Attracted to the Devil

Chapter Four: Departures and Deceptions

The morning light filtered through Emily's room as she stirred from a night tangled in passion. Glancing over, she found Max already dressed, his suitcase neatly packed. "You're leaving already?" she inquired, the remnants of their shared night still lingering in the air.

"I need to leave for the airport quickly," Max lied, his smile not quite reaching his eyes as he leaned in for a parting kiss. Emily, with a trace of distrust in her gaze, couldn't help but inquire about the nature of Max's elusive business. "What type of business do you venture into?" she questioned, her curiosity edged with a hint of skepticism.

"I'm into importing and exporting goods," Max replied, his response a carefully crafted facade to appease Emily's suspicions. Trying to convince her, he mentioned the need to get going, handing her some money to care for herself while he was away. Promising to keep in touch, Max assured Emily that he would call and check up on her until his return.

Emily, still clad in her nightwear, rose to give Max a hug, whispering in his ear that she would miss him. Max, with a hint of guilt concealed behind his smile, reciprocated the sentiment and set off, excusing himself from the room.

As the door closed behind him, Max quickly dialed his wife. "I'll be coming home today," he announced, hastily ending the call upon hearing footsteps approaching. It was Emily, having come to see him off. With a brief goodbye, she watched him depart before retreating to her own apartment.

Emily standing in her doorway, a mixture of emotions swirling within her.

Max, on the other hand, navigated the delicate balance of his dual life. He had gotten home to meet his wife, as she gave him a warm welcome.

Welcome my love, I’ve missed you so much. You were barely picking or responding to my calls and messages throughout your journey. I hope the business went well.

“Can I get some food first?” Max asked trying to avoid those questions. As she quickly rushed to bring his food. I forgot to mention, I won’t be staying for long, he said.

Her mood quickly went from a 100 to 0 as she questioned what he just said. You’re barely at home this days, she said with a dull face.

I’ll make it up to you he said, as his phone rang. It was Emily. He quickly got up and said he needed to attend to a business as he got into the room.

Weeks drifted by, and Emily found herself ensnared in a paradox of emotions. The allure of Max had become a constant distraction, making it challenging to focus on her studies. Her love for him had grown into an all-consuming force, and the anticipation of his return lingered like a persistent shadow.

In her eagerness, Emily repeatedly checked in on Max, desperately seeking a connection in the void his absence had created. However, his responses were sporadic, veiled in excuses that left her perplexed and unsettled. Emily confided in Lisa, revealing Max's peculiar behavior. Lisa, sensing an underlying mystery, insisted that Max was concealing something. Despite Lisa's cautionary words, Emily's heart, steadfast in its love, refused to acknowledge any potential deceit.

One day, while navigating the complexities of her emotions, Emily encountered a stranger named Duke. His approach was confident, and he claimed to have been observing her from a distance, held back only by the looming presence of Max. "I'm Duke," he introduced himself with a bright smile, oblivious to the storm brewing in Emily's eyes.

Responding with irritation, Emily questioned, "And how can I help you?" Duke, undeterred by her sharp tone, expressed a desire to get to know her better. "I've been observing you, and I must say I like you," he added. In an instant, Emily's voice rose, creating a scene that caught the attention of onlookers.

Lisa, sensing the brewing tension, swiftly intervened, guiding Emily away from the awkward encounter. As they distanced themselves from Duke, Emily's emotions reached a boiling point.

Lisa, with a concerned expression, attempted to reason with her friend, cautioning her about the potential dangers of these encounters. Emily, however, remained resolute in her love for Max, refusing to let anything cast a shadow over their connection.

Duke, who was Max’s old friend, knew he wasn’t good for Emily. He planned to caution her but with the response she gave that day, he knew it wasn’t going to be an easy job.