Emily's pov
"We should go and meet your parents," that was the first thing Mr Williams said to me after signing the contract that I drafted. I thought he'd complain about the clauses I had placed.
He didn't. He merely paused at them, gave a small nod then picked up his pen into sign without hesitation.
"M-my parents?" I found myself stuttering, "Is that really necessary? Since our relationship is just–"
He shook his head, as though my worries were strange. Then he tapped the sign document with his finger.
"We are the only ones that know of this document and this contract to everyone else. We are actually in a real relationship, a serious one that is supposed to lead up to marriage. How do you think people are going to react if we do anything short of that?"
I mused on his question, as I did so he planted his hands on his table and pushed his chair backwards then breezed over to me, stealing a few strands of my hair and rubbing them between his fingers.
A blush stroked through my cheeks, "what are you doing Mr William's?"
He frowned deeply, "Again with that :Mr Williams', if somebody hears that there's no way they're going to believe that we are in love and thinking of marriage. The whole contract will be pointless. Don't you get it?"
His words crept through my embarrassment and struck the truth to my heart.
Why was I overthinking this whole thing? Of course, it's only natural that we pretend to be a real couple in front of others or else the contract is as good as non-existent.
"I get it Mr Williams–err Theodore…" I placed my hands on his chest, wearing what was supposed to look like a confident smile.
"I'll do my best and–" I paused speaking when the vibrations of his heart pulsed beneath my palm and he suddenly pulled away and awkwardly adjusted his tie.
"Yes, hmmm, so you'll be my fiance outside the office. But here, we'll have to maintain professional boundaries, understand?" He spoke like he was running out of air, avoiding my gaze and constantly readjusting his tie.
"Of course, I'll get right back to work, sir." The moment I was behind desk I told myself that I would push aside what happened in his office earlier, and focus on my job but I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little distracted.
The way he walked up to me, that strange look in his eyes that I couldn't quite place and the huskiness that slipped naturally into his speech…
I have myself a small slap, who cares what he sounds like while looking like a fine greek statue? He was still my boss and he literally just told me not to forget our 'professional boundaries' unless I wanted to sign myself up for heartbreak, rejection and humiliation.
With all the women Mr Williams has already rejected, I honestly doubt that I had even the shadow of a chance with him–not like I even wanted one anyways. We were too different, two worlds apart from each other.
I shouldn't forget that.
The work day came to an end and Mr Williams approached me, as he did so I was mentally fortifying myself for anything he was going to say.
" I should have mentioned this before but you won't be staying at that hotel anymore," I feel like a balloon that had been punctured unexpectedly, I guess all my fortifications were for nothing.
My head slumped, followed by shoulders.
I should have seen this coming, like a brick aimed at my face.
"Thank you, Mr Williams, I probably wouldn't have afforded to even step into the lobby of that hotel in my lifetime if it wasn't for you…" I said, trying to disguise my hurt with gratitude. "I'll find somewhere else to stay, but can I just have one more day to sort myself out?"
He gave me a puzzled look, then sighed, "I've noticed that you can be a bit of a pessimist," he pointed out.
I rubbed it on my arm, as if I was brushing off the unease I felt.
"Not really. If you have no expectations then there is no way anyone can disappoint you, right?"
He gave me a sober, pitiful look. Didn't speak for a while then suddenly held my hand.
"Mr Williams!' I called out with embarrassment, my cheeks flushing again, "someone might see us and…"
"I never said that our relationship was going to be a secret in the office, besides the workday is over so we can be more comfortable with each other, right?"
Once again I was the one that had gotten unnecessarily excited, if I kept up with this Mr Williams would eventually just get fed up with me and break the contract.
No, we were just holding hands not intermingling our bodies in bed. This…this shouldn't phase me.
I held his hand, pressing the pads of my fingers on the back of his palm and he slowed down for a bit then gradually resumed to his normal pace until we were in front of the car.
"Get in," He said, while still holding my hand. I tried to disengage but he didn't loosen his grip one but, I gave him an odd look and he suddenly seemed to realize himself.
"Oh, right…" he pulled his hand away like he just realized he was gripping a naked wife and opened the door to the passenger seat a bit wider.
The drive was quiet, he had implied that he wasn't going to have me kicked from the hotel; meaning that he had probably arranged somewhere else for me to stay.
I wanted to ask him, but didn't want to come off as too pushy.
Well, anyway he took me. It was always going to be better than being homeless even if it was far more glamorous than Golden rings.
But I was proven wrong, the edifice he slid his car in front of about fifteen minutes later was an architectural masterpiece!
"Mr. Williams I can't stay in a place like this!"
"You'll have to," he said taking off my seat belt, "It's my house,"