Chapter 2: A Need to Escape

Emily rushed to return to the bedroom. Taking her clothes on a table next to the bed, she ran to the bathroom to wear them. Then she washed her face to calm herself.

Staring at her face in the mirror, Emily took a deep breath and counted from one to twenty. She closed her eyes and shook her head.

It didn’t work. The thought of spending a lifetime with someone who didn’t love her haunted her. How could Jacob do this to her?

A few drops of tears dampened her face. Brushing the tears in a swift motion, she let out a heavy sigh. Yes, Jacob could fool her for five months of their engagement time, but she wouldn’t be a fool anymore.

Opening her eyes, she stared at her reflection in the mirror. A pretty girl stared back at her. She wouldn’t let him steal her life with his lies. 

Clenching her hand, Emily combed her hair and ensured her appearance was neat. Then she left the bathroom and returned to Jacob’s room. 

Jacob sat on the bed. When he saw Emily from the bathroom, he raised his eyebrow. “Honey, why did you dress up? I still want to make love to you again, at least once or twice.”

Inside, Emily was mad, but she pretended everything was okay. She sat on a chair. “My mom called and asked me to go home. She said we must discuss something.”

“Hmm?” He raised his eyebrow.

“I don’t know what she wanted to talk about, but it’s time for me to go home.”

He sighed, but nodded. “Okay, let me change my clothes first. Then, I’ll send you home.”

After changing his clothes to a casual gray t-shirt and black trousers, Jacob smiled and offered his hand to Emily. She hesitated to accept his hand, but if she didn’t take his hand, it would raise his suspicion. So, she held his hand and pulled him to walk to the door. 

Jacob didn’t notice an unusual thing from Emily. So, he drove her to her parents’ house. They went inside the house. 

Gabriel Emerson, the butler, greeted them. “Miss Emily, Mr. Jacob, welcome home.”

Emily nodded. “Gabe, where is my mom?”

“I believe she is in her working room, miss.”

“Thanks.” Emily walked to the living room and glanced at Jacob. “I’ll talk with my mom for a few minutes. Can you wait here?”

“Sure! No problem.” Jacob smiled at Emily. 

She rushed to go to her mother’s working room. Inside, Elsa Brooke was drawing a new design for summer. Elsa focused on her work until she didn’t notice her daughter entering her room. 

“Mom, it’s me.”

Elsa lifted her head and stared at Emily. “Ah, you’re home. Where is Jacob?”

“In the living room.”

“Ah, okay. What do you want, sweetheart?” Elsa knew her daughter too well. That’s why she asked her. 

“Mom, I need to talk to you, but can you meet with Jacob and tell him I must stay at home for a month and can’t meet with him before the wedding?” she pleaded with her mother. “Also, ask him not to call or text me before the wedding day.”

Hearing what her daughter said, Elsa frowned because she knew Emily wanted the wedding because of falling in love with Jacob. “What’s wrong?”

Emily shook her head. “I’ll tell you later. But please, Mom, help me?” She clenched her hands together, and her face showed a pitiful expression until Elsa finally let out a sigh. 

“Fine! Let’s meet Jacob first.”

The younger woman yelped and hugged her mother. Then she kissed her mother’s cheeks. “Thank you, Mom! You are the best!”

Elsa shook her head, but she smiled. Despite Emily already being an adult, she was always a little girl in her mother’s heart. So, Elsa couldn’t wait to send Jacob home to talk to her daughter.

They walked along to the living room, holding hands. Jacob read a newspaper while waiting. Seeing Emily and Elsa come, he folded the newspaper and put it on the table.

He stood and kissed Elsa’s cheeks. “Aunty, you are more beautiful each time I see you.” They didn’t have any family relation, but Elsa wanted Jacob to call her aunty before he married Emily.

Elsa grinned and shook her head. “You are such a sweet talker. No wonder my daughter likes you so much.”

Emily said nothing. She only bit her lower lip, praying her mother would finish talking to Jacob faster so she could be free for a month to think.

Her wishes came true because her mother immediately asked Jacob to sit. “Since the wedding is a month left, I want to ask you something,” Elsa said.

“What is it, Aunty?”

“It’s not good if you two meet frequently before the wedding. I want to ask you two not to meet or communicate for a month. Is that okay?” 

Emily clenched her hands together and held her breath. She wished badly that Jacob would say yes because she didn’t want to meet with him. 

Jacob frowned to hear Elsa’s unusual request. He glanced at Emily and scratched his head with a hand. “It’s a hard request. You know how fond I am of Emily, Aunty. Not meeting her for a month will be a torture for me. I don’t know how I can survive without talking to her or just sending her text messages.”

If only Emily didn’t hear Jacob’s conversation with his mother, she would fly to the sky right now. However, after knowing the truth, Emily only felt fed up with Jacob’s smooth lies. 

“It’s for the best. You will miss her a lot, and after the wedding, she’s all yours.” Elsa took a deep breath and bent her head. “It’s the only time I have left before the wedding to spoil her.”

“I understand, Aunty.” He let out a long sigh. “Though it’s hard for me, and I’m sure for Emily too, I’ll do what you ask. Besides, after marriage, Emily is free to visit you, and so are you. Our house is open for you.”

“Thank you, Jacob.” Then Elsa stood and smiled. “We’ll see you a month from now, then. Please send my regards to your mother.”

“Sure, Aunty.” 

Jacob stood too. Since Elsa already said that, it was an indirect request for him to leave. He glanced at Emily. “Honey, I’ll go home now. Walk with me before I go?”

Emily stood and walked with Jacob to his car. She gulped because it relieved her to know Jacob agreed not to meet and contact her for a month. It would give her plenty of time to think.

Before she could think of anything else, Jacob pulled her hand and led her to walk behind his car, shielding their bodies from others. He cupped her face and kissed her forehead.

“I’ll miss you badly, baby.” Then he bent his head and kissed her lips in a lingering kiss. 

Her body betrayed her. Though her heart hated him now, her body welcomed his touch, and instinctively, her lips opened and let his tongue delve and devour hers. Her hands rose to his hair and caressed it. 

Then he whispered in her ear, “Don’t worry. A month won’t be long. I’ll wait for you at the church next month. I’m sure you will be the most beautiful bride ever.”

As if he threw a bucket of icy water onto her head, Emily pulled herself and cursed inwardly because of how easily she forgot everything and enjoyed his kisses.

But before him, she only smiled and nodded. “Yes, see you in a month.”