Slowly, darkness blanketed my instincts, and I was gradually losing awareness of everything else. Minutes later, I passed out.
Chapter 18
Some explaining to do
Emma
I woke up with a severe headache and a very sore body as if hundreds of needles were pinned in me from head to toe.
As my eyes flickered open and I slowly came to my senses, I found myself lying on a comfortable bed wrapped in multiple layers of warm blankets in what seemed like a small cottage room.
The room was not very lit, there were no lights on, only some rays were illuminating from the window shut tightly on the right side of my bed, and a small fireplace ignited at the far corner that was dutifully keeping the space warm.
I could hear the rain pattering on the wooden roof. After I scanned my surroundings; I attempted to sit up straight.
My body was in pain, and that's when realization hit me. I was naked too. There was not even a single cloth on, not even my underpants. I felt alarmed; I looked around to see where I was and how did I end up here. Fear was igniting inside me as I slowly tried to remember.
I was hiking and then was hit by a thunderstorm, and last I sat down beneath a tree as the rain became wild and harsh, not allowing me even to open my eyes. It was freezing, and my body was numb, I could not even move my limbs when I finally passed out. I had no clue what happened after that. I tried hard to think but had zero memories of events that unfolded after that.
Panic struck me like another thunderstorm. I frantically searched around the bed to find any clothes, but nothing. Tears were now building in my eyes, and I was shivering like a dead leaf. I did not know what to think or expect.
What happened to me last night? How the hell was I here?
The soreness in my body and the headache they followed made me dizzy. I closed my eyes and attempted to calm myself. Soon enough, I heard footsteps. I was both startled and scared; I was not alone here.
Of course, you were not alone. Someone must have gotten you here.
Feeling helpless, I tightened the blankets around my body making sure I was adequately covered and hid my face in my hands with my eyes shut, controlling myself from crying. I could feel somebody's presence in the room, but I dared not look up to see who it was.
I was so afraid of what could happen to me next. My trembling got worse. I cursed myself for my stupidity to get trapped in a situation like this. I wished all of this to be a bad dream, and if there could be a miracle that could just take me back home right away. I missed home. I missed mom and dad.
The person was now standing close. I closed my eyes shut, sensing how dangerous this could get. I felt a hand reaching my arm. I instantly started hitting it off. I was mindlessly screaming and pushing the other person away.
"Stay away from me. Stay away." I screamed and wept.
"Shhh... Relax Emma. It's me." I heard a male voice, and I felt terror. I continued screaming and did not stop hitting in his direction. This went on for minutes as he tried to say something, but I couldn't hear a word due to the non-stop yelps that filled the room now. Then suddenly he held both my hands in a tight grip, and even if I tried with all my energy, I couldn't get my hold free from him.
"It's me, Jake, Emma! Please relax and calm down." He jolted my body in an attempt to knock some sense into me. His hold on my wrists was still hard and intact.
The moment I heard his voice and name, I stopped struggling and opened my eyes in shock. It was him. It wasn't a dangerous rapist or worse, a murderer. It was Jake.
My eyes were already swollen from all the crying, but the moment I saw Jake sitting in front of me, I just let it all out. I was so overwhelmed and terrorized imagining what wrong could have happened with me. I cried for a long time, and he let me. He just sat there, comforting me silently with his hands placed in mine.
"Relax. It's ok, Emma. You are fine. I am so glad you are fine." His tone was warm and assuring. My heart instantly calmed down after listening to him. I looked up and saw worry in his eyes.
"How am I here, Jake? What happened?" I barely controlled my sobs and began reasoning with him.
"You got stuck on the trail Emma, and then there was a thunderstorm. You were found unconscious. Thanks to Brett, he found you and got you downhill."
"Brett? Who is Brett? And how did he find me? What are you doing here?" I fired back to back questions in one breath.
"Relax Emma. I will tell you everything. But before that, just calm down a bit. Thankfully your temperature is down. You have been unconscious for good seventeen hours straight. Let me get something to eat first, and post that we will talk, alright?" He slowly wiped the tears off my cheeks using the back of his hand. I shivered under his soft touch. I took a deep breath and nodded.
He was about to get up and was turning around to leave the room, that's when I suddenly realised,
I held his hand and pulled him back, stopping him from leaving my bedside.
"Wait. Jake. One second. How the fuck am I naked? Who removed my clothes?" The softness in my voice was replaced by shock. His eyes lingered on me, and a small smile crept up his lips.
I gulped, looking at his intense gaze on me, my face flushed with embarrassment. I held tightly to the blanket wrapped around me and instantly dodged eye contact.
There was a long pause, before he finally muttered, "There is nobody accept us in this cottage, Emma."
"What do you mean?" I paused for a second, apprehending the meaning behind his words.
I was fuming with rage, "how dare you touch me without my permission? You pervert! What the hell happened last night? Oh my god. What the hell did you do?" I demanded answers, raising my voice, with worse possible scenarios running through my head again.
