CHAPTER 1 Unexpected Husband

The door barged open, just when Emily Scarlett was about to step out of her little apartment and head to school. Taken by surprise, she stared still, as ten men in suits walked into her sitting room and without saying anything crosses their hands and stood nearby. Another man in a suit had walked in as well, these people are heavily built that Emily almost peed on her pants just by staring at them.

She wondered if their presence here was a mistake or if had she done anything wrong. Of course not, she had gotten off class earlier yesterday because she was having a fever and had slept throughout the rest of the day.

Emily Scarlett, a 20 years old lady, lives alone in her tiny apartment where she tries to make ends meet. Working four times a week in a restaurant nearby and then being a student as well is tiring, especially when she has to hide her face in school all day but will always be found and bullied.

"What's going on here? I think there's a mistake." Emily finally found her voice as she stares blankly at them.

One man among the others came forward and was a little too close to her before telling her.

"Our Boss wants to see you."

Emily Scarlett moved back, away from the cold looking man, and stare from him to the rest of the men looking dangerous. She felt as if her leg wouldn't be able to carry her for too long.

"Who's your Boss? Is that why you have to knock down my door like that?"

She stared at the fallen door and already did the calculation of how much she was going to spend on repairing it. The week hasn't been great for her as she has been sick and hasn't been to work cause she's recovering.

Once a footstep was heard coming in, the guards all moved back and lined up. That action caused chills on her body as she looked at the door, trying to figure out what was happening.

She was already running late for class but yet, but she had no idea what was going on.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting, Lollipop."

Emily had almost lost balance as she stare at this tall looking man who was smoking hot. He'd be about 6 feet tall if not more and had a simple t-shirt on and plain black pants. And then a cap, covering his hair. His voice alone when he had said those words made Emily's body trembles.

He approached her, watching her body language, he takes her hand and slowly place a kiss on the back of her palm.

"You smell so delicious." He muttered as he sniff her.

Emily was too shocked to even say a word to him as she just stare still.

"Come hop in and I'll drive you to school, I bet you're late for class." While he had attempted to take her hand, Emily seem to regain herself as she slaps his hands off.

"Who the fuck are you?"

"Oh damn. You do know how to swear..." He licks his lips and clenches his fingers together then bent his head to her height.

"Your soon-to-be husband. Let me take you to school now and we can get married tomorrow, what do you think?"

Emily Scarlett moves back, away from him, and beat her lashes. Is he a psychopath or something similar?

When he noticed she wasn't ready to take a step with him, he sighed and snap his finger... One of his men bring forward a seat for him, he sat without taking his eyes off Emily.

"When I found your profile, I thought nothing more needs to be worst. But then, I think I'll be changing my mind about you. I'll accept you to be My Wife, that's what you want right?"

Emily coughs a little before responding. "You get this all wrong, I think you mistook me for someone else. I've no idea what you're talking about."

"Don't play innocent with me, lollipop. But I'll forgive you this time, 'cause I love the innocent ones, they tend to do the bad things more."

She didn't respond, instead stared at him without blinking. That pissed him off as his expression suddenly change so that even Emily could notice it. He was looking as cold as ice.

"You're really going to pretend you know nothing?"

Emily raised her eyebrows in response.

"Well, maybe I don't like them innocent anyways. " He stood up, turn his back and walk towards the door.

"Get her." He ordered with a deep and unusual voice.

While Emily watch him walk away and trying to understand what he had just said, she felt a heavy arm lift her up from the floor, and then, she was on his shoulder and he was walking out of the door.

"Put me down!" She screamed. Over and over again, she hits the man and kicks, trying to bring herself down but it seems the man was just too powerful to be taken down easily.

"You got the wrong person. Put me down!" She cried once more. The car door was opened and she was pushed into the door closing.

Emily attempted to open the door but realized it was locked. Is this a new way of kidnap?

She was already in tears as she heard the driver's side shut close and the car engine was turned on.

But she wasn't going to give up and so, with all the strength in her, she hit the driver on the head, and find her way to press the door button. While the driver tries the recover from the hit, Emily opened the door and ran out.

She wasn't taking chances, she can't let herself get kidnapped in broad daylight.

