Chapter 68 — Preparations

Emily's POV

The rest of the day in the restaurant went by doing the usual job. Aaron did not come back after that and I was still pondering over the fact that how could I be able to tell him everything.

Everyone in the restaurant was talking about some event that was coming, probably the coming Saturday, but I had no interest in it, whatsoever. It was some kind of annual party that William and Kane Jasper, his partner in business who apparently owned a restaurant as well, were holding and each employee from both of the restaurants was invited.

But I really wasn't planning on going. I mean, I never had a thing for parties. I was sure if I'd tell William that I didn't want to come, he would understand.

He always did.

"Hey, kid," Cody popped up his head beside me and ruffled my hair.

"Hey, Cody," I smiled.

I really loved this man. Cody had a joyful aura around him. Even if you were feeling down trust Cody to make your ribs hurt from laughing hysterically. That was why I loved him.

"Long time no see," he sat on the counter, rubbing his hands on the apron he was wearing.

"I met you when I arrived today," I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, but then your boyfriend came and took you away from me," he feigned a hurtful expression and dramatically placed a hand on his heart, earning a chuckle from me.

Wait, what?

Boyfriend? Did Aaron tell everyone about our 'exclusive' relationship? 

I sighed and shook my head, "This is gonna be harder than I thought." I muttered to myself.

"What?" Cody raised an eyebrow.

"Nope, nothing." I waved my hand dismissively and he nodded.

"You coming to the event on Saturday, right?" he mused.

"No, I don't think so...." I trailed off and he frowned.

"Aw, but why?"

"Parties aren't really my thing," I shrugged and he rolled his eyes.

"It's not a high school party with drunk and hormonal teenagers, Emily. It's a really sophisticated party with civilized businessmen," he shook his head.

"Yeah, I know but still. I don't know, I'll see," I shrugged and he nodded.

"It'll be great if you come. I'll introduce you to my wife and daughter," he smiled.

"Wait, you have a daughter?!" I jumped up from my seat and stood right in front of him.

"Yeah, she's five," he chuckled. I noticed how his face lit up when he talked about his family. My heart filled with warmth as I saw the distant smile on his face as if he was thinking about something that mattered a lot to him.

"I'd love to meet your family," I smiled as he jumped off the counter and nodded.

"Then think about it," he winked and walked towards the door.

*********

"Thanks, Aaron," I smiled as I climbed out of the car.

"Anytime," he nodded, returning the gesture and leaned against his car.

Should I tell him now? 

I debated whether to spill everything out or wait some more and prepare myself for it.

Then obviously decided to go with the latter.

I didn't have enough courage to tell him that I basically cheated on him and the worse part that I didn't even regret it.

"So I'll go now," Aaron brought me out of my trance and I nodded, taking a step back and giving him a small wave of hand.

"Bye," I mumbled.

"Take care," he smiled somewhat sadly and climbed into the car, turning the engine on and speeding away and I let go a breath I didn't know I was holding.

I sighed and unlocked my door, walking in and checking on my mother and finding him fast asleep I made my way to my room.

I just hoped she had taken all her medicines.

I plopped down on the bed and stared at the ceiling, though my mind.....well my mind was entirely somewhere else.

Somewhere it wasn't supposed to be.

I sat up straight and walked to the bathroom, taking a shower I changed and jumped on the bed again.

Aaron didn't mention the 'little' thing he did today and I didn't even want him to. The tension between us was way too much to handle already, and right now adding some more to it was the last thing I wanted to do. So I just let it slide.

Technically I was his still his girlfriend so what he did wasn't entirely wrong.

It had been four days since I last saw Noah and I honestly would kill to have a small peek of him right now. I knew what I was thinking was so damn wrong and it made me sound like I was obsessed with him or something but I really couldn't help it.

I really wanted to smell his damn cologne right now.

Suddenly a thought popped up in my mind and I grinned.

Oh, hell yeah. Why didn't I think of it earlier?

I practically flew towards my closet and opened it throwing all the stuff out and grinning when I saw what I was looking for.

I threw my shirt off and pulled on Noah's hoodie, immediately drowning myself in his scent.

Though I had washed it after that day when I wore it last but still his scent was all over it. I crawled back on the bed and took the duvet on me hugging a pillow and preparing myself for another night of terrific nightmares.

***********

The next four days went by quicker than I thought and once again I was standing in the restaurant's kitchen, cutting tomatoes and onions.

"Emily?" Liam, a waiter in the restaurant called out my name from the door and I looked up.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"Mr. Black is calling you up," he said and closed the door, without giving me a chance to reply.

I sighed and took off my apron and toque, washing my hands and making my way towards William's cabin.

I knocked on the door and waited for him to reply.

"Come inside," his voice came from inside and I quickly put on a smile and opened the door.

"Good evening," I greeted as I took a seat opposite to him "Good evening. How are you holding up?" he asked as he put the file he was previously reading inside his drawer.

"Great," I lied and he nodded and smiled.

"How's your mother?"

"She's fine," I smiled at his kindness and he leaned in resting his chin on his hand.

"You're coming tomorrow, aren't you?" William mused and I bit my lip, thinking about an excuse.

"Actually I..."

"I know, I know, you're not comfortable with parties and all that stuff but it'll be really great if you come. See, no pressure you can still refuse but it'll be nice to have you around," he smiled sadly and I yet again I found myself helpless in another situation.

"I...actually...okay," I spluttered out and he chuckled.

I didn't know what made me agree but seeing William's hopeful eyes I just couldn't bring myself to say no. He had done everything for me and I couldn't let him down just because I didn't want to go to some damn party.

"Thanks," he smiled that it actually embarrassed me that he was thanking me for something like that.

"Sure," I smiled back.

"So I'll see you around," I said and he nodded.

I made my way out of his cabin and towards the staircase when I saw Maria the receptionist coming out of the bathroom with her hair messed up and her lipstick smudged all over her face.

She saw me and her eyes widened but I quickly looked away, pretending not to see her.

I went inside the kitchen and saw Cody packing up and frowned when realized there was still an hour left till our shift.

"Are you going somewhere?" I asked as I climbed up the counter.

"We are going back home," he emphasized the word we that made me even more confused.

"But there is still an hour left."

"Mr. Black told us to go home an hour earlier today to prepare for tomorrow's event. You don't know?"

"Nope"

"Sometimes I really do wonder if you live under a rock or something," he smiled and shook his head.

"Must be a big event," I mused and obviously ignored his comment.

"It is. By the way, you're coming right?" he asked and put his apron back in the cupboard.

"I guess I am..." I trailed and his face lit up.

"That'd be awesome," he clapped his hands together and I chuckled.

"Okay then see you tomorrow," I said as I jumped down from the counter and walked towards the door.

"Yeah. Bye, kid!"

"Bubye," I said and closed the door.

I walked out of the restaurant before Aaron would offer to ride me home because I really wasn't feeling like talking to him, talking to anyone for that matter actually.

I walked on the sidewalk and thought about tomorrow's party. I realized that I didn't even have a dress for tomorrow. All the dresses that I had were really not suitable to wear on something as big as tomorrow's event, seeing as everyone was talking about it since the last freaking week.

I took a turn towards the mall and decided to buy something. It had been ages since I last went shopping. Plus spending some money on myself wouldn't hurt either.

I pondered over the fact that maybe I shouldn't have agreed to go but then shrugged it off.

It wouldn't be that bad, now would it?