DirtyBoss
ASecondChanceRomance
DirtyBoss:ASecondChanceRomance
AlexRiley
Copyright©2016
Allrightsreserved.
Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedinaretrievalsystem,ortransmitted,inanyformorbyanymeanswithouttheprior
permissioninwritingofthepublisher.
Thisisaworkoffiction.Anyresemblancetoanyperson,livingordead,ispurelycoincidental.
Emilyisastraightlacedcollegegirlwhoselifeexperienceshavetaughthertoalwaysplaysitsafeso
asnottogethurt.Sheisinexperiencedwithmen,shyingawayfromexperienceinfavourofher
collegestudies.
ThatisuntilshemeetssuperhotRyan,arecentgraduateanddirtyboss,whoturnsherworldupside
downinanexplosiveonenightstandthatwillchangeherlifeforever.
ThenextdayRyanisgonebutEmily’seyesareforeveropened,thatnightmakingherfeellikeanew
adultandmarksthestartofhertransformationintoasuccessfulcareerwomanandthebossofher
owncompany.
Allthewhilethough,sheonceagainlongstofeelhiswarmembraceandthewayhemadeherfeel
downthere.
Shehasallbutgivenupwhenatragedyfouryearslaterprovidesthetwoyoungadultswithan
opportunemeetingandasecondchanceatromance.IfonlyRyanwouldbelieveinsecondchances...
Emily
O
NE
April,2016
Emily Wilson read the mail in her inbox over and over again. Her business really was going to
takehertoAthens,Georgia,shethoughtwithawhimsicalsmile.Morethanthat,itwasgoingtobe
taking her on a roller coaster ride down memory lane. Not that she had ever forgotten; not for a
singleday.TheInternationalFashionShowwasalwaysthemostanticipatedeventoftheyearforthe
fashion industry and this year ’s event was taking her to Athens to represent her fashion line, ‘Head
Turners’.
“WhyGeorgiaofallplaces?WhynotEgypt,SwitzerlandorHaiti?WhyAthens?”shemutteredout
loudeventhoughshewastheonlyoneinherroom.
Fatereallyhadawayofgoingaboutitsbusiness,Emilythoughtwithanunbelievableshakeofher
head.ForEmily,ithadallstartedinAthens,NortheastGeorgia.Thenameshehadmadeforherself
andthefameshehadgatheredwasbirthedinAthensonthatonenightwithhimfouryearsago.
She hadn’t been back since she had graduated. Atlanta, where she lived now, was only an hour
drive away but Emily avoided going back because it brought back powerful memories that were
simultaneouslyamazingandfilledwithlonging.
Sheshouldn’thavebothered.Now,shewasgoingtheredespiteeverythingshehaddonetoavoidit.
“It is too fucking soon to go back!” she screamed at the laptop, running her hands through her
spiky,shortblondehairinfrustration.
Therewashowever,norespitefromthefeelingofnostalgiashefeltassoonasshesawtheinbox
notificationfortheShow.Norwouldthevenuechange;nomatterhowmuchshewantedtoavoidit,it
wasstillgoingtobeAthens.
“Gran,whyisitsohardtoforgetsomepeople?Whyisitsohardtoletgo?”
ThefeelingofnostalgiathatarosefromknowingshewouldgobacktoAthens,broughttomind
another life-changing moment with her grandmother from ten years ago. Thinking back on that
conversation and the impact it had on her life, Emily let out a long sigh. Tonight was a night of
reflection,shethoughtinresignation.ItwasoneofthoseraremomentswhenEmilyallowedherself
tothink.Shedetestedthinking.Itwasn’therthing;shepreferredtoactandthenmaybethinklater,ifat
all.Shegrabbedherwineandlethermindwander...
WhenEmilywasjustsixteenshebegandrinkingtocopewiththeguiltofherparent’sdeath.She
hadbeensmugglingdrinksintothehouseeachnightaftertheaccidentandonenighthergrandmother
caughther.Insteadofscoldinghersixteen-year-oldgranddaughterfordrinking,Larahadgrabbeda
glassandsatonthefloorofEmily’sroomwithher.“Lordknowswebothneedthis,”shesaid.
Theydrankandtalkedlongintothenight.Aboutlove,life,herparentsandamidstblurs,hiccups,
tearsandburps,hergrandmothersaidsomethingthathadstayedwithhereverysince.
“Yousee,mydarling,youdon’tforgetsomepeoplebecausetheyhavehadahugeimpactonyour
life.Somepeoplemakeyoulaugh,othersmakeyoucry,somedobothanditisthosepeoplethathave
animpactsogreatthatyoudonotknowwhereyouendandtheybeginandwhenwelosethem,we
losepartofourselves.Rememberyourparentsbutknowthatyoumustliveyourlifeinhonoroftheir
memory.”
Thoughthewordshadbeensaidoverafewdrinks,theywouldchangeherlifeforeveranditwas
thesewordsshereflectedonassherememberthatnightwithhimfouryearsago.Inonenight,hehad
shownherallthosethingsandmoreandtakenhertoplacesshehadneverthoughtpossible.
That night with her grandmother ushered in a new dawn for a more responsible, cautious and
wiser teenager. But the night with him, saw the birth for a more spontaneous and determined adult.
Thoseexperiencesfromherpastcombinedtoformtheperfectblendofgroundednessanddaringthat
allowed her to forge a path for herself in the fashion industry. She was a person of her own, a
recognizedentityandnotjustanotherfaceinthecrowd,somethingsheneverthoughtpossiblebefore
thatnight.
Emilyhadneverforgottenthatnightwithhergrandmotherdespitehowmuchshehadchanged.She
neverwould.Justlikeshehadneverforgottenthatnightwithhimthoseyearsago.
Andsheknewthatitwasbecauseoftheimpacthehadmadeinherlife.Witheverythingshehad
doneoverthepastfouryears,shestillrememberedthatnight.Thatnight,shehadthrownallcaution
tothewindanddoneexactlywhatshewantedtodo.Itwasthebeginningoftrueliberationforher;no
onewhoknewherbeforethat,wouldeverguessthatsheoncelivedlifeinanentirelydifferentway.
Thatnight,thetablesturnedandsodidherlifemuchtothedelightofhergrandmother.Notthatshe
hadanyregretsaboutwhatshedidthatnight;farfromit.Perhapsnow,theonlyregretshehadwas
thatthenightwastheonlyoneshehad.Yearsafter,allshehadwerebittersweetmemories.
Memoriesthatkeptherawakeoncoldnightswishingshehadjustonemorenight.
The same memories saw her sometimes staring into space in broad daylight, remembering and
relivingeachmomentinherhead.Shesometimeswishedthatshehaddonethingsdifferentlybutshe
alsoknewthatshewouldn’tchangetheeventsofthatnightforanything.
She didn’t know if it was by coincidence or if fate was having a good laugh at her right now.
Calculatingthedays,Emilyrealizedthattodaywasexactlyfouryearsagofromthatnight...
T
WO
FourYearsAgo…
“Comeon,Emily,don’tbeaspoilsport.Itisgoingtobesuchfun.”Shannonwhined.
Emilylookedupfromthenovelshehadinherhandsandremovedtheglassessetprecariouslyon
thebridgeofhernose.Sheregardedherroommateandbestfriendinsilenceforthebetterpartoftwo
minutes.
Shecouldn’tbelievehowwelltheyhititoffandhowlongtheirfriendshiphadlasted.Theywere
sototallydifferentfromeachotherthateveryonewhosawthemtogetherneverfailedtocommenton
their glaring differences. While Emily was blonde, thin and gawky; Shannon was a redhead, round
littlegypsythatturnedheadswhenshewalked.Emilyworeglassesandlookedgeeky,withhernose
constantly buried in one book or the other; Shannon, on the other hand, would not be caught dead
wearingthosehorriblethingscalledglassesnorwouldshetouchanybookwithaten-footpole,God
forbid,unlessitwastodoodleonit.
While Emily was extremely introverted and tidy, her roommate was an extrovert and
disorganized.Emily’stirelesseffortstokeeptheirroominsomesemblanceoforder;wouldquickly
beblownapartasShannonleftatrailofdestructionwherevershewent.
Inanutshell,shehadbeenbestoffriendswithShannonMcGuireforthelastthreeyears,whenthey
were thrown together as roommates in freshman year. They had hit it off at once despite knowing
right away that they were exact opposites of one another. However, Emily knew that she wouldn’t
exchangeShannonforanyoneelse,nomatterhowmuchtroubleshecouldbe.Herlittlegypsyfriend
was loyal, understanding, faithful and the most compassionate soul on earth despite her flashy
outwardappearance.
ItwaswhyEmilywaslisteningtoherrightnowinsteadofoutrightlyscreamingather.
“Shannon,youknowhowmuchIhatepartiesandnoise.”Shecomplainedtoherfriend.
“OfcourseIknow,”Shannonsaidwitharollofhereyes.“ButIhavebeentryingtotellyouthat
this is not the sort of parties with blaring speakers and loud music. And, we’ll be leaving early to
makeitupintimeforGreg’sflightearlyinthemorning.”Sheadded.
Now, it was Emily’s turn to roll her eyes. She knew that Greg’s early flight to Washington
tomorrowmorningwasn’tthereasonthatShannonwouldagreetoleaveapartyearly.
Greg was Shannon’s boyfriend and he was one of this year ’s graduates at the University of
Georgia.HehadgraduatedwithdistinctionandShannonwasasproudofhimasamother.Aspecial
dinnerpartywasorganizedinahotelforthosegraduatingwithdistinctionsandtheywereallowedto
bringwiththemtwomoreguests.
Greg’s parents were dead like hers and he had given the invitations to Shannon. Now, Shannon
wantedEmilytocomewithher.
Placingthebookonthebed,Emilyinclinedherheadtothelefttostudyherfriend.Shannonwas
dressedasusualinflamboyantcolorsthatthreatenedtoburntheretina.Emilycouldmakeoutshades
ofyellow,brightpink,magentaandgold.Sheshookherhead,slightlydistracted.Herfriendwasjust
atadcrazy.No,morethanatad,shecorrectedwhenshecaughtherfirstreallookatShannon’shair.
“Whatonearthdidyoudotoyourhair?”sheexclaimedinastonishment.
ShannonshruggedandploppedonthebedbesideEmily.
“Ithoughtyouwouldnevernotice,”shemurmuredimpishly,pattingherhairandpreeninglikea
peacock.
Emilycontinuedtostareatthehairinquestion,unconsciouslyraisingahandtotouchittoseeifit
wasasrealasshesawit.
“Nothingsobadastogetyourmouthhangingopenlikethat,”sherepliedwithanaughtygrin.“I
onlycutitabitanddyeditinthecolorsoftherainbow;youknowhowmyGreglovestherainbow.”
Shesaidwithathroatylaugh.
Emilyshookherhead.Really,sheshouldn’tbeamazedatherfriend’sbehavioranymorebuteach
time,sheallowedherselftobesurprisedbythedifferentimpulsivedecisionthatShannonmakeonan
almostdailybasis.Justthismorning,Shannonhadbeenaredhead,nowherhairlookedlikeitwascut
sohaphazardlythatthereappearedtobenopatternandwasdyedallthecolorsoftherainbow.
“Butwhywouldyoudothat?Youlovedyourredhair.”Shesaid,lookingherfriendrightinthe
eye.
Itwastrue.Shannonalwaysclaimedthatherredhairwasherbestfeaturewithoutwhichshewould
justhavebeenanordinaryIrishgirlinaforeigncountry.Shannonjustshruggedagain.
“IwanttomakeGreg’slastnightinGeorgiamemorable.”Shesaidwithadaredevilgrin.Justas
soonasthewordswereout,hershouldersdroopedandworryenteredintohergreyeyes.“Whatifhe
goesandforgetsme?YouknowweareworldapartandhemightdecidetogoforanAmericanwhen
heisoutofhere.MaybeifImaketonightsospecialforhim,hewouldn’tforgetme?Iwanthimtobe
myforever.”shesaidworriedly.
Emilysighedinexasperation.Shannoncouldbesoinsecureofherselfattimeslikethisbutonly
whenshewasalonewithEmily.Emilyshiftedtowardshertodrawherintoahug.
“Youknowthathewouldn’tdare.Greylovesyoutoomuchtoforgetyouandyouknowit.Why
wouldyoueventhinkthat?”
Sheheldherfriendinherembrace,pattingthedyedhairdownherback.Shannonwaspetitebut
curvy and everyone knew that Greg just loved her to pieces as she did him. Since his graduation,
Shannonhadbeenfretting,worriedthatshestillhadoneyeartogowhileGregwouldleavethecity.
She had started to convince herself that the distance would tear them apart and she would be left
heartbroken.
Emily however had seen the couple when they were around each other. They only had eyes for
each other and couldn’t bare being away from each other, on the holidays or even during the day
whenclassesseparatedthem.ThoughEmilyherselfhadneverbeeninarelationshipofanykind,she
guessedthatShannonandGreg’slovewastherealthingandwishedforsomethingsimilarforherself
someday.
“Believeme,Iknow…butwhatif?”Shannonasked,leaningbacktostareintoEmily’sbabyblue
eyes.
“Don’tthinkaboutwhatifsrightnowbutwhatis.”Shesaidfirmly.“Andrightnow,‘whatis’isthat
Greglovesyouandyoulovehim;thatshouldsuffice.”
“Thankyou.”Shannonsaidsoftly,squeezingherintoatighthug.
“Anytime,”Emilymanagedtomumbleoutthroughthetighthug.
“Then,youhavetogowithmetothedinnerparty.Isodonotwanttohearanythingelseaboutit.”
Shannonsaidbreezily,gettingupfromthebedandwalkinguptothefulllengthmirrorinthecorner
oftheroom.Sheprancedinfrontofittoadmirehernewhairstyle.
