Emberly's POV:
When Arran's cousin, Victoria who prefers to be called Tori, invited me to her wedding, I thought maybe she is inviting me out of generosity. I wasn't planning to attend her wedding. We only met twice and it felt too personal. When she called the next day to confirm, I had to say yes. I was surprised how persistent she was being.
I knew her wedding would be a talk of a town. It was featured in a lot of magazines and there were bidders to buy official weddings pictures. Her dress was custom made by Zuhair Murad and it took almost seven months to create! I asked Cherry whether he was famous and she just gave me a pointed look.
Luxurious hotel was booked for the reception and 5 star chefs were hired. Given how high profile the wedding would be, I was hesitant to attend but Cherry convinced me to attend.
Tori and Nick (her soon to be husband) chose a beautiful 18th-Century Church for their vows. A breath-taking archway of flowers transformed the entrance to the Church and the Church was magnificent from inside. The interior was breath taking. It included statues of angels, saints and ancient mosaics. Different types of flowers such as peony, sweetpea, asilbe, freesia, waxflower and green bell were adorned into the Church's windows, entrance, the pillars, on the pews and even on the back of the chairs, creating a fairy-tale like effect.
The guests were coming in and each and every of them were dressed in lavish clothes. I automatically started smoothing the non-existing creases on my dress. I was wearing a light pink dress that had fitted embroidery bodice and full pleated skirt. The dress gave a nice flair and the length stopped just above my knees. It showed perfect amount of skin without overly exposing myself. The trip to Greece gave me a nice tan so I wore minimum makeup. I left my hair open in soft curls.
I looked around for Arran but could not find him. We agreed to meet in the Church. When I suggested this to him, he looked at me warily. I explained that arriving together will cause speculations and it is Torri's big day so all the attention should be on the bride. It took a lot of convincing for him to agree!
I was about to text him but Sophia stopped in front of me. She was wearing a red bodice dress and I hated to admit but she looked good. I ignored her and looked for seating arrangement. The front four rows on both sides were reserved so I sat on two rows behind the reserved.
"Emberly, can you sit on the back? These seats are for close families and the associates. All the assistants are sitting at the back." She said loudly, causing the guests to stop their conversation and look at our direction.
I could feel my face growing hot and heated in embarrassment. It hasn't been an hour into the wedding and she is already spoiling my mood.
"Will that be a problem?" She smirked and raised her eyebrow.
If she thinks this will get under my skin then she was wrong. I didn't want to create a nuisance so I smiled. "Not at all." I kept my tone light and moved without her waiting for her to react.
I noticed seats were getting filled now and the Church was a lot noisier than before. I sat on an empty chair and watched Arran and his family arriving. He was dressed in a navy Armani's suit with a white shirt and a matching navy tie. Guests immediately surrounded him and while he was politely responding to them, his eyes were looking for someone. An uneasy feeling grew inside me. For once, Arran appeared so... unapproachable.
He took his phone out from his pocket. His fingers were busy tapping the screen. A second later my phone vibrated in my hand. I looked down at the screen.
"Where are you" he texted.
I saw Arran looking around but from where I was sitting it was hard for him to spot me.
'Sitting at the back... came in late. See you later.' I replied back and locked my screen.
I saw him frown but he was distracted once again. Phone all forgotten. Unintentionally, my eyes met with Sophia who was studying me. Her eyes held unspoken understanding and I looked away.
"I don't think we've met." A girl sitting next to me said. I tried remembering her but I couldn't recognise her.
"I'm Emberly." I replied.
"Kaya. I'm PA to Adrian. I was away but I'm back now and can I say I am glad to be back." She smiled widely causing me to smile with her. She gave me her business card.
"Good to have you back. I'm Arran's PA."
"Ahh the infamous PA. I was wondering if you could share Arran's schedule with me later on so I can avoid any future confrontation between two brothers."
"I'll have to check with Arran... sorry it's just..." I looked at her unsurely.
