Chapter 2 Two

It's now Monday and we're both getting ready for work. Emily seems a little quiet today and she's lost in her thoughts while pouring coffee into her mug and it begins pouring onto the counter.

"Shit!" she curses.

"Babe, are you okay? Let me help you with that," I say as I leave the kitchen island and grab some kitchen towels and start wiping the counter.

"I officially hate Mondays," she says.

"Thank God none of the coffee spilled on your clothes," I say and place her mug onto the island after wiping the outer parts of it that had coffee.

She sits down and stares at her mug for an entire minute. Not daring to blink.

"Emm. What's wrong?" I ask and furrow my brows. She only sighs.

"Just work. Remember the project my boss told me to work on? It's been eating me up like termites on a piece of wood. I had such a great weekend, I even forgot all about work, but now, all the stress is back," she says and I stand behind her and massage her neck.

"Just take it easy, okay? You'll ace it and I know it. You're the best employee your company has ever had in years! So cut yourself some slack and enjoy your day," I say and she nods.

"Thank you, Luke. I don't know what I would do without you," she says.

"Cheer up, Emm. Everything will be okay, finish up your breakfast and we'll get going," I say and sit opposite her and continue sipping my coffee as I scroll through my newsfeed.

After dropping her off at her work place, I drive to work. My boss is my best friend and I work as an IT guy in his company. The perks of being best friends with your boss is that you get random free days, you get to attend meetings with him out of state and end up having a mini vacay.

I love my job.

"What's up, Dave?" I say once I bump into him in the elevator.

"My man, you always come to work early. That's what I love about you," he says as the elevator doors close.

David Gallagher. We met in NYU at a party that didn't end that well. He's the kind of guy who is wild and loves to party and scream out loud. I don't even know how he's managed to tone down that characteristic of him. He's a techie and a complete brainiac, no wonder he has his own tech company.

"How's Emm?" he asks.

"She's fine. Just dropped her off at work," I say and he grins widely at me.

"When are you planning to do it?" he asks and I pretend not to know what he's talking about.

"Do what?" I question as I stare at the elevator doors.

"Come one, man. When will you pop the question to her? You two aren't getting any younger you know," he says while staring down at the ring on his finger.

He got married to the love of his life last year. He and Gianna had dated for five good years until he decided to put a ring on it.

"I know, I'm just waiting for the right time. Plus she's currently so absorbed into this project at work and I wouldn't want to distract her in any way."

"Oh, excuses, excuses. How many times will you keep on giving excuses? Seal the deal bro. I don't know what you're waiting for," Dave says and the elevator doors fly open and we both walk out.

"I will, soon enough," I promise him and he pats my back.

"That's my boy. How about getting some coffee in..." he checks his watch, "Two hours," he says and I shrug.

"Fine by me. Pass by my office when you leave."

The rest of the day is well spent at work and when it's time to leave, I begin pondering on Dave's words.

Emily and I aren't getting any younger and even though she seems so focused on her career right now, it's not like a marriage proposal would make her less focused, right?

I bet she'd be happier than a queen when I ask her to be my legal wife.

The Duke of Hastings from the very captivating series, Bridgerton, once spoke to the Queen and said, "To meet a beautiful woman is one thing, but to meet your best friend in the most beautiful of women is something entirely apart."

That's exactly what I found in Emily. I found a best friend in the most beautiful woman in the entire planet. Plus, how else can you be lovers if you can't even be friends? I came to learn that love isn't just wild sex or a jolly ride on a boat inside Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. There's no such thing as that. Hard times have hit me and Emily countless times. We've been mad at each other for days. We've fought in the middle of the night. One time she even left the house and went to sleep over at Trixie's after we had a heated argument.

But all in all, we came out stronger, forgave each other and got to understand each other better. Relationships are about forgiveness, making mistakes and learning from them. You can't just make one small mistake and then call it quits. If there's anyone who's done that, then they clearly weren't in love at all.

As I pull over at the parking lot outside Emily's work place, I dial her number and she answers almost immediately.

"Hey, you done yet? I'm right outside," I say.

"I'll be out in a couple of minutes, I have to talk to my boss first," she says.