HereyescaughtEmily’sinthemirrorandshesawthatanotherargumentwasonitsway.
“Youarecomingwithmetosupportmeandmyboyfriend.Youcan’tnotcome;Gregwillbeso
heartbroken.”Sheemphasized,onehanddramaticallysplayedoverherchest.
EmilysighedheavilyandrolledhereyessothatShannonwouldseeherinthemirror.
“Youareanag;youknow?”sheaskedrhetoricallybutShannonansweredanyway.
“YesIknowbutyoustillloveme.”Sheanswered,turningandsmilingatEmily.“Soyoucoming
orwhat?”sheasked,armsfolded,daringtotodefyher.
“YouhavetopromisethatwewillleavewhenIsayweshould.”Emilybargained.
Shannonclappedherhandsgleefully,jumpingonthespotlikeachild.
“Ofcourse,Ipromise.”shereplied
“Now, we need to get you prepared. You can’t go looking like this.” Shannon was disdainfully
observing Emily’s clothes and then turned to her wardrobe. She looked into the wardrobe while
Emilywentbacktoherbook.
Shannonwasafashionistathatpridedherselfonlookingtheverybest.Shewasalwaysdressedin
dazzlingcolors,butEmilyhadnosuchdesiretolookthisway.IfShannonwantedtofixherforthe
party, she would only tolerate it to please her friend. After all, she was going there only to satisfy
Shannonandnothingmore.
She hoped that they would come back before midnight so she could finish up the novel she was
readingbeforebed.
*********
ComingtothispartywaswithoutadoubtthemostboringthingthatEmilyhadeverdoneinher
life.
Andshehaddonesomeprettyboringthingstoobutthispartywasthehighlightofthemall.Emily
sipped on her champagne and sighed for what must be the thousandth time that night. She could be
home right now, curled up on her soft bed with a bowl of ice cream. She should be reading the
standaloneromancenovelshestartedjustthisafternoon.ExamswereoverbutcourtesyofShannon,
shecouldn’tdoasshepleased.Shewasherewatchingmeninsuitsandladiesinvaryinglengthsof
dresses. They canvassed the hall speaking to this dignitary and that professional, giving boring
speechesandclappingafterwards.
SheknewthatShannonwasevenmoreboredthanshewasbutshewasn’tfeelingverycharitable
towardsherfriendinthatmoment.Shehadaskedthattheyleavefifteenminutesagobutshewasstill
there,sippingonchampagne.Emilyknewthatshehadhadtoomuchtodrink;butitwasalltherewas
todo,shortoffallingasleepinherchair.
“Pleasedon’tbemad,EmilybutPowerBitseemedtohavetakenaninterestinGregandhecannot
verywellleavethemnow.”Shesaid,hergreyeyespleadingwithEmily.
It was a kind of dinner party where leading names and brands in the market met graduating
students like Greg with marked achievements and distinctions. For the new graduates, it was a field
day because it was like a dream come true. PowerBit, a powerful scientific research company in
computer engineering and software development had immediately shown interest in Greg after his
citation was handed out. He had barely sat down with them for five minutes before he was invited
over.
Otherinvitedguestseitherwalkedaround,admiringthevariousartworkondisplay,formedsmall
groupsofconversationorsatinboredsilencelikesheandShannon.
Emilywantedtogohomebutsinceshewasn’tthetypetohitcharide,shewouldhavetowaitfor
Greg to finish so he could drop her off. She was resigned to the fact that Shannon wouldn’t be
sleepingintheirroomtonight;shewasgoingtobewithGregallnightsincehewasleavingearlyin
themorningforWashington.
Emilygrabbedyetanotherbottleofchampagnefromapassingwaiterandsetitonthetable.
“Don’tyouthinkyouhavehadenoughtodrink?”Shannonasked,eyeingthebottlewarily.Shehad
barelyhadasipsinceGregwasinvitedbyarepresentativeofPowerBit.Itwasobviousthatshestill
frettedovertheissuetheydiscussedintheafternoon.
“Whatelseistheretodobuteatanddrink?”Emilyaskedmulishly.
“Iamsorry.Ishouldn’thavemadeyoucomewhenyoudidn’twantto.”Herfriendsaid,looking
downcastanddejected.
The words sobered Emily. She realized that she was behaving like a petulant child; she chided
herself. While Emily had her back to the PowerBit table, Shannon faced them squarely and she had
beencastinganxiousglancesoversinceGregjoinedthemaboutthirtyminutesago.Emilyshookher
headatherselfishness.
Her best friend, the only friend she had in the whole world was seated right in front of her,
worrying her pretty head away over her boyfriend’s departure and all she could do was complain
aboutthedullnessattheparty.Shewastheworstfriendever,shethoughttoherself.Whatwereafew
hours at a boring party for a friend? Shannon had done crazier things for her in the time they had
knowneachother.
“No,Iamsorry.”Sheapologized,tryingtothinkofwhattodotomakeituptoherfriend.“How
about you go join Greg at their table and brazenly introduce yourself as his girlfriend?” she asked
impulsively.
Herwordssurprisedbothherfriendandherself.Shewasnotthetypetobesoimpulsiveordaring
butshewantedtoerasetheworriedlookonherfriend’sface.Orperhaps,itwasthewinedoingthe
talking.
“Wow!” she declared admiringly. “That is just the best suggestion ever. Why didn’t I think of it
before?” Shannon said already standing and grabbing her purse from the table. “Come with?” she
askedher.
Even though Emily knew she’d be even more bored on her own, she shook her head. She was a
student of Creative Arts and a freelance writer, any talks about science churned her stomach.
Conversationatthetablewiththecompanywoulddefinitelybemoreboringthansittinghereonher
own,thankyou.
“Iwillbefinebymyself,goon.”ShewavedherfriendoffinthedirectionofthetablewhereGreg
satwiththreeothermen,talkinganimatedly.
“Thanks,G.”Shannonsaid,blowingherakiss.
Whenshewasgone,Emilyfidgetedwiththeclasponherpurseforanotherfiveminutes,looking
aroundtheroomfornothinginparticular.SheturnedinherseattolookoveratthePowerBittable
some ten feet or so away and saw that Shannon was now seated beside Greg and seemed to be
enjoyingtheconversation.
Goodforher,shethought.
Thebottleofchampagnestillstoodunopenedinfrontofherandsheturnedhergazetoit,tryingto
decideifsheshouldjustopenitandhaveyetanotherdrink.
Shecontinuedtostareatitundecidedforanotherfiveminutes.
“Now, what is a beautiful thing such as yourself doing here all alone with an unopened bottle in
frontofyou?”Asilkymale,voiceinterruptedherthoughts.
Emilydidnotevenhearthecompliment;itflewpastherlikethewind.Thefirstthingsshenoticed
werehisfeet;thoughitwasnotsomuchashisfeetaswhatheworeonhisfeet.Hewaswearingapair
ofwhiteandbluesneakersandhisbarelegswentwayuptodisappearbeneathapairofkneelength
commando shorts. Emily allowed her gaze to travel all the way up inch by inch as she took in his
midnight blue polo shirt. He was tall, she thought absently. The words ‘I am King’ were boldly
imprintedonthefrontofashirtwhichflatteredhisabdominalsandchest.
Feeling curious by now, Emily raised her eyes to meet his gaze. They were the most startling
brilliant shade of gold and were surrounded by eyebrows that were almost meeting and lashes that
were so long they were almost feminine. His hair was a lovely sheen of black that curled over his
headlikeacrown.Hewaswearingagrinthatshoweddeepdimplesonhiscleanshavencheeks.
EveryonethatEmilyhadseenduringthecourseoftheeveninghadformalattire,mostlyinthered
and/orblackcolorsofthecollege.Theguystandinginfrontofherthoughlookedtotallyoutofplace
inhiscasualclothes.Buthewassmilingatherasifhehadnoideathathelookedliketheducklingin
themidstofswans.
“MayIhavethisseat?”heasked,indicatingtheseatthatShannonjustleft.
Hesatwithoutwaitingforhernodofapproval.
“Youseemtowanttoopenthebottlebutcan’tpluckupthecourageto,”heobserved.
Shewasstillstaringathiminamazement.
“What are you wearing?” she blurted out without conscious thought. It was the second time that
nightthatshewouldbeblurtingoutexactlywhatshewasthinkingbutEmilybarelynoticed.
Hehoweverdidnottakeoffence,smilingbroadly.
“WhatiswrongwithwhatIhaveon?”heaskedwithadaringsmile.Heleanedforwardandopened
thewine,pouringforbothofthem.
Shereachedoutandgrabbedtheglassofwine,downingitintwoloudgulps.Beingfriendswith
Shannon,shewasusedtohavingguyscomeovertotheirroomlookingforherfriendbutthiswas
different.Noguyhadeversingledheroutforhisattentionbeforeandshedidn’tknowwhattosay.
Whynotjuststartbyansweringhisquestion?Alittlevoicepromptedinherhead.
Herunwantedcompanywasstaringatherinamusementasshesetdowntheemptyglassandshe
promptlyforgotthequestionhehadasked.
“Youmusthavebeenthirsty,”hesaid,imitatingherandthrowingthecontentsofhiscupdownhis
throatinonegulp.
She cast down her gaze and her eyes caught the words on his shirt again. She remembered the
questionheaskedher.
“Everyonehereisdressedformally,exceptyou,”shespokeoutoftheblueagain.Heonlystaredat
herasifshewasnuts.“Thatiswhatiswrongwithwhatyouarewearing,”sheexplainedlamely.
Amischievoussmilereachingallthewayintohiseyesappearedonhislipsandheleanedforward
acrossthetabletoreachher.
“Whyiseveryoneheredressedformal,doyouknow?”heaskedherinaconspiratorialwhisper.
She could smell his male cologne and they invaded her senses, drawing her forward. “I don’t
know,”shesaiddrunkenlyinanswertohisquestion.
“Really?” he whispered comically. “But you are also dressed formally,” he said with a naughty
grin.
Asifshedidn’tquiteknowwhatshewasgettingat,shelookeddownatherself.Shewasdressed
muchliketheotherladiesintheroominalong,black,silversequineddressthatShannonhadfished
out of their wardrobe in the afternoon. The dress was her twentieth birthday gift from her
grandmother but Emily had never worn it until tonight. The dress was tight and emphasized her
skinnybodywhichshealwayshidinsidejeanandshirts,hereverydaywear.
WhatEmilydidn’tknowwasthatthedressemphasizedherbabybluesandbroughtoutthecolorful
highlightsinherblondehairwhichShannonhadsimplybraidedinaFrenchplaitdownherbackand
thentwistedintoadoughnutatthebaseofherneck.Herfeetwerecladinathree-and-a-half-inchpair
of silver shoes and her matching silver purse was on the table. Her ensemble was completed by a
simplesilverchainonherneckhavingalittle,Cinderellaslipperaspendant.
When Shannon finished dressing her up, she had stood back to admire her handiwork with a
triumphantsmile.
“InthethreeyearsIhaveknownyou,thisisthefirsttimeIcanactuallysaythatthereishopefor
youyet.”Shehadsaid.
Emilylookedsheepishlyathercompanion.Hewasrightagain;shewasdressedratherformally.
“Iguessso,”shesaid.Shesatbackinherchair,lookingattheoddguyinfrontofher.
“So,tellmethen,whyareyoudressedthisway?”heinsisted.
Emilywasconfused.
“My roommate over there insisted,” she explained, nodding her head in the general direction of
thePowerBittable.“AndthankheavensthatIdidtoo.Everyoneelseisexceptyou.Iguessitisthe
dresscodefortheevent,”shetoldhimmatter-of-factly.
Theguyleanedforwardmore.“Doyouhaveyourinvitationcardwithyou?Iwouldbetthatthere
isnodresscodeindicatedonit.”Hesaidwithabemusedsmile.
Herreservegonenow,shepickedherpursefromthetableandopenedittoretrieveherinvitation
card.Sheturneditthiswayandthat,tryingtoseeiftherewasanydresscodeindicatedandsawthat
indeed,therewasn’t.
“Iguessformalistheconventionalattireforeventssuchasthis.”Sheshrugged.
“ThenwhyIaminhere?”heaskedherwithobviousflourish.
Shewasthrownbyhisquestion.Indeed,ifthedresscodewasformal,hewouldn’tbeallowedentry
intothevenueatall.
“True,”shemuttered.Whywasthisguyalwaysright?
He was now staring at her as if she was a particularly interesting piece of specimen under a
microscope.Shereachedforthebottleandpouredherselfanotherglass.
“Isee.”Hesaidwithalookshecouldn’tdefineinhiseyes.
“Whatdoyousee?”sheaskedhimwarily.
Hewasstillstaringunblinkinglyather.
“Youhatethisparty,don’tyou?”heaskedherafteraprolongedsilenceofjustwatchingher.
Shehadnoideawhatthathadgottoanythingthathesawbutshenoddedherhead.
Hegrinned.
“SodoI.”heinformedher.“Youcamewithoneofthenewgraduates,yes?”heaskedagain.
Again,shenoddedherhead.Itseemedthatshehadlostthepowerofspeechinthefaceofhisquick
grins,questionsandthewine.
“Then, I suppose not having one of the mega super-duper rich companies come for you will be
quiteboringthen.”Hesurmised.“Iguessyourfriendisbeingwooedbyoneofthecompaniesright
now.”
Hertonguefinallygainedfreedomfromitsspeechlessness.
“Yes,alongwithhisgirlfriendwhoismybestfriend.”
Assoonasthewordslefthermouth,herthroatfeltparchedandshereachedfortheglassshejust
filled.
Heraisedafulleyebrowatherbutdidnotcomment.
