Chapter 5 PREGNANT NO, I'M NOT

"Pregnant? No, I'm not," she replied with a light chuckle, spoon poised in her hand. As she took another bite of her meal, her eyes momentarily fluttered with the memory of a vivid dream. "I just remembered I had a dream about my late sister's daughter, who is with my grandparents... In the dream, she was caught in a fire accident. I was desperately trying to save her, calling her name... Yes, that's it. Just let me eat in peace," she hurriedly finished, her focus returning to her plate.

**EMMA'S POV**

In her mind, a whirlwind of thoughts raced through her: "I can't let him know about my child. What if he's an enemy? He's probing too much into my private affairs. I can't risk him learning about my personal life; he's still a stranger to me." She continued to chew, wrestling with her apprehensions while trying to savor her meal.

**JOHNSON'S POV**

Across the room, Johnson's thoughts were sharp and observant. "She's hiding something from me. From the investigations I've conducted, all I can find are her outstanding school grades and certificates, an elderly grandparents, and a failing company desperately trying to stay afloat. No siblings in the picture at all... I will uncover the truth, Emma. I need to know what you're concealing." His resolve hardened as he ended his internal monologue.

To lighten the atmosphere that had thickened like a fog, Johnson quipped, "I never knew Miss Emma could be so stingy with her food. You can't even invite me to join your meal." He smiled, aiming to break through her guarded demeanor.

Emma broke into a soft laugh, feeling the tension dissipate. "I don't share my food! You can call me a foodie if you like."

"Oh really?" he replied, a playful glint in his eye.

"Oh yes! And before I forget," she continued, her tone turning sincere as she regarded him, "thank you for the food. You're a superb savior-I genuinely appreciate it." Her smile warmed the room.

"You're welcome," Johnson responded, when suddenly his phone beeped, cutting through the moment.

"Okay Emma, let me take this business call in your bathroom," he said, asking for permission as he knew the bathroom's soundproof walls would ensure privacy.

"That's fine," she smiled, returning her attention to her food as he hurried into the bathroom. Once inside, he answered, "Yes, Scorpio? What do you have for me?"

On the other end, Scorpio's voice crackled through, "Sir, I found out that Miss Emma caught her boyfriend-now ex-boyfriend-Vick Grayson-with her best friend Mia in bed. They've been cheating on her for nearly two years, and both have confessed to it."

"Interesting," Johnson muttered, anger simmering beneath the surface. "Her boyfriend must be an absolute jerk. What's his name?"

"Vick Grayson from Grayson's Corporation," Scorpio replied.

"Oh, so it's that fool. I want you to dig deeper. Investigate his recent whereabouts and activities; I need to know how to deal with him. And don't forget about the ongoing investigation into that woman," Johnson instructed, his tone firm and unyielding.

"Understood, sir. But there's something fishy about that Mia girl-some sort of conspiracy that I can't quite pinpoint," Scorpio added cautiously.

"Then get to the bottom of it. Update me with your findings; that's your job," Johnson replied, his voice thoughtful. "I'll call you for lunch any day from now on. Just be ready."

"Yes, sir. No issues," came the reply as the call ended. Johnson glanced at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. "No one messes with my person and gets away with it," he vowed under his breath.

As he stepped back into the room, the atmosphere shifted. Johnson found Emma standing defiantly with a flash of anger, surrounded by his guards.

"What's going on here?" he asked, confusion furrowing his brow.

"I just wanted to stroll around, but they wouldn't let me," she stated, her voice firm.

Johnson turned his attention to his chief bodyguard, frustration evident in his eyes. "Sir, your orders were that no one goes in or out except for the doctor and nurses. We were just following orders."

A vein pulsed in Johnson's temple. "When I said that, I didn't mean her! She needs to walk and regain her strength in the sunlight. If you're all as dense as this, then you might as well resign!"

"I also wanted to check on my hospital bills. I need to know how much I owe," Emma interjected, crossing her arms.

"Oh, that... uh, that's already been sorted out," Johnson replied hesitantly, scratching the back of his neck.

"You mean you...?" she pointed incredulously at him, and he nodded.

"Really, it wasn't necessary, Mr. Johnson. You've already done more than enough by bringing me here and even providing my breakfast," she argued, sincerity etched on her face.

