Chapter 21 That is All She Is
It had been two hours since Zoella arrived at the house. Emma made sure the little girl felt at ease. She wasn’t much of a talker; instead, she focused all her energy on drawing. Zoe had just finished her evening bath and was now in her pajamas. Emma got her settled for bed, said goodnight, gave her a kiss on the cheek, turned off the light, and closed the door behind her.
She went back to the living room and grabbed her phone, immediately calling Phoebe. "What was that all about? You just hung up out of nowhere. It was like you saw a ghost or something," Phoebe said.
"Yeah. Sort of."
"What do you mean?"
"Phoebe, the matron showed up with Zoella. It was totally unexpected," Emma whispered, glancing at Zoe’s door repeatedly. She sat on the couch and let out a sigh.
"What?"
"Now I have no idea how I'm going to manage this. The timing couldn't be worse."
"No, it's actually perfect timing."
"What?"
"Emma, think about it. The party where you were going to tell Ezra about you is just two days away. What can you say if there's no proof?" Emma pondered over Phoebe's words as she continued, "So, the Lord is on our side. We should be grateful she arrived early instead of the two weeks the matron mentioned."
Emma sighed. "That's not even the issue."
"Then what is? Spill it!"
"Who’s going to take care of her while I’m away? I can’t bring her to the party."
Phoebe laughed. "Is that really what's worrying you?"
"Yes, it is. She can't be seen until everything is sorted out."
"How about this? I’ll come by tomorrow morning to pick her up. She loves to draw, right?" Phoebe asked.
"Yes, she does."
"Then she and I will spend the whole day at my studio. I’ll teach her a ton about drawing and painting."
Emma sighed. "Thanks, Phoebe; you’re a lifesaver."
After hanging up, she let the phone drop to her side. She still hasn’t even made a dress for the party. If Ezra was planning to award the best designer at the event, she needed to make sure her dress was absolutely stunning. "Finally," Emma said. She was finally getting closer to achieving what she desired.
She got up from the couch and checked on Zoe before heading to bed.
When morning came, the sound of her alarm pulled her from sleep. Emma reached out and switched it off. As her eyes opened, she was startled to see Zoella staring at her. She wondered how long the girl had been there. Emma glanced at her alarm clock. "It's only 6:30 a.m., Zoella. You should still be in bed. Why are you awake? How long have you been standing there?"
A smile appeared on the girl's face. "You sleep pretty."
"I sleep pretty?" Emma chuckled and Zoella nodded. She exhaled. "You really should be in bed. Can't you sleep?"
Zoella shook her head. "I think it's because this is a new place."
"Oh, I get it now." She lifted Zoella onto her bed. "Why don't you try to sleep for a bit while I get ready for work? Don't worry, I'll be there to scare off any monsters that come near you."
"I don't believe in monsters." Zoella lay her head on the pillow and turned to her. "Emma. Is it okay if I call you Emma?"
Emma nodded. "Of course." It wasn't really the right moment to call her mom, but it would have made her lie more convincing.
"Since you're going out, am I coming with you or staying home?"
Emma took a moment to think about the little girl. "You know what? How about you and Aunt Phoebe go out instead?" She sat down next to her. "Aunt Phoebe has a studio where you can draw."
"Really? I can draw whatever I want?"
“Totally. Then you can tell me all about your day. Deal?”
"Alright." Zoella said, closing her eyes. Emma let out a sigh as she looked at the girl. She stood up from the bed and got ready for work. Once she finished getting dressed, she woke Zoella and bathed for her.
The two of them sat down at the dining table to enjoy pancakes for breakfast that morning. The doorbell rang, and Emma instantly knew who it was. "I'll be right back." She walked to the door and opened it. "You’re right on time."
"Good morning to you too," Phoebe replied. She walked over to the dining table and noticed Zoella. "I hope you’re ready to have some fun?"
"Emma told me I can draw. I’m so happy."
