Chapter 46 It's Either Get Rid Of Her, Or Go To Jail

Chapter 46 It's Either Get Rid Of Her, Or Go To Jail
Emma cast a glance over to Zoe, who was preoccupied with the mini meatballs on her plate. She chose one and put it into her mouth. While chewing, she looked up at Emma. "You are very quiet." 

“No talking while eating.” Sighing, Emma dropped her fork into her unfinished spaghetti. Before leaving work, she had been thinking about Ezra. She could not even ask Gia and Floria to join her in her celebrations because of this. She sighed again, and Zoe's gaze returned to her. 

“Emma.” 

“Hmm.” She looked at Zoe, waiting for her to say something else. 

"I have already finished my food, but I am not okay." 

Emma chuckled. Her gaze was drawn to the plate in front of her. "Would you like mine? I will not be able to finish it." Zoe gave a nod. Emma emptied her plate into Zoe's bowl. "What should we say?" 

“Thank you.” She clutched the plate close to her chest and began digging through it. 

"You have been eating a lot recently." 

“And you haven’t.” 

"You should not be concerned about me. I am the grown-up, and you are the child. Allow me to do the bothering." 

Zoe fumbled with her fork. “Is this about Daddy?” 

“Hmm?” 

"Did he not call?" 

Emma inhaled deeply before she leaned closer. She gently stroked Zoe's hair and smiled at the child. "I am not thinking of him. And besides, he promised to come here on Saturday to have some fun with you.” Emma exclaimed with delight. "Are you pumped?" Zoe's face became glum. "What is the matter? You should be happy.” 

“I am happy.” 

"So, what is the deal with your sad face?" 

She let out a long sigh. "Daddy and I just got to know one another; that is all," she explained. “I am afraid he will not like me anymore. Emma, I am not like the other kids my age. I have no idea how to have fun.” 

“But the other day, you had a good time at Bella's house.” 

“No. I did not. We were only panting. Which I enjoy because it makes me happy." 

Emma cupped Zoe's face with both of her hands. “Your daddy is cool. He will love you whether you are having fun or not. Okay?” 

“Are you sure?” 

“Pinky promise.” She brought her pinky finger connected with Zoe's. “He will love you.” 

Zoe could not help but smile as she let go of Emma's hand and jumped down from the chair. She dashed over to Emma and hugged her tightly. "You make me happy," she said, raising her gaze to Emma. “Thank you.”

Emma kissed the top of her head. "You make me happy as well." I have a purpose because of you. And that was true. She has always wished to improve herself, especially ever since she met Zoella. She worked even harder than before and believed Zoella was deserving of everything. "Come on. Let’s get you ready for bed. You have school tomorrow.” 

“But—” 

“Before you say anything about school, I have given your words some thought.” 

“What do you mean?” 

"You will be given some tests, and if you pass them, I will speak with the school about promoting you to a more appropriate class. Is that all right?" 

“Easy pissy.” Emma packed the plates into the kitchen while Zoella dashed to her room.

She gave Zoe a bath, brushed her teeth, and dressed her in the Winnie the Pooh pyjamas that were Zoe's favourite. Zoe's favourite part of this outfit was the bear head hoodie, which she liked to wear over her head before going to bed. Phoebe had given her the cloth the same week Zoe arrived to stay with Emma. 

"Get some rest, sweetie." Emma gave her a kiss. “Good night.” 

“Good night, Emma.” She waved as Emma turned off the light and shut the door behind her. She lingered on Zoe's door for a while then headed to the kitchen to do the dishes. Her phone started ringing shortly after she finished cleaning up the sloppy kitchen. 

Emma entered the living room and took her phone from the table where she had placed it. She checked the caller ID, but it was not a number she had saved. She was a little scared as she picked it up. “Hello?” 

“Oh, hi.” A familiar sounding female voice could be heard. “I apologise for calling you at this hour.” 

“Who is this, please?” Emma took a big gulp, and her heart started racing faster than usual. 

The lady laughed. “It is me, Miss Facer. Heather. Remember?” 

Ezra’s ex? Why is she calling? “How could I forget? I could tell the voice was familiar."

"I apologise for the suddenness." 

