Chapter Twenty -Eight: We meet again!

After a minute, Emma said again, “How have you been? When did you get back to New York?”

Even though she had conflicting thoughts about it, she had missed Brian so much. The first three years after dad departed were awful and lonely for her as a youngster with no friends. It only got better when she met Mira during middle school.

“I got back just a few weeks ago and I've been searching everywhere for you.” He stepped closer and seized her hands. “Emma, I'm so sorry,I didn't keep in touch like I promised.”

Emma grinned and nodded. “It's fine. I missed you so much too”

Brian drew her into his warm arms as they gripped one other passionately. After a few seconds, Emma broke out of the embrace, she was scared Jason might notice and didn't want to give the wrong signals.

“So, how did you find me?” Emma asked quietly.

Brian grinned as he rapidly thought of how to react to her queries. He absolutely was going to tell her about Raymond or their intentions and that even the fact that she was standing there before him was arranged.

“Let's just say coincidence? Or fate?” Brian said jokingly.

“Emma laughed, “You're still so funny.”

Brian studied Emma as she smiled, showing the lovely set of white teeth. It seemed like she hadn't smiled so brightly and truly in a long.

“How's he treating you?” Brian inquired out of the blue.

“Who?” She asked. Does he know she's married? Oh.. she has a ring on her finger.

Emma's face sank at the question. She had been avoiding thinking about Jason and their marriage for the previous three weeks. It was too difficult to linger on.

"I...I don't have the foggiest idea," she replied, her voice breaking. "Things are...complicated."

Brian recognized the trouble easily and understood that whatever was happening with her marriage, it wasn't great. He took a full breath and chosen to gradually continue.

"You don't need to discuss it on the off chance that you would rather not," he added, his voice delicate. "Be that as it may, I'm here to tune in"

"Well," Emma began reluctantly, not knowing where to start. "Things have been extreme between us for a long at this point. We don't...we don't actually talk any longer. Also, when we do, it generally finishes in a contention. I just...I feel as I don't know him any longer."

As she talked, tears began to accumulate in her eyes. She flickered rapidly, endeavoring to hold them back. Brian loosened up and delicately got a handle on her hand in his.

"Emma," he proceeded, his voice brimming with compassion. "Please accept my apologies you're going through this isolated. It should be hard."

"It is hard," Emma answered, her voice shaking. "In any case, I'm in good company"

"You can converse with me," Brian answered, holding her hand delicately. "I'm hanging around for you, regardless. You don't need to defy this by itself."

Emma looked at him, her eyes overflowing with appreciation. "Much obliged to you," she mumbled, her voice imposing with energy. "I...I truly feel a debt of gratitude however might we at any point quit discussing this?"

"Obviously," Brian replied, perceiving that this was without a doubt overpowering for her. "We should talk about something different, something lighter. How's dad?"

"Dad is doing well," Emma added with a grin. "He's been busy with business, he finds time for me though”

"He sounds like a great dad," Brian added, experiencing a stab of jealousy. He had never met his own father, and hearing about Emma's dad made him desire for a connection like that.

“Yeah, sure, he is.” Emma remarked with a lovely grin on her face.

“Emma?” A familiar voice resonated, as the two looked towards the location of the sound. It was Jason! F**$.. Emma could feel her heart hammering in her chest. What was he going to do this time? She was carried away catching up with her old buddy and had forgotten Jason was really in the pub waiting for her.

"Emma!" Jason replied, a combination of astonishment and wrath in his voice. "I've been searching all around for you. What's going on?"

Emma took a long breath, attempting to retain her calm. "I was just catching up with Brian," she added, referring to the guy seated opposite from her. "We're old friends from school."

"You're friends from school?" he asked, his tone brimming with question.

Emma could detect the strain all around, and she realized she needed to effectively mitigate what is going on.

"Yes, we are," she responded, attempting to seem assured. "We were in the same study group, and we've kept in touch over the years." She lied.

"How come I've never heard about him before?" Jason inquired, his voice full of skepticism.

Emma felt her tolerance start to run thin. "Because you never asked," she answered, her tone a touch stern. "Just because you're my spouse doesn't mean you know everything about me. I have a life outside of our connection."

Jason appeared taken startled by her remark. He was plainly no having it.

Brian was observing the discussion between Emma and Jason with rising concern. He had not planned to create any problems, and he definitely didn't want to be a source of friction in Emma's relationship.

As the tension in the air got thicker, Brian decided to intercede. Hello, folks," he started, his voice quiet and consistent. "We should make a step back briefly. I'm sure we can straighten this out without any fuss."

Emma and Jason both turned to stare at him, their looks a combination of astonishment and anxiety. Brian could see that he had caught them off guard, and he hoped it would be enough to relieve the tension.

"Look, I didn't mean to cause any problems," he began, gazing first at Emma and then at Jason. "I simply wanted to meet up with an old buddy. There's no reason for people to become outraged."

Emma took a long breath, obviously calming. "I'm sorry for getting defensive," she added, her voice gentler. "I guess I was just surprised by your reaction, Jason."

Jason let out a sigh. “It's time to go home.” He stated coldly as he attempted to leave. When he observed Emma didn't move, he turned towards her, “Now!!”

Emma's eyes extended in awe at his tone. She realized he was despondent, however she hadn't anticipated that he should be so terrible.

"I'm coming," she answered, getting her stuff and followed him out of the bar.

As they went down the road, the pressure between them was clear.Jason's jaw was tightened, and he was striding with a determined step, evidently still upset.

Emma was trying to think out what to say to break the ice, but nothing came to her. It was as if all her words had dried up in the face of Jason's rage.