Bound by Contract

CHAPTER FOUR: Wedding Bells

Emma spent three more days in the hospital before the doctor cleared her for discharge. She recuperated better in the new room Alex had gotten her, although her injuries were more severe than initially thought.

Due to some fractures in her legs and arms, the doctor recommended physical therapy for six months to regain strength and mobility. Tony, always a comforting and yet firm presence, made sure she was provided for throughout her stay.

In the three days she spent in the hospital, Alex never came back to visit, which piqued her interest. They were to be married soon, and he did not care to see her.

On the day she was discharged, Tony walked into her room with a wheelchair and a change of clothes.

“Good morning, Emma,” he greeted her cheerfully. “Excited to leave this dreadful room?”

“Only a little bit,” she joked. They had gotten acquainted in the past few days.

She took the change of clothes to the bathroom and freshened up. As she returned to the room, she sat in the wheelchair and turned to face Tony, who was seated on a couch beside the bed.

“Where is Alex? I have not heard from him since that night,” she inquired.

“Don’t worry your pretty little head about that. You will see him soon,” he replied as he stood up to pack her things. “You are being moved to Mr. Cole’s penthouse; you will have everything you need there.”

“Can we stop at my apartment to get some of my personal effects though?”

“Sure. Whatever you need.”

Tony accompanied her to her small apartment. One look around showed him why Emma accepted Alex's deal without much convincing. He helped her pack her belongings as she instructed him where to put them.

“Are you ready?” Tony asked as Emma stared around the apartment.

She knew he meant if she was ready to leave the apartment, but she imagined he also meant if she was ready to uproot her old life and begin this new role as Alexander’s wife.

“I am ready,” she nodded. Tony shut the door behind them and took her to Alex’s fancy penthouse.

****

Meanwhile, Alex was busy laying the foundation for Emma’s entry into his life. He had given himself and his father some time after the tense board meeting before approaching him in his grand study of their family estate.

Stanley Cole did not spend a lot of time in the bustling city of New York except for work. He spent most of his days in the Cole mansion just a few minutes away from the city.

Alexander walked into his study, took a seat, and went straight to his reason for visiting.

“I am getting married,” he announced in a steady voice.

His father looked up from his paper, raised an eyebrow, and asked, “Married? To whom?”

“Her name is Emma Knightley. We met recently, and I am drawn to her. I do not wish to waste any time, and she is a good match for me.”

“Just last week you were reported to be in a very outrageous club, and now you are ready to settle down?” Stanley asked with skepticism.

“Let’s say our last conversation had an effect on me,” Alex responded, a hint of a smile playing at his lips.

“Very well. The board of directors will be informed. An engagement party must be held and the wedding immediately after it.”

Alex nodded and excused himself from his father’s presence. As he was driving back to the city, he called his secretary to inform him of the new development.

“Tony, get Emma prepared for the engagement party tomorrow night,” he ordered.

“She needs some more time to heal properly, plus she has asked for you,” Tony replied in a hushed tone. Alex guessed that Emma was nearby.

“She will see me soon, but the engagement party is tomorrow night at my father’s estate.” With that, he ended the call.

****

The following night, Emma stood in front of the grand mirror in her room, her reflection showing a woman she did not recognize. Tony had informed her of Alexander’s orders the night before, and she could not protest.

She knew it was a business arrangement, but she expected more kindness and less hostility from the handsome stranger who had convinced her to get married to him.

She was on her medications and had started her physiotherapy, but she still did not feel strong enough to go through an engagement tonight and a wedding tomorrow.

Tony drove her to the Cole estate, where the engagement party was being held. As she stepped out of the car, Alex was standing there in a beautiful tuxedo to escort her.

The suit looked like it was sculpted for his body, and his tall frame made her feel safe. He held out his hand to her and led her to their engagement party.

“You look beautiful,” Alex whispered in her ear just as they walked into a sea of people.

“Thank you,” she whispered back.

