It's Never Too Late

Chapter 15

            Emily and Helen went to the night club as planned. When they arrived, Helen noticed Emily was looking around, “you looking for someone?”

            The music was loud, “what?” Emily said loudly.

            David came in with Jimmy behind him, they noticed them sitting on a table and they walked towards them. Helen noticed her eyes widened, “what are they doing here?”

            “I’m sorry Helen, you’ll understand when you listen to him, he has something to tell you,” David was trying to explain.

            “I don’t want to hear it!” Helen screamed over the music, a guy came over and asked her to dance, she accepted and went off to the dance floor.

            “What happened?” Jimmy looked at her, “she doesn’t want to hear it, does she?”

            David looked at him, “Jimmy, don’t give up, not if you truly love her,” his own words stunned him, I’m giving my friend advice I should follow.

            Jimmy decided to get in the dance floor, “Emily, come on.”

            “What?! Wait I’m not a good dancer,” Emily looked afraid.

            Jimmy took her hand and got close to Helen, Emily was careful not to step on him. “Helen, I need to talk to you.” he was screaming over the crowd.

            “I don’t,” Helen said sternly.

            “Listen, about today I can explain.” Jimmy said loudly.

            The guy that was dancing with Helen noticed, “you guys need to talk?”

            “Yes.” Jimmy said.

            “No.” Helen said at the same time, the guy looked from one to the other. Helen pulled him away, so she wouldn’t have to listen, “lust leave!” She glared at Jimmy.

            Jimmy followed, the guy turned Helen and when she turned all the way she didn’t Jimmy had taken his place. He took her around the waist and kept dancing, “Helen—”

            Helen was mad. “I told you-”

            Jimmy kissed her cutting her off, “I never stopped loving you.”

            “How dare you? Where did my partner go?”

            “I had my heart broken she lived far away, she ended up breaking my heart. I was afraid to repeat the same story.” Jimmy said.

            “Don’t you trust me?” Helen asked with tears filling her eyes. “I trust you whenever I leave.”

            “I do, but I trusted her too, and look where that got me. She ended up sleeping with a ‘friend’ who as she told me ‘came to visit, for a few days.’ I caught them together, two days before the wedding.” Jimmy explained. “I’m sorry, I should’ve never broken up with you, I do trust you.”

            Helen hugged him, “why didn’t you ever tell me what you went through?”

            “I was embarrassed, I’m telling you because I trust you. Sorry Helen, I was an i***t!” Jimmy was hugging her back.

            Helen kissed him, and Jimmy kissed her back, “don’t ever do that again, I thought that you never loved me and had played with my heart.”

            David and Emily noticed, the song ended and they were coming together hand in hand. Jimmy lowered his voice for David to hear, “you should take that advice, or you’ll lose her.”

            “I already lost her.” David said saddened.

            “‘Don’t give up,’ remember?” Jimmy quoted what he said.

            David looked at Emily she was happy chatting with Helen, “Emily, I…” he scratched his head, “want to dance?” Damn another fail.

            “I can’t,” Emily shook her head.

            Helen nudged her with her elbow, “she’d love to.” Emily turned to face her, Helen smiled. “Don’t worry it’s easy.”

            “I stopped dancing long ago,” Emily seemed nervous. She hadn’t danced the night she came with Stanley they just talked he remembered.

                She stopped when her mother died, she never dance after that, not once! “I’m sorry I can teach you.” David said excitedly.

            “Ok, but be gentle with me,” Emily said taking his hand, they danced a slow song.

            David held her around her waist, “just follow my steps,” he whispered into her ear. Emily felt her heart skip a beat when they were close. David was nervous, he remembered when Jimmy asked him, ‘vacation? Is that what she said?’

            After the song she seemed happy, “I did it!” They went to the table, she sat next to her sister, while David sat next to Jimmy.

            “Well did you tell her?” Jimmy whispered.

            “Not yet.” David whispered back.

