Miss Paulson

Chapter Nine

Theo's POV

It had been two weeks since I and Emma argued at her office. Two weeks without seeing her. Without feeling her touch. Without hearing her beautiful, calm and nice voice.

I could not deny I missed her like hell. I knew her for about a couple of months and I got attached to her so rapidly. Maybe it had been for the best for us to end things. Better soon than later.

In those two weeks, I thought about calling her and even found myself many times with her phone number written on my cell phone screen, but I never pressed call.

I was finally finishing writing her book. It was very superficial, it mostly talked about Emma as a professional, but that was the information she mostly gave me and there wasn't much I could do. She never opened herself to me and that hurt me.

I could not erase her words from my mind. Every time they passed through my mind, it would hurt more and more.

I  was in the cafe that was right next to my house, having a coffee with my sister, Jude. We were chatting about our jobs and reminiscing childhood memories. I was feeling cheerful and I was laughing as we remember that one time where I cried because my Tuesday boxers were not on the shelves and it was Tuesday! When I was a kid, we went on a 1 week vacation and I brought seven boxers with the week days, so that I would wear Monday to Friday underwear. So, when it was Tuesday and I saw there were no Tuesday boxers, I cried and started shouting with my parents.

We were laughing about this, tears appearing on Jude's eyes from laughing so much. However, our fun time was suddenly interrupted by a very familiar voice.

Emma's voice.

My heart skipped a beat and I felt my body tensing. What was she doing here?

"Hello, Theo. I came here to speak to you, but I see you're in good company" she eyed Jude with clear anger and looked at me in disbelief "Have a good time, I see you move on fast".

I looked at her confused and then I heard Jude laughing and clapping even. Emma was jealous of Jude? My sister? Well, she had no idea Jude was my sister, but still I found it very disrespectful that she interrupted my conversation like this, especially after what happened last time we met.

"Theo, my beautiful boy, I'm leaving now to let you and... Miss Paulson sort whatever you gotta solve." Jude got up and she said this, approaching to me and chucking as she said "You did not tell me about this! I will want to know the details".

I smiled and apologized to Jude, seeing that Emma was with her arms crossed, eyeing me with an annoyed and irritated expression.

"My beautiful boy, huh? I see... And here I thought you were suffering the same I was. What an idiot I am..."

Since the coffees were paid already, I got up and looked at Emma. She looked very pretty and fancy, like always. Her hair was down, slight waves giving her a soft look. She was wearing red lipstick and a white shirt, which was combined with classy black pants and black high heels shoes. Her black coat was long, covering almost all her legs.

I sighed and crossed my arms myself "What are you doing here?"

She chuckled, looking at me incredulously and shook her head "You really won't say a word about that woman that was here with you? I see then..."

I looked at her pissed, but said calmly "Miss Paulson, that woman you're referring to is my sister, Jude. But even if it was a friend or more than that, it wouldn't have nothing to do with you. Last time I checked, you told me you did not want anything with me." I was assertive and clear in my speech, my face serious.

She blushed. I could clearly see her cheeks getting slightly read and her body language proved it. She looked down and then at me.

"Well, how could I know? And yes, you're right about that" she was clearly embarrassed.

"I'll ask again, what are you doing here? If it is about your book, it is almost finished. I will give you a call once I finish it for you to read it and give me your opinion".

She swallowed and scratched her head, looking around and then at me.

"Theo, can we go somewhere quiet where we'll be alone? I want to talk to you. Not about the book. I want to talk about us, about our last meeting".

I licked my lips and felt my heart beating very fast. If we were to talk, it would make me sadder and more nervous. Yet, I also was curious to hear what she had to say.

"Let's go over to my house. I don't have much time, though. You have to be quick". I said, starting to walk towards my house, feeling her presence behind me.

I entered my house and Paw ran to me and Emma with his tail up and trembling slightly. I giggled and caressed his little head softly.

"Hey there, buddy" I muttered softly to the cat.

Emma was smiling at him and petted his body too.

I headed toward my living room and asked to sit on the sofa, sitting on it as well. I looked at her nervously, waiting for her to start speaking.

"Theo, I'm so sorry about what I said to you last time. I was awful to you and you didn't deserve it." She was also nervous, I could sense it through her trembling voice and her hands that would not stop moving.

"I accept your apologies, if that is everything, I'd like to get back to work" I said coldly. I would not let myself be kind or nice, I had to shield myself.

She gulped and I could see that her eyes were teary. In fact, she was shaking badly. I had never seen her this vulnerable and weak and it was breaking my heart to see her like this.

I softed immediately and added in a more welcoming and warm tone of voice "If you have anything else to add, do it so".

Tears started to stream down her face and she cleared them immediately, smiling and hitting her head softly.

"I am so ridiculous. I am sorry, I'm just a broken mess right now. I came here to tell you a bit about my past, to explain you why I am like this."

I approached to her and grabbed her hands, caressing them softly and kissing them. I really liked her and seeing her like this made me forget about everything. She hurt me but she hurt herself as well, I could see that. I wanted to know her story and prove myself to be worthy of her. Yet, she also had to give me that chance and trust me.

I nodded and said "Go ahead, Emma. I'm sorry too for some things I said last time. I want to hear your story. Take your time and bear in mind that if you feel like it is hurting you too much to keep remembering those events, it is okay to stop."

She nodded to my words and took a deep breath.

"Thank you, dear. Okay, so, it all began pretty much when I was born."