I don't think Arran is going to react well if he heard about Adrian holding his schedule details.
"Don't be silly, I completely understand. I don't blame him after what they did to him. What they did to him was cruel." She whispered and looked around. I straightened my back in a surprise.
Was it okay to gossip at God's house?
"You know a lot about them." I said after a beat.
"Yes... witnessed over the years. The wife is crazy about her ex and her husband is clueless or pretends to be clueless. Bless Arran, my heart hurts for him." She made sure to keep her tone low and only for me to hear.
I felt my heart beating loudly in my ears. How much does she know? Don't ask question if you are not prepared for the answers. I warned myself.
"How did you end up as his PA? " I tried changing the subject. I cant imagine anyone willingly working with Adrian.
"He married his old one. He had no other choice but to hire a new one."
I stilled. I tried keeping my face passive and I was sure my face was betraying me as I felt a sudden cold rushing through my veins.
"What do you mean?"
"You didn't know? Sophia was Adrian's assistant prior to marrying him."
I froze. My eyes widened. She was assessing me carefully. I swallowed the knot in my throat. This threw me off guard and my brain seemed to be lost.
"I didn't know." I cleared my throat and said lowly.
Her eyes softened and she opened her mouth to say something but she was cut off by the music. The bride was making the entrance.
No wonder he doesn't keep an assistant for that long and it is all clear why he resented me in the beginning.
I tried clearing my thoughts and focused on the bride and groom. Vows were exchanged, kisses were shared and everyone clapped but I felt I was like in a trance.
It was time to move on to the next venue. Reception took place at a luxury hotel. I left the church and was waiting for the valet to bring my car's keys when my phone buzzed in my hands.
"Look ahead."
I look ahead and found Arran leaning on a black Maserati. I didn't miss the look he was giving me. His striking, green eyes were gazing at me intensely. I grinned and walked towards him. He smiled back and opened the door for me. I sat inside and fastened my seatbelt. He sat on his side.
I was still thinking about what Adrian's PA said to me when Arran leaned over and pulled me in a quick kiss. My eyes widened in shock whereas his shone mischievously.
"Hey... you look..."
I didn't let him finish as I pressed my lips against his. I felt him smile against my lips. Everything else was forgotten. Our kiss was gentle at first, then teasing and lastly rough. My skin was covered in goose bumps as I wound my arms around his neck, sliding my fingers into his hair. Growling into my mouth, he deepened the kiss and took my lower lip between his. We pulled apart after what felt like years.
"Hey to you too." I smiled, murmuring throatily.
"You look... stunning." He placed his warm hand on my face, staring at me intently. I smiled beamingly. I found the valet gawking at us, with my car's keys in his hand.
"My precious car." I exclaimed.
"It's hardly precious. Its..."
"Don't you dare to say a word against my baby." I warned him and corner of his lips lifted.
"I'll have someone to drop it off to your place." He said mischievously, smirking at my glare.
When we arrived at the reception, I was once again blown away.
"Wow.... Please don't tell me you own this hotel." I gawked at the lavish hotel. My eyes widened at 11 tiers cake.
"I don't but my family does."
Holy...
Arran unaware of my current state, walked to the front. I followed him, hoping my jaw doesn't touch the floor. When he stopped at the first table and pulled a chair back for me, I hesitated.
I looked at my card and noticed the seating arrangement. I tried to walk away quietly.
"Where are you going?" He questioned me.
"I'm going to sit at table... 42." I glanced at my card.
"You can sit here." Arran pointed at the vacant seat next to his.
"It's family only." I said unsurely and looked at Sophia who was studying me carefully. Arran followed my gaze. His jaw tensed and his eyes hardened.
"Sit." It was a command.
"Arran..." Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Sophia approaching us.
"Don't be silly, you've made Arran less cranky. You are more precious to me than this one over here." Arran's sister said from behind.
Sophia stopped when Arran's sister passed her a sharp look. She retreated to another table. Cassie looked at Arran sadly but quickly masked her expression.
