Chapter 3

Emma once again forced herself to smile and act like she was enjoying herself and knew what the conversation around her was about. It was almost five days after that fateful night and she was no closer to either clearing her name of selling drugs online or convincing her father to abandon his foolish plan. He had given her one week to decide and had reminded her just this morning that she only had two more days and as much as it would pain him he would turn her in for her own good. Emma wanted to scream at the 'it's for your own good' statement but he was convinced she had fallen into her previous habits and this was the only way to help her.

Emma smiled ruefully to herself and looked around at the luxury night club she was currently in, "I guess my being here isn't exactly helping the cause either."

"Did you say something Em?" asked her oldest friend, John Knightley.

"Nothing, just that if this wasn't your birthday celebration, I would definitely not be here tonight," Emma gave a reluctant smile, "I can't believe you still enjoy all of this after everything that has happened."

John just shrugged and looked around at the dancing bodies in the exclusive club, "you know I am trying. My dad said some stuff to me before he passed away and it made me realize that maybe I should start taking life more seriously," Emma turned at the sudden serious note in his voice, "I have started working part time in the family biz and you are right I need to get back to school."

John studiously ignored Emma's eyes as he shared this information. She studied his profile taking in his short brown hair and hazel eyes. He looked the same as he always did but she could sense a vulnerability in him as if daring her to say something about his admission. Emma just smiled and continued to move her head to the music instinctively knowing that he would share more when he was ready. John really was handsome in a classic way with a strong jaw and tall, lean built. She wondered once again why they hadn't ever gotten together. It was after all what everyone already thought, and they would look good together but maybe she had known him too long and too well to feel anything besides a brotherly love for him.

"Who are all these people? I thought I knew everyone you knew but I swear there are all sorts of people I've never seen before," Emma wondered out loud while doing her own look around the VIP area.

"And some people I definitely could do without seeing," Emma glanced over at John's tense reply, but he was looking at someone standing behind her.

"What the hell are you doing here?" John asked tersely to the newcomer.

"It's good to see you too, brother dearest," came the sarcastic reply, "It's your birthday, where else would I be?" Emma stiffened when she heard Jake's voice behind her. She had been so confident that he wouldn't be here tonight.

"Where you usually are, at work. It's not like you have ever come to my birthday before."

"I distinctly remember being there at your seventh birthday party. All those clowns and circus animals put me off from future parties. Besides, someone has to pay for these lavish parties you keep throwing yourself."

John pretended to be deep in thought, "Oh yes. I remember the party. I can't remember if you were one of the clowns or circus animals though."

"Well this was fun, but I need to go and mingle," Emma interrupted trying to get past the two brothers only to find herself blocked by Jake.

"Well if it isn't little Emma Woodhouse, all grown up. We definitely need to catch up on life" Jake slowly took in her short sparkly dress and said in as bored a tone as he could muster "don't you look… nice." He knew he was being rude, but he couldn't help it.

If he were to tell the truth she looked more than just nice. Emma had always had a flair for dramatic fashion and knew exactly what suited her in any given situation. He hadn't spent much time noticing but he couldn't remember ever seeing her look anything but polished and classy even in full club attire. Her dress was made with a gold shimmery material that clung to her like a second skin but had full sleeves and a demure neckline to give the impression of respectability. Of course, the short length which showcased her long legs were contrary to that but her slim build prevented it from looking vulgar.

He knew antagonizing her wouldn't help and they really needed to talk but he was just barely holding in his anger at the thought that his entire career and reputation were on the line dependent on this girl and she couldn't even be bothered to return one of the many voicemails he had left her cell.

Jake decided to just get to the point, "I'll drive you home tonight, so let me know when you are done. We need to talk." He murmured close to her ear so John couldn't hear them and walked away.

"What was that all about? I didn't know you were friends with my brother." John of course wanted to know what was going on.

"Nothing. Let's go and dance" replied Emma as she started walking away before John could ask anymore questions, silently fuming at Jake ordering her around. Who the hell did he think he was to tell her what to do. Couldn't he take a hint that she didn't want to talk to him when she hadn't answered his phone calls.