“Idonotblameyouforfeelingboredtodeath.Iamoneofthenewgraduatesoftheschooland
believeme,Iamboredtothehilt.Whoneedsallthis,ifhe’strulygottheskillsandtalent?”Heasked,
sweepinganall-encompassinggazethroughtheroom.
Awaiterpassedbytheirtablebearingatrayandhesuddenlyshotupfromhisseat,snatchedaplate
ofdessertfromawaiterandplaceditinfrontofher.
“Aww,pardonmymanners,”hesaidtoher,claspinghisforehead.“RyanJones,afreshgraduateof
this grand school and a photographer by hobby.” He introduced himself, extending his hand for a
handshake.
Foramoment,Emilyseemedtoforgethernameasshestaredathisoutstretchedhand.Thiscute
guy was introducing himself to her of all the beautiful ladies seated in the room. At first, she had
thoughtthatperhapshewantedtoaskherforsomethingbutnowhe’dbeenhereforovertenminutes.
“EmilyWilson,Junior,samecollege,”shesaidshortly,refusingtotakehishandthoughshehad
noreasonnotto.
Ryanshruggedasifhewasusedtothiskindofrebuff.
“Great,howcomeInevercameacrossyouinschool?”heaskedwonderingly.
“Theschoolisquitelarge.Differentcampusestoo.”Shehiccupped.
“True,”hesaidquietly.“Iwouldn’thaveforgottenyourfaceifIhadseenyouaround.”Hesaid.
Emilylookedupintohiseyestoseethathewastotallycheckingherout.Ryanwaslookingather
withsomethingakintoappreciationinhiseyesasifhelikedwhathesaw.Itwasthefirsttimeanyman
hadlookedatherthiswayandshewasatalossforwords.Shedidn’tknowhowtoreact.
Shedippedherfingersintothedessertplate.Shecameupwithsomecheeseandputitinhermouth.
Ryan’sgazefollowedheractionsandhelickedhislipsassheswallowed.
“You have the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen,” he whispered. “And sexy lips too,” he said
bluntly.
It took her a moment to know that the cute ‘I am King’ Ryan was flirting with her. Her! Emily
Wilson. She fumbled about in her head for what to say. If it were Shannon here at the table in that
moment,sheaskedherself,whatwouldshedo?Mostdefinitelysmileandflirtrightback,theanswer
was undisputable. But she wasn’t her friend even though she would like to be just for the sake of
throwingawittycomebacktothishandsomeguy’sflattery.
“Comeon,aguycomplimentsyouandyouignorehim?”Ryansaidwithateasinggrin.
“Ineveraskedforyourcompliment,”shereplied.
Shewasstartingtogetusedtothegrinthatwasalloverhisface.
“Youareboredwiththeparty,soamI.Howaboutweheadoutrightnow?”heaskedoutoftheblue
again.
What was wrong with this guy? She thought. He throws out a couple of cheap lines and now
expectshertoleavewithhim.Shedidn’tunderstandhimatall.Itwaslikehewasplayingagamethat
onlyheunderstood.
“Ican’tdothat.Ibarelyknowyou.”Shemurmured.
Herelaxedinhischairtogiveherthatlookagainandshefeltlikesquirming.
“Yes,Igotit-youarethehesitanttype,neverimpulsive,alwayscautious.”Heexclaimedsuddenly
likehejusthadaeurekamoment.“Tellme,whathaveyoueverdonejustforthefunofit?”heasked
her.
Hisremarkandquestionwassosuddenandperceptivethathergazeinstantlyflewuptomeethis.
This guy was more astute than she gave him credit for. He had been studying her personality the
entiretimeandshehadbeenhelpinghimeachstepoftheway!
“As you must have rightly surmised, I am logical and think things through before acting upon
them,”shesaidtartly.Itbuggedherthatshehadgivenawayanyairofmysteryshemighthavehadin
thefirstfewminutesofmeetingthisguy.
“Then,youneedtochange.”Hedeclaredwithafirmnodofhishead.Hereachedacrossthetable
andheldherhandsinhis.“Emily,lifewillnotwaitonyouforever.Youhavetotakethosechances,
liveforthemoment,hopefornothing,anticipatethebestandgotobedeachnight,restassuredthat
youhavesqueezedouteverythingyoucanfromeachunforgivingminutethatyouareluckytosee.”
Perhaps it was the wine in her head but his words were sinking into her head with resounding
echoes.
HiswordsweresimilartothemantrathatShannonkepttellingherovertheyearsbuttowhichshe
neverheeded.Livefortoday,thereisnopromiseoftomorrow.ButEmilywasbeingextremelycareful
ofmakingmistakes.Shehadmadeonemistakewithherthoughtlessnessandshehadpaiddearlyfor
it;herparentshadlosttheirlivesoverthatonemistake.Now,thesamemessagewassaidtoherfrom
astrangerthatbarelyknewher.
Wasshethatmuchofadrag?Wasitsoobviousthatherlifewasprettymuchempty?
“Cautiousisgood,itsavespeoplefromdeath.”Shewhispered.Shehadnoideawhoshewastrying
toconvince;Ryanorherself.
Ryanwaslookingathercuriouslynow.
“CorrectmeifIamwrongbutisthereanythingthatcansavepeoplefromdeath?”heaskedasifhe
totally understood how she felt. When she continued to look at him unseeingly, he added quietly,
“Peopledie,Emily.Wecan’thelpit.”
That was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Before she knew it, she told him all about her
parent’sdeath.ShetoldhimhowtheyhadgoneforamuchdeservedholidayintheBahamasandhow
she had called them incessantly, wanting them to come home a week before her sweet sixteenth
birthday instead of the scheduled three days originally planned. She had been so churlish that they
gaveinatlasttoherwhinesandbookedanearlierflighthome.Theyneverreachedhomebutdiedin
afatalplanecrash.
By the time, she was through, silent tears were rushing down her face. Through it all, Ryan
patientlylistenedanddidnotutterasingleword.Hesimplyheldherhandsinhis,gentlyrubbingher
knuckleswithhisfingerstourgeheron.Encouragedbyhissilentactionsandtheempathyshesawin
hiseyes,shetookadeepbreathanddabbedathertearswiththetipsofherfingers.Shefeltsodrained
andwishedshecouldjustgetupandleavetheplace.
“I think we need to get out of here,” he muttered as if he read her thoughts precisely. He was
alreadystandingupandtakingherwithhim.
Emilydidn’tknowhowbutShannonwasbesidetheminaninstant.
“Whatisgoingonhere?”shedemanded.
EmilysniffedandattemptedtoexplainbutRyanbeathertoit.
“Iguessyouarethefriendshecamewith.IamRyanJonesandIwilljustbetakingheroutfora
walk,”hesaid.“Sheissafewithme,Ipromise.”Headded.
Shannon looked into his eyes for a long moment while he held her gaze. Shannon gave a small
nodatlastasifcomingtoadecision.Withoutanotherword,shehuggedEmilyandturnedbackon
her heels. Some part of Emily recognized that Shannon had just helped her make a decision about
Ryanandpronouncedhimsafeenoughtobewithherfriend.ShedecidedthatifShannonthoughthe
wassafe,thenhemusttrulybe;herIrishfriendwasneverwrongaboutanindividual’spersonalityin
allthefouryearstheyhadbeentogether.
ShefollowedRyanoutofthehall.
T
HREE
Hetookhertoanicecreambar.
They both sat outside a nearby convenience store in the dark of the night with the stars smiling
down at them both. Ryan had not said a word concerning her sordid tale but he was with her
emotionally,shefeltit.Shewonderedhowhewasabletodoit;showingherhissupportwithoutso
muchasasingleword.
Strangely,hermindwascompletelyblankasshedugintoherplateoficecream.
“Youdidnotkillthem.”Sheheardhimsay.
She looked up into his eyes. They shone like a cat’s in the neon signs of the store and the night
stars.Theyboredrightintohers.Hisplateoficecreamremainedunopenedinfrontofhim.
Shenoddedherheadslowly.
“Iknow,”shewhispered,“thoughtheywouldstillbealiveifitweren’tformypetulance.”
Ryanwasshakinghishead.
“Maybetheywouldbutyoudon’tknowthatforsure.Thereareathousandandonewaystodie,
Emily,” he said with a sad inflection in his voice. Before she could dwell on it, he talked on. “Shit
happensandwesometimesallowitorcauseittohappenbutwhenitdoes,thegreatestmistakewedo,
thegreatestillwedotoourselvesisallowourselvesbesoakedupintheshit.Whenwedothis,Emily,
we will be living a life of worry. We put our lives on hold for nothing but conjectures when we
shouldonlytrytobecomeabetterpersoninthemostpositiveway.”
Shestaredathislipsastheymoved.Ifsheweretoplacehisage,hecouldn’tbemorethantwoor
threeyearsolderthanhertwenty-twobuthiswordsrevealedawisdombeyondhisyears.Asmuchas
shewasintriguedbyhiswords,shealsoknewthattheyweretrue.
“Iknow.Itisjusthardtoletgo,”shesaidtohim.
“Whatwouldyourparentshaveyoudo?”heaskedsuddenly.
His question came as a blow to her senses. There was no doubt that her parents wouldn’t have
blamedherfortheirdeath.Theyweremostlovingandkind,theironlyfaultwaslovingtheirdaughter
soimmensely.Theywouldstillwanthertobethebestshecouldbe.
“Emily,yourparents’deathshouldhavetaughtyouthemostvitaloflessons;lifeisshortandyou
havetoliveittothefullest.Aimhigh,shoothigher;goforyourdreams;screamwithfriends;make
yourselfhappy.Itistheonlywaytolive,”hesaid.
She didn’t know what to say in the face of his wise words. Spoon in hand, she stared at him. He
returned her stare for a moment before opening his plate and beginning to eat. Still clueless about
whattosay,shedugherspoonintohersandbegantoeattoo.
As they sat on the table, eating their ice cream, she remembered the awful teenager that she had
been.
Her parents were hardworking citizens that almost never took a single day off. However, they
alwayshadtimefortheironlydaughterandchild.Shewasraisedwithloveandaffection,perhapstoo
much. Selfish, spoilt and self-centered did not begin to describe her as she always got what she
wanted.Intheend,shelearntthehardwaythatlifewasnotabedofroses,youhadtoworkforitto
haveit.
Shewishedshehadlearntthatbeforeherparents’death.
Steadilyafterwards,hergrandmotherhadhelpedhertogetbacktoherfeet.Sheowedherlifeto
thewoman,shethought.Livingwithherhadtaughthertoberesponsibleforheractionsandmature.
She learnt how to think for herself and for others. She learnt how to be selfless instead of self-
absorbed. She taught herself to be thoughtful of other people’s feelings, she taught herself to think
before taking actions. She related less to other people; the less she did, the lesser the chance of
hurtingthem,wasn’tit?
Wherehadshegonewrong?shethought.Shedidn’twanttohurtotherswithherselfishnessever
again.
Gradually, she had let go of the guilt of her parents’ death but with a promise to constantly be
better. Perhaps, she had taught herself too well, she considered. She decided that she was way too
cautious,toothoughtful,toointroverted;Shannonhadsaidsotoo.
Now,thisguy,Ryanwasineffectsayingthesamething;thatshewasoverdoingit,overplayingher
guiltandputtingherlifeonhold.
Wasthereamiddleground,shewondered.Shedecidedtotry.
When they finished the ice cream, she asked him to take her home. He hailed a cab without
questions.Throughtheride,sheexpectedhimtodemandatleastacommentorreactiontohisspeech
from a while ago but he only held her hand in his. It was like he had said his bit and the rest were
entirely up to her. She was beginning to respect him for this; he only advised and suggested, never
pushed.Again,shewonderedhowhebecamesowise.
Perhaps,sheshouldhaveaskedbutshedidn’t.Whentheyreachedthesmallapartmentsheshared
with Shannon, she invited him in. She was feeling a bit hazy and woozy from too much wine, the
emotionaldredgeandicecream.Heclosedthedoorbehindhimandturnedtofaceher.Shetookher
firstimpulsivemomentandkissedhimonthelips.
It was unlike any feeling she ever had before. She felt both hot and cold immediately and
simultaneously.Itwaslikeanelectriccurrentranbetweentheirlipsatthetouch,enoughtotakeher
breath away. His gaze flew to hers, his fingers came up to touch his lips and then hers. Her senses
tingledatthetouch.
Thistime,therewasnothingimpulsiveaboutit.Staringintohiseyes,shereacheduponhertiptoes
and brought her mouth to his. At first, he stood rigid as his lips touched hers unmoving then that
electricfeelingsizzledagain.Hemadealowsounddeepinhisthroatandsnatchedhertohischest.
His lips descended on hers with such tenderness and passion that she was swept off her feet. She
reached for him, groping his chest and every other part of his body that she could reach between
them.
He grabbed her butt and pushed her up and closer such so that she could feel his erection. She
moanedandrubbedherselfagainsthimdrawingahissfromhim.Sheputherhandsunderneathhis
polotocaresshisbarestomach,runningherhandallthewayacrosshischest.
“SweetJesus!”hemutteredasifinpain.“AreyousureaboutthisEmily?”heasked,tryingtopull
awayfromher.
Shedidn’tanswerhisquestion.Shebroughtherlipsbacktohisandkissedhimdeeper.Hehadsaid
shewasnottakingchancesbuthewastheonetryingtobethegentlemanwhenshewantedhimtobe
wild with her. She took another impulsive decision. Ryan sighed pleasurably as she brought a hand
downtosqueezehisharderection.Wrappingherlegsaroundhisbutt,shegroundherpelvisintohim.
