Emily's POV "Head out?" I asked, confusion etched on my face, my mind racing with thoughts. But before I could press for more information, Ethan's smile grew wider, and he said. "Remember, I said I had a gift for you?" His eyes sparkled with excitement, and I felt my curiosity piqued. "What is it?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Ethan chuckled, his smile still radiant. "All in good time." His voice was low and mysterious. "Let's just say it's something I think you'll enjoy." He set the tray down on the bedside table, his movements are fluid and graceful. "Finish your breakfast, and we'll be on our way." I nodded, my mind whirling with possibilities. What could the surprise be? And where were we going? I couldn't wait to find out. As Ethan left the room, I couldn't help but pinch myself to see if I was dreaming. Was this happening? Ethan had just brought me breakfast in bed, and now he was taking me on a surprise adventure. I felt like I was floatin
Emily's POV: As I lifted the lid of the box, I was taken aback by the beautiful silver necklace, adorned with a small crystal pendant that sparkled like a diamond. But that wasn't all - nestled beside the necklace lay a small, leather-bound book, its cover embossed with the title "You Are Beautiful" in elegant, cursive script. I felt a lump form in my throat as I picked up the book, running my fingers over the soft cover. "Ethan, this is...wow." My voice was barely above a whisper. Ethan smiled, his eyes shining with warmth. "I saw the book and thought of you, the words inside resonated with me, and I wanted to share them with you. You are beautiful, inside and out." I opened the book, and a piece of paper slipped out, carrying a handwritten note: "To a woman who radiates light and joy, may these words remind you of your beauty and worth. -E" Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I looked up at Ethan, feeling a deep connection to this kind, thoughtful man. Was th
Emily's POV: "Mind if we meet tonight?" Liam asked, his voice low and inviting. "Yes, I would." I need to get out and get some fresh air to clear my mind. I was all over the place emotionally. "Okay, I'll come pick you up at the usual spot?" "Yes." I felt a flutter in my chest. "See you, Miss Clumsy." He teased. I rolled my eyes, laughing despite myself. "Hey, that's not fair!" I protested, but he just chuckled and hung up the phone. I was left staring at the screen, my heart racing with anticipation. What would tonight bring? Hanging out with Liam was better, I thought to myself. Maybe if my affection towards him grew, I would be able to forget about Ethan. At least Liam was gentle and kind, and I was sure he loved me for who I was. Unlike Ethan, who seemed to take pleasure in toying with my emotions. As I got ready for our meeting, I couldn't help but feel a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I could learn to love Liam the way I deserved to be loved. And
Emily POV: "You're right, it's family issues rather." I lied to conceal another lie, and Ethan saw right through me. He gave me a piercing stare, his expression calm and collected. "I can manage that." His voice was laced with a hint of skepticism, and I knew I was in trouble. He didn't believe my deception, and I knew he would dig until he uncovered the truth. "Would you mind sharing, or are you in a hurry to meet your friend?" His facial expression was suspicious when he said 'friend', and I couldn't help but wonder if he knew who I was secretly meeting. "I'm not in a hurry, but the issue is confidential." I tried to sound calm despite my racing thoughts. The way Ethan said 'friend' still lingered in my mind, his tone and expression hinting at a deeper understanding. I felt like he could see right through me like he knew the truth I was desperate to keep hidden. "Have fun with your... friend." Ethan's voice trailed off, leaving the word hanging in the air like a
Emily's POV: "But anyway, prepare your singing voice." He added, and with that, I could guess where we were headed. Karaoke. My heart sank, and I felt a wave of nervousness wash over me. I was not exactly the next American Idol. "Is it a karaoke?" I tried to sound casual despite my growing unease. "Maybe, prepare your singing voice." A small smile played on his face. That was all the confirmation I needed. We were going to a karaoke place. I could feel my anxiety spiking at the thought of singing in front of people. "Maybe you should be the one to prepare your voice, I'm always ready." I feigned a smirk, hoping to hide my true feelings. "Oh?" His eyes sparkled with amusement. "You would be so surprised." He added with a small laugh. "Little information, I was part of the choristers in church back then." He continued. "Really?" A small smile appeared on my face. "Yes, Little Liam, with a suit every Sunday, with that bass voice..." We both burst o
Emily's POV; Liam's eyes sparkled with mischief as he leaned in closer, his lips inches from mine. The crowd's chants grew louder, and I felt my heart racing with anticipation. Then, in a moment that seemed to slow down time, Liam's lips brushed against mine in a soft, gentle kiss. The crowd erupted into a frenzy of cheers and applause, their whistles and screams filling the air. I felt like I was melting into Liam's embrace, our lips moving in perfect sync. The host's voice boomed through the microphone, "And there's the kiss we've all been waiting for!" The crowd's cheers reached a deafening pitch, and I felt like I was on cloud nine. As we pulled away from each other, gasping for air, Liam grinned at me, his eyes shining with excitement. I couldn't help but smile back, my heart still racing from the thrill of our kiss. Liam stepped back onto the stage, this time whispering something in the emcee's ear. The emcee's face lit up with a knowing smile, and he turned to t
Ethan's POV: I felt a knot in my stomach as I paced back and forth in front of the clock. Where was Emily? She had promised to return today, and now she was nowhere to be found. I tried calling her again, but her phone went straight to voicemail. I left another message, trying to keep my voice calm. As the minutes ticked by, my anxiety grew. Something must have happened to her. I thought about our last conversation, wondering if I had missed something. Had she hinted at any problems? I racked my brain, but nothing came to mind. I knew Emily was a grown woman and could take care of herself, but I couldn't shake off the feeling of worry. Maybe she had simply slept over at a friend's place, but she could have at least called me. I tried not to be overly concerned, but I was deeply worried that something dangerous might have happened to her. I prayed and hoped that everything was okay. I decided to head to the kitchen to make a cold coffee, hoping the familiar ritual would calm
Emily POV:My heart skipped a beat as I realized I was in Liam's room. The large picture frame on the wall, the sleek furniture, and the luxurious decor all screamed 'Liam'. I felt a flutter in my chest as I remembered the events of the previous night. I had been so caught up in the moment, in the music and the laughter, that I hadn't even thought about where I was going or what I was doing. And now, here I was, in Liam's bed. I looked around the room again, taking in the details. There were photos of Liam with his friends and family, and a few awards and trophies on a shelf. But what caught my eye was the photo of us, taken just last night, on the stage. We were smiling and laughing, our arms around each other. I quickly scrambled out of bed, my mind racing with thoughts of how I was going to explain my whereabouts to Ethan. I had told Ethan I would be returning home, but clearly, that hadn't happened. And now, it was past 10 am the next day, and I was still in Liam's apar