Chapter 7

Emma and Eric both arrived at a small duplex at the outskirts of Los Angeles. They entered the small gate into the compound. Eric parked the car. Emma stepped out of the car and surveyed the entire place.

From the looks of it, Emma could tell that the duplex was quite old. "Whose house are we at Eric?". She asked. Eric smiled and hugged her from behind. "This is my great grandparents's house". Eric repiled as he was perceiving her scent while cradling his face on her neck.

Emma moaned softly. "It's quite old and yet it still hasn't lost its homely touch". Emma said. She could only hear Eric humming. He was still cardled with his face on her neck.

"Let's go in Eric. Imagine if any of your relatives walks out and sees us like this". Emma said. Eric looked up and turned her around to face him. "Everyone knows that you are my future wife in just two days". Eric smiled. Emma nodded and she gasped when his hand held her waist and pulled her towards his body and they both walked towards the door. Eric pressed the door bell.

The door opened and a middle aged woman came out. She was a stranger to Emma. She hadn't met or seen her before. The woman's eyes landed on Eric first and pulled him into a tight hug. "Hello aunt Sasha".Eric said smiling. Sasha then diverted her eyes to the stranger by her nephew's side.

She saw Eric's hand on her waist. She then figured out that she was her nephew's fiance. "You must be Emma right?". She asked. Emma nodded with a smile. Sasha then pulled her into a hug. "Welcome Emma. You are so beautiful. Eric is a lucky man". Sasha said after pulling away from her.

Emma smiled at her compliment. She was beginning to feel confident. One of his relatives had already taken a liking to her so the others will also make feel comfortable. Sasha made way for them to walk in.

"Look who's here everyone!". Sasha announced. Emma and Eric followed Sasha to the dining room. It was spacious. Emma walked into the dinning room and her eyes couldn't believe what she saw.

The dining table was filled with many people. Men, women, teens and kids. She couldn't identify everyone in a day. She walked closely behind Eric. Everyone was chattering away. None of them had noticed Eric and Emma's presence.

Sasha loudly cleared her throat and it caught everyone's attention. Their eyes turned towards them. Particularly towards Emma. Emma gulped. She greeted them. Some smiled at her while others glared.

"Okay everyone. Meet Emma. My fiance and future wife". Eric said. An elderly man and woman got up from their seats. They were Eric's parents. His mother Laura hugged Emma. "Welcome my dear. We are so happy that you could make it". She said. David, Eric's father came next and hugged Emma.

Laura guided Emma to the dining table. She drew out a chair for her and she sat down. Eric sat next to her. The dining room suddenly became silent again. Everyone's eyes were glancing at Emma carefully and not to get noticed.

Welcome Emma. We were all waiting to see Eric's choice and based on your appearance, I think that he did well". Madeline, Laura's elder sister spoke. "Am I am Madeline by the way. Am Eric's big aunt". Madeline added.

Emma nodded politely. "I don't think my cousin tried at all. I mean look at her. She looks so simple". Gwen repiled. She was Madeline's daughter. Eric rolled his eyes. Madeline and Gwen were like two peas in a pod. They were snobbish and arrogant.

"I think she is a lovely girl". Sasha commented. Eric thanked her with his eyes. At least one person liked his choice. He glanced at Emma who was beginning to feel uncomfortable. He held her hand close to his tightly. "What do you do my dear". John, Madeline's husband asked.

Emma looked confused at the question. "Am a waitress by profession sir". Emma repiled calmly. Gasps and shocks were heard at the dining table. "What! A waitress. You call that a profession? Eric, what's wrong with you? How can you choose a girl with a useless job as your wife?". Gwen asked in shock. Emma narrowed her eyes and turned to Eric.

He never informed his family about her work. Eric couldn't look her in the eyes. "Eric? Is these true". Laura asked. "You told us that she has a very good job that pays her well and that you too working together will strengthen you guys financially". Laura said shocked.

David turned towards Laura and tapped her shoulders. "Yes he told us. I think that she did what she could". He said. Laura didn't listen to her husband's words and turned to Emma. "Emma? Why did you take up the job of a waitress. I mean there are many better jobs out there. With your degree. Maybe you didn't come out with a good degree but still..I still feel that you could have applied for a better job". Laura spoke looking at Emma. "Mum please! Let's not discuss this anymore okay? I brought her here because you all have been insisting on me to introduce her to you guys. I didn't except such a welcome from you all". Eric repiled angrily.