But she could've known better. Attempting to stand from the ground and run. Emily felt a grip on her hair, dragging her up.

It was the man... who seems to be the boss. He leaned towards her ears and whispered.

"Are you running away from me, Little Princess?"

Cold chills run down her body. Is her life over, or this is just a nightmare she's going to wake up from?

CHAPTER 2 Arranged Marriage

R-PENTHOUSE (24 HOURS AGO) NYC

"Boss, We found her." Charleston's right-hand man, Andrew, says as he approached him attempting to hand over to him an iPad that seems to have a profile of someone.

"Her name is Emily Scarlett Marshall, A college student in her third year," Andrew explained.

Charleston took off his jacket and sat on the couch before taking the iPad from Andrew, he made sure to sit comfortably before looking at the profile. Just like Andrew had explained, the name was Emily Scarlett Marshall.

"Where's her picture? I can't get married to someone who looks ugly." His voice was deep, Andrew could tell he had been angry all day.

"Andrew!" Charleston's call made him look up at him as he shivers seeing the look in his eyes. He bits his lip, had he been talking to him and he hadn't heard him?

"I'm sorry Boss. The picture... Uhmm, I think it's on the last page."

Charleston took his eyes off him and look back at the iPad as he starts scrolling down. Andrew was nervous, he had to put the picture on the last page for some reason.

Then Charles stops, looks at Andrew, back to the iPad, and then to Andrew again.

"It's Her?!" There was excitement in his voice as his eyes lit up.

Andrew swallowed the lump in his throat. "No Boss."

"What?"

"I had thought it was her too, but Boss... Olivia has died. I had to crosscheck and do background checks on her..." Andrew was pointing at the picture of the lady on the laptop.

"She's not Olivia. But Emily Scarlett. Marshall's Only Daughter"

Charleston slams the iPad and Andrew stares down, frightened. Despite being so close to Charles and having worked with him longer than anyone else, Andrew was still scared of what Charles will do when he was angry.

"Did he purposely hook me up with a lady that looks like her? Just to torment me?!!" He was screaming and all through, Andrew does nothing but stare at the ground.

Things will get worst if he dares say a word when Charleston is expressing his anger. After a minute, there was silence.

"Maybe they're sisters?" Charles says, with a limp of faith...

"You were with Olivia for too long... She has no sister. "

Charleston squeeze his face one more time and press his hand against his forehead as he was suddenly having a headache.

"I need to know more about who my bride really is. We'll be bringing her in tomorrow."

Andrew smiles. He hadn't expected Charleston to accept this arranged marriage almost immediately after seeing who it was. But perhaps, he was going for this girl just because she looks exactly like someone he had cherished to the moon.

Charleston Roman's Father was at the edge of death, and his only wish had been to see his only son get married. While he was fully aware that Charleston had despised the relationship since the death of Olivia, he still wanted him to grant his wish.

He had pleaded with him, even if he doesn't love her, he at least stays married to her till he dies. Mr. Rogers Roman had only a year to live, he was worried that he won't exist anymore... After all, 68 years old is a bit old enough to give up on life.

"I have someone in mind, I know you're not okay with my wish, but do it for me."

Charleston had stared at him, with that cold look that never leaves his face. "Who?"

"Marshall's Daughter." Mr. Rogers tells him. Charleston had been very surprised hearing the name. He knows his father had a standing relationship with Marshall while he was still alive. But, to make him marry his daughter?

"Why her?" Even tho he had no idea who Marshall's daughter is cause he have never met her, or he have never wanted to meet her. Charleston still wanted to know the reason why his father wanted her.

"I promised her Father I'll take care of her. But since five years ago, after Marshall's death... I have never met her. I feel guilty every day that I wasn't keeping to my promise."

"If that's so, I don't have to get married to her. I'll just find her for you and maybe, you can pay her off?"

Mr. Rogers had laughed at this son's stupid suggestion. "It doesn't go that way. You still have to marry her, Do that for me. Only then, will I know I fulfilled my promise?"

When Charleston was leaving the hospital room, he couldn't hide the fact of just how upset he is about the situation. He couldn't imagine himself loving someone who was not Olivia. Why get married when you don't love your partner?

