I Married A Teen

Twelve

Lila's heart skipped a beat as she took in the sight of the fresh lilac bouquets on her desk. The delicate scent filled the air, intertwining with a mix of emotions within her. She carefully read the accompanying cards, one from Ethan and the other from Alvin. How could she have forgotten about Alvin and the captivating moments they had shared?

Charice, her ever-observant secretary, couldn't help but notice the surprise and confusion on Lila's face. With a playful smirk, she walked over to Lila's desk, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Life can be complicated and fun, can't it?" Charice teased, her tone filled with knowing.

Lila couldn't help but chuckle, appreciating Charice's ability to lighten the mood. "Indeed, Charice. Sometimes, unexpected twists and turns bring a certain excitement to our lives."

Feeling a surge of determination, Lila looked up at Charice with a newfound resolve. "Charice, would you mind making a dinner reservation for me and Jeremy tonight? I want to celebrate my research defense, and I believe it's time to embrace the complexities of my personal life too."

Charice's eyes widened with delight, her playful grin growing wider. "Oh, I love it when the unexpected takes a delightful turn! Consider it done, Lila. I'll find the perfect place for your special celebration."

As Charice busied herself with making the reservation, Lila couldn't help but feel a mixture of anticipation and apprehension. Tonight's dinner would be a pivotal moment, a chance for her and Jeremy to acknowledge the underlying feelings that had been growing between them. She knows she has to wait for him to graduate and settle whatever he has going on with his life, but when the time is right she will definitely try to make this relationship work.

–

Lila sent via text the location and time for their dinner reservation. She even added a hint of how he looks stunning wearing his tuxedo this morning so he must wear it still for dinner.

Jeremy's in basketball practice when the message arrived, Emily whose watching the game saw Jeremy's phone lit up. She then read the message and mischievously deleted it.

After the game, she went to Jeremy and asked him to drive him home. She's feeling sick and can't drive. Unsure what to do Jeremy looked into his phone, no message from Lila, maybe she got stuck in a meeting again. Might as well drive Emily home first, borrow her car and drive to Lila's office. Sounds like a good plan. Little did he know that Emily has a plan in motion.

As Jeremy settled into Emily's living room, his attention divided between the charging phone and the flickering television screen, he couldn't shake off a sense of unease. He had expected a message from Lila with the details of their date, but instead, his phone remained silent. Assuming she was caught up in a work meeting, he made a mental note to call her later.

Emily, feigning exhaustion and leaning against the armrest of the couch, watched Jeremy intently. Her mind buzzed with a mix of emotions—jealousy, insecurity, and a determination to keep him by her side. She knew that if she wanted to create a rift between Jeremy and Lila, she had to manipulate the situation further.

"Jeremy, do you mind if I rest my head on your shoulder? I still feel a bit weak," Emily murmured, her voice laden with a fragile vulnerability. Her eyes locked onto his, hoping to evoke a protective response.

Jeremy, always kind-hearted and caring, nodded sympathetically. "Of course, Emily. Take your time and rest. I'll be here until your mom arrives."

As Emily leaned closer, her head gently resting on Jeremy's shoulder, her heart raced with a mix of excitement and anxiety. She was playing a dangerous game, driven by her desire to secure Jeremy's affection for herself. In her mind, she convinced herself that she was protecting what was rightfully hers, even though Jeremy had no idea of her true intentions.

Hours passed, and the silence in the room weighed heavy on Jeremy. Glancing at the charging phone, he noticed that it had finally gained enough power to turn on. As he unlocked the screen, he discovered missed calls and messages from Lila. Panic washed over him as he read her concerned messages about the dinner plans. How could he have missed them?

Emily, noticing his growing agitation, fought to hide her satisfaction. She knew that her plan was working, and soon she would have Jeremy all to herself. She would make sure he never found out about the deleted text or the manipulations she had orchestrated.

Just as Jeremy was about to call Lila to explain and apologize, a sound at the front door interrupted their tense silence. Emily's eyes widened in panic, realizing that her time was, running out. She had to salvage the situation before Lila arrived.

Jeremy, still confused and anxious, turned to Emily. "Looks like your mom's home. I should go now. I need to find Lila and sort things out."

Emily quickly sat up, a feigned smile on her face. "Yes, Jeremy, you should go. I'm feeling better now, and it wouldn't be right to keep you here any longer. Thank you for taking care of me. You can borrow my car, I can get it from you tomorrow at school"

As Jeremy rose from the couch, his mind filled with a whirlwind of emotions, he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. He needed to find Lila and set things right, explain the confusion, and apologize for his unintended absence. There was no denying the bond he felt with her, and he was determined to make it stronger.

As he walked towards the front door, Emily stood there, watching him intently, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew that her actions had set a series of events into motion, and she eagerly awaited the outcome.