Blurred Lines

21. the necklace

I take a breath, and text Emily, telling her I've finished going through the contract. She responds, telling me she'll be back soon. I don't know what to do with myself, and I potter around her penthouse, feeling out of place, and invasive. I find myself at the glass wall again, gazing out down over the city. I sit cross legged on the floor, pressing my forehead against the glass, staring down at the bustling crowds below. DC is never sleeping. There are people out at all hours of the day and night, and today is no exception.

I keep people watching, making up little stories in my mind about the people rushing around. I jump as I hear the key turn in the door, and scramble to my feet. Emily comes in, calling out, "I'm ba- oh, hey, Y/n." I stand sheepishly by the window. "Hi," I say softly, watching as she manages to drop her bag and keys down on the entryway table. She has a ton of bags in her hands, so I step a little closer. "Can I help you with anything?" I ask.

"No, no, I'm good," she says, heading to the kitchen, "Thanks though." I feel my face heat and I sit down on the couch, doubting myself. I hear the rustle of bags as she sets them all down on the kitchen table, and hear her let out a soft breath. I glance up over the couch at the table, and at her. She smiles over at me. "One downside of living here is having to bring in all the groceries," she starts going through some of the bags, grabbing a few of them, "I like to try and carry everything all in one trip so I don't have to keep going back and forth. It's too much effort."

I laugh softly. "I do the same thing. Did you get everything that you needed?" I ask, resting my head on the back of the couch. "I did, and a little more," she grins at me, and I flush slightly with the look in her eyes. "I'm going to put some of these bags away, and then we'll sit down and go through the contract, okay?" she says, already walking through the halls of her apartment. "Okay," I say softly. I have no idea if she heard me or not.

I settle back down into the couch, waiting anxiously for Emily to reappear. I hear a door shut somewhere, and her heels clicking on the marble floors. I feel my heart start racing in anticipation. "I got you something while I was out," Emily says softly, stepping around the couch with a little bag in her hands. I stare at her in shock. "Y-You got me a present?" I stutter.

She smiles and sits next to me on the couch, and holds out the bag to me. "I did," she nods, "Here, take it." She presses the bag forward more, urging me to grab it from her. I do, with shaking hands. It's a simple brown bag, with a small box inside. I pull it out, and gaze up at Emily, shock still evident. "You got me.. Jewelry?" I ask softly, opening the box as she watches me.

"Mhm," she hums, "Do you like it?" My jaw drops as I pull the necklace from the box, holding it up. It's a delicate silver chain, and hanging from it is a beautiful lavender pendant. I hold it closer to me, running a finger over the smooth stone. "I... Love it, Ems, thank you," I breathe, overwhelmed with her generosity. "The lady at the store said that it was-" I gasp softly, cutting Emily off, "Amethyst." I whisper, staring up at Emily in awe. Emily nods, continuing on, not noticing my expression. "Yeah, apparently amethyst is a good calming stone that..." her voice fades, though her mouth keep moving as I stare at her softly.

I know all about amethyst. That's why I made it my safe word. Now, Emily just happens to buy me a necklace that is exactly that, and I feel overwhelmed with so many emotions, and so many feelings. She keeps talking, despite my lapse in attention. I throw myself at her, catching her completely off guard, and press my lips to hers.

She sucks in a sharp breath, flinching against me as I kiss her. I press my lips harder against hers, not caring that in her shock, she doesn't kiss me back. I pull away from her, and she furrows her brow at me, staring at me warily. "W- what was that for?" she asks softly. "Sorry, I just..." I trail off, and grab the binder, shoving it into her hands.