FORBIDDEN FEELINGS

The Return Of The Devil

Emma had rushed through the hangover soup her housekeeper had made.Feeling lightheaded was a consequence of her rash decision but it didn't make her feel as terrible as the memory of her trying to force herself on the obnoxious Ryan Hale.

She kept closing her eyes in shame every time her mind drifted to it.Emma had managed to get out of the hotel room that morning without encountering Ryan,the receptionist had assured her that the man had paid for the room and she had nothing to worry about.

Getting home to meet Michael’s absence had worsened her mood.Obviously he had actually slept out too doing God knows what with Selena.But who was she to judge at the moment,her steamy romance with Ryan didn't leave her less innocent.

“Mum, you are spilling your soup”

Sarah,her ten year old daughter called her attention.Emma gave her a reassuring smile and kept on eating hungrily.The only good thing was the fact that it was a weekend, showing up at work with a stinging headache and looking like a mess could discourage any client.

“Mrs Hale,I have prepared the children for church,we will be leaving soon”.

“Oh! Thank you Martha”, Emma responded giving her housekeeper a reassuring smile.Sarah gave her mother a long look before she exited the house while her brother Bernard hugged Emma before they both left.

Emma was still clutched on her seat when she heard a car zooming into the garage,she knew her instinct was accurate when Michael walked in in haste.He looked so disturbed but she couldn't care less.

“I didn't know when you left the party, your phone was off all night”.

“Were you out all night searching for me? I am touched”, Emma responded sarcastically.

Michael knew dragging it all further wouldn't do a cheat like him any good.It wasn't their first time departing from event venues individually.

“I…I had to go check up on a project,Mr Crane’s son that has been abroad for about twenty years is returning to Los Angeles,I was paid to get him a private apartment with a garden and good view”.

“Oh! Good for you”, Emma responded scornfully.

Of Course the Crane family weren't strangers to her, Michael had always handled all their real estates but personally, Emma didn't like them,her instinct had warned her of their evil personalities.

She was done listening to Michael rambling on because another flashback of him kissing Selena had replayed in her head,five more seconds in the same space,she would be tempted to smack him across the face.She picked up her phone and made for the bedroom.

At a dial Jane picked up instantly as if she had been waiting for it.

“I am in church Emma,I guess you skipped church today again”.

Emma laughed hysterically “ I think you are forgetting,I am God's favorite daughter”.

She could hear Jane laughing from the other end of the phone.Their relationship had always been that smooth and joyful.

“I called to tell you not to accept any booking from Mr Ryan Connor,I can't work with him”.

Emma knew Jane was dying to respond but her husband's presence beside her must have stopped her wagging tongue.She would have persuaded Emma otherwise but she kept stuttering.Emma dropped the call, knowing Jane,she wasn't going to give in so easily, Emma's Monday morning is going to be filled with her convincing chatter.

***

Ryan had checked out of the hotel room, disappointed at Emma for leaving without a goodbye.His instinct disagreed stating she left secretly out of shame.On the contrary to Emma's belief,he hadn't held the steamy romance that almost happened between them against her.

Obviously she was drunk and vulnerable,but he wasn't,his treacherous body had actually followed her lust and responded to it.Few more seconds in that room he would have had his erection buried inside her.

He drove straight to his house to have a change of clothes and maybe relax a bit,it was a weekend afterall and his father was still out of town.

Walking into the living room, something felt off but he couldn't place it.The atmosphere felt eerie and extremely silent.Edward’s usual loudness wasn't heard.

There he was! his father,a man that always managed to scare the hell out of him as a child,he was an adult now but somehow,a part of him still didn't enjoy being in the same space with him.

“I was told you attended the party,I guess you are finally growing up”, his father's deep voice said with a hint of mockery.

“Your spies are doing a great job dad”, he responded instantly and watched Edward's jaw almost drop.

Edward had been sitting silently in a corner cowering.His father barely spared him glances but was always quick to criticize his wrongs.

“Returning from a hotel this late,I guess the night romance was steamy enough”.

Ryan didn't respond to his father's taunts, getting into an argument with him that morning would worsen his already rotten mood.He was about to walk out on him when his father muttered something under his breath and smiled devilishly.

He decided to ignore him and walk into his room.He could still smell Emma's cologne on his shirt which was still very intoxicating. He turned his room doorknob and entered only to stagger backward in awe.

There on his bed sat Alex Crane smiling enthusiastically at him.

“I told you I will find you as soon as I land in town,I have missed you a lot Ryan that I had to schedule my flight earlier than my father expected”.

Ryan hiccuped,his heart sank as an awful flashback played in his head,he had to hold the wall for support as Alex hugged him lovingly.

Breathing was difficult for him but Alex didn't seem to care,he kept holding on to him like they were in a reunion of two lost lovers.

“You reek of a female cologue,you must have had a pleasant night” Alex smiled devilishly but Ryan pushed him away suddenly.He landed on the bed with his back.

His countenance darkened,a mixture of surprise and displeased.

“Get out of my life Alex!” Ryan shouted at him.

“How could I when you have something that belongs to me?” Alex responded with a defiant chin.

“What?” Ryan said, playing dumb.

“The murder weapon fool!!!”.