But just as the wish is already made, he's going to grant his father that wish. It is just for a year and he'll divorce her. It saddens him that he has to live every single day knowing his father will be dying soon. His sickness couldn't be cured... Liver disease isn't something to be played with, especially when it was figured out a bit too late.

"Andrew, Get the file of Marshall's information from my father's office, and gather my information about his daughter."

"Late Mr. Marshall?" Charleston had nodded to the question.

He wondered what his father's reaction will be if eventually, Mr. Marshall's daughter died too.

"I want all the information, including where she lives at present, to submit it within the next 14 hours." Andrew nodded and walked away to carry out the orders.

It was not until he find all the information that he was asked to find, that his jaw dropped when he looked at a picture of her, that was posted around 3 days ago on her social media. Andrew had been so scared to submit that profile to his Boss, wondering what his reaction will be.

But then, it's an order that needed to be carried out no matter what!

CHAPTER 3 The Stranger, The Kidnapper

Emily opened her eyes, to welcome the unfamiliar surrounding. The softness of the bed had made her lay still and didn't move for a minute, then she recalled how she had ended up here.

"The stranger!" She shouted and stood up from the bed. Her scream had attracted the maids to run into the bedroom, to check what was wrong.

Their Boss, Charleston had carried her inside the room by himself and had laid her on the bed with a very strict warning that she shouldn't be allowed to leave the room no matter how many fists she throws.

"Who are you?" Emily questioned, as she moved back. Away from the three maids who were standing right in front of her. Apart from being pushed into the van by that stranger, Emily couldn't recall what else had happened and how she had fallen asleep and of course, how she ended up in this room.

"Calm down Ma, please. Mister Charleston brought you in and asked us to take care of you."

"Charleston?! Who the heck is Charleston?" Emily asks as she watched each of their expressions. Trying to find answers to her questions, but the maids seem to be hesitant.

"Me. I'm Charleston..." A deep voice said from the door, and Emily recognized the voice immediately.

It was the stranger and her kidnapper!

"You!" Emily yelled and approach him, then start hitting him on the chest as the maids watched. Wondering why their Boss didn't stop her almost immediately.

"What did you do to me!? How dare you take me away without my consent! Who are you!?"

"Calm down, pumpkin. One question at a time and I'll answer everything." Emily wouldn't hide the fact that she was surprised at how calm he was and doesn't even look worried one bit. It was almost like, he was enjoying himself.

How dare he! She breathed and ran her fingers through her hair, frustrated.

"Leave Us." She heard him say, and know those words were for the maids because they left the room immediately.

"Let's try doing this again, Pumpkin." He had a smirk on his face, a smirk Emily so much wanted to slap off.

"Don't call me that! I'm not your pumpkin..."

"Why? You don't like it?! Am so kind and can change the name if you want. Maybe, Angel or Cinderella? Urgh! But that doesn't turn me on at all." Charleston squeezes his face and pretends to be thinking.

This made Emily so mad that she stood up and proceed to the door. Attempted to open it but find out it was locked. Emily begin banging on it while Charleston pulled out a chair and sat, watching her.

"Don't break my door. You'll pay for it if you do." His voice was deep and slow ... And somehow, sexy!

"Why? Why are you doing this? Who the fuck are you? " Emily yelled in tears as she looks back at him. The smile that never leaves his face was still there and it was so obvious he was enjoying what he was doing.

"You turn me on once you swear. I love how it comes out of your little mouth". Charleston said, he chuckles and lick his lips.

But when he realized Emily wasn't saying anything more and had instead stared at him. Charleston sighed and stood up, he approaches her and Emily kept moving back till he back was against the door. Charles leans over and kisses her neck, then stop at her eye.

The feeling was sensitive it had made Emily wet almost immediately and she bites her lower lip.

"You should get ready. Our wedding is tomorrow." He whispered and without another word, he left the room. Leaving Emily standing there.

What could have been the best reaction to this horrifying moment? Waking up one morning and a stranger that is so good looking and tempting comes into your peaceful home to take you with him and then announce his marriage to you?

Emily hoped that this was a dream, a dream that she was going to wake up from soon enough. As much as she hates to admit Charles' cuteness, at the end of the day, she's going to admit it still! Who could resist such a good looking man like him?

