Emerald's Point of View

The rain was pouring hard. I expected the rain to alleviate my pain, but it only intensified it. I couldn't drive away from his office. My husband's words kept echoing in my mind. He's always harsh. His words cut too deep inside my heart.

The conflicting emotions within me drove me to accelerate aggressively. The speed of my car increased until I noticed another car traveling at the same speed but in a different direction. My eyes widened; I tried to step on the brake, yet it wasn't working.

"What the..."

The road was slippery, raising the possibility of accidents.A car unexpectedly swerved towards me, causing chaos in the middle of the road. My car moved independently after I tightly gripped the steering wheel.

Fear builds up inside me. My car was hacked! I tried to reach out for my phone and contacted my parents. However, I couldn't find it in my bag, which added to the tension I'm feeling.

Since I am now the only car that's driving recklessly, some cars are now going against me. I thought I'd be in an accident, but I'm thankful that I was able to avoid a huge van that was almost going to kill me.

I bit my lower lip when my car stopped at the road where there was no one else aside from me. I tried to turn off my car and get out, but my door remained locked. The power was turning on and off, and it even started on its own despite being shut down.

"Help! Help! Anyone there?" I screamed out of my lungs, wishfully thinking someone out there could hear me.

However, a man, dressed in a black raincoat and carrying an umbrella, suddenly appeared near my door. Only his eyes were visible through a full face mask covering his face.

Despite the danger, my heart skipped a beat when he opened the door and automatically locked it. I attempted to escape one more time, but in an instant, a knife nearly pierced my neck. If the knife had penetrated my neck a little deeper, it would have resulted in my death!

The kidnapper inserted a piece of cloth into my mouth and secured it with tape. I tried to move to the driver's seat, yet he was strong enough to push me down.

"Squeal once more, and you'll die. Believe me," he affirmed. However, something unusual in his voice shocked me. He's using a modulated voice behind those masks!

My whole body trembled in fear. I couldn't look behind. Tears streamed down my face. "I am the future president's daughter-in-law, aren't you afraid of my family? R-Release me before they press charges against you!"

The kidnapper chuckled, disregarding my best efforts to warn him.

"Oh, c'mon. We both know you're not the real wife but a mere stand-in!" He admitted, making me cease.

My eyes widened in shock. Only our families know about it, how come someone like him will gain knowledge about it?

"Who are you?"

His heterochromia eyes suddenly landed at the rear mirror. Seeing his two cold pair of eyes made my skin shiver.

He smirked. "Marrying off Emerald Campbell- ah, Emerald Dawson, instead of the one who has the true Campbell blood to a well-known scion? Why?" He stopped. "Your step sister ran away, leaving you no choice."

The kidnapper knows my greatest secret- and it is my family name Dawson. My biological father's surname.

"Look, Miss Campbell. I am giving you a fair warning. I know all your family's secrets. I know your father, who's currently in a nursing hospital. I can kill him anytime I like." He affirmed. "Your mother is secretly spending her husband's fortune to buy stuff, and even went gambling. Proofs?" He chuckled.

He took out something in his jacket's pocket and pictures of my mom scattered around, buying luxurious things at the market. A picture of her were even captured looking around, carefully getting inside a brand new Mercedes-Benz.

"Your ill father can't buy these for your mom so she find someone new. So clever, huh?"

He's telling the truth. My mom is literally the one who's in the picture! Her tattoo on her right chest justifies everything. But how could he know these things? I don't recall having a relative who has heterochromia!

He took out his phone. Just like his mask, he was also using an unusual phone. It wasn't an ordinary one. My eyes saw it had no signal bar on it, yet he was able to call a number that even I was familiar with.

Jude's name was displayed as the person he was calling. After a few more calls, Jude answered.

"Hello?" Jude's cold baritone voice affirmed.

Tears trickled down my face when I heard the kidnapper chuckle.

"Hello? If you don't have anything to say, I'll put the phone down and block your number."

Jude was about to end the call when the kidnapper confirmed his intentions. "Do it and your wife will die."

The knife continues to penetrate deeper into my neck. It made a small scratch on it until I was able to drive accordingly as per his instructions. He stayed behind, threatening me with a knife in his hand as I stepped on the accelerator.

