I shrugged innocently. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Blake.” I cocked my head to the side, pretending to be curious, before grabbing the sauces and taking them out to put onto the table.
“Shortcake, please!” Adrian whispered desperately once I neared him on the dinner table. “They’re looking at me.”
I laughed. “Adrian! They’re not going to bite. Just talk to them!” I pushed him towards the three other males that were looking at Adrian curiously, before going back into the kitchen. “Is Aunt Veronica running late or something?”
“Oh, we forgot to tell you! Aunt Veronica won’t able to make it tonight. She has an art show on and apparently there are going to be some very important people there tonight.” My mom explained once I picked up the bowl of mashed potatoes.
“Oh! That’s a shame, I haven’t seen her in a while.” I pouted, before hearing my name being called from outside by a frantic sounding Adrian. All four of us ran out to the narrow gap of the doorway just as Adrian came with a crying Adam in his hands. He was holding him from underneath his arms, and held him as far away as possible from his torso while Adam’s legs dangled helplessly.
“It’s crying.” He cringed once he realised we were all waiting for an explanation.
We all stayed silent for a moment, the only thing making noise was Adam’s wailing, before Adrian pushed him towards us. Instantly, Sienna, Blake and my mom burst into a fit of howling laughter, and I joined them shortly, making Adrian give us a glare of frustration before he looked at Adam with caution again. “Take it and make it stop! Maybe it’s hurt, or hungry or something.” He tried again in a strained voice, making us laugh even harder.
I sobered up after a few moments, feeling sorry for Adrian, as the rest of my family continued to laugh at him. I stepped towards him and pushed Adam into his arms gently. Adrian stiffened as the child came closer towards him, and he looked over at me with the same panicked expression as before.
“Shortcake, what are you doing?”
“Adrian, relax. Just hold him like this,” I began to explain, altering Adrian’s grip on Adam to the proper way of holding a toddler. “See? Look, he’s already stopped crying. Now, rub his back gently and smile at him,” I coached. Adrian hesitated before slowly placing the palm of his hand on Adam’s back, and gently began to stroke it in a comforting motion.
“Smile,” I reminded him with a grin of my own as I watched the interaction occur between the two boys. Adrian glared down at me, before looking into Adam’s and grinning widely; showing every pearly white tooth in his mouth.
I laughed as Adam began to sob again, making Adrian stiffen in his position. “Too much teeth! Smile like you smile when you look at me.”
“I can’t,” Adrian snapped, looking over at me again.
“Why not?” I replied, raising an eyebrow.
“Because I
like
you. I don’t like him,” he grumbled, cringing at Adam.
I blushed at the comment before speaking up again. “Adrian, just smile! Don’t show your teeth, just look into his eyes and smile. Pretend he’s me.”
“That would be a very wrong thing to do considering the thing’s I’d be doing to you right now if we were in this position,” Adrian grumbled.
“Adrian, smile!” I snapped.
Adrian dropped his frown and smiled falsely at Adam, and the toddler instantly stopped sobbing as he noticed Adrian’s expression. Adrian noticed this too, and wonder overtook his expression momentarily before another grin – a real one this time – replaced the awed look. “He likes me!” Adrian exclaimed happily, looking over at me with a wide grin. I looked at the sight of Adrian with a child in his arms with pure admiration, soaking up every single detail of the image in front of me and smiling at the pair.
Adam began laughing in Adrian’s arms, before he shoved a small finger into one of Adrian’s nostrils with a grin. “Hey! Wrong hole, kid. That goes in a woman’s vagi-”
“Stop!” I squeaked in horror, before snatching Adam out of his arms. “Don’t say that to children!”
“Why? It’s good to teach them from now,” Adrian nodded, smirking.
“And suddenly
you’re
the expert?” I asked with a raised eyebrow, smiling.
“Hey, aren’t you the one who told me to talk to them like they’re one of you? That’s what I did!” he exclaimed incredulously.
“You talk to each other like that?” Blake spoke up in amusement. “No wonder he has a love bite on his neck. I wonder what else you two say to each other when you’re alone.”
“A LOVE BITE?!” My mom and dad exclaimed at the same time, glaring at both Adrian and me.
“I thought he got into a fight for you?” my mom brought up, raising an eyebrow at me.
