Chapter 3 He’s Back Again

Emily

Today was another boring day at the bookstore and I couldn't wait for my shift to end so I could go home and relax. Sitting at the cash register, I heard the familiar buzz. Buzzing the person in without looking up, I felt someone drilling a hole inside of me. Looking up, I saw it was the man who came to the store yesterday

“Is there a reason why you're staring at me?”

“Yes, I like what I see,” he replied teasingly.

Blushing I waved off his remark, I asked, “what can I do for you today?”

“Well, I'm here to ask you on a date. So, would you go on a date with me?” He asks bluntly

“M-me go on a date with you?” I was surprised.

“Yes, why do you sound so surprised?”

“Well for one, we don't know each other as we just met yesterday and I don't know what you're like.”

“Well, my name is Adam and I'm the CEO of Jacob's enterprise.”

“Well nice to meet you Adam and is that supposed to impress me?” I asked while buzzing persons in.

“That wasn't the response I was expecting, I was expecting you to tell me your name.” By now three people were waiting to be cashed and were complaining asking Adam to leave so they can get service, but he didn't even turn around to acknowledge their remarks.

“Adam, you're holding up the line, could you leave and come back.”

“Do I look stupid?” He asked while chuckling. “You expect me to leave so you could give me the runaround. Your customers are waiting so I would like you to say yes so we can both get on with our lives.”

“Fine, I will go on a date with you and my name is Emily. You can leave your number and I will get back to you.”

“No, give me your number and I will text you.”

Sighing deeply, before rolling my eyes I gave him my number and he took it and left without uttering a word of thanks.

I can't believe this; this guy asks me– no he didn’t ask more like demands it while being a nuisance. You know the ones who bother you until they get what they want. Shaking my head, I returned my attention to the customers and apologized for the incident that had just occurred before I started cashing their item. Arriving at the last person, I greeted him politely and reached out my hand to take his item when I stopped midway. Looking him over, I saw that he seemed very familiar but I couldn't place where I knew him from.

“Have we met before I asked?”

“No, I'm afraid not,” he spoke. Even his voice sounded familiar.

“Oh, I could have sworn that we had met before,” I said feeling awkward about the situation.

Smiling at me politely to break the awkwardness, he handed me the book in which I took and hurriedly cash it so he could be on his way. Sighing deeply, I sat down and resumed my reading of the magazine.

Beep! Beep! my phone went off, indicating that I had a text. Taking my phone from off the counter, I put it in my lap and discretely tried to read the text message that I just got. We are told that we should not use our phones during work hours so I had to hide to read my text messages because there's a camera behind me that is picking up everything.

Opening the text, I saw that it came from an unknown number. Opening it, I read what it said.

Dinner tomorrow will pick you up at eight–– Adam

Shaking my head, I smiled before closing the text and putting back the phone under the counter. Sitting there, I began to wonder if I should cancel this date but then if I did he would probably bother me at work or find out where I live and come to my house. Rich guys like him have access to everything and will pay any amount of money to get the information that they need.

The time had passed quickly and it was time to go home for my shift had ended. Doing my usual routine, I went around to the back room to grab my stuff when another nuisance walked straight into me. It seems like he waits for me here every day to ask me the same question, sometimes I wonder if he is immune to rejection.

“Hey watch where you're going.”

“I'm sorry Emily, is it time for you to go home already?” He asked.

“That's none of your business. Now would you mind excusing me so I can pass to collect my items?”

Moving aside he gave me the way so I could pass him and when I did I felt his hand brush against my butt. Swinging my hand around, I slapped him hard across the face.

“Are you crazy?” he screamed, “why did you do that?” he asked with a surprised look plastered over his face

“Your hand was touching my ass.” I retorted.

“I'm sorry, it was an honest mistake. I never meant for it to happen.”

“Well, I meant for that to happen,” I fired back while scoffing at his poor excuse.

Walking away, I grabbed my belongings and came back to see him standing in the same place with the same surprised look on his face and his hand on his cheek gently rubbing the bruised area. Ignoring him I walked to the front entrance. Waving to my replacement Becky, I exited the store.

“Wait! Please wait!” I shouted with all my might but the only response I got was a cloud of dust blowing in my face because the bus had already driven off. Sighing in frustration, I sat on the bench that was at the bus stop waiting for the next one to show which will take another hour to come. I couldn't wait that long because I have to go home and check on my mom, I need to make her dinner.

I had only prepared breakfast and lunch for her this morning and I knew by now she would be starving. I wish I could hire someone to stay with her but I didn't have the money for it.