I was furious at his audacity; I had tears running down my cheeks again. How could he do this to me? Did he take advantage of the situation? I wished to pinch myself and see if this was all a sick dream. I was non-stop accusing and pushing him away with my weak hands. The room was filled with my crying and yelling again.
That was when he just held me tightly by cupping my face in his strong hands. He lifted my face, and within a second, his lips came crashing on my mouth, totally shutting me up. He was kissing me avidly, his lips were so soft against mine, and his tongue danced inside my mouth. His touch was soft, and after a couple of minutes, I shamelessly kissed him back.
He tightened his grip on me and was now showering me with more passion. After a deep long kiss, he retreated his lips and then began giving me soft pecks at the corners of my lips. His head was now leaning and touching my forehead. Both of us were breathless.
He whispered "I can never take advantage of you, Emma. Please don't think low of me. I changed you out of your clothes because you were drenched, and your skin was ice cold. You could have died Emma. You looked lifeless."
He reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear. He was now trailing the back of his fingers on my right cheek. All my struggle and anger mellowed down instantly.
"Unfortunately, there was nobody else available to take care of you. I promise I covered you properly with a blanket before removing your clothes, and I swear I did not look." He saw how I calmed down as he caressed my skin, and gave a victorious smirk, aware of how much his touch controlled me.
He got up and moved towards the door; he returned within minutes with a pair of clothes. They looked like the clothes that I was wearing yesterday, dry, neatly folded and placed in his hands. He handed them to me without looking at me.
"Get changed Emma; it is already noon. I will fix up some food for us and wait for you outside". He said calmly, and before leaving the room, he turned around with a teasing smile plastered on his stupid face. He gave me one last look and left.
Oh, God. Why did he have to be so handsome? All the frisking time? And hell, did we just kiss? Again? What about his girlfriend?
I felt so embarrassed. He was dating someone else, and here I was eating his mouth and admirin
g his good looks. My heart and body lost all their will when it came to him. He was like a drug to me. As much as I was attracted to him, I could never have feelings for a cheater. He was in a relationship, and I was getting involved with him, that was so wrong and unfair to his girlfriend, even if she was a snob.
But it was he who kissed me first?
I reasoned with my conscience in an attempt to justify myself.
And you let him like an idiot and kissed him right back. My conscience spat, showing me my place.
Finding him here at my rescue was least expected, and yet here he was, making me feel crazy things. I was done playing hide and seek with him.
I was determined to get out there, look straight in his eyes and demand all the answers I needed. I freshened up, got dressed and left the room.
Jacob Richmond, you have got some explaining to do.
Chapter 19
He found her
Jake
Lofoten Island
I was meeting Augustin at the hotel reception to meet Windson's ex-board of director, that was when I received a call from Brett.
"Boss, I am in Lofoten. Ms. Carter had left for a hike earlier today." He said in a low voice.
"Ok no problem. Just ensure she is safe and sound." I ordered. I found Augustin was giving me a curious look.
"Umm… Boss I don't think it was a good idea to go on a hike today. The weather department here had indicated a grave thunderstorm, and yet she went uphill."
"What? Are you still trailing her?"
"Boss… I cannot seem to find her. I was trailing her but suddenly I lost sight of her." He muttered under his breath.
"Have you lost your mind Brett? How could you lose her? Your job was to keep an eye on her at all times." I reprimanded him.
"I tried but it was all chaotic..."
"Look for her, damn it! I will call her and talk to her; you must ensure getting her back to her cottage safely." I was getting extremely worried for Emma.
Without thinking twice, I dialled her number. I didn't care what she would think or say, she had to head back down. Her safety was my utmost priority.
Voicemail.
Crap. I called back Brett again.
"You better look for her Brett and find her at any cost, or help me God I don't know what the fucking hell would I do."
I was pacing up and down the reception, running my hand in my hair. Brett explained that the town got on high alert due to serious impending weather situation, and the news forecast on all channels were asking all its residents to stay indoors, ergo in a sudden panic, all the commercial sites and activities in Lofoten were shut abruptly. The island was about to go on lockdown. In the middle of all the chaos, Brett lost sight of Emma as she was already hiking up the mountain.
"Find her. Find her now." I demanded.
"Yes. Yes Boss."
This girl attracted trouble wherever she went.
How could she be so naive?
"Are you ok Jake?" Augustin gave me a serious look.
"I think I would need to head to Lofoten. Can we meet this guy some other day?" Augustin was taken aback at my request.
"We have been chasing him for a meeting since weeks Jake. He is an important lead for our investigation." Augustin tried to reason with me.
I nodded. My jaw stiffened at the thought of not getting to rush to Emma.
What if she was in some serious trouble?
"Relax Jake. Brett is my finest employee. He will find her. Trust me." Augustin gave me a pat on my shoulder, assuring me that Emma would be fine.
"Hope so, Augustin."
While on my way to the meeting, I asked my manager to check on the available transit options to Lofoten, just in case. I wanted to be prepared for worse. I was praying that Brett could find Emma in time before it was too late. With extreme difficulty and anxiety, I, along with Augustin, made it through our meeting.
