Immediately, Lisa, left Emma's office. Betha walked in with a bouquet of fresh red roses.
" This came for you minutes ago,"
" For me? Emma creased her brows confused to whom would send her a bouquet of flowers," who's it from?." Emma asked.
" There's a small card there."
Betha pointed out, Emma touched the black card which was placed on the center of the roses, her delicate slim fingers feeling the card's smoothness as she opens it and read through.
' promise to make things right, starting with a beautiful dinner tonight, pick you up at 7.'
_ Alec_
Emma stared at Betha... handing her the card.
" Does he really think I will accept his invitation?."
" I think it's a good idea, give him a chance. It's your chance to get to know him better, wouldn't you say?."
Emma thought about what Betha said, indeed, it's her chance to get to know Alec more, she barely knows anything about him. On a more personal level for starters.
Betha left, leaving Emma to return to her work.
...
Nick was in a hurry to head out when he came across, Tiana on the stairwell.
" Going somewhere?." Tiana came to a halt.
" Hm, work."
" Thought you weren't working today?."
" It's an emergency, Tia, I'm a business man. Things like this always pop up."
Nick said and went passed her. Tia sighed turning to her personal assistant behind her.
" Listen."
" Yes, Ms Qinn."
" Find out what my husband is up to, I have a feeling, Nick, is cheating on me."
" Yes, ma'am."
Tia's assistant nodded following her orders.
In half an hour, Nick, stopped in front of a motel, as if being followed. He checked the streets on both sides before stepping out of the car and dashing inside, he went to the room number which, Laura texted him. Their encounter which led to a more passionate and steamy kiss, Nick carried Laura to bed, stripping off their clothes and had sex. Laura laid on her back catching her breath as she laid next to Nick.
" I want her dead."
Laura finally said, Nick turned to look at Laura with a perfect calm expression, he knew who she was referring to, and if that's what she wants he couldn't simply do a thing about it, once Laura made up her mind. He couldn't do anything to change it, he would simply agree to her terms, he was like a lab dog to this woman, he worshipped her like a god, he would do anything for her. Nick has always had special feelings for Laura for a long time now, but she was in love with Alec, he couldn't compete with Alec _ it was impossible, since he couldn't win Laura's love, he dedicated his love and loyalty to her. He would do anything she asked of him, and she kept a special spot in her heart just for him, for being so loyal.
Laura faced Nick, her fingers caressing his face, she had the most gentle touch ever. He would do anything for this woman, anything.
" Do you have a plan?."
" It's in progress, I don't have to rush. I will wait for the perfect opportunity." Laura grinned.
..
Emma stared at her watch, it was almost 7pm. Alec did say he would pick her up by that time. ' what the hell are you doing, Emma? You're not really expecting him to come right?' Emma face palm her forehead. ' I should just head home, if he was serious about this date he would have called by now to say he's on his way. What am I saying? It's not a date.'
Emma grabbed her bag... heading out.
" Have a good night, Ms Qinn." The receptionist gave a slight bow, Emma gave a nod... heading towards the elevator, she pressed the bottom button waiting for it to open. Emma's eyes widened surprisingly when the elevator doors slide open. Alec gave a slight warm smile, forwarding his hand towards Emma.
" Where you about to ditch me? That's so not nice, Ms Qinn."
Emma blushed rejecting his hand, she stepped into the elevator on her own, standing next to Alec in silence. Alec grinned_ returning his hand in his pocket. They got into the car driving to the restaurant Alec booked for them.
" Good evening, and welcome."
" I booked a table for two, earlier at 4pm."
" Of course," the receptionist went through her list." Mr Qinn, your table is this way." She escorted them to their seat.
" Are you comfortable?." Alec asked softly. Emma nodded pouring a glass of wine.
" Should you really be drinking, you're still breastfeeding right?." Emma stared at the glass in her hand. ' damnit, I completely forgot about that.'
" Oh, it slipped my mind."
She hands over the glass to Alec instead, The waiter brought her a non alcoholic cocktail instead. She takes a sip before clearing her throat to speak.
" So, what's the real motive for bringing me out here to dinner?."
" Do I need a reason to see you and spend time with the mother of my child?."
" Question for question huh? If you don't have a specific reason, then I will eat and leave." Emma stated.
" I want you back, Emma, I want us to live together again like before. This time with our child."
" Not possible _ as long as you're still married to Laura. ' _ '
" I'm divorcing, Laura, I just need a bit of time to arrange everything."
Emma frowned glaring at Alec, she clench tightly onto the fork she was holding. Alec thought his answer would at least put her at ease knowing he's planning on divorcing Laura. But instead it seemed to displease her, she looked like she was going to stab him with a knife if he makes any wrong move, ' did I say something wrong, I don't get it?'
" Are you ok_
" What makes you think, divorcing Laura will make anything better between us?."
" Huh?."
Alec was confused, Emma stared down feeling helpless by everything that surrounded her, she's so young but it feels like she's bearing the whole world on her shoulder, all this was so overwhelming for her.
" I lost my parents when I was just a toddler, I went to college whilst handling my family business, I didn't have time to date or live like a normal teenager, all my life I dedicated it to work just so to make my parents and grandparents proud of me, I matured quickly for my age. And then I crossed paths with you, thee Alec Qinn, every woman's fantasy. I found myself married to you, was diagnosed with brain cancer, got pregnant and gave birth, got divorced. I experienced all this at the age of 21, quite a record wouldn't you say. Even though our marriage was based on a business point of view, I still considered you as my husband. I learnt to trust you and love you despite me not knowing anything about you, I don't know the man I married, I don't know the father of my child, I still don't, Alec. I don't know anything about you. This sucks, I'm just so tired of being in the crossfire."
Emma stood abruptly, forcing the chair back. " I would like to go home now, I will take a taxi."
" Emma!."
Alec stood, he took Emma's hand dragging her away with him. Emma just followed behind Alec in silence _ with tears rolling down her face, they got into the car driving off. Emma didn't know where they were going, it was far from the city. More like they were heading towards a hill or something. ' where are we going?' she thought.
The car eventually stopped on a hill in front of a wooden cabin, it was neither big nor small. With beautiful flowers surrounding the cabin, Emma wondered why they were here? And the reason he brought her here?
" Let's go inside."
He told her, Emma followed him behind. He switched on the lights and the place looked lively inside than it was on the outside, the place was tidy and clean. A sense of warmness and comfy, looked like someone cleans this place everyday.
" I used to come here whenever I wanted to be alone, back when I was young."
" Like a man cave?." Emma looked around.
" Yeah, something like that." Alec smirked, leading her towards the living room. Emma sat on the sofa, still wondering to why Alec brought her here.
" What are we doing here?." She finally asked staring at Alec with her curious round eyes.
" Didn't you want to know more about me? I'm starting by showing you somewhere that makes me happy and relaxed, no one knows about this place except from you now." Emma looked surprised and confused at the same time.
" I'm guessing you've probably wondered why I'm so indifferent and cold sometimes, I guess you would say, I grew up like that. Shutting everything and everyone out, I treated them the way I was treated when I was a kid. By the woman who's supposed to be a mother to me."
" L - Lisa?."
Emma creased her brows.