Theactionseemedtodrivehimwildasheturnedandpushedherupagainstthewall.Heheldher
therewithhishipsandwithouthaltingthekiss,hereachedfortheboatneckofherblackdressand
yankeditdowntorevealtworipebreastswithrosytips;shewasn’twearingabra.Hiseyeswerefixed
onherbreastsandhismouthhungopenasifhewasafraidtotouchthem.Tiltingherchestupwards,
she reached for the nape of his neck and pushed his mouth to one nipple. She shuddered as a hot
breathgrazedoverherbreastandhiswettonguetouchedhernipple.
Hebegantosucklehergentlyjustasshedelvedherfingersintohisluxurioushair,massaginghis
scalpandwrithinginecstasy.Withoutstopping,hedraggedherdressdownpastherhipsandletitfall
tothefloor.Hishandsfoundherpantiesandslippedhisfingersinside.Shewasalreadysoakingwet
andhisfingersslidineasily.Hermindwentwildwithlustandshebuckedintohishands.
“Sotight,”hesaidintohermouth,“Sofuckingtight.”
Sheonlykissedhimdeeper.
“Whereisthebedroom?”heaskedurgently.
Now, he was talking, she thought with an inward triumphant smile. She pointed a finger in the
directionofherbedroomandheliftenherup.Hereachedtheirsmallroomintenpowerfulstrides
withhisfingerstillinsideherandabreastinhismouthwhileshethrewherheadback,makingsmall
mewlingsoundsthatseemedtodrivehimwilder.
“OhEmily.”
Ryanwasasexhilaratedandarousedasshewas.Emilyreachedforhistorsowiththepalmofone
handbegantofondlehisbulgewiththeother.Hewasashardasarock.Hegroanedwhenshedaredto
reachforthesolidmoundoffleshinsidehistrousersanddragitout.Shebegantostrokehimupand
down,eachgroanonlyintensifyingherexcitement.
“Emily.”Hecriedagain.
Something inexplicable had taken control of Emily. She forgot about being thoughtful or
disciplined.TheonlythingthatshecouldthinkofwasRyanburyinghishardmemberinsideher.
Hell,Ilongforhiscockdeepinsideme!
Itwasthetruth.Shedidn’tcareabouthowimpureherthoughtswere.Pleasure.Thiswastheonly
wordthatshecouldthinkof.
Ryanstoppedsucklinghernippleandbegantotracekissesfromherneckdowntoherabdomen.
Hemovedlower,slowlyplasteringhislipsonherwarmpussyandthenflickinghistonguesmoothly
overherclit.Itwasincredible.Emilylostcontrolofallherthought,herspeechandherenergy;just
ashistonguepenetratedtheinsidesofherpussy.
Whenhestoppedtoglanceupather,Emilysmiledlookeddownathimbeggingwithhereyesthat
shewantedhimnow.Finally,shemutteredherfirstwordssincetherawanimalhungertookoverher
senses.
“Fuckme,Ryan,”shewhispered,“Iwantyoudeepinsideme.”
Thatwasallheneeded.
When she felt the heavy shove of his cock inside her, Emily gave in to all her feelings. She felt
connectedlikesheneverhadbefore.Sheurgedtogodeeper,harderandfaster.Herecstasybuiltup
witheachofhispowerfulstrokes.Harderandfasterhewent,drivingintoherwitheverythinghehad,
andjustasshestartedtoclimaxhescreamedoutalowgutturalsoundashespilthisseedintoher.
Spent,theybothfellintoablissfulsleep.
*********
Thenextmorning,hewasgonebeforeshewokeup.Itwasasifhewasneverthere,likeshenever
met him. There was absolutely no evidence that he had been in her room at all except the feeling
betweenherthighsandnoteheleftonherpillow.Itwasthefirstthingshesawwhensheopenedher
eyesandsheknewimmediatelythathewasgone.Therewereonlythreewordswrittenonthepaperin
alargemanlyscrawl.
Iamsorry.
Holdingthepapertoherchest,shethoughtabouteverythingthathappened.Hemightbesorrybut
shewasn’t.Itwasthemostdeliciousnightofherlifeandshewasgoingtoholditdear.Itseemedthat
Ryan Jones had his own woes but he had managed to make her let go of hers and see through her
cocoonlastnight.Justlikeherespectedherdecisionlastnight,shewasgoingtorespecthis.Shewas
notgoingtoseekhimoutortrytofindhim.Hehadbeenhesitanttomakelovetoherbutshehadleft
himwithnochoice;hewasaperfectgentlemanallthrough,herperfectgentleman.
Curiously,shewascertainthathehadareasonforleavingherthiswayandsheunderstoodeven
though she had no idea what his reasons were. Everything that happened last night was startlingly
clearinhermindandshehadnointentionofeverforgetting.Theyweregoingtobehermemoriesto
keep.
Hewouldn’tbetheretoseeherchangebutshewasgoingto.Takingadeterminedbreath,shegot
outofbed.Thefirstthingshegrabbedwasapairofscissors.
Shannonfoundherinfrontofthemirror,cuttingoffherhair.
Ryan
F
OUR
July,2016
Hislittlerayofsunshinewasgone.
TearswerestreamingdownhisfaceontothepictureinhishandbutRyanJonesbarelynoticed.He
tracedhisfingersalongtheframeofthepicture,feelingtheweightoftheworldonhisshoulders.
Howwashetolivewithouthislittlesunshine?Heaskedhimselffortheumpteenthtimeoverthe
lasttwohourssincethedoctortoldhimthenews.
Hardly anyone would believe that Claire was not his but he loved her like his own. She was the
brightestchildintheentireworlddespitebeingbornwithDownSyndrome.Rightfromthestart,the
doctors had warned him that she would not live into her teenage years but his heart had hoped and
refusedtobelievethatClairewouldleavehim.
“Itwasamiraclethatshelivedthislong,”thedoctorhadsaid.
Ryanhadreallywantedtosmashhisfistintothedoctor ’sface.Howwaselevenyearsoflivinga
miracle?Itwasdamnedtooshort!Forthepastelevenyears,ithadbeenhimandhislittlesunshine.
Despitehermedicalcondition,Clairewasbright,funandshehadfilledallthevoidspacesinhisheart
andnow,hecouldn’timaginelivingwithouther.
Why?Heaskedalloveragain.
Whydidshehavetosufferthisfate?Hewonderedbitterly.Clairewasonlyababy;hisbabyand
sheshouldn’thavebeenbornwiththediseasethatfinallyclaimedherlife.Herememberedclearlythe
circumstancesthatledtoherbirth;whocouldeverforget?Itwastwelveyearsagoandhewassixteen
yearsold;hewasn’tevenanadultbythenbutfatehadthrownhimafastballsocruelthathelosthis
youthforeverinthatyear.
The year of Claire’s conception was the most gruesome one of his life. He should have known
better, he could have done better but in the end, he hadn’t. Those months, he had lived in a haze,
blaming himself for everything while shuffling from the police department to the hospital and then
from the court to the hospital again. The paparazzi would not let him rest either and besieged him
everywhere he went. At night, he would drink himself to sleep, wishing everyone would just leave
himthehellalone.
His misery had continued for seven months until Claire was born prematurely. Jasmine, Claire’s
mother had suddenly gone into labor for torturous hours before finally giving birth to a squealing
infantinthehospitalwhereshehadbeenallthroughthepregnancy.
He was there in the delivery room from start to finish, sweating, cursing, hoping and praying.
Whenthebabyslidout,fullofbloodandgoo,Jasminewasaliveonlylongenoughtoseeherbaby
heldupbythedoctor ’s.Thestressofthepastsevenmonthsfinallygottohimandthelastthoughton
hismindbeforehecollapsedwasthatshewasluckytoescapeitallintodeath.Hewishedhewould
too.
Hewasoutforjustashorttimeandwoketofindhimselfonastretcher.Thedoctorsandnurses
obviouslydidnothavetimeforafaintingteenagerwhentheywerestilltryingtosavethebabyand
her mother. When he opened his eyes, the nurse was cleaning up the baby beside him. He instantly
knew that there was something wrong with the baby with the way her skull and hands were
proportioned.
However,hisattentionwasnotheldbythedeficiencyhenoticedinthatinstant.Hewaspulledby
thebaby’seyesonhim,itwaslikehersteadfastgazehadwokenhimupfromhisfaint,urginghimto
comebacktoher.Therewasnowayhecouldbesurebuthecouldhaveswornthatthebabysmiled
whenhiseyesclashedwithhers.
“Ryan,thankGodyouareawake.Thebabyhasnottakenhereyesoffyousinceyoufainted.”The
nursesaidtohiminarelievedvoice.Hebarelyheardher;hewasfascinatedbythebaby’seyes.
Theywereapairofbrilliantgold;exactlylikehis.
Herhairthoughfairer,wasblondelikehermother ’sbuttherewasnomistakingthatshehadhis
eyes. And she was staring unblinkingly at him. He was entranced and instantly captivated. For him,
thatwasthemostdefiningmomentofhislife.Hehadfalleninloveforthefirsttime.Losinghismom
whenhewasonlythreeandgrowingupwithhisbusyfatherashedid,hecouldn’tlayclaimstobeing
lovedorhavingeverloved,butthetinybabyinthenurse’shandhadhimwrappedaroundherlittle
fingerinlessthanthreesecondsofsettingeyesonher.
“Claire,”hehadwhisperedtoher.
Whenthenursewasthrough,sheplacedthegirlinhishandsandhisheartalmostdroppedathow
fragileshewas.ButhisClairewasnotfragileofheart.Stillholdinghisgaze,hertinyfingerslatched
ontohisthumbasiftotryingtotellhimsomething.
“Weareinthistogether,”hefanciedshewassayingtohim.Inthatmoment,thoughshewasnot
formedfromhissperm,sheimmediatelybecamehis.
Anhourlater,thedoctordiagnosedherwithDownsyndrome.Atfirst,hewasheartbrokenforhis
baby.However,hemadeuphismindtoloveherasmuchashecould.Perhaps,lovewouldhelpher
evadethedeaththatthedoctorwarnedhimwouldsurelycometolayclaimtoherlifebeforelong,he
hadconvincedhimself.
Hehadbeenwrong.
LovinghisClairewasthegreatestthinghehadeverdone,heknewwithoutasingledoubt.Andshe
hadlovedhimtoo.Oh,howhisClairehadlovedhim.Fromthemomenthebroughtherhomefrom
thehospital,shewouldn’tsleepanywhereelseexceptonhischest.Lovingherhadhelpedhimtolove
himselftooandheretracedhisfootstepstopickupthebrokenpiecesofhislife.Helearnttoforgive
his father and let go of the past. He brushed himself up and took reign of his father ’s companies,
teachinghimselfalongtheway.
Assoonashewasstable,hehademployedthebestspecialistdoctorstocareforhermedicallyand
alive-innursetocaterforherneedswhenhecouldn’tbewithher.Heneverspentanightawayfrom
her if there was absolutely no need. One of such moments was when he had to go to college.
Schoolingforhimhadbeenonholdsincethe‘incident’surroundingClaire’sconceptionhitthenews
butafterClaire’sbirth,herealizedthathewantedtocompletehiseducationnotforhisownsakebut
sothathecouldlayagoodprecedentforhisdaughter.Hestartedschoolagainonherfirstbirthday.
Hewastheoldestinhisclassbuthedidnotmindintheleast;helivedonlyforhisClaire.Another
threeyearsandhegainedadmissionintotheUniversityofGeorgia.
ThatwaswhenClairespokeherfirstword.Shecalledhim‘da’.
Hehadn’twantedtogo,hehatedtoleaveheraloneforlongperiodsoftimebuthewasassuredin
theknowledgethatNina,thenurseheemployedlovedClaireasmuchashedid,perhapsevenmore.
Shewastheonewhofinallypersuadedhimtogo.Collegedidnothingtodistracthimfromhome.He
didn’tliveinschool,attendingclassesinfrequentlyjustsohewouldnotmissanystageofhergrowth.
Watching Claire grow was pure bliss. Though her development was slow, she was bright and
loving.Shewaspatientandsheunderstoodhimlikenooneelseeverdid.Shewashisbestfriendashe
washers.Theybravedtheworldtogetherandtooksolaceineachother ’scompany.
Withher,helearnttosmile,playandhavefun.Knowingthatshedidn’thavelongtolivedespite
thetinyhopeinhisheart,hespenteverywakingmomentofhislifetomakeeachdayherbestyet.
Graduallyasshegrew,defyingdeatheachyear,helearnttoliveforthemomentandworryless
about what tomorrow held for them both. Wanting a normal life for her, he enrolled her in school
whenshewasfiveandtaughtherathomebyhimselfwheneverhecould.Duringtheholidays,they
wouldvisitinterestingplacesindifferentpartsoftheworld.Hesoontooktotakingpicturesofher
everywheretheywentanddiscoveredthathehadaninterestinphotography.
“Da, you would make the best photographer.” Claire told him one day when they were both
lookingatthepicturesofthemthathehadtakenduringtheirvisittotheEiffeltower.
Herwordsopenedthegatestoahobbyforhimandhetooktoitlikefishtowater.Hehadcountless
pictures of pictures of places, people, animals and more of Claire to show for it. Graduation from
collegesethimfreeoncemoretospendtimewithhisdaughterandpursuehishobby;hiscompanies
wereexpandingandmoneyhadneverbeenanissue.
Everything had been right and perfect in his world. He had no idea that it was all soon going to
end.
Clairehadcomedownwithaninexplicablefeversomedaysagoandherushedhertothehospital.
Treatment commenced immediately and she was starting to get better only to slump barely minutes
aftershewasdischargedandhebroughtherhomeagain.
