Christian

Lucas and I rushed into the hospital in the early afternoon of that very day. A could see the little frightening as well confused look on Lucas's face each time I take a look at him. I, on the other hand could hardly believe this was presently happening as I stood to the side and watched Lucas ask after his wife from one of the nurses behind the counter. A few seconds later, we're heading towards the elevator going right to the next floor above us. I noticed Lucas barely stood still as restlessness overtook him. It was quite obvious that Lucas worried a lot about Ema and what possible situation she could be in. Truthfully, I worried as well but there was nothing I could do but wait. Later on, we ventured right out of the elevator just after it stopped and the doors opened. Lucas didn't stop as he headed right for the room he was told she was in. I followed quickly behind him, barely taking notice of any other person that walked past us. Through all this, Lucas and I barely said a word to each other. Why should we? We just had an argument back at the office and now, Ema was in labour. There was nothing personal to be said to each other. I felt truly grateful that Lucas didn't oppose to me coming along with him even after the slipup I pulled at the office. Till this very moment, I beat myself up for saying the wrong things. On no accord was I allowed to say such a thing. My feelings were unimportant. What was important at the moment was Ema having her baby safely. Hopefully, Lucas forgets what I almost said. As we approached the room Ema was in, tension filled the atmosphere.

I stood as Lucas quickly pushed the door open to reveal a hazardous looking Ema. I felt frozen as I stared at the woman I love. The woman I haven't seen in months. The woman I would give the world just to see her happy. I shut my eyes for a split second as I looked away from her. I shouldn't be thinking of such things at the moment. I made a promise to myself to move on but what was I doing? I was thinking of how much I loved her while she was getting ready to have my brother's child. I felt ashamed. I felt guilty. I was doing such a bad thing so willingly. As I shifted my eyes back to Ema, I realised she looked so different from the last time I saw her which h was when we said our goodbyes at the airport. Her belly had protruded out some more. She was dressed in the hospital gown and laid on the bed with several pillows tucked behind her for comfort. I could see the sweat trickle down her forehead and the expression on her face showed just how much pain she was in. Ema tried her best to follow the breathing instructions the nurse beside her was aiding her with. I knew I couldn't stand by the door for much longer but I also didn't know if I was welcomed in especially when Ema was in such a situation so eventually, I took unnoticeable steps into the room.

"Lucas." Ema managed to call out to him just as she caught sight of him approaching her. She released the bed sheet she held on tightly to and stretched out her hand to him. He took hold of it as he finally stood on the other side of her bed.

I could tell Lucas looked a little bit uncomfortable and at the same time quite confused on what to do to better the situation of his wife in pain. It was hard for me as well seeing Ema groan in pain although trying so hard not to yell at the top of her voice.

"When is the doctor getting here?" Lucas asked quite concerned with the fact that the doctor was taken longer than expected.

"He already did." The nurse replied but I could tell from her facial expression that this wasn't easy on her as the mother-to-be held her hand so tightly.

"And?" Lucas asked clearly needing more explanation than the words the nurse left for him to plunder on.

"He said to give it a few more minutes and he'll be back." She replied before shifting her eyes back to Ema whose pain seemingly grew but she tried so hard to contain it, breathing in and out as per the exact instruction of the nurse.

Lucas rubbed the hand of his wife before placing a kiss on it then on her forehead. She shut her eyes for a second in the process. I had to look away feeling a little uncomfortable seeing that.

"You're going to be okay. Don't you worry... I'm going to make sure of that." I could hear Lucas assuring her with his words which made me shut my eyes for a second.

What am I doing here? Why did I come here? I'm just a third wheel, making everything feel so uncomfortable and awkward. I should have waited outside or better yet, I shouldn't have come with Lucas to the hospital. So far, Ema hasn't seen me. It would be best I leave. Lucas will feel better and besides Ema doesn't need to seem my face at the moment. It would just stress her out. I need to leave so I turned to take a step towards leaving the room.

"Christian?" She called, sounding a little faint and out of breath but definitely a question. I froze on the action I was about to take before slightly turning my head to her. A brief but faint smile appearing on my face.

"You're... you're back? When? Were you just trying to leave?" she asked all at once, drawing in breaths that seemed to take a great deal from her.

I didn't quite know which of her questions to answer first. All were questions I really didn't want to give a reply to. I broadened up my smile a bit trying to seem okay.

"Yesterday. I flew into the country yesterday... I did promise to get back before my little nephew is brought into this world." I explained but by the end of my statement, Ema had looked away from me, throwing her head backwards in pain.

"Could someone please call the damn doctor already!?" Ema exclaimed almost at the top of her voice to the surprise of the rest of us in the room. It was quite obvious she wasn't herself anymore.

"I'll get the doctor." The nurse stated before quickly turning away and rushing towards the door but the doctor had already walked past me and the nurse had to quickly stop on her track otherwise she would have bumped into him.

