CHAPTER 2:FRESH START.

Waking up in my grubby motel room after only two hours sleep, i let out a yawn.I turned over in bed and looked up at the ceiling seeing a huge stain. It looked like it was from an old leak, this hotel is so run down I'm sure the owner couldn't afford to get it fixed. As I lay looking up at the ugly stain, I planned for the day ahead of me. 

Claire had called her cousin Michelle and arranged for her to meet me today on her lunch break from work. Supposedly she has somewhere that I can stay and work rolled into one. Given that it's been less than 48hrs I think I'm doing okay so far.I'm doing okay without him in my life. 

My plan is to make enough money so I can put more distance between Liam and I. It's always been a dream of mine to go to Paris.. Maybe I could go there. 

I dragged myself up out of the very uncomfortable double bed, feeling exhausted I walked towards the bathroom to get ready for the day. Only having a few items of clothing in my bag I pulled on a pair of black skinny ripped jeans and a t-shirt.I stood in front of the mirror and pulled my blonde hair back into a high ponytail. 

"Fresh start Emilia. You can do this."

I walked into the coffee shop, with no idea what Michelle actually looked like.I looked around at everyone seated at their tables with coffee's and treats in front of them.I was feeling a little anxious out in public. 

"Kate-Kate-Over here." I heard a woman call from the back table and I looked in that direction.A women in her mid twenties was stood up, waving me over. 

That must be her.

I made my way through the tables of people,on my way reminding myself that my name wasn't Emilia anymore. Now I go by Kate-Kate Darcy.That'll be something  that I'll have to get used to. 

"Michelle?" I asked,as I looked at her and have her a light smile. I need to get on well with this girl,she's basically my lifeline. 

"That's me. It's nice to meet you, Kate.My cousin has told me so much about you, She looked me up up down, from the converse trainers I was wearing to my blonde hair that was tied up in a ponytail."But she forgot to mention how beautiful you are. "

"Thank You. "I sat down in front of her at the table.I was surprised by the compliment given how pretty she is herself.

Michelle had brunette hair with streaks of honey highlights.Her make up was perfect with just the right amount and her attire was formal given she's just come from work. 

"I bought you a skinny."She moved the paper coffee cup across the table towards me."I hope you're okay with it,It's what I drink. "

I looked down at the fresh steaming take out coffee cup in front of me with delight,compared to the disgusting motel coffee I was faced with this morning."Thank You, This looks great! The coffee at my motel has been so horrendous." 

"You're staying in a Motel?" 

"Yes."I was feeling embarrassed even telling her, Michelle looks so fancy I imagine she lives in style."I got into town late last night and went to the first place I could find." 

"Well no more motels, I have something great lined up for you." 

I smiled."What is it?" 

"Well my boss is out of town a lot and he's asked me to watch his dog. I'm definitely not a lover of the beast,He tends to jump a lot and my clothes are very expensive. "

Clearly she wasn't a dog lover.. I was on the other hand.I've always had a love for dogs, despite never having one myself.

"Anyway.."She continued."You could stay at his house until he gets back.. I'll give you the pay for it of course.It's a win win for both of us." 

I didn't really have a choice in the matter.It'll be a few days to a couple of weeks, it's just until I get enough money together to get out of here and go to Paris. 

"Sure, That sounds great. I love dogs so I'll have no trouble taking care of him. Would your boss be okay with me staying there?"I asked. 

"Sure Doll, He knows.My car is parked out front so I can take you up there.Grab your skinny, I need to be back in the office in thirty."

***

Michelle unlocked the front door to the massive house, that was surrounded by a huge grass filled garden.We walked inside, Immediately a golden retriever ran towards me and walked around my legs.I kneeled down in front of him and rubbed his golden coat.

"What's your name, Gorgeous Boy?"

"Max is his name. Usually I can never keep a house plant alive.He's been a real challenge."

"Well we're going to get on just fine, Aren't we Max?"I rubbed him some more before rising to my feet. 

I looked around the house of posh and modern decor.There was fancy art on the walls. It was a huge opened planned downstairs with the kitchen to one side and the living room to another. A long dinning table and chair where standing neatly in the centre dividing the two areas. I walked towards the kitchen, noticing the silver state of the art appliances.

"Do you like it?"Michelle asked. 

"Honestly, it's my dream kitchen. I like to cook.I was a chef before.."I was about to say before Liam ruined my life but I stopped myself. 

