Emily Tamara Jacobs. I grinned at the kids as they advanced towards the car. Eleanor skipped, and Dave ran. It was kind of awkward, waiting in the car and picking up Eleanor and Dave, instead of picking up Suzie with Crew and Trevor. It had only been a few days yet I was already used to the whole arrangements. I wonder why Sel wouldn't let the kids use the damn school bus anyway.Eleanor opened the door aggressively and practically screamed, “Aunt Em!” She wrapped her arms over my shoulders and hugged me from behind, her head in my neck. “I missed you.” She purred. I smiled. “Aww, I missed you too, my stubborn little princess!“ I tapped her nose fondly. She removed her hands and sat on the seat. I looked at her from the rearview mirror and saw her crossing her arms, a pout on her lips. “I'm not stubborn,” she muttered. “Hmm.” I hummed in agreement.Dave opened the front door and got in, a wild grin on his face. I raised a brow, pointing at him and wagging a finger to say no. “N
Emily Tamara JacobsI got out of the car, holding Eleanor tightly because she could be funny. I turned to lock the car doors. Sel and I agreed that I take her car out and then she come around later on to take the car and Eleanor. I smiled down at Eleanor who was practically bouncing as we walked into the hospital. We got into the elevator, and just the same time a text came in, telling me that Suzie's room had been moved to the last room in the hallway, from Crew. My lips stretched into a smile as I saw the text. William must have informed Crew that I was coming back. Which was great because he would have to be the one to move my bags out of Sel's car and into his. I was glad that he was still here. The elevator opened, and I walked out, moving straight toward the last room. I smiled as I noticed Crew and Trevor standing guard outside the room as usual. “Hey, guys.” I smiled at them both. Trevor didn't talk much with me so I wasn't surprised that he only smiled at me. Crew ho
William Henry Blakes. I turned around on my bed, my hand instinctively stretching to the nightstand to grab my phone. I turned off the alarm, for the third time today. I should have been up hours ago, preparing for work, but I wasn't exactly in the mood. Besides, I was supposed to bring Suzie back home today. Her back had healed up, but the scars hadn't faded entirely. I'm not sure they would, anyway. I was still angry that someone had done that to her. I groaned, rolling in the bed and staring up at the white ceilings. I could probably sleep for a few more hours. It wasn't that necessary for me to pick her up this morning. She has been there for a few weeks, surely she could handle a few more hours. Besides, Emily was there to take care of her. I hated the way my lip twitched at the thought of her name. Emily and Suzie were bonding. And Suzie now talks more. Most especially since she started hanging out with Eleanor. If I had the chance, I'd have Eleanor stay at my house,
Emily Tamara Jacobs. I rose from the bed, my lips parting in a wide yawn and I used the back of my palms to cover it. To say I was tired was a big understatement. I was beyond tired. I stayed up most of the night to watch CoCo with Suzie. It was a weekday. Thursday, to be precise, and I should have been stricter with Suzie and sent her off to bed, but it had been over a week since she was home, and she still hadn't resumed school because her father wanted to change her school but still hadn't decided which school he wanted her to attend. I already advised him to take it to the next session. They would be going on holiday for the Christmas break anyway but for some fucking reason, my boss was back to his funk and he was now barking and glowering about the house.At least, he was answering the phone when I called.It didn't matter if he acted cold to me. I just hated being under his merciless gaze and watching him scowl at everyone in his way. It was never pleasant. So, it was saf
Emily Tamara JacobsI pushed the door to Dahlia's salon, walking in with Suzie still in my arms. The scent of hair oils and hair wash soaps hit me instantly. It wasn't the kind of smell that could make someone gag. Nope. This one was pleasant. Most especially the lavender hair wash. That smell overpowered the rest. The Salon was large. It was the biggest shop in the avenue. And the most attractive. Dahlia has flawless brown skin and beautiful admirable hair. We've been friends for so long that I lost count. I knew her through her hair obsession. It was like talking about the same people. Where there was hair talk, there was Dahlia. So, it was very easy for me to notice her then in college. So, I wasn't really surprised when she ditched law to pursue her through her passion. Damn her parents for pushing her through the stress. My eyes roamed around the Salon. It was almost filled up, with just one space available. All her workers were working on one person's hair or the other. I
Emily Tamara Jacobs. I paced around the kitchen, a frown on my face while twirling my necklace. I was confused. And disturbed. And it was about what happened yesterday evening. For some reason, it disturbed me greatly. I didn't know why I was worried about it, but I was. I couldn't shake off that worry. I inhaled deeply to calm myself, but it wasn't working. Who was the woman? And why was she even asking questions in the first place? “It's fine, Em. She was just curious, that's all,” I muttered. But what kind of curiosity would make her ignore personal greeting and ask if I was Suzie's mom? And then her look after that? I sat on a stool, pressing my hands to my forehead. “Hey, Em. William said — are you alright?” Crew stopped in front of me, a frown on his face. His shades were tucked into the pocket of his shirt. I raised my head and forced a smile. “Yeah, I am.” “Ugh. Come on, Em. I thought we were past this?“ He rolled his eyes, plopping down on a stool. “I thought we we
