Chapter Twenty-Six:
Emberly's POV:
'Come on Emberly you can do it.' I chanted in my head and inhaled loudly. It was past midnight but that didn't stop me from trying again. The sound of my heart beating seemed a lot louder than the dial tone. I held my breath when I heard his gruff voice on the phone. Shit, speak, speak, speak. Say something.
"If you think I will find it cute, if you keep calling me again and again with no number, then think again. I am so fucking close to reporting you to the police that..."
I didn't hear it all as I pressed the end call button quickly. My breaths were coming out a lot shorter and harder. This was the tenth time that this had happened. Yes it was nearly two in the morning now and yes I was calling Arran. I thought that if I called him and told him everything, he would at least know what was happening but no, I couldn't seem to say even a single word, forget having a conversation with him. After I left his father's house, he had called me so many times but I didn't know what to say or do. I was too shocked to notice what was happening around me.
The coward I am, I ended up calling him with a blocked number at this late hour. This way I am guaranteed of not to be graced by his highness's anger. I wanted to tell him what his father had said but if after thinking about it, I couldn't just go up to him and say 'hey Arran, you know your father bribed me to play with your feelings. What you think?' No mate, no can do.
I was more afraid of his reaction. What if he ended up hating me or what if he thought that the only reason I was working for him was because his father and I had planned something? What if he thought I only cared for him because it had to do with my contract? How could I work after that? He wouldn't even look at me.
However, sadly I didn't care about that at all. The main reason why I couldn't seem to tell him was because I didn't want to hurt him. I didn't want him to be disappointed with his father. I loved my dad and I knew how protective he could get, so I didn't want his dad to fail him. After all, he was just trying to help his son, not in the right way though, if I must add, but he was doing all this for his son. But didn't Arran deserve to know the truth? I didn't want to be the reason for a fight between the two of them. What if he trusted his dad over me?
I called him once more. Boy, was he going to be pissed or what? Wait, he already was. Who wouldn't be? I was annoying him with anonymous calls. Please god, help me utter a word this time. I will owe you big time. Call me whacky but I was extremely nervous.
"Who the fuck is this? I swear if I ever find out, I will personally make sure to make your life a living hell...."
Pfft, like you haven't already. I gulped and waited for his rant to be over.
"Uhmm..." My voice was extremely squeaky. It was now or never.
"Fuck off."
With that, the line went dead. I opened and closed my mouth like a goldfish. I tried once more and was disappointed when it was switched off. Maybe, I didn't have to tell him. Some things were better left unsaid. Yeah, I didn't have to tell him. I didn't want Mr. Raymond to hate me and I didn't want to hurt him. Just because he couldn't think straight, didn't mean I couldn't. I would try talking to Mr. Raymond again to convince him that what he was trying to do was wrong. That way Arran wouldn't get hurt again and nothing would be ruined. It was a perfect thought... only if I could convince myself. I spent the whole night tossing around.
The next morning, I was running around to get ready as soon as I could. It was Cherry's big two-one tomorrow and I was really looking forward to it. We were currently shopping for her birthday dress and I knew what to get Cherry already.
"I know I'm asking a lot but if you ever want to buy me a gift... Again you don't have to... But if you really want to, you can always get me those studs I'm madly in love with..." She said about the hundredth time.
I smiled and pretended not to listen. We both knew I would get her those studs but she kept reminding me of them every five seconds. That's what I liked about Cherry the most; instead of saying 'you don't need to get me anything' she actually told me what she wanted. She was a pretty blunt person but still everyone loved her. No doubt she would end up inviting everyone she knew by their name only for her birthday.
I had opened a savings account so whenever I got my salary, 20% would automatically be saved to the account. Hopefully, one day I would be able to return the 240,000 and the initial loan to Mr Raymond. It was a lot but it wasn't like he needed it straightaway or that he bothered to ask me before transferring it.
We were roaming inside a jewellery store when I spotted a familiar figure. I moved my head a little to get a better view. My heart started thumping faster when I realised who it was. Even in a grey two-piece suit, I could recognise him easily. It was impossible for me to hide since I was so close to him but his back was turned on me. Luckily he couldn't see me. I squealed quietly and turned around. Cherry stopped at the entrance and questioned me. I pointed my finger subtly in his direction. She noticed him right away and smirked.
