In this world of body shamers, where being curvy is unhealthy and thin is healthy, Emma Andres, Filipino born but is now living in Brighton, she finished her degree in education three years ago but she gave it up all for Mike Cupello, anp England citizen but born in Italy, and her fiancee, he's an editor in chief and the master writer of his own publishing company where Emma is now working as his personal attendant. Emm dream of becoming a writer too, she finished more than ten novels as her entries to some novel writing contest including PubWorks, where she knew Mike way back on her college days and where she's working now.
Sitting on a familiar bench, Emma managed to closed her eyes and pretend she's alone in her dreamland, mesmerizing those days of how Mike confessed to her on the day of 28th Mike's birthday.
"I love that lady in violet " pointing her after singing a country song titled I MET A GIRL. Most women in the party smirked at her as if they're not convinced, as if Mike is only playing and kidding around that made her heart melt and then squeezed out some tears which she didn't know if it's because of happiness or shame.
"Why me? I look terrible, be sensible to your friends ,obviously ,they don't want me"
" Aren't you my friend too? "
" Yes I am "
"Then be sensible with me too. You're hurting me, it's no joke Emma, I'm into you, so into you. "
"But what will happen after? You'll lose your shine, they'll leave you because they are disappointed, nobody can stay and stand with me longer than week, you knew it."
"Are you telling me to stay away?"
"For good"
"And do you think love is bad? Loving is wrong? It can't be wrong. I can't be wrong. Don't you feel the same? "
"I do"
"Then why give us a chance. If you problem is your outside appearance, modern technologies can help if you want to, do plastic surgeries if that'll give you peace of mind"
"So, clearly you want me to change? "
"No. It's you I love not your temporary looks, we're the same. Almost. Same hobbies, same dream, we'll be perfect together "
Emma looked at Mike like he's the sun around her stars, they can't shine without him. But now she seem confused. She's sure she saw Camille sitting on Mike's lap and has her buttons unlocked. She's about to give Mike a present but yet she's the one been surprised, the scene out a dart to her heart, she left quietly while the two cheaters haven't seen her approached and left. Having no chance of rain as she looked above the sky, she can't let her tears fall in public, she decided to go home, and lay flat on bed, crying quietly.
Emma reach for her phone and start scrolling. And desperately searched for international chat rooms to ease and calm her mood, at least she can talked with anyone nonsense.
She can't tell anyone, especially her mother about what she had witnessed. She's afraid of her hypertension.
Somebody entered the room. Mike. Oh yeah she almost forgot, they are living in the same roof for 3 years after she finished her studies. Mike sat beside her, brushing her hair with his finger.
"Is something wrong my Bella?"
She looked at him as if she's asking or interrogating him quietly.
"Hey. Why so quiet? Why not wrapped your arms around me like it used to be? "
Still she remain silent. Forcing her tears to stay back.
" Are you sick? "
He seem so real, she thought. So concerned. Acting as if nothing happened.
" Do you think men would still love a touched lady? "she asked.
" Why ask so? "
"I wanna know" she insisted.
" Is there something I didn't know? " Rome asked, while appeared so confused.
"Yeah, there is"
" What it is? "
" No. There is something I shall know. There is something I know. Did you know? "
"I'm not comprehending it"
"How's Camille? Is she a good kisser? " Romeos mood turns into a devilish one. " Here we go. What stupidity is this Emma? "
"Come on Mike, I saw it. Stop acting like nothing's happening!"
"I must admit, yeah earlier. But it wasn't my fault. Afterall I'm a male. "
"Cool answer. So how would you feel if you saw me kissing another guy? And I'd tell you that same sh*t alibi ?"