But her, she's going to Resist him. Because he had been so terrible to her that she wanted him to die immediately. Emily was determined about coming up with an escape plan.

While she had looked out of the window for the perfect escape route, she had backed away immediately seeing the length of the building. She's going to die if she ever attempts to escape through a window.

But still, they say, never get tired of trying, right? Emily wasn't going to be tired so easily. Not when she's almost in a lion's den. And not when her life is about to be ruined.

She walked to the door and was surprised to see that it was open. Did he do that purposely? She breathed and take the first step, eye scanning the environment, and everywhere was so quiet that it seems no one was home.

Emily walked out and start walking down the hallway, making sure not to make a single sound. She's just going to try to find a back door, and she could easily escape from there. She's going to run so fast and not look back until she's away from this man that seems to have no emotion.

"Maybe in an hour or two, you should take care of it while I check on her." Emily heard a voice, and whoever it was, seems to be approaching her.

No! She isn't gonna allow herself to be seen, she knows she'll get dragged back into that room. The wedding? She's going to stay in there till tomorrow and not know anything that is happening or ever where she's at.

How far is she away from her home? Many questions were running through her mind, she needed answers to a lot of them.

Without thinking twice, Emily opened the closest door she found in the dark hallway and entered... Shutting the door back and making sure she doesn't make a sound.

Emily had the footsteps fade away and she breathed down. In an attempt to calm herself down, she closed her eyes and lean on the door, hoping she doesn't get seen. When Emily Scarlett opened her eyes, she almost lost balance.

And all the pictures here were of a young pretty lady that looks just like her! Except that she's blonde and she - Emily, had brown hair. She walked closer to the largest portrait and stared at it.

"Is this the second version of me?" She had asked no one in particular.

The eyes, the ears, and everything about this picture are just her! Emily couldn't help but wonder if Charleston made these drawings... And how did she get into the picture?

She wanted to know who this person is... or has Charleston been spying on her all along and decided to paint her but decided to make her blonde instead? To meet with what he wants?

"What are you doing in here?"

Almost knocking the portrait out, Emily turned in horror to stare in the direction of the voice which was at the door! Had she been so engrossed, looking at this version of herself that she hadn't noticed him walking in? Even tho he hadn't attempted to hurt her, Still, Emily couldn't define just how much afraid she was of this guy.

Someone she knows nothing about and someone who had taken her away to talk about marriage. The same someone she had found pictures that looks like her in a room in his apartment, isn't that enough to be afraid of what he's capable of doing? Or perhaps, afraid of what he's going to do.

"Who's that?" Emily questioned, looking back at the large portrait.

Charleston looked from her to the picture, without a word... He walked closer and covered the portrait before turning to Emily once more.

"I forbid you from entering this room, ever!" His voice was extra deep. Sounds like that of a villain in a horror movie.

His eyes had an unusual color that made Emily tremble.

"You should go back to your room. Your wedding dress had been brought in, put it on tomorrow morning and meet me downstairs."

"I'm not getting married to you! I don't even know who you are or what all this is all about." Emily still maintained her stand despite how afraid she was.

And gradually, his eyes begin to change back to normal.

"You don't have to know me, what matters is that you'll become my wife. You should be happy about that,"

"Sorry to disappoint you but No! I'm not happy and I'm not getting married to a creepy man like you. You took me away and brought me to your penthouse to talk about marriage? I don't even like you! As if that isn't enough, you have this room that has a picture of me."

"THAT! IS NOT YOU!!" Emily again, almost lost balance when he yelled out those words, returning to looking like a monster.

"Maybe you should get a mirror and look at how ugly you are... You are not her!"

Emily stood and watch him brush past her, with an aura of anger surrounding him. Emily could tell how much he had tried to control himself before her.

She breathed. Is there anything that was going on for a while now that she had no idea about?! This creepy man sounded as if he had known her before she knows him.

With what she had witnessed, Emily wondered if she was ever going to succeed in her attempt to escape.

Marriage?! Her life is well ruined then.

CHAPTER 4 Unforgettable Pain

CHARLES' PENTHOUSE (3 YEARS AGO)

"You have been avoiding me the whole evening Charles, Tell me. Did I do anything wrong?" Olivia asked as she looks at Charles, yearning for him to at least say a word to her.

