A Melody of You: Book Five

Emma

It's hard to go up on that stage with all those piercing eyes. There are enemies among the crowd and some work in our own company. Mr. Jung gives me proud eyes. He has told me recently that he wishes we could have crossed paths earlier so I could be his right hand instead.

He has offered to give me Danny's spot...

I have to admit that he would appreciate my hard work and thoughts more than my boss would. That's a given. I watch my boss ignore my presentation as if I weren't the one to give our company hope for more funding. How could I say no?

Just like that. Say no just as I did with Danny moments before the presentation. He tried to talk with me and I became angry again. He wanted to solve our little problem moments before I had to go on stage. I asked him to leave. For the first time, I couldn't look into those sad eyes. I knew I had to focus or else my trembling heart would make my mind go blank up there.

I find him in the crowd but he is sad. Alex is just a few steps away and his eyes shine with delight.

I wish I could run off and hide. I don't want to be here. For the first time in my career, I wish I hadn't chosen to be this dedicated. I can only imagine how my sister must feel and I must warn Kayla before she continues to become brave like us.

There are consequences to becoming brave and that's brokenness. It's doubt. It's exhaustion.

Loneliness...

People begin to clap. There is a large crowd smiling at me but I know I don't deserve this. I don't want any of this. I want to hide with Jordan in her drawings instead.

I start to get off the stage with a soft sigh. People continue to give me respectful head bows and I return it with an empty heart. I numbly look for a drink until Mr. Jung comes up to me.

"Hello, Ms. Nam."

"Mr. Jung." I give him a small nod. "How did you like it?"

"As always, I am impressed. I'm glad Alex is shadowing you so he can learn to become like you. We need more people with your brains and communication skills to develop partnerships."

I give him a small smile. Sometimes I feel like this partnership has become less and less hopeful. Both my boss and Mr. Jung have a different way of speaking now. They rarely talk about the children and mostly mention the funding and statistics.

When did it all suddenly become so fake?

I start to see Danny make his way across the room to get to me. I quickly look for an excuse to escape his sad eyes again but my phone ringing stops me from running off. With a gentle nod, I excuse myself from Mr. Jung and answer my sister.

"Yes, Unnie."

"Hey. Are you busy right now? Will you present soon?"

"I just got done. Is everything okay?" She hesitates and my heart begins to pace. "Leanne?"

"I don't want you to get worried, okay?"

My heart drops and I find a corner to hide my fear. "You saying that doesn't really help. What's wrong? Is Kayla okay? Is Dad--"

"Dad is in surgery right now. It was an emergency surgery because he had excruciating pain once I arrived home. But don't worry."

My heart falls and my stomach flips. I look around and everyone seems so far away. "Wh-what do you mean it was an emergency surgery? I-is he okay? Will he be okay?!"

"Yes. I believe he will. However, there may be something else other than the hernia. I'm glad they're doing the surgery. His surgeon is a good one. I talked with him myself and--"