Hot Coffee (The Hollens)

Chapter 43 (Bed Of Lies)

Emma's POV

I partied until midnight at Roger's. My body ached from the heat of dancing but I had never felt so

carefree and wild before. I danced like there was no tomorrow and I drank like a professional. I guess I

wanted to wash away the stress and pain Ethan had put me through. I wanted do something to get my

mind off of him and forget about him.

Although my head was pounding and my body was aching, I had to get on my feet and go find a job, so

that was exactly what I did. I took a shower and washed my hair then changed into something decent,

and had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with fresh orange juice. I headed to where businesses were

in abundance, keeping tabs of all the corners, streets and road signs so I wouldn't get lost. I had good

recollection.

I walked into a boutique after I saw "Help Wanted" on a flyer in its windows. It was more of a clothing

store with affordable items for purchase but it was wonderfully kept and it had a welcoming feeling to it.

A tall, very slim lady with blonde hair styled in a bun approached me. "Good morning, can I help you?"

"Good morning. My name is Emma and I'm looking for a job. I noticed the flyer in the window." Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"Do you have any fashion sense?" she asked, folding her arms.

"Um, I try to," I answered truthfully, thanking Halley in my thoughts. She was the one who loved

dressing up, doing hair and makeup, and matching outfits. I learned a lot from her.

"I'm sorry, Emma, but you're inexperienced. We can't have you here. Bye, now."

"But I'm willing to lea—" I began but she cut me off.

"I said bye now."

The cool air calmed my nerves as I walked out disappointed.

I headed further down the street, casting my eyes from building to building, keeping tabs and reading

the classifieds to see if there were any more jobs available in the area.

I walked straight into something hard, like a brick wall, and the next thing I knew, I was falling

backwards.

I was caught by a firm hand. "Hey. What are you doing here?" Roger asked as I recovered my balance.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going."

"That's alright. I'm just happy I caught you in time."

"Well, you're looking mighty energetic, considering the way you danced and drank last night," I joked.

"Hey, I've got lots of experience."

My face fell as he said those words. I was wondering if I would get any job with my lack of experience.

"Hey, is everything alright?" he asked as he studied my face.

"I'm job hunting. No luck so far."

"Really? I'm sorry to hear that."

"That's okay. I only started today. I'm hoping I'll get something soon."

"Well, I could ease your burden and save you some time. I could hire you."

My mouth formed a circle of surprise when those words came from his mouth. "Hire me? To do what?"

"Lets get a drink of coffee at the cafe. I'll explain to you there."

We walked over to a nearby cafe. There were tables on the outside and inside; we sat down outside. A

waitress took our orders and we waited on our coffee.

Some caffeine would be good at this moment.

"So, I don't wanna sound too forward, but what exactly is this job description?" I asked.

"My grandmother is getting up in age and she'll need to retire soon. She only helps out because I don't

really trust many people. You could replace her and become the head receptionist at the complex."

"Wow, really? I'm grateful... but, why me?" I asked, hoping there wasn't any catch.

"Because you seem like a really nice person. I know I've only just gotten to know you, but I feel like I

could trust you." He sipped on his coffee.

"Thank you."

"You can start Monday. Use the weekend to get prepared. It will be great, working very close to your

new 'apartment' and all. You won't have to waste money on transportation."

"How much would I be working for?" I wasn't expecting a great paycheck, but I needed enough to cover

the rent and my basic needs.

"It's not much, but I can start you off with nine hundred bi-weekly. If you work your way up, and I'm

impressed, within three months we can discuss a raise. Of course, you won't have to pay rent. You can

stay in the room you're in during your probationary period and we can discuss that too after three

months."

"I accept," I said cheerfully and drank my coffee.

The salary sounded good, though I made more at the mansion. But this was just temporary until I could

figure out my next move for a larger income. One step at a time.

"So what were you doing in the financial district?" I asked, making conversation.

