Chapter 44

...Emile pov…

I felt a sense of guilt wash over me as I thought about Dickinson. I knew I should have been there to meet him, but I couldn't bear the thought of him seeing me in such a state.

"I know," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't want him to see me like this."

Erick looked at me with a surprised expression. "What do you mean? Why wouldn't you want him to see you? He's been worried sick about you," He said.

I hesitated for a moment before continuing. "It's complicated. I just didn't want him to see me in such a vulnerable state," I replied.

Erick looked at me with a mix of confusion and concern. "Do you have any issues with Dickinson?" he asked.

I shook my head, not wanting to discuss it further. "I just need to rest," I said, trying to change the subject.

Erick nodded, understanding that I needed some time to process everything that had happened. I leaned back on the couch, closing my eyes and trying to push away the thoughts that were swirling in my head.

As I finished telling Erick about my ordeal, he looked at me with a worried expression. "Emile, your mother has been worried sick about you. She's been calling me nonstop, asking if I've heard from you," he said.

I felt a pang of guilt in my chest. I knew my mother would be worried, but I didn't want her to see me in the state I was in. "I know, I should probably go see her," I said, hesitantly.

Erick nodded. "I think that's a good idea. She'll be relieved to see you're okay," he said.

I nodded, feeling a sense of determination wash over me. I knew seeing my mother would be difficult, but I needed to let her know that I was safe. "Okay, I'll go see her," I said, standing up from the couch.

"Ok you can go tomorrow morning. Use the spare room", I said, beaminghh a smile at her.

"Thank you Erick, you are a darling," she said as she hugged me.

"Hey , it's my pleasure," I giggled as I hugged her too.

She playfully hit my shoulders and went into the room.

"I can escort you tomorrow to your mum ", I said.

"She will skin you thinking you are the person that has been keeping me since ",she laughed.

"Nah, I don't look like one", I told her.

"With those beards you pass as one, you just need a mask and in the right clothing you will look like one", she chuckled as she rolled her eyes.

"My beards?" I asked her but she had already gone into the room.

… Emile POV...

As I woke up, I felt refreshed and ready to start the day. I made my way to the bathroom, needing a long, hot shower to wash away the memories of the past few days.

As I scrubbed my skin, I couldn't help but think about everything that had happened. The fear, the uncertainty, the relief. But I knew I needed to move on and put it behind me.

After my shower, I felt like a new person. I wrapped a towel around my body and walked out of the bathroom to find Erick sitting in the living room, scrolling through his phone.

"Good morning," he said, looking up at me with a smile.

"Good morning," I replied, feeling a sense of comfort being around him.

"So what's the plan for today?" he asked, standing up.

"I think I'm going to do some shopping," I told him, "I need to get some new clothes and essentials."

"Sounds good," Erick said, "I'll come with you."

"No, it's okay," I said, "I think I need some time alone. But thank you for the offer."

"Okay, I understand. Just let me know if you need anything," Erick said, understandingAs I stepped out of Erick's house, I felt a sense of freedom wash over me. It had been a while since I had last been out of the house, and I was excited to finally be able to do something normal again. I walked down the street, taking in the sights and sounds of the neighborhood. The sun was shining and the birds were chirping, it was a beautiful day.

As I walked, I realized that I had nothing to wear. My kidnappers had taken everything I had on me when they had taken me. I decided to go shopping for some clothes. I walked down the street, looking for a store that would have something I liked.

As I walked, I couldn't help but think about Dickinson. I knew he had been worried about me, and I couldn't help but feel guilty for not wanting him to see me in the state I was in. I also couldn't help but think about the kidnapper who had helped me, Henry. I couldn't believe that he was only in the gang for his mother's treatment.

I finally found a store that caught my eye. I walked in and began to browse the racks of clothes. I picked out a few shirts and a pair of jeans that I liked. I also picked out a few dresses, knowing that I would need them for when I went back to work.

As I walked towards the door, my heart began to race. I couldn't believe that Dickinson was standing on the other side. I had been avoiding him since my kidnapping, not wanting him to see me in such a vulnerable state. I hesitated for a moment before opening the door, unsure of how to react.

When I finally opened the door, the tension between us was palpable. Dickinson's eyes were filled with concern and I could see the relief on his face when he saw that I was safe. He didn't say anything at first, just stood there looking at me. I could see the emotions running through him, the guilt, the relief and the love.

"Emile," he finally said, his voice filled with emotion.

I didn't know what to say, so I just stood there looking at him. I could see the questions in his eyes, the need to know what had happened to me, but I didn't want to talk about it. Not yet.

"Can I come in?" he asked.

I nodded, still unable to find the words. He stepped inside and I closed the door behind him. We stood there for a moment, looking at each other, before he finally spoke.

"I'm so sorry, Emile. I never should have let you go. I should have been there to protect you."

I could see the guilt etched on his face and I knew he was blaming himself for what had happened. I wanted to tell him it wasn't his fault, that there was nothing he could have done, but the words wouldn't come.

"I'm just glad you're safe," he said, reaching out to touch my face.

I stepped back, not ready for his touch. I could see the hurt in his eyes, but I couldn't let him in yet. I needed time to process everything that had happened.

"I need to be alone," I said, my voice barely a whisper.

He nodded, understanding.

At this moment the door flew open and Erick stepped in as he loosened his toe and threw his briefcase to a corner of the couch he looked up and saw Dickinson and I.

...Erick POV…

As I sat with Emile, discussing her recent ordeal, she suddenly stood up and announced she was going to do some shopping. I nodded, understanding her need to take her mind off things.

But as she left, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I needed to let someone know she was back and safe. I decided to call Dickinson, knowing he must be worried sick about her.

As soon as he answered the phone, I could hear the relief in his voice. "Erick, is she okay? Where is she?" he asked anxiously.

"She's here with me. She's safe," I reassured him.

I could hear the sigh of relief on the other end of the line. "Thank God," he said. "I'll be there as soon as I can."

I hung up the phone, feeling a sense of satisfaction that I had been able to bring some peace to Dickinson's mind. But just as I was about to relax, my business partner called and asked me to come over to the office.

I quickly said goodbye to Emile, promising her I would be back soon.

As I walked into my house, I was startled to see Dickinson standing in the living room with Emile. She looked at me with a glare, and I immediately knew I had made a mistake by not telling her that I had called Dickinson to let him know she was here.

I had dashed out of the house and it slipped out of my head to inform her of the incoming visitor. Dickinson looked at me and I couldn't understand the cause for the tension in the air.