"Cool. I'll wait," I say and hang up.

When she finally walks out of the tall glass doors of the building, she's accompanied by her boss.

"Two weeks, Emily. Just two," her boss raises two fingers to her face and she nods nervously.

"Two weeks, sir," she says and scans around for my car and once she spots it, she walks straight over and gets in.

"Is everything alright?" I ask her as I start the car and it comes alive, the engine roaring out loud.

"It's that project I was telling you about. Can we just not talk about that right now? I had an intense day and I need to go home," she says and pouts while looking outside the window.

"Okay, babe. Whatever it is, I'll help you get over it," I assure her and for the rest of the drive home, we both remain quiet. She keeps sighing one minute after the other.

Once we're home, she drops her purse on the couch and slumps herself down on the couch.

"Why don't you take a warm shower, maybe it'll make you feel better," I say as I sit next to her. She then moves closer and lays her head on my chest. Her arms have already snaked around me and she's now holding on to me tightly.

"Em-" I begin to say but she cuts me off.

"Don't say anything, Luke. Just hold me in your arms. For a few minutes. I really need that right now," she says and I do as she says. I dig my fingers deep into her curly hair and kiss her forehead.

Later on, after she's taken a shower, she walks back downstairs and finds me making dinner.

"Babe, you didn't have to," she says as she leans on to the kitchen island.

"Anything for you, love. You had a tough day, so let me make it up to you," I say and I drag her back to the living room.

I then turn on some good and soothing music, the kind that she loves. She loves the oldies.

When dinner is ready, she joins me at the kitchen island and we eat quietly.

I keep throwing glances at her. I know something is bothering her right now and I am not just going to let it slide.

"Wanna talk it out?" I ask as I press a napkin over my mouth after finishing my plate of rice and chicken. She lifts her head and looks me straight in the eyes and she sighs.

"Okay... My boss gave me two weeks to work on the project and he told me to get back to work when I'm done with the project. I'm supposed to be organizing an event, that's what the project is about. I have to come up with the most intriguing ways to advertise the event. Get people to buy tickets, make sure there's a great sound system and enough domes for the event, lots of food and drinks and so much more! The event is supposed to help our company sell more products, get known, you know. It's all so hectic, especially now that all that work is supposed to be done by who else but me," she says and pats her forehead. "Why me? There's an entire PR and Marketing team, what the hell are they supposed to do while I'm working on everything? This is too much work, Luke," she complains and slams her fist on the island.

"That's alot of work. Why is your boss trying to overwork you when there's a whole team for that? Hey, I don't know what he's up to but, try your level best. I can help you with whatever you need, Dave can give me a couple of free days," I tell her and she shakes her head.

"I don't wanna sound like I don't need your help, but, the event is supposed to take place at our hometown. Where our parents are. So, I'll be away for two weeks, I'll stay at my parents house," she says and I nod.

"I understand. I'll really miss you when you leave. When are you leaving?" I ask.

"Tomorrow morning. The sooner I get there, the better. I'll start working on everything immediately," she states nonchalantly.

"James is such a twat for giving me all that damn work," she adds and I chuckle.

"You, calling your boss a twat? Now that's the highlight of my day," I say and she chuckles. Her mood is lightening up.

****

When we're finally in bed and I'm done replying to my emails, I notice that Emily is staring at me. Not in a weird way, but, in a worried way.

"Is the project still bothering you?" I ask as I put my phone on the night stand and we both lean against the head board.

She adjusts her posture and she cups my cheek with one hand, her thumb drawing circles on it.

"Luke," she whispers.

"Yeah?"

"I love you, so very much. Don't you ever forget that, okay?" she says and I smile at her.

"I'll always remember that. Know that I love you too, Emm. Let's go to sleep, you had a long day and you need some beauty sleep," I say and she pulls me closer to her and our foreheads touch. Then she kisses me with so much passion, so much love and so much gentleness. Her lips are deliciously warm against mine and her fingers tracing invisible lines on my bare chest, feels so rejuvenating. My hands fly around her waist and I pull her closer and kiss her back with the same intensity.

She's already driving me crazy. She always has, ever since we were young. She's always been and will always be my one and only love.

She's my muse.