"Oh, I was just dropping off a friend."

"But you were walking."

He laughed. "My car is parked right there," he pointed to a silver convertible.

I arched my eyebrows. Nice Ride.

"So, shall we head back?" he asked, getting up slowly from the table.

I held onto my purse, took one last sip of the coffee and followed him to his car. He drove with light

speed; my hair blew in the wind, feeling great against my face. I smiled as people on the street looked

on in awe at the two of us.

We arrived at the hotel twenty minutes later.

I checked my phone; there were three missed calls from Ethan. I decided to stop ignoring him and call

him back. A piece of me missed him. Who was I kidding? All of me missed him. The man was the light

in my dark, scary, cold world. He'd changed me in so many good ways.

I sat on the sofa while the other end of the phone began to ring.

"Emma, where are you?" he said as soon as I answered.

I rolled my eyes and smiled. "All you need to know is that I'm alright and I'm getting by without you."

"Baby, I'm sorry for hurting you. I'm sorry for letting you leave. I want you to come home."

"I am home."

"Please don't say that. Tell me where you are so I can come get you."

"Ethan! Stop it. This thing we had going isn't going to work. I'm too different in your world. I don't fit into

your world and you can see that."

"Emma, you are my world. I just want you to come home. I miss you; I can't sleep without you. I'm

going crazy."

"You wouldn't get crazy. I think we should stay separated. It's better that way. Goodbye, Ethan."

"Emma, don't hang up this ph—"

I hung up, as hard as it was to do. Tears fell from my eyes and onto the phone's screen. I looked at the

the picture of him, Halley and I on his private jet to Miami. I missed her too; she was my only friend.

I dialed her number.

"Emma, sweetie. Oh my goodness, I'm so happy you're calling me. Are you alright? Where are you?"

"Hi, girl. I'm alright. I'm fine, but I'm not telling you where I am; you'll leak to Ethan."

"No I wouldn't. I miss you already. I wanna come see you sometime."

"Halley, calm down. I'll be changing my phone soon because I think Ethan can track this one. I just

wanted you to know I'm okay and I miss you too."

"Emz, please come back. It's not the same without you here. The house feels so cold and lonely

without you."

"Where's the other maid?"

"She's around. She's learning, but she's not you."

I laughed. "Halley, you'll see me soon. I'll arrange a day for us to meet up at the mall or somewhere."

"Yeah, girl, we could get our nails and hair done and do some shopping."

Typical Halley.

"Just like the good old times," I said.

"Call me soon, okay?"

"We'll keep in touch."

I ended the call.

I felt better talking to Halley; she always knew how to turn my mood around for the better. I put my

earphones in and scrolled through my music playlist to find a song to match my mood and selected

"Bed of Lies" by Nicki Minaj and Skylar Grey.

'Do You ever think of me when you lie,

Lie down in your bed, your bed of lies?And I knew better than to look in your eyesThey only pretend

you would be mineAnd oh how you made me believeYou had me caught in every web that you

weavedBut do you ever think of me when you lie,Lie down in your bed, your bed of lies?

You could never make eye contact

Everything you got was based off of my contacts

You a fraud, but I'm a remain icon-stat

Balenciaga's on my boots with the python strap

You was caught up in the rush, and you was caught up in the thrill of it

You was with me way before I hit a quarter mil' in it

Put you in the crib and you ain't never pay a bill in it

I was killin' it, man you got me poppin' pills in it

I told Baby hit you, I said this buggin'

Cause I was doing it for us, I told 'em f**k the public

Couldn't believe that I was home alone contemplating

Overdosin', no more coastin', no more toastin' over oceans

They say you don't know what you got 'til it's gone

They say that your darkest hour comes before your dawn

But there was something that I should've asked all along

I'm amma ask on the song.'

I heaved a long sigh.

I turned the phone off and went to get a nap but a knock came on my door. I opened it, assuming it had

to be Roger. It wasn't.