"I am glad we had this conversation today". I told her in an assuring tone.
"Me too. In fact, please allow me to make up for my bad behavior earlier today. How about you get Emma along for lunch at my place this Saturday? I will cook." She had a lot of enthusiasm in her voice, her eyes were shining in excitement.
"Really? Are you sure? I don't know how Emma would feel about this."
"Yes, I am sure, if we are to remain friends, then I must apologize to your girlfriend and start a fresh with her." She insisted.1
"Ok, I will try. No promises yet."
"Works for me." She gave me a grin.
The rest of the lunch went calmly, we talked about a lot of different things. Sometimes it seemed, Erica was the most misunderstood person I knew. Mom was right, she acted tough and lashed out, but deep down she was really lonely.
I had been texting and calling Emma all day, but she didn't reply to any of my calls or messages. Brett informed me that she left office early today and was now home.
I wanted to rush to her but I had back to back meetings all day. At last, nearly around eight pm, I took a bunch of flowers and headed straight to her apartment.
The moment she opened the door, I could see how badly she had been crying. She was wearing a baggy lower and a short crop top. Her hair tied up and her eyes were red and puffy.
"Emma, I have been calling you crazy. What happened? Have you been crying?" I felt guilty looking at her state.
She didn't utter a word and went inside leaving the door open. I entered behind her and turned her around to face me.
"Look at me, Emma. Please don't be like this. I am sorry about today. Let me explain. Erica and I...."
Before I could complete, she shut me out, "I don't want to hear it Jake, do hell with you and your Erica".
"Emma please calm down, hear me out for once."
"No, I won't. You did not stand up for me, she treated me like an office floozy and you let her. You let her get away with it." Tears were rolling down her cheeks, her eyes were blood red.
I hurt her, I hurt her bad. I immediately reached to wipe her tears and hug her, but she pushed me away with her hand.
"I am sorry Emma. I didn't want to create a scene; she has a big mouth and she just spat those words. I was a bit considerate as she was recently traumatized."
"Yes! I could see how you cared, and clearly gave in. You sure have feelings for her, admit it for fuck sake!" Her voice echoed in her living room.
"No Emma! I don't. She is nothing but a friend, and she was sorry about her behavior too."
"Really, a friend? When did that happen? Before or after you slept with her? I was a fool to trust you with my heart, but you sure live up to your reputation."
"Emma. Please." This time I yelled back. I was shocked at her accusations; I know she was hurting but her words stung my heart.
I didn't know what went through me but I mindlessly spat back, "You are not thinking rationally, we both have our pasts. I never bought up Nate or the fact that how many times you slept with him. Or that Mark, who letches at you and you still had lunch with him today."
I regretted every damn word the moment it left my mouth. She was my Emma, and I was saying things to her, that I didn't even meant to say. What the fuck was wrong with me?
"How dare you!? Thanks to you and your beloved Erica, I didn't go for lunch today. And more importantly thank you for bringing Nate up and showing how big of a sleaze I am in your eyes."
She howled back at me. Her eyes were now full of hurt and regret.
I immediately rushed to her again and held her hands. I was angry too but I just couldn't let her be this hurt because of me.
I contained myself and gathered all my feelings for her, "Shh... I am sorry Emma. I didn't mean it like that. I meant to say, like your past is insignificant to our present today, please think it through and do not let my past with Erica cloud your judgement."
She was calming down a bit now, and I felt a tad bit relaxed, but that was surely short lived. In the next second, she wriggled out of my hold again.
"Go away Jake. I don't know what to believe anymore. Leave me alone, please."
This was the last straw, I felt so lost in this moment. I almost gave up.
She clearly didn't trust me. I failed to earn her trust.
Chapter 29
Mine
Jake
I felt defeated in the moment, and before we fought any further, I decided to fulfil her wish, to leave her alone.
I put the flowers I got her on the side table in her living room, and headed to the door. My back could hear her sniffing, and I felt like a jerk for being the reason behind her tears.
I was at the door, when I turned around one last time to tell her the whole story,
"I am leaving Emma, but before I do, you should know what happened at lunch with Erica today."
She turned her face to the other side but atheist she didn't stop me from completing, so I continued, " I told her about us, and also warned her to