Therehadbeennogoodbyes;itwassosuddenthathestilldidn’tbelievethatshewasgone.Hehad
takenhertothehospitalagain,pleadingwiththedoctortoreviveherbutitwasuseless.Thedoctor
saidshediedevenbeforetheymadeitbacktohospital.
Hisentireworldwasthrownintodarkness.Hisrayofsunshinewasgone.
Helookedatthepictureinhishandagain,thetearsnowcomingfasterandharder.Itwasoneofthe
pictureshetookofherrecentlywhentheywenttoJapanduringtheschoolholidays.Shehadbeenso
happyandfree.
Hebroughtthepicturetohischestandcriedsomemore.HowwashegoingtolivewithoutClaire?
*********
Breathing heavily, Ryan stopped punching the bag in the gym and dropped to the floor. He was
tiredalreadybuthestillfeltlikehittingthebagtillheeitherlostconsciousnessorhurthimself.
HemissedClaire.
The gym had been set up in the house for her only last year. Her doctor, Dr. Vamp was of the
opinion that she could gain more strength in her body if she exercised frequently but lightly. He
wasted no time in building an exercise room in their house worthy of the best in the world. The
punchingbagcamefivedaysafterherdeathandhespentthebetterpartofhisdaysandnightsinhere,
punchingthebag.Itwasexactlyonemonthafterherdeathtoday.
Heroseuptopunchthebagagainbutfeltahandonhisbareshoulder.
ItwasNina,Claire’snurse.Theolderwomanhadbeenwithhimforelevenyearsnowandfelthis
grief.EvenafterClaire’sdeathwhenheinformedherthatshecouldgobacktoherhomeinRiverside
withahugesettlementfromhim,shedeclinedhisofferandcontinuedtostaywithhim.Heknewthat
she thought that he would probably kill himself or do something crazy but she didn’t know that he
couldn’tasmuchashewantedto.
When Claire was nine years old, she had gone for one of her frequent check-ups in the hospital
where she learned that she didn’t have too long to live. She had come home to him, not crying but
withabravefaceandamission.Shemadehimpromisetobehappyifshediddie.Shewantedhimto
getmarriedandgivebirthtocutesiblingsforher;shewouldwatchoverthemallfromheaven,she
hadsaid.Shecoercedhimintomakingapinkypromise,whileheprayedtherewouldbenoneedto
fulfilhispromise.
Now,hewasstuck.Howwashesupposedtofulfilhispromisetoherwhenhedidn’tevenwantto
live?
“Itisenough.Youwillonlyhurtyourself.”Ninasaidquietly.
Heturnedtoherwithgriefstrickenface.
“ImissherNina.Imisshersomucheveryday.WhatamIgoingtodo?”Heaskedherdesolately.
Ninatookhimbytheelbowandguidedhimtoaseatintheroom.
“You know what Claire would have loved you to do.” She told him, handling him a bottle of
chilledwater.
Hetookthebottlefromherbutdidnotopenit.
“Shewantedmetomoveon,shetoldmealready.”Hewhispered.
Ninanodded.“Iknow.”Helookedoveratherandshesmiledsadly.“Shetoldme.Shealsosaidthat
Ishouldensurethatyoukeptyourpromisetoo.”
Heshookhishead.Hissunshinehadleftnostoneunturnedasmuchasshecould.
“Itishard,sodamnedhard.”Hesaid.
“Believeme,Iknow.Ilovedherlikenoothertoo.”Ninahadtearsinhereyesnowbutshesniffed
themback,stubbornlyrefusingtoletthemfall.Theybothfellsilent,lostinthought.
“Ihavebeenthinking,”Ninaspokeup,“Ithinkyoushouldgobacktophotography.Clairelovedit
andyouaresogoodatit.”Sheproclaimed.
He remained silent, wondering where she was going with this. She was right however; Claire
wouldhavewantedhimtocontinuewithhishobbynomatterwhat.
“There is this International Fashion Show coming up. My son is registered as one of the
photographersbuthiswifegavebirthprematurelyandheisrefusingtoleaveherside;it’shisfirst
child,yousee.Whenhetoldmeofthis,Ithoughtyoucouldtakehisplace.”Sheexplained,lookingat
himwarilyasifshecouldalreadyguesswhathisanswerwouldbe.
Hestartedtoshakehisheadbutsheraisedahand.“ThinkofClaire,”shesaid.
At a loss for what to say or do, he opened the bottle of water and brought it to his mouth. He
gulped down the water without feeling the chill wash down his throat. He couldn’t imagine taking
picturesofmodelsandclotheswhenClairewasdeadbutthatwasexactlywhatNinawasaskinghimto
do.Shegothimhookedtoo;Clairewouldhavewantedhimtogoforit.
“WhereisthisShowtakingplace?”heaskedonasigh.
Therewasasuspicioussilencefromthewomanseatednexttohim.
“Athens,Georgia.”Shesaidatlast.
Heknewwhyshewashesitanttotellhim.Itwaswherehehadfalleninloveforthesecondtimein
hislife.Itwaswherehemether,EmilyWilson,awomanhe’donlyspentonenightwithandyethe
felt he knew everything about her. Seeing her at the dinner party organized for high achieving
graduates, she had touched him with her naivety and guilelessness. He was an entrepreneur himself
and had no need for such parties but he had gone to see if he could scout someone for his own
company.
Bored with the party, he left his manager, whom he had come with at their table and gone
wandering.Thatwaswhenhesawher,staringatherdrinkasifshecouldn’tdecidewhattodowithit.
Shewasthemostdelightfulwomanhehadeverseenandhefeltcompelledtotalktoher.
He had felt an instant connection and longed for her almost instantly. She couldn’t be held
accountableforheractionsofgettinghimintoherbedandheshouldhavetriedhardertostopher.
Buthewashalfwayinloveandmorethanhalfwayinlustalreadyandhehadyieldedtoherwiles.
When he found out that he was her first, his heart had melted, feeling deeply for the woman
beneathhim.Whenthemorningcameandshewasstillsleeping,hewasuncertainifheshouldwait
forherreactionornot.Judgingbyherwordsthepreviousnight,shewasn’tthetypetobeimpulsive
butshehadsleptwithhim,astranger;therewasnodoubtthatshewouldregretitandblamehimwhen
theeffectofalcoholwasgone.Atlast,hedecidedtosavethemboththetroublebyleavingfirst.He
tookthefirstflighthomethatverymorning.
Hehadn’tbeenbacktheresincethatnight.
Both Nina and Claire suspected that something had happened when he arrived at home. Not
wantingClairetofeelthreatenedbyanylady,healwaysensuredtokeepallhisaffairswiththeladies
secret.Hisrelationshipswerealwaysshort-livedandforsexonly.Sohehadn’ttoldheraboutEmily
atfirsteventhoughtheytoldeachothereverything.Buthisdaughterwassmartandknewhimlikeno
other.ShegotthestoryoutofhimonlyafewweekslaterandlaughedashetoldherandNinaabout
Emily.HeknewthatClairemeantthatheshouldgetmarriedtoEmilywhenshemadehimmakethe
promisetoher.
ThethinblondegirlhemetthatnightneverlefthismindafterwardsandonlyClaire’sdeathdrove
everythoughtoutofhismindrecently.Nina’smentionofAthensbroughtthememoriesrushingback
athimdespitehisgrief.
ShewouldlonghaveleftGeorgia,hethoughttohimself.
“I think you should go, maybe you would find her and fulfil your promise to Claire in one fell
swoop.”Ninasaidquietly.
Ryansighedagain.HeknewthatNinawouldhasslehimtodeathifhedidn’tgo.Shewouldplayon
hisguiltandsenseofresponsibilitybybringinguphispromisetoClaireattheslightestopportunity.
ItseemedlikehewouldbegoingtobacktoAthensafterall.
Reunion
F
IVE
August,2016
Everythingwasdifferent,yetnothinghadchanged.Emilylookedthroughthewindowofherhotel
roomatthestreetsthatwereoncesofamiliar.Shehadoncewalkedthroughthesestreetsasastudent
ofGeorgia.Thiscityhadbeenherhomeforfouryears.Ithadalsobeenherplaceofrebirth.Itwas
whereshehaddoneanentireabout-faceandbecomewhoshewastoday.
Itwaswhereshehadfalleninlovewithastranger.
Ithadtakenheranotherthreemonthsafterthatnighttocometotherealizationthatshehadfallen
headlonginlovewiththemysterious,quick-to-grinRyanJones.Sheneverforgothisnametoo.
In light of the drastic change that came over her - spiky, short hair, lenses instead of glasses, a
betterdresssense,itwasShannonwhofinallydeclaredthatshehadfalleninlovewithhermysterious
onenightstandsuchthatshewasmakinganefforttochangeherselfintotheimagehesuggestedshe
did.Emilyhademphaticallyagreedwithher.Ifthatwaslovethatshefeltthatnight,thenshewould
keepitclosetoherheartforever.However,shehadn’tbeenabletoexperiencethatfeelingwithany
otherman.Shehaddatedacoupleoftimesinthelastfouryearsbuttheyallseemedempty.Itwaslike
RyanJoneshadspoiltherforothermen.
Still best of friends, Shannon kept hooking her up with some of her husband’s colleagues (to
Emily’sdelight,ShannonandGregfinallytiedtheknottwoyearsago)butnoneeverleadtoanything
serious.However,Emilystillhopedforthemanthatwouldsweepheroffherfeet(again)someday.
Sighingdeeply,sheturnedawayfromthewindowtositonthebed.Itwasjustmorninganditwas
thefirstdayofrehearsalswithhermodelsandotherprops.Theattachmentthatwasmailedtoheras
an update for the Show had informed her that she would be provided with one top brand producer
(along with three other participants) three models for her designs, two makeup artistes, one
photographer and an optional assistant/apprentice designer if needed. She wouldn’t be in need an
assistant as she came with her own assistant designer, Marianne who was her right hand since she
joinedheroneyearagoandagreatdesignerinthemaking.
EmilymentallycheckedeverythingshehadpreparedfortheShow.Shetickeditemsonamental
list, nodding in satisfaction at each item ticked. Registering for the Show had been one of her
numerous spontaneous decisions and she wanted it to go well so badly. Since she started her label
rightoutofcollege,itwouldbethefirsttimethatshewouldbeenteringintosomethingasbigandas
seriousastheShowandshewasjustatadnervous.Shewasjustthreeyearsintheindustryandwould
be showcasing her outfits against industry veterans. However, she had supreme confidence in the
uniqueness of her brand and knew that she would do well with her outfits. At the very least, she
thoughttoherselfconsolingly,Iwouldbegaininginternationalrecognition.
Thedoorofherhotelroomopenedunceremoniously.Sheknewwhoitwasbeforesheraisedher
eyestosee.
“EveryoneisgoingcrazyovertheShow.Iswear,therearemoreclothesherethanIhaveseenin
myentirelife.”Mariannegushed,ploppingonthebedbesideEmily.
Herassistantwasatwenty-one-year-oldgirl,fullofenergyandpark.Shewasacollegedropout
ofherowndecisionwhowantedtobeadesignerandnotsomelawyerlikeherparentswantedherto
be.WhatEmilylikedabouther,washersharpmindandeyefordetail.Inthefashionindustry,those
twocouldneverbeamiss.Shehadneverregrettedemployingthegirldespiteherlackofexperience.
“Butofcourse,thatistobeexpected.ThisistheInternationalFashionShow,Marianne,youcan’t
helpithere.”Sheexplainedtoher.
The organizing body had secured the biggest hotel in the city for the event where all the
participantswerelodged.Therewasadisplayroominplacealreadywherethebestsellingoutfitsof
previouswinnersoftheShowweredisplayedandsoldatridiculouslyhighprices.Forthatprivilege
alone,manysalivatedatthehonorofwinningattheShow.SheguessedthatMariannehadgonefora
morningtourofthedisplayroomandwasimpressedatwhatshesaw.
“HeadTurnerswillsoonbesittingwiththoseoutfits.”Shesaidconfidently.
Marianne’sunendingboostofconfidencewasanotherreasonthatEmilylikedthegirl.Shewasa
go-getterandwasalwaysoptimistic.
“Ihopeso.”Emilyreplied.
Theychattedaboutthisandthatforanotherminutebeforethetimecameforrehearsal.
*********
“Emily,meetyourphotographer,RyanJones.Ryan,meetEmilyWilson.”
Her producer, Jamie Langdon was a busy man and he turned away quickly to see what the other
designerswereuptoassoonasthewordslefthismouth.Hedidnotseetheshockedexpressionthat
cameoverthefacesofbothEmilyandRyanasheintroducedthem.
Emilywasshockedspeechlessandimmobile.Shehadbeeninthelittleroomprovidedforherand
her props all day, rehearsing with the models. She found the models and makeup artistes to her
satisfactionandwasmakingquickprogresswiththem.However,herphotographerhadyettoshow
up and she had been worried. Each participant needed their first photographs on display first thing
tomorrowmorning.TheotherpropswerenowonbreakandshewasleftwithMarianneintheroom
talkingabouttheirmissingphotographerandwhattheyshoulddoifhedidn’tturnupforthesecond
session.Mariannewasjustsuggestingthatthey‘borrow’oneoftheotherphotographersforabrief
periodwhentheproducerwalkedinwithhim.
“RyanJones,afreshgraduateofthisgrandschoolandaphotographerbyhobby.”
Itwasobviousthatherone-nightstandhadmadehishobbyaprofession.
Sheswallowedassheallowedhereyestomeethis.Herheartalmostflewrightoutofherchest.