            About thirty minutes past, David’s head was filled with what Jimmy had told him, what did he mean by her leaving? Was she really planning to leave? Why wouldn’t she tell me? Emily was facing her sister in the dance floor, with her back turned from David who sat across from her. She was watching Jimmy and Helen dance.

            They look so happy together, she sighed, “we helped them today David. My sister grew up so fast, didn’t she?” Emily said deep in thought.

            “Is it true you’re leaving?” David asked saddened.

            That caught Emily off guard, “well on vacation, yes.”

            David reached out for her hand, he wanted to say don’t go, stay here with me, as he was reaching for her hand she brought it to her face, and put both hands under her chin.

            Emily wiped tears away, as she wished to be as happy with David as her sister was with Jimmy. Wishful thinking! David sat next to her, she made space for him. “It’s so beautiful seeing them, isn’t it?” Emily said.

            “Emily?”

            “I mean look at them,” she signaled with her finger towards them.

            “Emily,” David took both of her hands in his and looked deep into her eyes and for a moment there was silence as if they were the only ones there.

            The ringing of her phone, which was on the table, brought them back, the caller ID said ‘Stanley.’ He let go, what was I doing? She has a boyfriend! He was about to tell her everything. I could have dumped Terry, for her.

            “I’m sorry I have to answer,” Emily stood to get away from the crowd.

            She answered when it was safe, “hello Emily?”

            “Stanley?” Emily couldn’t believe her surprise. Stanley called to say he’d fallen in love with her. He wanted to be her boyfriend. She couldn’t take him back, she promised it was all for the best if he would stop calling her.

            “Where are you? I hear music.” Stanley finally asked.

            “I’m with my sister, Stanley I have to go,” Emily was beginning to feel annoyed. Stanley, is persistent-too persistent!

**********

            David was talking to Jimmy, “where’s Helen?” Emily asked.

            David sighed, “she went looking for you, where were you?” Was it jealousy or anger she heard in his voice?

            “I was outside, I obviously couldn’t talk here with all the noise.” Emily said, signaling with her hand. “I’ll look for her.” She left without waiting.

            “David did you tell her?” Jimmy asked.

            “Almost,” David looked bothered.

            “What happened?” Jimmy sighed.

            “Stanley called, her boyfriend I almost made a fool of myself. But for a moment we were alone when I looked into her eyes,” David remembered.

            Jimmy sat next to David, “we’re days away before she leaves. She’s leaving after, her testimony.”

            “What are you saying? I asked her, she said it was a vacation, she’s coming back!” David said angrily. Why’s he acting as if she’s leaving for good?

            Jimmy was silent for a moment, “don’t you see what she’s trying to do?”

            “What is she doing?” David looked confused.

            “She told me not to tell you,” Jimmy leaned over as if he was going to tell him a secret and then suddenly sat back.

            “Hi you guys, I found her,” Emily’s voice brought David back from his thoughts, they stared at her, “what?”

            Jimmy spoke, “I was telling David here that he should just tell you.”

            David gave him a glare, how dare he? Emily was looking at him waiting him to say something, “do you want to dance again?”

            “Sure,” this time Emily pulled him to the dance floor, Helen and Jimmy joined right after. David kept thinking, what is Emily hiding from me? What is it that she doesn’t want Jimmy to say about her?

            Emily would remember today forever, not only had she danced with the one man she loved since-forever. But he reminded her, after so many years, she thought she’d never dance again. They left after dancing, this was probably our first and last dance and he doesn’t know. Emily wanted to change so she’d never fall for the wrong guy again.

            Not even Helen knew she was going on her ‘vacation’ to look for a place to move after her sister graduated permanently. Emily didn’t like goodbyes she’d live to the fullest until that day, she didn’t know how to get over him, and she thought that putting distance between them might just do it for her.

            Helen was happy, everything was perfect, she was with Jimmy and Emily was with David-how it should be. For a moment Emily thought that David and her were alone, she was glad that they were together.

            The next day after lunch, her office was filled with roses the people from the flower shop kept coming with more, “are you Ms. McAllister?”

