Nostalgia

Chapter Five

Emily

Immediately after Mason left, I was left alone in the spacious living room with my mother, Esther, and my Uncle Robert.

My mother hadn't changed at all; her warm, expressive brown eyes were just as I remembered, and her skin remained smooth and creamy. There might have been a slight hint of bags under her eyes, but she still looked as graceful and elegant as when I left home to go overseas.

My Uncle Robert still looked as sophisticated as ever, he didn't age, he only put on a few pounds, and he still had the most piercing blue eyes.

It was still a bit weird to be back home again, especially with everything that had happened to me earlier.

The accident and the brief amnesia I had suffered from but their warmth made me almost forget about the throbbing headache that threatened to split my head into two.

My mother held my hands and smiled at me, her eyes shining bright like the stars.

“Look at how grown you have become Emily!” Esther cheered gazing at me in surprise. “ You are eating good in Chicago.”

“And you haven't changed, you still look as ravishing as ever.” I smiled down at my mother.

“I’m so proud of you Emmy, “ Esther said, squeezing my hands gently. “ I always knew you would make me and your father proud by chasing your dreams and letting nothing distract you from achieving that goal.”

I smiled at her warmly, “ I did it for you and Papa and Uncle Robert too. “ I said glaring up at Robert who offered me a little smile.

“Very soon, you will be running With Nova Robotics just like your uncle always planned.”

I smiled at her words and I turned to face Robert who was watching us with an amused smile on his wrinkled face, his gray hair gelled back he looked just exactly like my dad but the younger version. He was my father's younger brother. And he took me as his daughter.

“ Is that true, Uncle? Do you think I'm ready to take over White Nova Robotics on my own? “

He chuckled softly before nodding at me. “ Yes, Emily. You are ready and I believe in you, the company belongs to you and it's only fair for it to be handed to you but we need to make sure you are mature enough to handle everything that comes with White Nova it's not an easy task but I promise you, you are not alone in this, Mason and I will guide you.”

I took a step forward meeting his gaze. “ You asked me to go to school and get a degree and when I am done the company will be handed over to me. I believe I am more than ready to take control; I have fears and that is only normal, I believe I am capable uncle.”

Robert's gaze softened. “ Emily, you need to take it easy. You just got back and after that accident, you should be resting not thinking about company matters, leave that to me to handle. I've been handling it all these while you were away. I can assure you, white nova is in the right hands.” he turned to my mother and smiled at her. “ Esther, make sure Emily doesn't push herself too hard. She needs all the strength she can get if she is going to take on this role.”

Esther smiled at him,” She is just excited Robert, you have to let her express her happiness.”

“Whatever you say,” Robert smiled.

“How about Hudson and Maya?” I asked Robert and he nodded.

“They are doing good, Hudson is still as stubborn as ever and Maya is just rounding up with nursing school!”

“Yeah, she told me, we communicate through Skype, she is such a sweet girl I can't wait to see her.”

“You will see her soon but for now you need to rest up, tomorrow is a hectic day,” Robert bent down, took my mother’s hand, and kissed the back of it. “Goodnight, Esther. And Emily, you take care of yourself.”

Robert moved closer and kissed my forehead then he left, I turned to my mom and raised an eyebrow in suspicion. “ Why was Uncle Robert here so late? Is this how he visits late at night?”

She stared at me calmly. “Oh, he just came by to update me on some company matters. Nothing too serious honey.”

I nodded slowly still feeling doubtful something was off and I couldn't place my finger on it. “Okay Mom, if you say so. I think I need to get some rest.” I yawned twice fighting the drowsiness that threatened to overshadow me.

“Exactly,” she agreed, reaching up to gently touch my face. “You’ve been through so much sweetie. You need to rest a bit, sweetheart. You need your strength if you are going to be the new CEO, I Won't lose you the way I lost your father.”

“You won't lose me, Mom, I'm here to stay, good night Mom,” I leaned down to plant a kiss on her forehead. “ I love you so much, Mom.”

“I love you too, Emily,” she whispered back, brushing a strand of hand from her face. I could feel her pride radiating through her every gesture.

“Good night Mom,”

“ Good night Emily, the Maud will lead you upstairs to your old room in case you have forgotten your way around the house.”

“ Common mom, amnesia isn't permanent.”

“ I know honey I'm just making sure the maid comes along with you in case you need anything else.”

“ Okay, mom,”

One of the maids led me upstairs to my old room. I opened the door and looked into the room surprised at how much it had changed. The bed was now a large one with a canopy style, the walls were painted differently, a perfect shade of pink, and the furniture in my room was modern and expensive.

My childhood posters were all gone, even the drawings I had done and stuck up in the well were all scraped off, replaced by paintings and decorative pieces that elevated the room.

It was beautiful, but… it didn’t quite feel like mine. So many things had changed and it felt like a new room, as I stood at the center of the room I felt a pang of Nostalgia remembering the days when my room used to be filled with little books, family trips, posters of Taylor Swift, and sketches.

I nodded at the maid. “Thank you so much you can leave now”

“Of course, MissWhite. If you need anything, just call the hotline bling,” she replied, giving a small bow before leaving the room.

I was alone once again, I sank into the soft chair by the window looking out at the gardens, it was the only place that still looked the same.

My thoughts began to wander back to the man who had saved me from burning up in the dire like my father –Mason.

His face still lingered in my mind, they were chiseled and pleasing to look at. His piercing blue eyes were attractive too and he seemed like a cool and honest guy.

I shut my eyes tightly trying to remember the details clearly.

Mason had broad shoulders and strong capable arms, I had felt them when he pulled me from the car.

His dark hair was tousled and slightly disheveled, and his jawlines were sharp and pronounced giving him a quietly hot look. I’d noticed the way his gaze was both intense and playful like he saw right through me but in a caring way.

I opened my eyes feeling my cheeks get warm, why was I thinking about a random stranger this way? He was just someone who risked his life to save me, nothing more.

Or was it because I had never really been with a man before?

“Stop it, Emily,” I muttered to myself, shaking my head. “You’re not attracted to him, it's just foolish feelings.”

I let out a sigh, standing up and moving toward the bed. But even as I tried to focus on other things—like the company, my family, my future—I couldn’t shake the memory of Mason’s face, his voice, and the way he’d looked at me with such genuine concern.

I needed to stop thinking about him this way, or I wouldn't be able to learn anything from him.

I don't want to be too busy staring at his biceps or six-packs.

He is going to be in a suit, Dummy!

I sank back against the pillows, pulling the blanket up and trying to push him from my thoughts. But as I lay there in the quiet, images of Mason lingered in my mind. Maybe it was because he’d been the one to save me, to make me feel safe when I was most vulnerable. Or maybe, just maybe, there was something more I didn’t want to admit.

Eventually, I drifted off to sleep, my last conscious thought still circling Mason—whether I wanted it to or not.