I will lower the moon for you

by Becca Randall

  How did I get so lucky? Having someone like him sleeping in my living room couch? With no care in the world?

  I kissed his forehead and was about to get up when I heard him call my name.

  "Emma?"

  "Hey sorry, I didn't intend to wake you up. Please go back to sleep." I sat on my knees next to the couch and gently caressed his forehead.

  "I am sorry, I remember you were cooking, and I don't know when I slept. It's so late; I should leave now." He moved to sit up straight. He was still looking very tired.

  "Shh... Jake. No. Please stays. I want you to rest. You have been working non-stop."

  "Are you sure, Emma? I don't want to rush you into things, will you feel comfortable if I stay?"

  "Absolutely. Come, let's go inside; you will be more comfortable on the bed."

  Suddenly his eyes were shining with a hint of mischief in his tone, "Is this your plan to get me into your bed? If yes, then baby, all you have to do is ask." He stated cheekily.

  Before I could respond, within a minute, he got up and picked me up in his arms in one swing.

  "Jake. What are you doing? Put me down."

  He shook his head against my requests, and gave me a sexy smirk. God! Did I just wake the devil?

  Jake entered my room and carefully put me down on the bed. "We are going to sleep, Jake! Just sleep. You need a good night's sleep"

  "Of course. What did you think? You really have a dirty mind." He mocked me. I threw my pillow at him, which he easily dodged. He removed his shirt and jumped in the bed along with me.

  "What are you doing? And why are you shirtless, again?"

  "Do you expect me to sleep comfortably in my office shirt? Come here now. I know I am irresistible to you, but your wish is my command. We are just going to sleep."

  He pulled me in his arms, my head resting on his chest, while his fingers were playing with my hair. Slowly we both drifted to sleep.

  ***

  The next morning, we both woke up in each other's arms. This was officially the best feeling in the world.

  We took turns in freshening up and were now eating breakfast together. Jake insisted on eating the food I prepared for him last night, he loved it, and I felt so warm watching him enjoy the food I cooked.

  It made you happy when you cook and feed the person you love. Did I just say, love? I quizzed myself, utterly shocked at my own thoughts.

  No… No, No, it's too soon to know. I chided my inner self. Suddenly, I was taken out of my thoughts when I heard a ring; it was Jake's phone.

  "Yes." Jake said in a stern voice after picking up the call.

  "What? When?" He stood up hastily, completely shocked.

  "How is she?"

  "Text me the address."

  Jake took a deep breath after disconnecting the call. His eyes were restless, and his body language was tensed. I was scared at his reaction, whoever was on the phone, definitely gave terrible news.

  "What happened Jake? Is everything alright?"2

  "I need to rush Emma. It's an emergency. Sorry, but I have to go."

  Jake started wearing his shoes and picked his coat lying on the sofa before making his way out. "Wait! You are scaring me. What happened?"

  "Don't worry. I will call you later today and explain everything." He gave me a quick kiss on my forehead and quickly strode out.

  I stood there dumbfounded, still comprehending what just happened.

  Chapter 24

  Caught in the Crossfire

  Emma

  I was still numb, Jake rushed out in such a hurry, and I was really worried about him.

  I shut the door, and entered my living room, that's when the doorbell rang again. I almost ran back to open the door, assuming he might have returned.

  I opened the door, hastily, "Jake?"

  "Hi, Emma. How are you??" Niki exclaimed while giving me a tight hug.

  "I was so eager to meet you that I took a detour here before heading to the gallery. I have been so worried about you ever since you told me about your hiking accident." Niki squeaked while still squeezing me in a tight hug.

  She looked fresh as a daisy, and a warm feeling engulfed my heart just by having her around. She sure was my detox to all the worries in the world.

  "Thanks, darling. I am glad you came. I have so much to tell you."

  "That's why I am here. And did you just call me Jake? Right now? When you opened the door? Were you expecting him?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

  "Well, yes. I umm… he was here actually. He stayed the night." I stuttered nervously.

  "What???"

  "Yes, a lot happened in Norway." My cheeks were flushed as a sheepish smile crept up my face.

  "Oh My God! Emma? Are you both together now? Like together?" Her mouth and eyes were both wide open.

  "Yes. Sort of." I whispered gawkily.

  "Wow! This is huge. I am so happy for you. I want all the details, especially the juicy ones. I can't wait to know every damn thing." Niki screamed, almost jumping in excitement.

  "Yes, yes. But I need to get ready for office as well. I have to report back to work today. I already took two days off." I reasoned with her trying to calm her down a bit.

  "Of course. Does it count as absence in office, when the boss himself kept you busy?" Niki and I have always talked boys before, yet now when she was teasing me by taking Jake's name, I felt good, like a soft, soothing breeze just brushed against my skin. I liked hearing my name with his, our union Afterall felt inevitable. I had never been happier.

  "That's fine. Don't bother answering. Look at you. All shy and nervous. I will die in excitement. Go get ready, I will drive you to work, and you can tell me every damn thing on the way."

  "Great. Give me fifteen mins, and we can head out together. There is coffee and food on the table, munch if you want."

  "Wait. What's that?" Niki asked curiously.

