Chapter 5

Emma's POV 

“Yeah,” I said with a smile. Like the engagement party scene earlier never happened.

I stood there awkwardly. Holding the photograph against my chest. I put down the photo, ready to leave. 

“Yeah, thanks, bye,” I said awkwardly, adjusting my dress and walking out of the mansion. 

I boarded a cab; a cool breeze hit my face, brushing my hair as I sat beside the window. The thought of my family's business filled every corner of my mind. 

Adrian had to be involved in this somehow. The thought suddenly crossed my mind.

Curiosity took over. I wanted to know everything, right then.

I wondered where Alexander was and why Richard hadn't stepped in when Adrian and I were falling apart.

Then my mind returned me to what Olivia had said.

Her words replayed in my head, each one carrying a weight that felt almost like a threat. 

I didn't know I'd reached home until the driver called out to me. Then I realized the car was no longer in motion, so I had to alight. 

I stepped out of the car, holding my bag with my fingers clenched. I walked towards the door, creaked it open, got in, and headed straight to my room. 

I didn't want to introduce an argument that evening.

All I needed was rest. To release every tension I'd held on to. 

The thought of Adrian. 

Olivia's words. 

The photograph. 

I just needed to make things clear and clear up my mind. So I took a bath and lay down on my bed, watching the ceiling, counting the ceiling panels. I already know its number.

A week passed; in silence, my heart still grieved the relationship I lost. Still trying to figure out the reason behind my family's business failure. Still in a dilemma on what to do next.

I sat beside my dad during breakfast; my mum spread butter on my bread while everyone was smiling.

I reached across the table to grab the sugar, my dad already sipping his tea. 

“Emmy, you've been quiet these days. You are going to be fine. You will find love again, sweetheart.” My mum said.

Her words hit me hard, making me realize that I might never be with Adrian again. It felt like salt rubbed into an open wound.

Still, I let out a small laugh, pretending I was completely fine.

“Dad,” I called.

He looked up from his food and turned toward me. 

Without even letting him finish his food, I picked up my phone and scrolled through my photos, searching for the picture of him and Richard.

“Here,” I said.

I turned my phone toward him, pointing at the screen.

“This was taken in 2015. I need to know what happened between you and Richard and why Adrian said those things about our family.”

He glanced at the picture for a moment. “That was a long time ago, Emma. You don't need to involve yourself in it.” 

“Did the Blackwoods destroy our company?” I asked

He stood up immediately and left for his room

It wasn't adding up. My mum and I watched, surprisingly, as he left. We stole a glance at each other, confusion written on her face.

I resumed eating, taking every bite with precision. Absent-mindedly. I didn't even know when my mum left, leaving me alone in the dining room. 

I looked around, swiveling my eyeballs around the quiet room, my eyes scanning every tiny object. My eyes suddenly caught a sheet of paper lying on the fridge. 

The room was neatly arranged except for this paper lying carelessly, almost falling off the fridge.

Curiously, I stood up and moved closer. I read everything on it carefully. 

I sigh 

It was an unpaid bill of $475. 

It had never happened before. My dad always made sure the bills were paid before the due dates.

I left the dining room for my bedroom and made a journal. I sat down quietly on my bed, thinking of ways to track everything and put it in order 

I thought about how I could improve our living.

Finally, I came to the decision to help my parents out. 

That is to take a job. The situation had kept deteriorating over the years, and I thought it was best for me to help. My dad must have hidden a lot of things I need to know. And maybe my mum knows about it too. Who knows?

I opened my laptop and went online for a job application. Finally, I got one to apply for

My heart raced while waiting for the response, and finally I was called for an interview. I couldn't stop jumping, lifting my chubby arms in joy like I won a lottery.

The next day came too quickly. 

I had spent the night dreaming about the decision I'd made. I hurriedly got into the shower to take a bath.

And in a few minutes I was ready. My bag slung over my shoulder. I had minimal make-up to look presentable. 

I stared in the mirror, reminiscing about when I was getting ready to go and meet Adrian in that same mirror, and with the thought that Olivia cared. 

Tears dripped down my round cheek. I stood still in silence, just blinking my eyes at the mirror.

“Emmy, good morning.” My mother's voice suddenly brought me back to reality. “Come and have your breakfast; your food is ready…” she added 

I hurriedly cleaned up my tears and headed out of the room. “Good morning, Dad,” I said as I moved closer to the table. “How was your night?” I added, picking the word sparingly. 

He looked up at me. “I'm good.” He nodded. “What are you up to? I can see you dressed up with your bag” 

“Well, Dad, I have an interview,” I added, with a smile.

“For what?” he asked.

“A job!” I replied.

“Oh, I see,” he said and chuckled.

“That's good, right?” I added.

Just then, I could hear the sound of a van driving to the front of the pavement with loud noise, which was unusual. 

The doorbell rang. 

Everyone went quiet.

I went ahead to attend to the door even with uncertainty. I hesitated to open the door, and when I finally did, there was no one there and no van. 

All I saw was a letter at the front of the door wrapped in an envelope.