Chapter 26

"Excuse me, does anyone work here?" A customer call from the front. Emilyn race to the counter and saw a familiar face. "Pierce?"

"Emilyn." He takes a step back, "you are working here now?" He asked. "I thought you work in a journalism company?"

"I still do, but this is another part-time job," Emilyn told him.

"But is really late now." Pierce lifts his arm to look at his watch, "Is it already 12 midnight and you are still working? What time do you get off?"

"It opens until 1 am, somewhere around 1:30?" Emilyn reply.

"Does Christopher know about this?" He asked.

Emilyn frown at his question, "Why does Christopher need to know about this? We are not dating, we are just friends." she stated.

"Uhmm..." Pierce scratches his hair. "Doesn't matter, can I order?"

"Sure, what would you like?"

"A black coffee, one latte, and 2 ham and cheese sandwich." He order.

"Okay, that will be $12.90." Pierce passes Emilyn the cash and she gave him the receipt. "Your order will be in 10 minutes." He nods, waiting at the counter. "Are you guys working late?"

"Yeah, Christopher just got a huge deal and we are trying to get it signed." He answers.

"Do you guys normally work this late?"

"Sometimes, you know how demanding Christopher can be. He wants, what he wants and it has to be perfect." Pierce groaned.

"I know, he told me." Emilyn chuckle.

"You guys seem close, you seem to know these thing about him." Pierce question.

"Close I'm not sure, we just met a month ago."

"Trust me, he doesn't reveal this to the other girls he dated within a month," Pierce said. "Mostly some found out and decide to break up with him due to his overachiever behavior. Saying that he doesn't spend enough time with them." He quoted. "Annoying right?"

"I don't know?" Emilyn shrug. "Orders up." The bell rings, she head over to the opening and take the bag of order. "Here you go." Emilyn places it on the counter.

"Thank you." Pierce checks the bag, "You know, you are the first girl I've ever have a decent conversation with."

"What do you mean?" Emilyn scrunched her eyebrow.

"Mostly, I'll skip the talking and more of the wooing."

"I see. A player right?" Emilyn said.

"Right." He winks and Emilyn laugh. "I should get going now, don't want Christopher to kill me."

"I'm pretty sure he won't."

"If it was you, then he won't kill you." Emilyn chuckles and shakes her head.

"Oh no, the devil is calling." He took out his phone ringing.

"You better go now."

Pierce nods, "If you don't see me, remember to report to the police that Christopher Evans kill me."

"Sure, I will, and promise me not to tell Christopher a thing." He held up an okay symbol with his hand and left.

***

THE START OF THE WEEKDAY

"What do you guys want to eat? Andrew asks Emilyn and Savannah.

"I'm not sure, but I think I'm craving for a burger," Savannah said. "What about you?" She asked Andrew.

"Hmm..." he thought. They wait for Andrew to ponder on what to eat. As they wait, Emilyn saw Christopher on the other side of the street. But he isn't alone, he got a girl next to him and it looks like they are getting along, smiling and laughing.

"Is she the girl that he likes?" Emilyn thought. She looks back up but they were gone. That must be her, right? Emilyn eyes began to search for them and finally, she found them. This time Christopher got his arms around her shoulder. This scene got Emilyn to frown.

"Emilyn, hello. Earth to Emilyn." Andrew wave his hands informs of Emilyn's face.

"Sorry, so where are we going to eat?" Emilyn asked.

"What are you looking at?" Andrew asked looking across the street.

"Nothing." Emilyn shakes her head.

"Okay," Andrew let it go. "Anyways, we've decided the restaurant across the street, is a Japanese-western fusion restaurant."

"Okay, what are we waiting for let's go." Three of them walk across the street to that restaurant.

"3 people?" The waitress asks as they enter the restaurant. The waitress then brought them to their table. Coincidentally,  they walk by Christopher and that mystery girl's table. Emilyn tries to hide by walking beside the waitress and pray that Christopher couldn't see her. The waitress brought them to their table which is right behind Christopher's. Luckily, his back is facing her.

"Em, What are you doing? Sit." Andrew said

"Oh, sorry." Emilyn sat down and take a look at the menu.

"What's going on with you today?" Andrew asked.

"Nothing, I'm just thinking about my article."

"You got to relax, stop thinking about work for once." Emilynnod. While they wait for their food, Andrew and Savannah are chatting away about some celebrity. But her focus wasn't on their conversation but at the table in front of her.

Emilyn watches to see if that girl is the one Christopher was talking about. The girl laughs at something Christopher said and places her hands on his. Emilyn eyes grew wide, Christopher didn't push her hand away. "It must be her." Emilyn thought and frown.

Now, Emilyn knew that she shouldn't expect anything more between them. Ana and Fin are wrong, Christopher is not into her.

"How could I let my mind slip into that nonsense?" Emilyn thought. "But why would he treat me to dinner, help me with my problems, held my hand, and even tug my hair behind my ears like in the movies?" She asks herself. Emilyn can't figure out why did Christopher treat her so good.

