Liam's POV
It started like any other day, loud alarm clock, cold cup of coffee, lying in bed staring at the cracked ceiling of my apartment, feeling useless. My rent was overdue, and my freelance coding jobs weren't paying enough. If I didn't find a big job soon, I'd lose my home.
Just as I was about to open my laptop for another day of job searching, my phone buzzed. The name on the screen shocked me, Dr. Emma Carter.
Emma Carter was no ordinary person. She was a genius with two PhDs, a billion-dollar tech company, and the attention of everyone important in the tech world. We went to high school together, but we hadn't talked since. Back then, she was the nerdy girl building robots during lunch while I skipped class.
Curious, I picked up the call. "Liam Winters," she said, her voice sharp and confident. "I need your help."
"You need me?" I asked, surprised.
"Yes. It's a business deal. Can we meet?"
An hour later, I was sitting across from Emma in a fancy café downtown. She hadn't changed much, she still had the same piercing eyes and confident attitude. She wore an expensive suit that looked like it belonged in a magazine.
"Let's cut to the chase," she said, pushing a contract over the table. "I need a husband."
I almost choked on my coffee. "What?"
"It's temporary," she explained, calm as ever. "I'm being considered for a government project, but they only accept people who seem 'stable.' Being married counts as stable."
"And you're asking me because.?" I said, still trying to process.
"You're replaceable," she said bluntly. "No offense."
"No offense taken." I said, though it hurt.
She leaned forward. "Here's the deal, we get married for six months, then we end it quietly. I'll pay off all your debts and give you a full-time job at my company."
I wanted to laugh and say no, but then I thought about my overdue rent and empty bank account. This might be my only chance to fix my life.
"What if I say no?" I asked.
"I'll find someone else," she said. "But I'd prefer you."
I stared at the contract. It was full of legal terms, proving she was serious. My pen hang over the dotted line.
"What's the catch?" I asked.
"There isn't one," she said, smirking slightly. "Just act like my husband in public. I'll handle the rest."
I signed.
Three days later, we were married at city hall. It was quick and plain, just vows, a bored officiant, and two strangers as witnesses. Emma wore a navy jumpsuit instead of a dress.
It was when I moved into her penthouse that reality hit me. Her life was nothing like mine, her home was spotless, high-tech, and organized. There were gadgets everywhere and shelves full of books I couldn't even begin to understand.
"Rule one," she said as I put my suitcase in the guest room, "we live our own lives unless we're in public. Do whatever you want, but don't ruin my reputation."
"Got it," I said, already feeling out of place.
In the following weeks, I realized how busy her life was. She spent most days in her lab working on secret projects about AI and nanotechnology. When she wasn't working, she was meeting investors, doing interviews, or going to charity events.
My job was simple, pretend to be her husband. I smiled for fancy dinners, and I put on suits to parties where wealthy people spoke about things I never comprehended. I even once posed for the cover of a magazine with her.
But at times, flashes of the old Emma burst forth-the one from high school, awkwardly gape. One evening, I sat beside her on the balcony, lost in the glimmer of the city lights.
"Do you ever regret it?" I asked, passing her a cup of coffee.
"Regret what?"
"Living like this. Always working, always stressed."
She didn't respond. Then she said, "Success has a price. Regrets won't change anything, so I don't waste time on them."
Her words stuck with me.
Things got interesting at a gala where Emma was receiving an award. The place was full of important people and sparkling decorations.
Then, a man walked up to our table. He was tall, superior, and clearly knew Emma.
"Emma," he said with a sly smile. "It's been a while."
Her body stiffened. "Dr. Noah."
From their tense conversation, I realized he was her old mentor, the one who tried to ruin her career.
"Still pretending to be a genius?" he curl one's lip. "I wonder how long it'll last."
Before I could stop myself, I said, "It'll last as long as she wants. Emma's not pretending she's changing the game."
Noah glared at me, but Emma gave me a small, rare smile. For the first time, I felt like I was more than just her fake husband.
As we left the event, she turned to me. "Thank you. For standing up for me."
"Anytime." I said, realizing I meant it.
The months ahead would be tough, but I was starting to see something more in Emma. Beneath all her genius and confidence, she was just a person trying to figure things out like me.
And for better or worse, we were in this together.
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This story is also available in Wattpad, I hope you will enjoy reading my story. 😊
- MSCELENE