Chapter 4

Emily's POV

"The clients whose wedding we just designed for said to thank you personally, ma'am," Rachel called from the door of my office, and I lifted my head to face her.

A pleasant smile broke out on my face. My customers' satisfaction was my satisfaction.

I nodded at her in acknowledgement. 

"No problem, Rachel. It's a pleasure doing business with them", I replied dismissively, returning my attention to the papers I had been attending to on my desk.

"They sent me this for you, ma'am. They put in a good word for us to a family who have a huge wedding coming up", she said excitedly.

She placed a copy of the wedding invitation on my desk and I stared at it briefly.

"Alright. Get stated on the research for aesthetics", I replied.

She nodded and was about to exit my office when she turned back quickly.

"They also paid beyond the price we told them. They were that pleased, Ms Emily" she said, sounding excited.

"Oh! Okay", I said with a warm smile and she nodded excitedly before l leaving.

A satisfied sigh escaped my lips. The good reputation of my business, Lily's event decorating enterprise, was a priority of mine.

I had quite successfully carved out a name for myself in the Event management industry in four years. Fashion designing had always been a passion of mine that I was never allowed to explore while I lived with the Wilsons.

I was unapologetic about leaving that godforsaken house. It was the best decision I ever made in my life. It took my life to all positive directions. 

It had been quite hard at first. Anna has let me stay with her for over a year. She was truly a friend. She was the only one by my side when struggled.

My eyes shut tightly subconsciously and I shook my head as the thoughts of the dark days began to come back to my mind.

Gently, I picked up the invitation and admired the intricate design of the envelope. 

Eric and Lola.

The name 'Eric' brought back memories that I had buried for years.

My hands began to work on the thin ribbons that sealed the envelope. I pulled out the dark blue and pink themed thick shard of paper that held the information of the event.

I had to give compliments to their thoughtful consideration of every detail in the planning of their wedding.

The printing of the invitation was very beautiful and portrayed the intentionality of the family.

My eyes carefully read through the invitation, but I suddenly choked on my saliva when I saw the full names of the husband.

Eric Wilson!

It read, 'Eric Wilson and Lola Walkins unite in matrimony.'

What the hell?

I blinked a couple of times and read it again. His name was there, clear as day. I felt a certain surge of emotions rush through me as I read through the invitation.

No way! 

I could not believe that what I had run away from had finally come back to my doorstep.

I fling the damned invitation into the trash beside my desk.

As if on cue, my phone rang. I sighed and picked it.

"Good day. Am I on to Emily, please?", a familiar voice sounded from the other end of the line.

"Yes, please"

"This is Cecilia Wilson. I'm calling you as regards my sons wedding coming up in the next few months. We need the best outfits for he and his wife", she said. 

Her voice was still as snobbish as I remembered it to be.

"Are you there?", she asked.

My mouth ran dry with shock for a moment before I finally found my voice.

"Uh.. Yes. I am", I replied, nodding.

"We need you to come over to take their measurements and check out their styles"

"Uh.. I'll get back to you, ma'am", I replied, trying my best to keep my voice stable.

I disconnected the call and ran a hand through my hair frantically.

I would have nothing to do with anything that had to do with the Wilsons!

****

"Emily, calm down", Anna calmed me down but I was livid. "You can do this"

I paced to and fro in the living room, a million thoughts and racing through my mind.

"How can you tell me to take the job?! You know how I feel about the family. You know I can't! They bring back all the wrong memories. I will NOT take up the job", I raged on but Anna was calm.

"Listen, Emily. You are no longer the Emily who lived with the Wilson. You are no longer the Emily who was at their mercy. You are no longer that girl who could not speak. You are no longer the girl they called mute. You were strong enough to proceed with the surgery to recover your voice despite the struggles and stigma you endured", she explained like she was trying to reshape my perspective.

She walked up to me and placed her hands on my shoulders, shaking mildly.

"You are now Emily! The lady who was strong enough to bear her pregnancy without the bastard sperm donor. You're the woman who built a such a successful designing brand from the scratch without collecting a dime from the Wilsons. You are an amazing mother to Mia!"

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I thought of going back to the mansion to plan the wedding.

"W-what if I-I fail? What is they jeopardise my career? W-what if they try to take Mia from me?", I sobbed. "All I've got worked hard for all these past years. They could end it of they wanted."

"They dare not! They don't have the right to", she snapped. "Will you watch them burn down your hardwork and sweat?"

I shook my head violently. "No!"

"Then why are you so scared of them?"

"They could take my baby from me, Anna", I sobbed.

Anna's eyes grew hard. "They wouldn't dare. They don't actually know about Mia and I don't think they have to know. You will be there just for business and nothing more. You will keep things professional", she advised and I nodded slowly as what she said began to make sense to me.

A honk sounded from outside the house I and Anna lived in. My baby was back home.

I rushed to the door to pick her up. The school bus driver nodded at me before driving off.

As I carried Mia into the house, I thought of the situation on ground.

Mia had asked for her father a couple of times since she was born but there had been no direct answer for her. I always told her, "Don't worry. Mama is enough"

Anna stood in the corner as I sat Mia down while she ramble on about her day.

"The wedding seems huge. You need all the money you can get not just to grow the business but to provide for your daughter and give her the finest things of life", she encouraged with a hand ony shoulder. I flashed her a small smile.

"Besides, you could show your glowed up self and I bet the stupid husband would regret his ever treating you like a piece of shit in the first place. Girl, you've got this. You'll do great"

"Thanks, Anna. I could not have asked for a better friend", I emotionally admitted, pulling her in for a hug.

"So?"

She had a quizzical expression on her face as she anticipated my response. 

"I'll take the job", I said slowly but with a determined find. "I won't be afraid of them. I'm better now than I was then and I sure as hell am stronger now"

"That's my best friend!", she cheered and I laughed hard while Mia clapped, without understanding what was going on.

'Watch out, Wilsons. The Emily you knew four years ago is no longer in existence. The dumb doormat who you walked all over in the past is gone. Now you will have to deal with this new Emily and she will not be stepped on!'