"Trust me, that's a big accomplishment. He has worse mood swings than I have and I'm pregnant!" One of Arran's aunt spoke as she kissed his cheeks and pulled me in a brief hug.
He rolled his eyes but smiled a little. She gave me a pointed look as if to say 'I told you so' and I bit my smile.
"Emberly, you look amazing." Arran's grandfather pulled me in a hug, a little longer than Arran would've liked because he cleared his throat in a warning.
"Thank you." I blushed.
Next thing I knew, I was meeting Arran's family. When Luke kissed my cheeks, his lips lingered there for a little longer than normal. Arran rolled his eyes.
"Woah... have you ever got that feeling when someone is plotting your murder in their head? I'm getting that feeling from Arran." He winked at me.
"It is a bit chilly over here..." I pretended to shrug my shoulders and smiled mischievously.
"Ha- ha. You guys are hilarious." Arran deadpanned.
We all laughed and sat down. Bride and groom made their grand entrance and danced at "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz.
The bride father gave a never-ending welcome speech. Arran's grandfather grew impatient and yelled at them to hurry up. Drinks and dinner was served. Many people were approaching Arran but he remained aloof. I had a feeling he was staying behind because of me.
"You should go and say hi to the guests. I'm fine here." He clasped my hand delicately and grazed my knuckles with his thumb.
"You sure?" He asked.
I smiled gently at him. The fact that he didn't wanted to leave me alone caused my heart to thump faster.
"Go... I'll enjoy this chocolate mousse." I assured him.
Stacy, Arran's best friend kept me busy in a conversation regarding Tori's wedding dress. We both were discussing the latest Haute Couture (mostly her), when Arran's mother, Cecily Raymond approached me. She looked stunning in a Chanel dress.
"Hi Mrs Raymond. You look..."
"Emberly, I want you to look after Esther over there. She is my best friend's mother. I'll be with her shortly." She spoke hurriedly.
Okay then. Does she not realise I am here as a guest?
I didn't wanted to come across as rude but she must've seen hesitation on my face because she said, "Is that a problem?" Her tone left no room for any further argument.
"Not at all. What's her name again?" I responded, awkwardly.
From corner of my eyes, I saw Stacy gawking at her in disbelief.
Welcome, my friend.
"Esther Visser." She gave me a pointed look as if this name was supposed to mean something.
I tried remembering from Arran's contact list but couldn't remember him associating with such name.
"ERV Group Limited?" She repeated in disbelief.
"I'm sorry but it doesn't ring a bell." I replied, rubbing my arm. I swear I saw her eye twitch.
"She's the owner of world's largest international corporation that specialises in exploration, mining and trading of diamonds. You should stop living under the rock and pick up Financial Times. Our company provides free subscription. She's my mother's best friend. Just... don't insult her." She walked away before I could even ask her any question. My face heated up.
I approached Esther Visser carefully. She appeared to be in her fifties. Her hair were perfectly sleeked, not a single hair out of place.
Here we go.
"Hi, Mrs Visser. I am Emberly. I am PA to Arran. Mrs Raymond will be with you very shortly. Must I add, you look lovely..." I said in overly cheery voice.
"This champagne is warm." She scrutinised me from top to bottom, before giving me a stiff reply.
I didn't let my smile falter. I had dealt with the worse.
"I'll get you another one."
I spotted the waiter carrying flutes. I smiled at him and motioned him towards Esther.
"I don't like the taste of this champagne." She scrunched her nose in disgust.
She was elegant but also, one of the hardest people to please.
"Not a problem. I'll get you another one."
I had an idea what she may like and I prayed it matched her taste.
"I hope this one matches your taste buds. The waiter guaranteed it would be the best champagne you'll ever have."
I held my breath as she took a sip.
"It's perfect. Thank you." She replied after a beat and I breathed in relief.
"I hate coming to these events without my husband. He broke his hip last week and let me tell you something... Men are big babies when they are ill. Get ill even before they do."
