Chapter 3
Using the location James Sterling sent me, I made my way to the entrance of the bridal boutique.
"Ms. Summers, this way, please," the sales associate said, leading me inside.
The boutique was filled with stunning wedding dresses, each one handcrafted by renowned designers.
Following the sales associate to the fitting room, I picked out a wedding dress I liked and slipped it on. As I glanced at the mirror, a figure appeared in the reflection—it was William.
Seeing me in the wedding dress, he couldn't help but murmur, "You look beautiful."
I turned around and locked eyes with him. He quickly pressed his lips together, his face growing solemn.
"Even though the dress suits you perfectly, I'm not ready to get married yet," he said.
"The Chase family is one of the elite families, and my marriage concerns the interests of the whole family. It's something that has to be discussed with the senior family members.
"But on James's wedding day, you can wear this dress and be by my side."
I looked at the white dress William pointed out. It was priced at 3,000 dollars—the cheapest one in the entire display.
"You've been working for years, so you can afford this one. But if you want something else..." William teased, a hint of a smirk on his lips.
"I can pay for it, but you'll have to offer me something in exchange," he continued, his tone playful and a little suggestive.
I stepped down from the fitting platform. "What do you want?" I asked.
He gave me a slow, lingering look from head to toe. "Something you already have. I'm free tonight—just give me a call whenever you want," he replied.
Seeing that knowing smile on his face, I got the message. I grabbed his card straight from his pocket and walked over to the display window with the sales associate. "I'll take everything in this row," I said.
When the sales associate returned with the card, I pressed it right against William's chest. He staggered back from the force, but that self-assured, almost smug grin stayed firmly on his face.
I grabbed my bags and headed for the door, but suddenly stopped and walked over to William. "Here's your receipt," I said, handing it to him.
A moment later, William's low growl could be heard from inside the store.
"30,000 dollars? Emily, what did you even buy?" William grumbled.
Let me think... Five bridesmaid dresses, plus the flower arrangements for the venue,' I mused.
Since William Chase was so eager to be involved in the wedding, he could do his part.
Next up, I needed to stop by the florist, the church, and the lawn for the venue. With the wedding just around the corner, James and I still had a ton of preparations to handle.
We were supposed to return a month ago to hold our wedding ceremony, but our daughter broke her leg while skiing, so James and I postponed our return to take care of her.
Luckily, her leg almost recovered, so she could still be the flower girl at the wedding.
*****
When I arrived at the hotel, I walked straight into the guest suite set aside for everyone. The room was nicely laid out, and the toiletries were pure luxury. I made sure James's family would be well taken care of.
After making sure all the wedding preparations were in order, I flopped onto the bed with arms outstretched and let out a long, relieved sigh.
*****
I came to this city nine years ago. It was at this hotel that I found my very first part-time job. I was only eighteen back then.
Once, I didn't bend down while serving tea, and the customer splashed it right in my face. I panicked, totally lost. The customer yelled at me, and then the manager chewed me out too.
I apologized to the customer, and then to the manager.
Once everyone was gone, I finally dared to stand alone in the empty lobby, quietly wiping my tears away with the back of my hand. That was when William showed up and handed me a tissue.
"You remind me of someone," he said. "Be my girlfriend, and I'll give you 5,000 dollars a month."
I froze. 5,000 dollars felt like a fortune to me back then.
*****
I grew up out in the sticks, dirt poor, and college was never even an option for me.
My dad wouldn't be my co-signer, so I couldn't get a student loan.
Even though I topped the whole school in the exams, I still couldn't go to college.
*****
I turned him down and my nerves were shot. "No one's nice for nothing. You're just trying to trick me and sell me," I said, my voice trembling.
William chuckled quietly, eyeing me like I was some rare specimen. He sized me up—my hair, my clothes—and finally, his gaze settled on my hands.
"You've got chilblains. The poor kids at school say once your hands get them, they never go back to how they were," he said.
Feeling self-conscious, I hid my swollen fingers behind the cabinet and didn't dare to speak.
But his curiosity was piqued. "Looks like you two only share the same face," he continued. "Book me into the presidential suite. From now on, I want you to be the only one taking care of me."
He stayed on the top floor for three months, and every night, he'd bring me a little cake or a steaming cup of hot chocolate to warm me up.
The other staff all teased me, saying I'd met my prince charming. My ears burned with embarrassment as I quickly denied it.
But deep down, I couldn't help but hope, as I'd lived eighteen years and no one had ever treated me that well before.
I carefully took what William handed me. But every time I looked up and saw his expensive suit and limited-edition watch, I suppressed the flutter in my heart.
*****
My family was dirt poor. On top of that, my grandma was sick and my dad was nowhere to be found—everyone called him a murder suspect.
Ever since I was a kid, my relatives always told me I wasn't like the other kids and I had to behave and act mature.
Being loved and enjoying life was for other people—I had to grow up fast to carry the weight of my family.
But when William was kind to me, something new stirred inside—I felt things I'd never known before.
*****
On Christmas Eve, William came to check out of the hotel. He said he wanted to take me out to see the fireworks together.
I nearly said yes without thinking. But when I spotted the hotel owner, I bit back my answer.
"Will, Sophie said she wants to grab dinner. Meet at our usual place." When the owner mentioned the name Sophie, a spark flashed in William's eyes.
I hesitated, suddenly pulling back. 'Sophie... That sounds like a girl's name. He said I looked like someone before. Was it her?' I wondered.
I lied, feeling ashamed. "My family's waiting for me to come home for Christmas. They're really excited to see me," I said, trying to sound casual.
"Oh, alright. Catch you next time," William replied, barely glancing back. Then he turned and walked away without a second thought.
I stared at the door, feeling empty inside. Suddenly, a scent of cologne drifted into my nose.
"Here's your Christmas gift," James Sterling said, while setting a red gift bag—tied with an elegant red velvet bow—on the table.
He was William's friend, and also my boss.
'Is this just one of those holiday gifts bosses give their staff?' I wondered.
After James walked out the door, I opened the gift bag. Inside was a pair of fluffy yellow mittens.
They had flip-tops, so I could pop my fingers out whenever I needed to sign something or jot down info. I slipped them on and felt their cozy warmth.
On the day I headed home, those mittens kept my hands warm as I pulled my suitcase through the chilly wind. My hands didn't even crack from the cold.
When I got home, there were debt collectors waiting for me. They wanted to take my grandma away and wrecked my home.
I was all alone, up against five big guys—I couldn't hold them back, and I completely lost it, overwhelmed by despair.
Out of nowhere, William showed up and chased them off.
With a grand gesture, he pulled out his checkbook. "How much do you owe them?" William asked.
My lips couldn't stop trembling. "2,000 dollars," I whispered.
With the pen in his hand, William suddenly broke into a grin. "2,000 dollars?" He looked up, as if he'd just heard some joke.
"Emmy, just 2,000 dollars can solve all your troubles. Why won't you let me help you out?" he asked.
I clutched the edge of my sleeve, my fingers nervously rubbing the button over and over. I was scared I'd end up selling myself.