Chapter 28 Eight: Home Sweet Home

Emily Pov

Waking up early, I went down into the lobby where I ask the concierge to give me directions to the nearest gift shop. Jotting down the address on a piece of paper I got from the receptionist, I went outside and hailed a cab. I could’ve gotten the chauffeur to drive me but I wanted to take the taxi, so I could escape from all the stuffiness for a while. Arriving at my destination, I got outside of the cab and paid the driver along with a tip. Entering the gift shop that was called, Paris Rendez-Vous, I looked around for different stuff to purchase.

Getting a keychain of the Eiffel tower, and two mugs, I paid for them before exiting. Walking outside, I felt that familiar feeling where I am being watched by someone. Looking around wildly, I spotted a familiar face but just like that the person turned around and walked away. Trying to figure out where I have met this person before, I continued to mull over it until I caught a cab and got in. Seeing that I couldn’t figure out where I know the person from, I shook the thought out of my mind and looked outside the window watching the people walk, talk, and laugh, the scenery and the buildings.

I was truly going to miss this place. The food, the culture, and the fun times I have with Adam. The taxi came to a stop outside the hotel and once more I paid the driver and tipped him generously. Getting out, I made my way to the elevator. Coming off at the top floor, I walked to my room and open the door to see Adam having breakfast. Stepping inside, I walked to the bedroom where I placed my mom’s souvenir inside my carryon luggage. Going back to where Adam was, I sat down around the table and made myself a plate.

“You went shopping without me?” he asked teasingly. Looking at him, I rolled my eyes before I smiled.

“Yes, Adam I went shopping without you,” chuckling he got up and kiss me on the cheek.

“You can meet me in the lobby in the next ten minutes,” he spoke before he went inside his room. Smiling, I saw my phone light up with a text and I grabbed it up to see who it was. I nearly fainted right then and there when I read what was in the text. It was a picture of me sleeping and a stranger who was wearing a mask kissing me, with the caption:

“I hope I get to do this again soon, your skin is as soft as silk and I know my lips will miss being on your soft delicate flesh. No worries, your loveable sweetheart Adam, was nowhere close to you, if he was you would wake up to see him dead. Please come home soon, my flight has just landed and I will be waiting for you.”

Shuddering, I closed my eyes and I imagined that freak being so close to me, with his lips on my face and I couldn’t help but feel sick to my stomach. Getting up, I knocked on Adam’s door before I entered. He was not in the room which meant that he is in the lobby waiting for me. This was getting out of hand and it was time I told him everything. Quickly throwing my clothes in my suitcase, I closed it before picking it, my handbag and phone before surveying the room twice to make sure I wasn’t leaving anything behind.

Picking up the hotel key, I made my way downstairs to the lobby to see that Adam was waiting for me. Taking my room key, he told me that the car was out front so I could go right ahead and go inside. Nodding my head, I exited the hotel and the driver took my suitcase as soon as he saw me before opening my door and closing it as soon as I was seated. A few minutes later I was joined by Adam and within seconds we were driving through the streets of Paris to head to the airport. During the drive, all kept running through my mind were the text and the picture. I couldn’t believe the nerve of that creep. He was insane and I desperately need to know who he is so I could have a better chance to know who I’m dealing with.

Arriving at the airport, we checked in before Adam and I went to grab a cup of coffee while waiting for our plane. Sitting down in the terminal, I turned to Adam to see him staring at me immensely. “What is it?” I asked while I brought the cup to my lips and take a sip.

“I know something is going on with you Emily, When we were in Paris, you had moments when you acted strangely and scared, and every time I asked you about it you keep saying that it’s nothing. I thought we were past this stage. We are now in a relationship Emily and you have to trust me enough to know that I will protect you, keep you safe, and make sure no harm comes to you.”

“Because I am too pretty and sweet to be hurt in any way,” I replied while smiling. Smiling at me, he kissed my forehead before he spoke again.

“So, are you going to tell me what’s up?”

Looking around the terminal briefly, I looked back at him before I replied. “Well ever since I was in New York, it felt like I was being stalked by someone, and then in Paris, I keep having the same feeling and then I got a text message today that confirmed my suspicion.”

“What text?” his voice was now ice and I could tell that he was super mad that I had waited this long to tell him. Handing him my phone, he read the message before looking at me. I could see the muscles in his jaws working and his hand had formed in a fist. “Damn it, Emily, why didn’t you mention this sooner?”

“I’m sorry Adam, I wasn’t sure and I didn’t want to get you involved in this mess.” Sighing, he raked his hand through his hair.

“Was he the one who was at that small river?” Nodding my head yes, he shook his head. He had this look of disappointment on his face and I felt bad but this wasn’t his problem, and I wasn’t going to involve him unless it was necessary and this is the moment I deemed it necessary.

“Look, Adam, I know you are upset but this was my problem and I didn’t want to get involve and at the time this had started I was transitioning from the bookstore to your company. We weren’t together at the time and it wasn’t your problem to solve so I didn’t mention it.it to you.” He looked as if he was about to open his mouth and say something but had changed his mind and offered me a smile instead. Drowning down the last of our coffee, we heard that our plane was boarding so we quickly got up and discarded our cups before we made our way to the plane. Having being seated comfortably, we both prepared for take-off.

“When was this picture taken?” he asked while he looked at it once more.

“Last night.”

“Last night? That’s impossible, I was with you––” pausing he had a horrified look on his face. “This creep must have come in the room when I went down to the dining area.” Shuddering, he drew me close before he told me whispered that everything will be okay.