"Argh!" Ema screamed a little louder, her hand now placed on her belly while the other squeezed on tightly to Lucas's hand.

"Okay Ema, in a few hours you're going to have your child in your arms." The doctor told her with a warm smile and I Ema managed to take a look at him. As the nurse set up everything needed and the doctor put up his gloves, ready to help with the birthing process, I knew I had to leave so I quickly looked away and headed out of the room. I took a second glance at Ema's face but she hadn't seen me so I further on walked out of the room. The nurse gently shut the door after I left.

I ran a hand through my hair then rubbed my face worriedly. Emerson was in so much pain and there was nothing I could do except wait. Absolutely nothing.

Harieth

"Miss Harieth..." Dad's assistant called after me as I walked right past her just as she had a phone stuck to her ear. I couldn't care less about what she had to say. I was fuming mad. I needed an explanation. I needed an answer. I needed a rectification to be done to the wrong that had been inflicted on me a few hours ago.

"Miss Harieth, you can't go in." Dad's assistant also known as Rose cautioned me but I was in no mood to pay attention to her. I was going to speak to my father and that's exactly what's going to happen. I could feel her hurry quickly after me as the heels of her shoes made noise. I hurried my pace as well and before she could get hold of me, I took hold of the door knob, turned then pushed the door open.

"Dad, we need to talk!" I requested as I walked right in and only stopped when I was in front of his desk. Dad sat behind his desk, now staring at me. I only noticed he wasn't alone in the room when he shifted his gaze away from me and to someone else seated in front of him. A man to be precise. He was equally suited up in a business attire but looked somewhat younger than dad.

"I'm sorry Mr. Gryffin, I tried to stop her but she wouldn't listen." His assistant apologised but I couldn't care less about her apologies. I was in serious crisis as of the moment which foremost needed attending.

"It's okay Rose. You can leave." He told her and she nodded in accordance before walking away.

"Let's continue this discussion some other time Mr. Bethel." He told the man who was seated in front of him. The man nodded before he got up to leave.

"Harieth, how many times do I have to warn you against barging into my office?" He asked just after his associate left the office.

I slumped on the seat in front of his desk.

"I'm sorry dad but this is important. Something terrible has happened. My cards..." I started as I searched my handbag worriedly for my purse. I found it then got out my ATM cards. I set them in display on his table in front of him.

"...My cards... there's sort of acting up. I can't cash out money with them. It's simply not working anymore. You need to call the bank. You need to scold and threaten them. How dare they..."

"Harieth." Dad called interrupting any other thing I had in mind to say. The look on his face wasn't quite assuring. He looked relaxed. He didn't seem troubled at all as if he actually understood what was going on. I fell more confused as he got up from his seat and walked all the way to where I was. He took the seat beside mine and I had to turn so we were facing each other. My brows furrowed at him but at the same time expectantly waiting for a solution that won't make me flip in anger.

"Harieth... we need to talk." He started, sounding a little uneven. I could detect if there was sadness in his voice or happiness. Did I forget to mention my father was a very unpredictable man? This trait was also the reason why he did so well in business. His competitors could never read his mind. They could never predict his next move. Perhaps, another word for this trait was cunning.

"We're talking, aren't we?" I told him a bit sarcastic but truthfully, that was what I came here for. An explanation as to why I've been denied access to my accounts. He shot me a warning look and I simply looked away.

"I did it. I denied you access to your accounts."

"What? Why? Why would you do that dad? Do you know how embarrassed I was when I couldn't pay for my own snacks? Paris had to pay on my behalf. It was so annoying." I ranted out as I couldn't figure out why he would do that. He had always let me have what I want right from when I was a toddle. So far as money could buy it, he got it for me.

"Harieth we don't have as much as we used to." He stated as he got up to his feet to take a few steps away from me. My brows furrowed as I watched him stressfully wipe his face with his hand.

"What do you mean by we don't have as much as we used to?" I needed to ask. He turned back to me.

"We're bankrupt. Okay?" My eyes slowly widened as his statement.

"Bankrupt!?" I exclaimed a bit louder as I immediately stood to my feet.

"Yes, Bankrupt and soon enough we're also going to be homeless. I made a huge mistake and invested in something I shouldn't have. Market prices have gone terribly bad and now our loss is greater than I could have imagined." He explained before taking steps back to where I stood staring at him quite confused. How could this be? We're wealthy. I've lived in luxury all my life and such a story has never popped up before.

"Harieth, soon enough, you'll have to sell your car then get rid of all your luxurious items. You'll have to become an ordinary person. No more parties. No more shopping. No more fashion shows. Everything will be gone. You'll have to start working, serving and saying yes to your new boss..."

