It was a video, as Robert was about to press play on the video, the shrill ring of his phone cut through the air.
"Pardon me," he said to the man, and quickly answered the call. "Hello, mother," he said, but she interrupted him before he could finish his greeting.
"Spare me your pleasantries, I'm not interested in your empty words," she said, her voice sharp and impatient.
"Mother, you know I take my work very seriously," Robert said, trying to defend himself.
"No one asked you to neglect your responsibilities, and I don't care how important your work is, you're hurting that girl," his mother continued.
"Mother, I promise to make it right with her," Robert said, his voice pleading.
"I've heard that before, but you never do anything about it," his mother said, her tone stern. "You should have seen how upset she was at the courthouse today. It was not a pretty sight, and it broke my heart to see her like that."
"Mum I said I'll make it up to her," he said.
"You need to go see her, and I don't want to hear anymore excuses," his mother said.
"I understand, mother, I have work," Robert said, resignation in his voice.
"It's always work with you," his mother said, sounding disappointed.
"I sent you a video of what happened at the courthouse today. You need to see it, so you know exactly what your actions have caused." With those words, she ended the call.
"Desmond, what's going on, man? No friendly hello?" Robert asked, a teasing lilt to his voice.
"Just watch the video first," he said, ignoring his friend's attempts at levity.
"Mum said she sent me a video, let me watch that first," Robert answered.
"Then I think I'll take my phone back, cause that's the same video your mum sent to me," Desmond said, reaching for his phone on the table in front of Robert.
As Robert watched the video his mother had sent, he saw a side of Emily that was angry and hurt. The words she said cut him to the core, and he felt a kind of guilt in his stomach. He put down his phone, and his gaze fell on the floor.
"You deserve those words and you brought this on yourself," his friend Desmond said, trying to be tough but not unkind.
"It was not my fault," Robert said.
"Yeah of course, work is always your excuse," Desmond said, a little bit loud. "Robert this is your finacée we're talking about here, your intentions don't really matter here, it's your actions that count. You might have had the best of intentions, but your actions have caused your fiancee to feel hurt and now she thinks you're a selfish brat."
"Don't worry, I'll fix it," Robert said with a reassuring smile.
"I told you before, but you didn't listen. You know that you care about her and you already like her, she's the only one who doesn't know you and I know you're only hurting yourself by not going to see her," Desmond said.
"I said I'd fix it, so back off!" Robert snapped, his voice sharp and irritated.
"You're a selfish, childish brat, and I don't ever want to see your face again!" Desmond said, imitating Emily in a mocking tone.
"This isn't helping," Robert said, his frustration bubbling to the surface.
"Of course, just make things right," Desmond answered.
"I think I'll get her all the expensive things you could ever think of, some money will soften her," Robert said.
"Robert stop feeling all hight and might, you may have money, but it won't solve all your problems. And besides, I think you're underestimating a girl like Emily, she may value things other than wealth, and you can't simply buy your way into her heart," Desmond said, trying to give him some piece of advice.
"Wait and see I'll spoil her, and she'll forget about all these," Robert answered.
"You're so stubborn, Rob," Desmond said, his exasperation evident in his voice. "She's your finacée, you can do whatever you want."
"Thanks," Robert sigh as his friend dropped the case.
"It's middle September already. It feels like the year is flying by," Desmond said.
"I know, it's crazy how fast time moves," Robert said, shaking his head.
"Anyways, do you want to come to the game tonight?" Desmond asked.
"Ah, I'd love to, but I have to work late," Robert replied.
"Figured, you're always working, workaholic," he answered as they both laughed and continued to discuss.
Robert was the first son of Mr. And Mrs. Rawlings. He and his younger brother had grown up in the care of their uncle, since they were five years old, far from their hometown of Vetra.
It was a foreign land to them, but they made the most of it, taking full advantage of the opportunities afforded to them.
After graduating from University, the brothers parted ways, with Robert choosing to build a life in Solace city while his brother stayed abroad.
Robert and Desmond where childhood friends, bonded by a shared history that stretched back to their earliest days of school. Their friendship had weathered every storm, strengthen by the trials and tribulations of life.
Robert had built an empire of his own, apart form the company he would inherit from his father, after getting married to Emily. He was more than successful but he still had to take over his father's company.
Unlike Emily, who had only recently discovered the path that fate had set for her, Robert knew from the earliest days of his education that he would marry the daughter of his father's co - founder. It was a certainty he wore like a cloak, and he saw no need to explore other options or engage in romantic dalliances. He had liked Emily when he first saw her picture and now life was moving forward, faster than he could ever have imagined, and he was swept up in the current.
Emily lay on her bed, ruminating on the perplexing behavior of her fiance.
"What if he knows me and I'm the one that doesn't know him?" She whispered to herself, before letting out a heavy sigh.
With a resolute air, Emily seized her phone and navigated to instagram, the popular social media platform. She typed "Robert Rawlings" into the search bar, and was met with an overwhelming array of results. Over five hundred accounts appeared, each with its own unique profile and content.