: Chapter 8

“Come on, Em! You can’t sit here with that gloomy face. Don’t worry about the job, just enjoy, girl! Everything will be fine,” Molly slurred, leaning against the bar counter. “Here, take this drink. You’ll feel good.”

I shook my head. “I’m not in a mood.”

She pouted. When I didn’t drink the shot she offered to me, she shrugged, gulping it herself.

Kate and John shook their heads at her and went back to their cuddling.

We were at a local pub with our college friends. After they found out about Warner getting the job, they wanted to celebrate it. So here we were, enjoying the night. Except me. Too many thoughts were playing in my head to get wasted with alcohol.

“Here, at least drink this orange juice. It’s really good, I tell you.” Warner handed me a glass, sipping on his own.

“Thanks.” I scanned the dancing crowd and the moving lights. Even the booming music didn’t make my mood better.

He turned me to him. A small smile tugged on his lips. “Don’t worry. I’m sure the job will be yours.”

I smiled before he got busy with the others, laughing and joking. And I just concentrated on my juice in silence.

“You can’t escape me anymore.”

What did he mean by that? Whatever he said that night, at the parking lot, and then that message, what should I think out of it? Why was he behaving like he… like he had some right over me? All these years, he didn’t even ask about me to anyone.

And now…

A sigh left my lips. He confused me. I confused myself, or should I say, my feelings did. Even knowing he could give me another heartache, why did I still feel so connected to him?

“Em? You’re here with us, right? You seem lost,” Kate asked.

“My love, you know why she isn’t in a good mood tonight. We’ve been pestering her from the moment she arrived. Leave her alone,” John said, kissing her temple, and then pulled her for a kiss. The others gagged at their PDA.

Something soared in my chest and subconsciously, my hand touched the corner of my lips. The place where his scorching mouth was just nights ago.

Warner’s poking me pulled me out of my reverie. Looking at his eyes, guilt washed over me like a cold bouquet of ice. My hand balled into a fist.

How could I think of someone’s kiss when I was sitting right beside my boyfriend? But I couldn’t control my feelings even if I wanted to.

The beeping of my phone distracted my sense of shame. My eyes widened when I checked it.

An email from Coopers Fabrics!

I squealed as soon as I read it, making Warner and others watch me with confusion. Grinning ear to ear, I leaped up from my seat. “I did it! I got the job!”

Whistles and cheers resonated around the group as they congratulated me one by one. Warner seemed as happy as I was as he engulfed me in a bear hug.

Finally, after so many days, something good happened in my life.

“Now that our dear Emerald got the job, it’s time for a double celebration!” John yelled out. “And you miss—” he pointed at me, “—no more gloomy face, enjoy now!”

Kate and Molly bobbed their heads as Molly passed me a glass of vodka. And this time, I didn’t hold myself back.

After hours of drinking and spending time with everyone, I was swaying on my feet. I couldn’t even walk properly without stumbling. Once everyone called it a night, John and Kate offered to drop me and Warner off. The couple was much sober than us.

“Careful, Em!” Warner cautioned when I got out of the car with wobbly legs.

“Bye, guys! We’ll see you soon!” Kate shouted. I cringed at her high-pitched voice.

Waving at them, I hobbled towards my house. My eyes were about to shut down.

“You sure you don’t want me to drop you off at your home?” I heard John ask Warner.

“Nah, my place is just two blocks away. Thanks, man! You guys can go now. It’s late,” Warner replied.

Again, saying goodbyes, they drove off. The sound of the car engine reverberated across the empty street. Only one or two dogs barking in the distance could be heard, other than our footsteps.

“Hey, hey! Careful there!” He held my shoulders before I could fall on my face in front of my main door.

“I’m fine, Warner.” I giggled without any reason. “You don’t worry about me. You go home, I will just fly into my room from here in no time.”

“I don’t think so. You can barely walk straight, Em. Let me help you to your room,” he offered.

“I can walk just fine. And I’m already at home. So, I will be fine. You go.” I insisted, fumbling with the keys.

“But… you sure?” He seemed hesitant.

I bobbed my head without looking at him. Sighing, he gripped my chin and pressed his lips against mine.

I stood there still, not returning the affection. Something told me to pull away, but I didn’t.

Suddenly at the corner of my eye, I caught a movement. Pulling away, I squinted. There, at the furthest corner of the street, stood a shadow under the damaged streetlight. Its body was angled towards us.

Goosebumps crawled up my skin as I felt his or her gaze on me. Though I couldn’t see the person’s face due to the darkness, I could feel it. Their stare.

“What happened? What are you looking at?” Just as Warner turned around, it vanished into the shadows. “Is something wrong there?”

“I think I just saw someone there.”

“But there is no one, Em.” Warner frowned. “But if you’re not feeling good, I can stay the night if you want.”

