CHAPTER FOUR
Everything was a blur after Robert collapsed. We stood around Robert Crest's bed in a private room in the hospital at around 2 am.
His wife clutched his hand and sat beside him with a sullen expression, Sophia was also holding his hand, looking pale as if she too was going to pass out anytime. While Sebastian and Theo stood at the corner of the room.
However, Michael is nowhere to be seen.
The intensity in the room is so thick, it could be cut with a knife, except for the silent sniff emitting from Sophia.
Robert's eyes flicked open, and we rushed to his side as if to relieve him of some pain he was feeling.
"You should see your faces,"
In an attempt to laugh, he winced in pain.
"Robert!" Celine warned.
Sebastian's jaw tightened.
"Dad, what happened?" Sebastian asked with a grim expression.
"I collapsed, that's what," he grunted.
"Robert, easy, you shouldn't be talking so much,'' Celine said in a firm tone.
"Stop nagging me woman, I blame your son."
Celine hits his arm, "You started it"
"Seb, come help me up before your Mother beats the heck out of me."
Robert said, a hint of mischief in his dull eyes.
Sebastian hurried to his Father's side and positioned the pillow behind his back.
Robert suddenly looked as though he had aged a decade, his eyes were sunken in, his lips were dry and cracked, and he looked weak and breathed harshly when he spoke.
I was beginning to regret keeping his health crises from Sebastian.
I knew Robert would soon have an episode after that night I saw him collapse in his office. But he made me swear to secrecy. Sebastian will never forgive me if he finds out I knew his Father collapsed while he was away on a trip but concealed the truth from him. I had to come clean fast.
"Emilia tell me why none of you gave me the slightest inkling of his seemingly worsening condition?" Sebastian asked in a cold tone and fire in his eyes.
"I gave them the orders not to…"
"Stay out of this Father." he snapped.
"It's my fault, I apologize," I responded in a firm voice.
"No, it's not, you were following instructions, Seb should suck up and realize he can't be in control all the time." Sophia quipped.
"Quiet Sophia," Sebastian warned.
His dark eyes shone with restrained rage. Sophia rolled her eyes but complied.
"Explain how you could be so unreasonable. I thought I made it clear to report every single detail that concerns work and Family."
His eyes looked like he wanted to strangle me, for a minute I was afraid he would but I stood my ground, my fingers digging into my palm.
"I didn't think it was the right decision to tell you such news when you were--"
"Who said you could think!"
"Sebastian, watch your tone. Leave her alone or so help me God I'll beat you senseless!" Robert warned. His speech soon turned into a series of wheezing breaths.
"Seb, Emily has been nothing but helpful. Quit it already, you're upsetting your Father!" Celine chastised.
"I apologize," I replied in a shaky voice.
"But you have to understand I not only work for you but also Mr. Rob, when he gives orders I have to abide by them."
"Emilia, don't speak to me like that--"
"How do you suggest I speak to you then?"
His jaw tightened in anger, and so did his fist.
His family always said I handled Sebastian with elegance. I don't know what that means.
"Firsthand, you don't respect my position and you talk down to me as if I was a child. The second is, that you simply still don't trust that I can do a good Job."
The room went quiet at the change of mood. When he found no words to say he escaped as he always does.
"I'm going out for some air."
He announced abruptly and dashed out. "You did great, Em." Theo enabled me with a gentle pat on my arm.
"Let me go calm the tiger." He sprinted after his friend.
"I'm so sorry this happened, Robert."
"Nonsense, you did great. He'll come around," he replied with a smile.
************
Sebastian's Pov
"Feeling like shit already?" Theo asked as he leaned against the wall near Sebastian whose eyes were shut.
Sebastian didn't know why he always behaved so rudely with Emily, she somehow always managed to make him go out of his mind with rage, and her unpredictability irks him. Four years now and he can't seem to get used to her. He has never met anyone like her before. Ever.
"I think you should apologize this time," Theo suggested. Sebastian glared at him.
"She had one job to do T, one job, but she messed up like she always does."
"We both know she's damn good at her job, from what I observe this is a transfer of aggression. Buddy, she didn't compel your Father to make that decision."
"Stay out of this." I stalked off. I knew he was right.
Theo shook his head and followed me.
As we walked in the hallway I spotted Michael with his legs crossed at the ankle speaking on the phone.
I haven't seen him in four years, he has been running our publishing company in Canada. Father's great plan was to separate us to lessen the conflict between us. However, our hate for each other ran too deep to be quenched by mere distance.
Michael always played dirty, he has an insatiable greed for money, I find his sudden appearance suspicious and am determined to get to the bottom of it.
I approached him despite Theo's protest.
"Why are you here?" I asked.
"Wait, I'll call you back in a minute." he ended the call and stuffed his phone in his pocket. He leaned off the wall and met my gaze.