Picking up my phone, I dialed his number waiting for him to pick it up. I know I would regret this and I wouldn't hear the end of it but desperate times called for desperate measures.

“Err, um Hello?”

“Hello,” the deep voice answered back.

“Can you do me a favor? I desperately need your help.”

“And why would I do you a favor?”

He had asked the right question but unfortunately for me, there was no right answer, or was there? Think of something quick Emily. My subconscious probed at me. What could you say or use as leverage so he can grant you the favor even though we just met? And that’s when it hit me.

When he had asked me to go on a date his eyes were begging me to say yes even though his demeanor said something different. I can use that to my advantage. Wouldn't be considered blackmailing right? Before I could stop myself from uttering the words that were on the tip of my tongue and my mind, my mouth blurted it out.

“Well, considering you want me to go on a date with you, I think I have the upper hand here don't you think?”

“Fine, what do you want?” He replied after he thought what I said through.

“Err, I need to go home to help my mom with something. Could you pick me up? Because I just missed the bus.”

“Okay, where are you at the moment?”

“I'm at the bus stop that is a few meters from the bookstore.”

“Okay, I'll be there in fifteen minutes,” he said before hanging up.

Oh, Lord, I petition to the heavens please do not let me regret this. Approximately fifteen minutes later I saw a black Audi 8 come to pick me up. Stepping out of the car was a very brawny man, with broad shoulders and a stone hard face.

“Miss Emily?” he asked in a hard voice. Nodding my head, yes, I was afraid to speak because I couldn't find my voice and I was afraid it would come out squeakily. This man seemed very frightening.

“Mr. Jacob had sent me to pick you up and drop you home safely,” he said while opening the back door so I could enter. Entering the car, he waited until I was seated before he closed the door and went around the driver's side. Getting in, he turned to me and I could see his black orbs staring into me. With his voice still hard as stone he spoke. “Your address?”

“Ambrose Lane New York apartment one,” I spoke meekly.

Turning back around in his seat, he started the car and drove off. The ride to my home was in silence and I was counting down the minutes and seconds that it would take for me to arrive. When we did, I flew open my door and thanked him profusely, and turned my back to walk away but his voice halted my steps.

“Mr. Jacob said you should call him when you're home safe,” and with that, he started the car and drove off. Letting out the breath, I didn't know I was holding. I turned on my heel and walked into the building then straight into my apartment then into my mother's room. Opening the door, I saw that she was feeling better than she was the previous day because she was smiling when I entered.

“Hey mom, how are you?”

“I'm an okay sweetheart. Just taking it slowly one day at a time.”

Seeing that the mood was going to change from happiness to a somber one, I quickly brought up my encounter with Adam the previous day.

“Mom, I met a guy,” I said excitedly, well I was half excited if I was being truthful.

“Really what is he like?” her mood perking up.

“Well, cocky, arrogant, self-centered, persistent, I could go on and on forever,” I said while smiling because of the amused look on her face.

“He doesn’t sound like your type of guy. How long have you known this guy? What is his name? where and how did you guys meet?” She asked, pouring out the questions in one breath.

“Well, I just met him yesterday in the bookstore when he had come in to buy a book. His name is Adam and he is the CEO of Jacob Enterprises. I could feel a small magnetize pull to him, he was perfect in every sense and he had a dazzling smile and he was so–––” Stopping, I could see my mother staring at me in awe due to my choice of words.

“Well, Emily it seems that you like this guy but my advice to you is to take things slow. Hang out first and see if you would be interested in dating him. You wouldn't want what happened in high school to repeat itself right?” Nodding my head yes, I thanked her for the advice then kissed her on the cheek and practically skipped out the room to call Adam.

“Hey,” I said into the phone after he had picked up on the second ring.

“Hey.”

“Before I get into why I called you, I want to thank you for sending your driver although he seemed very scary and had made me feel uncomfortable all the way home.”

Chuckling at me he replied, “he told me that you practically ran out of the car when he had stopped at your home. You don't have to fear him, he isn't that bad. I would've picked you up myself but I was busy.”

“Yeah right and I am the queen of the moon,” I said sarcastically. “Anyways I called to ask if we could hang out first before we go on a date to get to know each other, our likes and dislikes, and other stuff?”

He didn't answer after I asked the question. If it wasn't for his breathing I would've thought that he hanged up. “Sorry about that, it's no problem. Say we meet at the café around the corner from the bookstore?” He asked.

“Sure, no problem. Thank you again for the ride and for doing this. Good night.”

“Good night,” he replied, and with that, I hung up the phone. Holding it towards my chest a smile crept up my face, “I hope all goes well,” I said to myself.