My head snapped back to him, blinking. “Uh, no, it’s fine. It could be my imagination. I think I drank too much tonight. You go home, I will be fine.”

“All right, if you insist.” Yawning, he gave me a hug. “I will go now. See you later. And call me if you need anything.”

As he walked away, my eyes flickered to that spot where I saw the shadow. There was no one. Shaking my head, I opened my door, walked inside, and closed it behind me.

“Em, you should sleep well, especially if it’s the night before your first day at job,” Mom chastised over the phone for me not sleeping enough last night.

Well, after returning home at midnight, I only had two hours of sleep until I woke up with another dream of a particular person. And then the hangover came along. Even though I got some relief after taking a pain killer, I couldn’t fall asleep after that. Excitement and nervousness kept me wide awake.

It was six in the morning, and here I was, pacing the living room out of anticipation.

“Anyway, when do you start?”

“At nine.” Three hours more to go. And I already could feel my hands and feet turning cold.

“There is still so much time. You could still take a nap for an hour, honey. I don’t want you to look like a zombie on your first day.” When I’d informed her about the job, she was over the moon. She was way more excited about my job than I was. And I was happy about that. At least she wasn’t upset with me for leaving the way I did anymore.

“It’s all right, Mom. I’m fine. I can’t fall asleep even if I want to. So, I will just make some breakfast for myself now and then get ready.”

“Oh, okay then. Don’t forget to call me later. And eat something healthy,” she said.

I smiled. “All right, Mom. I will. Now can I go? I haven’t even taken a shower.”

“Okay, okay. Go. Your father is waiting for me outside to go jogging, anyway. I will talk to you later. Love you!”

“Love you too!”

Blowing out a breath, I checked myself in the rearview one last time before getting out of the car. The huge building stood tall over me. It felt like a déjà vu. But I just hoped today wouldn’t turn out like last time.

Forcing my legs, I raised my chin high and walked ahead. But as soon as I crossed the entrance, my steps halted.

People were on a marathon around the lobby, coming in and out with boxes, racing around with loads of folders. No one cast another a single glance as they ran like headless chickens. Even the receptionist was having difficulties attending so many phone calls at a time.

A frown set on my forehead. What was happening here?

“Hi! Good morning. It’s my first day here, so can you tell me where Lucinda is—”

The receptionist cut me off with her hand and picked up another call.

“Excuse me? Can you please tell me—”

She ignored me again, too busy on the phone. And then my gaze fell on the packed box on her left. Was she—leaving?

Some other staff were also carrying those same boxes with crestfallen faces. What was happening?

Then Lucinda came into my view.

“Oh, Ms. Hutton. You’re already here, I see. Good that I found you now, otherwise I don’t think I’d have any time later to discuss anything with you. Now, follow me.”

She didn’t even let me speak as she turned around and stormed away, leaving me with no choice but to follow her.

“You see, there is a lot of work today. So, I won’t take much of your time. Sadly, Mr. Cooper is not here right now, otherwise he’d inform you all newcomers himself,” she informed, not slowing down a bit.

It was good he wasn’t here. I preferred my environment to be pure and breathable.

“Uh, what is going on here?” I queried. But the woman ignored me, walking inside a spacious office.

“Here!”

“What is it?” I eyed the white envelope she handed me. Something churned in my stomach.

Oh no! Was I already fired for some reason?

“Your transfer letter,” she replied, with no emotions on her face. “You’ve been transferred to another city in one of this company’s branches.”

“What?” I gaped. “What do you mean by a transfer letter? I-I don’t understand. What’s happening here? I just joined today.”

She sighed. “We apologize for the sudden decision, Ms. Hutton. But Coopers Fabrics was sold to a multinational company last night. A lot of employees have lost their jobs, some even got appointed. You’re lucky that the new owner didn’t terminate the newcomers and decided to give them a chance.”

My mouth was on the floor. Someone bought it overnight? But how was it possible? And about my transfer, I didn’t have any idea of which corner of the country they’ve shifted me.

“Is there no other way to change the decision? I mean, I can’t just leave everything and move to a whole new city.” My voice was desperate.

“Sadly, no. We’re doing what we’d been ordered to do. We’re just doing our job, Ms. Hutton,” she said, glancing at her watch. “Now, I’ve something else to attend to. If you will excuse me. All the best for your future.”

“But, I…” And she was already gone.

I just stood there, flabbergasted. What the hell just happened?

I glanced down at the letter. Only God knew.

With shaky hands, I pulled the paper out and unfolded it. My heart stopped beating in my chest.

God. It’s not happening! It can’t be.

Now the crestfallen expression was slapped on my face as I walked out of the ominous building. Pulling my phone out, I dialed the number. After some rings, Dad picked up.

“Hello?”

“I’m coming back.”