Emma

Chapter 3

I wake up the following day in the worst pain in the world. My whole body aches and I don't think I want to try get off the bed I'm currently sprawled on. I eventually force myself up when I feel a vibration in my back pocket.

Where are you?

Is the text I receive from my mom. I'm surprised that she even noticed that I'm gone. She's normally so busy with work she'll get a fright when she notices my light still on late in the evening thinking she's the only one who stays in the house. I guess that was two years ago. I should expect some sort of change.

At a friend's house.

I reply. Slowly I creep out of the unfamiliar room trying hard not to awaken the headache that's knocking on my door. I step over all the unconscious bodies on the floor around me. I know what they'll be feeling when they get up; I'm feeling it now.

When my mom answers my message I send one back with my location. I expect her to arrive much later than she does. I think it was too much believing she'd come find me herself and not send a driver. Which she did by the way - send a driver.

I sit quietly on the drive back home and pray the ache away. One thing that I keep replaying in my mind is that girl from last night. Have you ever had that feeling of wanting something with your whole entirety? That's me right now. What sucks is I don't even know who she is. It was so dark I can't quite remember her features. Her hair was a beautiful blonde though.

"Nate, did you forget about the lunch we're meant to have today?" Mom asks as I step into the living room.

"Lunch? With who?" I question in agony.

"At 12 we're going to Le Chalet for lunch with the Varens."

"Mom, you're saying this as if I know who they are..." I say.

"Whatever. Just go to your room. I'll wake you an hour before we have to go."

She leans back into the couch and reads on her iPad. My mom is actually such a beautiful woman. I wouldn't trade her for the world. Sometimes she can be a little annoying, but that's how she loves and you've got to appreciate the very few times that actually happens.

It's only fair that I describe her to you. She's about average height for a 39 year old woman. She doesn't look older than 32 though. She's got blonde hair, that's probably why I like girls with blonde hair. I think I expect them to be as amazing as my mom is. Anyway, her eyes are light brown and she's very..proper. She's like the complete opposite of my dad really.

I complain about her not being there for me, with validation. I still love her. Whenever I've seriously needed her she's been there. Once when I was about 8 or 9 I fell off the roof and broke my arm. She flew home from a meeting in London just to make sure I was well taken care of. During that time she read stories to me, made me hot chocolate and we really bonded. She means a great deal to me.

-

Bonnie, our housekeeper, wakes me from my nap at 11. I shower and put on my beige Chinos, a plane white shirt and blue Supergas. I finish up and happily make my way down. On our way to 'Le Chalet' Mom tells me who these Varens are. They own Varens Industries, a major metal manufacturer. They basically convert metal into anything from gates and roofs to shipping crates.

Mom wants to collaborate with them so they'll both benefit. She's been working on this deal for a few months, but the owner of Varens, Dave Varen, wants to speak with her in person. It has something to do with trust. That's why it's more of a family lunch than a business meeting.

"Vanessa."

Mom stands to shake hands with a man who I assume is Mr Varen. He's tall and very well in shape. I shake his hand as a woman introducing herself as Jess Varen shakes Mom's hand.

"This is my son Nathaniel," she says before we sit down.

They both smile and mention that they are pleased to meet me. I return the gesture, but right now I'd rather be with my friends, or at home sleeping.

"Our daughter was meant to be here, but she woke up in a bit of a state."

"Completely understandable..." Mom sympathises.

They begin talking and as the youngest here I keep to myself and flash a smile from time to time. Their conversation ranges from family life to business goals. Mom excuses herself for a moment and the focus shifts to me. They ask what my plans are.

I know Mom is trusting me to show them the best in her so I tell them exactly what shed want me to say. That I'm not a hundred percent sure, but I'm leaning towards engineering. They seem genuinely impressed and they tell Mom that she's raised a 'bright kid'.

Soon enough the lunch comes to an end and Dave tells Mom that he'll be in touch. He mentioned something about seeing a good future for this joint venture. She lets me off and I decide to meet up with Matt and Mark. We rendezvous at the beach cottage and invite Dan to join.

-

Ding dong

I make my way to the door and let Dan in.

Time slows down.

A blonde girl comes in right after. Her green eyes swiftly look over mine and her lips curl up at the corners. It kind of seems surreal. Her hair flows back behind her as if she's in some ad for Treseme or L'Oréal. I expect to be drooling as I watch her legs carry her into the house effortlessly.

She's wearing jean short shorts, floral Supergas, and a white top. I think they're called halter tops or something. I don't really care. She looks more like a Goddess than anything else. She follows what I assume are Dan's instructions to the deck. A few seconds after she disappears time begins to move again and a hand is been waved in front of my face.

"Earth to Nate," Dan calls.

"Huh?"

"Did you hear anything I said?," Dan says opening a box of pizza.

"No, sorry..." I close the door.

"That's Emma and you clearly have a thing for her," she winks.

"Oh, uh," I blush.

"That's so cute! Do you want me to tell her?" she offers being all girly and shit.

"No. I can do it myself," I say playfully pushing her out of my way.

I'm a guy. If I want a girl, I'll get her. Myself.

"Thanks for bringing the pizzas by the way," I say.

She winks at me in response since she's already taken a bite of the slice she took.
We head to the deck together where the guys are hitting the Hookah. Emma has a drag and she blows out circles. I take a seat down next to her offering a slice of pizza.

"I don't know if this hub is gonna taste good after this pizza," she says before taking a bite.

"I'm sure I've got an unused toothbrush somewhere in the house," I suggest.

"That settles it then," she says.

Dan asks her to pass the pipe and I ask if anyone wants a drink. I duck into the house and look at Emma from the back. That hair. I might have some sort of hair fetish. I could recognize that hair from anywhere. Especially from where I'm standing.

It's... her.