Reminiscing

Narcissistic Emerald

Candice POV~

"Does it annoy you?" I asked Emerald.

"What?" She questioned.

"The paparazzi constantly trailing you."

Emerald had taken me out for lunch today. She picked me up from work and drove us out. It was a small, clean and very calming restaurant. We had chosen a table that was outside and the only thing providing shade was the umbrella and nearby trees. The occasional breeze was amazing and I absolutely loved the environment this place was set in. While sipping my lemonade I remembered how my mother always prepared some for my brothers and me.

I really needed to visit my parents soon.

But we hadn't been here for ten minutes when the paparazzi arrived with their camera's in tow, snapping pictures of us.

"It does. I just learned how to tolerate it." She simply shrugged.

I watched her as she sipped her drink. Her huge sunglasses covered her beautiful eyes and her hair was messily pulled back into a bun. Having come from a business meeting herself, Emerald looked extremely gorgeous in a pantsuit.

Although her physical appearance was perfect, I couldn't help but notice how different she had been acting the past few days. She had even gone missing in action a couple of days not calling me or sending me texts. She was never there whenever I went to practice the dance routine with Ivette.

I did my best to hold back from sending her messages, dropping by at her penthouse or calling her. I figured maybe she needed time to herself.

Or I was becoming a bother for her, I couldn't help but think.

I tried my best to convince myself that I was being ridiculous with the downgrading thoughts, but I just didn't know.

"Stop looking at me like that," Emerald warned.

"Like how?"

"Like I'm a mystery you need to solve." She finally took off her shades. "I know I've distanced myself from you and everyone else for a bit. But it's not your fault."

I sighed and poked the ice cubes inside my glass with my straw.

"I've been busy." She backed her sentence up.

Looking into her eyes I noticed how gloomy she appeared to be. There was so much going on with her and my intuition said that it had more to do than just work.

I didn't know how to feel or what to think anymore.

Emerald was out of my reach and this was something I knew since the very beginning. I thought I would be able to penetrate her walls but I was just now realizing how impossible that was. Once Emerald closed herself up, there was no way to get through to her.

I missed the affectionate Emerald.

"Anyway, there's something I need to speak to you about." Emerald crossed her arms over her chest. "There's a huge charity event called Muhatti coming up. It's one of the most important one's in town. It takes place only once every two years. I need you to come with me."

I couldn't help the incredulous scoff that followed.

Her audacity was beyond my comprehension!

"So you don't speak to me in a few days, then you suddenly reappear and you take me out for lunch simply because you need a favor from me? No thanks Emerald, you'll need to take one of your side chick's for that. I can't tolerate your attitude."

"I'm afraid I can't do that. I have an important role in that event and I can't bring just anyone with me. Our names are plastered on every damn magazine. How bad would I look if I'm known for having a relationship with a married woman and then I appear on that event with another woman on my arm?"

I remembered Emerald mentioning that. Not like I could forget anyway, the paparazzi trailing us were a constant reminder of the attention surrounding us. I guess it wasn't an everyday thing for a magnate billionaire to engross herself in a relationship, much less with a married woman.

"Do it for the children Candice." Emerald pressured me. "This event will help children to better their educational, physical and nutritional life."

"When is this event?" I asked through gritted teeth.

"Four days. On Tuesday night."

"I'll go. I also want to make it real clear that the only reason I'm doing it is that of those children."

Emerald nodded and sipped her drink.

Everything she did right now seemed highly annoying. I couldn't even stand looking at her. I suddenly wanted to leave. Work seemed more relaxing than spending my lunch break with Emerald like this.

"I'll send a dress for you—"

"I can take care of that myself." I snapped.

"I don't think so. This is a high-class gala event, Candice." Emerald informed.

"I may not swim in money like you do Emerald, but I'm sure I can provide myself with a decent dress, even if I have to use up all my savings. So you can shove that up your ass." I slammed my glass on the table and stood up. I hastily grabbed my things. "I also don't want to see you until the night of the event. Until then, don't bother showing up at work or my house looking for me."

Emerald opened her mouth to reply but I turned around and left quickly. I'd rather die than let myself cry in front of a narcissistic douche like her.

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