Chapter Four: Between Love and Lies

Emily's hands flopped, losing grip of the key she held. Her mouth parted to answer but nothing came out.

“All my friends in school have dads, don't I have a dad?”

His innocent words struck Emily's heart like she'd been stabbed with a sharp knife.

“Oh, my baby,” she wrapped her right arm around him, pulling him close.

“Daddy is away for work and he’ll be back soon,” she spoke in a soft tone while gently patting his back.

“When will he be back?” Ethan demanded, pulling away from her hold and looking into her eyes.

“In a few weeks, darling,” she leaned down and kissed his cheek.

Luckily for her, Ethan didn't question her on the issue again, as they left the school premises for home. Throughout the drive, her conversation with the child kept ringing in her head. It wasn't the first time Ethan had questioned her about his dad. She couldn't count the number of lies she had told the toddler about her father's whereabouts.

Ethan was too young to understand the predicament regarding his birth, and she wasn't ready to inform him about the existence of his father. This thought ran through her head until they got home.

As they stepped into the house, Emily set her keys aside while Ethan went to his room. Silence descended upon the house making her chest feel heavy.

She flopped onto the couch.

As the thought of his questions played repeatedly in her mind. How long was she going to keep lying to him? She cleans off the sweat from her temples before rising to prepare dinner.

The night passed with an unclear routine and thoughts causing restlessness.

By morning, Emily had prepared for work early and dropped Ethan at school before heading to work. Her mind was still not settled.

While at the office, she tried to focus on work, her fingers on the keyboard, her eyes on the computer, but her mind wasn't there. She rests back in

her seat going deeper into her thoughts. She didn't even notice when the door opened until a voice cut through her thoughts.

“Emily?”

Startled, she lifted her eyes to see Benjamin standing beside her desk.

“Is everything okay,” he asked, with a concerned look on his face.

“Y...yea, everything is okay” she answered, wading her trance off.

“If you say so, well, I'm here to take you to lunch,”

Emily's heart skipped at his words. It wasn't the first time he was offering to treat her to lunch but she'd blatantly refused. He still didn't give up, maybe it was time to give him a try she thought to herself.

“Umm… you don't have to say yes but please allow me to get lunch for you,”

“I'll go with you,” she blurted out.

Her words surprised him for a moment, and a smile spread across his face.

“Today is one of the best days of my life,” he announced, straightening his stance.

Emily chuckled, shutting down her computer and rising to her feet.

“Shall we, my lady?” he winked at her, opening the door for her as they stepped out of the office together.

When Emily accepted to get lunch with Benjamin, she'd expected a walk to the restaurant a few blocks away from the office building but Benjamin had shocked her by walking her to his car.

“Aren't we going for lunch?” She questioned with a furrow in her brows.

“Yes, we are, but in a better place where they make tasty meals,” he winked at her before opening the door to the passenger side of the car for her.

Emily got in wondering where he could be taking her to. They drove in comfortable silence for about ten minutes before they came to a stop at a five-star restaurant.

“Benjamin…” she glanced at him half smiling.

He only responded with a smile winking at her.

“I don't know when next you will give me this chance again, so let's enjoy it.”

“Very well then, dazzle me,”

“I plan to, my lady,” he got out of the car, walked around to get to her door but she was already out.

“Hey…” he frowned at her, shaking his head in disapproval. “That's my job, don't rob me of it again.”

“My bad,” Emily smiled.

Taking her hand in his, he led her towards the door, as it slid open to let them in. His eyes quickly scanned the large room for a vacant table. Immediately, he found one and led her towards it, pulling her back for her before getting his.

“A perfect gentleman,” Emily praises him.

“What can I say, my mom did a great job,” Benjamin responded, just as a waiter approached them.

“Hello sir and ma'am, welcome to Rolio’s Cuisines,” the waiter smiled as he bowed respectfully. “What would you like to have?”

“Come on, make a choice for us,” Benjamin urged Emilia, as he handed one of the menus to her.

She corked her brow at Benjamin but he nodded in approval, understanding her silent question. She opened the fancy menu and glanced at it before picking the least expensive one. Benjamin on the other hand was amused by her decision but remained calm.

“I know what you did here, Emily, I brought you out to spoil you. So relax and have a good time.”

She smiled shyly. She didn't think he'd notice. “Thank you, Benjamin. But you don't have to,”

Benjamin shook his head in refusal.

“It's my duty,"

A few minutes later the waiter arrived with their meal and they dug in. At first taste, Emily let out a small moan of appreciation, savoring the taste of the meal and this had Benjamin smiling.

“The meal tastes really good,” Emily said, as she continued eating.

“I'm glad you like it,” he responded.

For some minutes they continued eating their meal in silence before Benjamin interrupted.

“Should I take this as some progress?” he asked, cocking his head to the side.

“Maybe…” Emily glanced at him slowly chewing the food in her mouth and sipping her wine for proper digestion.

“Yeah?” A smile bloomed on his face as he awaited her answer.

Emily let go of her cutlery.

“Honestly, Benjamin, I hold nothing against you. You are a good man and a wonderful one. The younger me would have loved to have you in my life, but now...” She heaved a sigh, her gaze traveling across the room to see tables occupied by couples having a good time.

A warm hand rested on her palm bringing her attention back to Benjamin, as his palm squeezed hers softly.

“I understand your reasons, Emily, and it's fine. I want you to know I'll be patient,” he spoke, still holding her hands. “I'm ready to wait, I won't force it on you.”

His words touched her heart. His reassurance broke something in her and suddenly, she wanted to give him a chance to see where it'd go. Maybe he could mend her previously broken heart and teach her how to love again.

“But...”

“But what?” Benjamin asked nonchalantly, while chewing slowly.

“I have a Son,” Emily blurted.

Benjamin's gaze fell to Emily, startled by her words his cutlery dropped to the floor.