Finding the serial killer

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Jake’s POV,

“You're already here and I know there is no work you have to do immediately. So, relax for a day. Okay.” She was easily convinced so we got back to my living room, Jerry had pictures of the sites they’ve been trying to choose from, and they seemed literally confused to choose any one of them. I don’t do business but one thing is that neither can I tell the difference or say which one will be better. All the difference that I did notice was that one of two were spread over a large area and was a one floor building where the other one had more floors, five floors.

I think the first should be better since there will be less things to manage, less expenses. This place suits for a more one dimensional, like maybe themed. All the restaurants they have has a similar vibe. They are all themed, so this could be like that too.

“I think this will be better.” Emily suggested for the second one sitting with Stella. “This one is better for fine dining.” She swiped all the pictures of the second building they are thinking of buying. “It will do better business than the other.” She added and now I'm genuinely interested for knowing her reasons. “I've seen the photos of your other restaurant on the internet and they are all mono-themed. They are either for the teens, or young adults, there is no suitability for the entire family or just elderly people.”

Now, we’re all listening to her expert advice.

“What would you suggest?” Jerry asked, or I would’ve.

“A multi-themed restaurant.” She smiles like this reminded her of someone that can made her smile a way she never does when she is anywhere. I wish I knew her more to imagine the reason of her smile.

I know she wouldn’t tell if I ask.

“First floors for elders, probably themed like a crossword. Kids can have games or comic themed restaurants, youth can have something around pop music, dance and fashion. There are so many themes to explore. It will be a family restaurant but people can choose what they want to go for.”

We were intrigued with her. it almost made me smile, Stanford graduate, celebrity chef and a police detective and the best business idea among them is from the latter.

“Rooftops for private dinners could be good too. Banquet halls for parties and get-togethers.”

“I didn’t know you had interests in business.” I add and just as I mentioned I see smile fancy her lips.

“My last foster mother owned a restaurant. So, I know a thing about a thing.” Foster, she said? I had no… “Jake, can I go now. You should spend time with them. I'll see you tomorrow at work.”

She left the front door and I'm still stuck at Foster. I should’ve asked more. Like who her mother was? How did she end up in a foster home? Why her foster mother made her smile? I couldn’t ask her.

I run after her. “Emily— wait.” I watch her walking in the elevator, but I'm too far to catch up on. She is leaving making me bothered for something I don’t even recognize. I don’t know I can understand what made her bothered. Why she was so awkward, but if I let her go unanswered, I will be more bothered.

But what is the use of it now, she is gone.

“Jake?”

Or maybe not.

She walked out of the elevator. She didn’t leave. “Did I forget something?” she hanged her head trying to find my eyes.

“Do you have the address?” I ask and she nods but I don’t think she understand what I'm getting at.

“Address?”

“Where you wanted us to go.” She is confused, yet she nodded a yes.

“Great, then wait for me here, let me grab my jacket and we’ll leave.”

“But Jerry…”

“You solved their problem I think we can go.” She smiled at my back unaware that I already saw her smiling, already giving me a smile, I walk through the door.

I changed into better clothes while she waited for me in the car. The two of us are weird today, like unhinged, bothered, awkward and from where I am I feel it more because she is different today. I still try to behave like the most normal person I can be. But it’s hard, she is beautiful, more than I've ever noticed her to be.

All because she has a smile illuminating her face.

“Emily.” I ask before the car will start to move. She hummed telling me that she is listening. “You never told me before that you lived with foster family.”

She chuckled, “More like families.”

“Families?”

She left the steering and turns to look at me like I've asked something wrong. Like she regrets letting that word out of her mouth. “You don’t know everything about me Jake. You can't expect me to tell you all about my life just because we work together. Things I've never had the courage to keep away. I never had that luxury in my life, I can't get used to it now.” The tone of her voice tells me how much she wants someone to listen to her, she just doesn’t trust anyone enough to go all out and open up.

“You forget about the bet though.” Her eyes from regret takes the form of confusion. “If I win the bet, I will ask you all about your life and I think you will not be able to make such excuses anymore.”

“That, when you even win.” Yeah, and it’s back. The classic Emily-smile. “I don’t think is gonna happen.” She is finally turning back to her usual sway. I like it way less than I liked her smile before.

“So, let’s get it over with, I'm dying to know your secrets.”