" Obcourse I would be pissed off. Angry. It's not the same, I'm a male, I'll lost nothing, far more different than yours, women! "
"So I'd it's guys cheating it's normal, and if us, it's a big deal. What an old irony. I'm enough. Yes. I lost everything. Every valuable piece of me, to you! I can't tolerate it. "
"You're splitting with me? Don't you? "
" Yeah! "
" Go ahead. I'll always find someone much better. I'm not afraid. Where would you go? Even cabaret won't accept you. Fool! "
Emmas world turns upside down as she heard those words, from him. Her Mike. Grabbing her only back pack. She went directly downstairs. There's nothing to be saved. That's all she's sure. She only want those seven letters. " I'm Sorry " but there's none, instead all she heard was boastful, and downgrading words. Emma released a deep sigh, wiping her own tears, then walk towards the bus terminal. She wasn't sure where she'll be going but surely, it wasn't on her beloved mother, she don't want her any trouble.
When Emma open her eyes she's almost on the farthest destination of the bus, as the bus stopped, she stood and stepped out to go down, followed by a deep sigh again. It's dark. And she need a place to rest. Thanks to her thriftiness, she saved enough to start a new life, alone.
Emma got up early to have a stroll around her newly meet city. She'll search for some vacancies, a job hunting as a start. She's on her way to a coffee shop when she saw the signage. "Wanted Waiter" after having a sip of
some, she managed to approach the attendee. " Hi. May I inquire about this? " she said while pointing the signage.
"You're a bit late ma'am. The place is taken an hour ago." even disappointed, she managed to throw a lovely smile and find her way out.
"Need a job? " there's a lady walking behind her. " I'm Crizza, call me Criz, you're new here, seems. I'm no harm dear. " the the lady stood beside her. "I have some offer, if you want to, just try, wanna come? Let's have a sit. Don't worry. I'm no burglar. "
Emma agrees to follow her and have a sit on one of the benches , not far from the coffee shop. " I'm Emma" she said.
"I saw you arrived lastnight, you look exhausted ,, I live not far from the inn. " Emma throw a smile.
"Love life dear? " asked the lady and at last she collapsed. She needed a woman. A same sex comfort, she let her tears flow and have a nod to answer yes to the question .
"Good timing. You know what. I'm about to get married next month but there's one thing that worries me much"
"What? "
"My aunt Jill is working abroad, she's retiring and want me to accept the job in exchange of her. The Majesty's won't let her leave until I came there. "
"Why won't they look for another? "
"They are looking, but they can't trust new people, they want someone related to my Aunt Jill."
"Why won't you go? "
" I want to, but my man won't. In fact Mr. Hyl was here. Waiting for me"
" So, what's the. Job?, You're offering!? "
" Apply in exchange of mine, the salary is good darling "
"But I'm no relative to you, I'm a total stranger. "
" Here, listen, packed your things , stay in my flat for week, let's see if it suits you"
Emma doubted the woman's sincerity. She's a stranger she just met now. " I'll think of it "
" Okay, I'm a few step a way from the inn, will wait for your decision. I'm Crizza Mayer"
then the lady stood up, having nothing to do and exhausted, tired, she follow her way back to the inn she's renting for a while.
Alone. Emma feel her heart aching again, making her tears fall uncontrollably. She loved Mike so much. How can she forget him. She's almost breathless, crying quietly, when someone knocked. Wiping her tears, she stood and open the door. It was the room attendee handing her some towelette and soap. She was about to fall back to bed when the door rang again.
" Hi. I'm with Mr. Hyl"
" How'd you know my room? " she asked irritated .
" Oops sorry, it's my mom's, so it's mine, I did checked the guest book. "
"Okay, come in"
"Hi Missy " said the man. "I'm Mike Hyl, as Crizza says you're interested, we can live early tomorrow if possible "
"I'm not accepting any " Emma looked at Crizza, but she's gone .
"Missy, you shouldn't worry. All expenses are mine. Emma mentioned your love problems earlier, and believe me, when we get there, there'll be no crying in bed, it'll will help you alot"
" Yeah. I'll be busy doing home stuffs so there will be no time for crying in bed. "