"Two billion dollars in e-exchange for your wife," he affirmed in a stern yet cold voice.

His voice was quaking. His agitation was evident in his actions and his eyes. Although his voice was modulated, he remained stuttering.

A few minutes had passed, and yet Jude didn't speak. "You don't even know my wife. She's now at home."

At home? Was he thinking of me or his real wife, Phoebe? This monster has nothing but hatred! He never cared nor thought about me!

Is he still a human? I would even faint if someone called me he's in danger but my reaction was his contrary. Despite my best efforts to remain still, my body began to shiver in anxiety.

"I'm hanging up. I have a lot of things on my plate right now, and I have no time for a phishing call." My cold, ballistic husband sternly said.

"Look, Mr. Lannister. I am telling you the truth. Regrettably, she is with me and carries a knife around her neck." After the kidnapper spoke, Jude nonchalantly retorted back.

Jude scoffed. "Just call me when there's a corpse."

The kidnapper's evil laugh echoed inside the car. He craned his neck until he took off the black full mask he was wearing. He showed half of his face, yet his nose and lips remained covered. The sight of a substantial scratch on a portion of his eye caused my body to tremble. He craned his neck, revealing his true voice.

My husband clearly said he doesn't really give a damn if I get killed right now.

The kidnapper's eyes went on me. "He shows no concern for your well-being, Emerald. I assume you have to fill the void your sister left behind. But don't worry," he paused. "I will cut your bad luck short and kill you."

Soon enough, I just saw a gun pointing on my head. I closed my eyes with tears streaming down my face, accepting my supposed death.

Third Person's Point of View 

On his way out, Carlos Hamilton was on his way home when he noticed that a car stopped in the middle of the road. His eyes fixated on the car, until he realized that it's a familiar one and owned by a close friend. 

Meanwhile, a woman came out from the car amidst the pouring rain and thunder. He saw Emerald walking barefoot. A thunder abruptly occurred and Carlos saw that Emerald was looking at the man. Stunned that the man might harm Emerald, he immediately went out despite the danger awaits them. 

"EJ!" Emerald suddenly glanced at the man. 

Her heart melted seeing Carlos at the other side of the road. It has been a while since the last time someone called her EJ. Only her close friends can call her that. 

Carlos assisted Emerald to stand up. His eyes went to where he saw the man earlier but he's no longer there. 

"What happened? Did the man standing earlier harm you?" He asked in a low yet worried tone. 

Emerald gripped Carlos' hands and then spoke. She didn't say anything. However, her eyes speak a lot about her condition. She seemed scared. Emerald coughed and Carlos took her inside his car. 

That's when he gave his spare jacket to her whilst Emerald was sneezing in coldness. 

"W-Wait!" Emerald halted Carlos as he's about to drive. "Are we really going to leave my car here?" 

"Don't worry, I'll contact someone to get it for you. For now, let's leave this place. It's dangerous." He affirmed, assuring Emerald before he drove to his condo. 

****

There's nothing else he can think of aside from his condo. He offered Emerald to stay there for a while until the rain stops. A heavy rain has been reported on the news and is currently advising everyone to stay indoors to avoid accidents. 

A landslide already happened in a nearby area and rescuers have been deployed. On the other hand, Emerald is now wearing one of Carlos' shirts.

"Does it make you comfortable? I can give you a sweater if you want," he offered after putting two cups of tea above the bar counter. 

Emerald brushed off her wet hair. "I'm fine here. Thanks for letting me borrow your clothes by the way. Don't worry, I'll give it back after washing it." 

Carlos chuckled. "No worries. It's yours. I'm not using it anymore." 

He seemed fluttered. Seeing Emerald made Carlos a little happy and shy. He thought his feelings for Emerald faded away yet it's still there. All these years they haven't seen each other, Carlos never set his eyes for another woman. 

"You can stay here for tonight. I have a spare room you can use just like the old times." 

'Just like the old times.' Rings a bell on her. Emerald suddenly remembered their life a few years ago. 

Meanwhile, a certain memory crept in her mind. It was gossip circulating not only in their circle of friends but around her school. Emerald is a well-known smart girl back in her days as well as Carlos Hamilton who's street smart, football varsity player, and a handsome very talented man. 