Emily Tamara JacobsI let out a deep sigh as I tossed around in my bed. It was past two in the morning and for some reason very much known to me, I was finding it very hard to fall asleep. I gripped my sheets as I pressed up on my bed, balancing my head on the pillow.The bed that had always felt comfortable to lie in suddenly felt like the opposite. Although I had a very tiring day with Suzie who wanted to see and do everything at once, I still couldn't fall asleep.I shut my eyes for a few seconds, counting the stars I couldn't see in my mind. When I was a child, I always found myself doing that whenever I felt restless. I always had a hard time controlling my emotions as a kid and my brother taught me to control myself. It started with asking me to take a deep breath and then shut my eyes for a few seconds.But I had big emotions I couldn't process and had to do that a lot. With time, it stuck and I'd never stopped doing that too. My brother…I never really thought about him or my
Emily Tamara JacobsI groaned for the umpteenth time that morning. Forcing myself to peel my eyes open, I reached for the alarm that wouldn't stop blaring and turned it off. Groaning again, I closed my eyes for a second before peeling them open again.I should have known that all those staying up at night were going to have grave consequences later. I started to feel sleepy soon after the whole episode with Williams in the kitchen and I'd just cleaned up before returning to the room since I didn't get a glimpse of him after that. I still found it odd that he must have been looking at my thighs to see those tattoos on there.I let out a sigh while I allowed myself to wonder for even a second what would have happened if he had figured it out. I probably would be dead meat by now. Throwing my duvet off me, I got out of bed and yawned, stretching alongside. Yawning again, I went straight to release my bowels after which I brushed my teeth. I splashed water on my face to get rid of whatev
William Henry Blakes Leroy’s gaze followed Emily as she walked out of the room while I watched him. This guy was the only one who could impose himself on me the way he did and he knew it and used it to his full advantage. Yes, I'd canceled on him a lot of times but he was my friend and he knew how demanding business was. Exhaling, I left him standing and walked away to my bar. Looking through my collection of wine, I selected a bottle and walked back to the table. “So, that was Emily.” He started with a knowing smile. “What?” I tilted my head at him as I put down the bottle on the table. “Let’s have it. What's on your mind now?” I asked him. “I haven't even said a thing, bro.” He chuckled as he started to unbutton his jacket. I eyed him with a grimace. “You are dressed like it's not dinner at my house. Do you have plans to be somewhere else?” I asked him. He laughed as I pushed the chair back and settled down. Every
Emily Tamara Jacobs.After changing into a clean pair of shorts, a clean white top, and matching white Crocs, I wrapped my hair into a bun and placed a call to Dahlia so we could go grocery shopping. I realized after going through the kitchen that there weren't exactly the ingredients I needed for the meal I had in mind to cook for dinner.I was supposed to be sleeping but there I was, about to go shopping for some groceries.“Thank you, Crew.” I smiled at him as I stepped down from the car. After the whole talk with him a few days back which didn't result in something positive, I'd decided to just drop the topic and forget it.If Crew and William say it's nothing even though I think it's something, then it's nothing. I was going to leave them to it.“Shop enough for us.” He told me as I scrolled through my phone to dial Dahlia.“Oh, so now you want to eat?” I raised a brow at him while he made a face, pre
Emily Tamara JacobsI groaned for the umpteenth time that morning. Forcing myself to peel my eyes open, I reached for the alarm that wouldn't stop blaring and turned it off. Groaning again, I closed my eyes for a second before peeling them open again.I should have known that all those staying up at night were going to have grave consequences later. I started to feel sleepy soon after the whole episode with Williams in the kitchen and I'd just cleaned up before returning to the room since I didn't get a glimpse of him after that. I still found it odd that he must have been looking at my thighs to see those tattoos on there.I let out a sigh while I allowed myself to wonder for even a second what would have happened if he had figured it out. I probably would be dead meat by now. Throwing my duvet off me, I got out of bed and yawned, stretching alongside. Yawning again, I went straight to release my bowels after which I brushed my teeth. I splashed water on my face to get rid of whatev
