"What do you mean?!" Leon grabbed Emma's wrist and turned her to face him. His action was a bit harsh, and out of reflex, it made Emma wince in pain.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Cole pushed Leon back, trying to protect Emma.
It was as if Leon had snapped out of his daze. He quickly apologized, "I didn't mean to hurt you," then marched forward, trying to check her wrist.
"I should try asking to stop this marriage, right? Since you said they'd do anything—anything I asked for. So, why is it so surprising to you?" Emma's voice held a sharp edge as she looked up at Leon. Her gaze pierced through him, challenging the confidence he usually wore so effortlessly. But now, that confidence seemed to falter, and for a moment, he looked out of place, unsure of how to respond.
Cole sighed in frustration. "What are you actually trying to do?" He pushed hard against Leon's chest. "You're trying to manipulate someone who's currently suffering from amnesia?" He scoffed, his voice laced with disbelief. "Dirty Leon, I didn't know you could go this low."
Emma suddenly felt a pang of guilt in her heart as she saw the troubled expression on Leon's face in response to her unexpected request. She quickly turned her head toward Cole. "So, how about my request? Can you fulfill it?"
Cole froze, and Leon could only gaze down in silence.
The heavy silence lingered until Emma suddenly laughed aloud. "So... you could give me anything, anything, but not this?"
Once again the room fell into quietness.
"I'll leave for today," Leon suddenly spoke up, attempting to leave the room.
"Hold on…" Emma stopped him from leaving. "Aren't we supposed to try on the wedding dress today?" She gave him a subtle smirk that barely appeared.
"I thought you didn't want to continue this marriage. Discuss it with your family, and whatever your decision is, I'll go along with it." Leon's reply caused a furrow to appear on both Emma's and Cole's faces.
"Are you… sulking?" Emma's laughter erupted again. "I'm just trying to prove you're wrong, Mr. CEO."
Leon gave her a side-eye glance. "I was telling you the truth earlier, but about our marriage, everyone could agree it needs to proceed. Am I lying, Cole?"
"And why…?" Emma asked, suspicion flickering in her eyes. She was certain there was a secret hidden behind the arrangement of their marriage.
"Didn't I tell you yesterday?" Leon's low voice filled the room, his tone calm yet heavy with unspoken weight.
"It's too vague," Emma countered, crossing her arms as her gaze briefly flickered to Cole, who stood silent, seemingly at a loss for words. "Why do we need to get married?" She chuckled dryly. "You're really making me feel like the heroine in one of those novels I read, Mr. CEO."
Emma took a deep breath, her expression steady as she shifted her focus to Cole. "Cole—or however I'm supposed to address you—I'll go try on the wedding dress for now. Because, honestly, everything that's been happening since yesterday is just… fascinating." Her lips curled into a slight smirk as she turned to leave.
=====
"Nice car," Emma entered Leon's car and looked around it. Her calm behaviour made Leon gazed at her, concernedly. "What? Do you think I will act like any female lead in the novel I read, come one…I know this won't last. Things will be back in two or three days or maybe a week at last?"
Leon was still gazing at her without a word.
"Okay, okay. Let me at least be curious. So you're telling me, we need to get married and on your part the reason is…" Emma frowned, "Wait, what is the reason again? I don't remember you telling me anything about that yesterday, have you?" She rolled her eyes, having some thought, "Ah I forgot!"
Leon slightly startled by the sudden raised voice, "What is it?"
"I should ask Cole, who's Allan going to get me married to if it is not with you…who knows, he might be a…hot…daddy…" she said, half whispering towards Leon's cheek.
Leon's fingers tightened briefly around the steering wheel, his jaw clenching at her words. He cast her a sidelong glance, his lips curving into a tight smirk that didn't quite reach his eyes. "A hot daddy, huh? Is that your type?" His voice was cool, but there was an edge to it.
Emma leaned back in the passenger seat, her arms crossed, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "Who knows? If you're not giving me any reasons to stick with this arrangement, I might as well keep my options open." She tilted her head, watching his reaction closely.
Leon let out a low chuckle, though it carried no humor. "You're unbelievable, Emma." He shifted the car into gear and pulled onto the road. "You want a reason? Fine. Let's just say… keeping you close is the best way to ensure you're safe."
Emma raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Safe from what? Are we suddenly in an action movie now? Let me guess, there's a secret mafia war brewing, and I'm the key to it all?" She chuckled at her own joke, clearly amused.
Leon shot her a quick glance, his expression unreadable. "You wouldn't believe me even if I told you the truth," he murmured, more to himself than to her.
Emma's laughter died down, replaced by a flicker of curiosity. "Try me," she said softly, her teasing tone now replaced with something more genuine.
Leon hesitated, his grip on the wheel tightening for a moment before he exhaled, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. "Not yet." His voice was firm, cutting off any further questions.
Emma leaned back, her smile returning, though softer this time. "Fine. Keep your secrets, Mr. CEO. But if this turns into one of those wild plot twists, don't blame me when I start asking for a rewrite."
Leon's hands tightened briefly on the steering wheel before he muttered under his breath, "You're the fate that could rewrite my life…"