57

Eric, Helen and her mum got to the city were Emma was. Helen and her mum decided to go over to were Emma was staying with Henry.

Eric, however decided to stay in an hotel. The book reveal was till the next day. Helen had tried convincing him to at least show himself to Emma today, but he said he wasn’t ready yet.

Eric settled in the hotel and as millions of thoughts crossed his mind about what could happen, when he eventually sees Emma. He tried his best to stay positive and hoping for the best that could happen.

In the evening, Eric set out to explore the town a bit. It was a small town and you could easily get around and the locals were supper nice.

Eric went into one of the bookshops to see if Emma’s books had been stocked yet. He was passing through, when he saw when of the workers stocking it on the shelf.

He stopped by the shelf. The worker turned to him.

“It’s a new book by a new author. I think it’s a pretty good read,” she said.

“I am sure it is,” Eric smiled as he picked one of it from the shelf.

He thought about how Emma had started writing the book and how she wouldn’t want anyone to read her writing. He thought about all the times they had by the lake, while Emma will hand out the draft for him to go through.

He knew some parts of the book. At least, the first few chapters because he had read them, some even more than once.

He was so happy that her dream was finally coming true. He had always wanted this for her and now, she had done it.

Eric wished he could see her and tell her how much he was proud of her and everything she had done.

Eric moved towards the check-out.

“I will take this,” he said, placing a copy of the book on the counter.

He payed with his card and the book was packed for him.

He went to some more places. Majorly, to find something he could eat. He had found a nice restaurant and had eaten there.

He went home after he was done. He lay on the bed in the hotel, brought out the book he had purchased to read it.

He knew the story was similar to his story with Emma, he had once told her and she hadn’t denied it. He wanted to know how she ended it and even though he was tempted to open to the back of the book already, he decided to start from the beginning.

He started reading and was engrossed in it, it was midnight already, he wasn’t still done but he was almost done. The last chapter was amazing. She had ended the book just the way he would have thought.

That gave him hope, even thought he knew this was fictional. He knew Emma well enough to know what she meant by that ending and only him could understand it.

He smiled as he read the epilogue. He hoped the next day was as good as the ending of the book. He hoped to not be disappointed and that Emma should at least give him listening ears.

Eric woke up very early the next morning, despite sleeping in late and reading the book. He wanted to get there as early as he could. Hoping he could get to speak to Emma before the program itself started.

In Emma’s place. She was also up early. The adrenaline rush couldn’t allow her to sleep. She was so excited about the day and couldn’t wait for it.

“We should get going now, so we don’t get there late,” Helen said.

Everyone was ready. They had all dressed up and were ready to get going.

They all went out to the car. Henry had also gotten ready and was as excited as ever.

Helen and her mum got into the car and as Henry noticed Emma’s composure. She looked both anxious and nervous.

Henry knew it was all probably because of the book reveal.

“You don’t look so good, what’s wrong?” Henry asked.

“I have waited for today all my life. I don’t know why I feel this way now. I am anxious.”

“You have done all these amazing things and you are about to be the best selling author very soon. Have some fate in yourself and show up on that stage like the star that you are,” Henry said and Emma smiled.

“Thank you,” she said. Henry moved closer and kissed her on her forehead.

Henry got into the car and as Emma was about to get into the car, she realized she had forgotten her notepad.

“I think I forgot something,” Emma said, moving away from the door. About to go back inside. Henry was going to go with her.

Emma turned to face Henry, I think you should go with my mum and sister. I don’t know exactly were I kept it, might take a while looking for it.

“Are you sure? We can wait,”Henry said.

“I am sure.”

“How will you get to the venue?”

“I will order an Uber.”

“I need you at the event so you can help organize things before I get there,” Emma said and then Henry entered the car driving away, as Emma entered back into the apartment.

Emma searched her room for the notepad and also the living room but she found nothing. She realized she and Henry had a late night some days ago and they had been in his room watching a movie. She figured she had probably left it there.

When she got in, she looked through the drawers and she couldn’t find anything in the first two drawers. She looked in the last one and she found several mails there, it felt weird especially since she had seen her name on the first one.

She looked through the rest and realized that it was all addressed to her and they were from Eric. She sat on the floor as she poured the rest of the mails on the floor. They were a lot and a tear trickled down her cheek. She had waited so long for something that was right were she was.

She figured Henry had intentionally kept it away from her.