Our contact at Windson revealed shocking information. He was kicked out of the company amidst politics and plotting, and as part of his revenge for all the unfairness, he agreed to talk to us.
He informed us how the top line at Windson was attempting to bribe the tender since they knew that they were no match to our resources and investments, and could not contest us otherwise. When they failed, David Windson, their CEO, was visibly angry and it seemed that he was scheming to turn tables.
I was getting anxious. Did David Windson plan my father's accident out of spite and revenge? To win this tender?
Our contact had solid proof that could prove corruption and bribery charges on Windsons' in court. He agreed to provide us with the same, trusting our integrity and arranged for another meeting in a week to give us a handover.
I was shocked and could not contain the fact that Windson's could be related to my father's death. I had to get to the bottom of this. It was a big breakthrough, and I was getting closer to find the truth.
It was almost three pm at noon, and there was no news on Emma. Brett was out of reach as well, his phone on voicemail. I just could not wait any longer.
My manager informed me that all ferries and commercial flights to Lofoten had been cancelled, and there was no way I could get there. However, after a lot of attempts, he pulled some strings and arranged a slot for me in the last available helicopter charter that could fly me before dusk.
I instantly agreed.
I was running short on time and had to meet Erica, but I came up with an excuse and cancelled on her last minute. I could not help myself but rush to Lofoten.
This girl will be the death of me someday. Why was she so oblivious and ignorant? Please be safe, Emm.
Throughout the commute, I attempted to get in touch with Brett, and when I reached Lofoten, it had already started raining heavily. Thankfully, the moment I landed; I received a text from Brett.
He found her.
She was in a bad state; she had passed out due to extremely cold weather conditions and was lying unconscious under a tree. But due to his expertise and training, he managed to get Emma down safely before it was too late.
I had arranged for a warm cottage to the south of the island, that was the closest from the trek she took. The moment I saw her still and unconscious in Brett's arm, I felt a lump in my throat. I was scared to lose her. I quickly took her inside and placed her next to the fireplace. She was drenched, and her skin was cold as ice.
There was no way we could find a doctor or take her to the hospital in such conditions. I had to take care of her by myself.1
She was knocked out for seventeen hours straight. I had been continuously checking in on her and making sure the fireplace was keeping her room warm. It was still raining heavily outside, and by no means, we could have left this cottage even to go to the nearest healthcare facility.
Thankfully, Brett arranged for some essential supplies, including necessary food items and medication. I was restless to see Emma still unconscious and was praying that she woke up soon. And thankfully when she did, I felt so relieved.
However, I couldn't help but feel amused when she reacted frantically finding herself alone in this cottage without any clothes.
She looked adorable, and yet so naïve. I couldn't take any more of her screaming and flipping out, so I shut her up by kissing her beautiful lips and tasted her sweetness. She was numb initially, but then she reciprocated. My muscles relaxed the moment she kissed me back. I have missed this; I have missed touching her. This was the moment I had been waiting forever since I met her again. I wanted to claim her lips and devour her, and I felt a wholeness when she didn't stop me, and reciprocated.
I don't think I will be able to take back what had already happened between us today, and I had already unwantedly let her in. She had become an undeniably important part of my life, and we couldn't, or rather at least, I couldn't turn back now. I could never let go off her innocent eyes and her angelic face.
I brew some hot coffee and cooked her some eggs and toast, that was the best that was available at the
moment. That's when I realised, she had entered the room wearing her yesterdays' clothes that I had carefully dried for her; and was standing near the living area visibly shy and nervous. The moment I saw her, my heart warmed up.
I chose to break the awkwardness by calling her first, "Emma. You are here. How are you feeling now?"
"I am better, thank you." She mumbled, dodging eye contact.
"You haven't had anything since yesterday, come sit, I have made us some eggs. I hope that's ok. That's the best we have right now" I gestured her to take a seat.
She awkwardly walked towards me and sat in the dining area. I took both our plates and sat next to her. She was still and did not initiate eating; I warmly held her hand, squeezing it a bit and asked her to start eating. She gave me a small nod, and we both ate in silence.
Once done, I took the plates and headed to the kitchen, while Emma seemed a bit lost in her thoughts.
"Who is Brett, Jake? How did you find me?" She asked bleakly without making any eye contact again.
I knew this would come up, and no matter how much I was hoping to avoid this confrontation, I couldn't ignore it forever. Believe it or not, the mighty businessman was anxious answering this petite girls' questions.
I have always had my way around girls, but this was the first time I felt nervous. Unlike with other girls, I really care about what Emma thought of me and I did not want her to think of me as a jerk who was forcing his way into her life.
I was genuinely hoping that she didn't doubt my intentions. I was extremely hooked on her. She attracted me in more ways than my heart could take. It wasn't just physical attraction; it was a longing that made me go weak in my knees. She was a feeling, the one I wanted to drown in and never be rescued.
My heart was pounding uncontrollably, thinking that now I would have to tell her the truth. I didn't know how this conversation would conclude, but I was sure Emma was completely confused right now, and she deserved answers.
I will lower the moon for you Page 10