MasukEmmaThe furious pounding of my heart almost makes my blood pressure spike as I sit on the concrete bench in the park. My thoughts are consumed by the whirlwind of emotions that have gripped me since my confrontation with my mother and Knox.Before she gets a chance to look at my face properly, I quickly wipe my face with the back of my hand. I blink rapidly, trying to hide the evidence of my emotional state from anyone who might notice.“Oh, Emma, you’re crying,” Iva says, her voice full of surprise and concern. It catches me off guard, especially in such a public place.I immediately look away, my cheeks burning with embarrassment at being seen in such a vulnerable state by someone I barely know. “No, no, I’m not crying at all,” I try to deny it, my shaky voice betraying my attempt to cover up the truth. “I think something just got in my eyes, and that’s why they’re watering.”Iva doesn’t seem convinced. “Then look at me,” she says firmly, her tone gentle but insistent. It’s hard f
EmmaMy mother goes silent, her eyes gleaming with something I can't quite place. I step out from behind Knox, my heart pounding in my chest as I face her. My voice shakes, but I don’t back down. “Yes, Mom. You should tell me what happened to my father.”She stares at me, blinking repeatedly, as if she’s trying to understand my words. The anger creeps back into her eyes slowly, building in intensity until it’s burning there once more. She folds her arms across her chest, her expression hardening as she speaks in a low, firm voice. “Don’t you ever mention that name again.” Her tone is sharp, cutting through the space between us. She laughs, but it's cold, the kind of laugh that sends a shiver down my spine. “If you’re so serious about finding out about your father, maybe you should start by asking your precious stepfather, because after all, they were best friends.”My jaw drops, and I snap it shut instantly, blinking at her in disbelief. “What? Are you serious right now?” My voice i
EmmaAt first, I think it’s just part of a strange dream, the angry voices echoing through the room, loud and grating like some twisted soundtrack to a nightmare. But as I blink my eyes open, the reality hits me like a cold slap, and I realize this is no dream. My heart sinks as I prop myself up on my elbow, narrowing my gaze. The voices grow louder, more heated, and my stomach drops when I recognize the unmistakable pitch of my mother’s voice. She’s here. On a Friday morning. And the worst part? She’s here uninvited, barging into the only space I’ve felt safe in, the one place where I’ve finally begun to breathe without her constant control hanging over me.My feet hit the floor hard, adrenaline surging through me as I scramble out of bed. The sheets tangle around my legs, almost sending me crashing to the floor, but I manage to steady myself, the urgency in my movements sharpening. With trembling hands, I fumble to twist the key in the lock, praying it’ll hold. The key dangles
KnoxI watch Emma sleep peacefully, her soft sighs rising and falling like a gentle rhythm. I feel like time has slowed. The world outside feels distant, far away from the weight of everything waiting for me. I pull the sheet over her, tucking it around her body to keep her warm. I press her gently toward my chest, inhaling the familiar, comforting scent of her skin and hair. She mumbles something soft in her sleep and rests her head in a way that feels so natural, like we belong in this quiet moment together. My fingers instinctively brush through her hair, pushing a stray lock away from her face so I can see her features clearly, bathed in the soft morning light.I glance at the clock on the wall. It's past ten already. Later, I’ll have to make that call to the office, but for now, all that matters is Emma lying here with me. I don’t want to think about anything else, not the missing funds at work, not the endless stress that’s been gnawing at my mind for weeks. All I want is t
KnoxI should be getting ready for work. I just want to spend the whole day with Emma making love to her.She gets up from the floor panting and her skin is shining with sweat.I rub her lower back in circles still lying on the floor.I say to Emma "How about we spend the day together? I do not have much to do besides it’s Friday."Emma turns around sharply. "No we can not. I still have reports to rewrite and documents to review."I laugh deeply. "I am the boss."Emma rolls her eyes. "You do not have to remind me."Emma turns back. Crawls to her shirt that is discarded on the floor. This gives me a view of her round butt.I say to Emma "Emma I think something got into my eyes can you help me out?"Emma pauses as she tries to crawl. Then Emma quickly turns around.I start to scratch my eyes. Then the moment Emma gets closer to me and leans forward I quickly hold her waist and pull her to myself.Emma says "Knox let go of me" and playfully slaps my arm.I roar with laughter. Then get up
EmmaThat morning I stand in the kitchen with a cup of coffee in my hands. The events from yesterday, playing in my head like reels.Iva, the new media specialist, was cool to be with until she asked about the tabloid.I just hope she won't join the office gossip and become a thorn in my flesh.Tomorrow is Friday, a weekend, the deadline my mom gave me to leave Knox's house.I shudder at the thought of it.I'm wearing a T-shirt that hangs loosely over me barely reaching my thighs. The soft fabric brushes gently against my skin after a night where I barely slept well. I sip the coffee slowly letting the quiet of the family kitchen settle around me for a few peaceful minutes before everything starts moving for the day.When I turn around my heart nearly jumps out of my chest. Knox is leaning against the door frame watching me with that hungry look in his eyes. He gives me a wink and a smile that makes my pulse race. He stands there shirtless, his broad chest and defined muscles catchi
EmmaI’m breathing so hard my ribs are stinging, and I’m sure Knox can feel it. He’s only a few inches away, his eyes are dark and unreadable as he waits for me to answer. The house is so silent that I can hear the faintest ticking of the clock in the hall.I swallow. My voice comes out trembling.
EmmaHis mouth crashes into mine like he’s trying to punish me for existing.I move through the dark living room to the door but he grabs my wrist and pushes me against the wall. The towel around his waist slips lower, dangerously lower and I feel the wet heat of his bare skin pressing into me. His
KnoxI walk angrily through the office space and take a seat with force in the leather chair. The cushion should have been soft and welcoming but instead, it made my body itch in discomfort.He’s just a kid, Knox. Calm down. Let it go.The words echo in my head like someone else is trying to ta
KnoxThe hallway is dark and quiet as I finally make myself turn away from her door. I keep my eyes forward. If I look back now, if I actually look at that closed slab of wood, I’ll knock again. I will say something unforgivable.I fear that I might shove that door open and hold her tight to my ch







