Found You

Chapter Three: A Chaotic Day

Her alarm blared, piercing through her restless sleep. Emma groaned and slapped the snooze button, wanting nothing more than to sink back into oblivion. But the reality of her meeting with Tom today loomed over her, making her body ache more than the restless night had.

She lay still, her mind swirling with thoughts of what she would say to Tom. She considered standing him up or calling to cancel, but after a few rounds of mental back-and-forth, she finally rolled out of bed.

In the kitchen, she made herself a coffee, only to remember with a jolt that she needed to be at work. Panic set in as she sprinted to her phone, seeing missed calls from her manager and Lily. A text from Lily read, “The director is coming in today. You need to be here ASAP!”

Emma opened her email and saw the day's assignments, realizing she was already behind. Mentally slapping herself, she scooted over to rub Poodle's belly before making his food and hurrying to the shower.

After a quick but frantic shower, she dressed in her usual work attire—smart but comfortable. Glancing at the clock, she saw she was dangerously close to being late. Grabbing her bag, she sprinted to the elevator and then to her car. Just as she unlocked it, she remembered her phone was still inside. Frustrated, she hurried back, grabbed it, and made her way back to the car.

“Emma.”

She turned at the sound of her name, locking eyes with Tom. Oh no.. not now.

“Hey,” she said, trying to sound casual, though her mind raced.

Tom began striding toward her, his gaze unwavering. All she wanted to do now was hide.

**Tom’s POV:**

She looked stunning. Tom couldn’t take his eyes off her, just as he hadn’t been able to the day before. She had grown into a beautiful young woman, her slim waist and wide hips enhancing her figure. Her presence still had the power to captivate him completely.

“Emma,” he said again, stopping a few feet from her.

“Hi, Tom,” she replied, shifting awkwardly.

“Can we talk?” he asked.

“Um, I’m really late for work,” she stammered. “But we can meet later. How about this evening?”

“Oh, that’s okay then” he agreed. “By the way, do you live here?” He asked inquiringly as he had also bumped into her the day before

“Yes, do you?” She asks back.

“Yes, I moved in about a month ago”

Her eyes widened in surprise. “Oh, really? That’s... convenient.”

He smiled. “Yeah, it is. I’ll see you later then.”

“Your place?” He inquired.

“Sure, I’ll text you my unit number.” She finalizes, quickly getting into her car and driving off. As he keeps watching her as she leaves.

Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts about Tom and the complicated feelings he stirred in her. She arrived at work flustered, but managed to focus on her tasks, though her thoughts frequently drifted back to him.

As she entered the office, Emma was greeted by a flurry of activity. The director's visit had everyone on edge. She forced herself to concentrate on her work, tackling the tasks she'd been assigned. Her manager, Mrs. Spencer, called her into a brief meeting to go over the day's agenda and the director's expectations.

"Emma, I need you to handle the presentation for the director," Mrs. Spencer said, her tone brisk but not unkind. "You've always been good under pressure."

Emma nodded, feeling the weight of the additional responsibility. "Of course, Mrs. Spencer. I'll get right on it."

The hours flew by in a blur of meetings, emails, and last-minute preparations. By the time lunch rolled around, Emma's stomach was in knots—not just from the stress of work but also from the impending conversation with Tom. She decided to skip lunch, opting instead to review her notes for the presentation one last time.

The director arrived mid-afternoon, a tall, imposing figure with an air of authority. Emma's presentation went off without a hitch, and she received a nod of approval from both the director and Mrs. Spencer. Despite the successful presentation, her mind kept drifting back to Tom.

After a long day at work, Emma drove home, her mind racing with questions and doubts. As she got home, she unlocked her front door and stepped into her cozy apartment. She slipped off her heels and relished the feel of the cool hardwood floor beneath her feet. Dropping her bag by the door, she headed straight to the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of wine.

Sipping her wine, Emma wandered into the living room and sank into the plush sofa, exhaling deeply. She needed to prepare for her meeting with Tom. She took a few moments to unwind, letting the tension of the day melt away.

She tidied up the living room and took the trash to the back. In the kitchen, she set out ingredients for a simple dinner: fresh pasta, cherry tomatoes, basil, and garlic. She didn’t know what Tom liked so she decided to cook what she would normally go for.

Emma then headed to the bedroom to freshen up. She changed into a comfortable yet stylish outfit, opting for a soft, knit sweater and a pair of jeans. She brushed her hair, letting it fall in loose waves around her shoulders, and applied a touch of makeup to enhance her natural glow.

As the evening approached, Emma lit a few candles around the apartment, their warm flickering light adding to the ambiance. The scent of lavender and vanilla filled the air, blending perfectly with the music. She checked the clock and saw that she had just enough time to finish preparing the meal before Tom arrived.

When she was done, she sat in the sofa with poodle on her legs as she waited for the doorbell to ring.