Emily Tamara JacobsI let out a deep sigh as I tossed around in my bed. It was past two in the morning and for some reason very much known to me, I was finding it very hard to fall asleep. I gripped my sheets as I pressed up on my bed, balancing my head on the pillow.The bed that had always felt comfortable to lie in suddenly felt like the opposite. Although I had a very tiring day with Suzie who wanted to see and do everything at once, I still couldn't fall asleep.I shut my eyes for a few seconds, counting the stars I couldn't see in my mind. When I was a child, I always found myself doing that whenever I felt restless. I always had a hard time controlling my emotions as a kid and my brother taught me to control myself. It started with asking me to take a deep breath and then shut my eyes for a few seconds.But I had big emotions I couldn't process and had to do that a lot. With time, it stuck and I'd never stopped doing that too. My brother…I never really thought about him or my
Emily Tamara Jacobs. I paced around the kitchen, a frown on my face while twirling my necklace. I was confused. And disturbed. And it was about what happened yesterday evening. For some reason, it disturbed me greatly. I didn't know why I was worried about it, but I was. I couldn't shake off that worry. I inhaled deeply to calm myself, but it wasn't working. Who was the woman? And why was she even asking questions in the first place? “It's fine, Em. She was just curious, that's all,” I muttered. But what kind of curiosity would make her ignore personal greeting and ask if I was Suzie's mom? And then her look after that? I sat on a stool, pressing my hands to my forehead. “Hey, Em. William said — are you alright?” Crew stopped in front of me, a frown on his face. His shades were tucked into the pocket of his shirt. I raised my head and forced a smile. “Yeah, I am.” “Ugh. Come on, Em. I thought we were past this?“ He rolled his eyes, plopping down on a stool. “I thought we we
Emily Tamara JacobsI pushed the door to Dahlia's salon, walking in with Suzie still in my arms. The scent of hair oils and hair wash soaps hit me instantly. It wasn't the kind of smell that could make someone gag. Nope. This one was pleasant. Most especially the lavender hair wash. That smell overpowered the rest. The Salon was large. It was the biggest shop in the avenue. And the most attractive. Dahlia has flawless brown skin and beautiful admirable hair. We've been friends for so long that I lost count. I knew her through her hair obsession. It was like talking about the same people. Where there was hair talk, there was Dahlia. So, it was very easy for me to notice her then in college. So, I wasn't really surprised when she ditched law to pursue her through her passion. Damn her parents for pushing her through the stress. My eyes roamed around the Salon. It was almost filled up, with just one space available. All her workers were working on one person's hair or the other. I
Emily Tamara Jacobs. I rose from the bed, my lips parting in a wide yawn and I used the back of my palms to cover it. To say I was tired was a big understatement. I was beyond tired. I stayed up most of the night to watch CoCo with Suzie. It was a weekday. Thursday, to be precise, and I should have been stricter with Suzie and sent her off to bed, but it had been over a week since she was home, and she still hadn't resumed school because her father wanted to change her school but still hadn't decided which school he wanted her to attend. I already advised him to take it to the next session. They would be going on holiday for the Christmas break anyway but for some fucking reason, my boss was back to his funk and he was now barking and glowering about the house.At least, he was answering the phone when I called.It didn't matter if he acted cold to me. I just hated being under his merciless gaze and watching him scowl at everyone in his way. It was never pleasant. So, it was saf
William Henry Blakes. I turned around on my bed, my hand instinctively stretching to the nightstand to grab my phone. I turned off the alarm, for the third time today. I should have been up hours ago, preparing for work, but I wasn't exactly in the mood. Besides, I was supposed to bring Suzie back home today. Her back had healed up, but the scars hadn't faded entirely. I'm not sure they would, anyway. I was still angry that someone had done that to her. I groaned, rolling in the bed and staring up at the white ceilings. I could probably sleep for a few more hours. It wasn't that necessary for me to pick her up this morning. She has been there for a few weeks, surely she could handle a few more hours. Besides, Emily was there to take care of her. I hated the way my lip twitched at the thought of her name. Emily and Suzie were bonding. And Suzie now talks more. Most especially since she started hanging out with Eleanor. If I had the chance, I'd have Eleanor stay at my house,
Emily Tamara JacobsI got out of the car, holding Eleanor tightly because she could be funny. I turned to lock the car doors. Sel and I agreed that I take her car out and then she come around later on to take the car and Eleanor. I smiled down at Eleanor who was practically bouncing as we walked into the hospital. We got into the elevator, and just the same time a text came in, telling me that Suzie's room had been moved to the last room in the hallway, from Crew. My lips stretched into a smile as I saw the text. William must have informed Crew that I was coming back. Which was great because he would have to be the one to move my bags out of Sel's car and into his. I was glad that he was still here. The elevator opened, and I walked out, moving straight toward the last room. I smiled as I noticed Crew and Trevor standing guard outside the room as usual. “Hey, guys.” I smiled at them both. Trevor didn't talk much with me so I wasn't surprised that he only smiled at me. Crew ho