William Jarvis - Sky Valley 03 - Mayhem at the Mansion (2 page)

Emmy saw Troy blush—which doesn’t really happen. “Whoa!” Emmy exclaimed. “It’s true, isn’t it? You’ve been talking to her?”

“Well…” Troy said.

Emmy laughed. “I knew it!” She said. At first, it was awkward when she learned about Troy’s relationship with Audrina but when she realized that Audrina made her father happy and she was there for him when he felt so alone, she knew that things could work out between them—if only life wouldn’t be this hard. Audrina left for Guatemala because she became a suspect in Annabeth’s murder and when they all figured out that it really wasn’t her fault, she just decided that it’s best if she leaves. So she did.

"I'm just saying," Troy continued, "that we couldn't let other people decide the way we should live our lives. I know I've done that for the past couple of months and that's why I don't want you to keep on doing it, too. It's time that you make friends again and that you find people who will appreciate you. Who knows? Maybe, it'll help you get past what happened between you and Daniel."

Emmy really didn't want to think about Daniel anymore but she knew that it was just impossible. Daniel is still in Sky Valley and it was impossible that they ain't talking about him.

Troy noticed that Emmy seemed to be distraught at the mere mention of Daniel's name. "Em, I'm sorry."

"No, dad, it's okay. I mean you're right. It's just that I have no idea how to feel about this. It's just so hard to trust people and...and well, dealing with the break-up isn't exactly easy so..."

"I know." Troy said. "I am not forcing you to go on a date or anything. Just...go out there and have some fun. You're going, you know. You deserve to have fun."

Emmy smiled and took a deep breath. "So..." she said, "how are you and Audrina?"

Troy laughed. "I'm telling you, it's not like that anymore. I just asked her how she is and you know, we've been exchanging e-mails and all that."

"I never pegged you as a net-savvy guy." She teased.

Troy laughed. "Well, times are changing..." He said. "Anyway, I have a meeting with the owners of the resort. They're thinking about reopening Beaches and Coffee but with a different name this time."

"Wow." Emmy said. She just couldn't believe it. Ever since Ruby died, the coffee shop was closed for what seemed like forever. She and her father didn't talk much about it. They didn't want to deal with the pain but now it seemed like things are beginning to look good again. "Wow!" Emmy repeated and hugged Troy. "That sounds great, dad."

"Thanks." Troy smiled. "There might be a lot of changes but there's always time for a new start, right?"

Emmy smiled. "I'm proud of you." She said.

"Thanks, sweetheart." Troy smiled. "So, I'll see you later?"

Emmy nodded her head and bid her dad goodbye as he walked out of the house. Emmy looked back at the invitation and took a deep breath.

Maybe I should give it a try. She thought. After all, what else could happen, right?

CHAPTER
3
STRANGE ENCOUNTERS

The following day, Emmy decided to take a walk at the Sky Valley Park. It was a couple of minutes away from their house but she knew that she needed to walk around a bit and clear her head.

It had been a while since she last went out of there house and had a walk, anyway. She believed that it was good to get some fresh air and maybe see some people spending time in the park so she could remind herself that she's still part of that world and that it's never really too late to try again.

The smell of pine trees greeted her as she made her way around the park. There were couples and families everywhere. Some were riding canoes by the lake, others were having picnics on the grass, while others were just walking and talking or sitting down on benches.

And there, in the middle of it all, she noticed that a lot of people were watching what seemed to be a show of sorts. She walked up to the throng of people to see what they were busy with. Some people were cheering while some had tears in their eyes.

Then Emmy realized why: there was actually a couple who just got engaged and everyone was there to witness it.

Emmy thought that the woman was beautiful. She had caramel skin, dark brown hair, and the most radiant smile on her face. The man was handsome, too, but in an edgy way. He had shaggy hair, a pierced eyebrow, but had a gentle smile on his face like he was the happiest man in the world right at that moment.