“I thought it was a mosquito bite,” my dad added, glaring at Adrian.
“Blake,” I growled, glaring at my older brother, who was now grinning cheekily.
“Whoops?” He shrugged, before using a chair to shield himself from me.
“I think we should all sit at the dinner table, the food looks almost ready!” Sienna brought up, trying to change the subject.
I gave her a grateful look before I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. “You guys go ahead, I need to get this,” I announced, pointing at my vibrating phone.
“Don’t be long,” my mom warned. I nodded and answered the phone while walking away from the group, making my way around the house.
“Hello?”
“Emily Johnson,” a low voice greeted, making the blood in my veins freeze in its path.
“Mr. David Walter. I- I didn’t know you had my number,” I stuttered, swallowing nervously.
“I didn’t. I got it off a… friend. That aside, how are you, Emily? That short encounter we had at the charity gala a month ago didn’t go the way I wanted it to. I was hoping we could talk.”
I frowned at his words before speaking up. “I’m really sorry, sir. I’m actually with my family at the moment. Maybe another time-”
“No, I’m sure now is a great time, Emily,” David insisted coldly. “I want to have lunch with you. Alone. You don’t tell anyone, not even your precious little boss.”
I shivered unconsciously, before clearing my throat. “With all due respect sir, I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
“Your friend Amy is a lovely girl. She’s a teacher, correct? She takes the same route to work every day. It’d be shame if someone noticed that and did something to her.”
I froze at the mention of my best friend’s name, growing angry. “Are you blackmailing me?” I snapped.
“Why Emily, I would never do that to you. Am I blackmailing Amy? Well that’s new territory we haven’t crossed yet. So I guess that’s a yes to the private lunch? I’ll text you the details. Goodbye, Emily. It’s been lovely, hearing your voice.”
The line went dead after that, just as I heard my name being called out by Adrian. “Shortcake? Are you okay? You’ve been on the phone for a while.” Adrian rounded the corner just as I slipped my phone back into my pocket, feeling it vibrate again just as a text message came through.
“Sorry, it was Amy. She’s having a meltdown about a dress she can’t find.” I tried to force out a laugh, but settled with a smile instead.
Adrian studied me closely, and his eyes narrowed in suspicion. “I don’t believe you,” he growled with a fierce glare.
“Hey, Lovebirds! Are you two going to eat with us tonight or not?!” Blake called from the dinner table.
“We’ll talk about it later,” I murmured, before stepping back into the view of my family. “Sorry,” I announced, smiling.
Blake began to make sloppy kissing noises and motions, but stopped once Sienna threw a napkin at his face. I briefly looked back at Adrian, who was already glaring at me, before my gaze made its way down to my feet. This was going to be one hell of a secret to cover up.
Chapter Twenty-t
hree
I managed to keep the truth from Adrian. I ended up telling him it was an old friend that I didn’t expect to call, which is why I was so shocked, and that I was meeting up with them on Monday during my lunch break. After countlessly reassuring him that it was a girl, Adrian finally let the subject drop.
And now, here I was, waiting for a man I couldn’t stand to be near. I nervously checked my phone again, waiting for Amy to reply to the text message I randomly sent her. I had to know she was okay, and didn’t trust David Walter and his snake-like personality when it came to Amy’s safety.
I looked away from my phone just as David Walter appeared across from my seated position. “Emily.” He nodded, as a smile curled its way onto his lips.
“Mr. Walter. I hope we can make this short. My break ends soon and I need to get back to work. Take a seat.” I tried to stay calm, amd motioned toward the chair that he was standing behind.
His smile grew slowly, as he pulled out his chair. “Emily. I’m sure you know that I’m the one pulling the strings in this situation by now. This lunch ends when I want it to end.” His voice was firm as he called over a waitress in the restaurant.
“What can I get you guys?” she asked cheerfully, oblivious to the tension in between us.
“I’ll just have a glass of water and a caramel doughnut, please.” I smiled tightly. This was going to be my only lunch break for the day, and I couldn’t even stomach anything because of the man sitting across from me.
“I’ll have the chicken wrap,” David muttered, staring at me. The waitress nodded with a smile before turning to leave, and I briefly glanced at my phone again before focusing my attention on David.
“So, why am I here?” I asked while tracing a pattern on the wooden table.
