Her Fake Lover

Chapter 57

Waylon Ledger smiled, helping Emmeline to her feet again. "Yeah, right. It's me, Waylon. I'm glad you didn't forget me."

"Ah, of course I didn't forget. Don't say that," said Emmeline. "Em—you, you're here to relax?"

Waylon smiled. "That's right, Emmeline. There's nothing better to distract from work than to steal some time to relax. You too, I guess?"

"Um, yes." Emmeline nodded her head with a smile. For a moment, she watched Waylon Ledgar's face. Not much had changed since she had last seen him all those years ago.

"Er—then come on, Emmeline, let's go inside and have a chat. Of course there's a lot we can talk about after a long time not seeing each other," Waylon said. Emmy complied. It wasn't a bad idea in her opinion to talk to an old friend.

They walked in side by side, and Waylon said again, after they had both sat down, "Lea said last night you couldn't see me because you had so much work to do."

"Oh, y-yes." Emmeline remembered the message Lea had given her last night that Waylon wanted to meet her, but Emmy had refused. "Em, that's true. Sorry, don't get me wrong. But I really have a lot of work to do. That's why I said no to Lea last night. Sorry for that, Waylon."

"No problem, Emmy, come on, don't feel bad like that. I'm fine."

Their drink order arrived. They stopped talking for a moment. Waylon then spoke again after that, "But we apparently met here. That means destiny did allow us to meet. How are you, Emmy?"

Emmy smiled. "I ... I'm fine. How about you?"

"I'm as good as you can see." Waylon smiled in his glance. "I'm being honest in saying I'm fine. But you probably aren't, Emmy." Waylon took a sip of the drink in his glass, with his eyes fixed on Emmy, while Emmy stared at him in silence. Waylon put his glass back down. "I met your assistant a few times, Chloe Levine. How was your trip in Italy? Lea and and Chloe said in unison you had business there."

Emmeline raised her eyebrows. "Um—yes. That's true. And, um—I've also heard from Chloe, how you got to know Lea, and also about the help you gave her. Unexpected coincidence, Waylon. Because of that incident, we met again after many years."

Waylon smiled. "You're right. And I like this coincidence, Emmeline." Waylon brought his face closer to Emmeline, "You look pale, Emmy."

Emmy raised her eyebrows. "Is that true?" She took her glass and drank it. "I'm fine. You take it easy."

"I know about the news, Emmy. I read it today."

Emmeline glared. "News?" she repeated slowly.

"Yes. From Foxxtar. I've read the news," Waylon said. "If you're going to be honest about how you're not doing well, I can understand that too. The news that was written was very unpleasant."

Emmeline was still eyeing Waylon. But her mind was busy wandering. "Oh come on, Waylon. It's just a lie. Everything written there is a lie."

"Is there something wrong at the company? Just tell me if you really want to share. Holding anger in your chest isn't good for you."

"I said forget it," Emmeline said disinterestedly, then took another sip of her drink.

"No, Emmy. I'm not even sure if we can talk about other things when you're in such a mess. We're old friends. You can vent all your frustrations on me."

Emmeline looked back calmly at Waylon, before sighing with a silly laugh. "I don't know what they want. They make bullshit, and it's coming from someone I don't know. I really have a lot of work to do now, Waylon. I have a lot of work to do." Emmeline took another sip of the drink in her glass.

"Perhaps there is a disappointment among your employees that a problem arises."

"It's just a mess that people who don't like me intentionally cause."

"That bad news could have an impact on the company's achievements, Emmy. It could have an impact on your sales as well."

Emmy nailed a glance at Waylon. "I know that," she said quietly, disinterestedly, after a moment.

"Emmeline, are you tired?"

"What kind of question is that?"

"No. I just feel, it's a shame that Karfis & Vin has to stumble like this."

"What do you mean, Waylon? Karfis & Vin is fine. We'll sort out any issues that come our way. And trust me, it's not as bad as you think."

"I hope so, Emmy. Your company has great potential. Has anyone ever offered you an acquisition?"

"What are you talking about, Waylon? What acquisition are you talking about?"

"Oh no. Sorry. Don't get me wrong. I just don't think it's a bad idea to take it if there is one."

"Waylon?" Emmeline said as she looked at Waylon in disbelief.

"Sorry, Emmy. I said if only there was. Well, I know people usually build companies by putting big dreams and ideals out there. But sometimes letting someone else with greater power and resources to manage our dreams is not a bad idea."

Emmeline sighed. She took her bag and said, "You don't understand me Waylon. You have no idea how I gave my whole soul to Karfis & Vin. Oh my God. I don't know how you and I can sit here and talk about things like this." Emmeline got up, and was about to leave, but Waylon held her back.

"Okay, okay, okay, Emmeline. I'm sorry. I was just remembering one of my friends, who had a bad time in his business, and did what I was talking about—and—and—"

"Waylon, do you think I'm the same as the friend you're referring to?"

"Y-y-yes, Emmeline, fine, I'm sorry. Come on, sit down again, I beg you."

"No, Waylon. I'm going back to the office to take care of my work—"

"Emmy, are you mad at me?"

"No. I'm not angry. I just want to get back to the office now. See you next time."

"Emmeline! Emmeline!"

Emmeline walked away from Waylon. She walked back to her car. She took a deep breath before getting into the car and driving it away. "Oh, my God," she sighed.

A cell phone rang. Chloe Levine called her.

"Emmy, where are you now? You left with a frantic expression. I was afraid something might happen to you."

"I'm fine. You calm down. I'm fine. I'm on my way back to work."

"Ah, fine then. Oh yeah, Emmy. There's a bouquet of flowers for you. This time from someone I'm afraid will blow your mind."

"Who?" Emmeline asked, frowning.

"Howard Silas Ashbluff."

"What?!" Emmeline stopped the car suddenly in surprise. She could hardly believe what she heard.

***