Uh-oh. Something about the glint in her eyes was screaming trouble. I shook my head wildly when she went to his side. What was she doing? Since Arran had never met Cherry, he had no clue that she was my best friend. She pretended to examine the rings in front of her, with him doing the same thing by her side.
Dear god, no! Please no!
She turned around and gave me a sweet smile. I glared at her in warning and pleaded.
"Berry, look at this ring! God, it's perfect." She squealed. That's it my best friend is Satan.
I closed my eyes briefly. Arran turned around and looked at me. I blushed realising that not only had she managed to get everyone's attention on me but she also called me by my nickname.
I ignored his scrutinising eyes and strolled towards her. I glared at her and she smiled at me innocently. It was impossible for me to ignore him and continue shopping. He stood still, watching my every move with amusement.
I smiled at him and did a little wave. I reddened even more when he chuckled.
"Emberly, what are you doing here?" He questioned me.
I noticed he looked happy. That's strange, first yesterday and now today. What happened suddenly? Or was he a weekend person? I also knew he wanted to ask about yesterday but it wasn't the right place or the right time.
"I can ask you the same question." I said nervously.
It really did make me wonder. What was he doing in this store and why was he looking at the rings section? Oh my god, don't tell me he was about to get married or that he had a secret girlfriend that I wasn't aware of. He looked pissed almost all the time so who on earth would fall for him? Don't get me wrong, I did like him but that was because I kind of knew him. I think.
"I'm here to..." He opened his mouth but stopped in middle of speaking.
"I didn't know you were into rings, especially ladies." I said sarcastically. I instantly bit my tongue when I realised what I had said. He might be looking at the men's watches where we were standing but he had his eyes glued to a particular ring.
"No actually..." I could see a faint blush on his cheeks but before I could say anything I was interrupted by a very soft voice.
"Hey sweety, I'm back. Sorry for taking so much time. So do you like the ring?"
I studied the girl who linked her arm with his. I was more surprised than confused. So he did have a girlfriend and no doubt she was beautiful with her thick, black hair and big, brown eyes. I could tell she was graceful just by her posture. Oh my. If I were hurt by her presence I did a damn good job of not showing it. Cherry on other hand, looked beyond pissed and I wondered why. I wouldn't lie by saying I didn't feel extremely jealous of her. No wonder he was happy these days. Maybe she was the 'princess' he was talking about. What confirmed my suspicions was when he turned his head to her direction and smiled warmly at her. I knew how he was and let me tell you he didn't smile that often. I knew I should be happy for him but I couldn't bring myself to be happy.
"Oh we are here for Em's boyfriend. It's his birthday soon." Cherry said casually, pointing at the watches, shocking the hell out of Arran and me.
"Miss Rae, you have a boyfriend?" He tensed and questioned me.
"Uhmmm yeah..." I lied. Great, now I had to make up a boyfriend.
"How come you never told me?" He accused me.
I passed an uneasy look at the girl behind him who was now looking at me with a smirk on her lips. To make it worse, she shifted a bit too close to him. I bit my tongue, stopping myself from ripping them apart. What if Arran's father had hired her? Although, they seemed pretty close. Maybe, Mr Raymond asked one of his friends.
"I... I never thought it was important." I couldn't look at his intense gaze. It wasn't like he had told me about her.
"How long?" He asked me sternly and I was surprised by his tone.
"How long what?" I repeated his question with a raised eyebrow. This was interesting.
"He means how many months." Cherry whispered loudly from behind me.
He was still waiting for my answer. I felt heat creeping in my cheeks realising that everyone's eyes had settled on me, even a few people had stopped and were watching us curiously.
"Uhmmm... I don't." I trailed off not knowing what to say. How could I make up an imaginary boyfriend within a few seconds?
"What she means is one week." Cherry replied to him, poking me in the ribs with her elbow. I bit my lip to prevent screaming and settled for glaring at her.
"Yeah..." I muttered.
"Don't you think it's a bit too much to get him a gift that expensive when you've only known him for a week?" He asked me but kept his face blank. Look who is talking!
