Chapter 22
Emma’s POV.
I could feel someone looking at me. And honestly speaking, I had a pretty good idea who it would be. It took everything in me not just turn around once after what happened in the elevator.
"What is wrong with you?" I felt Adri nudge me. Oh how I wish I knew, because something was certainly wrong.
"Nothing" I replied taking a sip of my drink. Suddenly my drink is grabbed out of my hand,"Hey-"
"Oh cut the bull! Tell me what happened?!" Adri replied pulling me by my wrist towards the washroom. I didn't want anyone to know but then again I think maybe sharing it with her would reduce the huge burden on my shoulder. Adri checked all the stalls before going to lock the door. "Tell me already. What is bothering you so much?" She said folding her arms across her chest.
I was just about to reply when suddenly I heard someone urgently knocking on the door. Adri scowled before making a moaning sort of noise. What the....before I could react her palm was clutching my mouth. "Oh god! Ooh!! Harder Faster" she moaned out loud. Really loud.
I would have bitten her hand off if I wasn't so shocked at the absurd 'behavior'. But then I heard someone say from outside, "Ohmygod!" And instantly we were given our needed peace. She let go of my mouth and wiped it with a tissue. I was still gaping at her not very sure how to react.
"What did you want a audience? I'm sure I can call her back?" She said pointing towards the door.
"No!" What is wrong with this female, "I'm sure there are many subtle ways of saying do not f*cking disturb, instead of fake porn!" I shrieked out.
"Well yeah, but what's the fun in that?" She smirked, "Now shut it squidward, spare the lecture and begin already. I’ll keep it pg next time"
"Squidward? Really? How mature!" She pretty much did know everything and there's no point hiding from her anyways so I took a deep breath and began, "Remember how I got stuck in the lift while coming down?" She nodded probing me to continue, "Well..."
*Flashback*
“Is it cause I wanna apologize for what I said that day at the club?” He asked.
I was about to answer but when I looked into those blue eyes of his; every thought in my head was erased. I didn’t even realize how close we were until I could feel his hot minty breathe fanning my face. He was looking deep into my eyes which slowly moved to my nose and lingered for a while on my lips. I took a peek at his full lips. The thoughts that were going through my head in that moment would even make a p0rn producer blush. They were bad and not something I should be thinking about when in a lift with the person I hate!
I could feel him lean a bit towards my lip. I was always a curious person as a kid. And right now I was curious to know how it would feel if his full lips just ended on my lips? I found myself hence leaning too. We were just a breath away and I instinctively closed my eyes.
Suddenly we heard a screech and with a jolt the elevator started moving. We sprung apart from each other and within minutes we saw the board above highlight 'G' in a red light, indicating our destination's arrival; ground floor. We avoid each other's eyes as we see Dave, Aaron and Adri standing outside along with a few people from the hotel staff.
Adri pulls me into a hug, "are you fine?" I couldn't exactly form words or sentences after what had 'almost' happened. I just nod letting her pull me out of the lift. I watch Liam mumble something about a phone call and leave towards the exit. I watch him turn his head around once to look behind, but I immediately look away before getting caught.
After a lot of apologizes from the hotel staff, we finally headed towards the club. Dave went to call liam from outside.
*End of Flashback *
"And that's pretty much what happened before you dragged me here." I concluded
"Woah! That's intense." Adri said after I finally finished.
"I know and it's just so frustrating” I said as I held on to the sink. "I don't know what to do Adri. I mean I hate this man's guts but I didn't even try to stop him. I should have! I could have!" I yelled out in frustration.
"Hey...relax babe. You’re just confused." Adri said as she rubbed my shoulders.
"That's the thing Adri. Confused about what?! I don't know and I don't like this confusion”
“Emma listen," she said as she took a deep breath. I turned to look at her as she continued, "I have known you for a really long time. I have seen what you went through when everything happened with Jer-you know who."
"What has that to do with this?!" I asked bewildered.
"That has everything to do with this! I know how heartbroken you were but it's time to move on" She said the last part softly.
"Adri I have moved on! This is stupid." Suddenly I started feeling claustrophobic. I headed towards the door but Adti caught my wrist.
"Really if you have moved on then why haven't you been on one single date since him? Why have you rejected all the guys who ever tried to make a move for you? Why every time your mom brings up your dating life do you suddenly remember 'that important thing' you had to do?" She asked. I tried not letting her words get to me but it was tough. It's like a volcano throughout the it's life it's dormant and harmless but sometimes the pressure gets so high that suddenly it open causing excessive damage.
