NOT WITHOUT MY LOVER

Chapter 2

Emily

I had just finished unpacking when Sarah called.

"Bestie!" She screamed

I had to get the phone away from my ear.

"My God! Sarah! Do you want to make me go deaf?"

"No bestie. Let's Facetime, I want to see your face." I could hear her beaming

"Are you sure you wanna see my face" I did as she requested

"Girly, your room is beautiful. Have you finished unpacking?"

Now, what do I do about her screaming?

"Sarah, you said you wanted to see my face."

"Cut the crap, bestie. I've been seeing your face forever. Turn the camera, let me get a clearer view of your room."

I shook my head, then stood up from my bed to show her around.

"Bestie, your room is nice. I love...love it." She beamed happily.

Tch, who is supposed to get all mushy over this? I glared hard at her.

I sat back on my bed.

"So...have you made friends already?"

"Hmmm...no. I haven't met a lot of people since I came." I lied.

"Are you sure?" She gave me a knowing look.

I guessed I didn't completely lie. I didn't meet a lot of people but I met one who has been on my mind since our encounter.

"OMG! You are lying."

Okay. She caught me. Have I ever told you Sarah could see right through me?

"Tell me about it." She looked like she would die if I didn't tell her who I met

"Calm down, bestie. It was just a random guy..."

She cuts in. "How did he look? Is he handsome?"

I didn't know what to say to her. I was lost in his gaze when I saw him. Not that he is expensively dressed, but I feel he's someone who can easily get noticed without trying. And that chest, God, he looked so manly. I wanted to grab them but I'd look like a psycho. Why am I even thinking about that after a first meeting?

"Emily!" Sarah jolted me out of my thought. I must have zoned out for a few minutes. Sarah rarely calls my name unless she's annoyed

"Is there something you are not telling me?"

"No, how could I possibly keep things from you? I'll tell you later, okay?" I assured her. Only when she was pacified she did cut the call.

I heaved a huge sigh of relief. Okay, I need to grab something for dinner.

Daniel

Hardy drove to Greg's laboratory as soon as we received the call. I knew nothing good is going to come out if we investigate. But it was still what we needed to do.

Hardy and I walked into the lab as fast as we can to avoid getting noticed. This whole lot has to be confidential. We passed a group of smokers before we made our way to the basement.

"Thank God you are here. Come take a look." Greg said immediately after we entered the lab. He handed us a pair of gloves. Was that necessary?

I moved closer to the basin on the table. It was a disfigured fish. I recognized it because it was part of what I brought a few days ago. It was covered in molds and the eyeballs were out of their sockets. I turned to Greg.

"Isn't this normal for a fish that has died for a few days now?" I asked

"Hmmm, I thought so too but then, I tested the molds and I found out that they contained some poisonous gases. Not just on the fish, but also on the other sea animals you brought." Greg explained.

"Don't you think it's because they are dead?" Hardy butted in.

Greg shook his head. "I don't think so"

"We have some in the trunk that is still alive. Do you think you can run the same test on them?" I asked

"Yeah, sure. That will be better."

"Hardy, go bring them."

Hardy went out while I sat in a corner. This is going to be bad if the fish turns out to be poisoned too. Hardy entered a few minutes later and Greg proceeded with his test. At this point, I just didn't know what to hope for.

If these new fish are not contaminated, the problem is half solved. That would leave us to the question; "how did the dead fish get contaminated?"

If they are both contaminated, where do the toxins come from? How many people would have consumed the fish, and how many people would get infected from this?

Emily

I stepped out to get dinner from a nearby restaurant. The receptionist at the White House directed me here.

As soon as I got in, a waiter approached me with a smile. Does everyone here smile like this?

He showed me to a table and I sat down comfortably.

"What would you like to have today?" The waiter asked.

"Do you have a menu?"

"Oh, yes! Here it is." He handed me the menu.

"I'll just have cheese and ham, and a slightly cold drink. Thank you."

"Okay, your order coming right up."

I glanced at my phone to reply to some messages. Just then, I felt something hovering above me. I looked up to see some guy gawking at me. He wasn't saying anything either.

"Excuse me, how may I help you?" I asked

"Help? Do you think you can help me?"

He sat directly opposite me with his hands still in his suit pant. I wonder how comfortable he is doing that.

My order came and I proceeded to dig in.