"We skipped the formalities, didn't we, brother?"
His eyes shone with a hint of mischief, his eyes had always shone with mischief.
"Answer my question!"
"Seb, this isn't the right place," Theo whispered.
"Oh, Seb, you just can't stand being curious, can you?"
I shrugged.
"We have one thing in common then. Come on, tell me how much you want this time."
"Good ole Seb, still can't figure me out? Why don't you take a guess."
We were now standing nose-to-nose Theo stood there, fear-stricken.
Our nostrils flared, and our breathing picked up in suppressed rage.
"Guys, this isn't the time or place for you both to squabble okay? We're in a hospital for Christ's sake!"
Theo said as he anxiously looked around.
"No, I couldn't possibly play the guessing game with you now, can I? With you, I have nothing to prepare for. As you know, I'm always one step ahead."
I flicked off an invincible dust off his suit.
"Oh, wait. Let me try, I can't miss this one," my eyes lit up in mischief.
"Could it be that you have finally found some dense wealthy princess to marry to gain wealth?" I let out a mocking laugh.
Michael's nose flared and he grabbed my collar and ramped me on the wall.
"What the heck!" Theo yelped. "Stop it you two."
"That's more like it. Don't tell me I guessed it right."
"Shut it, Sebastian." he seethed.
"What? Do you think I wouldn't know? I could smell the stench of deceit and greed from you the moment I saw you Michael, you're here to take, just like you always do."
"You mean like I did with Vanessa?" Micheal's lips tilt in a smirk. That was the last straw. My fist collided with his jaw, sending him to the ground, he stood and retaliated, and it became a full-blown punching spree.
I felt water splashed all over me, and we both stilled. Emily stood there with fire in her eyes.
"What the hell!" I yelped.
"Shit" Michael cursed as he tried to get his now wetsuit off his body. While Theo watched with his mouth slightly open in shock. He barely got water on him.
"This is a hospital you boneheaded idiots, Robert is unwell and you guys are fighting like a bunch of animals!"
"Say that one more time." Michael charged towards her. His nostrils flared in anger.
"Don't you dare touch her!"
I blocked her, and suddenly felt the urge to protect her from Michael, she was a boundary Michael would never cross.
"Then control her. Whoever she is, she's crazy!"
He picks up his suit and charges out of the hospital.
"And you…" I started but she cut me off.
"Not a word." She warned.
She suddenly grabbed my hand and dragged me to the counter.
"Please can I get a first aid box?"
The nurse handed her the first aid box and she dragged me to a corner.
"Sit." She commanded, and I obliged.
She removed an ointment and cotton bud to clean up the blood. I didn't even know I had busted my lip.
She pressed the cotton bud gently on my lip and I winced.
"You deserve this, you know. Fighting with your cousin while your father is sick. You should apologize to him," she said as if it was a simple task.
"Mind your business–Shit!" I winced in pain.
"Stay still or I might hurt you."
"You had the guts to throw water on me, you have no fear, do you?"
"I told you I wasn't afraid of you."
My eyes dropped to her red-coated plump lips puckered in concentration, her brown curls hung loose around her face, and her thick dark brown drowned in concentration as she blew air on my stinging lip, I suddenly felt the urge to touch them. Her big grayish-green eyes looked right through me with no fear.
"It must hurt," she muttered.
Her wide round face was set in a grimace, her small nose turned up.
Before I could think twice I grabbed her close in between my legs. She stilled at the sudden contact of my fingers on her skin. My fingers dug into her waist.
"Why?" I asked.
I met her gaze and she cleared her throat and avoided my gaze, so as not to crack under my gaze.
"Because I'm simply not afraid of you. All done."
She stepped back. I suddenly missed her warmth. I wanted more.
She packed up the first aid box and headed for the door.
I stood up, grabbed her arm, and dragged her close, her petite curvy figure fitting perfectly against me.
"Who gives you the right to talk to me like that Emilia?"
"Let me go. Please." She swallowed.
I could read it in her eyes that if I decided to do anything to her now, she would succumb to me, as our nose brushed and she let out a shaky breath. The helpless plea in her eyes made me weak in the knees.
"Make sure you're early tomorrow," I muttered and quickly dashed out, afraid I might do something we both might regret.