"Are all things he did, just so he can play me?" Frowning at the thought of it. "Is it just a game for him or is it some practice round for this girl in front of him." The more Emilyn thought the madder, she felt.

"I shouldn't have thought that I have a chance with him." Emilyn scolds herself. "Look what you got yourself into Emilyn, falling for a guy who will never like you back."

"Emilyn," She felt someone shake her, calling her name.

"Huh? What?" Emilyn turns to face Andrew.

"Why are you frowning? What's wrong?" Andrew asked.

"Nothing, nothing is wrong. I'm just thinking that I made a mistake in my article." Emilyn told Andrew.

"Okay?" He narrows his eyes at her. "Anyways, your food is here."

"Oh." Emilyn looks down at the table. "Great, I'm starving." She picks up her fork and spoon, and dig into it. "What are you guys looking at?" Emilyn caught them staring.

"Just thinking that something is very wrong with you today," Andrew said with a frown on his face.

"I told you before, there's nothing wrong," Emilyn said. "Let's eat and hurry back before Taylor kills us for coming back late." They nod and dig into their food.

***

Throughout the whole week, Emilyn can't stop thinking about what she saw. She should give up on liking him, but she can't. Emilyn has fallen in way too deep. The easiest method is not to have any contact with Christopher Evans at all. Emilyn took her phone and log out of every social media account so that she won't see the news about Christopher Evans.

"Emilyn." She turns around to see who is calling her. "Will? What are you doing here? I thought you work on the weekdays?" Emilyn places her phone back into her pocket.

"Yeah, but Patricia can't come today due to "Family problems'" He quotes. "So, the boss calls me in to stand in."

"That's great, someone to accompany me through the lonely night." Emilyn laugh.

"Don't worry, you got me. I shall make it the best night of your life." He said. "So what do you do?"

"Since is only 7, there are still customers. But wait till 11 pm, by then you wish you in your bed tuck in your covers."

"Sigh, I don't think I can make it that long. You made me think of my warm and cozy bed." He sigh.

"Come on, you are only here for one day. You can make it through." Emilyn pats him on the back, encouraging him.

"Okay." Will shrugs and they start their work. Halfway through, Will start sighing. "Is so boring? There not a lot of customers."

"Will, you said you are going to make this night interesting." Emilyn nudged him.

"I can't, I'm too tired." Will's head slumped onto the counter.

"Wow, so much for trying to make it a fun night," Emilyn mumble. Finally, is closing time. They tidy up the cafe, put the chairs on the table and turn off the lights.

"Finally, time for bed." Will yawn. "Why aren't you tired?" Will turns to look at Emilyn. "Don't you have to go to work tomorrow?"

"I am tired, but I got no choice," Emilyn told him. "Don't you have to work since tomorrow is your shift?"

"Boss, gave me a break tomorrow. So I can rest."

"That's nice of her."

"She's actually one of the best bosses, I've met." He said. "Which way are you heading?"

"To the right, what about you?"

"Sadly, the left." He pointed to the left.

"Well, bye. Is nice seeing you again."

"You too, be careful out there. Is late and can be dangerous for a girl walking alone down the streets."

"Don't worry, I'll be fine." Emilyn gave him a small smile and they went our separate ways. She wraps her jacket around tightly, walking down the streets to the subway. While walking she senses that someone is following her around. Emilyn turns her head back to find no one. This causes her heart to race and she picks up her pace.

"Ahh!" Emilyn screamed, someone pulls her into an alley area.

"Don't make any noise." He places his hands over Emilyn's mouth. "You are a pretty little thing aren't you." A rough voice said she couldn't see who is it. "We are going to have some fun tonight, aren't we?" A small orange light shines on his smirking lips.

Emilyn struggles against the hold on the man, trying to get out of his grip. "Stop moving!" He holds her tightly. The only thing that she can do now is to bite him. Emilyn bit his hands that is over her mouth and he pulls away with a shout.  Emilyn quickly make a run for it and shout, "Help! Help me!"

"You sly B***." The man grabs her again. "No one is going to hear you, you either don't make a sound, or I'll kill you." Emilyn's breathing grows uneven, "I can't die. My grandma needs me." She thought.

"Good girl." The man smirks when Emilyn stops moving.  The man grew closer and closer to her, Emilyn squeezed her eyes tightly, not wanting to know what's going to happen next. Her breath increases and her heart beats louder and louder.

Suddenly, she heard a loud shout.  Emilyn opens her eyes and the man was on the ground. How did he end up on the ground? "Who did that?" the man groaned.

"I did." A powerful voice said. Emilyn turns towards the voice and tries to figure out who does that voice belongs to.

"Emilyn, get behind me." That voice, Emilyn know that voice. Is Christopher. "Now!" He said in a stern, powerful voice that made Emilyn obey him, she quickly hid behind him.

