CHAPTER THREE: Binding Contract

Alex alighted from the car as his secretary held the door open for him. It was dark outside and the hospital’s harsh fluorescent lights cast eerie shadows across the parking lot. He had chosen to come in the night so no one recognizes him.

He and Tony made their way to Emma’s room, the hushed whispers of the nurses and the occasional beep of medical equipment echoed through the corridors.

As they approached Emma’s room, Alex signaled to Tony to stay outside. He heard her voice through the thin barrier and she sounded like she was on a phone call.

“Ben, please I need you stay calm. The accident was not serious,” Emma said, her voice sounded strained but soothing. “I’m fine, really. It’s just a few bruises.”

“Emma you were hit by a car,” her brother’s worried voice cackled through the speaker, “How can you be okay? I was worried sick!”

“I did not want to worry you, and it is really not that serious. Do not tell mom and dad, they have enough on their plate already. I’ll be out of here soon.”

Alex waited for a moment before gently knocking on the door. He heard Emma’s quiet gasp, then her hurried goodbye to her brother. “I have to go Ben. I’ll call you later. Love you.”

She looked up as Alex entered, her eyes widened in surprise. He was really handsome in his casual blazer over simple shirt and slacks. Alex plastered a charming smile on his face, trying his best to appear non-threatening.

“Miss Knightley, I presume?” he said, his voice deep and smooth.

Emma blinked, trying to place the face. She had never met him before “That’s me. Who are you?”

Alex took a step closer, maintain his easy smile. “My name is Alexander Cole. Heir to Cole’s enterprises. I believe it was my driver who hit you.”

Emma went through a range of emotions, from curiosity to confusion. But she settled on anger. “Your driver?”

“Yes,” Alex lied smoothly. “I have already taken action. He has been fired, and I want to make sure you were compensated for your troubles.”

Emma frowned, unsure where this was going. "Compensated how?"

“Let’s just say I feel responsible. And I have a proposition for you.” He took her silence as permission to carry on “I can cover all your medical expenses, but there is something I need from you in return”

“And what is that?” she asked warily.

Alexander took a deep breath and looked her directly in the eyes. "I need a wife. For two years. It's a business arrangement, nothing more. In exchange, I will cover all your medical expenses and pay you three million dollars for each month we are married."

Emma’s mouth dropped open, shocked and confused. “Really? Why would you do this?”

“My position in the company is at risk, I need a stable family image and you need financial help. It is mutually beneficial.”

Emma's mind raced, the offer was too outrageous to believe. She thought of her father’s health, the overwhelming hospital bills and her wretched apartment. She was supposed to get married next week anyways, but Ethan ruined that. Might as well play wife to a billionaire she thought.

“Why me?” she asked her final question.

Alex leaned forward, his hazel eyes piercing through her soul, “I need someone who won’t complicate things. You are in a difficult situation because of my driver, and I can help you it is a fair deal.”

Before she could respond, a man entered the room holding a briefcase. "This is Tony," Alexander said. "He’s my assistant. He has the contract ready for you to review."

Emma took the contract from Tony with shaky hands. She skimmed through the terms, it really was all there in black and white. Two years of marriage, three million dollars a month. All she had to do was be a dutiful wife and attend important meetings and functions with Alex.

At the bottom of the page, she saw a clause that stated she was never to disclose the terms of the marriage to anyhow. To the outside world this was real, if she failed meet this condition, her monthly p*****t will be stopped. Emma looked up at him as she read the clause.

Alex saw her reaction to the clause, “it’s just to be on the safe side, I am sure you understand.”

"I... I don't know what to say," Emma murmured, overwhelmed.

"Take your time," Alexander said softly. "But remember, this is a business deal. We both get something we need."

After a long pause, she looked up at Alexander and nodded. "I'll do it."

Tony handed her a pen, and with a shaky hand, Emma signed the contract. Alexander's eyes softened as he watched her, she really was pretty. Even in the awful hospital gown.

"Thank you," he said, his voice sincere. "I promise you won't regret this."

Just then, the doctor walked in, looking surprised to see Alexander. "Mr. Cole, I wasn't expecting you."

Alexander turned to him, his demeanor all business again. "Doctor, Miss Knightley will be moving to a better room and receiving the best treatment available. I'll cover all the costs."

The doctor nodded, "Of course, Mr. Cole. We'll make the arrangements immediately."

As the doctor left to make the necessary preparations, Alexander turned back to Emma. "You'll be well taken care of," he assured her. "I'll have Tony stay with you to ensure everything goes smoothly."

Emma nodded, still trying to process everything. As Alexander prepared to leave, he turned to Tony and spoke in a low voice. "Make sure she and Blake never meet each other."

Tony nodded and Alexander stepped out into the cold of the night. As he stepped out of the room, Emma asked Tony, “What kind of man is Alexander Cole?”

Tony only gave her a half smile and said “I guess you are about to find out.” Just then a nurse walked in with a wheelchair to move Emma to her new room.

Alex found Blake waiting for him nervously by his car. He approached him with his imposing figured and spoke over his head.

“You’re fired,” Alex said coldly, but before Blake could react, he added, “You will be compensated with a generous severance package. Emma is never to see your face or find out who really caused the crash. Do you understand?”

Blake nodded, relief washing over his features. “Thank you, Mr. Cole. She will never find out.”

Alex ignored his gratitude and entered his car, he was about to drive off when he rolled down the window to study Blake’s demeanor. He asked a question that had been on his mind all day.

“Why didn’t you attend to the hospital bills like I asked you to in the morning?”

“I…uhm. I was not stable because she seemed really hurt and i...” It seemed he could not put together a sentence. Alex raised a brow at this, but it had been a long day so he ignored the nagging feeling.

“Tony will contact you tomorrow.” With that he drove off into the night.

But little did he know that someone was watching them from the shadows.