"No!" I exclaimed in bitterness refusing to see myself in such a condition. How can I live life without shopping, without my car, clothes, jewelleries? That was impossible. This can't be happening to me. It can't happen.

"... but all these can be avoided if you could do just one little thing." Dad suddenly stated, my eyes widened with joy at the knowledge of there's hope after all.

"What is it? What can I do just so this lifestyle I'm leaving remains mine. I can't become a pauper." I pleadingly asked him, desperate enough to find out what my saving grace, my dear golden ticket was.

"You'll have to marry Christian Hendrix."

The expression on my face slowly toned down upon hearing what dad had to say. Truthfully, I wasn't expecting such a reply. Marriage!? My golden ticket was marriage to some stranger?

I sighed loudly and at the same time quite speechless as I stared at dad. He stared back at me with hope in his eyes. I hated this feeling. I hated the feeling of carrying the world's weight on my shoulders. I hated having to make a decision regarding this topic. I was stuck in a very tight corner.

Christian

I've been sitting down on the hospital bench close to Ema's room impatiently and continuously tapping my right foot. I knew it hasn't been hours as I could see the time on the clock hung on the wall but it has felt like hours. Hours of pacing to and fro then sitting down and waiting for someone to step out of that room and say something to me. I was dead end worried. Was she okay? Is the baby fine? I didn't want to even think of losing Ema. The thought of it alone got me agitated. Yes, my feelings for her was still in motion but what could I do. I've tried everything. I went away for months trying to find peace and solace within myself. Trying to forget the feelings I have for her. At that time, I believed it worked but seeing her made me realise nothing changed. I would still go the extra mile just to see her happy. The only good thing was the fact that I learned to control these feelings, to hide them better. Sooner or later, they'll have to disappear. Personally, this was another reason why I accepted Rockwell Gryffin's proposal about getting married to his daughter. I wasn't planning on finding love with her. Honestly, I was over love and heartbreak. Right now, all I needed was a distraction. Something to keep my mind busy, to stop my thoughts from wandering far off and hopefully, eventually, I will forget my feelings for Ema.

I leaned my head backwards so it was resting on the wall behind me. I shut my eyes in the process. I needed to take a deep breath and calm down. Everything was going to be fine. Ema and her child is going to be safe.

I heard sound of the door opening so I opened my eyes. I immediately got up to my feet at the sight of the doctor. I quickly rushed to meet up with him before he could walk away.

"Doctor." I called in order to get his attention. He turned to me.

"Ema... is she okay?" I asked but at the same time deeply praying for a good news.

The doctor put up a warm smile as he let out a sigh.

"Everything is okay. It's a boy. Both mother and child are healthy." He assured me, posing a broader smile alongside before finally walking away.

I immediately let out a sigh of relief as I placed a hand on my chest. Waiting for the doctor's reply had been so nerve wracking. I was glad to get the good news; I've deeply prayed for. Everyone was okay. I needed to see them. Seeing them would make believing much better and so I took steps towards the door to the room. After taking in a deep breath, I knocked on the door. A few seconds later, the door was opened.

Apart from taking a look at the nurse's face from where she stood by the door, my eyes fell next on the little bundle of miracle cradled in Ema's arms. I felt frozen for a second just staring at the baby. It recently dawned on me that a part of me still believed all this was a dream. Seeing this innocent little child made me realise how deep into reality I was. Every part of its body was properly covered up except its small face and tiny pinkish looking fingers. Ema and Lucas both looked up to me about the same time I shifted my gaze to them.

"Christian." Ema called with her usual warm smile on her face but this time around, there was definitely something different about it. She looked really satisfied. Filled with happiness to the brim and for the first time, I realised just how happy Ema now was. I took steps into the room, right up to them. I couldn't help staring at the baby in her arms seemingly asleep. His face almost as red as a tomatoes and his fingers amazingly so little. He was probably the littlest and cutest being I've ever seen.

"Do you want to carry him?" Ema asked and I couldn't stop my eyes from widening a bit in surprise. I sincerely wasn't expecting that. Ema was going to let him carry her child in my arms. I felt so honoured. I took a look at Lucas who put up a brief smile seemingly stating it was okay.

I stretched out my hand and carefully accepted the baby into my arms as Ema aided placing him there. A smile formed on my face just staring at the little child slowly move its head as well as cringing its face up for a second.

"What's his name?" I asked simply unable to resist knowing what this bundle of joy was going to be called. There was silence for a second as I kept staring at the little child. The smile on my face refusing to go away.

"Christian... His name is Christian." My eyes slowly widened as I reminisced on what I just heard. Unable to believe what just happened, I looked up to them away from the child in my arms.

