Collecting Signs

Chapter 1

Emily's P.O.V: 

After putting my suitcase beside the front door, I desperately started looking for my keys in my messy handbag. All kind of pointless things were shoved there, but after a few seconds, I was able to find them. I smiled in satisfaction because not only I was finally going to see my husband, but the tiring trip I was willing to go to was also cancelled. Before I could even step a foot inside, my ringtone pulled me out of my happy thoughts. 

I quickly got inside anyway and put the suitcase in front of the living room, before answering my phone without checking the caller ID. 

"Ems, are you serious? Why didn't you come?" It took me a little while to realize that it was no other than my older sister, Ava.

"The trip has been cancelled due to weather reasons or something. Apparently, there's a storm coming so they told me that it was better to postpone the event. I'll probably come next week though." I heard her sigh in exasperation and I couldn't help but smile as soon as I heard that sound. "I know you miss me, you just need to wait." 

"No need to flatter yourself." I tried to suppress my giggling, but ended up bursting into loud laughter. "Plus, I know you're happy because you're back home. You just can't stay away from Jared, can-" Before she could continue, my three years old niece's cries were heard through the phone. "Hold on, she just woke up." 

No matter how much I wanted to see my sister and be part of that conference, she was right, I just couldn't stay away from Jared. Especially since I knew he was also going on a trip in about two days. At least, with the trip canceled, I had forty eight hours to spend with him. Speaking of the devil, he was nowhere to be found. While I was waiting for my sister to get back, I began looking everywhere in the house but he apparently wasn't home yet. 

"I need to call you back, she woke up super moody. Talk to you later." Without letting me respond, she hung up on me. Typical Ava.

Jared would be more than surprised to see me back home and I was looking forward to see his reaction. I knew he was going to come back pretty tired from work, that's why I decided to make a beautiful dinner for the both of us. I directly went to our kitchen in order to cook a quick yet tasty dish. Baked salmon with rice and vegetables sounded perfect. 

After over two hours, I was satisfied with everything I had prepared. I also set the table that we had in the middle of our living room. With the red wine he liked the most, I brought out our fanciest glasses along with plates we only used for rare occasions. I knew we didn't have any event, but still, I felt like spoiling him seeing I was in a good mood.  After lighting up every scented candles we had, I patiently waited for him to come back home.

But that never happened. 

I woke up with a sudden jolt when my phone started buzzing in my hands. I didn't realize I had fallen asleep in the living room until I opened my eyes and looked at my surroundings. When I sat myself down, my neck and shoulders felt stiff. Both were aching me. I slowly started to rub my painful neck while trying to adjust my eyes to the brightness coming out of the window. Where the hell was Jared?

I expected him to be the one calling me, but instead, my phone's screen showed my father in law's number. I was surprised to see him calling me that early, It was still 7 AM. He certainly needed something.

Before I could even greet him, Jared's father beat me to it. "Emily! Honey, you need to come here right-" I frowned when his voice broke in the middle of the sentence. He sounded like he had been crying for the last hour. "You need to come to the hill right now."