It reminded Emmy about that time when she and Daniel finally got back together after several years of being apart. It was a beautiful day that was full of promise. She only wished that they were both strong enough to hold on.

It was just like a delectable piece of cupcake, she thought. At first, it smells and looks nice and when you taste it, you’ll understand that it’s actually something really good, but before you know it, it’s gone. That’s how she often thinks about her relationship with Daniel.

She didn’t even know why she was thinking about him right now. Maybe, it was because of the fact that a couple just got engaged and she wished that the couple could be her and Daniel. Maybe, it was because she hasn’t talked to him in a while and it bugs her. Or, maybe, it’s because of the fact that no matter how hard she tried to deny it, she still hasn’t gotten over Daniel—and that’s the whole truth.

But she didn’t want to think about him right now. There were still a lot of things to think about, such as the fact that there were still no leads about who could be behind everything that happened in the past couple of months, and the fact that Grace, Ruby’s sister was not answering her calls.

Emmy thought that it maybe because of the fact that Grace was disappointed because it’s like her sister’s death was just in vain, and of course, that’s not a very nice thing to think about. Even if she was Grace, she’d be disappointed, too, because nothing will ever be able to bring Ruby back anymore—just like Annabeth won’t come back anymore and maybe, her relationship with Daniel won’t, too.

And just like magic, as she turned away from the crowd, she noticed that two of the people who were cheering for the couple were actually Daniel and a blonde-haired woman who was clinging to his arm, her cheeks red, her face full of joy.

Daniel was momentarily struck as he saw Emmy. Emmy thought that he looked great, his hair a bit longer, his face a bit tanner. Maybe, he and the woman he was with were having fun and at that instant, Emmy felt like running away. She didn’t want to be in the same place as Daniel and this woman that he was with. She wished she didn’t get out of the house at all.

But instead of running away, she just stood there, like she was frozen to the ground.

“Emmy?” Daniel said.

Emmy felt like someone just woke her up from her slumber. “Dan.” She said, her voice shaking.

“Are you okay?” Daniel asked.

The woman beside Daniel was looking at her like she was this funny kind of person; like she’s a person from the circus, or someone who didn’t really know what she was doing. “You look pale.” The woman said. “Are you okay?” Emmy actually thought that her voice was sweet but she did not want to make her feel great or happy. She didn’t want this woman to think that Emmy is this weak creature but somehow, Emmy thought that it is already exactly what the woman’s thinking.

“Yeah, yeah, sure.” Emmy said. “I’m just overwhelmed…” She laughed nervously. “I mean, that’s a great engagement party right there.” She smiled.

“Oh!” The woman said. “It is!” She smiled. “Dan and I have been friends with Rosie and Carlo for years. I mean, since college. They’ve been together ever since then and we’re just so thrilled that they’re finally together now! Dan and I helped orchestrate this, you know. I mean, it’s mostly Dan coz he knows this place more than I do but it’s fun coz wow, they’re finally engaged. I wonder when I’d be next.” She laughed.

Emmy smiled. “Who knows?” She said, looking at Dan. “Maybe soon.”

“Oh I don’t know about that.” The woman smiled as she looked at Daniel, as well. “You and Dan are friends?”

“Yeah, sure,” Emmy said. “Just friends.” She took a deep breath and continued. “Anyway, I have to get going. I’ll see you guys around.”

Emmy turned her back before any of them could say anything but she was surprised when she realized that Daniel actually caught up with her.

“Emmy, wait!” Daniel said.

Emmy turned to look at him and noticed that the woman was just standing far behind with a look of confusion on her face.

“Why are you in a rush?”

“I don’t want to hinder you from having a blast with your girlfriend.”

“What?!” Daniel asked. “Wait…” he said and went on, “You think there’s something going on between Cailie and I?”

“Well, that’s really none of my business—“

“She’s my friend.” Daniel said. “We were classmates back in college and she’s best friends with Rosie, you know, the woman who just got engaged.”

