Chapter 5 Tired and insult

Chapter 5

I immediately let go of Emerson's hand. I took a deep breath and thought about what to say.

"Just sit wherever you want, but don't leave. I'll get you something to drink and cook for us now. Please..." His eyes were pleading. I couldn't say no to him, so I just nodded.

He took off his coat and placed it on the sofa where I was sitting. I followed him with my gaze.

I could clearly smell his expensive cologne. Every time I see him, I'm still amazed by his physique. His back has become even more defined.

He rolled up his sleeves to his elbows and undid two buttons.

I swallowed hard when he looked my way. He frowned and smirked. I adjusted my posture and avoided looking at him.

"Why are you looking at me... I'll talk to you later," he said.

"There's nothing to talk about," I replied.

He didn't answer, and I felt a pang in my heart. I thought he would prioritize my well-being after what happened earlier, but instead, he started cooking.

I have no right to wish he would comfort me. I have no right in this situation.

As I distracted myself with a magazine, I couldn't shake off what his mother had said. I expected it, but it still hurt now that it was happening.

I want his attention, but I won't show it because I know how valuable his time is.

"Nav... I'm sorry for doing this first before addressing the issue earlier," he said as he sat beside me.

I looked at his hand resting on mine. My hand looked so small compared to his.

I frowned at his question. Earlier, I wanted to talk about what happened, but now, I don't want to discuss it because it irritates me. I fought against my irritation.

"I'm fine with it... I'm used to it. I'm at peace with everything. We already discussed the agreement, and I know the consequences, so don't worry. It doesn't affect me."

"Even though you say that, I'm still bothered by what happened earlier. I know you heard what my mom said. She's always wanted to control my life, even when I was a child." He gently caressed my hand.

For the first time, I felt the softness of his hand, warm yet cool. I wanted to tighten my grip, but I knew my boundaries.

I nodded. "Everything she said doesn't matter to me. I'm totally fine." I smiled, unable to resist holding his hand in return.

He still frowned, sensing he was gauging my response. I smiled at his concern. I couldn't help but kiss him on the cheek. He tightened his grip and embraced me.

I hope this experience with him lasts beyond five months. I hope it lasts as long as I can handle letting him go.

He treats me like I'm the most precious thing in the world.

"I'm sorry, I just wanted to make a simple meal for us before we go to my father's house... I wanted to make up for what my mom did, so I started cooking for you to ease the uncomfortable situation," he said.

I patted him and hugged him tighter. Even though I had no reason to be annoyed with him earlier, I still got irritated. I don't understand myself, but I know his embrace takes away all the exhaustion I'm feeling right now.

Emerson and I didn't go last night. We just ate, and I slept here. Today, we're leaving to go to his parents' house.

I'm nervous about what will happen later, but I won't let it get to me. I know why I'm here. I know my limits. I won't let anything affect me.

"Inhale... exhale." I sighed.

Emerson isn't in the room. He's busy with something in the office. I didn't ask what I should wear. I wandered around the large walk-in closet, which I once thought was a separate room. Everything I see here is like something from a show. The combination of gold and gray is stunning. I just can't decide what to wear later because I know we're going to meet his family.

I sat down for a moment when there was a knock at the door. A smile spread across my face as I raised an eyebrow at him.

"You love this?"

He sat beside me. I thought he was busy in the office? Why is he here? I wondered to myself, but I couldn't hold it in any longer and asked him.

"I thought you were busy?" There was a hint of disappointment in my voice, but I knew he wouldn't notice because I'm the only one aware of it.

"I had calls from Vietnam, Malaysia, and South Korea," he said while looking at my hands.

I just stared at him as he said that. I could see the fatigue in his eyes, even though he didn't mention it. He may not tell me, but I notice how deep and tired his eyes look.

Suddenly, I felt concerned about what I noticed. I won't ask for his help in choosing what to wear anymore. "Aren't you tired? Do you want to rest for a bit?" I asked shyly, but I knew canceling our visit wasn't an option. His mom would only get angrier.

"I'm not tired when I'm with you. I just love being with you. All my worries disappear when I'm with you." He said, and I closed my eyes when he rested his head on my shoulder while still holding both of my hands on my lap.

I don't know if all of this is real or just part of our agreement.

"We can rest for 10 minutes, Nav. We'll leave at 1 pm. I'm sorry..."

I opened my eyes and looked at our hands.

"It's fine. I don't have a problem seeing your family. We need to do this so everyone knows what we're doing is real." I said with a smile.

"But, I know this is hard for you, and there's nothing I can do."

I placed my hand on his to assure him that everything was fine with me.

"There's no problem for me as long as we stick to our agreement," I said.

I closed my eyes again. I didn't realize I had fallen asleep for a few minutes. I was now leaning on Emerson.

"I'm sorry... I didn't nap for too long, did I?" I asked immediately. He smiled, looking at me, and I quickly checked the time on my watch.

I frowned, thinking I was dreaming, but there was a ring on my left finger.

I didn't know what to feel, but I wanted to be happy and excited. It's a mix of emotions, but I know this is just for our arrangement. Nothing more.

"Thank you for this."

"What? You're not happy?"

"Of course, I'm happy!"

"You're not happy. I'm sorry."

I couldn't be mad at him because I knew how much effort he put into choosing this for me, or how valuable it is just for our agreement. I have no reason to be angry.

"I'm happy, Emerson." I immediately stood up and twirled in front of him like in a drama. She wants my assurance, so I'll give it to him. He laughed and clapped while I danced.

I spun around and invited him to dance with me. I tried to pull him to his feet, but he just smiled and shook his head at me. It's the first time I heard him laugh as he stood up and held me by the waist.

"You're so lovely," he said.

He wrapped his arms around my waist, preventing me from dancing and twirling in front of him. I looked up at him, and now, the scent of his expensive cologne filled my nose.

"You're lovely too!" I giggled.

He pressed his forehead against mine. This is the moment I will treasure. I will capture our every moment, even on good or bad days.

I feel intimidated when he looks at me, but right now, it's like his eyes are pleading. I couldn't look at him properly, but I fought the urge. He gave me a quick kiss, and I pulled away slightly. I didn't expect him to kiss me.

He laughed. I pouted at him.

"I'm sorry, I can't stop kissing you," he said. I rolled my eyes.

I'm wearing a dark red bustier dress that complements my skin tone and white pumps. Everything in this walk-in closet is expensive and branded. I'm looking at myself, feeling like something has changed in my body. I can't quite say what it is, but I feel it, and it scares me, but I have to fight it because I know it can't happen.

"It won't happen..." I whispered.

I looked at my hair, which has grown since I had it cut when I first started at the bar, and noticed that the curls at the ends make it even more beautiful.

It's only now that I'm fully looking at myself after several days. I turned around and looked at my back to see if there were any changes, but there weren't.

"Maybe I'm just overthinking, but I'll get a check-up anyway." I took a deep breath and smiled at the mirror, convincing myself that nothing bad would happen to me that would hurt Emerson.

I looked up when the door to the walk-in closet opened. I tried to hide my amazement at the sight of him in a black tuxedo.

I smiled and approached him. Is this real? He looks like he just stepped out of a book I imagined. If he were someone like me in status, I wouldn't believe it because as I stare at him, I know he doesn't belong to someone of my standing.

"Wow..." I said while holding his necktie. "You always look good,

To Be Continued...