Chapter 1 Side job

"Thank you," Emily Baker said to the taxi driver who had dropped her at her apartment and helped her with her bags. She arrived home in Everton on a particularly chilly April morning. She had been on a work trip with her friend Doris in another city where it had been a little hot. She wore just a hoodie and ripped jeans and shivered.

Emily had no idea it was going to be this chilly, as the weather forecast said nothing about it.

May, her neighbour was waiting at the doorstep of her small apartment, with a dog in her hands.

May was at least sixty, but it didn’t matter to her as she considered Emily a friend and a very good neighbour. “Oh, you are back! I was expecting you to be here in an hour, I missed you," May said passionately, dropping the dog in her hand to give Emily a warm hug.

Emily, who knew how lonely May must have felt as she didn’t have anyone around to keep her company, broke the hug and said warmly, “I’ve missed you too, may. I see Betty here misses me too”. The little dog wagged her tail at Emily and she picked the dog up the excited dog, the dog didn't wait to shower love on Emily and she smiled in delight.

“Where did you find her? I thought she was lost,” Emily said, trying to stop the dog from licking her, but the dog was too overjoyed, so Emily gave up at last. Betty had somehow gotten lost in her lease and wandered off about a week ago. They had looked for her everywhere, but Emily had to go and trip due to work. She was glad may found Betty.

“A good samaritan brought her back when he saw her name tag, he had come across one of my flyers” May answered.

Emily sighed. “Betty always finds her way back no matter how far she wanders”.

Her phone rang at that moment and a frown crept onto Emily’s face immediately when she saw the caller’s ID. It was her boss John. What did he want from her now?

“Let me leave you to get settled” May hurried away before Emily could say anything. Emily sighed, she was exhausted.

She unlocked the door, with her phone still ringing, and she dragged her bags in.

She had no choice but to answer the call when her phone wouldn’t stop ringing. She just wanted to sleep on the weekend before Monday. She knew picking up the call would mean more work. John was selfish and never satisfied, she wasn't a freaking robot.

“You finally answered! I really need you right now, Emily,” her boss said passionately on the other end of the line.

Emily rolled her eyes when she heard his words, that goes her weekend.

“It’s the weekend, John, and I just got..” he didn't even let her finish before interrupting.

“I know, I know,” he interrupted her.

“I promise you won’t regret it, you will get paid for the day”.

Emily took the phone away from her ear and sighed deeply, he knew she couldn’t reject the offer now that she knew she was getting paid. Darn it!

“What is the job about?” she enquired, still trying to sound uninterested.

“It’s an interpreter work. I just got it early this morning as it is an emergency. One of their Japanese interpreters got into an accident. They need someone urgently. They have investors coming in from Japan today,” He said hurriedly.

“What company?” Emily probed further, to see if the job was going to be worth her time or not.

“Wilson’s corporation, this is big Emily! it’s a one in a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I wouldn’t call you if it wasn’t important”

“Willson corporation?, Can’t you ask someone else to do it, John? I’m still jet lagged” Emily declined as soon as she heard the company's name. It sounded like a big deal, and that meant they would expect her to be more than perfect. Of course, she was good, maybe... but they would have seen better, she was sure of it.

John clicked his tongue, which annoyed Emily. “Emily, this can be an opportunity for us. You may get promoted. It’s the big break, please Emily”.

Emily dropped her suitcase on her bed. Maybe she should give it a shot. She knew John wouldn't stop asking till she finally gave in. “Okay John, when and where” Emily finally agreed after John’s persuasion.

“You are a lifesaver Emily. I will never forget this. Meet me on 21st Street on the second lane in thirty minutes. We have less than two hours to be there,” John instructed.

Emily’s hands stopped as she was trying to take off her hoodie. “What!, You have got to be joking, John, thirty minutes! I need to shower and change and take a quick nap and eat”

“Emily, that isn’t important right now. I promise to make it up to you okay, see you in thirty,” he responded. John ended the call before Emily could protest further.

“Argh,” Emily growled in annoyance as she threw her phone on the bed. She took off her hoodie quickly and took a quick shower…..

Thirty minutes later, Emily arrived at the location where she met John, who hurriedly told her to get in the car. He drove the car faster than ever so they wouldn’t show up late.

“Slow down, John, or you will get us both killed!” Emily protested as she felt her heart palpitating in her chest. This was definitely a bad idea

“We can’t be late, or we will give a bad first impression. Rich people tend to get irritable easily,” John replied, going even faster...

An hour and thirty minutes later, Emily stood in the lobby of one of the most beautiful hotels she had ever been in her entire life. This part of the city was where she never even considered going, as it was known to be the place for the rich and those of High status in the society. Her boss, John, looked more nervous than she was.

“Relax John, and you are meant to be the boss,” she sneered, which earned her a glare from John.

After waiting for a few minutes, they were ushered into a conference room, where the secretary of the chairman of Wilson’s Corporation, Ethan Wilson, was waiting.

The secretary Olivia Steel was at least Forty Five, her hair was tied in a neat bun, and she wore a tailored dark brown suit. Emily was happy that she dressed a little corporate or she would have looked out of place.

“We need only Miss Baker, sir,” the secretary implied for John to leave with a straight face.

John glanced at Emily and mouthed the word "good job". “What!”. She was getting more nervous now.

John was about to protest, but couldn’t when he saw the look on Olivia Steele’s face.

“I will be waiting outside,” John said with a forced smile. Emily’s eyes grew wide slightly when she heard his words.

He mouthed the word “fighting!” To Emily before he walked out of the room, leaving Emily on her own.

The secretary turned and looked at Emily from head to toe, like, which made her uncomfortable. Olivia had a look of disapproval on her face, which made Emily detest her idea of clothing.

As Olivia was about to comment on Emily’s choice, the door sprang open.

“Mr Wilson” Olivia stood up immediately and went for the door.

Emily turned around to see who he was and Behold her eyes fell on the most intriguing and stunning man she had ever laid her eyes on. Oh my!