Ripples of us

9

Emily returned to her office, her mind still processing the events of the day. As she settled back into her routine, she couldn't help but feel a sense of hope.

Working with Ethan had been challenging, but their mutual apology and compromise had opened the door to a new dynamic. The tension that once hung between them seemed to dissipate, replaced by a newfound respect and professionalism.

Throughout the day, Emily found herself lost in thought, her mind drifting between the conversations with Christian and the unexpected turn of events with Ethan.

As the day drew to a close, Emily packed her things, her mind already plotting her next move. She wanted to explore the possibilities of her newfound connection with Christian and the potential shift in her relationship with Ethan.

Lila, Leo, and Emily exchanged goodbyes, and she headed out to meet Christian for their agreed-upon dinner date. They met at the same restaurant where they had their chance encounter three years ago.

Christian stood as Emily approached, his smile as bright as ever. "Welcome back," he greeted her, taking her hand and placing a gentle kiss on the back.

Emily laughed, her cheeks flushing. "Thank you. It's good to be back."

They made small talk as they were seated and waited for their food. As the conversation flowed, Emily found herself opening up more than she had expected.

After dinner, Christian and Emily walked side by side, their conversation punctuated by the soft sounds of the city around them. As they passed by a small shop that was in the process of repairing its name board, a ladder leaned against the wall.

As they approached the ladder, Christian suddenly stopped, pulling Emily back gently. "Careful," he warned, his eyes fixed on the ladder. "We shouldn't walk under it."

Emily looked at him, confusion etched on her face. "Why not? It's just a ladder."

Christian shook his head, a playful smile on his lips. "It's bad luck. Walking under a ladder is supposed to bring misfortune."

"And not only that," he continued, his voice light and teasing, "but they say bad luck comes in threes. So, to avoid that, we should definitely steer clear of ladders."

Emily laughed, shaking her head. "Oh, come on. You don't really believe in that silly superstition, do you?"

Christian grinned, shrugging his shoulders. "Hey, I'm not taking any chances. My grandma always said that walking under a ladder brings bad luck."

Emily rolled her eyes playfully. "Well, I'll take my chances. Besides, it's just a ladder, not some magical portal to the underworld."

She stepped forward, her footfalls echoing on the pavement. As she passed beneath the ladder, she glanced up at the repairman, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

"See? Nothing happened," she said, turning back to Christian with a triumphant grin.

Christian shook his head, chuckling. "Well, I guess you're luckier than I thought."

As they continued their walk, Emily couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. The evening had been filled with laughter, conversation, and a growing connection between them.

She glanced at Christian, her eyes softening. "You know, I'm really glad we ran into each other again. It's been a long time since I've felt this comfortable with someone."

Christian smiled, his hand reaching out to gently squeeze hers. "I feel the same way, Emily. It's like we picked up right where we left off, three years ago."

Emily nodded, her heart fluttering at his touch. "It's almost like fate brought us back together." They bid their goodbyes to each other and left.

The next morning, Emily hurried down the stairs, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor. She had overslept and was now rushing to get ready for work.

Her mother, Elizabeth, looked up from her newspaper as Emily entered the kitchen. "Morning, sweetheart. What's the rush?"

Emily grabbed a banana from the fruit bowl, her voice rushed as she replied. "I'm in a hurry because Leo won't be coming to work today. I have to drive myself to the office."

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, her eyes following Emily as she moved about the kitchen. "What about Lila? Isn't she usually with you?"

Emily nodded, her mouth full of banana. She swallowed before answering. "Yes, but she's helping Michael with something today. So, it's just me."

Sarah frowned, her gaze turning to the window where the sun shone brightly. "Well, be careful on the road. And don't forget to take an umbrella. It looks like it might rain later."

Emily shook her head, grabbing her purse and heading for the door. "It's sunny out, Mom. I don't need an umbrella."

Emily's car purred smoothly as she drove, the city's skyline stretching out before her. She hummed along to the radio, her mind preoccupied with her meeting with Ethan.

But as she approached a red light, her car began to sputter, the engine's once-smooth hum giving way to a loud, discordant noise. Emily cursed under her breath, her heart sinking.

She remembered Christian's words about bad luck coming in threes. "It's just a car issue," she muttered, trying to reassure herself. "It's not bad luck."

Frustrated, Emily called for a tow truck, then decided to take the subway to get as close as possible to Ethan's company.

Once she arrived, she exited the station and made her way to a nearby coffee shop to grab a cup of coffee before heading to the office.

As she approached the counter, she noticed a man ahead of her, his arms filled with a tray of steaming coffees. She stepped back to give him room, but as he turned, they accidentally collided, the tray wobbling precariously.

"Oh, no!" she cried, reaching out to steady the tray.

The man's eyes widened, his face a mix of fear and panic. "Sorry!" he exclaimed, his voice shaking.

Emily breathed a sigh of relief as none of the coffees spilled. She got her coffee and as she stepped out of the coffee shop, the skies suddenly opened up, a torrential downpour drenching the streets in seconds. She cursed under her breath, realizing too late that she should have listened to her mother's warning about the umbrella.

Sopping wet, Emily rushed towards Ethan's company, her heels clicking frantically against the wet pavement. She could feel the water seeping into her shoes, her clothes clinging to her skin.

By the time she reached the building, she was a mess, her hair plastered to her face, her makeup running down her cheeks. She took a deep breath, trying to compose herself before entering the elevator.

As the doors opened on Ethan's floor, Emily stepped out, her heart pounding in her chest. She made her way to Ethan's office, her mind racing with the presentation she had prepared.

But as she entered the room, she froze, her eyes widening in shock.

"Emily, i would like to introduce to our project coordinator, Miss Sophia," he says with a look of guilt.

"Fuck," Emily mutters.

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Let the game begin😁

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