Chapter 6

Emily's POV

I stared around in a daze at the buildings and the streets where I was once familiar with as they fleetingly disappeared.

Nothing much had changed in the past five years.

I recognised the street where the Wilsons mansion was as the cab drove past it.

I was not planning to stay with them for the event. I would rather die than stay in the same house that held all my bad memories that I had locked away.

"Ma'am, we just passed the street you talked about. Where would you like to get off, please?"

I thought about it for a while before giving Jim a pleasant smile.

"Take me to the nearest guest house to this place," I ordered with a firm voice, and he nodded, stepping on the gas of the car.

Thoughts of my daughter consumed me as i watched the houses and buildings on the side of the road disappear as we sped past them.

Mia had made a fuss when she heard that I was leaving for work. She cried a lot, making me cry as well. I had never spent a day away from her. This was a new experience for us, but I hoped for the best.

The car suddenly came to a halt in front of a beautiful guest house. The name 'Rossi's' was written beautifully at the top of the building.

"We are here ma'am", the driver announced.

I replied with a nod.

"Is this the best?", I asked, and he nodded.

"Best in the city. Luckily, it's also not far from the street you mentioned, "

"Okay then. Thank you," I replied and paid him.

As he zoomed off, I walked briskly into the house with a sigh.

I felt nervous being back to the country where I had run away from five years ago. My heart raced as I thought of colliding with anyone from the Wilson family mistakenly. I wished I could have brought Rachel over with me so I would not feel so fidgety or alone but they had insisted that I was to come alone and to work with designers that they saw fit.

They still had their arrogance.

'They are now strangers to you, Emily.'

'They are dead to you. No one can walk all over you. Not anymore!'

I assured myself as I checked into the hotel.

"You'll be staying in room fifty-one, ma'am. It is one of our very best", the nice receptionist said to me warmly.

Gratefully, I took my the keys and went to the room. It was indeed exquisite.

I took out my sketch pad, pencils, portfolio and magazines, and other materials that I knew would be a necessity and arranged them into the drawers of the cupboard while arranging the rest of my things.

The evening soom came, and I retired for the day.

****

The next morning.

I woke up with a new motivation to excel and deliver my absolute best regardless of who my client was.

I had to meet with Cecilia the next morning to be introduced to the bride and groom, and to get to know them.

But first, I needed to work on improving my appearance!

I went to a salon as I was directed by the receptionist.

"You are welcome, ma'am. What would you like to do?"

A smirk appeared on my face.

"A full-blown makeover!"

The woman smiled with a wink. "We know just what to do!"

Two hours later, I could barely recognise the lady who stared back at me in the mirror.

My long dark hair had been beautifully trimmed and dyed with blonde highlights. My skin glistened with a beautiful natural glow and my makeup, though light, was beautiful.

'That's it! Watch out, Wilsons.'

'She's back, and she's bad!'

****

As I stepped out from the salon, I got a cup of coffee from a cafe, which I recalled sold the best coffee and headed out excitedly.

My look gave me hundred percent confidence and joy that bubbled from my insides.

Without looking in front of me, I bumped into someone, causing my coffee to spill on the man's white shirt.

Damn!

"I am so sorry. I am deeply sorry. I was not looking where I was going", I apologised over and over again, trying in futility to wipe the coffee off his shirt.

"Stop it. You're making it worse", he snapped, taking my hands off his shirt.

"I'm sorry", I added quickly and he turned to face me.

"Emily?! No way", he exclaimed.

'Oh no!'

My heart skipped a beat as I looked up.

"What? Max?", I exclaimed in response, heaving a sigh of relief. I was so glad it was not any of the Wilsons.

"No way! Where have you been? It's so good to see you! And.. you can talk", he excitedly rambled and I smiled, staring awkwardly at him. "You look different. You look great!"

He was Eric's best friend and he could tell Eric he had seen me.

"Yeah. Thanks..Nice to meet you too", I replied quickly, turning on my heels to race away from there but he caught me by the arms.

'Wait, Emily. We should catch up sometimes. It's been five whole years. I want to hear all about how you're doing", he pressed on and I sighed.

"I-I've been great, honestly. I have to go, right now, Max. I've got something urgent to do"

"But we've only just met after five years"

I shot him an apologetic smile.

"Okay. How about I get your number and we chat some other time?", he asked and I sighed, resigning to the annoying fate that seemed to be against me.

"Okay"

I told him my number and he went on talking.

"And Emily.. I'm sorry to tell you this but Eric is getting married soon"

I felt a tug at my heart but I immediately shut it down.

"Really?", I asked, feigning surprise. "Congratulations to him"

Max sighed. "I know it would hurt and all, considering that he was your ex-husband and he is popular, and the news of his wedding would be making the waves by now. It will be fine"

I hated the pity that sounded in his voice. "I AM fine", I replied, walking away but he followed after me.

"What is it, Max?", I found myself snapping at him.

"I just wanted to ask if you would like to hang out sometime?"

"I am a busy person, Max", I replied with a warm smile but I was annoyed within.

I just wanted him to leave.

Anything that was connected to Eric just made me irritated.

"I'm also busy as well. We can both spare little time to meet, Emily. It's just a casual dinner between friends"

I sighed.

"Okay. Fine"

I responded and I briefly heard his words of gratitude before I rushed off.

My coffee was wasted!

****

As I thought about my meeting with Max earlier on the day in my hotel room, I felt myself remembering Eric and all the times we had been together as a couple.

A strange feeling surged through my veins. A feeling of fondness. I recalled his smiles which I rarely saw, his touches on the days he was gentle with me, his voice and his handsome appearance; everything.

Anna's call came in at the moment and I rushed to pick it.

"Hey, designer girl", she greeted with a cheerful and warm voice.

"Hey", I responded, my voice soft with all the thoughts going on it my mind.

"How's it going? Done the makeover yet?"

I nodded. "Of course. It was amazingg"

She laughed from the other end of the line. "That's great. I bet Eric would bow when he sees you"

My expression suddenly fell.

"I saw someone today"

"Who?"

"Eric's best friend"

She sighed. "H-How did it go?"

"Well, I do hope he doesn't blow my cover but asides that, I'm good," I responded with a hard tone. "He even asked me to dinner"

She was silent for a moment. "You'll be fine, girl. Do you plan to go?"

"I don't know. I'd say it depends", I murmured, pulling out my sketch board to draw some accessories that I thought every bride would love to have for their wedding.

"On?"

"If I have the time to spare. I'm here for professional reasons first, remember?"

"I know, but maybe it would not hurt to try to start dating again, you know", she started and I groaned.

"Anna!"

"What? I'm only watching out for you. You work so hard and sometimes, you need to give yourself a break for other things too", she advised and I smiled.

"Thank you, sis. Is Mia there" I asked curiously. I was due to hear my baby's voice.

"Oh, She just slept a while ago after crying her eyes out. She'll be fine", she responded and I smiled.

"Thank you, Anna.. for everything"

"What are friends for?"

The call soon came to an end and I was left alone with my thoughts.

Dating again had crossed my discussion with Anna a number of times and they always made me remember Eric.

His dreamy eyes that I fell in love with when I first saw him usually appeared I my mind and right now, it was all I could think about.

'Stop it, Emily!', I chided myself.

Those were in the past.

I casted all those mushy thoughts to the darkest part of my mind and locked them there.

Eric was as good as dead to me.

Right now, all I felt for him was nothing but hate; a strong feeling of pure hatred!