I could tell he was pissed which, for a selfish reason, made me happy. He didn't pay attention to the girl next to him even once. He was right though, yet I had an urge to grill him for once.
"What are you trying to say Arran?" I crossed my arms and asked him haughtily.
"I mean you just met the guy." He replied back, matching my glare.
"Yeah so? It's his birthday." I argued back.
He stayed quiet for a bit, his lips set in a thin line as if he was debating with himself. We all waited for his comeback.
"Let me pay for it." He said finally, earning a fake, loud gasp from Cherry. I had to stop myself from laughing at her expression or killing her.
"Are you out of your mind? I can afford it and it's my boyfriend not yours." I snapped at him playfully yet I still felt a tad bit angry.
Even though I was lying why had he said that? What was with all the rich people acting like money didn't matter to them? If I was buying something for myself and he offered to pay then I could understand his offer but for my imaginary boyfriend...? He must have been kidding or have way too much money.
"Right." He looked away and I felt bad for shouting.
"I'll see you at work tomorrow. Have fun shopping." I said softly.
"You too." He replied back just as quietly.
For a moment, it felt as if we were the only ones in the shop. Everything else disappeared. I couldn't take my eyes away from his green eyes, which were darker due to some, unknown reason. He parted his lips and it took a hell of a lot of willpower not to connect my lips with his. I quickly snapped from my trance, realising what I had just thought. I blinked and turned my attention to the rings. Without saying anything, he left the store with that girl carrying a small bag from this shop. I couldn't help but feel extremely jealous of the two of them.
Stop... Stop... Stop. You have no right.
"That was something." Cherry chirped from behind and I glared at her.
"He makes me so angry." I said mindlessly. "Did they buy anything?" I asked the cashier.
"10 carat diamond ring, apparently for an engagement." He replied back smugly. I was taken back with the tone he used.
He must have been thinking I was an ex. I smiled back sweetly and turned back to a very amused Cherry. Something crumbled inside me but I wasn't going to give anyone a reason to call me a fool.
"But you like him right?" She giggled causing me to smile.
"Does it look like I like him?" I kept my face passive.
She gave me a look saying 'what do you think.' I rolled my eyes and pretended to study the rings. She didn't say anything, knowing I didn't want to talk about him.
"I'm going to turn around and pretend to look at these watches, not saying you have to buy me it but it's on the third shelf... In case you change your mind."
I laughed loudly and motioned to the guy to show me the studs. Times like these, I was glad Cherry was my best friend. Arran had a girlfriend I didn't know of and soon they would be engaged. But I was confused too. Why did he kiss me? Why did Mr Raymond ask me to fall in love? Why not her? She obviously made him happy.
In a way I was happy, if she kept him happy then I shouldn't be negative and curse him. Everyone deserved to be happy and loved and I was glad he had found someone. But I had a new problem. I needed to turn imagination into reality. I will get caught in my own lied if I don't come up with a boyfriend. What if Arran interrogates me about him? Oh god!
I needed a boyfriend.
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Edited by Mia (76ROSE) thank you so much x credits goes to you hun x She edited the first chapter as well so please do and have a look at it ^.^ and vote again :P if you haven't :D but if you have, leave a comment :D
Thank you for the lovely comments :D I do read them all and seriously I squeal every.single.time :P
OMG guess who finally talked to me...? my crush :D apparently he works in ASDA and this is so embarrassing but I'm going to share it anyway :P so I was shopping for clothes around 9pm... don't ask me why... and I was really angry that time so I was huffing and puffing and I didn't even look who was behind the tills. When I noticed, he was scanning the bras I bought and seriously I nearly died in shame... guhhh but he didn't say anything so it was cool (not really, I'm an idiot) I was literally drooling and he even did all the packing *.* then he said 'Hey I know you, you are Ameerah right? We used to go same school.' And again, I don't know how I am still alive :D and I was nodding like a maniac... I think I scared him a bit :P basically he talked and I nodded and at the end he said 'thanks for shopping with asda, please come again' and I legged it from there :D Aghhh he knows me, he talked to me and heck he even smiled at me <3