2
1589 Words
Chapter Two
Emma
“Here, let me help you,” Layla reaches under my arms and pulls me up to the bed.
At this point, my back is stiffened with pain and it only gets worse when she touches it.
“I’ll get you some painkillers but It's probably best if you rest for a while since you're super hungover,” Layla says.
Furrowing my brows, I ask, “Hungover?” to make sure I heard correctly.
She looks back at me with her mouth forming a weird smirk, “Don't tell me you don't remember.”
I want to ask ‘remember what?’ but I'm afraid I won't like what I'll hear.
Sure it would make sense if I really am hungover, but I wouldn't like to remember or even know how she found me in my drunken state, and what absurd thing I must've been doing to have her smiling at me like that.
“Never mind…”
Layla rolls her eyes, “oh please…it's absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. We only live once and believe me, I've seen way worse… “
“Oh so it was bad” I say, biting my lip. I wish Layla could just shut up. I wish I could just shut up right now and stop trying to lead her to talk more about my adventures last night.
“Well… at least no one saw you. Noone important I mean. At least not your parents, or the CEO’s of the companies you applied to. If not, I'll say you're good”
She turns around with some ointment and painkillers.
An uncomfortable smile tugs at my lips.
I can't remember what happened last night, or what had even led to me getting drunk in the first place, but I sure as hell regret every bit of it.
What if I had been seen by someone important?
What if?
What if I did something that was going to get me in trouble soon?
“Emma?” Layla snaps her fingers at me, her dark eyes searching my face.
“Sorry; I got a bit… scared.”
“You worry too much. Here, have them;” she puts the medicines in my palm and turns around to leave the room.
“What about your sister, Keren?” I ask, a lump forming in my throat.
Layla stops in her tracks and sighs, her locks resting on her chest as she turns back around.
I'm afraid of what she's about to say. She'd never be hesitant to say that she wasn't leaving the house.
Her silence is killing me, worse than the headache.
Then she opens her mouth and starts, “Emma, Look…”
Ding Dong.
The doorbell interrupts her.
We exchange a confused look.
Neither of us have been expecting any visitors, at least not today.
Layla hurriedly leaves to answer the door.
~•°•~
Zavier
The night before went by in a blur.
One moment I was exchanging words with my wife, the other moment I was running my fingers through a random girl’s underwear, letting her ride me like our lives depended on it..
I don't think she ever told me her name.
But what I can remember was that she had the prettiest eyes I'd ever seen; it was like staring into endless pools of honey.
I remember gazing at them until I got lost in her overwhelming beauty, a burning desire to run my fingers through her perfectly silky, platinum blonde hair engulfed me.
I'd never seen someone so perfect and it stung me deeply that I was probably never going to see her again, so I knew I had to make every second count.
But from the moment her eyes caught my gaze, things took a new turn…
The bar was a bit full, so expectedly there would be news about us spreading throughout the city soon.
And from what I've encountered, rumours spread as quickly as a wildfire here. But the slightest hint of remorse hasn't yet hit me for nearly five hours now.
I stare at my own reflection as I play with the buttons of my shirt, her scent of jasmine and alcohol still lingering all over me. It's only been a few hours since she stumbled out of the bar, dishevelled, leaving me alone in the room, unsatisfied yet euphoric.
Though this might be bad for my father's contract, I can't help but wish that last night lasted longer.
A ringing sound echoes in the hallway, accompanied with footsteps I believe to belong to my wife's maid.
“You have a phone call, Sir,” Marie says once she opens the door.
I shake my hand in dismissal, unbothered.
“It's from your father” she continues, her tone a bit persistent.
My heart skips a beat but I try my best to look unwavered.
Has the news gotten to him already?
“Give it here” I mutter.
She drops the phone on the desk next to me and immediately returns to her post, shutting the door behind her.
I watch the phone ring for two or three more seconds before it finally goes to voicemail.
Then my father's raspy voice comes on.
“Zavier, we have a meeting with the Waltons Monday morning.” He says, “Your wife, Céline knows about it. I've been trying to reach you since last night but you never picked up. Anyway, the meeting starts at eight am sharp. So no matter what you do, don't be late.” then he beeps off.
I roll my eyes at the phone, irritated at his formality. He never speaks to me like we're even related.
Ever since I married Céline Waltons, the wealth has blinded him to the point that he doesn't even see us as family anymore; just business partners and money making machines.
Unbuttoning my shirt, I groan and head towards the shower.
Though the memory of last night still floods my mind, I know I have to think of a way to silence the media once the rumours begin.
And I cannot do that alone.
~•°•~
Emma
“Oh my gosh!” Layla suddenly breaks the silence.
I remain on the bed, suddenly unable to move.
“What!”
“No. F*cking. Way.”
“WHAT!” I shout, struggling to my feet.
Layla suddenly appears at the doorway with a big smile on her face while holding a white box.
I furrow my brows at her and the box, a bit lost.
Maybe it's a gift from her parents… I think, or a free sample from a big company up north.
“What's in your hand?”
“Remember Julie Anders and Callum Stone from highschool?” she starts.
Julie Anders -–I know that person a bit well.. At least the name sounds a bit familiar, but Callum Stone?
“No clue”
“Well…” she rips a piece of paper from the top of the box, “They're coming to SouthLake next week!”
“Oh?”
“I honestly can't wait.. it's been what, seven years since we last saw them, can you believe that?”
“I guess not.”
Layla's shoulders drop, sensing my nonchalance “Why aren't you excited?” “They were like your favourite people in the world back when you were in high school.. I thought you'd be more excited than me.”
“I pretty much can't remember anything right now.” I can't even remember how I got back here, so why the hell does she think I'll remember two people from seven years ago?
“That sucks.” She snorts. “Honestly surprised at how you even made it home in the first place.”
We both laugh at that thought before slowly drifting into silence again. The question I asked earlier still hangs in the hair, unanswered, bothering me, and from the way her eyes nervously drift from my face to the telephone on my bed, I'm sure it bothers her too.
“Are you really leaving?” the silence breaks. The words came out of my mouth like dust… I never thought I'd be asking this question with this much tension building up in my chest.
There is a long pause after that, nothing but the sound of her nails playing with the white wrapping on the box fills the air.
“I'm not sure.” She finally replies. “I mean I miss my family but I just can't leave you all alone…”
“I don't want to be the reason you don't get to meet your parents after all this time.” I interrupt her. “I'm fine with whatever you choose.”
“Emma, I've lived with you for five years; you think I won't be able to tell when you're lying or not?”
I feign a small smile but I hate that she can see through me. That she can see just how selfish I am to want to keep her here with me for as long as we remain in this town.
“I'm going to be fine.” I try to assure her, but I don't think she buys it.
“Are you sure?” she ask
s.
I nod, but my head feels stiff.
She drops the box and wraps her arms around me in a tight hug.
“Thank you.” She says “. I love you so much.”
- Writer
