Chapter 3: What was he doing here?

Emma's POV

I was pulled from a deep tequila-induced sleep by the sound of a loud knock. Groaning, I rolled over, burying my face into the plush pillow, willing whoever it was to go away. But the knocking didn't stop. It got louder. More insistent.

I groaned, sat up with a pounding headache, and made my way to the door.

Opening it a crack, I came upon Liam standing on my porch, infuriatingly fresh in a crisp white shirt, his dark hair mussed just enough to achieve that bed-head look without looking like he'd actually just rolled out of bed.

"My dad wants to meet you," he said as casually as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

I blinked at him, my sleep-fogged brain trying to catch up. "Excuse me? Your what?"

Liam was leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed over his chest, looking way too smug for my liking. "My father. I told him about us. He insists on meeting you. Today."

My jaw dropped. "What the hell?! I never agreed to this!"

"You fainted before saying yes or no," he returned suavely, his lips twisting in mirth. "I took that for a yes."

I stared at him in utter disbelief-a thousand emotions running through me: shock, anger, frustration.

"You, what?! You can't just decide things like that for me!" I snapped, stepping back into the room and running a hand through my hair in frustration. "This is insane. I don't even know you!"

Liam shrugged and followed me inside like he owned the place. "You know me well enough to cram a ring onto my finger and claim me as your fiancé in front of your ex, so let's just say you're not one to avoid dramatics," he said, one side of his mouth curling sardonically.

I clenched my fists, biting down the urge to scream. "Thank you, Liam," I said in as much sarcasm as I could muster. "Thank you for letting me stay here, for not letting me pass out on the beach. But I'm leaving now." I grabbed my bag and slung it over my shoulder. "Goodbye."

Before I could take one step past him, his hand shot out and gently took my wrist. "Emma, wait."

I still went at how my name flowed so effortlessly from his tongue.

"It's only for a few months," he said softly, his blue eyes searching into mine. "My dad keeps setting me up on blind dates with daughters of his business partners. I need him to back off." He paused, his voice dipping lower. "And you. you need to get back at Ryan."

The mention of Ryan made my heart ache with new anger. "I don't need to do anything," I snapped, but Liam's gaze never wavered.

"I can make him regret ever cheating on you," he said, quiet confidence laced through every word. "All you have to do is play along."

I stared at him, weighing my options. Fake dating a billionaire for a few months to make my ex squirm? It sounded ridiculous. It was preposterous. But then again, what did I have to lose? I was already here, and the thought of Ryan seeing me with someone like Liam. It was tempting.

I exhaled heavily. "Fine," I said after a long pause. "Three months. That's all."

"Five," Liam immediately shot back.

I narrowed my eyes. "Four, and that's pushing it."

He grinned, looking very pleased with himself. "Deal."

Liam didn't waste any time. He had everything arranged, he had picked out an elegant, off-shoulder emerald dress that clung to me in all the right places.

And how he got to know that this was my perfect size, was really questioning.

He even arranged for a hairstylist and makeup artist, and before I knew it, I was transformed into someone who looked like they actually belonged in his world.

I was done dressing, and as we mounted the staircase that led to his father's dining hall, Liam caught my hand, threading our fingers together. His grasp was firm and warm, and against my will, I found a fleeting sense of security.

"Just relax," he whispered, bending close as we neared the dining room. "My father can be. intense. But I'll handle him."

I nodded, a bit beyond nervous by then. The panelled doors opened into an incredibly tastelessly decorated dining room with one piece of polished mahogany serving as the table and set with crystal glasses and bright silverware.

At the head of the table sat an older man who stared sharply at us the moment we walked in. He was certainly Liam's father, I put up a fake smile, there was no room for suspicions.

But my smile turned into a frown. I barely registered Liam's father because standing a few feet away, near the entrance door, was Ryan.

My heart dropped into my stomach. What the hell was he doing here?

Ryan's eyes went round with surprise when he laid sight on me. His lips parted in some semblance of disbelief. Freezing, I tried to take in what was happening when Liam didn't bat an eye.

"This," he said easily, his hold on my hand tightening, "was my surprise for you."

I swung him a sharp glance. You had to be shitting me.

My eyes were back on Ryan who approached us, the stern and confused look on his face was priceless. This was what I wanted but why did Liam invite him over.

Liam's dad started talking, my thoughts disrupted. “You didn't tell me you got yourself an angel, boy.” Liam's father teased, I smiled, focusing on him now.

“Name?”

“Emma.” I said, pecking the old man, my eyes deliberately glanced at Ryan who was still in shock. I guess he was speechless because he was in his boss's house, probably too scared to lose his precious job.

Suddenly Liam's father's phone rang. “Excuse me guys, I need to take this. I'll be back.” He said, I watched him leave for a moment.

“Mr Matthews. I'm glad you're here on time. You should join us for lunch.” Liam said, pulling out a chair for me to sit.

“You called me here for business or to showcase that you are now engaged to my ex.” Ryan replied, his voice cold even though he tried to look calm about the situation.

I had no idea what was going on here, I refused to sit, shocked at how Ryan replied to Liam, his Boss.

“I invited you here for business, but it seems like you're still on about your ex.” Liam paused, glaring at me for a moment.

“If you badly want her back, she's all yours, that's if she wants to be with you again but then I don't think I will be so nice to also offer you the million dollar contract too.” Liam was done talking, and now I understood the whole drama playing out here.

Ryan clenched his fist, “You can keep her. The million dollar contract is way important to me.” He replied, his eyes fixed on me, I could feel my heart break for the second time again.

No matter what I do he still won’t feel my revenge, but instead being weak I was even more determined. As long as I am still Emma, Ryan would come back on his go beg me.