"Nobody is insulting her Eric". John said. "It sure looks like it". Eric defended feeling annoyed. "We are just concerned about you Eric. We want what's best for you. That's all sweetie". Madeline spoke.

"I agree with Eric. It's not appropriate for us to judge her because of her job. And besides she's also beautiful". George, Gwen's younger brother spoke. "Thank you George". Eric smiled.

Emma began to feel out of place. She began to wish internally that the ground beneath her would open and swallow her whole. She really needed to get out of here. Gwen rolled her eyes at her brother's statement. "Being beautiful doesn't pay the bills George and you of all people should know that". Gwen said. George remained silent. "Tell us Emma. Why did you decide to take up the job as a waitress when you are a graduate?". Madeline asked.

Emma turned towards Eric with questioning eyes. He never informed his family about her. Whenever she had asked him if his family knew about her past and her situation, he always told her that his family already knew about her life and they accepted her the way she was. This means that he lied to her. Eric had never lied to her before.

She shooked her head. If he lied about this. How was she supposed to cope with his family's taunts. "Emma? Please answer our question". Laura said. Emma immediately turned to her and gulped.

Eric held her hand and stood up. "She doesn't have to explain anything mum. It doesn't matter what job she is doing. What matters is that I love her and I will marry her and take care of her and her brother!". Eric spoke up. Emma felt betrayed at this moment. She needed to leave this place immediately.

"Her brother?". Laura narrowed her eyes. Emma also looked up and faced Eric. He also hid the truth about Miles as well. Her eyes couldn't hold in her tears anymore. Her tears started pouring out. She quickly wiped her tears immediately not before Gwen seeing her. "What's wrong Emma. Did I see you tearing up just now?". Gwen asked smirking.

"Emma! What does Eric mean by your brother?". Laura turned towards Emma. "Mum. w....". Eric was cut off. "No Eric I want Emma to answer my question. Can someone tell me what's going on?". Laura said, her voice getting louder a bit. The whole dining area went silent again. Everyone's eyes darted towards Emma.

Emma heaved a sigh. " I will answer all of your questions Mrs Laura". She spoke in a low tone. Eric held her hand but his hand was pushed away. She looked at him with disappointment in her eyes. Eric looked away. Emma turned towards Laura and heaved another sigh. "I have a younger brother who is only seven years old. His name is Miles. My parents died when I was sixteen and Miles was just a year old. I had finished high school and about to enter college through a scholarship. But I couldn't be selfish and think of myself. I needed to take care of my brother. We had no one. No family to call our own. I had to take up my brother's responsibility. So I dropped out from applying for scholarship into college and got a job as a waitress to support my brother's education and basic needs." Emma spoke and took in breaths before she continued. "You were asking why I didn't get any job other than that of a waitress. Well it's because I didn't go to college. Am not a graduate". Emma concluded fighting her tears from gushing out.

"What! You aren't a graduate! Oh my God!". Madeline said with a gasp. Laura's eyes towards Emma turned into disgust. "Seriously Eric. Really you couldn't find a suitable girl with at least a degree. Are all the girls finished that you had to settle for an illiterate". Gwen spoke up in disgust as well. "Gwen enough!". Eric shouted at her.

"She's not wrong Eric. You lied to me and your father. You told us that she was a good woman with a good job to support you financially. You didn't tell us that she wasn't a graduate and the most shocking thing of all, you are also taking her brother's responsibility on your shoulders as well." Laura spoke out angrily. "Please Laura. Emma is still seating here". Sasha said. "And so? She has to know what is happening. As it is Eric is working at a good company but doesn't have a good position. He takes care of himself and also his parents. He also assists George with his small business as well. With Emma and her brother, Eric won't manage at all with his small salary". Madeline snorted.

Emma couldn't take anymore of their insults and stood up. "Emma". Eric called to her. Emma looked at him with teary eyes and walked towards the door. "I don't want this wedding to take place!".Laura shouted. "Quiet Laura!". David warned her. Emma ran out of the house in tears. She opened the gate and ran. She came towards the highway. She was continuously running. She didn't hear the beep of a car horn.

She was constantly running and flew up. A car had hit her. She fell on the hard ground and lost consciousness. The door opened and Rojas walked out. He saw that it was her and went to the car to inform his boss. The back door opened immediately and Damien jumped out. He ran towards her. His heart fell out from his chest. She was bleeding profusely from her head and her white skin had scratches.

He picked her up in bridal style and rushed her towarda the car. "Start the car Rojas! To the hospital!". Damien shouted. They entered and Rojas pulled the car's gear and they drove off.

 

 

 

 

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