"It is fine. You previously said that you would call. Do you need anything in particular? Is this about making an outfit for you?" 

“No. Miss Facer, it is something else. Are you available for coffee tomorrow?" 

Coffee? Emma paused for a moment. Why would she want coffee with me if she is not making a dress? She pondered and then it clicked to her. It definitely had to be about Ezra. She cleared her throat. “I don’t think so. My morning and afternoon schedules are extremely tight. This leaves me with—" 

“Night.” Heather stepped in. “Tomorrow night is okay.” 

“I… I guess so.” She was ambushed right there and there was no way to get out. 

“Good. I will drop by your workplace before you leave. I can take you for a ride in my car, and the coffee is, of course, my treat." 

“Hmm–mmm.” 

"I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me. I will see you tomorrow." She got off the phone before Emma could say anything else. 

Emma slowly removed the phone from her ear and placed it on the table then took a seat on the couch. She inhaled deeply and looked around the room. 

Oh shit. What type of mess are you going to get into this time? She picked up her phone and made a call to Phoebe. 

“What is it?” She sounded exhausted on the phone. 

“Did I wake you up? You sound tired.” 

“What do you think? I sleep in my art studio. Not the most comfortable.” She sighed. “Why did you call? Is everything all right?" 

"I do not believe so." 

“What is going on?” 

"Where do I even begin?" Emma said.

"From the very beginning." 

She did not waste any time speaking up again. “Oof.” She let out a long sigh. "Ezra's ex-girlfriend called," Phoebe gasped. "Before you yell or say anything out of context, I was as surprised as you when I heard her voice." 

“I was not going to say anything. I am just in shock.” 

"You made a really high gasp, Phoebe. It can only mean one thing." 

"Do you want to solve this problem or not?" 

“That was why I called.” 

“What did she say when you two spoke?” 

"It was not about clothes, so she knows something or will know something." 

"What exactly did she say?" Phoebe asked again.

"She wants to meet for coffee and talk tomorrow night. She did not say anything about what she wanted to talk about, but she sounded serious." 

"Oh my god." 

"What is it, Phoebe?" 

“Yo–you have to cancel on the coffee.” 

"But I have already said yes." 

"So, unsay your yes and say no. Emma, call her and tell her no." 

“Oh. You want me to call her and tell her no? And tell her, "I am sorry, Heather, but I will be too busy tomorrow night to meet you for coffee?" 

“Exactly that.” 

“Do you know how that sounded?” 

“It sounded good to me.” 

"But I would like to hear what she has to say."

“Oh. Would you also like to go to jail?”  

That startled Emma. “What?” 

"I thought so, too, so cancel on her." 

“Phoebe.” 

“Emma.” 

"I do not think this is a big deal. I do not believe she is aware." 

“If she is friends with Scott, I believe that she either knows something or is suspicious.” 

Emma scoffed. "How do you know she is acquainted with Scott?" 

“She is Ezra’s ex-girlfriend. She is hot. Do you think she wouldn’t be close to Scott? Besides, I do not believe she has moved on from Ezra." 

Phoebe had a valid point. "But I am curious to hear what she has to say, and I will meet with her to find out." 

Phoebe groaned over the phone. “Geez, Emma.” 

"I should find out if she knows. Alright? If she does, I will figure out how to solve the problem. It is better than being in the dark and having my anxiety consume me on the inside, wondering if she knows or not." 

The silence was loud between them. 

“You know what? You are absolutely correct. It is preferable to find out once and for all whether she is aware. But if she is, we cannot allow her to tell anyone." 

“Whoa. Where are you going with this?” 

"I do not think I can go to jail, Miss Facer." 

“No one is going to jail.” Emma murmured, her gaze falling on the corridor leading to Zoe's room. “No one is going to jail,” she whispered this time.

"We do not know for sure, but if Miss Pretty knows, things will not go well. That means we will have to get rid of her." 

“What?”

"It's either get rid of her or go to jail. And guess what? I chose to get rid of her quickly and quietly rather than spend the rest of my life in an orange jumpsuit." 

Emma was shaken by the loud beep. She sighed, removing the phone from her ear. "Shit!" she yelled, her hands covered her face immediately.