Oh, how well I knew. My eyes searched for Arran.
"I'll keep that in mind." I said and she chuckled softly.
"You look familiar. Like I've met you before. What did you say your name was?"
"Em.."
"Esther. Here you are. I was looking everywhere for you." Mrs Raymond approached us.
Phew! Thank god.
I excused myself. A hand on my arm halted me. I looked up to find Adrian. I bit the inside of my cheek and blinked at him. I tried to move away but he blocked my way.
"Look I just want to apologise..." He took a step towards me and I panicked.
"Forget it." I flinched away from his touch. I looked around for Arran.
"Just listen to me... please." He pleaded. There was something in his tone that made me pause.
Damn it.
"Please. I'm really sorry for what I did. I don't know what happened... I'm just going through a lot. Seeing him after a long time and what he became... the guilt is eating me alive. I was just trying to push his buttons, hoping he would lash out and we can move on..."
I took a sharp a breath and narrowed my eyes at him.
Despite the anger flaring inside me, I focused on him and tried counting to 10 to calm myself.
"Move on?" I repeated, my voice stony. "Adrian, you betrayed him, made him miserable and now you're expecting him to move on? Try thinking what you've actually done for once and then you'll realise how hard it is for him to move on." I didn't wait after that.
I saw Luke looking at us intently. He glances warily from Adrian to me. I assured him by smiling at him but I was starting to feel drained.
I noticed Arran's family was making sure these three don't cross each other path. I didn't fail to notice how many times Sophia tried approaching Arran but was prevented by his family. I loved how protective his family was.
Speaking of Arran, he was surrounded by girls, who were doing their best to grab his attention. I recognised that expression on his face very well. He was polite but he was growing agitated.
"Do you still think you have a chance with him?"
I didn't turn to see who it was.
"Why do you care so much?" I sighed tiredly.
"That's Bethany, heiress to world's largest IT provider. The one standing on the side, she's Mr Wheeler daughter and he's the owner of world's largest Oil Corporation. You've already met Julianne." Sophia stated.
"Wow...you are very interested in everyone's business." I muttered sarcastically.
"Only those who matters and right now you don't. I'm just saying it wouldn't matter in the end. You mean nothing to him." Sophia bit out bitterly.
"You meant everything to him then why did you betray him?" I looked straight in her eyes and questioned her. She sucked in a sharp breath. Her face was clouded and her eyes turned cold.
When she didn't reply, I said, "Thought so."
I was hoping she would take a hint and walk away. I noticed Arran was now staring at us with a crease forming between his eyebrows.
"You won't get it now but you will soon." She said dejectedly. I looked at her again. "You don't know how it feels like standing next to them... trying to fit in. They will include you in their conversation but only to laugh at you behind your back. Sophia and Arran. They laughed at that thought and that was when Arran wasn't involved in this multi billionaire business. Doesn't it scare you even a little?" Her tone held genuine curiosity.
I thought about her question. "Why would I be scared?" I questioned her back.
"That how can someone like you who has nothing to offer to him, be with him? What's your education? What's your family background? How many assets do you own? Do you even know what you want to do? You can't stay his PA forever. Arran's mother wouldn't even pass a second glance at you. I mean why would she. You are nothing."
Anger flared inside me. Every drop of blood in my body felt like it was on fire. I was so done with her bullshit.
"Very rich coming from you. You got yourself out of that situation by marrying Adrian." I managed to say between my gritted teeth.
Thank god for the loud music that kept everyone distracted.
"Yes I did." She replied, shamelessly. "Look at those bitches now. They will make sure I am the centre of the conversation. They will make sure I'm satisfied and they will laugh along with me, not at me. That's the power I got for a small sacrifice I made. Worry about yourself Emberly. They will crush you and Arran won't be there to save you." She let out a vicious laugh.
If anyone passed by, they would assume we were having a normal conversation. If only they could feel the fire burning inside me. She thinks what she did to Arran is justifiable. Oh, how wrong she was.
