The Girl With a Broken Heart💔

Reality Check

Emma's POV
Present Day

It was Saturday morning, and I had officially completed the first week at my new office. I was getting comfortable, except for the commute which was at least an hour and a half drive, one way.

I stretched and flipped out of my cosy bed, straight to the shower as I had plans to go apartment hunting with Niki today.

I stood in the shower as a stream of warm water washed away the exhaustion of my first week away. Closing my eyes, I reminisced how my life was turning a new leaf. As much as I was looking forward to embrace everything that awaited me in future, my heart could not help but go back to the husky voice that awakened every hidden desire in my body.
After heedlessly kissing each other, Jake finally broke the kiss, cupped my face and leaned in to whisper in my ear, "You deserve so much better, Emma."

His words sent shivers down my spine, even today.

I recalled how Nate stopped in his tracks the moment he saw me kissing another man. The anger that donned his face, gave an unusual satisfaction to my aching heart. He left without uttering a word, both from that beach and thereafter my life, for good. I didn't hear from him after that.

I shrugged the shadows of the past at the back of my head, got ready and left to meet Niki at our usual spot.

I entered the cafe and saw Niki was already waiting for me while texting on her phone.

"Hi, Niki!" I said, bending over to give her a quick hug.

"Hey, Gorgeous. How have you been? How's work treating you? Any handsome faces?"

"The only faces I see at work are that of Benjamin and the coffee machine." I rolled my eyes.

"Oh and yes Britney too. Mainly while going in and out or rarely during my coffee breaks. She is sweet, though, always cheerful. I like seeing her every morning."

"Britney? Who? Oh yes, you mentioned the reception girl. Good, I am glad you are getting familiar."

"Yeah me too. Was that Barry on the phone when I got in?"

"Yes, it was him. It's still too early, but we have been texting a lot. I think he likes me. He asked me for a date tonight. I am quite excited about it to be honest." She looked dreamy.

"Great. He sounds nice; I hope he turns out to be the perfect guy for you."

"I hope so too, he is very different from the rest.." Niki continued. I listened to her attentively, and observed, how her eyes were full of excitement as she described Barry to me.

Niki worked as a freelance artist and had a small rented gallery in the east side of the city. She had a cosy workplace, and the beautiful paintings and pieces of art perfected by her, added life to that space. She was amazing, and yet she gave little credit to herself.

"So what's new with you, apart from work?" Niki asked as she slowly sipped her coffee.

"Nothing, same old."

"Do you still think about Jake?" She gave me an intense look. I didn't know what to tell her. Did I think about him? How about all the damn time?

He wasn't just a guy I randomly came across, Jake had become a feeling. Before meeting him, the last person I ever cared about was me. But for the first time in my existense, his touch, his hold on me made me feel desired. Like I could be someone important too, someone who could be treasured.

"You shouldn't have abruptly ran away that night Emma. You even left the island by taking the first flight out. You never know..." Niki's words pulled me out of my thoughts, but before she could complete, I cut her out. "Never know what Niki? What did you expect me to do? I took advantage of him to make Nate jealous. I was totally out of my mind that day. Kissing a stranger like that."