His eyes were still the same brilliant shade of gold that she remembered. She had thought that the
excess wine she had that night must have surely exaggerated his features in her mind and that he
couldn’t be as handsome as she thought him to be. It so happened that the wine had understated his
handsomeness.RyanWilsonwaslookingmorehandsome,moremasculine,morematureandmore
everything than she remembered in a cream, designer T shirt rolled up at the sleeves and a pair of
chocolate brown pants. He had a four o’clock shadow on his cheeks and the dimples she so much
rememberedandloved,showedblatantlyonthem.Hewasstaringatherasifhehadjustseenaghost.
Shefiguredthatshemustbestaringathiminquitethesameway.
“Emily?”heaskedinperplexedconfusion.
“Emily!” her assistant whispered, jabbing her in the side to remove her boss from her obvious
paralysis. “Hi, Mr. Jones. I am Marianne, Emily’s assistant.” She said, trying to give her obviously
dumbfoundedbosstimetorecoup.
The man however had eyes only for Emily. It seemed like there was a history here, Marianne
thought,lickingherlipsinanticipationofagreatlovestory.Shewasaromanticatheart.
“HiMarianne,”heglancedatherbrieflybeforeturningbacktoEmily.
Marianne sighed at the two and crept out of the room, not that they noticed her leave anyway. It
seemedlikethetwohadalotofcatchinguptodoandherpresencewouldn’tberequired.Shehoped
thattheywouldbethroughwithwhatevertheyhadgoingbeforethenextsessionwhichwastobein
exactlyforty-twominutes’time.
EmilysawMarianneleavefromthecornerofhereyebuthertonguewasstilllockedtotheroofof
hermouth.ItwastoocoincidentalnottomentionsurprisingthatshewouldbemeetingwithRyanin
thefirsttimethatshecamebacktothisplaceafterfouryears.
“HiRyan,”shesaidatlast.
A small smile came across his face at her greeting. She had no idea why she thought so but she
couldn’thelpbutthinkthatitwasthefirstrealsmilethathadcrossedthisman’slipsinawhile.Now
thatshewasreleasedfromtheinitialshock,shecouldseethattherewassomethingsadinhiseyes,the
brightnessinhislovelyeyesweredimmedandtherewerecrowsfeetinthecornerofhislefteye.She
wonderedwhathadhappenedtohimsinceshelastsawhim.
“Hi,Emily.Ineverimaginedyouforafashiondesigner,”hesaid.
Athiswords,shegothersavvy,cheesy-selfbackanddazzledhimwithasmile.
“Isthattheonlythingdifferentyou’venoticedaboutme?”sheaskedhimthoughherheartwasstill
poundinghardinherchest.
Hewalkeduptowhereshewasseatedandtookthechairinfrontofherjustlikehedidthenight
theymet.
“Youaremorebeautiful.Absolutelystunning,”hesaid,lookingatherfromheadtotoe.
TheformerEmilyWilsonwouldhaveblushedatthosewordsbutthisEmilyWilsonofhismaking,
eventhoughhemightnotknowit,preenedatthecompliment.Shefrequentlygotsuchcompliments
frommenbutitwasthefirsttimeshewasactuallyflattereduponreceivingit.
“Thanks.Youlookdashingyourself,asexpectedofcourse.”Shetoldhim.
He laughed out loud at her cliché and stopped suddenly as if the sound of his own laughter was
strangetohisears.
“Thanks,”hesaidquietly.
Somethingwasdefinitelywrongwiththisguy,shethought.Inplaceofthecarefreeyoungmanthat
she met four years ago was this brooding man that seemed to carry the weight of the world on his
broadshoulders.Immediately,herheartreachedouttohimandshesoughttohelphim,likehehelped
herthoseyearsago.
“Youseemtohavedonewellforyourself,”hecommented,lookingaroundhertinyroom.
She also looked around the room, trying to see her hung out outfits through a stranger ’s eyes.
Theylookedprettygoodtoherbutthen,shemightstillbebiaseddespiteherattempteddetachment.
“Yeah,Iguessso.Istartedafashionlinerightaftercollege;HeadTurnersandonlyjustentered
fortheShowthisyear.”Sheinformedhim.
“Wow, that’s great. I guess you finally took that leap we talked about,” he gestured towards the
roomandherappearance.Helookedlikehewasrelivingthatnightjustlikeshewas.
“Idid,thankstoyou.”Sheconfirmed.
He was nodding at her approvingly, comparing the new Great to the old Emily he met with that
nightandlikingwhathesaw.Shedecidedtotestthewaters.
“Ididn’twaittoolongforiteither;ImademyfirstboldstepthenextmorningwhenIdiscovered
youweregone.”Shesaidslowly,tryingtogaugehisreactiontoherwords.Shewantedtobelievethat
hehadthoughtofheratleastalittlejustlikeshehadthoughtofhim,unabletoforgethimorhowhe
madeherfeelintheyearsthatfollowed.
Hisgazeturnedtolookintohereyesandherbreathhitchedathiseyes.Wouldsheeverbeusedto
hiseyesstaringrightintohers?Shewondered.
“Ihadtoleave.Ididn’twantyoutohateme.”Hesaidsoquietlythatshealmostdidnotcatchhis
words.
Whatwashesaying?Howcouldshehatehim?Hehadgivenherthebestnightofherlife!Shewas
abouttotellhimexactlywhatwasonhermindwhenthedooropenedandMichelle,oneofthemodels
walkedin.Shestoppedshortwhenshenoticedthemalecompanyandsmiledinpleasure.Emilycould
recognizethelookthatcameoverthegirl’sfaceandshesighedinirritation.
RyanJoneswasahandsomemananditlookedlikehewasgettinghisfirstfemaleadmireratthe
Show. It also looked like their conversation had come to an end as Michelle walked up to him and
introducedherself.
Emily shook her head to clear it. This wasn’t a dream, she told herself, she had indeed just seen
Ryanafterfourlongyears.
*********
“IamtellingyouEmily,youaremeanttobetogether.Youaresoulmates.”ShannontoldEmily
overthephone.
Emily rolled her eyes at her friend’s superstitious belief. She had called to update her about the
day’s happening after the second session was over. Everyone had departed and she was waiting for
Ryan in her prep room to bring the photos so they could submit them to her producer, before they
retiredfortheeveninginpreparationforthenextday.AftertellingShannonofherjourneytotheir
old location as students, she had as nonchalantly as she could, dropped Ryan’s name and explained
meetinghiminherpreproom.
Shannon had instantly latched onto the gist and started calling them all sort of names of which
soulmateswasmostprominent.ShecouldrememberRomeoandJuliettoobutsheastutelyignored
thatone;shedidn’twantRyantodieforher.
“Weonlyjustmetagain,Shannon.”Sheremindedherfriend.
Shannon snorted over the phone. She didn’t want to hear anything else apart from romance,
weddingsandlovewhenitcametoherbestfriendandnowthatthemysteriousone-nightstandthat
gotherfriendoutofhershellwasback,sheknewherfriendwouldsoonhaveherownhappilyever
after.
“AndIcanbetmyunbornbabythatyourheartracedfourmilesaminutewhenyousawhim.”She
saidknowingly.
Herfriendknewhertoomuch.SheandGregwerefinallystartingafamilyandShannoncouldnot
stringthreesentencestogetherwithoutmentioningherunbornbaby.
“Well,yes.”Emilyallowed.
“Then, that’s it. If you are this hooked on him after four years, he surely is on you too.” She
proclaimed.
Thatwastheproblem.Thoughhestillrememberedherandtheconversationtheyhadfouryears
ago,EmilywasunsureofwhatwasgoingoninRyan’smind.Shedidn’tknowhowhefelttowards
her.Shedidn’tknowifhehadthoughtaboutheratallinthepastfouryears.
“Wedon’tknowthat,”shesaidsoftlyintothephone.
“You might not but I do.” Shannon declared. “If a guy comments on the changes in you minutes
onlyintoreunitingwithyouafterfouryears,itonlymeansonething.Hehasn’tbeenabletoforget
aboutyou.Ibetyounoticedthechangesinhimrightofftoo.”Shemaintained.
Thatmuchwastrue,Emilythought,shehadlookedhimfromheadtotoelookingforchangesand
delightinginseeinghimoncemore.
“Well,weshallsoonseeifyourpredictionsareright,”shetoldherfriend.
“You will see that I am right. Hurry up both of you, will you? I will make you my baby’s
godparentsifyougetmarriedintimebeforeherbirth.”Shannontoldher,asmileinhervoice.
Emily could imagine that she was rubbing her round belly as she spoke. Though the expectant
motherrefusedtogoforascantodetermineherbaby’ssexdespiteherhusband’spleas,shewould
tellanyonewhowaswillingtolistenthatshewouldbegivingbirthtoababygirl.
“Iwouldbehonoredtobehergodauntregardless.”Shesaidintothephone,ignoringtherestof
whatherfriendsaid.
“Justkeepitcalm,Gandsetthecharmsoutonhim.Ifhedidn’tfallforyouthefirsttime,hewill
now.”Shannonsaidonamoreseriousnote.
“Thanks, hon.” She replied, loving her friend for her thoughtfulness, goodwill and
encouragement.“TakecareofyourselfandkissGregforme,willyou?”shesaid.
Whenshehungup,shethoughtaboutwhatShannonhadsaid.
Married.
Thewordshungheavyintheairofherhotelroom.Shealwaysknewthatshewouldlovetoget
marriedsomedaybuttruthfully,sheneverquitegaveitaseriousthought.Foramoment,sheallowed
herself be carried away with her thoughts. It seemed that was what she was doing most these days;
thinking.SheimaginedbeingmarriedtoRyan.Whatwoulditbelike?Sheaskedherself.
Shehadnoidea.
Itwasstrangethatshecouldbeinlovewithamanwithoutknowinganythingabouthimexceptthe
wayhemadeherfeel.Shedidn’tevenknowwhatcoursehestudiedinthecollegebeforegraduating.
Aswell,heappearedtohavechangedsinceshesawhim.Shehadchangedtoobutinthedirectionthat
hewasabletoconvinceherwasbestforher.Thereverseseemedtobethecaseforhimifthelinesin
the corners of his eye were any indication. Throughout the photoshoot that followed their
conversation, his eyes had been sad as if he had suffered a recent and very painful loss. She was
remindedofhowshehadlivedafterherparent’sdeath.
Shemadeuphermindtofindoutwhatailedhim.Justlikehehelpedher,shewouldhelphimtoo.If
thatwastheonlythingshecouldachievefromtheirunprecedentedreunion,shewouldgladlytakeit
andsoarwithit.
SIX
RyanwasstillfindingithardtobelievethathehadjustmetfoundEmilyWilsonafterallthistime.
Hehadinitiallychickenedoutatthelastminuteandmissedhisscheduledflightforthepreviousday.
However, Nina had not let him have a moment rest all through the night and he had taken the next
availableflighttodaywhichmadehimmissthefirstshoot.Hehadmorethanmadeupforitwiththe
second shoot and everyone was pleased with the results. However, he was still amazed that he was
workingwithEmily,ofalldesignerstherewereintheworld.
“Andshehadchangedsomuchtoo,damnit.”Hemutteredtohimself.
She had been a beauty in her black shiny dress the night he saw her but now, she was simply
gorgeous.Hewonderedwhenshecutherlongblondehairandbegantoweartheshort,spikeshesaw
onherheadthisafternoon.Itmadeherlookchic,fashionableandsavvy.Shewasnowacareerlady
too as he could see by the professional way she handled her models. And her outfits; those were
simply amazing. They were indeed the head turners that she labelled her brand. Even the models
foundithardtoshedtheclothesaftertheshoot,seeinghowwelltheclothmadethemlookoncamera.
EmilyWilsonhadtakentheleapandwasobviouslyenjoyinghernewfoundself.Hewashappyfor
her,therewasnosenselivinginthepast.
Likeyouaredoingrightnow?Atinyvoicetauntedhiminhishead.
He refused to acknowledge the voice as another pain stabbed his heart like it did when he
rememberedClaire.Hewasherebecauseshewouldwantedhimtobeandtohisgreatestsurprise;he
had met Emily here again. Perhaps, Claire was watching over him from heaven like she said she
would.HesmiledatthethoughtofhisClaireasanangelinheaven,askingGodtowatchoverherda
andbringhimawomantomarrysoshewouldhavesiblings.Shewouldmakethecutestangel,his
Claire.
As he made his way back into the prep room he vacated a while ago, he wondered if she was
marriednoworwasinaseriousrelationship.Hesupposedhewouldfindoutoverthecourseofthe
Show.Inthemeantime,hewouldjustbusyhimselfwithworkandtryingtodrawbreatheachday.With
timeperhaps,hewouldlearntostopthinkingofgoinghometoClaire,hearinghersweetbabyvoice
and checking on her to see if she was alright when he was away. He knew he was in for the most
difficult task of his life but he had made a promise. He wouldn’t disrepect Claire’s memory by not
beingtruetohiswords,hepromisedhimself.
HeenteredthepreproomandsawEmilysittingbyoneofthetablemirrorsintheroom.Shewas
wearing a sleeveless frilly laced magenta blouse over a pair of yellow pants. On anyone else, the
combinationofcolorsmighthavelookedodd,butnotonher;itfittedherperfectly,showingoffher
trimcurvesandslenderstature.Shecarriedherselfwellinittooasshewentround,fittinghermodels
andencouragingthemtoworkwithher.Herblueeyesweregentleandcompassionateandhehadfelt
themonhimasheworked;justliketheywerefastenedonhimrightnow.
Allthoughtsflewfromhisheadashewalkedintotheroom,holdinghergaze.Itwaslikenotime
hadpassedatallashereachedher.Hewasmomentarilythrownbackintimetofouryearsagoinher
apartmentwhenheenteredandshehadkissedhimonthemouth.Hishearthaddonealittlejiggleas
an electric current ran through it. He hadn’t known what hit him, he was entirely lost to her in that
instant.Helookeddownathernowandknewthathisfeelingsforherwerestillasstrongasitwasthat
firstnight.
