The Affair: Emily Thompson’s Entaglement

Aftermaths

‘What the f*ck do you mean by that?’ Emily thought to herself but couldn’t hide the disgust from her face. She hated it, the way that he said it, the way the smirk curled on his lips —still curled up on his lips.

“You remember the last time?” he asked. “How you told me you loved it?”

‘I said that’ She couldn’t recall. She’d never say that. Or maybe she would. ‘F*cking Vodka!’ now she couldn’t tell.

Edward nodded his head like he had expected her to say something but she didn’t and now he’s giving up. “That’s my deal.”

Emily didn’t want it. It didn’t sound like a deal, it sounded more like blackmail. She hated the idea. But at the same time, it was sparking something in her.

“So... what do you say?” Edward closed up at her, his hands tracing her buttons one by one, “you like it don’t you?”

Emily didn’t respond, she couldn’t. His touch brings things into her head. Things so unholy she wanted them out, yet so good she desired it. Emily closed her eyes, and he started to button her shirt until she was exposing her bra.

With her blouse unbuttoned, he grabbed her by the waist closer to himself. “Then we have a deal,” he said, “Whenever I need you, I'll call you.”

Emily felt his hands leaving her, and his breath wasn’t on her face anymore. She opened her eyes, and he was already back to being five feet away from her. Confused but too ashamed to just stand there wondering if she did back her button. It was then that she noticed her presentation had fallen from her hands.

And all he did was just stand there and watch her with a smirk—she still hated it—while she picked up those files one by one.

The moment she finished, he said, “Tell your boss, we have a deal,” then walked out of the room.

…

One month later

Emily rushed out of the hospital and didn’t stop until she got to the parking lot. Her breath had become heavy, her head banging like a canon, and where is the damn car? She wondered as she looked around the car park like a mother looking for her infant child.

“Good news,” the doctor had said, “you are three weeks in.”

He was smiling while he was speaking, like it was meant to be good news. He stretched the result to her. With trembling hands, she collected it from him, and that was before she walked out while he was still speaking.

She took another look around the car park.

“Ms. Emily,” the driver called.

There was no time to feel stupid that she had been standing right in front of the car. She slid in quickly.

“To where?” the driver asked, looking at her from a rare view.

“To the office,” she said.

The driver eased in, and Emily came down from the car, went straight to her office, and dropped the test result on her desk. She fell to her seat, letting the ergonomic chair tilt.

‘How will he take it?’ she wondered as she stared at the document on the table, ‘how do I even break it to him. Hey, Tony I have your baby.’ she shook her head. Perhaps ‘Tony, I am not sure you are ready for this but I have your baby.’

`“Even more stupid.” Emily slapped her own forehead.

‘What if the baby isn’t his?’

The thought of the baby being for the Merchant passed through her mind and it felt like the vent stopped working. Sweats began to slide down her face. Emily removed her jacket, folded it into two, and dropped it on her work desk next to the test result. She left the office for the restroom—she could use some water on her face.

And in a few minutes, she returned to the office.

The moment she entered, she stumbled back steps and until her back hit the door, her ocean green eyes widened, and her mouth went dry immediately. Her stomach knotted and her legs became too weak to stand her weight.

"Oh,” Tony smiled, turning to her, “I am sorry we startled you, Mr. Edward, here, just wanted to see you. He's been going on and on over your presentation.”

His words were like a million echoes away. She couldn’t stop staring at Edward, exactly as she’d have stared if she were looking at a ghost.

“Emily?” Tony’s voice dragged her back to the room. “Are you okay?”

Emily nodded and forced a smile. “Yeah, I am sorry. I am okay. I was not... I was not expecting Umm,” She stretched a handshake and said, “Mr. Edward.”

“Ms Emily.” He received the handshake. His grasp is hard and tough, just like the s*x.

Emily’s hands were now getting really sweaty. She could feel it. He should, too. It’s been a few seconds longer than a normal handshake should last. Just like the s*x.

“So...” Tony said, and the two finally broke their handshake. “We were talking about...”

“Thirst,” Edward chipped in with a smirk, and Tony laughed a little.

‘Thirst?’ Emily wore her confusion on her face.

"Oh, don’t think it too deep.” Edward laughed a little, and Tony laughed too.

Too late. Emily was already overthinking everything, mostly about Edward. He hadn't contacted her since their embarrassing encounter. Still, a part of her expected he'd reach out. And for a month, she lived every day expecting a call just for him to show up on the very day she found out she was pregnant.

“Mr. Edward,” Tony said, excitement still on his face, “was just telling me how he loved starving himself of his favorite snack when he got hold of it. He’d enjoy every piece of it. He calls it thirst.”

“What?” Emily said, but what she wanted to say was ‘f*****g a**hole’.

“It’s a strange obsession, at least that’s what my doctor thinks,” Edward said, and it made Tony laugh again.

Her chin was starting to feel sore, but she managed to smile again and pretend it was funny, even though she knew he'd just called her a snack.

She looked at Edward as her smile slowly faded. She wanted him to know that she got his message.

“I might have to borrow that philosophy,” Tony said, his smile gone. It’s obvious he wants to get back to business.

Edward resonated with the energy. “You should,” he said, then turned to Emily. “Thank you for your time, and I most certainly cannot wait till you have another presentation.”

'Humiliation, you mean’ Emily thought, but smiled and nodded instead.

“Alright, we can talk about the business now. Well, in my office.” Tony said excitedly, “I’d lead you there.”

Like cold water to her soul, Emily was relieved to hear they were leaving.

“Of course,” Edward agreed.

Tony started to walk out of the office but stopped like he forgot something, then turned to Emily. “How was it?” he asked.

Emily furrowed her eyebrow. “How was what?” she asked, pretending she didn’t know.

“ The hospital, the test?” Tony asked, his eyebrows raised.