Chapter16
955 Words
Emily was curled up on her couch, absently scrolling through her phone while a half-watched drama played on the TV. The events of the day had left her restless, especially her encounter with Melissa at the supermarket. The woman’s words had replayed in her mind far too many times, gnawing at her peace.
She had just taken a sip of her tea when her phone vibrated on the coffee table. The screen lit up, and her breath hitched slightly.
Ryan Blackwood.
For a moment, she just stared at it. It wasn’t like Ryan to call her this late or at all, unless it was strictly necessary. Why was he calling now?
Her fingers hovered over the screen before she finally exhaled and answered.
“Hello?”
A brief silence. Then, his deep voice came through, smooth yet unreadable.
“You sound surprised.”
She blinked. “I am. You don’t usually call.”
“Would you rather I didn’t?”
Emily rolled her eyes, leaning back against the couch. “That depends. Are you calling about something important, or did you accidentally hit my number?”
A low chuckle met her ears, and she wasn’t sure why that tiny sound sent an unexpected flutter through her chest.
“I don’t make mistakes, Emily.”
Of course, he didn’t. Typical Ryan.
“Then why are you calling?” she asked, trying to keep her voice neutral.
There was a pause. Then, “Have you had dinner?”
Emily frowned. That was… unexpected. “Why do you care?”
“Just answer the question.”
She hesitated. “I had something light.”
A scoff. “That’s not an answer.”
She sighed. “I wasn’t that hungry, okay?”
Ryan was silent for a beat before he spoke again, his tone edged with mild frustration. “You should eat properly.”
Emily narrowed her eyes. “Why are you acting like this?”
“Like what?”
“Like you suddenly care.”
A pause. Then, in a voice quieter yet firm, he said, “Maybe I always have.”
Her heart did a slow, unexpected flip.
Emily parted her lips to say something anything but nothing came out. Ryan wasn’t the type to throw around words carelessly. And the way he had just said that… it didn’t sound like some casual remark.
She gripped the edge of the couch, steadying herself. “Ryan”
“Sleep early,” he cut her off, his voice back to its usual commanding tone. “You’re overthinking again.”
Before she could respond, the call ended.
Emily stared at her phone in disbelief.
What the hell was that?
She exhaled sharply, tossing the phone beside her.
Ryan Blackwood was confusing. And maybe just maybe he was starting to get under her skin.
Too much.
Emily tossed her phone onto the couch, exhaling sharply as she stared at the ceiling.
Maybe I always have.
Ryan’s words echoed in her mind, refusing to leave her alone. He had said it so casually, yet it carried a weight she couldn’t ignore. What did he even mean by that? He had never shown her anything other than irritation, cold indifference, and the occasional teasing remark.
And now, he was suddenly asking about her dinner? Telling her to sleep early?
No. No way. I’m reading too much into this.
Shaking her head, Emily pushed herself up and decided to busy herself in the kitchen. If she let herself think any longer, she’d go crazy.
She opened the fridge, staring at the contents as if they held the answers to her confusion. Her stomach grumbled slightly, reminding her that maybe Ryan was right she hadn’t eaten much.
Rolling her eyes, she muttered, “Of all people, Ryan Blackwood giving me life advice.”
She settled on making a sandwich, taking slow bites as she leaned against the counter. The quietness of the apartment only made her thoughts louder.
Was he just being nice? Or was there something more?
It wasn’t the first time he had caught her off guard. Even back when she worked for him, there had been moments fleeting, but noticeable where he wasn’t the ruthless, arrogant boss she knew. Moments where she felt like there was something else hidden beneath his cold exterior.
Maybe I always have.
She groaned, shutting her eyes. “Ugh, Emily, get a grip.”
She needed sleep. She needed to stop overthinking.
But as she climbed into bed, pulling the covers over herself, her phone buzzed again.
Her heart skipped a beat.
She reached for it almost too quickly. But when she saw the name on the screen, she let out a breath.
Gina.
She answered immediately. “Took you long enough.”
“Excuse you?” Gina’s voice came through, full of attitude. “Some of us have lives, you know.”
Emily smirked. “Yeah, yeah. What do you want?”
“I was gonna ask how your day was, but you sound like you’ve been hit by a truck. What happened?”
Emily hesitated for a second. Then, before she could stop herself, she blurted, “Ryan called me.”
Silence.
Then, “...Huh?”
Emily sighed. “Yeah.”
A beat.
Then Gina let out a dramatic gasp. “Hold the hell up your ex-boss-s***h-fake-boyfriend-s***h-walking-devil called you? At night? And you picked up? Oh my God, what did he say? Was his voice deep? Did you swoon? Wait, did he”
“Gina.” Emily groaned, pressing a hand to her forehead. “Can you be normal for one second?”
“Absolutely not. Spill.”
Emily bit her lip. “He just… asked if I had eaten.”
Silence.
Then, Gina screamed.
- Writer