She had walked into this house twenty minutes ago and had come into Charleston's room to drop the flowers she got for him. But Charles didn't say a single word to her, neither did he appreciate the flowers.

"Charles?"

Olivia called out and when it was clearly obvious that he wasn't going to talk to her, she went to sit on the bed, next to him.

"Are you still mad about the marriage thing?" Olivia had a smile on her face, Charleston had looked at her and sighed.

"Why? You think it's funny?"

"God damn it, Charles. I clearly told you my reasons, you have to understand me."

"There's no reason in what you said. Olivia, you know I loved you. I have always done, Now, tell me why you said no to my marriage proposal and still pretend nothing is wrong?"

Earlier yesterday, Charleston had hosted a surprise for Olivia just so he could propose to her. How far he had come to love her was what he had wondered over and over again. Perhaps it's because of just how innocent she was.

It had broken his heart when Olivia refused to take his ring, with no specific reason as to why she couldn't marry him.

"Charles. I am going to say yes to you but not now. It's too early, and I'm at a stage where I needed to fix some things before committing my life to you as my husband."

"Tell me what it is that needed to be done?"

"It's not something you need to know of right now, Charles."

"If you ain't gonna marry me, neither give me a good solid reason and still want me to pretend nothing happened. Then Olivia, Let's break up."

The words were hard coming out of his mouth, but they needed to be said. He needed to say those words to her, with the belief that it will make a change of heart... But Charleston had been more than a surprise when Olivia's response was just simple.

"As you wish, Charleston."

Olivia dropped the flower next to him, Stood up, and without saying a single word to him again, walks out of the room. And away she goes, out of his building and getting into her car. As much as that word had hurt her so much, she was glad it was said, after all... She has only a 10% chance of making it out alive.

If Charles hadn't said those words, she was going to tell him that anyways. It was hurtful having to let go. But she had wanted no one to get hurt or feel guilty because of her. The reason she had wanted to cut ties with him, and perhaps come back later if she ever makes it out.

Charleston had wanted to stop her, to tell her he was only joking and can't live without her. But he didn't just understand why he couldn't say anything.

"Boss?" Andrew called after him, opening the door and looking at him.

"Are you okay? I saw Olivia leave and she seems sad."

"I broke up with her. Set me bathing water." Charleston had said that last part, just so Andrew won't have to question him on what went wrong.

Charleston had decided to visit Olivia the next day and talk about themselves. All he wanted was to understand her and what was going on. He had wanted to believe Olivia was seeing someone else, but hell! He knows Olivia will never do that.

"Okay, Boss."

Charleston pulled his car over at Olivia's apartment. Welcomed by the Unusual silence, he proceed to enter the home. Everywhere was neat, except that no one was home and the door is just open.

He had called Olivia over and over again but when she wasn't answering, he had assumed she was still mad at him and so, he decided to visit her instead as he had planned. To ask for forgiveness and to make things right.

"Olivia?!" He called out and there was silence until an older woman walked into the sitting room, her eyes so red and heavy. Charleston recognized her to be Olivia's mother. He had met her only once on one of his visits to Olivia.

It was surprising to see her here because Olivia didn't tell him about the presence of her mother.

"Ma... I didn't know you came over. "

"Charleston? Is that you?! " Her voice was breaking and she started crying immediately. Confused Charleston tried his best to comfort her by making her sit down and petting her back.

"What's wrong? Where is Olivia? I was calling her earlier but she wasn't answering. Where's she?"

"She didn't tell you too?!"

Charleston was confused. Is there anything that he needed to know that he wasn't aware of?

"Olivia had been suffering from cancer for the past two years, she didn't tell me. She never told anyone till it was at its 4th stage which requires surgery. I pleaded with her to let the surgery take place but she insisted on trying to fix certain things. Coming back yesterday, I was surprised that she signed the informed consent form."

"So... She's at the hospital?" Charleston hadn't known the best question to ask in this situation. Why did she hide something as big as this from him? Was she afraid of what his reaction will be or what?!

