Without Myself

Chapter Two

     "Emilie, no. I can't take you to Costa." Jake says firmly. I start to open my mouth but he shakes his head again.

     "No, and that is final." I cross my arms and sigh loudly.

     "You're starting to sound like Nate." I mumble, "Fine I'll find my own way there."

     "Emilie you can't and I will not let you." Jake says again but I could care less.

     "Whatever, just one question though. Well two I guess," I tell him, thinking that if he won't take me to Costa, he can at least tell me a few things. He sighs dramatically before nodding.

     "Jane is still in charge right? I know she married your brother but, is she still..." I stop a moment to pull myself together and swallow the lump in my throat.

     "Ya, her and Alex still run it. Anything else?"

     "Does Adam Jones still work there?" I ask.

     "What?! How do you-" Jake exclaims but I stop him.

     "I may only be 14 but I'm not stupid. I know alot of things about Costa and it's workers."

     "Come on, why don't we talk about it over lunch." He says getting out of the vehicle. I look at the clock and am amazed that time can pass so quickly. It's already lunch time and I find that Jake has pulled up to a restaurant named Britton's.

     "Jake?" I call running to catch up with him. I grab the sleeve of his jacket just before he opens the door. "Isn't this like... 5 star?" I ask in awe but he just nods.

     "But I'm not really dressed," I look down at my jeans and purple cardigan.

     "So? It's not like they pay you to dress up. 'Sides, I do have money if that's what you're worried about." He shrugs indifferently so I follow him inside.

     "Hi welcome to Britton's, how may I help you?" A waitress asks politely.

     "Table for two please," Jake says in a low voice. She immediately stands straighter as she nods and motions for us to follow her.

     "Here you go, I'll be back in a moment to take your order." She smiles at Jake before walking away.

     "I still got it," He laughs but I'm busy looking around. Something about this place seems so familiar, like a safe haven.

     "Jake? Did you know my mom? What was she like?" I ask him, my throat not wanting me to speak but I manage to force the words out.

     "Well she was pretty, like you. I didn't really know her but the one time I did talk to her, she seemed super nice." A tear rolls down my face but I quickly swipe it away, hoping Jake didn't see.

     "Wanna know something?" He smiles and I nod. "When Nate and I were assigned our mission to get your sister and Ellie into Costa custody, he was still dating Jane. Or I guess it's Maddalena now," He shrugs, and even though he's trying to get me to laugh along with him, I don't. Nate said he loved her from the start. That meant he only broke up with Jane to get Gemini.

     "You mean he...?" I ask, horrified by how selfish a move like that is. All Jake does is nod.

     "Does Gemini know he dumped Jane for her?" This only deepens the dislike towards my older brother in law.

     "Emilie, you say that like you don't like him," Jake laughs but I continue to frown. I don't like him.

     "Tell me more about Pietro," I suggest, eager to change the subject. I could've sworn he stuck his tongue out in disgust but I'm not totally sure.