"Cause Adri it's not always about dating or sex!" I screamed out loud. "Dammit I don't just think about s*x and guys, unlike you!" Just like a volcano I blasted. And just like a volcano I hurt her.
Boom. Quite. the harshness of my words hits me hard. My hands go up to my mouth almost immediately.
I was about to apologize cause honestly whatever I said was out of pure anger. But before I could say anything I saw a sick smile creep on her face. I smile that showed that she was hurt but won't show it. I smile that I always hoped was never directed to me. She turned around to leave but before she left she turned and said, "We care about you Em. We actually care. You need to learn to move on. Not just for yourself but for those of us, who care about you too?" With that she left me alone in the room. The all too claustrophobic room now felt empty. Very empty. I wrapped my arms around my body feeling too cold. I could sense the tears threatening to fall. I sniffed and dashed right outside. I banged into a couple of people but didn't bother stopping till I reached the exit door. A couple was making out right outside the club and right beside them, there was a more than half filled bottle of vodka. I wasn’t exactly a thief but they seemed to have had more than needed alcohol to last them the night. So I took the bottle and hid it under my arms before I started walking away from the club. I opened the bottle and took a swig of the liquid. The thing burned through my throat but right now that wasn't the only thing burning. I kept walking until I saw a small beach like thing nearby. It was empty considering it was around 3 am. I kept taking sips and the burning soothed. And slowly even the pain in my heart and mind started soothing. The world seemed to spin a little so I stumbled to sit at a bench nearby. I heard someone scream my name from behind but ignored it. I took another sip finally realizing the bottle was now empty. Even a bottle doesn't want to be with me. I threw the bottle on the ground and screamed at that stupid thing, "Why did you finish! I liked you." Every time I start to like something it jus vanishes. Poof! I laughed.
"Emmaline?" I felt a very familiar voice call from behind me. I turned around to see a guy. But not just any guy, it was Liam. Oh my god. This is so funny. I laughed as I tried standing up. But an even funnier thing happened I slipped. But I never fell? Weird.
Liam's Pov.
I tried my best to not think about what I almost did in the elevator. But let's be honest, I mean who am I trying to kid with, that was pretty much the only thing going in my head right now. I shook my head as I saw Emmaline being pulled by Adrian towards the ladies' room. I wanted to talk to her about whatever happened but I just couldn't form words or sentences to explain. I mean what was I suppose to tell her anyways? Sorry I tried to kiss you? The f*uck up was, I actually didn't even feel sorry.
Then again she never exactly tried to stop me! Right? I mean she could have just pushed me or something but no! She didn't. So why should I apologize?! It wasn't just my fault.
'Cause you were the one who took the initiative to start the kiss' replied the smartass part of my brain.
But that wasn't the only part swirling in my brain regarding the situation. There this small part of my brain screaming to be seen, but the thing was that question was even more dreadful. I tried not to acknowledge it but it's my own damn brain! How could I avoid it!?!
'What if the elevator wouldn't have started? What if you weren't stopped?!'
Dave had tried asking why I felt so out of it but after a few attempts he gave up. I never did enjoy partying since a while now. So it wasn't much of a big deal. I was standing near the bar when suddenly a body banged into me. Moron! Can't they see where they are walking?! Before I could voice put my anger the person said a meek 'sorry' in an awfully familiar voice. When I looked up I realized the voice had belonged to none other than Emmaline. I recognized her from her dress but I was sure once I saw her turn around to say sorry to another person she had crashed into not far away from there, I saw tears escape her eyes
The ‘I should listen to’ part of my brain was screaming to not be bothered. I mean it wasn’t my business if she cried? Who am I to take care of her? But it was like my legs had their own brains. Cause they started moving own their own accord. Slowly as I reached towards the door shoving drunken and sweaty people away from me, the screaming of the smart part of my brain started reducing. By the time I was near the exit the only thought was to see Emmaline. I got out of the club to find a couple almost doing it near a pillar outside the club. Ugh! Kids these days. I then saw Emma walking away from the club with a bottle of what looked like vodka, in her hands. I screamed out her name, but she probably didn’t hear it because I got no reaction.
