chapter Thrity-One
I couldn’t have been more proud of Emma as she crossed the stage to receive her diploma. She looked amazing. Her skin was glowing with happiness. The ceremony drug on and I was dying to be able to touch her. After the diplomas where handed out and everyone cheered, students found their family and friends. I mingled with the crowd, making my way closer to her. She was engaging in a conversation about after graduation trips when I walked behind her, making sure to graze her backside with my hand. I felt her body stiffen against my touch and smiled as I walked away, getting lost in the crowd.
“Good evening, Sir” A voice called from behind me as someone touched my arm. I spun around and could stop my jaw from falling open.
“J..What are you..” I couldn’t even form a sentence. My eyes darted around, finding Emma still chatting with her friends.
“I know people outside of the club.” She smiled and I swallowed hard, forcing myself to smile back at her. I ran my hand through my hair and lowered my voice. “No one can know.” I said, my tone serious. She nodded quickly and leaned closer to me.
“Your secret is safe with me.” She winked.
“It was a pleasure seeing you.” I said politely and backed away into the crowd. She nodded and turned to walk away.
Emma hugged her friend’s and began walking in my direction. She smiled quickly then stopped, face to face with J. I held my breath as I watched the exchange between them. Emma hadn’t seen me speaking with her, had she? They only talked for a few minutes before J pulled her in for a hug. My stomach knotted as it finally sunk in. She was Emma’s Aunt Judy, the one who had made her cry countless times and treated her like she was nothing. I felt my body temperature rise as anger coursed through my body.
I made my way to my car and sat in there a few minutes contimplating leaving and not coming back. Things had just gone from complicated to f*cked up beyond words. Judy was on my list of people I wanted to remove from Emma’s life for hurting her, but she knew one of my secrets. Something that Emma would never forgive me for. I put the car and drive and headed down the road to the pizza shop I had planned to meet Emma at.
She was already there, waiting. I got out and slipped into the passenger side of her car. I kissed her hard, needing to feel her against me. Not knowing how long I will be able to hold on to her.
“God, I love you.” I pressed my forehead against hers, inhaling her intoxicating scent. “Are you ready?” I asked, holding my breath. She nodded and I wasted no time getting out and retrieving her bags for her. She followed, slipping into the passenger seat of my car. I laced my fingers in hers and we drove off towards the airport.
We arrived early in the afternoon at LAX. I held Emma’s hand as we made our way to the baggage claim. I hadn’t been able to break the physical connection between us for the entire trip. I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her body flush against me. Mine. I was addicted to her. To her touch, her smell. NO one bothered us. No one cared that we were together. We were just another couple on vacation. I pulled her through the crowd anxious to get her alone. The sun was bright and we waited outside for our car. I spotted my driver a moment later holding up a sign with my name on it. I smiled down at Emma and pulled her towards it. “Come on.”
We slid inside, not letting any space between us. Emma was smiling from ear to ear. “What?” I asked, smiling back. Her happiness was infectious.
“Nothing” She said, but her smile didn’t fade. I squeezed her hand. This was happiness. This was love. She was mine and she was perfect. She was in awe of the surroundings. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. “Have you been here before?” She asked. I swallowed hard and let out a nervous laugh.
“A lot” She smiled again and sunk her body back against mine. I wrapped my arm around her. I didn’t want this moment to end. I had to many skeletons, too many secrets. One day she will run from me. Not today, though. Today she was mine.
We truned off the main road and I knew we were only seconds from reaching my parent’s home. I couldn’t help the nervousness I felt, even though I knew they were somewhere on the other side of the world.
The car pulled up to the gate and the driver punched in the access code.
“Where are we?” Emma asked, craning her neck to see outside. I held her against me. We rounded the fountain in the center of the drive and the car finally stopped. Our driver came to our door and opened it for us. “Go ahead” I said, her eyes full of excitement. I reluctantly let go of her with a kiss on the forehead and she slid across the seat and stepped out into the sun. I climbed out behind her and waited for her response.
“This is beautiful.” She sighed. I grabbed her hand.
“Come on.”
“Our stuff” She motioned to the trunk of the car.
“It will be brought to us.” I assured her, pulling her towards the door. She stoped just inside, taking in the surroundings. It was just like I remembered it. The floor was a white marble with a massive chandelier that hung above. Ahead where two massive identical staircases. It was completely over the top. “Overwhelming?” I asked as her eyes scanned the room. She nodded with a giggle. “I figured after the last few weeks we could really use a nice vacation. Come on. I want to show you our room.” We made our way up the right staircase to my room at the top. I opened the door and let her pass me. She ran her hand over the post of my bed and I felt my pants tighten in response.
“So beautiful” I wrapped my arms around her waist from behind.
“You are the most beautiful thing in this house.” I kissed her cheek lightly. I needed this. I needed every moment with her to be perfect before it all came crashing down around us. I pushed her on the bed playfully and let myself fall on top of her. I traced her jaw with my finger as she smiled back at me. I will miss this. I glanced at the wall at the head of the bed.
“What?” She asked, following my eyes to see what I was looking at. I kissed her.
“I was just trying to figure out how to tie you to the posts.” Someone cleared their throat behind us.
“Your belongings, Sir.” Our driver announced with irritation in his voice. I nodded at the man. “Are you wanting something for lunch?” He asked. I glanced down at Emma and back to the doorway.
“No, thank you. We will be going out for lunch. Dinner still at eight?” The man nodded and exited the room. Emma cocked her head to the side. I slid off of her, reluctantly and held out my hand to her. She took it and I pulled her off the bed. “Hungry?” I asked, wrapping my arms around her back. Mine.
“Very” She said, grabbing her stomach. We made our way to the garage where my convertible still sat. Thank god my mother wouldn’t let my father get rid of any of my things.
“You like?” I asked as she beamed from ear to ear. I hit the alarm and she nodded and slipped into her seat.
We drove across town with the top down, soaking up the evening sun. I took her to one of my favorite secluded restauraunts La Bella. We chose a table by the front window, enjoying the freedom of being able to just be us in front of everyone.
“I could get used to this.” She said and I pulled my eyebrows together wondering what I had done to deserve her. Wondering if money would change her the way it had Abby. She studied my expression and quickly began to explain herself. “I meant being able to be out in public with you. It’s nice.” She reached for my hand. I tried to look more relaxed but I couldn’t stop thinking about what I would do when the other shoe drops. “What is it?” She asked.
“I know all of this is…fun, but it can really destroy someone’s life if you let it.” The truth was, money or not I had already put several nails in our coffin.
“William, look at me. I didn’t even know this part of your life exsisted. I don’t care about any of this. I love you.” She was trying to comfort me. Money was one thing. What about the club, the deaths, the drugs. I swallowed hard and turned my attention to my food. “Do you trust me?” She asked, her eyes full of worry.
“Of course I do.” I reassured her, but I knew she would have no choice to leave me eventually.
“I’m not her.” She said quietly. I pulled my hand back from hers and ran them through my hair.
“Let’s get out of here. I want to show you something.” I didn’t want to talk about Abby. I wanted this time to be about us. She smiled and tossed her napkin on her plate.
“Where are we going?” She asked. I stood and took her hand, grabbing some money from my pocket and tossing it on the table.
“It’s a surprise.”