Escape Route

Twelve

After walking out of the office, I noticed the housekeeper through the window, standing outside and smiling down at her cellphone. When I opened the door to leave, she still didn't look up from her phone. Not until I cleared my throat to get her attention, causing her to jump a little in fright. She quickly dropped her phone in the front of her white apron.

"Who's the lucky guy?" I teased, softly closing the door behind me. "You better make sure your employer doesn't see you."

"Oh...Please don't tell the boss." she pleaded. "He'll probably fire me on the spot."

I smiled mischievously, crossing my arms. "I won't... but you have to tell me who you're talking to. It's only fair."

She looked around nervously before whispering: "I met a guy online."

I just gave her a teasing smile before she immediately said, "Emerson set me up on a dating app a while back. I wasn't fond of the idea and first."

I simply nodded, forgetting for a moment why I was actually there. "I hope he's nice." 

I was about to walk off until she stopped me by saying, "He's from Greece." I turned around slowly.

 "What's his name?" My head tilted to the side in curiosity. "If I may ask, ma'am?"

"Sebastien." she said before blushing and smiling at the ground. "He might come visit me one day."

"You know, he sounds really nice." I said, picturing his face from our trip. "I wish you the best."

She left with a nod and hurried into the house, leaving me to my thoughts. I walked towards my car, but stopped as I heard talking around the side of the house. 

I slowly walked to the left of the house, my chest felt warm at the sight in front of me and a small smile crept on my lips. Emerson was in the garden - talking to Fay. I quietly walked nearer to hear their conversation better.

The closer I got, I realised that Emerson's hair was now cut shorter. His hair only sat above his ears. One could see his facial features even better. He seemed even more good-looking, if that was even possible.

"So you're willing to leave this arrangement for me to be with Riley. And risk maybe getting kicked out by your parents?" he asked Faye.

"I know how much she means to you." She nodded causing me to smile.

"Maybe my dad will understand, if we both disagree." he sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "I'll go talk to him now. If he still believes kicking me out is still the best option, I'll make the most of it. I already organized with a friend for a job."

"Do you really want that?" Fay questioned.

After a bit of silence, Emerson finally answered, making me touch the beating heart in my chest: "I want Riley..."

"No, wait!" I spoke up walking over to the pair.

"Riley?" both Emerson and Fay answered. My eye caught a slight smile on Fay's face. Emerson's smile looked even broader with surprise.

"You don't have to." I said, coming nearer to Emerson. "You seriously don't have to do this."

"I do have to." He nodded, his mind made up. "It's the only way he'll let us be together if I reject his proposal."

He was about to walk off until I quickly pulled him back by the arm. "You don't have to give it all up." I assured. "Your father agrees. His done with the threats." I held his hands in mine. "We can still be together... that is if you still want this. Because after everything, I still do." My eyes never leaving his, wanting him to repeat the words he said earlier.

He gently cupped my face in his hands and broke into a smile, it seemed he almost wanted to cry of happiness. "You're kidding, right? Of course I want this. I want you." he whispered.

I nodded with an affectionate smile. He lifted me up before I could even protest and spun me around before bringing me close to him, sliding till I reached the ground. "I'm sorry for not telling you the truth. You deserved better than that."

"You're forgiven," I said, playing with his hair. "Except for you cutting you hair. I preferred it long."

"Give it some time, but your wish my command." He winked.

"Can you guys just kiss already?" laughed Faye from a distance. I forgot that she was still standing there.

Stared into Emerson's eyes and saw that sparkle of hope again. Before I knew it, I felt his warm lips on mine again like the first time. So gentle and sweet, savouring every moment we missed over the time we've been apart.

*

It's been two years that Emerson and I have been a couple with both of our parents blessing.
We got engaged the third year. Aunt Maggie was too happy to know that we were her handiwork.

To think this all started with a game of Uno.

With my parents blessing, I finished the one year of flight school and went on to study Tourism.
Travel really brought out another side of me and I was loving it. Emerson supported me too and was thrilled at the news.

When I graduated, with the help of Emerson's knowledge on real estate and that sort of things, we opened our own little tourist business. Bed and breakfast in our home town and traveling tours to certain destinations overseas. Greece being one of them.

Mr Pierce was too elated to disagree on our idea and even invested in it. Mr and Mrs Pierce were really proud of their son. No doubt.

Sébastien eventually came to visit Joyce, the housekeeper and they really hit it off. Emerson even offered him a job at our business if he ever planned to stay.
At the moment, Sébastien was visiting in Greece to introduce Joyce to his family.

"Riles?" Emerson called from his desk covered with papers. He put all his messy locks in one of my clamps. A habit that was hard for him to break.

I walked over before kissing his cheek, which tickling my lips. "Yip."

He pointed to the map in front of him. "Where do you want to escape to next?"

A smile made its way through. It has been a while since the two of us toured alone.

Emerson turned with a broad smile, noticing how quiet I was. "What do you say, Riles?"

"Anywhere." I approved. "As long as I'm with you."

Author's Note:

Thank you for your support throughout this little book of mine!

I hoped you enjoyed the adventure and all that it included.

Let me know what you think or how you felt, it's always welcomed.

Till we meet again. X