            “Yes I am, what is all this?” She asked surprised, signaling to all the flowers.

            “I’m sorry, we only deliver the flowers, can you sign this?”

            Emily signed it, I’ll call Stanley, why is he doing this? She couldn’t let this happen, for a moment she wished she was gone. David came in, “what is this?” He asked with a hint of jealousy on his voice.

            “I don’t know.” Terry stood beside him smiling.

            “They’re roses, I have to call Stanley!” Emily said sternly walking passed them.

            “I’m taking one for Helen,” said Jimmy who had been in a happy mood. David and Emily glared at him, “what? Can’t a guy be happy for his girlfriend?” He giggled “my girlfriend.” He took a rose, “this is for Helen.”

            David glared back at Emily, “tell your boyfriend not to send roses here, all he’s doing is causing work problems.”

            Terry noticed his jealousy for Emily, “I think it’s a great idea, you should-” he freed his arm from hers and stormed to his office, she glared at Emily and followed him.

            Emily took a vase and threw it to the floor angrily, it smashed into pieces. David turned to her, surprised, “it was an accident.” Emily explained, she couldn’t hide her feelings as her face was flushed with anger, and everyone stared.

            Jimmy was astounded, “I’ll call maintenance, you can come to my office. I have some microphones, for you to wear to court, that way we’ll get your story from there.”

            Emily went to Jimmy’s office angrily, she knew he was lying but she would explain it to him. “I know how it looks like. I told him to leave me alone! I broke up with him two days ago.”

            Jimmy wasn’t expecting this, “wait this is good news I didn’t know, but why is he sending you flowers?”

            “He’s in love with me. He told me the day I broke up with him, I can’t wait to leave. Everything will better then,” Emily opened the door.

            “Why are you doing this? To get over him?” Jimmy asked.

            “Over who?” David overheard. They turned to see David at the doorway, “over who? You know who it is, don’t you?”

            “We won’t lie, he knows and promised not to tell, not even you!” Emily said.

            “Damn it! Is that why you’re leaving? Were you even in love with Stanley?” David asked angrily.

            “That is none of your business, Terry is your business!” Emily said reminding him angrily. “You should worry about her?”

            “You’re not coming back from this trip, are you? I told you once I’d figure you out!” David said loudly.

            Emily was nervous, she didn’t know what to say. I can’t possibly tell him. It scared her the way he glared at her, like a wolf looking at its prey.

            Terry came in and broke the silence, “David! There you are, what are you talking about? I heard you mention my name.” She looked at Emily.

            Emily was looking at David, “nothing, he was leaving, weren’t you?”

            “No! I was waiting for an answer, are you coming back from your trip or not?” David asked.

            “Why are you acting like this?” Emily looked bothered and confused.

            “Emily is right, why don’t you come?” Terry said pulling his arm.

            “Yes, go.” Emily said. David stared at her and Terry kept tugging at his arm he wouldn’t budge. Finally, when he saw he wasn’t getting anywhere he left.

            That afternoon Mr. Emerson, announced the party for New Year’s Eve, everyone was invited to bring family and friends along with them and he introduced the new temp.

            They left home, but to Emily’s surprise the house was full of red roses, oh no this is a nightmare! She left hurriedly to her room and called Stanley.

            I don’t want this, he wouldn’t give up and she was growing tired of it. “Stanley I’m not receiving anything from you, I don’t think we can be friends either, goodbye Stanley, hope this is the last I hear from you!” Emily finished the call sternly.

            She called the flower shop, saying she would sue, that she was married and that he was bothering her. “I’m not receiving any more roses, thank you.” After that she threw the flowers away, Stanley is beginning to annoy me!

            New Years’ was a day away Mr. Emerson, was going with Ms. Wesley to do their shopping together for their wedding, they had chosen the same church where they had wed almost thirty years ago. Ms. Wesley’s maid of honor was a friend who had been there for her and was like a sister to her now, she was a friend and co-worker.