  "What?" I asked her as she was pointing in my direction.

  I looked at her confused, unable to understand what she was referring to.

  "Is that a freaking hickey?" She gasped in shock.

  "Well, umm, that. No. Umm....actually yes, it is. But we will talk about it later." I was so nervous; I almost ran to my room trying to avoid her from stopping me again.

  "Emma. Come back here. You are dead meat, darling. I just left you for a week, and I see you with love marks. Did you guys do it? Oh my god! You guys did it right?" She was elated, screaming from outside my washroom now, chuckling and grinning throughout.

  "No. We didn't. I will tell you everything, just calm down for fifteen fucking minutes." I retorted from the shower, trying to hide the embarrassment in my voice.

  I took a deep breath and was smiling ear to ear at Niki's continuous banter from outside. I think it's safe to conclude that my best friend was legit crazy; and perhaps, that's why I loved her so much.

  She changed my mood. Even though my mind was wandering back to Jake, but I was sure Niki's company won't allow me to ponder on anything else, not until she knows every part of our story.

  I hope everything was fine and not as bad as it looked from his reaction. I prayed for him in my heart.

  ***

  Jake

  I immediately drove to the address that Augustin sent me. I had a thousand questions in my mind; something felt incredibly odd, I was just not able to put a finger on it.

  I rushed inside the hospital and met Augustin at the reception.

  "Where is she?"

  "8th Floor."

  "How is she?"

  "Out of danger now, she has been requesting your presence since last night. She is being so adamant about it, not agreeing to talk to anyone else. Not even the cops. "Augustin explained.

  "Don't worry. I will handle this."

  We headed upstairs and were now waiting outside her room, as a team of doctors were checking her.

  After 15-20 minutes, the door opened, and a doctor, along with many staff members, appeared in the corridor.


  "How is she, doctor?"

  "She is fine, and you would be Mr.?"

  "Hi, I am Jacob Richmond."

  "Oh! Mr. Richmond, thank god you are here. She has wanted to talk to you ever since she gained consciousness. She had a minor head injury, but we stitched her up. Physically, she is fine. But I think mentally; she is traumatized".

  "Thanks, doctor. I will go speak to her now."

  "Yes. Just be easy on her, it's still all very overwhelming."

  "Sure."

  I entered the room and saw her head wrapped in a white bandage and an IV drip attached to her left hand.

  "Hey! How are you?" I slowly walked to her bedside.

  "Jake. Where the hell have you been? I have been asking to meet you since last night." She immediately sat straight and extended her hand in my direction.

  I reluctantly took her hand and stood close to her. She hugged me by my waist and started crying.

  "I am so scared, Jake. Dad thinks somebody tried to kill me. I don't want to die." She wept inconsolably, holding me in a tight embrace.

  "Relax Erica. You are safe now. Nobody can hurt you here. We will get to the bottom of this."

  "I don't know Jake. As soon as I got back from Norway, I felt I was being followed. I tried calling you a dozen times in the past 2-3 days, but you didn't pick any of my calls; then Augustin told me that you are not in the city."

  I felt a bit guilty for avoiding her calls. I didn't know she was in trouble, but I was with Emma, and I did not want to upset her thinking about Erica. She already thought Erica was my girlfriend.

  "I am sorry, Erica. I was attending a personal matter."

  "I needed you, Jake, and then this happened." She whimpered, her skin looked so pale, defeat and fear were donning her face.

  "Do you want to talk about the accident? What happened?"

  "Can you just hold me for a while first? I really can use a hug." I couldn't help but nod at her request, and she just took a deep breath while still having her arms wrapped around me as her head rest on my chest.

  After a while, I saw her eyes; she was feeling dizzy. It was either due to the medicines or because she was exhausted, but clearly, her eyelids were drooping, exhibiting her exhaustion.

  "Hey, just take some rest, everything will be fine, alright."

  "No, I don't want you to leave, please."

  "I am not leaving. I will wait here. Just go ahead and take a nap". I said softly, trying to coax her to allow her body to rest.

  She finally nodded in agreement and lied down on her bed comfortably. Usually, Erica was the one who had everything under her control. Right now, this woman in front of me was weak and vulnerable; I felt sad for her. No matter how arrogant she was, she still didn't deserve this.

  Nobody deserved to die at somebody else's hand. I quietly exited her room, making sure she wasn't disturbed. I met Augustin in the waiting area outside.

  "What happened Augustin?"

  "She met with an accident. Her car breaks failed and then she ran into a black Mazda. It's a miracle she didn't get hurt too bad."

  "Break fail?" I was shocked.

  "Yes, exactly, that is very disturbing, Jake. That's what I wanted to talk about". Augustin took me to the far corner of the corridor and whispered, ensuring he was audible only to me.

  "There are way too many similarities between Erica's accident and your father's planned accident that led to his untimely demise."

  I was numb, all I could do was nod, gesturing him

  to continue.

  "I have a hunch that Erica's accident may have something to do with the Richmond's, with you."

  "With me? But why?"

  "A lot of people think that you both are dating, probably she is a leverage against you, or has become a target to cause you harm."

  "But what will they gain by hurting someone close to me?"