"How dare you!" The man shouted and tried to punch Christopher. Christopher grabs his wrist before he can even make a dent in his face. He twists the man's wrist and the man lets out a painful shout. "Please let go." He begged. Christopher scoff and continue to twist his wrist harder.

"Christopher, let him go," Emilyn said leaning up to whisper into his ear.

Christopher looks down at the man, "Don't let me see you near her ever again." He drops the man's wrist and he fell to the floor.

"Let's go." Christopher grabs Emilyn's hands and pulls her out of the alleyway. Christopher took long strides, Emilyn can't keep up.

"Christopher, stop!" Emilyn shouted, but he didn't. "Please stop," She begs, finally Christopher stop and let go of her hand. "Thank you," Emilyn said softly.

"What didn't you take a cab?" Christopher frowns.

"I wanted to take a subway, is much cheaper."

He scoffs, "cheaper, but is not safe for a girl to walk alone at 1 am."

"I can do what I want, you don't control me." Emilyn glare at him.

"I'm not trying to control you, I don't want you to get hurt."

"I'm fine," Emilyn said and scrunched her eyebrows.

"No, you are not, if I didn't get there on time. He would have raped you or kill you. How are you going to explain to your grandma?" Christopher shouts. Emilyn looks down on the floor, moving her leg left to right. "Go and quit that job."

"No, I won't." Emilyn looks up. "How do you know I got a job? Pierce told you didn't he." She glares at him.

"Yes he did and I'm glad he did."

"I specifically told Pierce not to tell you, why he got to tell you." Emilyn runs her hands through her hair.

"Why don't you want him to tell me?"

"What should I? I want to work in that cafe until this time, is my business. You don't get to tell me what to do." Emilyn shouted.

Christopher sighs, "does your grandma know?"

"She does and she approves of it." Emilyn crossed her arms.

Christopher rubs his forehead and sighs, "Fine, If you want to work there, I'll pick you up after work."

"I don't need it, I'm fine on my own," Emilyn said. "Thanks for saving me, bye." Emilyn walks away from him.

"Hey!" Christopher grabs her arms and spins Emilyn around. "Emilyn, follow me."

"No!" She pulls her hand out of his grasp. "I told you I'm fine."

"Follow me or I'll do it the hard way." Emilyn looks away. "Fine, hard way it is." Christopher then lifts Emilyn and put her over his shoulder.

"Christopher, you can't do this," Emilyn shouted hitting his back. He walks to his car and places her down on the passenger seat. "This is for your own good."Christopher straps her in and shut the door.

"Emilyn, don't be like this," Christopher said softly. "I'm doing this for your own protection." Emilyn didn't want to see his face, so she focuses on the window on her side instead. When Emilyn didn't answer him, Christopher gave up and drove silently.

Finally, after that silent drive,  Christopher stops at her apartment building. "Thanks for the ride," Emilyn said in a monotone tone and unbuckle her seatbelt. Before she can open the door, Christopher grabs her wrists,  "Listen, I sorry if I did that, but is for your safety."

Emilyn push his hands away, "Who are you to care about my safety? I'm fine, I don't need your help."

"What's gotten into you? Is it what I said or something I did and you don't like it?" He asked.

"Remember you once said that you will grant me anything if I help you be your fake girlfriend?" Christopher nods. "Well, here is my request. Don't come anywhere near me and stop caring about me."

"What?" He was astounded by Emilyn's words. "Why? I don't get it," He shakes his head. "Weren't we just fine last week?" He asked. "Tell me what's wrong? Is it something I said? Tell me." He push.

Emilyn closes her eyes and takes a breath before answering, "Just don't come and find or bother me." She said and open the car door. She walks quickly into the apartment building but was pulled back.

"Tell me, please," Christopher begged. "What did I do?"

"Christopher, I told you not to bother me anymore. My interview with you is done and there's no other reason for you to hang out with me anymore." Emilyn explains which is not the truth.

"Is this your reason?" Christopher frowns. "Just because your interview is finished doesn't mean we can't still hang out together."

"Christopher, please let go." Emilyn tries pushing his hands away. "You said it yourself, I can have any request and you will abide by it."

"No! I'm not letting you go until you tell me why." Christopher insisted.

"Christopher, please don't do this." Emilyn cried, pulling her hand out of his grasp. "I have my life to live and you have yours. You need to stop coming into my life."

"Emilyn, why?" Christopher asks, his face is full of questions and concerns, but Emilyn can't tell him all about it.

"I'm sorry, please don't ask any more questions and let me be." Emilyn turns around and heads into the building.

"Emilyn, I'm not going to leave until I get my answer." He shouted, but Emilyn chooses to ignore it.

A/N: Hey, hey my readers. I'm back again with 2 updates this time. What's going on with Emilyn? Anyways, comment or vote. And once again thank you for reading until this far, much appreciated for you guys who are coming along to follow their journey. See you in the next chapter