When Emily Jackson accepts a lucrative deal from the enigmatic and often rude Javier Black, falling for him is the last thing she expects. But as they collaborate, their undeniable chemistry resurfaces, bringing with it a storm of buried secrets, vengeful exes, and messy pasts. Can they overcome their differences and let love take the reins?
The air was misty and birds chirped rapidly on the window sill, the smell of cinnamon drifted into the air. White miniature bells were tightly stringed to the trees at the garden and white pearls were littered on the aisle.
Guests had started trooping in to witness the marriage ceremony that had been the talk of the town. To the public eye, it was a wedding between two university lovebirds but people who were close to them knew it was just a mere business contract to rebuild Daniel Jacksons' empire and elevate him on the business ladder.
The first meeting between the couple was orchestrated by Emily's father; Daniel, who was bent on exchanging his daughter for a huge sum of money. Cole, who had always had eyes for Emily, saw this as an opportunity to gain full access into her life.
He was studying law while she followed the footsteps of her father by studying Business Administration which was solely his decision.
It was all for the media; the public dates, public affection and open kisses. None of them were real. Cole seemed to be the only one who was having the best time of his life while Emily was paraded around like a live doll Barbie.
It wasn't her decision to make but she was left with no other option but to succumb to her father's command. Threatened with being thrown out of the house and cut off from her fathers' inheritance, she was convinced by her mother; Emma, to listen to her father and avoid issues.
Emily was sick and tired of her fathers' highly manipulative behavior and wished she wasn't born into the family. Right from childhood, she had always done her fathers' bidding and gave in to his incessant demands. Her mother was weak and naïve to stand up for her daughter; she had submitted to her fate and wished her daughter could do the same.
"You look so beautiful my dear, just like your mother did on our wedding day." Daniel softly said, acting like a loving father but mother and daughter knew it was all a plan to deceive people. He trailed his fingers through her neatly braided hair and settled on her shoulder, leaving a tight squeeze. It was a warning not to mess things up and disgrace him in front of everyone.
Emily rolled her eyes in disgust and held herself back not to spit at him. One look from her mother caused her to swallow back the words she wanted to spew out.
"Thank you, daddy. You don't look bad either." She mocked raised eyebrows. Daniel inhaled a sharp breath and reeled in his brewing anger. He dusted off the invisible dust on his shoulders and made his way towards the door but not before leaving a message to Emma.
"Ensure that your daughter doesn't destroy everything I've worked hard to build or else she's going to find herself on the streets and you're going to pay dearly for her mistakes." He looked at her with so much hate and his face was cold. Emma fidgeted under his stare and was forced to stare at the floor.
Daniel reveled in people's fear, it made him elated and fuelled his ego. His eyes surveyed the room and met the eyes of the bridesmaids and makeup artists. They all looked scared and surprised to witness the ever calm and collected Daniel Jackson act differently.
To the public, he flaunted himself as a loving father and husband while Emily was forced to smile at the camera and act as the submissive and obedient child. He knew if he didn't say or do something to save his face, he would lose the fake image he had built for himself.
"Also, I must commend you all for turning this anticipated day into a reality. Thank you very much, great job!" His words seemed to clear the air and lifted their spirits, they all cheered and thanked him.
With the close of the door, Emily instructed everyone to leave except her mother.
"Mom, I can't do this. I can't go out there and lie to everyone that I'm happily in love with a man that I don't know. I can't spend my whole life with him." She whispered fiercely. Hot tears streamed down her cheeks, she tried to stop them but to no avail.
Rushing towards her, Emma wiped off her cheeks with shaky hands but Emily slapped them off.
"Mom, just stop please. It's enough already." She placed her hands over her face and sobbed uncontrollably.
"Emily, you're going to ruin your make-up. Your father is going to be mad." Her mom breathed out. Her eyes searched the dresser for tissues or anything that could dry up the tears.
"Really? Mom, is that the only thing you care about? What about me, your daughter? Don't I have a say in all these?" Emily was heartbroken that her mom took sides with her father and never listened to her own opinions.
Emma huffed at her daughter's attitude; she wondered why Emily was stubborn as a mule like her father. She assumed that it was the best decision Emily could make to remain on her father's good books.
"You would learn to love him later on. That's how it was for me and your father. We didn't love each other in the beginning but we later fell in love. It would be much easier for you because Cole loves you, do the right thing."
Do the right thing...those words kept ringing in her head as her father walked her down the aisle. Emily was oblivious to the fake smiles and shiny white teeth, not even when her father handed her over to Cole.
Her mothers' words resonated in her head once again. Doing the right thing was going to be a costly decision but she was willing to risk it.
"Emily!" Her mother called out as she ran out of the venue leaving her veil behind.
Chapter 1 Wedding Bells
03/12/2024
Chapter 2 Haunting Memories
03/12/2024
Chapter 3 Broken Hearts
03/12/2024
Chapter 4 Finger's Crossed
03/12/2024
Chapter 5 The Deal
03/12/2024
Chapter 6 Prying Eyes
03/12/2024
Chapter 7 Drinking Sorrows
03/12/2024
Chapter 8 Fundraising Events
03/12/2024
Chapter 9 Old Faces
03/12/2024
Chapter 10 The Contract
03/12/2024
Chapter 11 J ENTERPRISES
03/12/2024
Chapter 12 Unanswered Questions
03/12/2024
Chapter 13 CRASHING WALLS
13/12/2024
Chapter 14 KNOWING JAVIER
13/12/2024
Chapter 15 BROKEN DEAL
13/12/2024
Chapter 16 THE DANGEROUS GAME
14/12/2024
Chapter 17 THE ULTIMATUM
14/12/2024
Chapter 18 NO TURNING BACK
14/12/2024
Chapter 19 LINES IN THE SAND
14/12/2024
Chapter 20 ELEVATOR OF CONFESSIONS
14/12/2024
Chapter 21 PUBLIC WAR
16/12/2024
Chapter 22 FRAGMENTS OF THE PAST
16/12/2024
Chapter 23 THE TRUTH HURTS
16/12/2024
Chapter 24 THE SECRETS WE KEEP
16/12/2024
Chapter 25 CONFRONTING THE SHADOWS
16/12/2024
Chapter 26 THE FRAMED
16/12/2024
Chapter 27 THE REVELATION
16/12/2024
Chapter 28 PULL BACK THE CURTAIN
16/12/2024
Chapter 29 SHADOWS OF THE PAST
16/12/2024
Chapter 30 THIS ENDS NOW
16/12/2024
Chapter 31 FALLING ALL OVER AGAIN
16/12/2024
Chapter 32 STANDING HER GROUND
16/12/2024
Chapter 33 THE SCAMMED DEAL
16/12/2024
Chapter 34 APPRECIATION AND CLOSENESS
16/12/2024
Chapter 35 PLANNING A SPECIAL NIGHT
16/12/2024
Chapter 36 RETURN TO REALITY
16/12/2024
Chapter 37 LILIANS'S WARNING
16/12/2024
Chapter 38 A RIVAL EMERGES
16/12/2024
Chapter 39 COCO'S LAST ATTEMPT
16/12/2024
Chapter 40 A DANGEROUS ALLIANCE
16/12/2024
Other books by Vinx Ink
More