Chapter Two
Emma doesn't know what to do, she felt really sad for being labeled a bitch and she could still remember those people's glaring stares.
"I should remain here, I am not going" She sat down and stood up again.
"I should probably go and hear him out just for a few minutes, huh?"
She remembered Debbie wasn't there to answer her question as always. She confides in her friend when she doesn't know what to do, but right now Debbie wasn't there to help her in her situation.
"Um, I will go and hear him out, just for five minutes, yeah".
"I guess she's not coming then," Kieran, said after he had stood there, waiting for Emma to show her up and she didn't.
He knew he can't do more than he had done, to get her to come out. He turned his back to go when he heard a voice.
"Kieran" Emma called him, he turned back to see her looking like a princess even in her robe.
He was amazed and delighted to see her because he thought she wouldn't show up again after she hung up.
He moved closer to her and was intrigued by her beauty.
"I...I am really glad you honored my call, thank you".
"Five minutes," Emma said while she put her two hands on her waist.
"Pardon?"
"I give you just five minutes to explain",
"Wow, anyways I won't beat around the bush"
"Better, I'm listening".
Kieran cleared his throat and told her the relationship he had with Vivian. He explained to her that, he had already broken up with her since he doesn't love her, and his heart doesn't connect to hers.
He only dated her for about a month, and he couldn't bear it anymore, so he told her to call it a quit. He would not have been in a relationship with her, if not for the ways she kept begging him to give her a chance. He doesn't know if it was love that she felt for him or something else but he couldn't care less because the feeling wasn't mutual.
Men turn their heads whenever she steps into a room but he just doesn't feel her intriguing as they do, and that hurts Vivian most of the time.
"I don't want to keep her when I know I don't feel anything for her, She's just taking it the hard way, but after what she did to you back there, I'm deeply disappointed".
"Wait, you don't owe me any explanation, we don't even know each other, and I don't want to even know you, so let's keep it as it is," Emma said trying not to get involved in a love triangle.
"I just want to let you know, and apologize, she called you names which I am truly sorry for that". He knew she was hurt even though she didn't show it.
"Noted, now please take your leave I need to rest".
She waited for him to leave.
Kiera nodded his head and left her house.
"Damn it" Emma closed her eyes and tried to recall everything that had happened a few hours ago, she just couldn't help it but feel sad at a point. She went inside and sleep after tossing on the bed for some minutes.
"Congratulations on your new post, Emma, give me the best as you usually do".
Mr. Joe congratulated her the following week because of the promotion she got.
"Thank you, sir, I will do my best," she said smiling.
"I trust you on that" Her boss said and walked away to receive an incoming call.
She saw her colleague Kate coming "Hi Kate" Emma greeted her colleague, Kate who was coming her way, but she ignored her and hissed while she passed her side.
Emma knew Kate doesn't like her right from time, and she had tried her best, to be friends with her but she stopped when she's not getting the same vibe from Kate.
She left where she was, to go to the restroom.
Things were going smoothly, after the promotion, and Emma couldn't be happier, she was happy and grateful to those who helped her one way or the other to attain the position.
A few weeks later, Emma and Debbie went to an art gallery to see and buy some paintings.
Emma stood there, admiring a painting of a lady when someone walked to where she was and stood behind her.
"I see, you know a good Art when you see one," he said unexpectedly
Emma was startled, possibly with the husky voice of his tone.
She didn't know when he got behind her, probably because she gave all her attention to the masterpiece she was adoring.
She turned to see who it was because the voice sounded familiar.
"Wait what? she raised her left eyebrow "You again? are you stalking me? She demanded when she saw Kieran standing behind her and looking all promising even in casual wears
"What? stalking you?" Kieran asked
"Yes"
"No, I'm not"
"Oh really?
He nodded his head in agreement.
"Then why are you here? she asked him
"For the same reason you're here" he chuckled as he continued taunting her.
"Oh sorry, I forgot I'm in an art gallery, which by the way, just opened a few minutes ago, and here you are claiming not to have stalked me," Emma said suspiciously
"Wow, you're smart. Well, maybe I stalked you a little bit." He shrugged his shoulders in defense.
"But, I do love artworks, which I would love to ask you what this lady's painting is trying to convey?"
Kieran asked Emma who he knew must have the answer to his question since he met her, devoting all her attention to the painting.
Emma swiveled her head to look at the painting again.
"This painting says a lot and I am wowed by everything about it
"I'm listening". He said.
He waited for her to interpret the meanings to him.
"Firstly this lady seems broken, with her eyes saying it all, even though she tried hiding it with a smile, I see loneliness and sorrow in her eyes. But if you look closer and pay more attention to her posture, you would know that there's a glint of hope in her, hoping she could end all the pains she feels and I pray she does". Emma said shaking her head sadly.
"Wow, you sure know a lot about Art," He said impressively.
"What about this one?" He pointed to another painting but was discontinued when Debbie called Emma
"Emma, come see something," Debbie said but as she looked up and walked towards Emma, she noticed she was standing with someone.
"Wow, hello there," Debbie said weaving her hand at Kieran, she looked at Emma and smirked, Emma knows what her friend was trying to tell her but she ignored her instead.
"Hi, good morning" both of them exchange pleasantries, the three of them talked for a long time, and they had a beautiful time together in the gallery. After that they had a tour of the gallery, then, they decided to call it a day, and leave for their respective homes.
When they were about to leave, Debbie turned to face them and looked at Kieran
"What if I say you should join us for dinner tonight?" Debbie said
"What?" Emma screamed
"Yes babe" She replied Emma without even looking at her
"What do you think? Debbie asked him
"I would love to," Kieran said smiling extensively
"Okay, it will be at Emma's place, I'll text you the address"
"I know there" he answered back.
