Chapter 10

Stanley’s no-nonsense tone, made Emma tremble, but she caught herself in time.

She expected it, she anticipated the hate but when it was thrown at her face, in reality, it hurt like someone pulled out her heart.

Catherine, with tears running down her bubbly cheeks, pulled at her husband’s sleeve, shaking her head, asking him to not hurt their daughter with such harsh words.

She might not be their blood, but she was still the daughter they cherished with their all, at times even more than their own flesh.

“It is alright, Mom. I deserve this but I won’t give up this time. I will make up for all my shortcomings and right my wrongs since last 5 years.”

Emma smiled softly at her parents before, heading into the stairwell, unable to wait there any longer for the elevator.

Descending the stairs, she was once again lost in the past.

Time was unforgiving, 5 years seemed to have sped past in a blink of an eye.

‘This time I’m going to listen to my heart and cherish the people who cherished me in the past.’

Emma thought as she left the complex and walked to the supermarket down two blocks.

********************

 **2 WEEKS LATER**

Emma tiredly entered her apartment after a tiring day at the café she was working as a barista, the only place ready to hire her after multiple failed corporate interviews.

She knew it was going to be difficult to find a job after a 5 year gap but so difficult that she couldn’t even secure an intern’s position was a curve ball to her.

At least it was a curve ball until she knew why she couldn’t even start at the grassroots despite her coming out at the top of her class, it was all because of her egoistic ex-husband.

Of course, if she hadn’t heard it accidentally from the interviewer who made a call to her husband before making sure she was out of earshot, she would still be trying to secure a job, attending interviews in vain, and blaming her incompetence to secure a job.

But now that she knew Shyane had blacklisted her because he couldn’t accept her being independent and happy without his alimony, she knew working for any corporate company would be almost impossible, so after wasting a complete week she gave up.

Sighing softly Emma stood up from the couch she had plopped onto while thinking about all of this.

She looked around her apartment which was now more cozy and warm, with everything according to her taste.

She longed for such freedom but it came with the price of loneliness.

Indeed, Fiona dropped by whenever she had time but being a fresher in university, her free time was limited.

Thankfully, her father did not object to Fiona meeting her and Fiona was not angry at her sister like her parents.

As for Catherine, it was a completely different story.

She yearned for her first child but at the same time, she was hurt from the actions of the past and couldn’t bring herself to forgive so easily either.

Stanley was the same. It was all about right and wrong for him, and Emma couldn’t blame him for it, after all he was right at the end and she was wrong, only if she had trusted her father a little more with her life.

Shaking her head to remove all the thoughts rom her head, Emma headed to her bedroom and took a shower, changing into a pair of cozy pajamas.

Walking into the kitchen, opening the fridge she contemplated what she could put together for a light supper and took out a few boxes.

Just as she was about to put it on a plate and heat it, her mobile started ringing causing her to pause and walk out of the kitchen.

Looking at the caller id, Emma picked up with a small, genuine smile.

“Iris, I texted you an address. Be here within next 1 hour.”

Saying this the voice on the other hand hung up without waiting for a response.

Emma chuckled to herself as she went back into her room to change back into something presentable.

The caller was none other than her best friend, Eleanor Morey, a rising singer and producer of Hollywood, many nominations and awards under her belt.

Emma and Eleanor grew up together in orphanage after Eleanor lost her family in a tragic accident when she was 3 years old but unlike Emma, Eleanor refused to get adopted and moved out of orphanage once she was an adult.

Now at 26 she was a pretty well known celebrity, a self-made millionaire with her own beauty-brand.

As for her abrupt calls, that was how her personality was, a straightforward, bold woman who knows her worth.

Quickly making her way out of the complex, Emma flagged down a cab and gave the driver her address.

********************

Emma reached the destination in 45 minutes and was surprised to find herself in front of a posh club.

‘Midnight Angels’

Frowning to herself, Emma gave Eleanor a call, which was picked up after a few rings.

“Are you here?”

Her voice came through with a lot of background noice, like she was in the middle of a disco.

“I’m too old for partying.”

Emma deadpanned, as she felt a headache form at the back of her head. She was a peace-loving woman and preffered serene environment over chaotic places like clubs and bars.

“Just come in I’ll explain. I’m sending my assistant, she will bring you in.”

********************

Emma hated this.

Eleanor had recommended her to the club’s manager as a part-time bartender and today as the club was short on staffs, they asked for her and Eleanor looped her in without telling her anything.

As for the person in question she was busy playing the DJ at the tower in the middle of the dance floor.

“Why are you here?”

‘Not again!’