Chapter 10
770 Words
Saturday came faster than Emma expected.
And slower at the same time.
The Dinner
Emma stood outside the house for a moment before ringing the bell.
“This is insane…” she whispered.
Before she could overthink it—
The door opened.
“Emmaaaa!”
Lia jumped into her arms immediately.
Emma laughed softly. “Hi, baby.”
“You came!”
“I said I would, didn’t I?”
Lia nodded happily and pulled her inside.
The house was beautiful.
Quiet. Organized. Almost too perfect.
It felt… controlled.
Just like him.
“Daddy!” Lia called.
He appeared from the hallway.
Same composed look.
Same calm authority.
But when his eyes met Emma’s—
He paused.
Just for a second.
Then nodded.
“You came.”
Emma swallowed lightly. “Yes, sir.”
Dinner Time
Dinner was… surprisingly calm.
Lia did most of the talking.
Emma responded, smiling, laughing softly.
And him?
Quiet.
Observing.
At one point, Lia tried feeding Emma and ended up spilling a little food.
“Oh!” Emma laughed.
“Careful,” he said immediately.
But his tone wasn’t harsh.
Just controlled.
Lia giggled. “Emma is messy like me!”
Emma smiled. “Hey, I’m not that bad.”
For a moment—
It felt normal.
Warm.
Like a real home.
Emma quickly pushed the thought away.
By the time dinner ended, it was already late.
Emma picked up her bag.
“Thank you for dinner, sir. I should get going.”
Lia instantly held her hand.
“No.”
Emma blinked. “No?”
“Don’t go.”
Emma softened. “I have to, baby.”
The boss stepped forward slightly.
“It’s late.”
Emma nodded. “Yes, but I’ll be fine—”
“You’re not leaving this late.”
His tone left no room for argument.
Emma paused.
“…sir, I can manage.”
“Security reasons,” he said simply.
Silence.
Emma hesitated.
Then looked at Lia—
Who was already smiling again.
“She can stay!”
Emma exhaled slowly.
“This is not part of the plan…” she thought.
“Take the guest room,” he added.
Emma shook her head lightly. “Sir, that’s not necessary—”
“Emma.”
She stopped.
Then—
“Stay.”
His voice was calmer now.
But still firm.
Emma looked at him for a moment.
Then nodded.
“…okay.”
Lia cheered happily.
*************
Emma sat on the bed in the guest room.
Still trying to process everything.
“This is actually happening…” she whispered.
The door opened slightly.
Lia peeked in.
“Can I sleep with you?”
Emma smiled instantly.
“Of course.”
In seconds, Lia climbed into bed and snuggled close to her.
“You smell nice,” Lia said softly.
Emma laughed quietly. “Thank you.”
“I like you.”
Emma’s heart softened.
“I like you too, Lia.”
Lia rested her head on Emma’s arm.
“You should stay here.”
Emma smiled faintly. “I can’t, baby.”
“Why?”
Emma paused.
She didn’t have an answer that a child would understand.
“Because… I have my own home.”
Lia was quiet for a moment.
Then—
“Then I’ll come with you.”
Emma laughed softly. “Your daddy won’t allow that.”
Lia pouted slightly.
“I’ll ask him.”
Emma shook her head, still smiling.
“You’re something else.”
Within minutes—
Lia fell asleep.
Peacefully.
Comfortably.
Like she belonged there.
And somehow—
Emma didn’t feel out of place either.
Meanwhile…
He sat alone in his study.
A glass of wine in his hand.
The room was dim.
Silent.
His mind wasn’t.
Emma.
At the office.
At dinner.
With Lia.
The way Lia held onto her.
The way she smiled.
The way she fit—
Too easily.
He exhaled slowly.
“This is nothing…”
But it didn’t feel like nothing.
His eyes drifted to a frame on his desk.
Her.
His late wife.
Beautiful.
Calm.
Gone.
His expression hardened slightly.
Then—
A flicker.
Fire.
Smoke.
A scream.
His grip on the glass tightened.
Then loosened.
Silence again.
He leaned back.
Tired.
Not physically.
Mentally.
Emotionally.
For the first time in a long while—
He looked uncertain.
Like something was shifting.
And he didn’t know if he should stop it.
Or let it happen.
Back in the Room
Emma stirred slightly in her sleep.
Lia moved closer, holding onto her gently.
Like she didn’t want her to disappear.
Emma’s hand rested protectively around her.
Natural.
Effortless.
Dangerous.
- Writer
