CHAPTER THREE
1099 Words
"I just can't believe him!" Emma exclaimed, taking a sip of her drink. "He's always trying to set me up with his work colleagues or his friends' sons, like I'm some kind of charity case."
"Girl, you don't need that nonsense!" chirped her friend, Courtney. "You're fierce, independent, and fabulous. You don't need a man to complete you. Just focus on slaying your own goals!"
Emma nodded, feeling a surge of empowerment. "You're so right, Court. Seriously, the way he talks to me sometimes, it's like he doesn't even see me as a person with her own aspirations and dreams. He's always worried about my biological clock and finding a 'stable' partner. It's like he thinks my life is a checklist to be completed. Ugh!" Emma rolled her eyes in frustration.
"Preach, sister!" Courtney chimed in. "Your dad means well, but he needs to realize that you're a grown woman, with your own mind and ambitions. You don't need a man to be happy or successful."
"Yeah, and let's be real, most of the dudes he tries to set me up with are absolute snoozefests," Emma added with a snicker. "Like, sorry Dad, but a man who spends his weekends golfing and talking about his stock portfolio is not my idea of a good time. I want someone who's got a sense of adventure, a passion for life. Someone who can make me laugh until I cry."
"Amen, girlfriend!" Courtney exclaimed
"It's like my dad doesn't get that a relationship isn't some business deal. It's about connection, chemistry, and passion," Emma continued "I want to find someone who sets my soul on fire, not someone who can give me a good 401k. Life is too short to settle for someone who doesn't make me feel alive."
Courtney nodded emphatically. "You're speaking my language, queen! No boring, basic bros allowed!"
As they were discussing someone walked up to them, a man he looks young and rich with a confident swagger with his designer shoes clicking against the marble floor. He flashed a smile that could have lit up the room. "Excuse me, ladies," he said with a wink. "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation, and I must say, I agree with your sentiments wholeheartedly. Life's too short to be with someone dull. Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Alexander. Alexander Montgomery."
Emma looks really uninterested at him but Courtney is. Her jaw nearly dropped to the floor. "Alexander Montgomery?" She asked "As in, the son of the billionaire CEO of Montgomery Industries?"
"One and the same," Alexander replied "But I'm not just my father's son, ladies. I've got my own aspirations and ambitions. I want to make a difference in the world, leave a legacy."
"I think I should go Court, so you too can get more acquitted" Emma said as she leaves the party hall to go home. She didn't come with her car, so she tried ordering an Uber but no one came. She decided to walk to the train station to take a train, on her way she bumped onto Luke who was heads down and angrily walking home after he left Scott at the restaurant after the fight.
"Luke?! Is that you?" She asked
Luke pauses for a moment, as he realized that it was Emma his boss he bumped onto. He turns to face her "Yeah Ma'am, it's me. What are you doing out here so late?" he asked
Emma hesitated before replying "Just trying to get home from a party, I got bored. My Uber didn't show up, and the train's my only option. I know it's not the smartest move to be walking alone, but..." She trails off, feeling foolish. "Oh..what happened to your face?" She asked feeling sorry for his swallowen eyes.
"It's nothing really....ermm I slipped and fell" Luke said to her.
Emma sensed he was lying so she asked again "You're a terrible liar, you know that?" she said with a laugh. "Your face is all bruised, and your knuckles are scraped up. You sure you just 'slipped and fell'?"
Luke sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Look, I don't want to talk about it. Let's just ermm let me just walk you to the train station Ma'am, it's not safe for you to walk down their alone" he requested
Emma jokefully "Ma'am? Really call me that only at the office and still I think I'm a bit young to be called that!" She teased, but she was secretly touched by his concern for her safety. "I appreciate the offer, but I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself." She put a hand on her hip "Besides, I'm armed with my trusty pepper spray. I'll be fine."
Luke shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "Well, at least let me walk with you to the station.
"Oh, fine!" Emma relented "But only because it's dark out, and you're right, it's safer with two people. But don't go thinking I need a chaperone or anything!"
It was a very awkward first five minutes between them, Luke didn't say anything to spark up a conversation and so did Emma. But Luke finally had to say something "Erm so how was the party?"
"Oh, you know, the usual. Stale chips, cheap champagne, and terrible music. But I survived," Emma replied, rolling her eyes playfully. "Though I must say, the highlight of my evening was definitely meeting a certain handsome stranger." She smirked, glancing at Luke out of the corner of her eye. Luke blushed, but he played it cool. "Aw, shucks ma'am"
Emma replied back, "You know what they say, a gentleman never blushes."
"Oof, you've got me there," Luke shot back "Guess I better work on my poker face."
"Good luck with that," Emma teased, bumping her shoulder against his as they walked. "I have a feeling you're doomed to a lifetime of adorable blushing."
Finally they got to the train station. "I feel like I'm being roasted by the CEO herself," Luke said, laughing as they approached the station. "I'll just wear sunglasses everywhere I go from now on."
As they neared the platform, Emma stopped and turned to face him. "Well, Mr. Adorable Blush, I'll let you off easy this time. Thanks for walking me to the station." She extended her hand for a handshake.
"It was my pleasure, Ms. CEO," Luke said, shaking her hand firmly. "I'm glad we had this unexpected late-night bonding session."
Emma just shakes her head "Don't take it too far Luke, I'm still your boss" she said
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