That Woman, Emma.

Emma

Six agonizing days had passed since Victor Hughes had ruthlessly humiliated me. It felt like an eternity filled with tears, screams, and more tears. Strangely, I found myself angrier at my own perceived weakness than at Victor himself. Why had I allowed him to belittle me without standing up for myself? Why had I simply walked away? Perhaps it was the fear of losing my job, knowing all too well that people like me seldom had the power to confront people like Victor Hughes. We couldn't retaliate in the same manner as they put us down. As much as I loathed working in a restaurant frequented by pretentious patrons day in and day out, I couldn't afford to quit—not just because of my friendship with Justin, but because I had bills to pay, rent to meet, and a hungry yet adorable cat to feed. Julienne provided a stable income, and even though juggling two jobs was exhausting, it was what kept a roof over my head and food on my table, and for now, that was enough.

"The total is $4.75," the cashier's voice broke through my thoughts, drawing my attention back to the present. I offered her a smile as I paid, gathered my purchases, and exited the convenience store. Normally, I'd do my shopping at Marcia, where I worked, but since I was out of the area, I had opted for a different store.

As I stepped outside, I realized I was near Julienne—the restaurant that Justin owns. Typically, I would be at Marcia during this time, but it was closed for repairs due to a plumbing issue. Having an unexpected day off was a rare treat. Initially, I had considered spending it catching up on sleep, but Justin had suggested we meet up instead. It had been too long since we last had a chance to catch up, and I knew I needed to fill him in on what had happened six days ago.

Justin would have likely heard about the incident through Philip, and true to form, he was furious upon learning about Victor Hughes's behavior. He vowed to ban Victor from the restaurant, but I quickly objected. I didn't want my personal troubles to disrupt Justin's business, especially considering Victor was a regular patron. Despite my own frustrations, I couldn't allow them to spill over and impact Justin's livelihood.

I'll make sure to keep my distance from him. I won't be taking his order, and I won't be anywhere near his table, I stated firmly to Justin, who reluctantly agreed, though I could see the concern etched in his expression—a testament to his unwavering friendship.

As I strolled down the street, I thought I heard my name being called. Frowning, I glanced over my shoulder, only to find a stream of people bustling past, none of them paying me any mind. Chalking it up to my imagination, I shrugged and continued on my way to Julienne.

"Emma Flanagan!" This time, the call was unmistakable. I turned around to see a familiar face jogging towards me, a smile lighting up his features. My heart skipped a beat as I recognized him, a nervous gulp escaping me as he drew nearer.

"Um, hey," I greeted him, my nerves jangling as I fought the urge to flee from his presence.

Elliot Simon grinned, his warm demeanor putting me slightly more at ease. "Hey, you walk fast," he remarked with a soft chuckle.

Heat rose to my cheeks as I found myself under his scrutiny. The knowledge that he was aware of my past only heightened my unease in his presence. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat a drumming reminder of my discomfort. "I, uh, yes, I have to be somewhere," I stammered, desperately grasping for an excuse to escape. I couldn't bear the thought of reliving the humiliation of that night. It had taken me six days to even begin to feel better, and I wasn't willing to risk regressing back to square one. Simply being in Elliot's presence felt suffocating.

Just as I was about to make my getaway, he reached out to stop me. "Wait, please," he implored softly. "You didn't give me a chance to talk last time. Can we have a proper conversation without any interruptions?" His words caught me off guard, and I hesitated. What could we possibly have to discuss? I bit my lip, averting my gaze as I struggled to formulate a response. Sensing my hesitation, Elliot spoke again, his tone gentle yet earnest. "I understand that what happened must have been incredibly difficult for you emotionally, but I want you to know that I don't think any less of you because of what that man said," he assured me.