The smile on their faces as well as the assuring look in their eyes told me this was no joke. Lucas and Ema had readily named their child after me. I didn't know what to do. I became utterly speechless at such an honour bestowed upon me. Did I deserve this? Well, I didn't quite know the answer to that very question but I was ready to work towards having a positive reply to that very question. As I stared down back at the sleeping face of the child in my arms, I decided one thing. I was going to become a better person. I was going to become worthy of all the affection they showed towards me and I was going to be a great uncle to little Christian. I was going to make it happen in any way possible.

"Christian." I pronounced barely finding my own voice but at the same time loving the sound of it. The idea of calling this child by my own name. I lighted soothed his cheek before letting my index finger be held within the curl of little Christian's fingers. A broader smile formed on my face. Perhaps, this wasn't such a terrible beginning after all.

Harieth

"Married!? You're getting married!?" Stacy exclaimed almost at the top of her voice, eyes widened as well in surprise.

"C'mon Harieth! You have to be joking." Paris added from where she sat on the other side of my bed.

I couldn't resist sighing quite loudly. I truly wished I was joking. I wished all this was a dream and this very man, Christian Hendrix wasn't existing. I shifted my gaze from Stacy to Paris.

"How I wish I was kidding." I stated to her in a low and sad tone before looking away from her recalling yesterday when dad announced to me the big but yet terrible news. I understood right then that I had no choice. It was either I sign up as a billionaire's wife or I automatically become Harieth Gryffin, the woman who used to sit at the front rows of big fashion shows.

I leaned my head backwards to rest on the headboard of my bed. Unknowingly to me, I did a thorough scan of the room that was once mine but soon enough, I'll have to leave behind. My room was as wide as most people's home in total. My bed was really soft and king-sized. The walls were neatly painted in a cream colour. I stared at the door to my closet refusing to start analysing just how much stuff I had going on in there. The thought of losing all this brought tears to my eyes.

"But I'm so young." I cried out in frustration just as the tears formed in my eyes and I brought a pillow to my face.

"By the way Harieth, who are you getting married to?" Paris asked and I had to take the pillow off my face. I didn't want to pronounce the name of such an evil man. The man that was going to deny me of my freedom, of my youth.

"Christian Hendrix." I ended up stating.

"Christian Hendrix." Stacy repeated as she gently has her seat on the bed finally tired from standing.

"The name does sound familiar, right?" Paris asked Stacy as she slightly furrowed her brows, clearly thinking as well. I stared from one to the other quite confused by what they were doing. How could they possibly know who he is when I have no idea who he is. I don't even want to know who he is. If I'm getting married to him then he must be extremely wealthy.

Stacy suddenly gasped, eyes really wide in shock as well as disbelief. I stared at her in confusion. Paris did the exact same thing and I had to shift my gaze to her.

"Christian Hendrix! You're getting married to the Christian Hendrix!?" Paris asked in such disbelief. I slightly tilted my head to the side vexed that she was making me repeat my answers when I was obviously upset.

"Yes. I told you before. I'm getting married to Christian Hendrix." I exhaustedly repeated. They both bursted out in strange laughter. I stared at them quite vexed. They should know by now how I hate being used as mockery tool.

"Oh my God Harieth! For the first time, you truly have no idea who an A-lister is." Stacy stated and I threw a pillow at her face irritated by their continuous circulation of the same topic. She slightly fell back, not quite off the bed.

"I don't need your explanations. I'll google him up when I'm ready to know more about him." I told them but that didn't quench their laughter. If anything, they heightened it. Laughing as hard as ever. Was the fact that I knew nothing real about this man really that funny? So what if I have no idea who he really is. He might probably be popular because of his family name but as long as I have no idea who he is, I could bet with my life he wasn't friends with the media.

It sorts of makes me wonder who Christian Hendrix really is. Was he just another pretty face on the hot list of the world or was there something else intriguing about him? Sooner or later, I'll have to find that out.

***

Late that night, I busied myself with my laptop browsing on the web for answers. I typed the name, Christian Hendrix then clicked the search button. I waited eagerly for an answer and finally something popped up. Several of his images popped up, most of them taken at events attended by him. I clicked a picture and narrowed my eyes at him.

"Hmm... it's not bad at all." I complimented before clicking back to several replies were on display. I clicked one with the Wikipedia attachment. As soon as it pops up, I began to read through everything about the Hendrix Enterprises. Sooner than later, I just laid on my bed staring at his image. A sly smile forming at the corner of my lips. It turns out the Hendrix's weren't just rich. They were Richie-rich with over four generations of business growth. Hendrix enterprises. I wasn't really interested in giving up my freedom and getting married to a man I barely knew but, thinking about it all, becoming the queen of such a large kingdom wasn't such a bad idea. The longer, I plundered on it, the more I developed interest. I was definitely going to choose this over living on the streets. I've found my resting abode and no one was going to take it away from me.

Sorry guys about the late update. I'm having a little of writer's block regarding this story but I'll try to surpass it and update a little faster next time. Please don't forget to vote and comment to show your supports.