15Birthday“Why are you here?”“What do you mean? I’m working.”“You’re suppose to be home.”“Dad, I’m working and you have a busy schedule so that mean I’m busy to so I don’t know why you’re asking me that.” I said as I gather the files that dad needs to sign.“I know but your mom is waiting for you in our house, she will kill me if you wouldn’t leave now.”“Can I at least know the reason because I don’t understand what’s happening.” I said as I give him the files.“I can’t believe you forgot that it’s almost your birthday.” Dad said while signing the papers. “Now go, I’m giving you a leave, this birthday will be grand so go.” He said.“Fine.” We do this every year and I can’t believe that my birthday is approaching. Mom always throw the best parties and I’m sure now that I’m turning 24 she wants everything to be perfect especially this is the time that she’ll invite a bunch of media to feature this in any platform.Mom is sometimes like this, she was a model at a young age but stop
16Mentor“Shit!”What a bad timing to be late at work. I’ve gotten used to wake up early but it just happen that Arthur seduce me last night and I’m late for work and Flora will be my mentor. I hope she’ll understand when I arrive because I’m fucked up but on the other hand how can I think of that when Arthur is literary the reason why I’m late.“Fuck him.”I said as I lost my elegance--I don’t even know if I have those but I’m running as fast as I can and enter the elevator and fix myself.“You’re late.” Flora is sitting in my chair and looking at her watch as I arrive. I was about to reason out but she lift her finger and got up in the chair. “I don’t need reasons or excuses. I want a better performance next time.” She said and I nodded. “And just to warn you I’m not going to be nice to you because your father ask me to be your mentor and he’s special to our family. I will do what I usually do.” She said.Damn, she’s ruthless. It makes me wonder if she knows my relationship with Ar
17Trying Flora clasped her hand after I answer her critical answer she’s looking at me with her proud face and I hate it because when I look at her the only thing I can remember is how aggressive she kissed Arthur in the pantry and I’m distancing myself from Arthur because I don’t know how I would face him or sleep with him because I’m disgust to myself and to him and the kiss they had also kept running in my mind that I don’t want to do it with Arthur.“I think you’re good to go. We just started but you’re already showing that you’ll be a good leader. I think you didn’t even need my help.” She said while gathering her things.Wait, does that mean I don’t have to see her anymore? Does that mean she won’t return here to the company because that would be good? Although I like her as a mentor I don’t like it when she’s wandering around here, especially when Arthur is here.“Thank you. I appreciate it.” I said and force a smile.But while she’s gathering her things I just thought of a g
18PickI look at him while waiting for his answer but he didn’t say anything and walk closer towards me.“Pick.” I repeat but he didn’t answer and kiss me instead. He hold my jaw and tilted his head before kissing me slowly and sensually.“Arthur.” I try to resist but he shuts me up with his kisses.He never once kisses me like this. It’s slow and heartfelt. It’s like he’s scared to pick but he’s making me feel that I’m special and it’s like I forgot what we were fighting about and I hold his shoulder and kiss him back. His hand hold my cheeks and my lips when he stop kissing me. I bit my lips as I felt the brush of his hands on my lips.“You’re not allowed to kiss anyone but me.” He whisper and I was hypnotize and nodded.We enter his car with me looking at him the whole time. He’s holding my hand while he’s driving and even though I want to kiss him badly because he keeps running his hands to my thigh, I hold back as I don’t want to get us both in an accident.“Emily.” His voice wh
19BustedI look at Arthur and Flora when we send them to the door. Mom holds my hand that made me look at her.“You should stay the night, sweetie. I miss you plus tomorrow is weekend you don’t have work.” She said.I nodded. Mom look suspicious earlier and if this makes her not suspicious I will gladly stay for the night.She took me to my room and I smile as I see my bedroom, it’s still the same of how I left it. It’s full of teddy bear and pink things.“We left it how it is. So when you’ll come here you’ll still sleep here and feel like you’re still a kid.” Mom chuckled that made me hug her.“Thanks mom.” I said and kiss her cheeks.I run my hands through my bed and look at every painting I did that’s hanging on the wall. Every drawing I did on my sketchpad. I have a bookshelves that’s full of my sketchpad, at a young I started drawing and I kind of miss it.It’s still in my room, and when I open my walk in closet it’s full of designer’s clothes and some of my gear equipment that
20AwayI look at dad who’s looking at me intently while I’m doing my work together with Flora. I’m back with training again and dad become more strict after what he discovered last time.“You’re dad must’ve did this staring to shoo your suitor.” Flora said to lighten up the mood. I don’t know if dad can hear her but I just chuckle as I reply. I don’t know how can I continue to work with her but at this point I have gone numb.Dad is constantly observing me especially when he’s calling Arthur on to his office. He usually wait inside his office but now he comes out and wait for him and would look at me like he’s looking at me right now.“Emily!” I sigh as I saw mom walk towards me. She gave Flora a kiss on the cheeks then to me before going to dad. They went to dad’s office like they’re discussing some business inside but I know that they’re probably talking about me.Dad was angry when mom sent me home and even went to my apartment looking angry but mom manage to calm him down.“You’r
21Together I look at Flora and Arthur as they are holding their hands while we’re sitting. I can’t believe I’m here at the bar with them. I didn’t even imagine this day would come and what’s worse is Flora is clingy at Arthur that made me want to throw a tantrum.“Relax.” Jessie whispered while giving me a drink.“How can I?” I said as I drink the alcohol in one shot.“Woo! Emily is back!” Nathan laugh as I get another drink and drink it in one shot.“You should slow down, you’ll get drunk easily.” It’s like the world stop when Arthur said that. It made our table silent and Flora looks at me.“Arthur’s right.” Flora said and lay her head on Arthur’s shoulder while Arthur looks at me with a warning. I gu
22Bond I just woke up and I don’t know how to tell Arthur that I’m ending our agreement. I scoff, I didn’t imagine that I would be the one ending this. I thought it would be him when he realize that he still love his wife but it’s the other way around.I sigh and get off the bed and decided to stay in the kitchen until he wakes up.I was drinking coffee when he got up and just like me he’s looking at me with confusion in his face as he approach me. We both don’t know how to feel now that my parents found out about us.He sat beside me and hug me while kissing me shoulder blades but I stayed poker and I didn’t waste any more time and straight told him my decision that made him get off me.“Are you serious?” Arthur looks at me with rage.“It’s for the