Intruder?

CHAPTER 8

Emily's POV

Once upon a time, I thought I'd be thrilled to be in the audience when Sebastian Crest would experience a trickle of pain just as I had endured pains inflicted by him through the years. But as I witnessed his breaking point I felt a strange sense of pity.

The door opened, revealing Theo's panic features.

"Em, I heard the noise…"

"I don't know what happened to him–"

"Can you give us a minute?"

"Of- of course." Frazzled, I nodded rapidly. I stood on jelly legs and headed for the door.

"Seb, buddy, let's get you some meds alright?" Theo's timbre voice coaxed. As if he was speaking to a child.

I silently walked through the quiet hallway, down the stairs into the now empty living room. It was as if a dark and gloomy cloud hung above the house now that all the guests had dispatched. I rubbed my arms as if feeling the loneliness on my skin, I also wanted to go home and pretend today never happened.

"Em," Kate approached me.

"Kate, it's good that I found you," I said with a relieved sigh.

"I was going to ask about…"

"Oh don't you worry about it, I've got everything under control." She waved me off, seemingly knowing what I was talking about.

I chuckled, "But I didn't even say anything yet!"

"You didn't have to, Mrs. Crest took some sleeping pills and is now sound asleep.

"Okay, make sure she doesn't take another dose or–"

"She won't sleep at all!" Kate finished the sentence with an eye roll. I smiled at the kind woman.

"And Sophia is asleep, so there's nothing to worry about."

"How is Seb?" Kate asked in a worried tone. I shook my head.

"He's devastated, Kate."

"I understand, amongst us all, he was the closest to Mr. Rob even though they had their differences." Kate sighed.

"But it's okay, everything will be okay. Now go rest, your sister is here to pick you up." I invited her for a hug.

"Thank you Kate for always taking care of everyone," I murmured on her shoulder.

"As you do. Don't cry too much okay?" I nod.

We released each other and I turned and left.

The minute I exited the living room, Emma was standing beside my beetle purple car. She was also wearing a black short gown with high-knee boots. I walked down the steps towards my sister.

"You know, I worry about your life sometimes."

I reached for the driver's door when Emma stopped me.

"Not a chance Sis, you look like a Zombie, there's no way I'm going to let you drive us to our deaths."

I complied and sat on the passenger's seat.

"I know, I promised I would make it but…"

"Gio–"

"Gio, Gio again."

Emma started the car, and the automatic gates opened as we neared it.

"It took longer than expected so-"

"As it should." I hummed with shut eyes.

"I know it was an important day for you, but if you could just let me explain without cutting me off every two seconds I would get my point across." Emma cried.

Robert had done so much for us and it angered me that Emma always took it for granted.

"Are you alright?" Emma asked in a small voice, "I cooked spaghetti and my famous chicken sauce." She coaxed.

I ignored her.

"A hug maybe?"

"Try it and I'll kill you." I nonchalantly replied.

We eventually arrived at our residence, I quietly came out of the car with no vigor whatsoever, I was emotionally exhausted.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

Emma inquired again as we entered our house, I couldn't answer because a lump had formed in my throat, any response from me would cause everything to crash. I had to get away fast.

I hurried past the living room towards my room.

"Em…" Emma started to speak behind me.

I ignored her and shut the door, I leaned against it and shut my eyes, they snapped open as the image of Sebastian in pain presented itself again. I slid down from the door and lay on the cold floor, I rubbed my aching chest as uncontrolled tears trickled down the corner of my eyes, everything that had taken place today only reminded me of what death had repeatedly taken from me, in turn, gave my a broken family, the heartaches I hadn't completely healed from.

I might not admit it but I yearn to be protected and cared for instead of always being the one at the giving end. Everything in my life happens in a fast-paced succession.

My father's death was one I could never forget, my Mother was good as dead to me. She never cared what they did with their lives and has pretty much built a new family. Robert was the only one who made me experience what a family should feel like, but death also took him. The reality dawned on me and for some reason, I had a feeling I'd never get better. I sobbed the entire night.

