Loss and Love

Digging Deep

EMILY’s POV.

I was beginning to get mad, why was he being so discreet about this? Is he hiding something from me ?

“I can not help if you won’t tell me what is going on. I can not just here and watch you go through all this. I can not let you deal with this on your own. We are supposed to be in this together.”

He looked at me, his face etched with pain. “I know, but I just.. I just can . I am sorry.”

We sat in silence for a moment, the tension between us palpable.

“If you can not tell me what I going on, can you at least tell me how you are feeling?” I spoke, in a softer voice.

Richard sighed, then said. “ I feel.. trapped. Like I am in a hole that is getting deeper and deeper. Like I am on a moving train, with no conductor and no brakes..and I am headed to an inevitable doom.”

I reached out and took his hand, squeezing it gently.

“You are not alone. You have me and I am not going anywhere. We will figure this out together.”

He gave me a weak smile, but I could see that it was not from his heart, his eyes betrayed him.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door and I quickly freed his hand.

“Come in” Richard called , and the door opened to reveal one of his employees.

“Good day boss, Good day Ma’am.” The employee greeted.

“What happened?” Richard asked, his voice urgent.

“There is a problem. It.. it’s about the project.” The employee said, his face grave.

“What happened?” He asked, beads of sweat glistening on his forehead.

“We need to talk.” The employee said.

“I have to go” Richard said, rising to his feet.

“Alright babe. Go, I will be here when you get back. I will be waiting and praying for you my love.” I said, rising from my chair.

He gave me a quick kiss, then hurried out the door.

I sat there , alone, my mind racing. I had no idea what was going on, but I knew it was bad. I was worried about my boyfriend, worried that he was getting in over his head. I wished I could do something, anything at all to help him. But all I could do was wait, wait and hope that everything will be fine.

As I sat in his office, each passing second seemed like an eternity. The sun was starting to set and there was no sign of Richard.

I was worried about him, it’s been hours since he left. I am very sure he has not eaten , I was worried .

I wanted to know what was going on. I wanted to know more about this project.

My eyes darted to the files on his desk, and I started going thru his desk, checking all the files on his desk, and rifling through the drawers.

I found nothing of interest, or anything that was related to the project in question. Just the usual office supplies and paperwork.

Then I turned my attention tie the bookshelves. I ran my fingers along the spines of the books, looking for anything that was out of place, something odd and different.

As I scanned the bookshelves, my eyes landed on a book that should not be there,it was out of place.

It was a well worn copy of “Othello” by Williams Shakespeare.

It was an odd choice for my boyfriend’s office as he never really cared about novels, and it piqued my curiosity.

I pulled the book front the shelf, opening it and flipping through the pages. I noticed that something had been tucked into the pages of the book and I carefully pulled it out.

It was a small piece of paper, folded into a small square.

I unfolded it, my heart skipped a beat. It was a letter addressed to my boyfriend. The letter was wrote in in a neat, precise hand , and it was signed with a name that was too familiar.

As I read the letter my heart sank. It was from from my step brother who sent my boyfriend into my life, to spy on me and find outa life about my strengths and weaknesses.

My step brother warns him in the letter to be very careful,as I had begun to suspect him. My step brother warned Richard to law low and avoid any form of meeting me, till they both met and revised their plan.

As I read the letter, I realized that I was in serious trouble. My step brother and Richard are working together to ensure I fail.

I felt a wave of panic wash over me. I had to be wary of my boyfriend, but how could I do it without revealing that I had been snooping?

As I wracked my brain for a solution, I heard a noise from the hallway. I quickly closed the book and replaced it on the shelf, then hurried back to my seat, my heart pounding in my chest.

The noise grew closer, it was footsteps. Someone was coming. I suddenly felt sweaty, I knew if anyone came in and saw me, they would definitely suspect me.

The door opened, making me almost jump out of my skin.

“Babe.. are you okay?” Richard asked, as he walked into the office.

“Yeah...Yeah I am fine.” I replied with a shaky voice.

“But you seem worried... and kind of scared. What is happening babe?” He asked, caressing my hair.

I felt my stomach churn, I wanted to slap his face for this fake love and care that he was professing. He is a wolf in sheep clothing and all he cares about if my downfall.

“Babe..please tell me what is happening?” He said and looked at his office desk, which had more files on it now.

“Did you go through my stuffs?” He asked, his eyes darting to the bookshelf.

“Are you working with my step-brother?”