"Quite a character you have. What makes you think they are still not laughing at you? After all, you haven't done anything remarkable than sleeping with one brother to another. Other than that, what do you have to offer?" I raised my eyebrow at her. This must have hit the nerve because her face turned red. I smirked.
"You bitch." She took a threatening step toward me. I raised my eyebrows to say 'try me'. I remained still. I didn't know where I got this braveness from but I was tired of her bullshit.
"You act holier than thou... you want to play the victim card when the reality is, you are just a manipulator. Your circumstances maybe were harsher growing up but you chose to become this person and now you cant stand the fact that Arran is aware of this. Everyone knows. The people you claim to care about you, recognises this too. They might not say in your face but trust me everyone knows what a gold-digger you are. " I gritted, trying to keep my anger and tone under control.
She was stunned and she kept opening and closing her mouth but couldn't come up with a reply. Her face was matching her dress. Her knuckles were turning white, her nose flaring. Under normal circumstance, I would've been scared of her but looking her like this gave me a deep satisfaction.
"You will regret this... I will crush you. You..." She managed to say between angry pants and I rolled my eyes sarcastically.
Luckily, Arran's dad appearance caused her to halt. Mr Raymond assessed us both, his eyes narrowing when they met with Sophia's. She was seething now and giving me a last look, she walked away. I didn't miss the challenging look she passed me.
"Ahhh just the person I was looking for. Dance with me." Mr Raymond turned his attention to me.
I took his hand and he led me to the dance floor.
"You look a little sad. Did she say something to you?" He probed.
"Nothing that I haven't heard before." I tried smiling but must have failed because his eyes turned soft.
"Hmm... and what would that be?" He asked me gently.
"That someone like me doesn't belong in his world." I was embarrassed to say this out aloud but what if his family thinks the same.
I never thought I would meet Arran; forget becoming part of his world.
"But you're already a part of his world. If I recall it correctly, you didn't care what anyone thought about you and I still believe you don't... then what changed?"
I didn't matter then. It does now because of my feelings. My feelings for him changed.
I fell for him.
I hate how her words formed unwanted doubts in my head.
"I like Arran..." I said truthfully. A look of surprise followed by understanding passed on his face.
I continued, "I like him very much and by the way there's nothing in the contract about liking Arran."
"But..." He knew there was more to that.
"But I can't help but think how different our lives are. He graduated from a top university and I'm a drop out. He has achieved so much already and I don't know what I want to do next. If I weren't his assistant I wouldn't have met him."
I was surprised to see Mr Raymond grinning at me.
"Do you see the way he is looking at you?"
I found Arran dancing with Tori but his eyes was fixed on me. His green eyes held so much emotion that it startled me.
"He hasn't moved his eyes away from you. He is keeping all the men who are ogling at you away by glaring at them. The boy doesn't know yet how much you mean to him but I can guarantee, he will not let you go so easily. Emberly, at the end it doesn't matter how much his assets are worth. They are useless when you don't have someone special to share your happiness with. My boy is happy and that's because of you."
I shifted from one foot to another feeling completely embarrassed.
Why do I have to be insecure?
He must have sense this because he said, "It's natural to have doubts. You both are different but then I expect you to be different. As they say, opposite attracts. You made my boy happy again. He is opening up. Regarding what everyone else says, it shouldn't matter. You both are young. You have your life ahead to figure out your indifferences. I would suggest you to enjoy the moment."
"Thank you." A knot formed in my throat.
"No Emberly... thank you. When I asked you to make my son fall in love with you, I was desperate. I'm only a father who wants his children to be happy. Even if one of them has done something unforgivable."
"He doesn't deserve the pain he's in." I said truthfully.
"That's why I'm happy you're in his life. You have no other motive. You don't care about the materialistic things that are attached to him and that's why I am confident in both of you. It is unfortunate how both of you met but everything happens for a reason. Over the past few months, you showed how strong you are. Despite the situation you are in, you held your head high. Now go there and dance with him before he decides that he is better off as an orphan."