            Mr. Emerson’s best man was David, who was happy to be there for him. Ms. Wesley was going to wear her old wedding dress, she had made some arrangements to it, and it still fit her. They would get married in the summer during after Helen’s graduation.

                The next day, Emily took Helen to the office, they would meet with Ms. Wesley. The flowers were gone, except for a few remaining which went well with the décor.

            Jimmy was there Helen went to him as soon as she saw him, she laughed in the inside as she saw how her sister went ‘gaga’ over him. Her smile faded, when she saw Stanley coming in with a white rose in his hand, she went to meet him. I’ll give him a piece my mind.

            Stanley opened his arms for her, and she pulled him into the office, “Emily?”

            “What are you doing here?” Emily asked sternly.

            “I wanted to apologize, I love you,” Stanley said handing her the flower.

            “I don’t, we can’t be friends, unless you tone it down. I don’t want to hurt you but you leave me no choice!” Emily was bothered.

            “I had every intention of sending roses, they told me I couldn’t do that. Did you tell them you were married? It doesn’t matter, I came to say I’m sorry, I want to start over you’re right I can’t control my heart, but I can control my actions.” Stanley said.

            Emily didn’t believe that but preferred to go along with it, “ok we’ll start again, friends?” She extended her hand, and they shook hands. “I hope you find somebody, you need someone who loves you,” she really wished he would.

            Stanley was tempted to kiss her, he controlled himself and let her go, “can I help?”

            “Sure.” Emily said.

            When they finished preparing everything for the New Years’ party, people started arriving. Ms. Wesley arrived with a friend, she was holding a large box. “Mom!” David had been calling her ‘mom’ for a few days now. “Let me help.”

            “It’s not heavy I thought these supplies would help with the party. David this is my friend and co-worker Stephanie, she’s going to be my maid of honor.”

            “I’ve heard a lot about you. She spent a long time in search of you.” Stephanie told David and smiled at her friend.

            “Where is your father?” Ms. Wesley was looking around for him.

            “Out back, putting a DJ system, for the music,” David explained.

            “Ok, my friend wants to meet him.” Mr. Emerson was moving stuff to make space Stanley was helping him.

            Mr. Emerson noticed Ms. Wesley coming towards him and his eyes lit up with a smile spread across his face, “I thought you’d be working, do you have a day off?”

            “Yes, I came with my friend Stephanie, my maid of honor.” Ms. Wesley said.

            They shook hands, “you are so cute together,” Stephanie had tears in her eyes, “don’t pay attention, I’m just a hopeless romantic. She told me so much about you, I’m glad things worked out, finally I see my friend happy.”

            Mr. Emerson looked into Ms. Wesley’s eyes, and held her for a moment, “I could never stop loving you, I never did, not one second.”

            Ms. Wesley kissed him ever so lightly and Stephanie embraced them, “I love you guys. I have to get advice from you Irene, my husband has to tell me that he loves me, as much as he loves his sports.” They laughed, “I’m serious, and he is so good to you. I love how you guys never really gave up on each other.”

            Stanley couldn’t control himself, he also was in love, the answer is right there, I can’t give up! He would go to Emily and keep trying to win her over, David wasn’t going to stop her from loving him.

            He was sure David was in love with her, but he wouldn’t allow him to separate them. Emily would end up falling in love with him, if I can win her over.

            “I think you’re right Stephanie, I shouldn’t give her up either. Excuse me.” Stanley walked passed them triumphantly walking towards Emily, no one and nothing could stop him from loving her and he was going to let her know.

            “Oh no!” Mr. Emerson placed a hand over his forehead like he was going to get a headache and he sighed heavily.

            “What’s wrong?” Ms. Wesley asked worriedly.

            “Stanley and David are both in love with Emily. She just broke up with Stanley and he won’t leave her alone. I think he got that advice for himself.”

            “Oh great! I shouldn’t have said anything.” Stephanie said.

            “It’s ok, we didn’t think he would take it to himself, it’s not your fault,” Ms. Wesley said.

