Chapter Six: Being the Supportive Friend

Adam

Emily's mom seemed pretty nice when I met her earlier when I was at the hospital. She had complimented me by calling me a ‘fine specimen’ to Emily who was embarrassed by her mom doing such a thing. She had even called me a ‘fine gentleman’ which made me blush a little. Being around Emily’s mom made me realize that Emily had discussed her with me, it was so funny watching them banter. I was enjoying it but eventually, her mom got tired.

 “Mom, get some rest, you're tired,” Emily said to her.

“Okay sweetheart I am not going to argue with that.” her mom replied. “And Emily, please go out and have fun with this fine gentleman. I'll be fine.”

Shaking her head at her, she kissed her on her cheek before we both exited the room.

“Want to walk around the block?” She questioned.

“Sure,” I replied a little too hastily.

Taking the elevator, we went back to the first floor where we exited the building and started walking around the block in silence.

“So, Emily, tell me about yourself?” I asked her, shattering the annoying silence.

“Well, you already know that my name is Emily Martinez. I am a family person and also a cashier at the bookstore where my pay sucks. My dad died when I was in high school and also I am a big fan of romance novels and movies. You?”

 “That was vague,” I replied disappointedly. Why was she giving me just a brief overview rather than the whole story?

“Some things must remain a mystery. Now it's your turn to tell me about yourself,” she replied

“My name is Adam Jacobs. I am the CEO of Jacob Enterprises as you already know. I had recently got the company from my dad who has retired. My mom died in a car crash when I was a very young boy and I have never fallen in love.”

“That was vague,” she mocked.

“Somethings must remain a mystery,” I replied, mocking her as well.

Laughing we wander off into a park that was eerily quiet and empty except for the water fountain that was smacked in the middle. Running towards the fountain, she stared into the water.

“You know if you throw coins in there you wish can come through?” I said to her.

“That sounds like something that happens in fairy tales.”

“It's true.”

Digging into her purse, she took out a coin. “If that’s the case then, I will wish for something.”

“And what's that?” I asked curiously.

Ignoring my question, she smiled at me before kissing the coin and tossing it in.

“What did you wish for?” I asked.

“Not going to tell,” she retorted in a childish voice.

Chuckling, I responded. “Why not?”

“You're not going to stop asking, aren't you?”

“No, I will not,” I replied while smiling.

“I wish that you could fall in love with the right person.”

When she uttered those words the smile that was on my face was replaced with a frown. I don't ever think I can fall in love with anyone, I wanted to say but decided against it.

 “No need to look that serious Adam, I was just kidding. I hope that my mom will get better and that she won’t suffer anymore.” 

“Oh Emily, I am sorry. She will get better just by having faith.” I said sincerely. Looking at her, I saw tears glistening in her eyes, and I felt her pain. Going over to her, I wiped her tears before wrapping her in my arms before she pulled away from me a couple of seconds later. Not wanting her far away from me, I wrapped my hand around her and pulled her close.

 “It's getting late, I will drive you home,” I said as we walked outside of the park. Looking at her, I saw that she was staring at something behind her. 

“Emily, is everything okay?”

“Yeah, everything is fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I am.”

“So why were you looking behind you? Did you see something?”

“Not something but someone. I saw someone coming from outside the shadows but their face was covered so I couldn't tell who it was. I think the person was watching us.”

“Why would someone spy on us?” I asked her. “You're probably overthinking the situation,” I assured her.

“I guess you're right.” Walking towards me, she held my hand and we walked back to the park where we got inside my car.

“What's your address?” I asked her after we were buckled in.

“Ambrose Lane New York apartment one.” Starting the car, I drove off.

The ride to her home was silent, it was uncomfortable or awkward, it was just right. That kind of silence that have you lost in thought, thinking about someone or something, and in my case that someone was Emily. Everything about her screamed at me, and I wasn’t sure if I should be afraid that she was sparking feelings that I never yet experienced or I should just face them. Arriving at her home, she unbuckled her seatbelt and got out of the car, and walked to the door with her shoulder sagging.

“Emily?” I called out while getting outside of the car, “could you come back here for a second?”

Walking towards me, she had a sad look on her face and I wondered if she is still worried about her mom. “Emily, what's wrong?”

“I am thinking about my mom, that's all.”

“Hey, she will be okay, don't worry,” I said soothingly. 

Smiling, she hugged me for the second time tonight. “Thank you, Adam.”

“For what?” I asked curiously.

“For being there for me tonight and for bringing me home.”

Smiling, I broke away from the hug and looked deep into her eyes. They were hazel with specs of grey. Leaning to kiss her on the lips, she turned her head and it landed on her cheek.

I must say I was hurt by this. Never had I tried to kiss a girl and she turned away from it.

“I have to go, see you tomorrow,” she said before walking away.

“You know Emily, that's the first I ever get turned down when I try to kiss someone,” I admitted.

Turning back to look at me she smirked before she replied, “it won't be the last.”

Smiling, I called out her name again. “Emily.”

“Yes Adam,” she answered with her back turned to me.

“Are we still on for the date?”

“I'll think about it.”

“Emily.”

“Yes,” she replied annoyed with me calling her name so many times

“I'm sorry.”

“What are you sorry for?”

“I'm sorry for coming on to you like that.” Turning around she smiled at me before walking through the door of her apartment building.

Going inside my car I started it and drove off to my home. Walking through the door, I was greeted by James who had a worried expression on his face.

“Where were you?” He questioned.

“I was out with Emily.”

“I see,” he replied with a smirk on his face. Shaking my head, I walked away going into the kitchen. I could hear James’s heavy footsteps following in me.

“What do you want, James?”

“Nothing, I just came in here to get some juice,” he replied while smiling mischievously. I knew he wanted to ask me how it went with Emily but I wasn't going to say anything to him whether he asked or not.

“James, what do you want?” I asked, trying to act annoyed.

“Alright fine, how did it go with Emily?”

“It’s none––”

“Who’s Emily?” We heard a female voice ask.

That voice had caused a look of disgust to crawl its way on my face.

“Who she is doesn't concern you, Amelia,” I spoke harshly.

“Yeah it does, if someone is trying to take what's mine I have to find out who she is.”

“Could you get the fuck out!” James barked harshly. Jumping at the sound of the harshness of his voice, she rolled her eyes at him and turned on her heel to walk away.

“Amelia for the record nothing is going on between us,” I said to her before she walked outside of the kitchen. Amelia was my maid, we had a thing going a month before Heather and I got together but I had put a stop to it because she got clingy and annoying and was doing exactly what I told her not to do before we entered into the relationship. I told her ‘don't fall in love with me’ but being hard-headed as the rest, she did it anyway.

“Why don't you fire her?” James asked.

“She needs the money to support her family.”

“If you don't fire her now, she will cause problems for you,” James warned before he walked outside the kitchen leaving me there thinking about what he said.