A lot of people say that they look like a couple. And even a rumor about them dating circulated the whole campus yet Carlos remained unbothered. He doesn't care about what people say yet a lot of people are rooting for them. However, there are still people who are not happy with their rumored relationship. 

"You've always been a good friend, Carlos. I appreciate it." Emerald expressed her deepest thankfulness to him. 

He chuckled a little. Emerald can sense that he looked kinda nervous. 

"I know we just saw each other again after many years but..." he paused momentarily. "I like you, Emerald." 

The smile on Emerald's face faded away. She only sees him as a friend and nothing else. Emerald never imagined being Carlos' girl especially when they were close. 

"Carlos, I-I..." 

"No, EJ. Let me speak, please? Let me express how genuine I am towards you and how many years I kept my feelings just for our friendship..." 

Emerald bit her lower lip. She was speechless. After long years, the man who was rumored to like her is now confessing what he really feels. Stunned, Emerald gripped on her shirt tight. 

Carlos can't take it anymore. He waited for this day to see her again with a bright future. He vowed to himself that he won't see the woman she loves to marry unless he's already successful. Now that he has many things to boast about, Carlos didn't hesitate but to express his feelings. 

"The reason why I became a physician was because of you," he affirmed in a very low, yet manly tone. "You said you wanted a man of honor. Someone who has a lot of things to brag about. A businessman, a lawyer and a doctor to be exact. I took one of the hardest programs because you once said you wanted someone to look after you so I became a doctor... and I'm very much willing to take care of you for the rest of your life, EJ." 

Emerald heard a lot of confessions but Carlos' way of expression was different. It made Emerald lose her mind a little bit. 

She never thought that someone would take her words seriously. She can still remember why she said that. It's because she saw and heard a certain couple bickering outside their school. Emerald wouldn't want a love that is forced, and a love that she's not happy with, so she set her own standards for men. 

However, she still fell in a loveless, one-sided marriage. 

"Actually, the truth is..." Emerald affirmed whilst Carlos was excitedly waiting for Emerald's response. "I appreciate your feelings for me, Carlos. I already noticed it before but I chose to feign ignorance in order to keep our friendship. However..." 

Carlos' forehead creased, and nodded, urging her to speak. 

"However, I can only offer you friendship and nothing more than that, Carlos."

Emerald's Point of View 

Ruining a friendship is not in my 2025 bingo card. Perhaps it may be hard for someone else to confront a close friend but my ideologies in life are the one that gives me strength to voice out what's in my mind and express it towards the person. 

I was standing against the mirror. Carlos let me borrow his sweater as my clothes have been drenched by the heavy rain. He took care of me whilst I'm in his condo, bringing me things that could warm my body. 

"Good bye, Carlos," I affirmed without looking him in the eyes- dying enough to come home in order to avoid the awkwardness around us. 

On my way out, Carlos halted me by holding my hand. "Wait," he paused. "I just want to let you know that I'm persistent enough on pursuing you, EJ. Don't worry, I know you're shocked but it doesn't change anything. I still like you, EJ." 

My heart was pounding fast. I gripped on the sweater hard before pursuing his lips. The way Carlos speaks with gentle and earnest in his voice got me. I feel guilty turning him down. Women flocks on his feet just to date him but here I am, rejecting the person everyone has dreamed off. Regardless, my decision will remain the same. 

"Carlos, you don't understand. You will only hurt your feelings if you keep on-" 

He smiled warmly and held both my hands. "Oh, dear. You don't know how many years I've waited for this. I always had secret feelings for you and now you're aware of it, and I believe we could become a great couple, urges me more. I'll do everything to deserve you, Emerald." 

I took my hands off him. It's not appropriate to let him hold a woman who's already married to someone else. Thinking of Jude incised a small cut in my heart. I feel like I'm betraying the man I love regardless of the turmoil in our marriage. 

He wanted to drop me off at our house but I insisted on taking a bus. He has helped me so much that I don't want to burden him anymore. At first, Carlos didn't agree. We even had a small, not totally an argument before I completely convinced him. However, he never left unless the bus had already departed. 

Anyhow, I share the same roof with Jude. I'm afraid he might see him. 

The next day, I thought I won't be able to see him yet I came across Carlos at the same place where he dropped me off last night. 