The only thing he wanted to know was that she was totally fine and he can visit her. And to think she signed that form right after he broke up with her. Was that the main reason she had said No to his proposal? Had she wanted the breakup to happen so she can proceed with the surgery?

"Olivia... Olivia didn't make it!" The words were simple and short, but they had broken him into many pieces.

CHAPTER 5 The Ridiculous Wedding

TRINITY CHURCH (CURRENT TIME 8:45 AM)

Emily Scarlett walked down the aisle, with no one to stand next to her and cheer her, to tell her that today is meant for her and just for her. For her?! She'd stab the person who dares to cheer her on such an awful day like this.

Never, ever had she expected herself to be a victim of Forced Marriage that she couldn't even fight her way out of. Charleston doesn't look like someone she could mess with.

Emily's mind isn't still over the portrait she saw. Somehow, Emily wanted to find out what is going on and why Charleston is doing what he was doing.

How could he be so heartless to make her get married to him when he's a total stranger? Talks about her education! Will she ever be able to make it off her last year in class, now that she's married?

As Emily had expected, No one was present in the church. It was just the priest, Charleston and the man she came to know was Andrew, the right hand man.

How ridiculous it is! Emily wondered if she was being used as bait. While she fights to hold back the tears threatening to fall, Charleston fights the urge of leaving the church premises.

A wedding?! With someone who's reminding him of someone else?

While Charleston stared at Emily, he couldn't hold back his feelings. Not because she was looking beautiful or anything else. But because when he looked at her, the only person he sees is Olivia Machman.

Why does this woman have to look so much like her? The feeling of guilt was there again. The feeling that had never gone away no matter how much he tried.

The guilt that Olivia died because of him! Because of his selfish behavior. If he had to hold back and try to understand she was going through a lot, maybe she will still be alive and probably healthy.

Maybe the person that is walking down the aisle right now would be her! With that pretty smile that is always on her face. With her trying to do everything to keep him happy and satisfied.

Her death had taken the best part of him. She broke him and turned him into the monster he is now. That he hated relationships and love because of Olivia. Because of the guilt.

The guilt that he was the reason she died. Will he ever be able to let go of the past and move on? Even if he wants to, will he ever be able to do that now he's granting a wish of getting married to someone who will keep reminding him of the one he loved?

TRINITY CHURCH

"We are gathered here today to join Charleston Roman and Emily Marshall in holy matrimony," the priest finally spoke after he did the sign of the cross in the air.

It was happening, Emily thought to herself. She had thought about different escape plans while she was been brought here but seeing how tight the security was she knew there was no way out of there.

There was security at every corner of the house, even while she was being brought to the church, three cars had escorted her and in her car alone two security personnel had sat in the car with her.

She had tried to gather some information from the maids who had come to dress her up and do her makeup about the picture she had earlier seen in that room that looked so much like her but none of them seemed to be interested in talking rather they were hell bent on getting her ready as soon as possible, to avoid the wrath of their boss.

They had even encouraged her to eat but she refused.

"Please ma, we don't want our boss to fire us," one of the maids had begged her to eat kneeling down and ready to even lie flat on the floor as the two other maids joined her by kneeling down as well.

She was forced to eat the food and drink enough water as well.

What had baffled her was how fitted the wedding gown was on her body, it was like they went to take her exact measurements from her tailor.

She had resulted to pinch herself at an interval to see if she was dreaming or hallucinating but she only ended up hurting herself and realizing it was reality.

"Do you take this woman to be your wife, to live together in holy matrimony, to love her, to honor her, to comfort her, and to keep her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?" The priest asked staring at Charleston.

"I do," Charleston responded immediately like he had been wanting to say those two words for as long as he could remember, the more he stared into her eyes the more he could see Olivia right now standing in front of him but the moment his gaze fell on her lips and having to see that awful frown, he was reminded that she wasn't Olivia.

His little angel would never have that annoying look on her face, she was always full of joy, for a split second when Emily had earlier compared herself to Olivia when she saw her picture, he was tempted to tell Andrew to get rid of her immediately.

No one had the right to compare themselves to Olivia, she was one of a kind but he soon calmed himself and remember that he was only going to have to endure seeing Emily's face for a year, after that he would divorce her.