"And one last thing..." What he said next stunned me and I smiled gratefully at him.
Arran took my hand. I placed my hands on his broad shoulder and he placed his hand on my waist, closing the distance between us. Even with high heels on, my forehead was just brushing his chin. His scent was everywhere around me. My heartbeats were frantic, whereas his were calm.
"Hey." I whispered. I took a moment to appreciate what I was seeing. Butterflies erupted in my stomach and I found myself smiling like an idiot.
"You're staring." He said warily causing me to smile.
"Just appreciating." I teased him causing his ears to reddened.
"You look beautiful, Emberly. Everyone can't stop looking at you." He said huskily in my ear.
His green eyes darkened when they connected to mine. He gazed at me intently making sparks erupt in my body. We swayed slowly to the beat of the song.
"I think your granddad has something to do with that. Can you please talk to him Arran? He keeps mentioning that night. All we did was just dance." I couldn't think straight and mumbled.
He threw his head back and laughed. I saw people curiously looking at us. Something must have showed on my face because he tilted his head.
"Hey... don't look at them."
"They are probably thinking... her?" I said dejectedly but it was the bitter truth that I had to get used to.
"Is it bothering you?" He frowned and furrowed his eyebrows.
"I'll just have to get used to it. It's not like I can become an heiress over a night. I have you accept who you are." I said matter-of-factly.
"Does it bother you?" He questioned me again and I thought about this.
"Hmmm... lets see. Am I bothered that I am not an heiress or the fact I didn't go to an a elite university?" I pretended to think.
"Emberly." He said my name softly.
"I can't change myself or my circumstances." I said truthfully.
"I wouldn't expect you to. There wouldn't be a difference between Sophia and I, if I cared about these petty things." He said truthfully. My eyes widened in a surprise.
"Arran..." I said his name softly.
"I like the fact that you have guts to tell me when I am wrong. You don't sugar coat the reality for me. Rather than pushing for answers, you chose to trust me by being patient. This matters to me the most. You understand me." He smiled sincerely and emotions clogged my throat. To answer your question, it doesn't matter. I like the way you are." He said earnestly, causing my heart to miss a beat.
The look on his face showed he meant every word he uttered. My cheeks felt warmer than before and I started smiling all over again.
"Stop." He warned, only for me to smile widely.
"Awww..." Before I could say anything, he quickly twirled me. I laughed.
So what if people were staring at us. I didn't care what they thought about us. When I faced him again, his eyes were warm and he had a smile on his face.
It was right then that I realised.
I was in love with Arran.
My eyes widened and I stopped smiling.
Holy shit.
"What's wrong?" He stopped smiling too and questioned me worriedly.
I couldn't believe it.
I love Arran!
I opened my mouth to say god know what when Sophia's voice interrupted us.
"Sorry Emberly, can I steal him from you?" She said sweetly and I didn't miss the double meaning behind her words.
My head snapped towards her and then Arran. His face was clouded and his eyes turned cold.
"I'll be fine." His voice was like a blistering cold shard of ice. He gave me a tight smile.
"Sure." I stepped back, suddenly feeling cold from lost of his touch.
"I told you, you will regret this." she whispered in my ear and wasted no time clinging to him.
She placed her one hand on his shoulder and another on his torso.
She turned around and smirked at me.
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First of all apologies for taking so long!
I was planning to keep this chapter short and simple and then I thought what the fun in doing that... so next thing I knew this chapter was going on and on and on!
This chapter is 18 pages long and I have decided to reward you all for being ever so patience with me! Thank you SO much for the support. I was hesitant continuing this book but your comments encourage me to keep writing.
I do hope you enjoy this chapter. Story will pick up its pace from now on.
As usual, please let me know how it was, point out any errors and mistakes.
Enjoy, vote and comment.
Love,
Meeruh x