"Emma?" Phoebe's eyes locked onto Emma's. She didn't believe what she just heard. "Emma?" she silently mouthed. She led her to a corner where the child wouldn’t listen in on them. "Emma?" she said again, unbelievably.
"What!” Emma shrugged. “I want her to feel at ease with me. It’s too early for her to label me as 'mother' or 'mom.'"
"You don’t really have a choice but to be called that. What do you think would happen if Ezra found out that your own child called you by your first name instead of mom? Don’t you think he’d get suspicious?"
"Phoebe. It’s too early for this. Alright. I’ll handle it. I promise, but right now, this child doesn’t need to call me mom if she’s not ready."
"Do you remember what we talked about?" Her eyes searched Emma’s. "You need to make her believe that you are her real mother for this to work." Phoebe poked her once.
Then again.
“Stop that!” Emma whispered harshly as she stepped away.
She checked if Zoe was still where they left her. She was still having her breakfast.
Emma turned to Phoebe. "She may be three, but she’s not clueless. She’s like those special kids who are wise beyond their years. Can’t you hear how she speaks? Her words are clearer than those of the other three-year-olds, Phoebe. For this to succeed, we need to be patient. Ezra won’t meet her before then."
"And how do you plan to make that happen? What will you do if he asks for his child?"
Emma swallowed. The plans were coming too fast.
"I’ll figure something out,” she finally said. “S-something will come up, but right now, I can’t be late for work. Make sure she has fun, and if she starts asking too many questions, just dodge them." Emma made her way back to the table. She grabbed the glass of water and downed it in one go. "I’ll see you at home later." She waved goodbye to the child, picked up her bag, and headed out.
It was the day of Winter’s fitting. She was excited to finally see Emma again. Last night, when her brother got home, she managed to squeeze some conversation out of him. Winter found out that he had driven Emma home, based on what he told her.
"You can leave early if you want. You don’t have to wait for me to drive you." He noticed Winter’s excitement ever since she came to the dinner table to eat.
"No. I’m good. I can wait for you, Ezra."
"Don’t worry. You won’t need to take the bus. Milan will come to pick you up for the office."
"Really? You’re letting your personal assistant take me instead of you? I didn’t realize I was that special."
"You are." Ezra put the newspaper back on the table and reached for his glass of water. Winter noticed the headline and picked it up. She read it out loud.
"Heather Walls. Spotted on a blind date with Mr. Chad Willy’s son." Winter looked at Ezra. "Isn’t that the son of the owner of the fashion company you can’t stand?"
Ezra took another sip from his water and set the cup back down on the table. His legs crossed, he looked up at Winter. "What are you implying?"
"It seems to me like you’re still not over her."
"I’m done with Heather, but—"
"You really can’t believe she’d date the son of the man you can’t stand." Ezra let out a sigh after her complete sentence. "Listen, brother. The quicker you move on from this, the better. There are tons of gorgeous girls around you. You could just choose one of them and—"
"If this is about Miss Facer, you’ve got it wrong," he cut in, throwing his hands to the air. "Come on, Winter. Don’t do this. Stay out of it. Nothing is going to happen between Miss Facer and me."
"Then why do you have feelings for her?"
"I don’t."
"But you gave her a ride home last night. A man who doesn’t care wouldn’t do that."
"I just did what I needed to as her boss. She’s an excellent designer. If I lose her, I might not find another like her."
Winter folded her arms across her chest. Her brows furrowed. "So it’s all about business? Just someone who’ll help you make more money?"
"Exactly. That’s all she is to me. Just someone who’ll help me make more money." Just then, his phone beeped. His car was already parked in front of the building. Ezra grabbed it, stood up quickly, and slipped his phone into his pocket. "If you’ll excuse me, I have work to get to." He walked past her, but when he reached the elevator, he stopped and looked back. "Are you going with me or…”
Winter scowled, her fist clenched. That was why she couldn't stand him. He always took people for granted. He only cared about money.