            Stanley went to Emily, she was handing out name tags, “Stanley, here’s yours,” she placed it on his chest.

             “Emily I love you I won’t give up, I can’t, so from now on don’t try to stop me, you’ll only waste your time.” Stanley knelt down, “Emily will you be my real girlfriend?”

            “What?! First you say you weren’t giving up, then you come here telling me you can control yourself and now you're telling me you can’t give up?” Emily looked shocked, “what happened?”

            “I changed, Emily for love-to you,” there was a line, but he wouldn’t budge.

            Emily gave him a stern look, “we’ll talk later, I have a job to do, answer’s no!”

            David went to see what was going on, he saw Stanley kneeling down, Emily was telling him to leave and he wouldn’t budge. He took him from his shoulders, “stop embarrassing yourself!”

            “Leave me! You wouldn’t do this for the woman you love, I won’t give up on her until she accepts me. I won’t move an inch either, so don’t ask.”

            David grabbed him by his shoulders and pulled him, “I suggest you leave or—”

                “What? You’re gonna tell Emily you love her and run off with her? I won’t sit back with my arms crossed and give up, I’m not you!” Stanley yelled.

            David couldn’t take it anymore, he’d been patient enough. Stanley was making a commotion and everyone in line was staring.

            That tipped him off, he got Stanley from his shirt and threw him out, he told the security to keep him out. Emily was embarrassed and didn’t know what to say.

            Everything was fine for a few hours, well things were running smoothly. No one, to Emily’s relief mentioned the ‘little incident.’ Terry was with David, Mr. Emerson and Ms. Wesley were enjoying themselves. Emily was with Helen and Jimmy.

            Everything was fine until Stanley showed up again, Emily caught sight of him first and to prevent another discussion, she abandoned the crowd. Jimmy and Helen kept talking. Emily took Stanley into Mr. Emerson’s office and locked the door to prevent anyone from finding out he came to create war with David.

            Emily was furious, she didn’t want to cause a scene, “Stanley! What do you think you’re doing here?”

            “I came to see you, I don’t care if David gets mad I don’t even care if he sees me,” Stanley explained.

            “How did you get in here?” Emily asked.

            “A distraction, the flowers sitting in your desk were it!” Stanley said excitedly.

            Emily saw a giant bouquet sitting on her desk, “oh no.” she sounded nervous and annoyed at the same time, “get out we have to make you unnoticeable, how dare you? I tried to be a friend to you, I can’t even be that.”

            She left to tell Helen to try to keep David away from Mr. Emerson’s office, she told her about Stanley and how she was going to sneak Stanley out. How is it possible not to get noticed with a bouquet, of red roses?

            Emily came back to Stanley with the flower bouquet “take it, it should make you unnoticeable, I don’t want any commotion with you anymore.”

            “You think it wouldn’t be noticeable, why don’t I just ask David to hold them for me?” Stanley joked.

            “Give me a break! I just came out with this plan, somehow you’ve done it before, Stanley don’t make this harder,” Emily glared.

            “I’m not leaving until I get a positive answer,” Stanley glared back.

            Emily glared at Stanley, what’s he thinking? “I'm positive I don’t love you! Go away!” She hadn’t noticed the crowd starting to take notice at the situation in the office.

            Emily didn’t stop glaring at Stanley, he walked around the desk, and placed both hands on her shoulders. “I love you, I can’t live without you. Any girl would be happy to hear her boyfriend say stuff like that.”

            “I…” Emily said surprised.

            Stanley kissed her angrily, just in time for David to cut through and look at the scene. He was speechless, stunned, he stood there with Terry by his side. Terry looked pleased that he was watching, “well, they’re back together.”

            Ms. Wesley glared at her not pleased with her choice of words, “I don’t know about that, why don’t we ask Emily?”

            Helen couldn’t stop David, or the whole crowd from thinking otherwise, “it wasn’t her fault, Stanley is the one who came here looking for trouble; he is persistent maybe even a little too persistent.”