“She was clinging to your arm.”

“She’s touchy. That’s always been how she is.”

“Right.” Emmy took a deep breath. “You really didn’t have to explain. I mean, we’re no longer together and…I’m sorry.” She said. “I really should be going home.”

Daniel took a deep breath. “I can take you home. I can just go back to the party later.”

“No, Dan, it’s okay.” She said. “I mean…we have different lives now and—“

“Don’t be silly.” He said. “Any new leads about that letter?”

She shook her head. “It’s like McMahon doesn’t want anything to do with it and her cohorts are basically just her cohorts so they refuse to do anything, too. Grace isn’t even picking up my calls and that’s making me crazy.”

“Hey,” He said and touched her arm in a comforting manner. “It’s going to be okay.”

“The last time you said that—“

“Emmy?”

Emmy turned around and noticed a man whom she never saw before saying her name. He was this light brown haired tall guy who was wearing a gray shirt, ripped jeans, and looked every inch like a model for a male clothing catalog.

“Who’s this?” Daniel asked.

“This,” the man said as he held out his hand for a handshake, “is Frank Albert Holt. I own that new place at Cobbler Lane and Emmy’s actually invited to my party. I was walking around when I noticed her. Great, huh?”

Emmy was confused. Was this man following her? And why is he acting like he actually knew her? But at the same time, she felt like this was the perfect opportunity for her to get out of this situation with Daniel.

“Oh, right.” Emmy said. “Frank’s my new friend.”

“Really.” Daniel said, the doubt evident in his face. “Are you sure you don’t want me to bring you home? You can take a ride with us, you know.”

“I’ll be okay. You have a party to attend to. And apparently…I’ve a friend with me now.” She smiled at Frank who also smiled at her.

“Okay.” Daniel said. “Call me if anything.”

“I’ll be okay, Dan.”

Daniel took a deep breath and made his way back to Cailie. They were soon joined by Rosie and Carlo and soon enough, Emmy watched them get inside Daniel’s car and go away.

“Protective bloke, that one.” Frank said.

Emmy turned to face him. “Just so you know,” she said. “We’re not really friends yet. I only did that so he could go away. So now, tell me,” she went on. “Who are you, really?”

CHAPTER
4
SEE YOU AT THE MANSION

“Chill.” Frank said. “You already know who I am, Emmy.”

“And you think I’m buying that story that you were just walking around and you saw me and you wanted to say hello and all that?” She said. “I don’t. I don’t even know how you know me. I don’t even know why you would invite me to your party when we haven’t had any social interactions before.”

“First of all, I’m Frank,” he repeated. “And secondly, you know that this is a small town, Emmy. I can definitely walk around even if it’s not in my plans and there’s always that chance that you’ll see someone you know. And, people will always talk about the popular ones and apparently, you are one of those.”

“I’m clearly not.”

“Well, maybe not for the right reasons but at least, people are still talking about you. And you know what I’ve learned? It’s always good when people talk about you because it means that you’re substantial. That you’re doing something that people find it hard not to talk about. It means you’re relevant, Emmy, and that’s why I invited you to the party. And more importantly, I really just want to be friends with you. I heard about you living in Paris for so long and that’s great because I’ve been working in Paris for a while, too.”

“That doesn’t mean that we should be friends.”

“You’re right,” he said, “but wouldn’t it be cool to actually talk to someone who knows how great macarons are without you having to explain how good they are? And, you know, I’ve always wished that I could talk to someone about the Arc D Triomphe, and taking the Metro without looking like a fool. Maybe, I miss Paris and maybe I just want to make a friend. It’s as simple as that.”

Despite of herself, Emmy found herself laughing. “You got me at macarons.” She said. “Damn, sometimes, I wish people here would realize how awesome they are. I mean, I have made some of them but nothing beats Parisian Macarons.”