“Well, since you’re so adamant on getting to the point, I’ll tell you. I want you to date me, Emily,” David announced.
I choked on my own salvia just as the words left his mouth, before giving him a look of disbelief. “Are you kidding me?!”
“I don’t ‘kid’, Emily. You’re a very beautiful woman; both physically and emotionally. I would like to have you as my own. I’m sure I can treat you way better than that man whore of yours-”
“Okay, stop right there. Insulting Adrian isn’t going to help you in this already inexplicable request that you have going on right now. I actually
like
Adrian. A lot. He may not be the perfect guy that has only had two girlfriends in his life and likes to buy me flowers and chocolates. But you know what? I actually like him for the fact that he goes out of his way to make me squirm, or the fact that he gets jealous of a guy that walks past us in the street and briefly looks my way. He may not be like you, Mr. Walter – a deceiving snake that has to blackmail the women he wants just to have a simple lunch with them – but he’s a good guy. One that I will
never
stop seeing just because you tell me to.” My anger was visibly showing by now. I could feel my face heating up and I was breathing heavily.
David’s expression was a look of pure shock, before he leaned back into his chair and let out a heavy breath. “Well. I didn’t think you were that passionate about your relationship with your boss.”
I glared, not knowing where he was going with this conversation just as the waitress returned with our orders. “Here you go! Enjoy your meals!” She grinned, before walking away.
“I don’t think you understand what I am capable of, Emily. Amy is not the only person I can ruin. How are your parents doing? That little house they’re currently paying off is cute. It’d be a shame if an extra amount of money was put on top of their mortgage for them to pay off. And what about Blake? Such a good looking fellow. I don’t think-”
“I get it. You’re good at making threats. What do you want to achieve out of this?” I snapped with a glare.
“I want you to leave Adrian – just for one night! To go on a date with me.”
“No.” I shook my head instantly, not even bothering to think twice about the request. “You may be a powerful man, Mr. Walter. But I am certain that Adrian is much more powerful than you. One word to him and-”
“And how do you think he’s going to react to the fact that you – most probably, seeing as he actually
let
you come alone today – lied to him about meeting with me?” David asked, raising an eyebrow smugly.
My next response died in my throat before I could use it, and I frowned and bit my lip at the thought. “I’m sure once I explain to him why I did it, he’ll understand. I was thinking about Amy’s safety. That’s the
only
reason why I’m here,” I emphasized, glaring at him.
“Yes, yes. Of course he will,” David replied, smiling.
I frowned in confusion at his calm demeanour, just as my phone began vibrating on the table. Adrian’s name blinked back at me in bold letters, and I answered it instantly.
“Shortcake. How are things going with your friend?”
“Not so good. She turned out to be a conniving bitch with nothing better to do with her life other than taunt me.” I looked at David as I spoke those words, before getting out of my seat. “I’m heading back now. Do you need me to do anything for you before I go back to the office?” I asked, before placing a $10 bill on the table.
“So, remind me how this friend of yours looks again?” Adrian spoke up. I frowned at the same time I noticed the fact that the tone of his voice wasn’t his usual, playful one. It was cold, guarded.
I swallowed as my eyes went wide. “She has-”
“David Walter is a she, now? Wow. This is some
very
interesting news. Even
more
interesting than the fact that my girlfriend lied to me to meet up with him,” Adrian growled.
“I-”
“What could you
possibly
say to cover this up, Emily? Get back to the office
now
. We’ll talk about this then.” Adrian snapped, before the phone call ended.
I looked at the phone helplessly before looking over at David Walter.
“Trouble in paradise? I wonder who would be cruel enough to tell him your location.” David shook his head, before a smug smile appeared on his lips. “Have a great day, Emily. Think about my offer. I’ll be seeing you soon.”
He took a sip from my glass of water before walking away, the smug expression never leaving his face.
***
“WHAT, WERE YOU THINKING?” Adrian roared once I entered the office.
My attempt to be silent failed miserably thanks to Adrian’s temper, and I frowned before shutting the door completely. “Will you calm down for 5 minutes and let me explain?” I demanded.
“I
knew
you were lying to me the second I saw your face at your parents’ house. Then you went ahead and made up that story about an ‘old friend’. Come on Shortcake, you told me yourself that the only friends you’ve ever made were the ones you’re still friends with now!” Adrian pointed out with a glare.