“Wasthatevenpossible?Ithadbeenfouryears”,hesaidtohimself.Heknewwhathewasfeeling
andtheywereasrealasthestunningladysittinginfrontofhim.
“Erm,”heclearedhisthroat,“Ihavethephotos.”Hesaidlamely.
Sheshookherheadasiftoclearitandlookedathishands.
“Yes,Icanseethatyoudo.”Shesaidwithasmallsmile.
Hedroppedtheenvelopeinhishandsonthedresserinfrontofheranddraggedanearbychairto
sit beside her. Her gaze continued to rest on him for a while and he stared at her with a confused
smile.
He didn’t understand the look she gave him. If he were to hazard a guess, he would say she was
tryingtofigurehimout.However,thelookwasgoneasshetooktheenvelopeandbegantoremove
the photographs within. She looked pretty impressed with each picture she was seeing and a broad
smilecameoverherface.
“IthinkIwasgiventhebestphotographerattheShow,”shemurmured,stilllookingatthepictures.
He did not reply but took the opportunity to study her as she was studying the pictures from
variousangles.Shelookedmoreserene,confidentandinchargethanwhenheleftherinherbedfour
yearsago.Hewasnotsurprised,creatingsuchdelightfuloutfitsasshedoesmusthavereallyearned
herthetrustandconfidenceofherclientsthatwouldhaveboostedherownconfidenceinreturn.
“Whatdoyouthink?Ican’tseemtodecidewhetherIshoulduseNoraorMichelle’spictureasthe
backgroundformybannertomorrow,”shesaidsuddenly.
Asherownuniquewayofexpressingherbrand,shehadthoughtofmakingalargeprintoutofher
favoritemodelandusingitasabackgroundtohercollectionsduringtheShow.Whenshetoldhim
duringtheshoot,hehadpraisedherideaeffusively,sayingitwasgoingtowowthejudges,hehad
meanteverywordofit.Itwasasmartideaandheadmiredhercleverness.
He leaned over to view both pictures that she held in each hand. He looked at each critically for
some seconds before speaking. He knew that this Show was important to her and she wanted
everythingtogoperfectly.
“I think you should use Michelle’s,” he decided. “The little frock looks fabulous on her, making
her look totally innocent but the smoky look in her eyes tells another story entirely. Your audience
andthejudgeswillbethrilled,”Heexplained.
Insteadofagreeingwithhimlikeheexpected,Emilywasstaringathimsuspiciously.Heraisedhis
eyebrowsatherinsilentinquisition.
“Itseemsyouaretrippingformyfavoritemodelalready.Itseemsshelikesyoutoojudgingfrom
thewayshewasalloveryouwhenshecameinfrombreak.”Shesaidteasingly.
Who?Healmostasked.Iftherewasanyonehewastrippingfor,shewassittingrighthere,nextto
himbuthedidn’tneedtoletherknowthat.Notyetanyway.
“She’swaytooyoungforme.”Hetoldher.
Shesmiledasifpleasedwithhimforhisresponse.
“Whatisyourdefinitionof‘tooyoung’?”sheaskedhim,herindexandmiddlefingerscomingup
inagestureofquotesatthelastwords.“Sheiseighteenandyouare?”shecameupshort.
“Twenty-eight,”hesupplied,“toooldforher.”heemphasizedwithashudder.
Shethrewbackherheadandburstoutinaloudthroatylaughthatfilledhissensesdeliciouslyat
thesound.Hewatchedherthroatasshelaughedandfeltlikesettinghislipsonittofeelthevibration
ofherlaughter.Shecaughthimsmilingandstaringather.
“Youarenotsooldyourself.Iknowloversandcoupleswithabiggeragegapsoyouneedn’tlook
soputoffattheidea.”Shesaidturningbacktothepictures.
Afteramoment,herheadsnappedupasifshejustrememberedsomething.
“Ineveraskedifyouevergotmarried,”shesaid.
Heshookhisheadno.“You?”heasked.
“No,”shesaid,givinghimanotherbrilliantsmilethatmadehimfeelgoodontheinside.
She went back to the pictures again and he continued to watch her as she set aside Michelle’s
picture to be used as the background she wanted. He had printed two of each picture; one of each
wouldbesubmittedtotheorganizingbodyandshewouldkeepeachotheroneinacatalog.Ifthere
weretoberequestformoreofthepicturessaybyasponsororpotentialclient,theywouldhavetobe
paidfor.Sheneatlyseparatedthepictures,puttingthemoffintoseparateenvelopes.
Clairewouldhavelovedher,hethoughtsadly.
At that moment, she looked up at him about to say something. He quickly tried to smile but the
wordsshewasabouttoutterdiedonherlipsonwhatevershesawinhiseyesbecausesheonlystared
intohiseyesforsomesecondsbeforetalkingtohim.
“Whathappenedtoyou,Ryan?Howhaveyoubeensincealltheseyears?”shesaidsoftly.
He was amazed at her power of perception. The only other people who could see him just by
lookingintohiseyes,wereClaireandNina.Thethoughtofhisdaughtersenthimintoafreshwaveof
painandheclosedhiseyes.HefeltEmily’shandsonhis’andheopenedhiseyes.
“Ttalktome,please.”Shepleadedwithhim.
Shewasstaringupathimsoftlyandthelookwasalmosthisundoing.However,hedidnotwantto
spoilherfirstdayintheShowwithhistaleofwoes.
“It’snothingthatagoodnightrestwon’tfix.”Hesaidevasivelyandstandingup.Hefeltalossso
intensewhenherwarmhandsslidoutofhis.
She gave a disappointed sigh but smiled up at him. “I will still be willing to listen any time you
wishtotalk.”Shetoldhimquietly.
Henoddedandmadetoleave.
“Iwillhavethebannerreadyfirstthingtomorrowmorning,”hesaid.
Shenoddedandwatchedhimgo.Witheachstephetook,hefeltlikerunningbacktoherbuthetold
himselftowalkon.Hedidnotstopuntilhereachedtheroomhehadbeenshowntoearlierintheday.
Hefellonthebedinexhaustion,promptlyfallingasleep.Hesleptallthroughtheeveningandintothe
night.Hedidn’trememberthathehadhadnothingtoeatallday.
*********
Thenextday,EmilywastoobusytothinkofanythingelsebuttheShow.Atfirst,becauseshewas
anunknownnameintheindustry,herstandwasemptybutthegiantbannerbehindherstandfinally
didthetrickwhenonedistinguishedlookingladynoticedandcameover.
“Ilovewhatsheiswearing,”shesaid,pointingatMichelle’spicturewithhersunshades.Shewas
AntoniaWest,apopularnovelist.Emilyhadevenreadoneofherthrillerseriesandwasjustthrilled
byhervisittoherstand.
From there, it was smooth sailing for ‘Head Turners.” Several people came over to check her
outfitsandshebecamebusyattendingtothem.Shebarelyhadtimetostopforaquickbitewhenitwas
timeforlunch.
Byevening,shewasalmostfallingonherfeetbuthersuccesshadgivenheranadrenalinrush.She
didn’tseeRyanallthroughtheday.
The next day was another photo shoot so she met him at her door bright and early when she
steppedoutofherroom.Theystoodstill,staringateachotherforlongseconds.
“Goodmorning,”hegreeted.
“Youstayingonmyfloor?”sheaskedatthesametime.
Hesmiledandnoddedinresponse.Shemurmuredhergoodmorning,smilingsheepishly.
“Ididn’tseeyoualldayyesterday,”sheaccusedhim.
“Iwasinmyroommostofthetimesincemyattentionwasnotneeded,Ionlycameoutfordinner
andyouweregonebythen,”hesaidaswayofexplanation.
Itwasherturntonod.Theywalkedtogethertothepreproomandshefilledhiminonhersuccess
thepreviousday.
“Iamreallyhappyforyou,Emily.Youhavemadeagreatheadstart,”hesaidgenuinely.
Throughouttheday,theyworkedsidebyside.Incidentallyornot,Emilywasn’tsurewhichbutit
seemed that their hands were always touching as he set one model in the perfect position and she
adjustedthemodel’soutfit.TheireyesfrequentlymetandevenMariannecommentedaboutitduring
break.
“Our photographer is obviously as into you as you are into him.” The girl said to her over a
cartonofjuiceandhotdogs.
Emilyalmostspitoutherhotdog.Itwasthatobvious?
“Yeah,it’sveryobviousthatyouhaveorusedtohaveathinggoing.”Mariannerepliedasifshe
had asked the question out loud. “Why do you think Michelle laid off? It was because she saw the
sizzling attraction between you two and didn’t want to get burnt by intruding,” she said with a
dazzlingsmileandawink.
Emilydecidedtocomeoutwithitall.
“Tellme,amItheonlyoneordoyouthinkheisintometoo?”sheaskedthegirl.Shecoulddo
withalittlehelphere.
“Really,youneedtoaskthat?”thegirlsnickered.“Anybodywitheyesinhisskullwouldnoticethe
hotlookshegivesyoufrommilesoff,”Mariannereplied,fanningherfacewithherhands.
Emily smiled. Marianne had just unwittingly helped her to make a hard and fast decision. Ryan
mighthavethebiggestchiponhisshoulderandtrytobrushheroffwithhismachoattitudebutshe
wouldn’tgivehimthechanceto.Notanymore.LikeShannonsaid,shewasgoingtoturnthecharms
onandseeifhewouldbeabletoresist.
Hehadn’tbeenabletofouryearsago.Shedoubtedhewouldthistimeeither.
SEVEN
Finally,theShowwasdrawingtoanend.
ThepastfourdayshadbeencrazyforEmily,whatwithshufflingbetweentryingtoseduceRyan
andrunninghershow.Thankfully,herparticipationintheShowwasunanimouslydeclaredaroaring
success by all and she couldn’t be happier at her performance. She wished she had had as much
successwithRyan.HerseductionofRyanwasgoingatasnailpaceandshedidn’tlikeitonetinybit.
Hewaswaytoocautiousforher,fightinghertemptationsandgenerallyfrustratingher.
It was the Show’s dinner party tonight where awards would be given to the most outstanding
designers of the Show. She should be worried, thinking about the dinner but she couldn’t seem to
summon the energy to worry about it. Her mind was occupied with thoughts of Ryan. Though he
seemedtoopenupalittlemoreeachday,shestillseemedsosad.Hissmilesdidnotreachhiseyes
like she remembered and he couldn’t seem to laugh out loud any more. To Emily, it was as if
someonehadtakenthesunshineoutofhislife.
Shehadnoideahowrightsheactuallywas.
Shehadcarefullychosenheroutfitforthisdinner.Thedresswasspreadoutonherbedandshe
lookedatit,checkingitoutfromvariousangles.Itwilldo,shethoughtresolutely.Justlikethelast
time,shewasgoingtobringRyantoherroomandhavemindblowingsexwithhim.Shehaditall
plannedoutalready.Herrevealingdresswasthemastermindandhewouldn’tknowwhathithimby
thetimeshewasthroughwithhim.Shelabelledthedress‘TheHeartthrob.’
When she finished dressing, she observed her reflection in the mirror. It was an A-shaped,
sunshine yellow dress that curved flagrantly from hip to thighs; sleeveless and with a padded bust.
Therewasnoneedforabraanditpushedupherbreastsinthemostdeliciousway.Thecatchypartof
thedresswasthejaggedslitthatranfromthehemupherthightorevealhermilkwhitethighs.The
cut was intentionally uneven and patterned with net lace that swished as she walked. A four layered
beadnecklacefannedacrossherbust,completingherattire.
Shewassetforwar.
The dress was originally sewn for the final show tonight; she had kept it hidden for the runway
showtobeheldatthedinnerbutinlightofRyan’sobstinacy,shedecidedtowearitforherself.She
would have to hope that her success in the past four days was enough to get her a few mentions of
honorifnotanaward.
She left the room and went up to Ryan’s to knock on his door. The door was opened shortly to
reveal the most handsome man she had ever seen. This guy sure knew how to steal a lady’s breath
away,shethought,mentallyfanningherselfwithherhands.Sinceitwasaspecifiedformalaffairthis
timearound,hehadnoexcusenottoappearinasuit.Butdidn’tthesuitlookjustperfectonhim?He
worethethree-piecesuitwithsuchelegancethatshecouldn’tstopstaringathim.Thesuitpantswere
coralblue,placedontopofawhiteshirtandsapphirejacket.Histiewasdottedinvariousshadesof
blueandhewaslookingdownrightyummy.
Shesmackedherlipsloudly.
“Youlooklikeadeliciousscoopofstrawberryicecream,itismyfavorite,”sheinformedhim.
Hesmiledabsentlyatherremark.Itwasthenthatshenoticedthathewasbusyadmiringhertoo.
She felt hot and cold at the same time; the look in his eyes there and then could cause a small heat
wave.
“AndyoulookliketheAppleintheGardenofEden,”hesaidonarawwhisper.
Hergazeflewtohisandshesawtherawdesireinthem.Itwaslikehewasfightingabattlewith
himself.Fortheumpteenthtime,shewonderedwhatghostsweredisturbingthismanso.Shebriefly
thoughtofseducinghimrightthereandthen,butsheknewhewouldblamehimselfafterwardsifthey
missed the dinner and awards ceremony. With effort, she restrained the desire curling in her belly.
Therewouldbetimetoplaylater,sheconsoledherself.
“Thankyou,kindsir.”Shesaidandmadeamockcurtsy,tippingforward.
Ryanswallowedhard.Herlittlecurtsyhadalmostpoppedherbreastsoutofthedressandshewas
gladthathewasunaffectedbythesight.Hecouldn’tstopstaringatherbosom.Whosaidshecouldn’t
playnow?Shethoughtdelightedly.