She looked at me impressed."Wow, I'm impressed. You're going to love cooking in here then. I hope you'll cook me up something sometime?"

"Sure."I looked at a picture sitting neatly on the sideboard.The only picture I've seen in this house so far that was of an actual person.It was of a man with his arm around an older woman."Who's this?"

Michelle's heels made a click-clacking noise off the hardwood flooring as she walked across the room towards me.She looked at the framed photo I was holding."That's my boss Zachary Evans and that's his Grandmother. He's a fine piece of ass.. Everyone thinks so" 

"I wouldn't know."I placed the photo back down on the sideboard beside the ornaments. 

Of course i thought the man was handsome, but after everything that's happened the last two years I didn't want to even think about another man in that way.

"You don't swing that way either?"She asked.

"No, I do."

"Giving up on men?" 

"I guess so, it's hard to trust anyone these days."I turned and looked at her."That thing people say about finding the one.. It's just one huge joke."

"I hear you sister!"Michelle glanced down at her watch and let out a sigh of exasperation."I should get going, work to do and all that.I left instructions on the fridge..But call me if you need anything at all."

She grabbed her things from the kitchen island."You don't know anyone in town.We should go out sometime.. I'll show you the best spots?"

"Yeah, Okay." I answered, a little unsure of what to say.After everything that's happened with Liam, going out wouldn't be such a great idea.But on the other hand I didn't want to seem ungrateful and turn her down.

"Great, I'll give you a call."She smiled walking towards the front door.Michelle turned around and looked at me"Bye Doll."

"Bye."I closed the door behind her and turned around looking at the massive house.It's home for now.. At least. 

"Let's go exploring" I said giving max a rub on his head.I took the stairs up to the second floor and Max followed.Michelle told me that my room was the second door on the left so that's where I went.

I walked inside looking around the beautifully decorated bedroom.The King sized bed that was in the centre of the wall was made up of very fancy looking silk sheets and decorative cushions and throws. This guy really does like the finer things in life.. And this is just the guest room. 

I sat down at the end of the bed and lay back, looking up at the ceiling.Max jumped up and snuggled in next to me.

***

FLASHBACK 

Liam and I were strolling along the canal after an amazing first date.It was getting dark now, so the mood was feeling very romantic. 

"It was nice going to dinner with a woman that actually eats the food that she orders.I'm impressed, Emilia."Liam was walking alongside me smiling.

"I never understood that. That dinner was too nice to leave anything behind.That restaurant was definitely 5star."

"Well, I'll have to bring you back there again sometime."He looked over at me. "Would you be okay with that?" 

"Sure, I'd love that."

Liam reached his hand over and laced his fingers with mine.I looked down at the close contact between us."So tell me about yourself?"

"Um,There's not much to tell honestly. My life is pretty boring."I've always hated talking about my life to anyone else, most have it better than I do.I felt embarrassed to have no one.

"Boring you are not."He looked at me and smirked."What about family?" 

"I never had much in the way of family. My Dad ran out on my Mom and I when I was young.It was just me and her until she died when I was fifteen."

Liam gave me sympathetic look.The look I was used to getting from people when I tell them about my situation.A girl so young had no one in her life.. It's sad."I'm sorry, Emilia."He said in a soft consoling tone."It must have been hard on you?" 

"Of course, I'll always miss her.. My mother left me some money when she died..It didn't spread through my years of college so I'm working every shift I can get at the coffee shop to help get me through." 

"Determined, I like that." 

"Well I have to be." 

Liam stopped walking and stood at the bridge looking out at the water.I walked towards him and stood at the railings.I looked up at him and saw that he was smiling. 

"Relaxing, Isn't it?"He was looking out at the water.Everything around us was calm so I understood what he was saying about it being relaxing. 

"Thank you, for taking me out." 

"I enjoyed myself with the perfect date, I'm looking forward to doing this again."Liam smiled at me, extending his right hand he tucked a lock of my blonde hair behind my ear.He was so sweet.. And so attentive."I want to kiss you, Emilia" 

"Okay."I whispered, feeling shy all of a sudden.I knew there was a possibility of the night ending with a kiss.It's been awhile since I've kissed a guy-I just didn't want to be bad at it. 

Liam placed his hand on my cheek as he moved his face towards me.He set his lips on mine and kissed me.So soft and So sweet.It was a kiss that I had expected but more. 

It was a kiss like no other.