“Adrian-”
“So, naturally, I thought I’d agree to your little request just so I didn’t look like I was trying to control your life. Then, I get a phone call telling me you’re with David Walter, of all people!” he snapped.
“Adrian,” I tried again, getting angry at the fact that he wasn’t stopping to listen to me.
“Why him, Emily? The man is sick in the head? What could have possessed you to even agree to go
near
him, let alone have lunch? What else did you do with him? Did he touch you? Did
you
touch
him?
I-”
“ADRIAN! SHUT UP FOR 5 SECONDS!” I finally snapped, glaring up at him.
Adrian’s mouth stayed open for a few seconds just as he registered my words, before he snapped it shut and glared in my direction. “Go ahead then. Explain,” he muttered, sitting in his desk chair with his jaw clenched.
“The day at my parent’s house. David called me-”
“How the fuck did he get your number? Did you give it to him?” Adrian asked in a demanding tone.
“Will you be quiet and let me finish the story?!” I exclaimed. His jaw clenched again before ne nodded for me to continue. I sighed before starting again. “When he called, he asked me to have lunch with him. I refused, obviously, and that’s when he blackmailed me by threatening Amy. Adrian, she’s my best friend. You know how much she means to me. So I agreed, just for her safety. He told me not to tell you or he’d find out and do whatever he had planned to her anyway. That’s why I didn’t tell you; I wanted to, but I couldn’t.” I looked down at my feet after that, too ashamed to look at Adrian after I realised how stupid I sounded.
I heard Adrian shift in his position and looked up from my feet just as he stood in front of me, catching me off guard. I yelped before my feet tangled themselves and I fell onto the plush carpet of the office. Adrian instantly began chuckling at my act of clumsiness before he scooped me into his arms and held me bridal style.
“Wow, you’ve really fallen for me, haven’t you?” he smirked, looking straight into my eyes.
“Shut up,” I mumbled, flushing.
His smirk grew before he placed a quick kiss on my lips. “I’m not taking back anything I said. But I understand why you did what you did. You’re forgiven.” Adrian nodded.
“Oh gee, thanks Adrian. That’s what I was waiting to hear,” I scowled.
“This doesn’t mean that fucking old prick is going to get away with this,” Adrian growled in a low voice, ignoring my comment.
“What do you mean by that? Don’t hurt him Adrian,” I warned, giving him a stern look.
He looked down at my face again before smiling. “Of course not, Shortcake. Not physically, at least.” Av evil glint shined in his eyes, and I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. “Did he ask you to go on another lunch date?” he asked.
I nodded. “A date, not exactly a lunch date though.”
“Excellent. Text him and say you accept the offer. Act the way you acted today, we don’t want him getting suspicious,” Adrian told me, shifting into a position where I was straddling him.
I wrapped my arms around his neck for support before frowning curiously. “What are you planning?” I asked, biting my lip.
“Don’t worry your beautiful head about it, Shortcake. Leave David Walter to me.” He smirked and pulled me in for a kiss.
***
“I hope you all enjoy your time here at Kingston Corporation. If you need anything in your new assigned area, just ask the head of the department and they should help you out. Have a lovely day.” I smiled at the small group of new employees before I began gathering their files and résumé’s off the desk in front of me.
The small group began to leave the room just after someone cleared their throat. I looked up to find Anna looking down at me. Her face didn’t wear the usual scowl I always saw on her lately due to the relationship between Adrian and me, and I instantly narrowed my eyes in suspicion.
“Hi,” she murmured in a low tone, avoiding my suspicious gaze.
“Um, hello.” The greeting came out as more of a question, and I bit my lip as I waited for her to reply.
“Look, I just really want to apologise for how I’ve acted towards you for the past few months. I was just jealous that Adrian was paying so much attention to you. I can see how much he likes you now, so… I’ve kind of gotten over it. I’m really sorry. I’m not saying we have to become best friends or bum chums or whatever. I just don’t want any bad blood between us…” She trailed off, picking at her maroon coloured manicure before looking me in the eye.
I frowned, surprised by the sudden apology but willing to accept it. I nodded at her. “Of course. It’s fine.” I smiled, deciding to forgive her.