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The Dishes
Emerson sighed, looking at me, and there was some flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. I hated doing this, turning his idea down, he probably planned a whole day, but I was being practical. I didn’t even know where this sudden idea of a date came from.
“Fine,” he said after a moment, his tone defeated. “You know what? Focus. On your revenge, focus on what you have to do. I… I just thought maybe you needed to relax, and have some fun. I thought maybe we could spend some time together. But it seems like you’re not in the mood for that right now, so… whenever you change your mind, I’m here.”
I smiled, feeling a bit sad inside, I did want to spend time with him…. but I had to put. on a brave face.
“I understand, a lot. I just know that when I go back to work, with everything that’s been said… and knowing Eric, I have to be ready for it. We’ll do it another time, maybe next weekend? After we get through this first week back at work.”
He nodded, though there was still a hint of disappointment in his eyes.
“Things being speculated about me, about us, you mean,” he said,
I shook my head. “No. I mean for me. You’re a man, Emerson. You’re powerful and strong. You’re the owner of the company. The CEO. No one’s going to dare say anything to you. But for me…”
I could feel the weight of what I was about to face tomorrow already.
“Some people are just waiting for their chance to take a shot at me.”
“They wouldn’t dare,” he said, almost defiantly. “They know you’re engaged to me now. You’re going to be a BlackWind. They wouldn’t….”
“That’s what you think,” I replied, shaking my head. “I was Black Wind when I was married to Eric, and people still threw things behind my back. Every achievement, every deal I managed to get, every project I secured, they chalked it up to being his wife; even though I worked night and day for it. And now, with this scandal… now that I’m with you… it’s going to be worse. I just know it.”
He was silent, listening, but I knew he didn’t fully get what it was like to be in my shoes. “I’m just getting prepared for the worst of it,” I finished, feeling the reality of what awaited me.
Emerson gently pulled me towards him, into his arms.
The Dishes
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“You’re not alone in this, Mina. We’ll face whatever comes towards us together.”
I let out a breath as I relaxed in his arms. His was everything right now. His embrace. was warm and comforting, filling me with a sense of love and unexpected peace. For that little moment, everything felt right, but a little too soon, he let me go.
“Okay,” he said, stepping back with a soft smile. “I guess we’ll just have dinner here then. What do you want to have for dinner? We’ll have to order in. Madeline isn’t feeling well, and I didn’t plan on us eating here, so I let the staff go early. So, what do you want? What are you in the mood for? Pizza?”
I smiled. “Pizza sounds great. I haven’t had junk food in a while.”
He grinned. “Pizza and a glass of wine, then. Perfect. I’ll come get you when it gets.
here.‘
“Or, you know, you can just call me if you need me, old man.” I winked at him teasingly.
A broad smile spread across his face as he tapped his thigh twice, nodded his head and headed out of the room.
Later, he sent me a text: Pizza’s here..
I slipped into a robe because I had already changed into my night dress and made my way downstairs to the dining room. He was already there, setting the table, and placing plates and utensils neatly.
“You didn’t tell me you were setting the table. I would’ve helped,” I said, walking closer and taking a seat.
“I wanted to do this for my fiancée, on her first night at home,” he said with a smile.
“Thank you,” I replied, my smile intact.
We sat down, and over dinner, Emerson told me stories about my dad and their friendship. It felt good to share those moments, to remember my dada in his happy moments again. We laughed, we ate, and for a while, I forgot all the chaos that surrounded us.
When we finished eating, I stood up and started collecting the plates, but Emerson stopped me, gently placing his hand on mine.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“Clearing the table,” I said, looking at him like it was obvious.
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“Yes, but I already told you, tonight I’m treating you. Just let me handle it.
I smiled at his insistence, “I haven’t done anything useful in a few days. Just let me clear the plates, okay?”
He sighed playfully.
“her
“Alright, fine,” he relented, stepping aside to let me collect our dishes.
I carried them to his large, modern kitchen, deciding to wash them myself so Madeline wouldn’t have to worry about it in the morning. I knew how she hated people in her kitchen, and to find it dirty? I could just picture her face.
Chuckling to myself, I start washing the dishes when I feel him behind me. He stands close, watching the kitchen while I face the sink, my hands in the soapy
water.
“I thought we agreed you’d just clear the table,” he says, “How did that turn into washing dishes?”
I bump my shoulder against him playfully. “You call these dishes? It’s like two plates.
“But still,” he replies, turning towards me. I didn’t want you to do anything today. I wanted you to be without a worry, not have to lift a finger for anything.”
“And yet, here I am,” I say with a grin as I begin rinsing a plate.
Before I can finish, he takes the plate from my hand and rinses it for me.
“If you’re working, then I’m working with you,” he says, bumping his hip lightly. against mine.
I laugh, handing him another plate. “It’s literally two plates. You don’t need to stand there too long.”
We fall into a rhythm, him rinsing while I wash, both of us exchanging glances and some playful bumps. Soon enough, the task is done, and I watch him dry the plates. I stared at how strange yet comforting this moment felt, I couldn’t help but think of Eric who wouldn’t lift his finger to help me do a damn thing in the house, and still, I had loved him.
“You’re weird,” I say, shaking my head as he dries each dish, stealing glances at me.
“You’re the one who’s weird, wanting to wash dishes after dinner,” he counters, raising an eyebrow.
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“I suppose you’re right,” I admit with a shrug, reaching for the last plate.
But before I can take it from him, he holds onto it, his
hand covering mine.
We’re suddenly closer than we were before, the playful mood fading as something much more heavier settles over us. His eyes meet mine, and for a moment,
everything feels stagnant. He’s looking at me like he’s trying to figure me out like he’s searching for something.
I can’t help but wonder what he sees when he looks at me like this, so intensely. What is it that he thinks about in his head when he looks at me?
Our breaths mingle in the small space between us, the air charged with something electric. My heart pounds in my chest, and I can feel the tension in the air, making every nerve in my body come alive. I want him, so badly, it’s all almost too much.
Before I can stop myself, my lips brush against his. And in an instant, he’s pulling. me into his arms, kissing me. His lips are warm, and firm, and everything inside me melts as the kiss deepens, the world around us fading.
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