Chapter 6 The Investors Proposal
Chapter 6: The Investor”s Proposal
Emma
I kept tossing on my bed, unable to accept the brooding feeling that had nibbled unceasingly in my head since my return from the lake.
I had caught myself smiling not once, but at least three times since my return. We”d gotten back to the guest house totally drenched, yet choosing to ignore the watching and surprised looks of the townspeople that we passed.
He had spent another thirty minutes sipping coffee in my sitting room and wearing just my robe while his clothes were being dried in my kitchen.
I was amazed at how fit he looked beneath the surface of my robe. His abs were firm and his muscles popped out in his arms. I told myself I wasn”t supposed to be lusting, but I did steal a few glances as we talked. We spoke about random things as he waited. About antiques, about the big cities we had both visited, and his years as a U.S. Marine.
However, he was conscious enough not to slip the reason for his early retirement or for not having a family around. And I was careful to not dip into any topic relating to the things he avoided. That way, the atmosphere had remained spiked in excitement until he’d changed back into his clothes.
“I’ll see you around.”
“You can come to the store tomorrow; maybe we could talk more about the things we need to do,” he suggested.
I was glad he was inviting me over, especially when it was clear that he was enjoying my company, yet still hiding behind this whole investment rattle. Like I’d said earlier, two could play this game.
“Yes, I will do that. And thanks for not caring but stopping by to know if I was fine,” I mocked.
“Yeah, it”s not a big deal. See you tomorrow?” His brows pushed high.
“Yeah. See you.” I smiled back at him.
I was seeing beyond an antique store man and it was messing with my thoughts. I picked up my phone, dialing Sandy”s number. She picked up on the first ring, sounding very vibrant.
“Hello, girlfriend.”
“Sandy, guess what?” I said excitedly.
“Uhh… You found your earring?” she guessed.
“No. Well, technically I did. But this is about something else.”
“You sound excited, Emma. Go on and give me the whole gist. Don”t leave anything out,” she warned.
If there was one person who knew me so well, it had to be Sandy. I giggled like a school kid thinking about what I was about to say.
“There”s this man…” I started.
“OMG! I knew it! What man, Emma? Are you getting laid already?” she asked playfully.
“Shut up, Sandy. Goodness! Is there a time when you ain”t thinking naughty?” I said as a blush crept up my face.
“Yes, when I”m doing the actual naughty stuff. Now, go on and tell me about this man who has you giggling like a kid. Who is he?”
“Remember the strange man at the antique store?”
“Yeah? What about him?” she asked in a whisper.
“I think I like him.”
“You think?”
“Sandy, I don”t really know. We”ve been hanging out. I insisted he show me around the town and he obliged because he still thinks I”m an investor. And he was sitting in my living room earlier, in my bathrobe, and we talked for long about—”
“Cut right there… Wait, Emma, did I hear you correctly?”
“Huh?” I responded, pretending not to know where she was headed.
“I would”ve asked you to rewind a little, but I think I heard you clearly. You said he was in your house, wearing your robe? And you guys did what again?”
“We talked.” I laughed.
“Are you’re telling me the truth here?”
“Yes, Sandy. What happened was that we visited this lake, and I kinda dragged him into the water, so he was wet by the time we got to my apartment and had to change into my robe while waiting for his clothes to dry.”
“Hmmm. Interesting. Go on,” she urged.
I told her all about our meetings, the stroll to the market, the mini-mall, and the portrait.
“Emma, I”m glad that you”re having fun and that you”re happy. But, you have to be careful. And… your leave will be over at the end of the month; you’ll have to come back and relieve me of this stress.” She yawned over the phone.
Sandy could be very dramatic and I”d learned over the years not to take her too seriously. I knew very well she was enjoying my absence, as it made her the next in command at work.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I need to catch some sleep, lover girl. Keep me updated about your antique man.”
“I will. Love you.” I dropped the phone, folding myself into my duvet and hugging my pillow tight.
I would be seeing him again tomorrow; all I had to do was sleep and it would be morning, so I closed my eyes and willed myself into sleep.
* * *
Jack
When I rolled out of bed the next morning, I realized it wasn”t my normal start. I hadn’t had the usual nightmare; I wasn”t sweating profusely and struggling with guilt. There was a different feeling. A prompt feeling to be at the store.
