The Island Goddess.

xxvii.

A week had gone by and Emerald and Lance had spent so much time together, their bond now stronger than ever. The closer she felt to Lance, the more Nathan began to feel like a stranger. Part of Emerald didn't even care to cover her tracks. Like now, leaving her phone unlocked beside Nathan in bed.

The phone buzzed, showing a message from Lance.

Lance Brown: I know, Em. You drive me crazy..and sex has never felt that intense for me before too.

While Emerald was busy in the kitchen, Nathan now began flicking through their conversations. For each text message he read, his heart sank deeper in his chest. He never knew Emerald to be like this, this wasn't the girl he'd fallen in love with.

His blood was boiling, the amount of times she'd lied just to be with Lance; ignored his calls, cancelled plans and deceived him. All while looking straight into his eyes. He didn't know this Emerald.

He was furious but managed to quickly save Lance's number into his phone. He got up of the bed and gathered his belongings, he stormed outside the house and slammed the door. Emerald looked over and ran to the door as she called after him.

"Nathan? Where are you going?!" But he didn't stop nor did he listen. Emerald sighed to herself as she figured it all out. He knew. The worst part of it all was that she didn't tell him he found out himself.

Apart of her felt relieved but also really bad for Nathan. That man loved her and sacrificed a lot to be with her. She ran upstairs all to see her phone open to her and Lance's messages. A pang of guilt and embarrassment hit her.

"Oh gosh..." she sighed as she shook her head and wiped her eyes from the tears that tempted to fall.

Emerald sniffed and tried to call Nathan, he didn't answer. She decided to write out texts instead.

Mi sorry yuh had to find out this way. Mi really wan fi to tell yuh but nuh know how.. Mi heart belong to someone else. Mi really loved yuh an hope you can find closure. We can be friends.. if yuh cool wid that.

She read her text over and over, tears rolling down her cheeks then pressed send.

Emerald collapsed into her bed then sighed. She hoped she was making the right decision; she had just risked everything for Lance Brown. Her heart wasn't questioning it but her mind was racing with so many thoughts.

On the other side there was Nathan. He was not coping at all with the sudden news. Nathan barely drank but he'd had far too much to drink now. He'd downed a lot of liquor and he was furious. How could she?

He dialed Lance's number and it began to rang. His breathing and heart were racing and pumping fast.

"Hello?" He heard him through the phone. "Who's this?"

"Listen, mi need yuh fi stay di fuck away from Emerald! Got it? If mi even see yuh near her or around her or hear yuh wid her.. I will fuck you up!" He yelled.

Lance stayed quiet and all that was heard on the other end was Nathan's deep harsh breathing.

Lance just laughed then sighed. "Listen man, I'm sorry. Obviously you were holding it down.. taking care of her, thanks for that. But daddy's back now.. Emerald knows that." Lance replied then hung up.

Nathan growled and threw his phone to the floor in anger. He wanted to see this man face to face. No way he was letting Emerald go without a fight.

..

The following morning was hectic for Lance. He had a lot to do business wise. Yes he was here on vacation but when you're in charge of a million dollar company; work follows you everywhere you go.

He'd just got off the phone with his business executives something had come up and they needed him to come back to America in the next 2 days.

"Sorry.. I can't make it. In fact I'm extending my stay here an extra week." He'd told them.

It was a very bold move, he was truly risking it all for Emerald. He loved her and wanted to be here with her. He wasn't going to repeat the same mistakes as last time.

She was the best thing that had happened to him. She fulfilled him in more ways than one; gave him things money could never buy.

Lance was now getting endless texts, calls and emails from advisors, executives and even his mother. But he didn't care, he didn't want to hear it. For so long he had just being a puppet, pushed here and there, doing whatever he was told. When did he ever take time to do something he wanted for once?

He turned off his phone and began cooking breakfast as he got ready to head out.

Once done he made his way to the mall and began to do some shopping. He was going to be staying awhile but he'd only bought one luggage. Lance proceeded to shop for more clothes to wear. He found a lavish jewellery shop and decided he'd pick out a nice piece for his woman.

"After anything special?" The sales assistant asked as he greeted him.

"Just something for my girl.. I want it special and timeless. Are you able to get her name on it?" He said as he smiled.

"Yeah we can do dat fi yuh, sir. What's her name." He asked.

"Emerald."

"Wow! Beautiful. Rather den a necklace wid her name.. why not buy actual Emerald jewellery fi her?"

Lance gleamed in excitement as he nodded. "Yeah man that's amazing idea! Let me see your options."

The rest of Lance's day was busy. He usually had personal shoppers so he was exhausted but he felt accomplished and couldn't wait to get home and relax.