EMMA RUN

Chapitre2

"Years of hard work will be lost in vain if you decline this proposal, Emma!" My father hissed through his teeth disapprovingly. His hands turned to fists.

If I knew anything about my father it was the fact that such gesture meant I had no chance in beating him in this discussion.

"Father... I can't do it! " my voice came out weaker than I intended for it to be.

His fists pounded the wood of the desk "This is not something you can just turn down. Emma this is your duty as a Stevens!"

My brain pounded just as hard "But father it's Emmit we're talking about!" I took a few steps towards him "You were the one who always criticized his bad attitude" I tried to convince him.

He took my small hands in his and our eyes locked "But Emma sweetheart, back then he was not the owner of the biggest company with whom an alliance can save our legacy!"

"Well, if that is enough for you to change your mind about him, to me it is nothing but a reason for his arrogance to grow even bigger!" A soft knock on the door cut me off.

"Mr. Stevens I'm sorry to interrupt but you have to get ready for your meeting! The Alan brothers are already here." Tara, his secretary, announced and disappeared.

Breaking our brief contact, he wrapped his fingers around his fancy tie to make sure is was adjusted "Like I said. You don't get to say no this time!" He raised his hands in the air "End of discussion!"

I turned my attention to his wife "Rose, say something!" my step mother who had always supported me was sitting on the couch in the other side of the office.

Unwrapping her arms, she stood up and made her way towards us. The impacts of her high heels with the floor gave me a headache.

"David," she put her hand on his arm "you should give her some time to think about this."

"WHAT?" I snapped "I do not want more time, I want you to drop this idea for good!" I cried out pointing my finger at my father.

"Emma, you know this is the only option we have!" Rose said and I stiffened as I realized I was on my own.

My ears pounded as blood rushed it's way to my head "I can not marry Emmit!" I spit out the words that made sense only to me.

I turned on my heels and stormed out of my father's office.

"Good morning miss Emma" Tara said but I didn't even stop to reply.

My vision was unclear as the tears in my eyes caused everything to look blurry.

Once I got out of the company I called my friend Lauren who was, as I expected, at her place still in bed even though it was already 11 am.

She was so predictable, every night she would celebrate like there will be no tomorrow and every morning she would stay in bad until she gets sober and that actually would be followed by getting prepared for the next party and so on... She was a spoiled girl but she was my best friend.

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As most of my connections, I knew Lauren through my father. We met at a party at my house, she was drunk and she lost control over her words as she started cursing her own father causing a scean.

And since my father and hers were allies I had to save the image of our company so I approached her and pretended like I accidentally poured my glass of red wine on her silk dress.

That was enough to convert her anger towards me. I apologized for ruining her outfit and offered to give her another.

When we got to my room she sat on my bad. I went inside my closed and picked a black dress for her. When I  came back to ask her wither she liked or not she was already unconscious on my bad. I was grateful for that.

When the party was over her mother asked Lauren's bodyguard to take her home. But the girl wouldn't budge. So she stayed the night and I slept in the guest room. The next morning I gave her a pair of jeans and a black tank top.

Her chauffeur picked her up and she disappeared for a month. When she came back she came straight to me asking for help. And I did help her out. That's how our friendship started ... With a big fat lie I became her secret keeper.

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I drove to her place as fast as I could.

"Hello miss Emma, miss Lauren is in her bedroom waiting for you."  A servant politely informed me.

I run up the stairs and made my way to her bedroom. I knocked and pushed the doors open.

"Lauren, wake up you won't believe what I'm dealing with!" I said as I sat on the edge of her king sized bed.

"Lauren?" I shook her body slightly but she didn't respond.