"It's alright-it's nothing at all," he insisted, taking her hands gently in his. "I'm a principled man; I don't shy away from my responsibilities. My car nearly hit you, so I'm responsible for you until you're back on your feet... Now, let's go inside."

With a nod, she followed him into the room, the door clicking shut behind them. Outside, the bodyguards exchanged bewildered glances, whispering among themselves. "What just happened?" one asked incredulously. "Is that really our boss? I've never seen him speak so softly," another remarked, wishful.

Ben, overhearing their chatter, cleared his throat, the noise silencing them instantly. "You're discussing your boss behind his back? Do you have a death wish?" he warned, his tone deadly serious.

Meanwhile, Emma settled back onto her bed, while Johnson sank into the chair across from her. Their eyes locked, a silent current of tension moving between them.

"What do you want from me?" Emma finally asked, breaking the silence.

"What did you say?" Johnson feigned shock, a grin breaking across his face.

"Why are you being so kind to me? No one acts this way without ulterior motives," she said, her expression serious.

Johnson erupted in laughter, the sound rich and full. "I bet Miss Emma has been through some misfortune to ask that... Can't one be kind just for kindness' sake?" he teased.

"It's not funny. All my life, I've strived to be kind in every little way I can, but I've always been betrayed. I might seem hardened on the surface, but my heart is pure gold."Emma sat in the cozy dim light of her room, a sense of longing filling her heart. She closed her eyes momentarily, wishing for someone to be honest with her, just once. "Mr. Johnson," she ventured again, her voice soft but probing, "what's your kindness truly for? You cared for me all these nights..." Her bewilderment hung in the air, the unasked question lingering between them.

JOHNSON'S POV

Johnson's gaze fixed on her, his mind racing with unspoken thoughts. *"°°°Don't worry, Emma. Soon enough, we will be connected in a way you can only imagine...°°°"* He stood up, the weight of his emotions barely hidden behind a calm facade.

"Alright, Emma," he said gently, his voice steady despite the tumult inside him. "You should rest now. Your phone is right beside you; it's fully charged, so feel free to use it. I need to head home, change, and get to work. I'll come back to see you this evening."

As he turned to leave, Emma's voice, soft yet firm, broke through the stillness. "Once I'm well, I'll work hard to pay you back. I don't like owing anyone," she murmured, a hint of sincerity in her tone.

Johnson paused, his back to her, as a low hiss escaped his lips, exhaling his frustration into the air. "Fine, do what you feel you must, but please take your time. You don't need to rush the repayment," he replied through gritted teeth, the words dripping with unacknowledged pain.

"Thank you," Emma responded, oblivious to the hurt her words had caused him. Without a backward glance, Johnson strode out, the door clicking shut behind him.

JOHNSON'S POV

Once he was outside, he slipped into his car, his emotions flaring as he took out a cigarette and lit it, the smoke curling into the cool air. *°°°She's really not materialistic,* he thought, determination filling him. *I will learn to love her more from this moment forward. I'll repay her with my life for saving me Three years ago.°°°* With a deep breath, he ordered the driver, "Take me home."

Meanwhile, Emma decided to step outside for a bit of fresh air, hoping a stroll would clear her mind. As she opened the door, she was taken aback to find three stern bodyguards stationed at her threshold, their presence imposing. "I thought you all left with your boss?" she asked, her surprise evident.

"No," one of the guards replied, a serious expression on his face. "Our boss instructed us to protect you at all costs. We cannot leave you unguarded."

Emma let out a laugh, a mix of amusement and frustration. "I'm not a child who needs babysitting," she stated, her tone light but assertive.

"We must follow orders," they replied collectively, an air of authority in their voices.

"Alright, since you're here now, you will follow "my" orders. I don't want any of you trailing behind me on my stroll. If you do, I'll report you to your boss-I'm sure you won't want to be in his bad books," she commanded, a playful smirk on her lips.

The bodyguards exchanged uncertain glances, momentarily lost as to how to respond.

"That's what I thought," Emma said, shaking her head as she stepped past them, relishing her brief victory.

"What do we do now?" one of the guards asked, his brow furrowing in worry.

Ham, the chief bodyguard for Emma, crossed his arms thoughtfully. "Let's just keep an eye on her from a distance. If anything were to happen, our boss would not forgive us," he said, his voice low but firm, knowing the weight of loyalty.

With that, they began to follow her at a discreet distance, their duty weighing heavily upon them as they moved like shadows through the afternoon light.