The engagement party was a grand affair. The room was filled with influential people, all eyes turning to Emma and some judging her because she was just an ordinary lady and no one influential they knew. Camera lights were flashing, and news reporters flooded the venue. Everyone was curious to see who Emma was.

Emma met Alex’s family, each introduction more awkward than the last. His father was dismissive of her, his words curt and his demeanor cold. He saw her only as a means for his favorite son to become CEO soon.

One of the members of the board of directors approached Alex to congratulate him. “Nicely done, Mr. Cole. Nicely done.” He gave him a little nod of approval and walked away to mingle with his peers.

Alex’s brother, Stephen Cole, greeted her with a polite smile, but Emma noticed an underlying hostility that made her uneasy.

“So, you are the lucky woman who gets to tie down Alex,” Stephen said, his tone almost mocking. “Welcome to the family.”

Emma chuckled nervously. “Thank you. I am just getting used to all of this.”

Stephen’s wife, standing beside him, gave Emma a sympathetic look. “You will get used to it in no time.”

Stephen excused himself as Alex walked up to them. As if on cue, the spotlight settled on them. Alex got on one knee and presented Emma with the shiniest and most beautiful ring she had ever seen.

“Emma Knightley, will you marry me?” he asked, and everyone around gasped.

Emma’s reaction was genuine because she did not expect such a grand gesture from him. “Yes, Alex. I will.” With a slow and deliberate motion, he slipped the ring on her finger, and she pulled him up to his feet.

His gaze never leaving hers, he gently lifted her chin and leaned in. Their lips met softly, and Emma melted completely into his embrace. The kiss was tender, a mix of warmth and sweetness. Emma instinctively stood on her toes as the kiss deepened.

His touch was both protective and affectionate, and when they finally pulled apart, Emma’s face was flushed. She wondered how Alex managed to remain composed after that moment. The crowd erupted into applause, and Alex leaned to whisper into her ear.

“Great opening show. Save some of that for the wedding tomorrow.”

Stephen looked on at the whole performance and whispered to his wife, “There was not this much fuss when we got engaged.”

“Green is not a good color on you, honey. Let them have their moment,” she said as she placed a hand on his arm.

The engagement party ended on a high note, and everyone was pumped for the wedding ceremony the next day.

****

The wedding day dawned bright and clear. Emma woke up, and there were already staff ready to poke her and play dress-up with her.

The ceremony was set in the beautiful garden of the Cole estate. As Emma was getting ready, she realized she had not told her family about the wedding.

The past week had been a roller-coaster, and she did not want to burden her family until this whole wedding was settled, and she could make up a love story for them. The wedding was not real, so she did not want to bring them into it.

The morning went by fast, and soon the “here comes the bride” tone was being played. Tony walked into Emma’s room.

“It’s time, Emma. I will be walking you down the aisle,” he told her. It was crazy how fond of Tony she had gotten in the past week.

She nodded and gave him her arm to lead her. She was still in some pain.

Alex stood at the altar, his brother scowling behind him. He looked every bit the part of a groom, his presence commanding and reassuring. His eyes twinkled as he saw Emma walking down the aisle with Tony on her arm. She looked truly magnificent.

The ceremony commenced with the priest giving the usual sermon. It sounded like a bee droning in Emma’s ear. Her feet were beginning to hurt, and she just needed the whole charade to be over with.

“Do you, Alexander Cole, take Emma Knightley to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold? In riches and in poverty, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, from this day forward, until death do you part?” the priest asked as he looked at Alex.

“I do,” Alex answered. His facial expression was the complete opposite of the nerves he was feeling.

“Do you, Emma Knightley, take Alexander Cole to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold? In riches and in poverty, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, from this day forward, until death do you part?” the priest asked Emma.

“I...” Emma’s response was immediately cut short as a loud crash erupted from behind her.

Emma turned and her eyes widened in shock, standing at the entrance of the garden were her parents, looking shocked.