A black pick up truck appeared out of the blue. The window slowly moved down and Carlos' handsome face appeared. His smile was up to his ears, showing me his white teeth. At the same time, I smelled something that caught my attention. It's Carlos' perfume that infiltrates my nose. 

"Heading to work?" He inquired with a huge smile. 

I smirked. "Yes. Just waiting for the bus. Why are you here?" 

"Uh-huh. Where's your car?" 

I shrugged my shoulders as he came out of his car. His clean doctor outfit made my eyebrows arched. Now I get why a lot of people like him. 

My car has been towed just this morning and it's currently at the casa, currently undergoing a system maintenance to check if there's any foul play and hacking happening. For now, I will suffer from commuting. 

"Ah, they are fixing my car." I simply said then sighed. "Hopefully I'll get it before the end of the day," well that only happens if a miracle appears 

"Hop inside then. I'll drop you off at Campbell Daily." 

My forehead creased and my eyebrows furrowed. "You know where I work?" 

He nodded. "Uh-huh." 

"Don't tell me you managed to get updates about me yearly?" I jokingly affirmed when Carlos extended his hands and opened the car's door for me. 

He chuckled. "Monthly to be precise," he corrected. "Isn't that what someone does when he or she likes another one?" 

He got a point though. However, I felt awkward when he told me about it. My cheeks blushed when I saw the perfume in his car. So he's using Hugo Boss Elixir Parfum, huh? One of my co-anchor reported that Hugo Boss parfums are widely used when you're out with a loved one, a girlfriend, someone you love or like. 

Suddenly, my cheeks blushed on that certain thought. We're quiet whilst inside the car.

As we reached Campbell Daily's office, Carlos went down. I was curious about what he's about to do when he opened the car's door for me. Unhurriedly, my cheeks turned red as tomatoes. 

"Thank you," I affirmed in a small voice. "You don't have to do it, really." 

He smiled and affirmed. "Don't worry, starting from now, you don't need to commute. I'll drive for you everyday and make sure you're safe whenever you come to the office and come home." 

"Carlos... you don't need to do that. Commuting is nothing for me." 

"I already told you, EJ. I like you a lot. Say whatever you want but I'll do whatever I want." 

I know Carlos Hamilton very well. He's not the type of person who surrenders easily. He's the type of person who does everything to get what he wants in a legal manner. He's charming, has strong charisma but I can't fall for him. 

Carlos left the CD immediately. Someone called him asking his whereabouts and left hurriedly. On my way inside, I saw my co-worker, Mina, an anchor just like me. 

Her eyes widened when she saw me. "Isn't that the famous Dr. Carlos Hamilton?" Stunned, Mina's cheeks blushed. 

My eyebrows arched. "How did you know him?" 

"Ha! You're a news anchor but don't know what's happening? Gosh!" 

I sighed and said, "Of course, yes, I know him. But what is it that's too special for that man?" 

"He's a well-known doctor and a vlogger! He's famous in 'red' app and various social media. He's uploading a vlog answering netizens' questions every two weeks. He's so handsome, isn't he?" I could tell that she's thrilled whilst talking about him. 

Indeed, Carlos became a huge hot shot in this country. Seeing his profile in the red app he's pertaining to made me 'woah'. He has millions of views and subscribers. However, half of her viewers are only there to simp on him but not someone who's in need of help. 

My eyes rolled seeing a bunch of comments regarding Carlos' physical appearance. Searching his name on the internet resulted in too many good deeds he has done over the years. All throughout we separated in college, I never heard anything from him. Our friends thought he's already dead yet we didn't know he's working hard to become a doctor. 

"Tell me more about Carlos Hamilton, Emerald!" Mina, my co-anchor affirmed with a giggling tone. 

I sighed. That's the time I thought of Carlos' feelings for me. Knowing his full capacity, I should find a way to stop him from liking me. 

Suddenly, a bright idea comes in my mind. "Are you free this weekend?" 

Mina was just about to answer my question when another intern came inside my office, looking for me. "Miss Emerald, the chairman is looking for you. He's at his office, requesting a little bit of your time." 

"Tell him I'm on my way." I said then fixed my skirt and stood straight. 

"By the way, Mr. Sanders is also there."