I started running towards where she was going but saw her reach a beach. She was struggling to a walk as she entered the beach in her heels. I tried calling out for her again but no reaction from her. I had almost reached near when I saw her slam the bottle on a rock causing it to shatter into pieces, she was screaming something while looking at the bottle.
“…something it just disappears. Poof!” She slurred and then started laughing. Ok she was really drunk .
“Emmaline” I said as I stood behind her. This time she turned around but lost her balance. But before she could fall I caught her in my arms causing her to start laughing. She reeked of Alcohol as I steadied her. I took her to a nearby bench and made her sit down. She was still laughing saying a few incoherent things about how everything was so funny.
“You are liam!” She exclaimed before laughing again. I shook my head but couldn’t help but let a smile out on my face. “Oh my god! Your smiling!” She slurred her eyes wide, before she started laughing. Again. I tried calling Aaron or Dave but no one answered the phone. So I sent them a message telling them about the situation and that we were going home. I called up a cab to pick us up from where we were waiting. I then looked at Emmaline who was recovering from an extremely amusing encounter with a cockroach on the ground. I went and took a seat near her. She sighed as she saw the cockroach scurry away. “Even Mr. Roachester hates me.” She sighed out. I tried not paying any attention to her drunk mumbling but then I saw tears start escaping her eyes. “No one likes me. They all leave. Everyone. Maybe I’m just the mean one.” She cried a visible pout on her face. She turned to look at me before asking a question, who’s answer even I have been searching for since the day I met her in London, “Why do you hate me Liam Phillip?”
“You stole my taxi?” I mumbled finding that reason to be extremely dumb but only exclamation. Suddenly I’m glad I’m having this conversation with drunken Emma and not sober Emmaline.
“Hmmmm….But I never stole Jeremy’s taxi?” She asked me with an expression that Anna has when she asks a question. I know trying to pry from a drunken person was as bad as stealing but I just couldn’t help it.
“Who’s Jeremy?”
“You know who.” She replied with giggle. “I never stole his taxi. I was good. Always. But he…” and with that she started crying. I instinctively wound my arms around her. She sobbed into my chest and she kept mumbling incoherently. “I miss everyone. I want to go home.”
“Hey we will go home. I promise I’ll take you.” I said trying to shush her up. I kept soothingly rubbing her back not knowing what else to do.
“You will? You’ll take me home?” She looked up at me with a wide smile. The tears hadn’t stopped spilling from her eyes. My hands went to brush away her hair that was sticking on her forehead. I simply nodded not knowing what else to say. I rubbed the tears from her eyes as she kept looking at me. She had a smile adorning her wet face. Even though she had a smudged make up and runny mascara giving her a bit of panda eyes, I couldn’t help but find her beautiful. I took a handkerchief to rub off a few smudges of her make up.
Just then the cab arrived and I carefully put her in the backseat and sat beside her after instructing the driver where to go. “You very nice Liam.” She mumbled as she placed her head on my chest. I wrapped my coat around her as when she shivered a bit. The drive back to the hotel was peaceful except for some mumbling from Emma’s side.
Once we reached the hotel I realized I didn’t have the keys to her room. So I set her down on my bed and started leaving. But her fingers immediately caught my wrist. I looked at her as she fluttered open her eyes a bit before whispering, “Don’t leave.” With that she went back to sleep still catching my hand. I carefully lay down on the bed keeping as much distance from her as possible.
I looked at her peaceful sleeping face and smiled. I knew this wasn’t right. I shouldn’t be looking at her and smiling like this. But she got out a completely different side of me. I was always sure I hated her. I was always trying to find out reasons to fire her or get her in trouble. But somewhere deep inside me I knew I would never do it. I would torture her till she herself tried to leave the job, but I wouldn’t ever do it. The feelings that she gave me were not exactly new to me. I had felt these same feelings a very very long time ago. Suddenly my argument with Dave in the morning came to my mind. Looking at Emma I now realized that no matter what I say, I was extremely jealous of Dave. And no I couldn’t hate her. I tried but something about her just wouldn’t let me. She frustrated me, she got on my nerves and yet I still couldn’t hate her. “But I can’t let my feelings get in the way Emma. I’m done with those feelings. And you deserve so much better. Not someone like me. Not someone with so much baggage.” I whispered to her before kissing forehead. I unwound her fingers from around my wrist and got off the bed.
Ooh! So what did you think? J
Is anyone a Pll watcher out there? Why Toby! :’(
xoxo