*********

I woke up with a start. I had slept off after working late last night after I received his email last night, instructing me to forward an email to the employees, giving strong warnings that none of us be absent at work as an excuse for the funeral. He added that I was not an exception. As if I would dare feel special.

I moved on autopilot to the bathroom, my throat felt scratchy, and I had a headache, but I was still standing my ground on keeping malice with Emma. So I rushed out without speaking to her. Petty, I know. But am sticking to it.

I arrived at the company 10 minutes later.

A sudden surge of nausea hit me, my plain trousers gently slapped my ankle boots as I ran towards the crowded elevator and slid into a tiny space.

They all nodded in silent greeting, after that no words were spoken.

The awkward ride came to a stop when the elevator doors slid open on the 13th floor, I adjusted my peach-colored chiffon blouse and confidently marched into the office, and as expected it was a hive of activity, employees ran up and down telephones were ringing off the hook. It was typically how employees behave when they aren't supposed to take undefined breaks.

Everyone looked up from their Grey cubicles with extender panels, frosted acrylic with flush mounts, expecting to see Sebastian and me tagging behind, as customary. But soon they realized it was only the 'office wife' as they had secretly tagged me not aware that I knew, they ignored my presence.

I had long been ousted from employee group chats, company gist, and everything social since I never left out any information without telling Sebastian.

"I guess everyone received my email then," I muttered to myself and headed for my cubicle, specially designed by Sebastian. Mine was the only one in blue color.

My eyes searched for Danny, the editor in charge of a newly signed author. He is famous for tardiness. Sebastian would throw a fit if he's not present.

"Please notify Danny to make it in time before Mr. Crest gets here!" I called out to no one in particular and then headed for Sebastian's office.

I entered the semi-dark large office with panoramic glass walls, showcasing the stunning view of Manhattan below, a large mahogany desk situated at the far end with a black swivel chair behind it.

I parted the long gray curtains, which made the whole office light up, a gray large couch sat in front of the desk, a small tea desk in between the couch, and two plush brown armchairs opposite each other.

I turned on the news on the television mounted on the wall since Sebastian liked to listen to the news first thing in the morning. I cleaned the figurines of a dancing couple. It had become a ritual for me.

Just then Theo and Mr. Morris approached Sebastian's office.

Mr. Morris was the family's lawyer for years and also a friend. He never visits without a reason. Which means trouble was lurking on the horizon.

"Good morning Mr. Morris. Mr. Theodore." I greeted them as they walked into the office. Theo winked at me, but he seemed a bit nervous. I frowned.

"Morning Miss. Asher, you're doing good I hope?"

Morris beamed in a way that always showed his pearly white teeth for an old man. He was a tall dark man with a shaved head.

"Please sit Mr. Morris," I offered.

"Oh, thank you."

He sat on the plush couch and quietly scrolled through his phone.

"Mr. Crest will be here in a minute,"

I made tea for them from the pantry as Theo nervously paced.

I offered Mr. Morris the tea and he mumbled an absent 'thank you'

"Theodore, is there a reason why you're so jumpy and Mr. Crest is a tad bit late today?"

Theo stopped walking and nervously bit his lip.

"The thing is…"

"Mr. Morris! I'm sorry we took so long," Sebastian burst through the glass doors with his sister and Mother in tow, looking a little frazzled yet devilishly handsome in a gray suit.

Sophia looked like she didn't want to be here. She wore white jeans and a plain white Tee, her hair braided and her face was not caked up with makeup as usual.

Meanwhile, Celine wore a black gown, she looked burned out.

Seeing as they were all here despite how they looked and felt it meant there was a serious problem.

"So then, Let's hear it, what is this about Mr. Morris" Sebastian said in one breath.

Mr. Morris looked up and frowned.

"I don't see Michael, he's part of the family no?"

"No, he's not-"

"Seb," Celine warned.

Just in time, Micheal presented his cold presence into the room.

I suddenly felt like an intruder.

"Oh, and you too Emily."

Mr Morris said with a grin and my gut dropped to my feet.