            Emily pushed him away, Stanley turned to all the people watching, David was stunned by his act of defiance. “You better think of something else, if you don’t want to be embarrassed, everyone found out,” he pointed at the window for her to see.

            No this can’t be! She didn’t know what was going to happen as she turned to look at everyone standing outside. “I’m dead, do you realize that, I’m dead to you.”

            But what killed her the most, was that David was thinking the worst. After she said she didn’t want to be with him. Why do I care? He has the leach Terry, who can’t let go of him for a moment! Yet, she cared. She felt restrained and must’ve looked like a wreck after Stanley’s ‘little act.’

            I have to face it! Emily unlocked the office hoping no one would listen to the door getting unlocked as she opened it.

            Jimmy cleared the people, “everyone to the party there’s nothing to see here.” Everyone started leaving, with curiosity of what would happen.

            She turned to face David, she could read the disappointment in his eyes. Helen was trying to convince him, but it was useless. All she did was stop him from creating a distraction. “Helen, it’s ok, I know I did wrong by hiding this situation but—”

            David glared at her, making her go speechless and she turned away, she didn’t want to see his disappointment in her. He tried sounding cheery, “it was meant to happen, you two are meant for each other.”

            Emily glared at him, “you can’t possibly think that I’d—?”

            “Please, not today let us enjoy the party,” David looked back at Terry, “would you like to dance?”

            Terry grinned, “loved to.” She went back to the office and faced Stanley who was snickering at her. Emily couldn’t resist, she was angry at what he did, David may never trust me again.

            With eyes filled of rage she looked at Stanley, how dare he mock me at a moment like this? She slapped him, “leave! I never want to see you again!”

            “Emily! I’ll be back, not because of me, you’ll beg me to come back. Either that or you’ll end up alone.” Stanley said looking at David and Terry.

            “I’d rather be alone, but I will never—”

            “You’ll beg me,” Stanley said smiling at her.

            Emily got the flowers that were on the desk and threw them on the floor, smashing the vase. “GET OUT!” Stanley practically ran, he never expected her to do that.

            The nerve to sneak in, destroy me in a minute and his mocking, what was he thinking? The tears started rolling when she saw how happy David looked with Terry.

            Emily was embarrassed but leaving would cause a commotion with everyone at the office, I don’t need more. Helen came to help her clean up, the maintenance guy was gone. He wasn’t working that day.

            Emily cut her finger trying to pick up all the glass from the floor. Helen helped her look her best and told her everything was going to be alright, “everyone will forget about it.” Emily could trust her sister and she cried.

            “Did you see how he looked at me? He’s disappointed, it wasn’t my fault! I had enough problems before, I didn’t need more.”

            Helen didn’t know what to say, she hugged her. “I wish mom were here, she’d have the perfect thing to say, everything will be alright.”

            Jimmy knocked on the door Helen answered, “Is everything alright?” Jimmy seemed worried, “David told me, Helen I need to tell you something, can you come out?”

            Helen looked surprised but she followed Jimmy to his office, “what happened? What’s going on?”

            “David is about to throw his life away I tried explaining but he thinks your sister is back with Stanley. He’s gonna propose to Terry!” Jimmy said hurriedly.

            “What?!” Helen was shocked.

            “You have to tell your sister, she has to be prepared.” Jimmy said.

            Helen went to her sister, Emily wasn’t in the restroom anymore. Jimmy was waiting, “well? Did you tell her?”

            “She’s not there. I need to find her before she…” she saw her at the party with the rest of her coworkers, everyone was holding up their glasses to make a toast and David was on the stage.

            Helen went to Emily to lead her away before she found out the wrong way. David started to speak, “I have an announcement to make.” He looked over at Emily with a saddened look, “Terry, will you come on stage with me?”

            Everyone was surprised including Terry who reluctantly went on the stage and stood beside him. She felt nervous with everyone staring at them. David knelt in front of her taking her hand in his.

            He gave a sad look at Emily and looked back at Terry. “With everyone here, I would like to ask you a very important question. Terry, will you marry me?”