Jake didn't have anything to do but watch Emma as she danced, laughed, flirted, and generally completely ignored him. He looked at his watch for what felt like the hundred-time wondering when he could leave. Although he knew many of the people at the party, he wasn't really in a sociable mood and spent most of the time giving vague smiles but generally not making eye contact with anyone.

Out of the corner of his eyes he saw one of the women making their way directly towards him. He had already declined her offer to buy him a drink but didn't want to do the polite conversation bit again so started walking towards where he last saw Emma. He could sense she was deliberately prolonging this since most of her other friends had gotten tired and moved to one of the tables while she continued to dance with an ever-changing group of people.

He reached the group and grabbed Emma by the waist, pulling her close to him without saying a word. He didn't dance as a general rule, but dancing in a dark club surrounded by so many people he could handle.

His stunt definitely got her attention, "What the hell do you think you are doing? Let go of me right now!" Emma was clearly not impressed.

"What does it look like I'm doing, I'm dancing with my future wife" Jake leaned in, so his body was fully pressed against her and whispered in her ear. He was so tired of always being in control or being so predictable. He sometimes wondered what it would be like to be his brother and just act without any thoughts to the consequences. Besides, he had tried all his life to fulfill everyone's expectations and they still thought the worst about him anyways. He was so frustrated with the feeling of being trapped in a situation not of his own making and currently this girl was at the center of all his problems. He didn't care if she didn't like him, it was her father throwing ridiculous ultimatums around, but he still needed her dad's help so the only person he could get a little revenge on was Emma.

"You wish. I will figure something else out, but I will not be marrying a jackass like you" Emma replied shaking with anger.

Jake suddenly let her go and stopped dancing, "you really want to do this here? We need to talk, and I have been trying to reach you all week. You apparently still want to continue your childish rants," His tone and stance matched hers in anger, "Keep in mind this was your dad's idea not mine but it's your choice if you want to do this in front of everyone or let me drive you home, so we can talk in private."

"You probably begged my dad since you seem so eager with all of your phone calls" Emma retorted, aware that she was acting like a child as per his accusation but continuing anyways, "tell me, how much money did he have to offer you?"

Jake continued to glare at her but otherwise stayed silent until she finally acknowledged that he was right, this was not a conversation that could happen in front of everyone. "Fine, let me grab my coat and say goodbye."

"What… too good to drive your own car?" Emma muttered a short while later as he led her to his waiting car.

"I was going to a club for a birthday celebration. I didn't want to risk getting in the car if I did end up drinking," Jake retorted, "I actually arranged for a ride home for everyone here tonight"

Emma looked away not wanting to acknowledge his good judgement. She was surprised he didn't use the opportunity to bring up her own experience with drinking and driving. She probably would have.

They continued to sit in awkward silence until the car got onto the freeway. Finally, Jake looked over and quietly spoke, "look, I came to your dad for help with some personal matters. His condition for helping me is that I marry you and we stay married for at least one year. I have spent all week trying to come up with a plan to get out of this but now time is running out."

"Here is a plan for you, just say no, and get help from someone else," Emma scoffed at his attempt to make himself sound like the victim.

"Why don't you say no? Last time I checked, he's your father. Are you really this desperate for a husband that you need your father to blackmail someone into the role?"

"Even if I was desperate, you really think I want a forty-year old self-absorbed, greedy jerk who can't get his own date or even convince his own family to like him" Emma smiled in victory noting the brief flash of pain in his eyes before they turned to ice, "Besides, isn't this every man's dream, to get the young trophy wife."

"Is that how you see yourself?" Jake gave a laugh, "I don't think you are anyone's idea of a trophy wife with your reputation for wild parties and drugs. It's clear that your dad can't handle you anymore and needs someone with a firm hand to step in and take charge"

"Also, I'm not in my forty's. I'm thirty-four," Jake added.

"Yes, because clearly that is what is important here," Emma turned, inexplicably hurt by his comment about her reputation even while knowing she had fired the first shot.

"You don't think I've been trying to think of a way out?" Emma hesitated before finally admitting, "I am in trouble for something I didn't do but because of my so-called reputation my dad doesn't believe me. He isn't backing down and has given me until tomorrow to decide."

"And what was your grand plan? To come out and party and then what?" Jake shook his head in disgust.

