Ethan's POV
I've already had a shitty ass morning at home and a terrible day in the office. I lost a very important deal that I was looking forward to for six months. Lunch was a drag-- I didn't enjoy it-- and Sharon wouldn't shut up about the Bahamas. I told her I would take her, that was before she got bitten by a mosquito. I lost my cool at the damn restaurant and yelled at her; one could only imagine what I had said to her. To my surprise, she didn't respond. She just got up and kissed my cheek and told me she'd be at the house when I calmed down.
Arriving home, I remembered the conversation I had with Agnes before hiring Emma.
I had Emma prepare another cup of coffee and met her in the kitchen for it where the others were assemble as well.
I'd let go Agnes. Why? Because she was getting up there in age had spoken to me about her retirement plan. She knew the drill. I had already placed a large sum of money in her account for the years she had
Emma's POVThough I was supposed to be off on the weekends, I did minor cleaning here and there just to keep myself occupied and ahead while Halley rested.My mind kept on reminiscing back to what happened last night. Mr. Hollen kissed me! He actually put his priceless lips on mine. I didn't know how to kiss him back, I had no experience and was caught off guard. What if I had drooled on him or bit his lips? I'd just stood there, afraid to react._________It was the beginning of a new week. I was in the living room cleaning the coverings on the chairs when Sharon appeared with a bundle of bags. She tossed them onto the chairs I was supposed to clean."Put these in the closet for me. Don't ruin a thing with your filthy hands." She went upstairs, heels hitting the polished marble as she walked.That woman is so...There wasn't a word to describe her. She was going upstairs to where the closet was, why couldn't she just
Ethan's POVI woke up wrapped in the arms of my beautiful fiancee. I looked at her as she was fast asleep. Tonight we would be going to the Bahamas for our week long vacation. I had promised her that. I didn't break my promises. I rolled her aside, gently kissed her forehead lightly, and got out of the bed.I whipped up a fluffy batch of pancakes with eggs and bacon. I poured two large glasses of orange juice just as the kitchen door was pushed open."Good morning, sir.""Hi Emma."She stood there, staring blankly at me like she had something she wanted to say."What is it Emma?" I asked impatiently."Sir, there's something I have to tell you.""Oh yeah, I'll have your paycheck ready before I leave. After all, I wouldn't be here for the week and the month's end would approach by then.""That's not... Um, okay.""There're some left over pancakes and eggs. Help yourself. Halley can have some too."&nb
Emma's POVWhen I saw him in the kitchen preparing breakfast I wanted to tell him. I had to tell him what I heard last night, but when he told me about the paycheck, my mind state changed. I was so looking forward to buying some new stuff, from underwear to clothes to getting a new hair-do; so I let it be.And Sharon was sort of scary with her judging eyes, sharp mouth and long nails. She would slap me back to Africa if I had told him about her conversation. Besides, it wasn't my business. Mr. Hollen was capable of taking care of himself and his relationship was above my pay grade.The next day I looked at my paycheck. I wanted to cash it out so badly. One thousand dollars in just one week was indeed generous. I didn't make that at Carl's Cafe in a month.I found Halley in the backyard watering the plants."Um, Halley," I began. I was still mindful of how I approached her. "I really want go to the bank and cash this so I'm taking my half day
Emma's POVShe had to be out of her mind to even think about stealing one of Mr. Hollen's watches. I didn't want either of us getting in trouble with him so I pulled her aside."Halley, are you crazy? Please tell me that wasn't Mr. Hollen's Rolex. He would skin you alive!""Emma, would you relax. How crazy do you think I am? I wouldn't steal from him.""Well, where did you get the Rolex?""It's a knock-off I purchased in Chinatown. Matt thinks it's real, but how the hell am I supposed to afford that? Now can we just enjoy the party?"I'd never danced before so I just watched at Halley and her boyfriend.A guy walked up to me and said hi. He was very handsome and looked around my age, maybe one or two years older. He had a Mohawk haircut, which complimented his handsome face. He was lighter than I was in complexion with light brown eyes and thick eyebrows."Hi," I replied, tucking my hair behind my left ear."I've neve
Ethan's POVI watched as she brushed her hair in the mirror. She had been giving me the silent treatment since we returned to the room last night from the walk on the beach. She was upset that I wasn't excited for our wedding.When did I say we'd get married here? Sharon was a beautiful woman, outgoing, cheerful and sweet at times but, lately, things had been different between us. She was becoming someone I never knew existed, nagging and possessive.I was rash when I proposed to her because I wanted to make a good impression on my parents when they came back from their anniversary in Paris. Although I didn't do things to please them, because I didn't see much of them when I was a kid, I wanted to at least assure my parents that I was capable of settling down.But was I in love with Sharon? Did I love her? Yes. But I wasn't sure I was in love with her.I knew she was upset. Who wouldn't be? But I just wasn't ready to get married o
Emma's POVI paced around the rooms, moving from corner to corner with the tears rolling down my cheeks and smudging my makeup. It was the first time in my life I could say that. It was getting late, almost morning, and the medical team was still at Halley's side, doing all they could to revive her; she was pulling through slowly, very slowly.But the scary part, Mr. Hollen was on his way back home.At 9:00 in the evening a black car pulled onto the pavement. Sharon stepped out carrying one of her suitcases with Mr. Hollen following right behind. They burst through the front door and walked over to me; I panicked."Who are you and where's Emma?" he demanded.He didn't recognized me?! Breathe, Emma, breathe. I became speechless, wondering how to tell him it was me standing right in front of him."Sir, she's right here," I responded."Where?" he looked around.What? Do I really look that different? "I am Emma."
Ethan's POVI woke up to the sound of footsteps on the floor outside my bedroom. I looked at the wall clock; it was only 5:30 am. Was Emma up already? I glanced over at Sharon. She was fast asleep, exhausted and jet lagged. I put on a T-shirt and a sweat pants and went to the second floor. I peered over the banister and saw Emma was already up, mopping the floors of the rooms downstairs. Her eyes caught mine as she mopped.I headed to my office to forward over a fax for Linda that she had been messaging me about in the Bahamas.The phone buzzed and I picked up."Good morning Mr. Hollen. Your coffee is ready.""I'll be right down."I must say I was impressed. I'd never been so happy for coffee in my entire life. I missed her coffee and I missed her too. What was I saying?Emma stood beside the kitchen counter looking like an angel-- so peaceful, happy and perfect. I took the coffee from her hands. She headed towards the living roo
Emma's POVHalley had broken down into a fit. I cuddled her with a hug and told her that everything would be okay. Something was wrong with her, apart from being drugged.Matt must have mortified her.Detective Sam and the others looked on, unsettled."Halley, please tell them what happened. You have to talk about it," I whispered calmly, making sure I didn't sound mean or harsh to upset her more."I don't want to. I can't," she cried.What on earth happened to her?"Halley, I know you're scared. I know you want to put this behind you but we need your statement on what happened when Matt pulled you into the house," Detective Sam pressed."I can't talk about it. I don't want to," she cried again and hugged me tighter.Mr. Hollen looked like he was about to explode."Where's the driver? Maybe he could describe what he saw when he fetched Halley," Sam said to Mr. Hollen who began