SHARING EMMA [18+]

13. Part of Something

|EMMA|

As Carlos left my apartment, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread settling in. The atmosphere in the room was thick with tension, and the silence felt suffocating without Ryker's presence. I could tell that something had gone terribly wrong between them, and I was left feeling like an unwitting bystander caught in the middle of their turmoil.

As I tried to process what had just happened, a wave of guilt washed over me. I had been seeing Carlos for some time now, and while we had an open relationship, I had never thought that our involvement could cause such pain to anyone else. The weight of my own actions felt heavy on my shoulders, and I couldn't help but wonder if I had contributed to the strain in their relationship.

My thoughts drifted to Ryker, and I couldn't imagine the pain he must have been feeling. Seeing the anger and hurt in his eyes as Carlos revealed his secret had left an indelible mark on me. It was clear that this wasn't the first time Carlos had disappointed his son, and the depth of their strained relationship was now painfully apparent.

With Carlos gone, the emptiness in the apartment felt overwhelming. I couldn't shake off the feeling that I had been a part of something that was not my own, and that my actions had unwittingly played a role in the hurt and pain that Ryker was experiencing.

As the days dragged on, I found myself struggling to focus on anything. Work felt meaningless, and my friends' attempts to cheer me up felt empty. I was consumed by my own guilt and confusion, and I couldn't bring myself to think about Carlos or our relationship. It was as if a part of me had been lost, leaving me feeling unmoored and alone in the world.

To make matters worse, Ryker had completely cut off all communication with me, refusing to answer my calls or messages. I understood his anger and pain, but I couldn't help feeling like there was more to the story than what I knew. Despite everything, I still cared about Ryker, and I just wanted to know if he was okay.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into a month. And still, there was no word from Ryker. I had almost given up hope when there was finally a knock on the door. Literally.

When I opened the door, a woman in an office shirt and pants stood in front of me. Behind her was a man who held a big box in his hand, almost the size of a dinner set.

The woman looked me up and down before addressing me. "Excuse me, are you Ms. Wilson?" she asked politely. I nodded, confused as to why she was here. Her smile widened slightly before she continued, "Fantastic. You have been cordially invited by Mr. Carlos Kingston to spend a week on his private island. Please accept this invitation card," she gestured towards the man behind her, who was holding a large box. I was completely caught off guard and had no idea what to expect.

As I stood there, still processing the information, the woman continued speaking. "Everything you need for the trip is inside the box. Your flight is tomorrow at 8am and a car will be sent to pick you up." My mind was racing with questions. How did Carlos manage to pull this off? Why did he invite me on a vacation? Was he trying to make up for what happened with Ryker? I couldn't make sense of it all.

The box felt surprisingly heavy in my hands, and I carefully opened it to find a set of a luxurious black cocktail dress, a diamond necklace set, a passport holder with a plane ticket, and a small note from Carlos that read: "I'm counting on you, Emma. - Carlos"

As I sat there staring at the items in the box, I felt a mix of conflicting emotions. Gratitude for the gesture, but also hesitation about whether to accept it or not. After all, this invitation came from Carlos, and I had been avoiding him for almost a month. Was I ready to face him now? I couldn't deny that the idea of spending time on a private island intrigued me, but I also knew that accepting this invitation could lead to awkwardness or even a confrontation with Carlos.

As the night went on, I paced back and forth in my room, contemplating whether to accept the offer. I couldn't shake off the feeling of uncertainty, but at the same time, there was a small voice inside me urging me to take the leap and see where it leads.

Eventually, I made up my mind and began packing my bags for the trip.

What did I know? It might not be much of a deal. Maybe more people were going to be there. Maybe this wasn't as exclusive as I thought. Maybe I was worrying for nothing.

After making up my mind to go on the trip, I immediately made some calls to my family and friends. I wanted to let them know about my plans and how to contact me in case of an emergency. I had seen too many horror and thriller movies to not take precautions. Although I trusted Carlos, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something unexpected could happen. I didn't want to take any chances with my safety.

I folded clothes and tossed them into my suitcase, my mind racing with thoughts of what could happen on this trip. Would Carlos and I finally be able to talk? Would he let me help? Or would it lead to more tension and heartache? I knew that this trip had the potential to be a turning point in our complicated relationship, one way or another.

Share your thoughts in the comments!

- Follow me on Wattpad for updates.

- Connect with me on Instagram for more.

Thanks for reading!