there?”
“I don’t know,” I confessed. “I was planning on looking for an apartment, but I
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Stealing the Spotlight
haven’t started yet. I’ll get there eventually.
Emerson was silent for a moment, thinking. Then, his eyes lit up with an idea.
“Wait, why don’t you just move in with me?
I turned to him, surprised. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah,” he said with a smile. “I mean, people already know we’re engaged now, so it wouldn’t be such a surprise for us to start living together. And as you well know the house is too big for one person, maybe you can liven it up.”
I pondered his offer for a moment, nodding as the idea began to settle in.
“Omay. I guess… I’m moving in with you.”
‘Great,” Emerson said, clearly pleased. “But if we’re going to do this, we need to set some ground rules and make a plan.”
I smiled at his serious tone. “Of course.”
“I like my things to be in order,” he said, glancing at me to make sure I understood.” No surprises.”
I nodded. That was Emerson ladies and gentlemen, meticulous and precise in everything he did. That’s how he became the self–made billionaire he is today, after all.
When we arrived at the hotel, the valet was quick to open my door. As I swung one leg out, I turned back to Emerson and asked,
“Aren’t you coming inside?” He looked at me for a few moments, as if lost in thought, before shaking his head.
“No, I’m not coming with you.”
“Um, okay,” I replied, slightly confused. “I thought we had to make plans and ground rules.”
“Yes, it’s true,” he said, his tone softening. “But I know today was long and exhausting, and I at least managed to make you smile. I think you should keep marvelling at that, and we can always do this tomorrow.”
“Okay, and moving in with you?”
Let’s do that tomorrow too,” he suggested “I’ll come get you, and we’ll talk, and then we can go back to my house together.”
间
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Stealing the Spotlight
“Okay,” I said, nodding my head. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then?”
“Yeah, tomorrow,” he confirmed, giving me a warm smile as I stepped out of the car.
As I walked into the hotel, I felt a strange feeling growing inside me. The entire way to my room, there seemed to be something I couldn’t quite understand. I had already been intimate with Emerson; we’d had a one–night stand. Yet now, there was a distance between us that I hadn’t anticipated.
I guessed it was to be expected. Our night had been filled with a mixture of emotions. and impulsive decisions. But this was different.
But I reminded myself that this wasn’t about feelings. Today had been about power. I had served Eric and Rita a taste of what my revenge would taste like, into what was to come. I couldn’t wait to serve them more.
Today’s Bonus Offer
