Page 166 of One Nightstand With My Ex's Uncle

EMILY’S POV.

My eyes searched his, wanting to see if he really was the only one in front of me.

“I’m back.” He said, raising a hand to my cheek, and my tears rolled down rapidly.

“Lucas.” I said out loud, and that was it. That was all it took for it to shatter.

My eyes fluttered open slowly, and a tear rolled from my left eye into my right.

My pillow was wet already with my tears, and I raised my hand to my heart, which seemed alive in a way it had never been ever since Lucas left. A sob broke through my lips, and I began to cry on the bed, feeling the pain wash through my chest in waves.

Why would I have such a dream when I hadn’t had one in months? Why would such a dream torment me? Already, I was having such a hard time coping.

I turned into the bed, and my cries became muffled. Why didn’t the dream last longer? Why didn’t he hold, and hug me? Just why did I have to speak out, and have my own voice bring me back to reality? It wasn’t fair.

After a round of tears, I washed my face in Sadie’s pink bathroom, and cleaned my face.

When I went down the stairs, Sadie was having breakfast, dressed in her uniform.

“Would you like some toast?” She asked someone, and I followed her gaze to see that John’s men were already waiting for me. “Or some cereal? Would you like to mix it up like I’m doing? It’s quite nice.” She said, but the men shook their heads.

Then they saw me.

“Emily. If John tries anything again, don’t hesitate to call me, okay?” Sadie said, looking at me with worry, and I nodded.

I was escorted back to Lucas’ mansion, and the house seemed empty. The chair which John had tied me to was inside, and just the sight of it gave me goosebumps.

“Emily, are you okay?” Kaye asked, running to me, with a few other maids.

“I’m fine. Thanks for yesterday.” I said, hugging her, and she hugged me in return. “What about John?” I asked.

“He went to work very early in the morning.”

“Was he still mad?” I asked.

“He looked sober, and didn’t try to unleash his anger on any of us.” She replied, and the maids nodded.

“Are you really fine?” One of them asked me, and I nodded.

“I’m just happy I didn’t die.”

I sat at the dining table, and the maids cooked breakfast, while I spoke to Dahlia.

She was completely shocked when I told her about the incident that happened, but I begged her not to even think of doing anything. I had a debt to pay John, and besides, he was too influential for her to actually harm.

While we yet spoke, another call came in on my phone.

“Dahlia, can I call you back? I’m having an incoming call.” I said.

“Alright, alright. Call me whenever you’re ready.” She said, and ended the call.

I picked the call, and spoke, “Hello? May I know who’s speaking?”

“Miss Emily Granger?” A calm voice said.

“Yes, do I know you?”

“You do not know me, but I know you, and I know your situation.”

“My situation?”

“Come alone if you want help. There’s something important you need to know about John Granger, and if you want to get back at him, then this will also help. Remember, come only if you want help. I’ll be in the Café on Lennie’s street.”

“Lennie’s street?”

“Now.”

“Now? You mean now. Wait a… wait a second…” The man ended the call, and I looked at it.

Peeping round the kitchen, I spoke, “I’ll be right back.” I said, to the ladies who were giggling among themselves quietly, and left before they could start asking questions.

John’s men followed behind me, as I left the house, but I didn’t mind. After all, there ought to be precautions when one was meeting a stranger.

I got to the café pretty quickly, and sat, waiting for the person who wanted to meet me. I waited for quite a long time, but no one came. Dialing the number proved futile, and I knew I ought to leave, but some part of me stayed rooted to the chair, hoping the person had information about Lucas.

However, I waited for almost two hours, ordering cup after cup of cappuccino, and plate after plate of sandwiches. No one came. It began to look like a prank to me, and it actually hurt because I had been hoping for something informative.

Eventually, I left the café, walking among the throng of people, weaving my way in and out, not even caring to see if the men were following or not. I didn’t need anyone following me, and watching my sad and lonely back, so I would rather pretend like I didn’t know someone was following me.

Surprisingly, I managed to lose them, and walked on a street, with only a few people passing by.

I stared at my phone, wondering if something urgent had come up, and if the person would ask to meet again. It would delight me if the person asked to meet again, apologizing for the inconvenience.

I would gladly forgive him.

And just like magic, a text from the same number popped up.

I clicked on it quickly.

For about five minutes, I waited, almost losing hope that the person was toying with me, when all of a sudden, an handkerchief was pressed firmly to my nose.

My phone was taken from me, and I fought hard to be set free, but a black car came riding fast, and stopped next to us.

The door was pushed open, and I was smuggled into it. For a brief while, I was able to open my mouth wide, but before a scream could make it out, I was clamped again.

And slowly, I lost all sight.