"Do you take this man to be your husband, to live together in holy matrimony, to love him, to honor him, to comfort him, and to keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?" The priest asked this time looking at Emily who was looking at Charles with a killer look.

CHAPTER 6 The First Kiss

Irrespective of the fact that the man that stood before her was tall, handsome and so sexy she found it difficult to look at him for so long without secretly lusting for his touch, the thought of him actually doing this to her without her consent annoyed her so much that she imagined herself slapping him right across the face.

"Ma'am," she heard Andrew mutter to her as she stared at him and then at Charles who was motioning her to respond to the priest.

It wasn't that she didn't hear the priest but she had never imagined in her wildest dreams that this was how her wedding was going to turn out, without her consent and to a complete stranger that she knew absolutely nothing about.

"I...I..d..do," Emily stuttered not wanting to see the wrath his maid was talking about earlier, she tried to act not afraid of him but she really didn't know him and what he was actually capable of doing to her if she refused him.

Emily knew behind his little smile and bubbling behavior, he was nothing but a self centered and heartless man.

She had barely finished talking when she felt Charles reach out to take her left hand in his.

She took a step backward not knowing what he was up to but only got a smirk from Charles as he reached out for her left hand again and pulled it to his eye level.

"Here boss," Andrew said bringing out a ring from his pocket and offering Charleston a bow as it dawned on Emily what was about to happen next.

Exchange of rings.

She suddenly felt like a heavy weight was being placed over her chest as her heart started to race faster, she stared at Charleston who was now looking at her with a smile on his face.

He seemed unbothered by how repulsive she was looking at him and she had noticed that no matter what she said or do he seemed less concerned and hell bent on doing as he pleased.

Charles placed the ring on the tip of her fourth finger waiting for the priest to continue the vows.

"Repeat after me," the priest said. "I, your name, give you this ring as a token and a pledge of our constant faith and abiding love."

"I, Charleston Roman, give you this ring as a token of my love and a pledge of our constant faith and abiding love," Charles repeated staring right into Emily's eyes as he slowly placed the ring on her finger.

Emily stared right at him nervously as her mouth quivered at his cold hands holding hers and placing the ring on her finger.

Charles brought Emily's hand to his lips as he placed a kiss on the ring, he had always wanted to do that to Olivia.

She stared at his warm lips on her hand as he left go slowly, her eyes trailed her hand and her eyes widened in shock as she stared back at Charles, then at Andrew, and then back at the ring on her finger.

Who was this man?

How did he know about this ring?

For as long as she could remember she had always wanted a costume made wedding ring from Sapphire Stone, they were well known for making costume jewelry for celebrities.

She had gone as far as to even sketch out the design she wanted, and here it was right on the fourth finger, staring her right in the face.

Her shocked expression did not go unnoticed by Charles, who was expecting to see just that. He had made sure Andrew got all the details about her down to what she liked and disliked.

At this point, he knew everything about her except for what she was thinking, which if he had his way he would be very much interested in.

"Ma'am," Andrew said handing her the ring as he bowed his head to her, now that she was going to be his boss's wife, he had to give her the same respect as he would give his boss.

It was true that she wasn't Olivia but when he looked at her at intervals she was a splitting resemblance to her, the only thing was he couldn't tell if she was cool headed as Late Miss Olivia.

Emily collected it with shaking hands as she stared at Charles, she rolled her eyes at him and reached for his big left hand she raised it up. She placed the ring at the tip of his fourth finger.

"I give you this ring as a token of my love and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love," the priest repeated.

"I give you this ring as a token of my love and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love," Emily said as she placed the ring on his fourth finger.

"You may kiss the bride," the priest announced.

What? Emily exclaimed in her head, of course, the groom was to kiss the bride but was he really going to kiss a total stranger?

Charles leaned in slowly lowering his head to her level as he planted an innocent kiss on her lips.

It was just for a split second but Emily felt a rumble in her tummy as her eyes widened from shock.

She had not anticipated the kiss but neither was her brain willing to reject the kiss.

It was her first kiss and this bastard had just taken it away from her just like that without allowing her to process the whole scenario.

She had been saving her first kiss for her crush in school.

"My wife," Charles muttered on her lips as he planted another kiss on her forehead this time.