I hate him

CHAPTER TWO

Emily

“Don’t go too far, my darling. You’re not familiar with this town anymore.”

Grandma’s voice echoed in my head as I walked down the quiet street.

It had been two days since I arrived.

Two days of trying to breathe again.

Two days of trying not to think about Tristan.

And somehow… I was getting better.

A little.

But then-

Seth Hernandez.

Even thinking about his name made my mood drop instantly.

I scoffed under my breath.

What exactly does he have that I don’t? 

Why does everyone worship him like he hung the moon?

Especially Grandma.

I kicked a small stone on the road, annoyed.

My phone buzzed in my hand, snapping me out of my thoughts. An email from my secretary.

Work.

Of course.

I tapped on it, about to open it–

And walked straight into something solid.

Or rather… someone.

A chest.

Warm. Firm.

I stepped back immediately.

And looked up.

Oh.

Just perfect.

Seth Hernandez.

He was already looking down at me, those sharp eyes studying my face like he had all the time in the world.

“Emily DelaRosa,” he said, like he was confirming a fact. Then his lips curved slightly. “What a pleasant surprise.”

“Yeah,” I replied flatly.

Of all people.

Why him?

“So,” he continued casually, “are you here for the outreach too?

I let out a dry laugh.

“You wish” I folded my arms, muttering to myself.

His lips twitched.

“Oh that's so sad. Here am I thinking we could join hands in collaborating for this outreach” he said. 

His thumb softly brushes his lower full lip.

Like he was trying not to smile.

Which annoyed me even more.

“In your dreams. That had be the last thing I'll do on this planet earth”

“Isn’t that a bit harsh, Miss DelaRosa?” he asked, his tone almost… amused.

“No,” I said, meeting his gaze. “I’m just being honest, Mr. Hernandez.”

Something flickered in his eyes.

His jaw tightened slightly.

I didn’t care.

“If you’ll excuse me,” I added, turning to leave.

I had barely taken two steps when–

“Emily.”

I stopped.

Slowly turned back.

The audacity.

“You have no right to call me that, Dr Seth,” 

He called it as though we have been close for a long time, whereas I consider him my enemy.

“I can call you anything I wish to call you” he stated, his eyes boring holes into mine.

I became speechless and I hate it.

“You should attend,” he said simply. “It would be nice to have you there.”

And just like that, he walked past me.

Smiling.

I stood there for a second longer than necessary.

Because–

The way he said my name…

It did something strange to me.

Something I didn’t like.

I frowned and shook it off immediately.

Ridiculous.

I turned and walked in the opposite direction, annoyed at myself.

And at him.

Mostly him.

The day of the outreach came faster than I expected.

And yes—

I came.

But only because of Grandma.

That was the only reason.

The place was already set up when we arrived. People were gathering, mostly elderly, filling the space with quiet chatter.

At the center of it all–

Seth.

Of course.

He moved like he owned the place.

Calm. Controlled. Confidence. 

Giving instructions. Supervising. Fixing things before anyone even noticed they were wrong.

It was… irritatingly impressive.

I rolled my eyes.

“Emily, darling, let’s go over there,” Grandma said, pointing straight at him.

Of course she did.

“Why there?” I muttered. “There are other doctors here.”

I pointed to a nearby female doctor.

Perfectly capable. And more importantly—not Seth.

“But I want Seth,” Grandma insisted. “You know I don’t like people knowing my health details.”

“I prefer close or rather someone like family” she said smiling with her right hand placed on her chest while looking towards Dr Seth's direction. 

I frowned.

“Family?” I asked. “Since when did he become family?”

She gave me a look.

“Have you forgotten the relationship his father had with your father?”

I clenched my jaw.

“That doesn’t make him family to me.”

She didn’t argue.

She just… walked away.

Straight toward him.

“Grandma—”

Too late.

I sighed and followed after her.

Not because I wanted to.

But because there was no way I’d let anyone discuss her health without me present.

I had barely taken three steps—

When my foot slipped.

Everything happened too fast.

My balance tilted.

My body dropped.

And—

I hit the ground.

Hard.

Gasps erupted around me.

“Oh my!” Grandma exclaimed.

I squeezed my eyes shut for a second, embarrassment rushing through me faster than pain.

Great.

Just great.

Of all places to fall…

It had to be here.

In front of him.