Epilogue: 6 years later-1

~ They went separate ways. That doesn't mean their paths won't ever cross again. ~ She looked stunning. It was the first thing that crossed my mind when I saw her walking down that busy New York street. I hadn't seen her in six years and here she was looking better than any of the pictures Skylar had shown me. Her cheekbones were sharper and more defined and she looked more mature which only made her more gorgeous. My mind immediately went back to the last night her and I had spent together. I turned into the nearest shop to clear my head and to wait. I didn't know what would happen when we would see each other, not having any contact for a person for six years and then trying to work your way back into their life was frightening to say the least. I realized I had walked into a old book shop, so I browsed the shelves and picked up a few covers that looked interesting enough. Emilia had got me hooked on reading and despite my busy job, I still made time for it. With my thought back to Emilia, I reminded myself that I hadn't come to New York just for Emilia. Of course I was here to try win her back after Skylar told me her reason for leaving, but if she wasn't ready or she no longer felt the same for me. I would let her go. My hand immediately went to my pocket to feel for my wallet. Professor Jones had given me her last piece of work she had written. It was the one where she had to write about me and despite it being so short, it meant the world to me so that's why I kept it in my wallet. Whenever I thought about the day I had dropped off Emilia, my stomach dropped and all I remembered was her never telling me she loved me. She sounded angry and hurt when she screamed after me. Maybe if I had turned around and seen her face, it would have been saying something different. Trying to ignore the annoying pull at my stomach, I pulled out my wallet and got the letter: I now know what love is. That's it took for me to know that Emilia loved me too. She didn't need to say it out loud because those six words said more than she would ever need to. Leaving a book store empty handed was a rare and strange occurrence, but I had the best piece of work I would ever read in my hands. I often reread these words and seeing them now again, I was determined to leave the shop and find Emilia. I just never expected to bump into her. - That morning when I was getting ready for work my eyes flicked to the box and letter surrounding my apartment's floor. I had spent the whole night reading all 365 letters. Each hand written for each day of the year until I would be expected back. But I think we both knew it wouldn't just be a year. It wasn't the neatest my apartment could be, so I cleaned up a bit that the papers weren't strewn around the floor but rather left on my coffee table. I could clean it up when I got back. I had a feeling today was going to be a big day. There were whispers around the office that Markus wanted to ask me a big question today. Arriving at work, it was obvious that people were talking about Markus's proposal. I headed straight for his office, knowing that he wanted to speak with me but also annoyed at being the center of office gossip. Markus had spoken to me briefly about it beforehand but nothing was set in stone. I knocked and walked in as soon as he answered. "Emilia. I'm glad you're here." Markus adjusted his tie as he walked towards me. "Mind if we leave the office and go get some coffee or something. The staff all seem a bit chattier than usual and it's annoying me." I smiled despite being annoyed and nodded. With an office so central to many cafés and restaurants, I found it strange that we were walking away from that and more towards the busier parts of the city. Markus must have picked up on my tired appearance which I should have tried a bit harder to hide with a bit of make up, "I'm sorry it's such a walk but I also wanted to fetch Jacob, if you don't mind. The nanny cancelled, I would've have thought she would call you but anyway it's not too much of a problem with me. I'll just take him back to the office with us." "That's strange. She was there in the morning. I made sure she arrived before I left. Something must have happened that she needed to leave, maybe?" "Maybe. But I'm not complaining," Markus smiled, "I love spending every moment with my baby boy." "He's grown so much already. Soon we'll have to be looking for schools." I teased. "Parenting is the hardest job." Markus joked. Julia, the nanny, was waiting outside the apartment block with Jacob in a stroller. I ran up to Jacob while Markus spoke to Julia. "Hey! How are you?" I said in my awful baby voice while I tickled Jacob and his laughter echoed down the street. I couldn't help but smile at the sound of his laughter so I picked him up while Markus pushed the pram. "You're brilliant with children, Emilia. When are you getting your own?" Markus teased and I glared at him. "Very funny boss. But now that we've got the baby, can we please talk business? I'm assuming there's a lot we'll need to talk about and maybe staying out of the office for too long isn't the best idea. You've heard them talk." Trying to be taken seriously while bouncing a baby on your hip was difficult. But Markus knew me well enough to know that when I wanted to talk business, there was no fooling around, "I'll get straight to the point then. We're opening another branch and I want you to run it." My steps faltered and I stared up at him, "What?" Markus burst out into laughter, "Please put my little boy down. I can't concentrate with you two pulling the same face." When I looked at Jacob, he was playing with my necklace but his mouth was wide open. Smiling, I gently put him back down. "Will I have to relocate?" I asked. "I wouldn't think it's necessary. The firm needs a smaller branch, just on the opposite side of the city. I don't need an answer now, I'm just telling you so that you know." "Everyone was talking about the expansion. I mean, you've mentioned it to me before but this is the promotion everyone was whispering about?" "We both know you're got too much talent to be working as my PA. And I'll be the first to admit that even I take you for granted. Like the fact that I send you to my apartment to check that Julia arrives for Jacob every morning. It's out of your way and it's an aspect of my personal life that you shouldn't have to be involved in." "It's not a problem. I enjoy the little man's company. And your place isn't out of my way." I shrugged. "Don't lie, Emilia. Your address is on the staff records."I blushed being caught in a harmless lie. Markus smiled to ease the tension, "I would like an answer by the end of the week though. Journalism is an important job you know?" I was about to make a joke when I walked into someone. Sure, it was a normal occurrence to bump into someone when you were walking the busy streets of New York City, but not walk into them that you knock your head against their chest. I lifted my head to apologize to the person. And that's when I saw those bright, mischievous eyes I had spent the whole night thinking of. "Hunter." I breathed out. "Emilia." He sounded breathless but he managed to smirk. "What are you doing here?" I stared at him.