When Patrick came back looking all stormy, Marlon and Emily were nowhere to be found in the restaurant. He ended up sitting in his car until the sun came up.
Patrick dialed Marlon's number and said, "Hey Marlon, I need to ask you something!"
Marlon picked up and replied, "Well, it's not every day you call me."
Patrick hung up and glanced at the restaurant. He hadn't budged since he got back the night before.
Meanwhile, Emily quickly got the hang of her new job. Honestly, it was a piece of cake for her.
Shirley showed up at the project team too. She was fuming about what happened yesterday. She blamed Emily for everything, thinking she wouldn't be stuck in this godforsaken place if it weren't for her.
Shirley thought, 'Emily, you're gonna pay for this.'
She spotted the team's standard water cup on Emily's desk and got an idea.
Shirley turned to an employee named Amy Scott and said, "Hey, I'm Shirley Wright from the HQ. Can you get me some water?"
In the big, simple office, there were six workstations, just desks and chairs. Right then, only Amy, who was in her forties and sitting across from Emily, was still there. Everyone else had left.
While Amy was getting water, Shirley pulled out a colorless, tasteless liquid from her bag and poured it into Emily's cup.
"This was meant for Patrick, but you'll get it first!"
Soon, Amy came back with a ceramic cup.
Amy smiled slightly and said, "Ms. Wright, here's your water."
Shirley took the cup with a smile but didn't drink it right away. She set it down to cool.
Shirley glanced at her badge and said, "Amy, you should look out for Emily more. After all, no woman can handle what she's been through."
"What do you mean?" Amy asked, curious.
"You probably don't know, and I shouldn't be saying this. But Emily was in the hospital recently. She's been working so hard to win over clients."
"Did she contract a sexually transmitted disease?" Even though the project team was in a remote spot, there were still rumors about Emily.
"Don't spread this, okay?" Shirley said, pretending to be innocent.
Amy was getting more interested, and just then, Emily walked in. She was a bit surprised to see Shirley but didn't react much, trying to avoid trouble.
Seeing Emily, Shirley quickly went up to her. "Emily, I didn't get to ask how you're doing here yesterday. Patrick took me away before I could. I had to beg him to let me come see you."
Amy watched Shirley and felt moved, thinking she really cared about Emily.
"The water's cooled down a bit. Amy, is there hot water here?"
"Yeah, I'll get some." Amy quickly fetched a kettle and added hot water to Shirley's cup, then turned and added some to Emily's cup too.
Amy thought, 'Poor Emily.'
"Thanks." Emily took her cup and politely took a sip. Right after, she felt something was off. Her body felt hot, and her mind was getting fuzzy.
"Emily, are you okay? You look feverish," Shirley said, pretending to be concerned. "Amy, can you watch over Emily? I'll go get the car."
Shirley grabbed Emily's bag and phone and rushed out.
Using Emily's phone, Shirley sent a message to Marlon: [I'm at Whispering Pines Inn, room 316 waiting for you.] Then she deleted it.
After that, Shirley drove Emily's car over. Amy helped Shirley get Emily downstairs, but Shirley stopped her.
"Amy, if the boss comes, please ask for leave for Emily."
Amy agreed without hesitation.
As soon as Marlon sat down, Patrick, still looking stormy, walked over.
"What are you doing here?" They both spoke at the same time, but Patrick's voice was lower.
Patrick demanded, "Why are you here with her?"
Before Marlon could respond, his phone buzzed with a message from Emily.
Marlon looked puzzled. After a moment, he handed the phone to Patrick.
Patrick's anger flared up, veins popping on his forehead, his face darkening even more. "Are you trying to show off?"
"Don't you think something's off?"
First off, Emily had just arrived at Canyon Ridge and didn't know her way around. Plus, it was daytime, and sneaking around during work hours wasn't her style.
"Emily must be in trouble!" Patrick sped off to Whispering Pines Inn.
"I haven't even gotten in the car yet!" Marlon said, following reluctantly.
Patrick rushed into Whispering Pines Inn, ignoring the front desk, and headed straight to room 316. He pushed open the slightly ajar door to find Emily lying on the bed.
Emily's eyes were closed, a slight smile on her lips, her face flushed, her breathing rapid. The drugs had clearly taken effect.
"Emily, wake up!" Patrick tried to rouse her, but it didn't work. Emily's body was burning up. Patrick's presence seemed to bring a glimmer of light to her chaotic dream.
Even with her eyes closed, she felt a familiar, warm presence. It was like a gentle spring breeze, cooling her burning cheeks.
Patrick picked her up and rushed to the Bentley outside. She had definitely been drugged. When Marlon arrived at room 316, the door was open, but no one was inside. He realized he was too late again.
Patrick gently placed Emily in the back seat and was about to drive, but Emily clung to him, seeking the coolness he brought.
Feeling comfortable, Emily's moans grew louder, and she writhed on the back seat, desperate.
Seeing it was hard to leave, Patrick closed the car door.
"Emily, you owe me again," he said.
Patrick kissed her. Emily eagerly responded, and soon they were entwined.
The kiss seemed to ignite a new vitality in Emily's burning body. Her heartbeat quickened, her breathing became rapid. Desire clouded her mind. She tried to stay awake, but Patrick's warmth made her sink. If this was a battle, Emily had already surrendered.
She clung to Patrick, and he felt the warmth and softness of her body. His emotions were mixed. He knew she was being set up, but images of her with Marlon kept flashing in his mind.
A strange anger flared in Patrick, and he bit down on Emily's chest. Her cries grew louder, and she rubbed against him, desperate.
Patrick made no extra moves, pulled down her pants, and without hesitation, entered her. His body shook violently as he thrust into her.
He held her tightly, as if trying to meld her into his body.
Patrick indulged his desires fully. As his movements intensified, the car shook. After a while, he climaxed, ejaculating deep inside her.
Emily's body relaxed. She slowly opened her eyes and glanced at Patrick. He always managed to soothe her fears and anxieties.
Drowsiness overcame her, her eyelids grew heavy, the world blurred, and her thoughts drifted away.