  "I can't say for certain yet; maybe they want you to suffer or get distracted, I will look into this to know more," Augustin said while still in deep thoughts, trying to calculate the odds.

  "Did we check the security footage at her car park and what about hiring bodyguards for her safety?"

  "Ben Muriel has already taken care of that. As we speak, there are more than five guards deployed on this floor, all keeping a close watch on Erica. He is also investigating the matter."

  "Of course! Erica is his only child."

  I was perplexed, completely taken aback to see how dangerous this was getting. "Could this be related to the Windson's? They saw me together with her during the Norway deal. Did David Windson get to know that we have been investigating him behind his back?"

  "I don't think there could be a leak about our deal with their ex-employee, very few people know about it," Augustin replied immediately.

  However, he paused for a bit, and then continued, "But you might be right. Maybe this is his way of warning you."

  "Where are we with the Windson's? When is our contact providing us with the evidence?" I was now pacing back and forth, I had to take all necessary measures, and that too sooner than later.

  "Coming Saturday, I will arrange for a meeting. You stay put; we may have to fly out on Friday."

  "I have a bad feeling about David Windson. Make sure we are discrete. I don't want to alarm him". My hands were now rubbing my temple.

  "Me too. What do you suggest?" Augustin gave me an earnest look.

  "I am going to take that bastard down. To begin with, I am going to file a million-dollar lawsuit against him by slapping him with corruption and bribery charges." I pondered for a minute before answering, "If we can prove him guilty, it will be a massive blow for his company. They will become history in no time. We need to get hands on that evidence fast."

  "Yes, I will be on it." Augustin began dialing a number on his phone.

  "Augustin!" I called him from behind.

  "Yes?"

  "Before flying to Norway, I want to first go to LA. I want to visit mom and make sure she is safe and well taken care of."

  "I am in constant touch with our personnel there; you don't need to worry. Madam is in safe hands." Augustin assured me with a small smile.

  "I wish she could come back and stay at our family home here. I will feel much better if she is close to me, especially in such dangerous circumstances." I sighed.

  "She is grieving, kiddo. Give her time."

  "I have an important meeting tomorrow, arrange for me to fly to LA day after."

  "Sure." Augustin nodded and left immediately.

  I spent the remaining day with Erica, taking care of her. I won't be able to forgive myself, knowing that there is a high probability, that she got hurt in the crossfire between me and my family's rivals. I owed her this much at least.

  It was already night by the time I left the hospital. I had three missed calls from Emma and a couple of messages.

  I had to keep her out of this mess. I had to be careful about when and where we meet. I will have to fill her in on some details, without scaring her much.

  I took a sharp left instead of the usual right on my way back, and instead of going home, I drove straight to Emma's house. I need to act quickly and ensure her safety.

  Nobody could pose any danger to my girl, not under my watch.

  Chapter 25

  Cordial as Friends

  Emma

  In wee hours of the morning, Jake and I were curled up in each other's arms. We had been talking for hours.

  "So, you are saying that Erica's accident may have something to do with your father's death?"

  "Yes," he whispered.

  "I am so sorry, Jake, I can only imagine how hard all this must be for you."

  I was now snuggling into the crook of his neck, while my arms were wrapped around his muscular torso. I attempted to comfort him with the warmth of my embrace; I knew he was worried.

  "Just know this always, I am here for you, no matter how tough the situation be." I stuttered meekly, as his addictive scent filled my nostrils.
<
br />   Jake gave me a soft kiss on my forehead, and after a lingering pause, he suddenly held back as I could feel his posture stiffened. He was now silent, and he had that look on his face.

  "What are you thinking? I know this look."

  "Really? What look?"

  "I know this is your guilt face; you had the same expression the night I got attacked at the club. Are you regretting something?"

  He took a deep breath. He tried to dodge my questions and looked a bit shaken by my ability to see right through him.

  "Come on, Jake, talk to me."

  "It's nothing, Emma. I just feel bad that you are now part of my crazy world. You are too precious for me, and you don't deserve any of this." He sighed. He finally spat out the truth that was weighing him down, regret was evident on his face.

  "Hold on. Please. Don't…do…this. You cannot ruin this. We are equals Jake, and since you have always looked out for me, I own every right to stand by you in such pressing times. I am here for you."

  His brows furrowed, and an intense, debilitating sensation of anxiety and fear overwhelmed his otherwise composed self.

  I cupped his face forcing him to look into my eyes.

  "I care for you, Jake. My heart couldn't be at peace the whole day, thinking you are in some emergency that I had no idea about."

  "I am so sorry, Emma. I know I put you through a lot today."

  "Hey, don't apologise, I understand. But just don't regret anything either. I am stronger than you think.

  Trust me. But don't you dare push me away, I am tired of the back and forth between us."

  "You know if they could target Erica, then they can harm you too? It's only a matter of time, they will know about you too. I just cannot risk it."

  "It doesn't matter; nothing matters when I am with you. I know you won't let anyone hurt me. I trust you with my life." I emphasized on every word, as I meant it from the oceans of my heart.

  He was still shaking his head in disagreement. Doubt and guilt still donned his face.