CHAPTER 107Theodore "I think we should warn Seb that Michael has escaped his cell,” I said. "No, he'll only worry and it'll ruin their date. They've just started to patch things up.” Celine said with a shake of her head."Leave it to the police. I spoke to them, and they're out looking for him. Let's just wait without causing unnecessary alarm.""He'll be more upset if we don't tell him," I insist. Frustrated that Celine is delaying this.Michael escaped his cell in the night. "Theo is right, Mom; we don't know what Micheal might do to him,” Sophia said."You will not disclose anything to Seb Theo, their lives will only be in danger if they come back here. That's an order,"***************** "I can't believe it; it's amazing," I said wide-eyed. I leaned on the railing. Everywhere was serene and beautiful, just as I had imagined it'd be. "Is it everything as you dreamt it'd be?" "Even more," I grin. Sebastian's expression turned serious. He reached for my hand and turned me tow
CHAPTER 106EmilyI couldn't believe I was sneaking out of my own house. Aunt had left, and so did our Mother; it was only me and Emma. Recently the girl had been watching me like a hawk, asking questions at the slightest movements I made. "Where are you going? What is that? Who are you talking to? What are you drinking? Don't stay out too long!" I was sick of it. She was a secret agent on a mission. That means tonight, Emma would catch up on what I was up to if I wasn't careful. "Where are you going?" I stopped and turned around sharply. "I see no reason why I should explain myself to you, but I am off to the office," I replied nonchalantly."Office? By this time?" She lifted a brow and approached me. "I worked later than this when I worked with Sunshine, why is it strange?" "You're your own boss Em," she deadpanned. "Enough with the questions, Emma; I don't owe you any explanation.” Emma squints her eyes as if waiting for my bravado mask to crack. I held my breath. "Fin
CHAPTER 105Emily "Emily Asher!"Beth stormed into my home office breathing heavily as if she had run a marathon. I sighed, I knew she would come running here like this if she were to catch a glimpse of the article. How could I have forgotten that the wedding would be crawling with wealthy people? I went ahead and danced around with Sebastian, completely losing my pride. "OMG, OMG!" Beth squealed. "You're the talk of the town, my friend.”"And I quote," she clears her throat dramatically, "Ex-husband battles with an opponent for his ex-wife. A second Cinderella story?" She sighed dreamily. “What a cringe title," I grimaced. "You're not weaseling your way out of this, I put in great efforts to make sure he attended the wedding.” My heart dropped. Did it mean that all that transpired between us was not a coincidence? "Stop. He still made a choice to come, I didn't force him. You know it.” She sat down opposite me. I didn't hide my sigh of relief. "So…" Beth leaned closer, "W
CHAPTER 104Emily "I-I can't." "Why?""Because if I leave with you now, Beth will make sure to murder me." I chuckle softly. "She would," he muttered. "I have to get back…" I trail off. He nods. I start to walk away. But he grabs my wrist."Wait!" "What?" I stared up at him expectedly."Send me a text when you're done… I'll be waiting. Please," he whispered desperately. I nodded and walked away. When I entered the hall, Beth approached me."Where have you been? I'm starved," Beth exclaimed. She and Richie were slow dancing with everybody else on the dance floor. "The bathroom," I replied. "For that long?" "Yes, it was number two." "Ahh…" she nods in understanding. "Well, Caleb wants to dance with you," Richie said with a wink, "Remember Caleb? The Architect?" I rolled my eyes at his subtleness. Since the divorce, Riche has taken a big brother role and swore to set me up. Caleb was his Best man, an architect, and the last one was a Chef. "Where is he?" "Right here!" H
CHAPTER 103SebastianI'd been away from her for a month, but the moment I entered the hall, my eyes searched for her. I spotted her standing in the far corner, and my heart skipped a beat. When I received the wedding invitation, I tried to ignore it at first, but I knew this was the only thread that led to her, without appearing clingy. And It was written nearly everywhere on the invitation card, warning me not to miss the wedding. Vikki's can be very convincing, she said she didn't know the wedding venue. "I always knew you didn't value me enough."I rolled my eyes, “It's not that; I-I just can't be there right now…"“She gasped dramatically, "Don't tell me you're not over your ex-wife, weren't you the one who screwed up your marriage?" My nose flared, and I suddenly felt like convincing everyone that I was over my ex-wife. "I did not screw up, " I bit out, "wait here, I'll be out in ten minutes!" I announced. And that was how I found myself at Beth's wedding. With no armor t
CHAPTER 102Sebastian When I got back from work, the house was strangely quiet. Good. “Could catch up on some sleep.” I entered my room and I stilled. I shut my eyes and raised my eyes towards the heavens, seeking strength. “What are you doing in my room, Mother? It's rude," I said in a bored tone. "I went to meet Emily and her family a week ago.” I stiffened at the mention of her name but he quickly masked it. "Is that so?" I ventured into the closet. Her clothes were still there. "It wasn't what I expected though," she raised her voice an octave higher. I change into my pajamas, a maroon cotton shirt, and ash cotton trousers. I came out and sat on the long sofa, grabbed my laptop, and set it on the table in front of me. All the while ignoring her presence. "Aren't you going to ask me what happened?" "You're going to tell me anyway," I retort."Your wife told me you flew in with her mother from Canada." "Stay out of this Mother.” I was warned. "I know what you're doing.