"I'm sure you like food a lot, judging from the way you dug in." Mr suit Pants said.

I glanced at him briefly, then continued with my food. He watched me calmly till I was done. I sipped my juice afterward.

"What did you want?" I asked

"Marry me."

"What?" I almost choked on my juice.

"Do you just walk up to random girls and tell them you want to marry them?"

"No! I just want you." I stared at him, speechless.

"I'm Mark by the way. Nice to meet you, Emily."

How did he know my name? I watched as he brought out a card from his breast pocket and handed it to me.

"Here's my business card. Call me if you need anything."

He stood up and left, leaving me flabbergasted. I stared at the card on the table. I'm not sure everyone here is sane.

Daniel

"Boss...we would have to observe till tomorrow so we can be sure of what we are seeing," Greg explained when he came back a few moments later.

I sighed. This is taking longer than I imagined. I nodded and left with Hardy.

"Boss...what could be the worst-case scenario?" Hardy asked.

He was behind the wheel while I sat in the passenger seat.

I shrugged. "I don't know."

We passed by the white house and I remembered the damsel I met today. How could I possibly forget about her? I told Hardy to drop me in the parking lot. I don't know what I want from her. I just want to see her.

I walked into the lobby. It was then I realized I didn't have her contact. f**k! I only know her name. I walked towards the receptionist.

"Excuse me. I'm looking for a young lady named Emily."

The receptionist looked somewhat confused. I can't blame her, there could be a hundred Emily around.

"Do you have her contact?" She asked

I shook my head.

"You don't?"

Which part of her eyes didn't see me shaking my head?

"I don't."

She looked more confused.

"I'm sorry but, don't you have any other means of getting through to her?" She probed further.

"I..." The words got stuck in my throat when I saw her standing beside me

"Can I have my key, please?" She asked, calmly.

I grinned.

"Oh, there you are," I said, in a bid to get her attention.

She was surprised to see me. Probably not expecting to see me there at the moment.

"Daniel, hi." She smiled

For the first time in many years, I like someone calling my name that way. Like music. So melodious.

"Hi."

"What are you doing here? Do you also live here too?" She asked

I paused. Right. What was I doing there?

"I came to see if you've settled in well. Do you want to go out for a walk?" I added quickly.

"Hmmm...Okay."

We stepped out and I could feel the cool breeze hitting me hard.

"I forgot to get your contact earlier. It was difficult making inquiries from the receptionist."

"Oh"

There was a long pause and only the sound of our shoes could be heard. Okay. That was awkward.

"So...what exactly made you come to this place?" I asked.

"My friend suggested this place for relaxation. I'm an artist and she claimed coming here would help me have more inspiration."

"Wow! You are an artist. That's great."

She chuckled.

"I love artists. Never thought I would encounter one in my lifetime. Thanks for the opportunity"

"Really?" She smiled again.

"Yeah. Artists are the most beautiful set of people I have ever come across. Just look at the one right beside me here."

"Lol. Are you trying to flatter me?"

Was I?

"No, not at all. You know, it's a nice feeling to be creative and also to be able to bring out that creativity. Artists are one people I admire so much."

She chuckled.

"Aww. You are welcome."

"I should commend your friend. She is right to have suggested Sanel Beach. We have many tourists come here every time."

"I can see a lot of them around." She said.

"There are nice places here. Do you mind if I am your tourist guide?"

"Can you?" Her eyes glistened in the bright street light.

"I know every nook and cranny of Sanel Beach. You won't regret it, I promise."

She paused. Probably thinking if it would be a nice idea to follow my lead.

"You can trust me," I assured her.

"Okay. Where are we going first?"

I checked my wristwatch. It's a little bit past 11.

"Hmm...let's start tomorrow. I'm sure you will be tired after a long day."

"Okay."

"I'll call you." I had said that when I remembered I still didn't have her contact.

"Give me your contact." She brought out her mobile from her denim jacket. A card fell off while doing so. The words on the card caught my eye. Jordan Inc. Is she working with them?

I helped her pick it up.

"Is this where you work?" I asked

"No. Enter your digits." She handed me the phone.

I input my number and dialed it.

"We should get back to the White House before it's too late," I said.

The walk back to the white house wasn't as enjoyable as I wanted it to be. I had a lot on my mind already. I waved her goodnight when we got there. And I watched her go in while still thinking about the card.

Jordan Inc. Who is this woman?