"Yes, you did. I am Emma... Emma Carter." Inside, I was fuming, but on the outside, I contained myself and replied back in the most casual tone possible.
"Great. Sorry I interrupted you, but if your business with Jake is done, I could use some privacy with him." She turned around to smile warmly at Jake while completely ignoring my presence.
Bitch! How dare she? She was clearly delusional. I hate it when Jake allowed her to run her motor mouth without thinking, specially at places where she clearly didn't belong.
Accident or no accident, this girl was far from suffering. Before I could respond or utter a word, Jake cut our conversation, and replied himself, "Erica, Ms. Carter here is almost done, but I have a very busy day ahead, I am afraid I won't be available for long."
"I am sure you are busy Jake, but a nice sumptuous lunch never harms anyone. I am dying of hunger, so shall we?" She offered Jake her arm.
I turned around to take their leave, as I wanted to disappear from that room at a lightning speed if possible. If I stayed a minute longer to witness this drama, I sure could explode.
I was almost at the door, when I heard Jake reply to her, "Ok. You win, let's go."
I don't have words to explain how I felt in that moment. I was jealous, insecure, agitated and murderous all at once.
I kept my head low and exited the room without turning back.
***
Jake
"Hey I am really sorry for her behavior today, see you at seven. I will explain everything then." Read my text to Emma.
Emma left the room with a disheartening expression on her face, I wanted to run after her and stop her but Erica was all over me, as always.
You need to end this drama with Erica. My conscience snapped at me.1
Erica picked her usual favorite Chinese restaurant, and we were now comfortably seated in one of the private areas of the restaurant.
She called the waiter and was ordering something, which I didn't bother to hear as my mind and heart left the room with Emma. I decided to send another text to her, as she hadn't replied to a single one so far.
I was pulled out of my thoughts and phone, when Erica suddenly held my hand from across the table.
"Jake? Are you here?"
"Yes, sure. Tell me?" I nodded, keeping my phone away.
"I asked if you were okay with what I ordered."
Honestly, I didn't have a clue but I nodded in agreement nevertheless. After a while, she again broke the silence.
"Ok. Come on. Shoot, quickly."
"What?" I was perplexed by her sudden bossiness.
"Really Jake? Are you going to act innocent? Come on, tell me all about Emma."
"Emma?" I was l at a loss of words, I did not expect Erica to confront me like this. Anyway, I wanted her to know about my feelings, and she gave me just the right opportunity.
"How do you know about Emma? I never mentioned her to you before."
"How do I know? Well, good question. For starters, you don't have to be a genius to guess what business you both were having in your cabin back at office." She rolled her eyes and smiled sheepishly.
"That poor girl was totally flushed and her hair were all messed up, with very less traces of her lipstick left on her lips. I did the math! Plus, the way you look at her Jake, that gives away a lot."
I couldn't help but smile a bit embarrassed. Erica did enter the room at a very wrong time.
"So, you knew the moment you entered? Then why were you so mean to her?" To be honest, I was very angry at her behavior. If it wasn't for her and her situation, I would rip apart anyone who treats Emma badly.
"Answer me first Jake? What's going on? Are you serious about her?"
"Yes I am. I am crazy about her, more than anything in the world" I replied in span of a second, I meant every single word.
"I knew it." She closed her eyes and took a deep breathe. She looked back at me with a broad smile on her face.
Honestly, I was surprised by her reaction, either she genuinely felt happy or she was really a great actress at hiding her emotions.
"I know what you are thinking Mr. Richmond, and I will be honest with you. Specially after my accident I really believe that we need to start living the day, no drama, no deception"
She paused to look at me straight in my eyes, and held my hand again, "I really like you Jake, I think I am in love with you but if you don't feel the same way, then I don't want to be anyone's second or last preference. Probably, that's why I was a bit mean to Emma, I was jealous."
I was a bit surprised by her sudden confession, but I tried to be as polite as possible, "Erica, I am sorry about this, but we really can't control how we feel. Emma is the one for me."
"I know, I get it. I am sorry for messing up with you guys, I am happy for you. Really, I am."
"Thanks Erica. I let it slide today, but nobody treats my girl badly. Today was a first and last." I gave her a stern look; she wouldn't get away the next time.
"Yes, I am sorry again." She nodded while avoiding a direct eye contact.
To break the awkwardness, I tried to be polite again, "We can always remain good friends, and I am sure you will have your love reciprocated someday".
"I know. I
