章節 9: A Day in the Lion’s Den
Emily woke up to the soft rays of sunlight streaming through the oversized windows. The previous evening's events played like a chaotic movie reel in her mind—getting whisked away to Ethan's manor, the maids bustling around her like she was a doll, and, of course, the "wedding night."
Ethan had been surprisingly restrained, respecting her boundaries, but his teasing remarks still lingered in her thoughts.
The room was silent except for the occasional chirp of birds outside. For a moment, Emily thought she might actually enjoy this newfound peace. That was until the door opened, and Ethan walked in, already dressed in his sharp suit, holding a cup of coffee in one hand and his phone in the other.
"You're awake," he said, his tone as casual as if they'd been married for years.
Emily sat up, pulling the comforter tightly around herself. "Do you ever knock?"
"This is my room, Mrs. Carter," he said with a smirk. "Why would I knock?"
Emily groaned, rubbing her temples. "This is going to be a long day."
Ethan placed the coffee on the nightstand beside her. "Drink up. We have a lot to discuss."
"What now?" she asked, eyeing the steaming cup suspiciously.
"You're officially the CEO's wife. That comes with... certain responsibilities," Ethan explained, his tone light but his words carrying weight.
Emily raised an eyebrow. "Responsibilities? Like what? Smiling for staged photos and playing the perfect wife?"
Ethan chuckled, shaking his head. "Not quite. But close."
"Great," she muttered, taking a reluctant sip of the coffee.
---
The Morning Meeting
After breakfast—an awkward affair with maids serving a lavish spread while Emily barely nibbled on toast—Ethan insisted on taking her to his office.
"Why do I need to go?" Emily asked, crossing her arms as Ethan guided her to his sleek black car.
"You're my wife. People will want to see you," Ethan replied matter-of-factly.
"Since when did I sign up for this public appearance nonsense?" she shot back, sliding into the passenger seat reluctantly.
Ethan smirked as he started the car. "Since you married me."
The drive was relatively quiet, though Ethan occasionally glanced at Emily, who stared out the window, lost in thought.
When they arrived at Grey Enterprises, Emily's jaw dropped. The towering glass building was more imposing than she'd imagined, a literal monument to Ethan's success.
"You work here?" she asked, stepping out of the car and craning her neck to take in the building's height.
"No, I nap here," Ethan replied dryly.
Emily glared at him, but before she could retort, John appeared, clipboard in hand and a bemused expression on his face.
"Mrs. Carter," John said politely, nodding in her direction.
Emily blinked. "You know my name?"
"Of course. Ethan made sure everyone did," John replied with a small smile.
Emily shot Ethan a look, but he just shrugged. "What? You're my wife. It's only natural they know who you are."
---
Inside the Lion's Den
The office buzzed with activity. Employees hurried past, some stealing glances at Emily, while others pretended not to notice the boss's new wife.
Ethan led her to his massive corner office, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of the city. Emily wandered inside, taking it all in.
"This is... a lot," she admitted, running her fingers along the edge of his sleek black desk.
Ethan leaned against the doorway, arms crossed. "Get used to it."
Before she could respond, John entered with a stack of folders. "Sir, these need your signature, and the board meeting is in thirty minutes."
Ethan waved him off. "Fine. I'll deal with it later."
John hesitated, glancing at Emily. "And... should I arrange anything special for Mrs. Carter while she's here?"
Emily opened her mouth to decline, but Ethan beat her to it.
"Yes. Show her around. She might as well see what she's a part of now."
Emily narrowed her eyes at Ethan. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
"Immensely," he replied, flashing a grin.
---
The Tour
John turned out to be a surprisingly good guide, leading Emily through the maze-like corridors and explaining various departments.
"This is where the marketing team works," John said, gesturing to a large open floor filled with colorful posters and brainstorming boards.
Emily paused, admiring the creativity. "It must be nice to work in a place like this."
John smiled. "It has its moments. Though, working for Ethan can be... challenging."
Emily snorted. "Tell me about it."
John chuckled, lowering his voice. "He's not as bad as he seems. A bit arrogant, sure, but he's got a good heart underneath all that."
"I'll believe it when I see it," Emily muttered.
---
An Unexpected Encounter
As they continued the tour, Emily noticed a woman in a sharp red dress watching them from across the room. Her piercing gaze made Emily uncomfortable.
"Who's that?" Emily asked quietly.
John followed her gaze and sighed. "That's Victoria. She's... someone who's been close to Ethan in the past."
Emily raised an eyebrow. "Close how?"
John hesitated. "It's complicated."
Before Emily could press further, Victoria sauntered over, her heels clicking against the floor.
"Emily, I presume," Victoria said smoothly, her red lips curving into a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Yes," Emily replied cautiously.
"I'm Victoria. I've worked with Ethan for years," she said, extending a manicured hand.
Emily shook it reluctantly. "Nice to meet you."
Victoria's smile widened. "I hope you're ready for the challenge of being Mrs. Grey. It's not an easy role to fill."
Emily bristled at the subtle jab but kept her composure. "I'll manage."
---
Back in the Office
By the time they returned to Ethan's office, Emily was both mentally and physically exhausted. Ethan glanced up from his desk as they entered.
"Enjoy the tour?" he asked, his tone teasing.
"It was... enlightening," Emily replied, dropping into the chair across from him.
Ethan smirked, but his expression softened slightly as he noticed her tiredness. "You'll get used to it."
"Will I?" Emily shot back.
Ethan leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "You're stronger than you think, Emily."
The sincerity in his voice caught her off guard. For a moment, she saw a glimpse of the man behind the arrogance—the man who had grown up an orphan, fought his way to the top, and now stood before her as her husband.
"Maybe," she said softly, meeting his gaze.
For the first time since their whirlwind marriage, she felt a flicker of hope that, just maybe, they could make this work.
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