Debbie was shocked to hear him say that, she was surprised he knew her house and she didn't try to hide it.
"Wait, why do I feel like something is going on between you two? something is going on" Debbie giggled and winked at her friend.
Emma was disgusted
"Debbie nothing is going on, nothing at all, so please stop," Emma told her.
"Mm-hmm You may never know," Kieran answered her back.
Emma couldn't help it but laugh a little bit.
"Oh yes baby, you may never know" Debbie laughed and all of them left the Art gallery after she purchased the paintings she liked.
They had dinner together at Emma's place as intended. Kieran and Emma even bounded together, while he was at her place and got to know each other better.
When he was about to leave, he gave her a peck on the cheek so as not to compromise things
"That wasn't bad" Emma whispered to herself after he left and because she had a great time with him, she realized he was a great guy after she got to know him better.
"Baby girl, you are tripping," Debbie said loudly and giggled when she saw Emma lost in thoughts after Kieran left.
"No, I'm not" Emma defended herself
"Yes, you are, can't you see the way you two were looking at each other? I know you Emma, and I gat you on this, ride on babe" Debbie whispered to her and walked away while she was laughing.
"Whatever".
Kieran and Emma kept seeing each other more often, which even made people think they were dating. But Emma would always say no to them, that they were just friends nothing more. But Kieran wanted them to be more than just friends.
A month later Kieran asked her out, which she accepted after much thought.
The two beautiful couples kept serving couples goal; going out together, sharing their feelings, ideas with each other, and being loyal.
But all these weren't going well with some people like; Vivian, Kieran's ex-girlfriend, and Kate who was Emma's colleague, she bad-mouths Emma at every chance she gets, all because she felt Emma always gets the good ones and the good things.
The promotion Emma got, as the Managing Director, was a big shock to her, she wanted the position too, she felt she was cheated for not being promoted instead of Emma.
Vivian determined to contact Kate after she found out, she also loathes Emma as much as she does.
"Hello Kate, heard we've got the same enemy," Vivian said over the phone after she got Kate's number.
"Excuse me, who is this? I don't know this number? Kate said
"I'm Kieran's girlfriend before, the bitch you call a colleague snatched him away from me" Vivian lied
"Oh my God? this is getting interesting" Kate said eagerly
"My name is Vivian and I think, I may have something that will benefit us, on this matter," She said hoping Kate will want to join her in her mission.
The last thing Kate wanted was to be involved in Emma's matter, the mere mention of her name gives her goosebumps in her body
"I'm not interested in any plans for that bitch, just let me be, that girl has done enough in my life already, she got what I'm supposed to get, what more could she do to me?"
"Don't say that Kate, she could do more, what if she gets promoted again?" Vivian said trying to get Kate to be her accomplice.
"Never, ever, that can never happen," Kate said angrily.
Well, if you want to make sure that doesn't happen again, then we need to have a plan and when I talk about planning, I mean a plan that will benefit us"
Kate was tempted when she heard that again. "Okay, what's the plan? Kate stood up from the chair she sat on, waiting to hear the plan that will bring her nightmare to an end.
Vivian was excited to have Kate by her side.
"Now you are talking like the Kate I want, she has two things that are rightfully ours, and we have to take it back, whatever it takes".
"What's the two things," Kate asked confusingly.
"She has the position you've always wanted and she has my man," Vivian told her
"Wow, that girl sure knows how to take it all"
"Yeah, she does, but that's going to stop soon, do you mind if we take both Kieran and the position from her at once?" Vivian asked Kate over the phone with a smile on her face.
Kate felt like she was on top of the world after hearing that from Vivian. She would never mind even if everything she has, got taken away from her in a wink
"Hell no, I would never mind, on the contrary, I will be the gladdest person on earth if that happens.
"Oh really?" Vivian liked the response she got from Kate
"Oh yes"
"Then come over to this address I am about to send to you now, lets get turn on" She hung up, then she sent the address to her.
Kate left what she was doing to go and meet the mysterious Vivian who wants to help her get the position she had always envied.
Both women met and Kate was pleased to see Vivian.
"I have some plans that are ready, we just need to accomplish them".
"Okay, enlighten me then"
She explained everything that needs to be done and informed Kate on the role and the things she will do, for the plan to work out.
"Wow, is this a nice plan, I must say, no way that she won't regret ever messing with us Vivian"
Kate said happily
you can say that again Kate and she picked a cup of coffee and drank it with satisfaction.
"Hello love, get dressed I'm taking you to a place," Kieran said over the phone to Emma
"Where?"
"I'm not telling you, babe, it is a surprise sweetie, you will know when we get there".
" Okay, come pick me when you are ready," She said hung up the phone to dress up.
Thirty minutes later he comes to pick her up and took her to a very big Art Gallery to buy any paintings she wants. She was so surprised and happy.
"Aw. You really know how to get me, don't you?"
"I do baby*
"Come here"
He went to her and she kissed him passionately.
The following week, Emma was greeted by Kate.
"Good morning Emma", Kate said smiling.
Emma turned to see if Kate was greeting someone else and saw nobody there, she was so surprised. "Oh my God, did she just call my name and even smiled at me?" Emma asked herself.
"Good morning Kate" she replied with a beautiful smile as well.
"See you around," Kate said and smiled at her again before she left
"What happened to her today, Kate who doesn't even answer me whenever I greet her is the one greeting and smiling at me today, wow this is delightful, I pray she continues like this" She went to her office to start her daily work.