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FIVE
EMMA
It took everything in me to keep my hands from shaking as we exited the limo my father had picked me up in. I was surprised to see him sitting in the back with my brother William when the driver opened the door for me. I had suspected that he would ride separately, but I guess he wanted to make an entrance tonight. Before I could even get into the car, he made me spin in a small circle to make sure I was up to his standards. With a tight smile, he nodded and let me enter the car.
Together we rode in silence to the event. It took about forty-five minutes to make our way downtown. I expected my father to give me a lecture the whole ride, but he spent more time looking at his phone than anything, which I was thankful for. I really didn’t need to be told again to be on my best behavior and keep my mouth shut.
“Do not speak unless spoken to. Always have a smile on your face,” my father chides as the car comes to a stop. Looking out the window on my father’s side of the car I see a ton of reporters in attendance with all their cameras filming everything. He really made this into a huge event.
Most likely to get more money out of everyone. It’s not like we don’t already have enough as it is.
As he opened the door to exit, I made sure to plaster on my best people-pleasing smile and scooted to the edge of the seat to follow him. Playing the part, my father held his hand out for me to take to assist me out of the back seat. Once out, I placed my hand on the crook of his elbow and let him guide me forward. Reporters shouted to get us to turn and look at them, posing for pictures and stopping for comments. My father took his time to stop with almost everyone. He smiled at the camera, answering simple questions before moving on to the next. If a question was directed towards me, I was quick to give a polite smile, short answer, and let my father take over the conversation.
Most people in the town thought me to be the shy one of the family. Very rarely was I seen and public and even then I was rarely alone. It wasn’t that I didn’t like others; my father just didn’t trust me. Ten years and he is still holding my relationship with Trevor and the birth of our daughter over my head. He knows I would do anything for Alexis after begging him to let me keep her. No one in town even knows she’s my daughter. They think she is a younger half-sister that I’m taking care of. That’s the story my father told the town when we came home with a baby. When she was enrolled in school, my father made sure only her first name and date of birth were listed. I know he paid a pretty penny to get the district to look the other way.
At least the questions about me going to college stopped pretty quickly when my father said I was staying home to help raise my younger sister while doing online classes due to social anxiety. That was a total lie. I did get to take some simple online classes but not enough to earn a degree of any kind. As for the social anxiety, those who knew me before Trevor left would have disagreed and said that I was a kind soul that always included everyone. But, after he left me, I secluded myself from the world thinking it was safer for everyone. It helped that I was forced to stay home from school after my father beat me so bad I could barely move. When we found out I was pregnant, he pulled me from school claiming I had some big illness that required us to travel to find a cure.
More like traveling to Europe, far away from anyone who would recognize us.
“Emma! Look this way!” a photographer shouts right as a camera flashes in front of my face pulling my attention back to the red carpet that was rolled out for us.
My father must have caught that I was distracted because his hand dug into my side where he held me in warning before guiding me past the last cameras and into the main doors. Doormen stood in front of us, keeping the double set of doors open for all those entering. I gave them a small nod in greeting that I knew my father wouldn’t catch. He may not see the point of being polite to those working, but I always have.
Once we stepped inside, I saw hundreds of people dressed to the nines at the entrance. Many stood in groups talking amongst themselves, while others were heading towards the stairs and elevators to head towards their seats. It appeared there was also a bar off towards the back right with several long lines.
Oh, how I wish I could go over and get a drink to calm my nerves. I really just want this night to end. The sooner, the better.
“Emma, why don’t you let William escort you to our box,” my father pats the top of my hand before handing me off to my brother. His suggestion is code for go sit and be quiet without making a scene. I know everyone was watching us as the three of us walked in. I’m sure the dress Nora chose for me to wear also had much to do with it. I stood out from everyone in the crowd who was wearing white and black. My father got precisely what he wanted… for everyone to have their eyes on us. Now that they did, it’s his time to socialize and make sure everyone keeps their money flowing in our city. I’m sure he is also probably trying to rig the fights to go his way depending on who makes him the best offer. I wouldn’t put it past him to do it.
“You do look beautiful, Sis,” William whispers as he guides me up the stairs.
“Thanks.”
I wish he would have taken us to the elevator, but I’m sure that would defeat the purpose of having me on display. As we walk, I feel everyone staring at us, specifically me. If it wasn’t for William escorting me, I would be moving a lot faster up these stairs.
It took a little bit, but we made it up the large staircase and then a second smaller set of stairs to reach the boxes. The stairs to the boxes were less crowded since they were reserved for the more wealthy in attendance who were all still busy schmoozing with my father. William helped me reach our box and held the door open so I could step inside. This was my first time seeing the arena transformed for an event like this. The times before I’d been here it was for a play. As I stepped inside, I moved to the side until William told me where I was to be sitting. Each time it was different, and usually, I was placed in the second row to remain more hidden. I’m sure I would be sitting in the front with my father this time.
“Front seat on the left is yours.” My brother places his hand on the small of my back pushing me forward.
See, I knew it.
Taking my seat, I let my hands sit in my lap, twisting them together until I could calm my nerves. I looked out over the arena and saw a stage in the center area. I thought that would be where the cage to fight would be, but I guess not unless it was something that could be transformed into it. The stage was set up so that everyone would be able to see it. From what I could tell there wouldn’t be a bad seat in the house.
I had been sitting quietly in the box, people watching for about thirty minutes before the volume of the room picked up as more people filled their seats. I guess the event would soon be starting. With that thought, I took a deep breath and steeled my nerves. Tonight would be when I saw who my potential future husband would be. To say I was nervous is an understatement of all statements. Marriage should be for love. Just because I resigned myself to knowing that the person my heart wanted could never be mine doesn’t mean I want a loveless marriage either.
The second I hear my father's voice on the other side of the door my back straightens so I can sit up taller. I uncross my legs and instead hook one ankle behind the other to appear more ladylike while folding my hands neatly in my lap. All of us were taught from a young age the proper way to sit and behave. At this point, it’s just ingrained in me.
“We can continue this conversation later,” my father whispers in a hushed tone as he enters the suite. I hear the door shut behind him and prepare for the rest of the evening.
Tonight is the start of my new future.
“Are you ready, Emma?” he inquires, sitting beside me. “You’re about to meet your future husband.”
I don’t answer aloud, just give a small nod in agreement and keep my eyes facing forward. Taking that as an answer, my father starts speaking to my brother, and I do my best to tune them out. I don’t want to know anything more about this world and its dealings. My eyes stay glued to the stage, using it as my focal point to tune out the world around me.
Before long, the arena lights begin to dim, and spotlights shine bright on the stage. Loud music blasts through the speakers before a young female enters the stage through a large black curtain. I guess it’s finally time. Anticipation takes over as I wait to see what will become of the night. A part of me hopes that at least I end up with someone who will be easy on the eyes so it won’t make it so hard to do what I know will eventually be expected of me. I’m almost positive my father will expect me to be with a child within a year of the marriage.
That thought however disgusts me. I never wish for anyone other than Trevor to touch me. I’m almost positive I’ll somehow have to drug myself to get through the ordeal. Hopefully whoever I’m forced to marry will only want to lie with me when necessary and no more than that.
