"What?" Christopher looked at Emilia in shock. "What are you saying, Emilia?"
"That you must suffer me for another six months." Emilia shrugged as she looked at him. "I want more benefits though." She joked, her natural response in that crucial moment.
"Let me come back in a day or two. I feel like you have a big decision to make here." The lawyer said as he swiftly packed up and left the room.
"Are you mad?" Christopher asked Emilia directly.
"You have married a stranger to meet a stupid wishes of a cadaver. Which one of us is truly mad?" Emilia fired back. Christopher sneered at her comment, trying his hardest to contain the laughter. No one else would have called his father a cadaver.
Mr Thompson paused as he watched the interaction.
"I cannot hold you responsible for this mess." Christopher explained but Emilia just scowled at him.
"I cannot let you lose out on a fifty billion inheritance."
"It's actually closer to five hundred billions." He corrected her.
"See!" Emilia gesticulated. "I mean, how bad can it be?"
"You've just tried to kill Patrick over this shitshow."
"Yes. But that's different."
"How?"
"I didn't get a say. I have a say now. It's all about having a choice."
"I don't understand." Christopher mumbled.
"We've been married, unknowingly to me, for six months. How bad can it be to do it for another six? I can manage. And you get whatever your father has left behind. I don't care what you do in your private life just as I didn't for the last six months." Emilia spoke quickly and nervously.
"Emilia, why?"
Emilia paused.
"Because…" Emilia hesitated. She couldn't put it into words. She couldn't explain. "Because we have nothing to lose, do we?"
Christopher hid his face in his hands, letting out a long sigh.
"Emilia…"
"Christopher." Emilia said his name with decisiveness and softness that he never heard before. He looked at her with his eyes wide open. He was speechless. "Tell me one reason why not."
"Because you were tricked into it?"
"Then. Not now."
"You've said that you wouldn't have married me."
"I wouldn't have. Not without knowing what I was getting myself into. I had a trial run now, and I know I can deal with it." Emilia smiled. "So, Mr Thompson, thank you for the information. I think it is safe to assume that the annulment won't be necessary." Emilia stood up and shook the lawyer's hand. Christopher straightened up in the chair.
"How certain are you?" He asked Emilia, a storm of conflicting emotions in him.
"As long as you do not treat it as an invitation to be a dickhead." Emilia said directly.
"No." Christopher smiled. "I wouldn't. You must remember that I have thought we were genuinely married over the last few months."
"Then I am certain. And after the one year mark, I can divorce you so you can have all your money to yourself." Her pretend grumbly tone astonished Christopher. He was not used to that cheeky side of her.
"Thank you, Mr Thompson." Christopher stood up and shook the man's hand who looked at them both in confusion, suspicion, and amazement before he packed up and left. Christopher looked back at Emilia, unsure how to proceed. She chose to be with him for the next half of a year. She CHOSE him, and for his sake.
"I guess a few things are ought to be different now." Emilia tilted her head as she watched Christopher walk back to his chair on the other side of the desk.
"Perhaps. What are your thoughts?"
"It might be more fitting if I refer to you by your first name instead. If you are alright with it, of course."
"I couldn't dream of anything more. What would you like me to change?"
"I am unsure. I will let you know as we go."
Christopher nodded as he opened the drawer and took out a jewellery box.
"Even if you do not wish to wear it, it is yours." Christopher moved it towards Emilia. Emilia opened the box with extreme gentleness. Her face changed into one of astonishment as her eyes laid on the ring and matching jewellery set. It was much more luxurious and beautiful than anything she saw before.
"A ring?"
"Yes. It was customised to go with my wedding band." Christopher reached his hand out with the new ring on his finger. "It was ready only a few days ago due to the number of jewels it required."
"It's beautiful." Emilia looked at the ring and then at him.
Emilia took the ring out of the box, placing it on her finger. It fit her perfectly. The widest smile crept onto her face.
"Thank you. I'm keeping it regardless of the divorce." Emilia said with a wide grin. Christopher reciprocated the smile. He enjoyed Emilia teasing him and her lightheartedness. "Also, I haven't seen Barky in a while."
"He is perfectly fine. He has been out for a walk with Bernadette this morning and last I saw him he was napping on the sofa. I have started to take him on walks in the evenings whenever I can and I will do so tonight."
"Thank you."
"The entire living room stinks now."
Emilia laughed at Christopher's statement.
"I feel much better so I should start taking him on the walks again. And if you permit, I don't mind him staying in my bedroom."
"As you wish. I didn't want him to disturb you while you were unwell. And… I would prefer if you were accompanied for the walks until I am certain that you're well enough. Bark Twain is a disobedient beast. I don't want him dragging you through the mud."
"No problem." Emilia smiled softly, a glimmer reappearing in her eyes, a mischievous twinkle. She looked at her ring again in complete disbelief.
"Do you like it?"
"I love it." Her brown eyes met his ocean blues. "Thank you."
"You mentioned that you wish for more benefits. Tell me what your heart desires."
"I was joking. I am content enough with what I have been given in the last few months." Emilia hesitated. "Would you be okay if I've opted for a much less formal attitude towards you? We are a form of partnership in the next few months, even if it is business only, but I feel like it might be easier if we are on much more friendly basis."
"Of course. You can be as casual as you want with me."
"And I want a bit more say in what events I am attending."
"You can attend whatever you like. Mr Cosby isn't going to manage that side of things anymore."
"What happened to Mr Cosby?"
"I am yet to work that out. He is on indefinite suspension until I come up with suitable punishment."
"Are you going to fire him?"
"Very likely. What he did was unthinkable. He broke my and your trust."
"I suppose." Emilia looked down and her face became gloomy.
"What's the matter, Emilia?"
"Please do not be too hasty in firing him."
"I will not." Christopher tried not to laugh at how ridiculous her request was. "I need a good think about what has happened. And I will value your input. You were the one affected the most."
"Nah, I'm married to a billionaire because of him. I can let it slide."
Christopher roared with laughter.
"I'm glad that you are taking it so well."
"I am using humour to deflect the seriousness of this situation. But also, I am happy to see you laugh."
"Thank you, Emilia." Christopher looked down at his hands. "What you did for me was truly amazing and I cannot express the extend of my gratitude."
"It's alright." Emilia shrugged. "I still want to continue with my studies though." A worry flashed through her face.
"I will never stand in the way of your education and career. Again, for the past six months I truly believed us to be married. I haven't interfered with any of your activities, and I won't do it now either. If anything, I will encourage it."
"Thank you."
"Go on. Have some rest."
"Thank you. Have a good evening yourself." Emilia bowed her head before she left Christopher in the study alone.
Christopher settled in the chair and then laughed in disbelief. Emilia chose him. And she liked the jewellery. And she was charming and funny.