Holdingoutherhand,sheaskedhim,“ready?”
Henodded,tookherhandandwalkedhertothevenueforthedinner.Shefeltlikeshewasfloating
andbythetimetheymadetheirentrance,shewasfeelinglikeCinderellaattheball.Shecouldonly
hopethatshewouldnotturnintoamaidbythetimethehourstruck.Theywereeasilythefocusof
muchattentionasshewouldn’tletRyanbeonhisownforonesecond.Sheusedhereyesandallthe
bodylanguagesheknewtotellhimwhatsheintendedforhimtonight.Hewasnotunreceptiveofher
charms.Atonepoint,hegrabbedherhandasshe‘accidentally’brushedagainsthisthighunderneath
thetable.
“Emily,”hesaidthroughgrittedteeth.
Sheonlysmiledathimandcontinuedtoeatherfood.
It was time for the awards and a hush fell over the room. Anticipation was heavy in the air as
everyonethoughtofwhowouldwinwhichaward.Emilywasmomentarilydistractedbythoughtsof
theawardsandfocusedontheirhostashesummonedthejudgestogivetheirverdicts.
ShefeltRyan’seyesonherashelentherhissupport.Hewasdoingitagain,shethoughtbriefly;
supportivewithoutaword.
A number of awards were called out and she didn’t hear her name or brand. It was after all her
veryfirstentryandshewasjustabouttogiveupwhenthejudgecalledyetanother.
“Thisawardisanewonebutthen,thewinneroftheawardisanewonetoo.Forcreativityinstyle
anddesign,foruniquenessofideasandgeneralcrazinessoffashionsense,anawardisgiventoMiss
Wilson of ‘Head Turners.’ If you are looking for trendy, crazy, fun, smart and unique, I will
personallyrecommendher,”thejudgesaidamidstaresoundingroundofapplause.
EmilylookedatRyanwithtearsinhereyes.Shewasn’tintheroomanymore.Instead,shewasin
anotherdinnerparty,similarbutyetsodifferent.Shewastransportedbackintimetofouryearsago
whenRyanhadaskedherthequestionthattriggeredtoday’saward.
Whatwouldyourparenthaveyoudo?
Emily, your parents’ death should have taught you the most vital of lessons; life is short and you
havetoliveittothefullest.Aimhigh,shoothigher;goforyourdreams;screamwithfriends;make
yourselfhappy.Itistheonlywaytolive.
Ryanhadmotivatedher.
Shewasgratefultothismaninmorewaysthanone.Bringingherselftothepresent,shestoodup
and walked up to the stage to receive her award. There was no going back, she was determined to
have Ryan in her life whether he wanted her or not. She could tell that he wanted her but he was
holdingback.Shewasgoingtobreakthosebarriers,shepromisedherselfasshereceivedtheaward,
dedicatingittohim.
*********
“Iwanttoknowmoreaboutyou,Ryan.”Emilyhadsaidtohimastheyleftthedinnerhall.Itwas
waypastmidnightalreadyandhehadahalfmindtotellheroffagainbuthewantedhercompany.
Hell,hecravedhercompany.Herlittleanticsallnightlonggothimsohotandbotheredthatitwas
allhecoulddonottodraghertohisroomwitheverybodywatching.
Finally,whenthepartywasover,shehadmadethestatementaboutwantingtoknowmoreabout
himandhisfinalresolvetostayawayfromhermeltedaway.Together,theyhadgoneuptoherroom
andwerenowsharingabottleofwineonthefloor.
“IamtheonlysonofTateJones,”hestarted.
Hereyeswidened.
“The Tate Jones? The politician?” She was staring at him unbelievably but he only nodded. Few
peoplebelievedhimwheneverhewascompelledtosayitoutloud.Asrichandpowerfulashisfather
was,hewasn’ttheepitomeofthebestfatheroreventhebestcitizen.
“Youmusthaveheardofthescandalthatsenthimtoprisonforlife?”heasked.
Shenoddedherhead.“IheardbutIdon’tknowthedetails.Iwasn’tbigintonewsthen,”shetold
him,urginghimonwithherexpressiveblueeyes.
“Myfatherwasnotthenormalfathereverychildhad.Hewasfocusedononlyonethinginhislife;
his political career and power. I learned to accept him for who he was and ignore him most of the
timejustlikeIignoredhisaffairswithunderagedgirls.”
There,Emily’seyeswentasroundassaucersbutshedidnotutteraword,shedrewclosertohim
and curled into his arms, looking up at him. He was encouraged to continue despite the pain of
relivingthoseyearsago.
“They always came and went so I didn’t allow myself to think much of it. Until he raped our
sixteen-year-old maid when I was sixteen and got her pregnant. When she wouldn’t get rid of the
baby,heattemptedtopoisonherandthebabyandwhenthatdidnotworkfastenough,hetriedtokill
her with his own hands. I caught him in the act and called the police. My testimony sent him to jail
forever.”HesaidthelastasifhewasconfessinghisguilttoaclergyandEmilyheldhimtightly.
“Iamsosorry,sosorry.”Shewassobbingintohisshirt,cryingforhim.Shehadn’theardthemost
of it. It was the first time he had talked to anybody about those days twelve years ago and he felt
lighteralreadyforsharingitwithher.
EmilywaslisteningtoRyanwithherheartinsteadofherears.Shefeltsympathyfortheyoungboy
thathehadbeen,wholosthisyouthtotheeventsthatforevershapedhisfuture.Shecouldn’tbelieve
thathehadgonethroughsomuch.Thelossofherparentswasnothingcomparedtohisexperience.
“Jasmine, our maid was almost dead by the time help got to her.” he continued. “She was
hospitalizedforthewholeofherterm.Myfather ’scasewasincourtbythenandIswitchbetweenthe
policestation,thehospitaltoseeJasmine.Asiftothwartme,Jasminedidn’tcarryuptotermbutgave
birthtothecutestbabyintheuniverseafterwhichshedied.Itwasthemostgruesomesevenhoursof
mylifebutitwasworthit.InamedherClaire.”Hesaidthelastpartwithprideandshehadnodoubt
thathehadlovedthegirlthatwasbornofhiswoes.
Shesmiledherprideathim.
“Withmyfathergone,IwasanunwillingfatherbyseventeenbutIhadClaireandforhersake,I
quickly learnt to be responsible. My father had put his manager in charge of his businesses and I
learned the business from him only to discover that my heart was not into it. My baby was the one
whodiscoveredthatIlovedphotographyandencouragedmetogoforit,”hesaidwithafondsmile.
Emily’s tears dried at the happy turn of the story. She wondered how a seventeen-year-old had
copedwithababybutRyanobviouslydid.Hespokeof‘hisClaire’insuchfondtermsthatshewanted
tomeetthegirl.Clairewouldbearoundelevenbynow,shequicklycalculated.
“Me and Claire, we were all we had for the longest time. I lived for her, she saved me from
descendingintoapitofdarknessthatwouldhaveswallowedmeforever.Shewaslightandshetaught
metoplayinthesunshineonceagain.Shediedforty-fivedays,threehoursandsixteenminutesago.”
Emilyleanedoutofhischest.Shedidn’tknowwhattosay.Nowsheunderstoodtheforlornlookin
hiseyes.Thesunshinehadindeedbeenremovedfromhislife.Thedryingtearswelledupinhereyes
againandshewasnotevenawarewhentheybegantofall.Ryanwascryingtoo.
“What…?”shecouldn’tcompletethequestion.
“She was weak from birth, Down syndrome.” He explained with tears in his eyes, correctly
guessingherquestion.
TherewasabsolutelynotellingthepainthatRyanmusthavebeenthrough.Tohaveneverlovedor
beenlovedwasnotnewtohimbuthehadfoundloveintheeyesofalittlegirlandlostit.Shebawled
likeababy,shewouldhavecurledupanddiedifitwereher.Shesimplywouldn’thavebeenableto
survivethepainfulexperience.Thismanwasstrongforsomeonesoyoung.Howthehelldidhedraw
breath after his daughter’s death? She couldn’t think, she just went into his arms again, simply
holdinghimandcryingwithhim.Itgalledherthatitwasallshecoulddoforhimbutsheknewthat
therewasnothingmoretobedone.Shecouldhoweverfeelahugereliefdropfromhisshoulders.
“Thelittleimpmademepromisehersomethingbeforeshedied.”Hesaidafterthetearssubsided.
“What?”sheasked.
Hewaslookingintohereyesnow.“Tocomebacktoyou.”Hesaidsoftly.
Emilywassurprised.“Sheknewofme?”sheasked.
Henodded.“Itoldher.SherightlyguessedthatIhadfalleninloveandwantedmetobehappy.”
“Didyouknowyouwouldmeetmehere?”sheaskedsuddenly.
Heshookhishead.“Nina,ournurseencouragedmetocome‘right’myselfbydoingwhatIloved
firstbeforeIgosearchingforyou.ShehadnoideathatIwouldbekillingtwobirdswithonestone.”
They fell silent after this confession. Emily wished she could have met Claire at least one time
beforeherdeath.
“Wasshethereasonyouleftmethatnight?Youdidn’twanttoshareherlove?”sheaskedaftera
while.
“No,itwasbasicallymyowncowardicejustlikemycowardicekeepsmefromyouafterwemeet
againfouryearsafter.Ithoughtyouwouldhatemeinthelightofthemorning.”Heexplainedafter
thinkingofherquestion.“Clairewouldhavelovedyou.”Headded.
Emilynoddedherheadandrestedhercheekagainsthischest.Herheadsnappedupassomething
thatonlyjusthither.
“Yousaidyoufellinlovewithme?Onthatnight?”sheaskedhim,eyeswide.
“I was hoping you didn’t hear that part,” he replied, a small smile on his lips. The smile almost
distractedher;shewashappythattherewassomethingforhimtosmileabout.
“Andnow?”sheinsisted.
Thesmilebecamebroader.“What’stherenottolove?Youaregorgeous,sexy,smart,creativeand
criedformybabyeventhoughyounevermether.”hesaidbothsadlyandsweetly.
Herheartwentouttohim.Hehadherfromdayone,heonlydidnotknowit.Shesuddenlywished
theyhadbeentogethertheselastfouryears.Shewouldhavesharedhisjoysandpainswithhim.He
wouldn’thavehadtobearitallalone.
Sheleanedoutofhisarmstostaredeepintohiseyes.
Beforeshereplied,sheleanedupwardandsmashedherlipsagainsthis,daringhimtostopher.He
didn’t. Slowly, she plastered her chest on his and slid to sit on his lap. He moaned into her mouth,
surprisedandpleasedatthesametime.Emilyreachedforhispalmandguidedittothenakedfleshof
her thighs. His hand was warm and soft and it aroused her. She could feel a very sensitive warmth
betweenherthighs.
Eventually,whenbothofthembrokethekisswithagasp,Emilyheldherbreathandspokefrom
herheart.
“IloveyoutooandIwillliketobewithyoufromthismomentonward.Iwillnotbeabletofillthe
voidthatClaireleftinyourheart,IdonotaimtobutIwanttomakeyouhappyonceagain.Iwantto
wipethehurtfromyoureyesandseethegrineasilyslideupyourfacelikefouryearsago.Pleaselet
me,”shetoldhimallthis,begginghimwithhereyes.
Hisgoldeyeswerestaringintoherstoo.Therewasunshakenloveandrawhungerforherinthem.
“Iwantto,Lordhelpme,Iwanttobewithyoutoo.”Hesaidonaraggedwhisper.
Itwasallsheneeded.Sheplacedafingeronhislipsandkissedhimagain.Ryanreactedtoothis
timearound;hemovedhispalmfromherthighupward,towardsherass.Hedraggedhercloserand
gaspedintohermouth,professingtheromancethatwasgoingtoenvelopebothofthemforthenext
hour–fortherestoftheirlives.
Ryanmighthavechangedbecauseofthestrugglesinhispastbutatleast,hisfingersstillsether
skin on fire, Emily thought. As she circled his waist with her lap, his palm slowly left her ass and
travelled to the opening of her pussy. He brushed her panties aside and quickly slid in two fingers,
makingherbreathless.
“MyEmily?”Hemoanedintohermouth.“Stillsotight.”
Emilyignoredhim.Itwasthesamewaythatshewasgoingtoignoretheslowmovementsofhis
secondhandtoherbrastrapafterwardsandthewayhislipslefthersandgraduallywentdowntothe
softmoundofherbreasts.Shewasgoingtoignorethefactthateverythingthathewasdoingbrought
backmemoriesofwhattheyhadstartedfouryearsago.Itcreatedanenthrallingmemoryofwhatwas
tobegin.
Hewassucklinghernipplesremorselesslyasifhehaddreamtofnothingbutdoingsointhepast
fouryears.Afterwards,hegentlyraisedherabovehisthighandfreedhiscockthroughthezipperof
hisshorts.
Hewasbig.Hewasreadyforher.
Emilyhadbeenreadytohavehiminsideheragainforthepastfouryears.
Sheclosedhereyesasheraisedhertositonhiscock.Itslidineasily,withherpussytightening
ecstaticallyaroundit,cravingformore.Hedidn’tguideher,hedidn’tpullherup,butEmilybeganto
move.Shebegantoridehiscocksofastthatshethoughtthatherheartcouldfailheranytime.
Yes,Emilydecidedthatshewasgoingtoignoreeverysensationthattoldhertoignorethewayhe
madeherfeel.Shewasgoingtoignorethesuddenrushthatshefeltanytimethatshewaswithhim.
Emilyhaddecided.
Thismanwasgoingtohavegoodmemoriesfromnowonorshewasgoingtodietrying.
THEEND
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