Emma - Hey, Niki. Don't be still mad at me, please. I am trying to make up to you both.
Thursday night, early dinner followed by a movie at Jake's place. You both are invited, get Barry and Max too.
Britney - Thursday night? It's Halloween night. Trick or Treat? Haha!
Niki - Really? Halloween? What are we? 12?
Emma - Hey, Come on, guys. I know we are not kids. It will be fun, nevertheless. Jake wants to meet you both
Britney - Is it? I want to meet him too. Come on, Niki! Let's do this.
Emma - Yayy Thanks, Britney! Niki? Come on.
Niki - Ok. I am in too. I will invite Barry as well. Text us your new address.
Emma - Great. I will send you both the address. Don't forget to invite Max too, Britney. I am soo excited already! See you all on Thursday.
Niki - See you love
Britney - Sure thing babe!
After chatting with both of them, I felt happy and contented. We both headed to bed early today as we had office tomorrow.
***
"Good Morning Jake. Sorry I got a bit late. I hope you didn't have anything urgent to attend."
The next morning, we woke up early, Jake was already in his suit and on a conference call when I went to get ready.
"No, we are fine. We will head out in ten minutes, so grab a quick bite."
"Are sure we have to go together?"
"Emma, we already discussed this. We are not going to shy away from people about us." I nodded reluctantly, last night we already had a small argument on this.
We both left for office together. As soon as we reached, Jake stepped out and went ahead to open the car door for me. He extended his hand, which I nervously took. He held my hand tightly, and we both entered the premise together.
He was bold, confident and powerful. He was every girl's dream. Walking beside a man of his stature and looks, filled my heart with pride. I heard so many gasps and whispers, people and their stares were piercing our backs. However, Jake was unfazed, he held me close, his arm snaked around my waist.
We entered the elevator, the one entitled for his exclusive use. The moment the door closed; he gave me a warm hug.
"Relax Emma. They will eventually get over it. What we have is special, and nothing else matters, okay?"
I nodded. He was right. Sooner or later, people would have known. We could not hide it forever. His uncanny faith in our relationship warmed my soul.
My floor's beep got me out of my thoughts. He gave me a quick peck before I left the elevator. I headed straight to my cabin.
I tried to keep all other thoughts at the back of my head and dived in my work without a single worry.
An hour or so later, I heard a knock at my door.
"Hi, Emma. Busy?"
"Hey Mark, please come in," I replied with a genuine smile.
"I came here to discuss the Norway proposal." For the first time, his body language was sloppy.
"Sure, let me open the file."
I headed for my drawer, when he interrupted me, "actually, that can wait. My real reason to come here was... umm I heard about... "
He was stalling, and I was getting anxious, "What is it, Mark?"
After a long pause, he asked. "Umm... So, you and boss? Is it true?"
Wow. News sure travelled fast here. "Yes, it's true, Mark. I have been seeing Jake since a while now. I am sorry you had to find out like this, I tried keeping my personal and professional life separate, but I guess it had to come out someday."
"Oh! So, it isn't just a rumor?"
"No, it's not, and I am glad you asked me straight."
"Well, it was the highlight of the day. It was hard to miss. I had to ask. I am happy for you, though. Good Luck." He stood up from his seat and turned to leave.
"Mark, what about the Norway project?" I called him from behind, unsure of his sudden change in mood.
"Let's talk later, Emma." He didn't even turn to look at me again.
Without saying another word, he left.
Chapter 35
Honeymoon Crashers
Emma
The rest of the week at office was quite distasteful. I got ugly glares from everyone around, and I remained the top topic of discussion. From Amanda at the ground floor reception to Maria, Jake's secretary on the very top floor, all of them gave me bitchy stares. I stole the hottest bachelor in town, so their hostility towards me was quite expected.
Jake, on the other hand, had been quite busy. There were days when he even worked until midnight. Usually, I would wait for him, but sometimes I would doze off. At the least, we managed to spend our mornings together, every day, irrespective of our workloads.
I somehow sailed through the week, and eventually, we got to Thursday. I was expecting my friends to visit me and meet Jake for the first time today.
I felt excited and nervous at the same time. We decided to keep a Halloween theme party, especially the decor and food menu, we didn't do costume. We had pumpkin shaped candles and orange and black kitchenware.
Ever since the beginning of the day, I had been hustling in and out of the kitchen and making other arrangements.
It was almost evening when I dressed up for the dinner party. The moment I stepped outside the room, I met Jake in the corridor.
"Hey, you look beautiful. Purple suits you. I was coming to check on you." He took me in his arms and gave me a soft kiss on lips.
"Yes, I am going down