I rushed into the bathroom to take a quick shower. This new feeling did not permit hunger. I felt filled with excitement. I looked myself over in the mirror for the first time after four years. My beard was rough and my hair had lost its luster.
I searched frantically for my shaving bag and returned to the bathroom to do justice to my face. Why am I doing this? Of course, it isn”t for her. I just want to do it, I told myself.
I was proud of the face that stared back at me from the mirror. A clearer and more presentable look. I looked more attentively in my closet, picking a black-sleeved top and a pair of jeans, humming as I dressed.
“Good morning, Jack,” the woman at the tie-dye store greeted.
“Good morning, ma”am,” I replied. I could see her shocked look.
“How was your night, Jack?” Flora from the flower shop greeted me when I moved farther.
“My night was great,” I answered with a small smile.
She was stunned as well. I could understand their surprise. But how was I supposed to explain my sudden change to them when even I was amazed by it?
I was a bit disappointed when I got to the store and Emma wasn”t standing at the door like the previous day.
Checking the clock, I realized I was thirty minutes early today. I strolled through the shelves and aisles, dusting the statues and paintings that lay around, each time sneaking an eye towards the door to see if she was coming.
After about an hour, there was finally a call from the door.
“Hello?” The voice was feminine, but it wasn”t hers. The disappointment was large on my face.
“Yeah, what do you want?” I shot at the lady who stood at the entrance.
“Hi, I”m Emily. You must be Jack?”
“Yes?”
“Okay, so we got your proposal at Greg”s and Co. a month back.” She brought out a file from her bag. “We have considered your proposal and we”re ready to invest in your business. But I”d like to look around and see what you”ve got here first.”
What exactly was she saying?
“I think you were sent to some other store; your company already sent Emma, and we”ve discussed it.”
“Excuse me, no one else has been sent from Greg”s and Co. to meet you. There must be a mistake if you already met someone.”
“Okay, this is really confusing now. I don”t know, can you check back later after I have a chance to clear this misunderstanding?”
“That”s fine. You have twenty-four hours to sign these documents to close our deal. Here”s my card; call me when you’re ready.”
I watched until she had disappeared into her car. I kept gazing at the space in front of me even after the car had vanished. There was only one question in my mind: Who was Emma?
Just when I was beginning to like her so much… Why would she lie about her identity? What was her reason for this? The excitement I had woken up to was gradually fading into the air. I needed an explanation and I couldn”t wait to get one.
I surrendered to worry as I kept pacing the store. I blamed myself for letting my guard down. I wouldn”t mind so much if I hadn’t had this undefined feeling for her already.
I’d known from the first moment that she was too good to be real. She had all the enticing qualities and she had wandered perfectly into my store of all places. I should have suspected foul play. Why else would she pretend to be someone else? And it hadn’t occurred to her to mention the truth.
My patience was wearing out and I was about to step out and go look for her when I saw her.
She looked beautiful as usual, walking elegantly towards the store. Her teeth flashed in a smile that I didn”t return. I wasn”t going to let her woo me with her charms this time. She had a lot of explaining to do.
“Hey, Jack,” she greeted when she finally got close enough.
“Who are you?” I asked, suppressing my anger.
“You have a dry sense of humor, Jack. Come on, we had dinner and spent the evening together, and you”re just now thinking of asking who I am?”
“Yes. Because you”re not who I thought you were. So, who are you?” I tried not to yell.
“This is not a joke?” she asked. I could see her fingers curling nervously.
“No, it”s sure as hell not!!! I need answers to my questions,” I couldn”t help but yell.
“And what is your question, Jack?” she yelled back.
“Who are you?”
“I”m Emma.”
“Who is Emma?” I pushed.
“Emma is the lady that came here to seek peace and quiet until she saw you.”
She moved into the store, heading for the desk. She hauled herself into one of the seats. I followed behind her, not convinced with her explanation.
“I don”t get what you mean.”
“This was all a mistake from the start and you caused it,” she fired.
“Oh, it”s now my fault?” I guess she was right. It was always my fault when something went wrong.
It was my fault when Meg and Tess died in that accident too.