Chapter 10 Lie
Emma had been thinking about Phoebe’s advice all day, caught in a tangle of doubt. She believed it was wrong to hurt an innocent person, but the more she thought about it, the more she felt it might be necessary to protect herself.
As the workday ended, Floria turned to her. “We’re heading out. Do you want to come?”
Emma looked at her phone and froze. It was already 7:22 p.m. She looked up at Floria. “It’s already dark outside.”
Floria nodded. Emma wondered how she had lost track of time.
“You’ve been lost in thought since you came back from the bathroom,” Floria said. “You really should take a break. It’s crazy the CEO made you so nervous on your first day.”
Emma sighed as she looked around the mostly empty office, only Gia and Floria left. She asked, “So, where are you headed?”
“We’re going to a bar for a drink. I know a great place, and you could use it after today’s stress.”
Emma shook her head. “I’m not in the mood for drinking.” She looked at Gia, who seemed tired. “It’s probably best to take her home. She needs rest.”
“You’re right.” Gia stirred awake, and Floria gently helped her up. “Gia, time to go home,” she said softly. Then she looked at Emma. “You should think about leaving soon. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
As she guided Gia toward the door, Emma’s voice interrupted them with a question about the CEO’s whereabouts. Floria replied, “No, he always leaves first,” and they continued on their way.
Once they left, Emma felt relief wash over her. She pulled out her sketchbook, hoping to distract herself with drawing. But even with their plan to protect her, she felt too intimidated to face Ezra and admit she had stolen from him.
After a moment, she closed her sketchbook and stood. Maybe she could stop thinking about Ezra for the rest of the evening. It was best to forget the day and calm the anxiety that had nearly overwhelmed her. She turned off the lights, grabbed her bag, and left the office.
Emma went to the parking garage, ordered an Uber, and waited in a corner. Suddenly, she felt a strong urge to turn when she saw a car coming her way.
She felt a jolt when she saw it was him.
Her heart raced. She froze, silently hoping he wouldn’t notice her. “Please, just keep driving,” she silently pleaded. Relief flooded her when her drive passed without looking at her.
She had thought he’d gone home.
“What are you still doing at the office?” His voice startled her, and she felt her face flush with embarrassment.
Fuck! She cursed under her breath.
She looked at him then looked down. He had his head peered out his window.
“I… I had some work to finish, sir, and I’m just waiting for my uber," she said with her voice low, avoiding his eyes. Then he brought up the earlier incident. She quickly said, “Can we please not talk about that? It was hours ago.”
But he pressed, “You should apologize.”
Emma blinked, confused and caught off guard by his directness that it made her finally look at him. “What do you mean?” she asked, her heart pounding.
“You touched me inappropriately, and I should be the one panicking, not you. So, an apology is in order.”
Emma froze for a moment, staring at him.
“Is there something on my face?” he asked.
She shook her head, noticing how handsome he looked, making her even more flustered. “No, sir. I’m truly sorry for what happened earlier. I crossed a line. Instead of running away, I should have owned up to it. I’m really sorry.”
Silence.
Ezra turned and started the engine.
Emma watched him drive away, confusion swirling in her mind. Shouldn’t he at least offer me a ride? She frowned and whispered to herself, Is he really who they say he is… gay?
Suddenly, Ezra’s car stopped. He saw her talking to herself. Part of him didn’t want to get involved, but he also knew he needed a skilled designer like her on his team.
After a moment, he shifted into reverse and parked in front of her. “Get in. I’ll give you a ride home,” he said, trying to sound firm.
Emma blinked in surprise. “My uber will be here soon,” she replied.
“I’ve been waiting ten minutes. Your Uber isn’t coming, and it’s freezing. Just get in,” he said.
She raised a brow. “Why are you helping me, sir?”
“Do you want a ride or not?” he snapped. He had dismissed his secretary earlier, planning some quiet time, not knowing Emma was still at the office.
She checked her phone and saw her Uber had indeed canceled.
With a sigh, she admitted, “I do, sir.” She opened the back door to get in, but he stopped her.
“What am I supposed to be? Your chauffeur?” he said, scowling.
She quickly apologized and moved to the front seat, opened the door, and settled in beside him.
“Use your seatbelt,” he instructed. She did without hesitation. He restarted the engine, drove out of the underground garage, and glanced at her. “Where do you need to go?”
“Somewhere close,” she said, a little puzzled.
“The place where I drop you off,” he clarified.
“Oh. I’ll get off at the next bus stop. My house isn’t far from there.”
“Okay,” he said, leaving her surprised.
Emma had expected him to insist on dropping her at her front door, but he didn’t. “Thank you, sir,” she managed to say as he took a different route, holding her seatbelt tightly.
Her mind raced with questions—why didn’t he recognize her? Right, she had grown older, gained weight, and so much about her had changed.
Then he said, “You know, your name sounds familiar.”
Emma felt a shock run through her. Her heart raced as she turned to him, laughing nervously. “My name is common, of course it sounds familiar.”
Did he finally know who I am? Panic surged. Her careful plans felt like they were falling apart, and the thought of going to jail made her stomach twist.
“Are you scared of me?” he asked, noticing her quick breathing.
“Huh?” she said, caught off guard.
“I mean, since this morning, you’ve been breathing fast. Do I frighten you?”
The truth was, he did scare her—but not the reasons others might think. Her fear came from what she had done in the past and the tough choices she faced now.
“If it’s because of what you’ve heard in the company, it’s all true,” he said as he stopped the car. He looked at her. “I may be known as the ‘cold, handsome devil,’ but when we work together, I need you to see me as the CEO and feel comfortable. We’ll be working closely.” He took a deep breath and announced. “We are here.”
Emma paused, taking in his words. Then she hurriedly said, “Thank you, sir, for the ride.” She got out and watched him drive away, her mind still spinning with uncertainty.
Walking home, she felt a swirl of emotions. She wished she could act naturally around him, but the truth was, he didn’t recognize her, and that made her more uneasy.
Any hint of who she really was might make him suspicious, and she didn’t want to cause more trouble.
She shook her head and reminded herself of the pain she had caused him before. She couldn’t bear the thought of hurting him again. Yet, the desire for success and wealth pulled at her, along with vivid memories of their time together three years ago.
Standing in front of her house, nostalgia washed over her. The connection she had shared with Ezra Queen had driven her impulsive decision to sleep with him. At that time, she had feared waking up next to a man who would see her as just a fleeting encounter.
Now, she resolved to follow Phoebe’s plan, and decided to win his love while chasing her dreams.
And she knew that the only way to achieve both her ambitions and her desires was to commit fully to this path.
Lie.