Eight hours and forty-five minutes later we were in New York and James was driving us to my home. Arriving there half an hour later, both of us exited the car leaving James behind before we made our way into my apartment building and then to my apartment door. Fumbling with my keys, I finally got home and stepped inside to see Melissa holding a lamp ready to strike. “Woah, Woah, it’s me,” I quickly called out before she could hit me with it. Realizing it was me, she quickly lowered her hand and relax before she welcomed me home. Smiling at her, I asked her where my mom was and she pointed to the couch where I saw a figure laying down while the television watched her. Chuckling, I left my suitcase at the door and walked over to her.

Gently shaking her, she stirred before she opened her eyes and began smiling brightly at me. Smiling back, I took her in my arms and hugged her tightly. A few seconds had passed before she pulled away and ask for Adam. Rolling my eyes, I pointed at the door before responding, “I am so glad that you miss me mom, those three seconds of a brief hug really showed how happy and affectionate you are.”

Laughing at my jealousy, she got up and hugged Adam who was smiling at her. Beaking away she kissed him on his cheek and if I wasn’t mistaken I think he actually blushed. “Hey Mrs. Martinez, I just dropped Emily off and walked her to her door to make sure she gets in safely.” Looking at me, she beamed brightly before winking then turned her attention back to Adam. I swear my mom acted like a teenager who was in love.

“Oh, that’s so sweet of you Adam, I do hope that I will be seeing you again soon.” Nodding he bid us goodnight before he took off. As soon as the door closed, both Emily and my mom began pouncing, firing questions after questions.

“How was Paris?”

“Did you like it?”

“How was the culture?”

“How was their food?”

“Did you and Adam do the dirty deeds more than once?” Of course, my mom had to ask that question and I couldn’t help but laugh. Answering the questions, except the one where my mom tried to pry, we stayed up and joke and laugh and I gave them their souvenirs which they were happy for. Looking at mom laughing I realized that she was very happy and in good spirits and the way that she and Melissa communicated and teased me, I saw that they had gotten along very fine and seems to be friends. We continued talking throughout the night and between the snacks and the cracking off jokes we eventually fell asleep one by one.

Waking up a little later than I should, I got up off the floor to find the apartment empty. Looking over at the sofa, I saw a note that stated that they went out and they didn’t wake me because I was sleeping peacefully and they didn’t want to disturb me. looking at my phone, I saw it was two pm. Quickly getting in the bathroom, I showered, brushed my teeth, and combed my hair in twenty minutes. Getting dressed in three, I grabbed my bag and phone and was out the door. Exiting the building, I bumped into Tim, who was on his way in.

“Hey Emily, how are you?”

“I’m fine Tim, I wish I could stay to chat but I’m late.” Smiling, he nodded his head before he stepped out of the way and allowed for me to pass. Hailing a cab, I got in quickly before telling him where I was headed. On the drive there, I tried calling Adam but there was no response. I

The cab came to a sudden halt, which made me realize that I was now at my destination. Paying the driver and giving him a tip, I stepped out and quickly made my way inside. Saying good morning to Mrs. Wilson, I continued to make my way to Adam’s private elevator. Stepping inside, I press the button for the top floor. Impatiently tapping my foot, I waited for the elevator to come to a stop and as soon as it did I went rushing into Adam’s office where I began apologizing profusely to someone who was not Adam. Stopping short when I realized my mistake, I looked down on the floor and began to turn pink from embarrassment.

The man that was at his desk began laughing. Looking up, I saw the features that Adam had and that’s when it hit me that I was standing in front of Adam’s father. “Mr. Jacob, I’m so sorry for my behaviour, I–”

Holding up his hands, I closed my mouth shut. “That’s okay Emily, you can have a seat while we wait for Adam. Nodding my head, I took a seat opposite him and looked everywhere else but at him.

“It’s so good to finally meet you, Emily, even though I didn’t envision it to be here but at my home for dinner.”

“I accepted your dinner proposal and was waiting for Adam to make the arrangements,” I spoke back shyly.

Chuckling he opened his mouth to speak but stop short when the door opened. Turning around, I saw Adam was entering with James in tow.

“Hey Emily, I hope my dad wasn’t scaring you,” he spoke while glaring at his dad.

“It was quite the opposite, we were just talking before you interrupted us.”

“Talking about what?” his voice sounded curious.

“Us meeting over dinner, you know the one where I asked you to invite her to.”

“I did and she accepted,” came his reply.

“Yeah but clearly you had eaten the reply,” his dad replied in a monotone voice. Getting up, he walked over to me and extended his hand. Doing the same, he took mine into his before he began speaking. “Emily, I would like to formally invite you myself to my house next month to have dinner, I would have it sooner but I have a trip that I must take so I looked forward to seeing you when I get back.”

Smiling, he kissed my hand and I blushed before telling him I would be there. Letting go of my hand, he excused himself before he exited the room with both Adam and James. Still sitting down, I stared at the door until it finally opened a few minutes later. Entering was just Adam and he came over to me and kissed me deeply. Moaning into his mouth, he pulled away before he rubbed his thumb over my lips and smiled.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” I blurted out. Smiling he shook his head and kissed me on my forehead before he began speaking.

“That’s okay, I imagined you were tired so I thought you would have stayed at home today that’s why I didn’t bother to call.”

Ooh was all I could manage to say before he captured my lips into his again. Breaking away he had a devilish grin on his face. “You know I often wondered what it would feel like taking you on top of my desk,” he spoke while walking to his chair and sitting down. Blushing, I gave him a cute smile before we got serious and went down to business.