Emma bristled at his tone and shot back, "it's either you or jail. Either way I'm screwed"

She hadn't meant to admit that part and the deafening silence that followed made it even worse.

"Wow. I guess you win this round," Jake began and then almost as an afterthought added, "so you would rather go to jail then marry me?"

Emma turned away to look out the window and finally realized they weren't in her neighborhood, "Where are you taking me?"

"My place. I wasn't planning on discussing this in front of your dad. He isn't exactly my favorite person right now."

Emma looked at the private driveway they had entered. She had never seen his personal residence before, and even from what little she could see in the dark, it was an impressive looking house. It had the boxy and clean-cut look of modern architecture with huge windows taking up majority of the walls. The grounds clearly extended well behind the house with smaller structures on the other side making up the garage and maybe a guest house.

Inside the house was a continuation of the modern and airy feel with cool marble flooring and white walls and furniture. It was too well put together to be considered clinical, but it also didn't have an overly homey feel to it. She couldn't see any personal pictures or knickknacks with the only color provided by large abstract paintings on the walls.

Jake watched as Emma roamed around his main floor trying to figure out what was on her mind. He had been so desperate to talk to her with the assumption that she would be the key to get her father to change his mind while still providing the loan. However, from what she had revealed she was in no position to be asking for favors.

"What do we do?" Emma asked as reality began to settle in. She had been so sure that he would back out that she hadn't really considered the alternative.

"I don't understand, I know it involves money, but you are already so rich, why do you need more?" She was genuinely curious about his motivation.

Jake sighed, trying to figure out what he could share without it getting out, especially to his brother. He finally decided he would have to trust her at least slightly, "My father left some major business debts which I need to pay off. I can't do it using company or personal funds since they are all tied together and these are debts no one can know about. They aren't exactly legitimate transactions and didn't follow the company procedures. I couldn't come up with anyone else besides your father who might be willing to help and keep things silent." Jake paused before finally continuing, "everyone knows about my trial period as CEO. I need to just get through this trial and prove I can do it. I know I can run the company, but these investments will give the Board just cause to have me removed even though they weren't my investments and I won't get that chance."

He met her eyes willing her to understand, "All I want is that chance."

Emma looked away, feeling unsettled by the raw emotion in his eyes before saying, "I have pleaded our case, but my father doesn't believe I'm innocent of the charges." It finally began to sink in that this was headed towards only one path, of her having to marry Jake.

"One year," she finally whispered, "we can divorce after that."

"One year," Jake's shoulders sagged in defeat and acceptance, "we have to figure out how we will do this."

"We go to the court and get married tomorrow," Emma began determinedly, "we won't tell anyone about the marriage and especially the reasons. We will deal with people finding out when it happens and come up with a story about impulsive love or something."

Jake nodded, "you will move in here?"

Emma's head began to swim. They had just gone from talking about getting married to now living together. She hadn't considered anything beyond finding a way to get out of having to marry the guy. She finally nodded, "I guess so. I definitely can't stay with my father when he has so little faith in me."

Jake looked at her for a few seconds before saying in a low voice, "there won't be any children. I can't have any child come into this messed up situation."

Emma felt herself blush and then bristle in anger, "there won't be any children. This will be a marriage in name only and for society's benefit since we won't be able to hide it but I'm not sleeping with you. I want my own room."

Jake just shrugged, as if he didn't care either way, "That's fine"

"But you can't sleep with anyone else either." Emma added almost as an afterthought, "I won't have even a pretend spouse that cheats."

Jake looked at her as if she had lost her mind, but he didn't say anything beyond, "I guess this will be a long year, but we are agreed, no children and no cheating."

"Did you- "Jake began hesitantly, "I'm sorry, but I need to know, did you and my brother ever sleep together?"

Emma blushed once again at the question, unsure why him asking the question bothered her. It was a common assumption among their friends and she would definitely want to know if her about to be husband had slept with her sister. She almost told him yes because she instinctively knew that if they had, Jake would never try anything with her even if they both had to go the entire year without sex. That is definitely what I want. But she still hesitated unwilling to break this fragile trust that had developed. They were already in a messed-up situation without adding unnecessary lies to it.

She looked him directly in the eye and finally replied, "No, never. We have always just been friends and nothing more than that."