Chapter 4 Kai's POV

My lips tilted into a dark smile as I watched my plan unfold the way I imagined. I thought it would be hard... Maybe I was wrong. The sound of an incoming call from my phone made me snap out of my thoughts. I brought out my phone from my pocket before checking who it was. Seeing that it was my best friend, Michael, I informed him, "Please, give me a moment. I want to answer this call." "Sure." I excused myself from the room before receiving the call.

"Kai! What the hell is wrong with you? How could you marry Amy Reynolds? Aren't you afraid that you are putting your reputation at risk?" Michael's voice echoed loudly, making me pull the phone slightly away from my ear. I bit my lip, trying to stay calm before I began explaining. "Michael, relax. I am not doing this for nothing. It's all part of the plan." "And what plan?" Michael asked curiously. "I don't get... How is marrying Amy Reynolds part of your plan?" I glanced around the corridor, making sure no one was around before I leaned towards the wall, lowering my voice. "This is an opportunity for me to take everything Elliot's thrown away. Marrying Amy isn't about saving face. It is about gaining control and assets," I paused. "The Reynolds family belongings and her father's business are all in my hands now. And on top of that, I am going to earn my father's trust," I added. Michael paused on the other end, letting my words sink in. "Are you sure you'll be able to pull this off?" "You are supposed to know the kind of friend you have by now. If I can't pull this off, I wouldn't have started," I replied, a dark smile playing on the corner of my lips. "Pull what off?" Amy's voice made my eyes widen. I turned to face her, suddenly feeling nervous as the fear of Amy hearing my conversation took the better part of me. Even though I was stunned to see her standing by my side, I pretended to be fine by smiling. "It's nothing important," I replied before hanging up. She smiled faintly at my words, that doubtful look on her face. Even though I was curious about what was going on in her mind, I tried my best not to ask her questions. Just when I was about to return to my private room with Amy, my father's voice made me halt. He was finally recognizing me-something he had never done before. "Kai, for how long has this been going on?" My father asked, his voice deep as if he hated me with every fibre of his being. I tried to speak, but I failed to find the right words to use. I had already explained everything; what else did he want to hear from me? Did he expect me to start begging him because today didn't end up becoming his golden boy's colourful day? When I finally found the right words to say, my father's secretary spoke up. "Why didn't you inform Mr. Linton? You know he hates surprises." I clenched my fist as I shot Daniel a death glare. Because he had been working for my father for almost a decade, he now thinks he is part of my family. I made sure to be calm before replying, maintaining my usual gaze. "It's unexpected. I thought I could let go of Amy, but Elliot didn't show up. It is either I make her mine or lose her forever." I was shocked at my words, and so was my father and Amy. I had been known across the city as a boring man who was never romantic, but here I am suddenly one without trying. My father's eyes darkened, clearly not satisfied with my response. Knowing the kind of man my father is, I knew it would be hard for him to be convinced. "This is not like you, Kai," he said, his voice slow as if he knew what I was. "You are not the type to act without a plan. And a sudden marriage to Amy Reynolds? There is more to this, and I want the truth!" Seeing me hesitate to respond to his question, my father commanded. "I want the truth, right now!" Just when I was about to respond to his question, finally able to come up with a convincing story, his secretary whispered into his ear. Even though I didn't hear what he said, I knew it was a sudden meeting between the board members. "We are going to meet at home," my father muttered before leaving, a hardened look on his face. I knew he was disappointed in his beloved grandson's actions and amused at the twist. He expected Amy and Elliot to be the latest couple on the street, but it all went downhill. The moment my father left with his secretary, Amy, who was only staring at us, pretending not to be present, muttered, "Kai, what do we do? It looks like your father doesn't believe us... What-" I placed my hand on her shoulder before speaking, "Calm down; I have everything under control." "It doesn't seem so, Kai. You can lie to everyone, but not to me," she revealed, sounding as if she could read me like an open book. "I saw your hands trembling as your father was talking to you." "Amy, my father won't find out the truth. All we have to do is stick to our initial plan," I replied, trying to calm her down. "What if he finds out?" Still doubtful, she asked. "Amy," I called out, my eyes locked with her blue eyes. "We've already crossed the hardest part, which is the wedding ceremony. And as you know, we sold the perfect story to the world. All we need to do is maintain our cool and follow through... Seeing that she was finally convinced, I made my way to enter my private room but halted at her question. "If Elliot shows up, are we going to keep pretending like this?" I balled my fist at the mention of 'Elliot.' Of course, I would make sure he doesn't return and talk more about showing up in our lives.