Chapter Thirty Three

Emily could give up anything for her life to go back to normal. She needed a stress-free life. She sat quietly and thought about how one night changed everything about her life. Everything started to fall apart that night she found out Vanessa was sleeping with Ryan. She waited for another message to arrive but it didn't. No picture or warning came in. She thought her phone would ring, but surprisingly; it didn't. Sophia glared at her occasionally as she sat quietly in the passenger seat.

“I don't think they are going to send another message this night,” Sophia said as she drove slowly.

“They probably figured out that we are not going to stop investigating, no matter what they do,” Emily replied.

Emily was tired of investigating. She did not have any more strength to look into any document tonight.

Strangely enough, she felt the urge to vomit.

She touched her stomach.

"Are you all right?" Sophia asked, as she observed. "I believe I am," Emily replied in response to Sophia's question. "Since this morning, my stomach has been bothering me. I did not say anything because we were busy with the investigation."

"Have you had anything to eat?" Sophia asked. "I barely ate anything," Emily replied in response to Sophia's question.

"You've hardly eaten in days," Sophia remarked after glancing at her. "I know," Emily replied. "You should take better care of yourself," Sophia urged her as she headed toward her apartment.

As Sophia drove home, Emily leaned back and closed her eyes at the front seat. When they drove past an upscale restaurant, she felt her stomach grumble because she had smelled fried chicken from the restaurant. “Please pull over at the next turn,” she told Sophia. Sophia stopped instantly. Emily rushed out immediately and leaned to the back of the car. She tried to vomit but nothing came out, so she stood outside and waited for the urge to cease. “What is the matter,” Sophia asked. “I don't know. My stomach is grumbling and it is associated with the urge to vomit. It started when I smelled the food from that restaurant,” she responded. “I think you should see a doctor,” Sophia said as she looked at her. “It is not that serious. I just need some rest. It is probably all the stress I've been through lately that caused it,” she replied. While they still stood outside the car, Emily's phone rang. She answered immediately because it was Damian. After exchanging pleasantries, Damian asked where she was and she told him that she was on her way home in Sophia's car. “I would like us to meet,” Damian said. “When,” Emily asked. “Would tonight be a good time for you?” Damian asked. Emily did not answer immediately. “She wanted to see him so badly but she still had some reservation because she didn't want it to look like she was throwing herself at him. She waited three more seconds and said, “okay but we won't talk about anything that has to do with the investigation.” Damian agreed and said “I will be expecting you,” and ended the call. Immediately, Sophia smiled and said “it is obvious that you like Damian. It is so glaring in the way you were smiling all through the conversation.” “I was not,” Emily responded. 

When they got home, Emily had a nice warm bath, threw on something nice and headed straight to Damian's penthouse.

Damian himself answered the door.

After giving her a quick glance, he moved away. "You look tired," Damian said. "I am tired of all the investigation," Emily replied. "Then tonight is about nothing else," Damian said. "I just want everything to go back to normal.

When she got into the living room, she sat quietly and looked around. It wasn't like this the first time she went there. Damian came in and gave her a glass of water.

"Thank you," said Emily.

Damian sat down beside her.

They just stared at each other for a short while.

Slowly, Damian reached for her hand.

"I missed this," Emily said, letting him take it. "What?" Damian asked. "The feeling of safety," Emily replied.

Softly, Damian's thumb moved across her fingers.

"You're safe with me," Damian assured her.

Emily leaned over him.

Suddenly, her stomach grumbled again.

She pulled away and stood up.

"Emily, what's the matter?" Damian immediately stood up as well. "I'm not sure," Emily replied in response to Damian's question. "I just feel sick again."

He went to get her some water.

"No, I don't want water," she said. "Should I call a doctor?" Damian asked. "It's probably just stress," Emily replied.

"Are you certain?" Damian asked after closely examining her. "Yes," Emily replied.

She took a tiny sip of water.

The nausea gradually subsided.

Damian did not bother her about it again. They just sat there and talked about life and the things they liked.

Emily laughed at one of Damian's stories.

Damian made fun of how serious she became when she was determined to make a point.

They were just Damian and Emily for several hours.

Damian led Emily to the door when she finally stood up to leave.

"Will you be here tomorrow?" Damian asked.

"Perhaps," she replied.

"Perhaps? Just give me a real answer," Damian told her.

"You're a billionaire, you are capable of managing uncertainty." Emily said as she went out into the corridor.

Then she suddenly stopped.

Suddenly, she felt lightheaded.

She put one hand against the wall.

Damian immediately grabbed her arm.

"Emily?" Damian called her.

She closed her eyes.

Emily said, "I just need a moment."

Damian appeared worried.

Emily opened her eyes again.

"I'll be fine," she said.

However, one thought crossed her mind as she left.

Why has she been feeling sick so often lately?