"I know guys. This is it. You both have to help me with all the wedding planning."
"Obviously." Niki and I said in unison, and all three of us let out a laugh together.
We ate our food and discussed all potential wedding plans, from every dreamy thing to minutest details.
Girls loved weddings. Period.
"Well, I have an upcoming party too. Nate and I are planning a big anniversary surprise for our parent's 25th at our place. It's two weeks from now, and you both are invited. Get Max and Jake too. It will be fun." Niki stated excitedly.
"Are you sure I can get Jake along? With Nate being there?" I hesitated.
"Who's Nate?" Britney asked.
"Nate is my twin brother and Emma's ex. And yes, why should it be a problem getting Jake along? Nate and Jessica are still together, and you have every right to move on as well." Niki reasoned.
After thinking for a while, I agreed, "Yeah, it makes sense. Cool, I will invite Jake."
"And I will invite Max." Britney grinned.
"I am also planning on making my parents meet Barry. I think it's getting serious." Niki cooed shyly.
"Aww! Look at you, I think Barry is great. Did he tell you how he feels about this relationship?"
"Umm not really. But we are getting there. I can feel it happening... soon."
"Wow. Let's plan a double wedding Niki. We can do a destination one together." Britney suggested with full enthusiasm.
"As much as I am tempted darling, I don't want to scare Barry away. Let's take it a tiny bit slow." Niki rolled her eyes at Britney.
"Yayy! I feel we are going to have an amazing rest of the year". I concluded. I felt positive and hopeful; love was in the air after all.
The rest of the day went in a wink. Time flew when I was with these two. I checked my phone for any messages from Jake, but nothing.
I missed him, but I also knew that he was dealing with some critical things. I was craving a hug, but I guess I would have to wait another full day for that.
I was exhausted. I went back home and immediately hit the bed. Within minutes, sleep took over me.
Chapter 27
Such a Tease
Emma
Richmond Headquarters
I was scrolling through my emails, when suddenly a meeting invite popped up. It was from Maria, Jake's secretary.
"Mr. Richmond has requested the presence of the entire legal team on an urgent requirement in Conference Room 4. Please prioritize this meeting over any ongoing work."
The meeting was scheduled for 10:30 am, in 20 precise minutes from now.
My heart fluttered thinking of meeting Jake again. It had been a week since I last saw him. I suddenly felt a warm feeling wash over my body, my cheeks flushed and I was idiotically blushing sitting alone in my cabin.
After containing myself a bit, I looked at the time and headed straight to the conference room.
I met Mark in the elevator.
"Hi Emma. Good Morning."
"Good Morning, Mark! How are you today? Any idea what's this meeting is about?"
"I am as good as can be. Thank You for asking Emma. Can't say but since it's an urgent meeting, I am guessing it has to do something with the Norway project."
"Yes, you are right, looks like it."
We all got seated in the conference room, and were waiting for Jake to join us. Within minutes, he entered the room with his typical flamboyance, making me go weak in my knees, just by his looks.
You are such freak when it comes to him. My inner self taunted.
He gave me a quick glance and I couldn't help but smile warmly.
"Good Morning, Everyone. I have called this meeting to inform you all about the latest development on the Norway project, and also the European oil excavation tender we lost six months back."
Jake paused for a bit, while everyone listened attentively in pin drop silence. "We have thorough evidence that the tender was tempered by Windson Inc. and as we speak, Richmond Corp has issued a subpoena to them slamming a bribery lawsuit with other litigation charges."
Every single person presents in the room, including me, gasped. We were stunned at the revelation. It was a very risky move.
What are you up to Jake? I pondered in my head. I felt uneasy, unsure of why but I felt scared.
While we all sat there comprehending in our heads, the information he just disclosed, he continued. "So obviously we won't be going ahead with our partnership with them in the Norway project, in fact we would be proposing to lead that project independently." He gave a firm look to everyone in the room, and just with his look, everyone quietly nodded in agreement. That's the power he held on people. Even at such a young age, everyone respected him and nobody dared to go against his decision.
"I want all of you to work on the Norway project on high priority."
"Sure, sir." Everybody said in unison.
"Mark please take lead on this, and I want a daily report at my desk every day".
"Sure, thing boss."
"Ms. Carter, I would like to see you in my office to discuss the new proposal." I was stunned by hearing my name from him in a room full of people.
"Oh Sure." I muttered nervously, looking around to read everybody's expression. Thankfully it all sounded normal.
Everyone dispersed, Jake was the first one to leave, followed by his secretary and other board of directors. There was a sudden uproar, people whispering to each other. This was a solid counter and it would have strong repercussions, good or bad, that time would tell.
I was pulled out of my thoughts, as Mark pats my shoulder from behind.
"Where are you lost Emma?"
"Nothing. Just thinking. This is a bold move." I tried to sound casual, even when I was having a meltdown inside.
"Of course, it is. Everything about Jacob Richmond is bold and daring. He doesn't do regular, not his thing at all."
"Yes. Seems to be the case. I better hurry, he is expecting me in his office."
"Sure. Up for lunch later?"
I was so distracted and worried about Jake and his sudden decisions, that I mindlessly nodded to Mark.
I quickly moved out of the conference room and took an elevator to reach the top floor of the building.
I walked past the long corridor, my heart racing at every step. I saw Maria giving me a peculiar look, scanning me from head to toe.
"Hi, umm Mr. Richmond is expecting to see me".
"Third door on your right", she said in a daunting tone. Totally ignoring her cold vibes, I entered the door and saw Jake was standing next to the glass wall towards the right of his cabin. His cabin was huge, very well designed. Every inch of the room screamed regal.
The moment I stepped inside; Jake turned to give me a loving look.
He quickly approached me and took me in his arms. Under normal circumstances, I would have freaked out, imagining Mr. CEO embracing me in his own office. But right now, I wanted this more than him, I missed him and was craving his touch. I felt safe and warm in his arms, as if he was my safe haven, my happy place, my home.
We had the longest hug possible, both of us comforting each other, with absolute silence dancing through the room. He let me go after a while, as he was now looking deep in my eyes. He cupped my face, and crashed his lips on mine.
"I missed you so much, love" he whispered in between the deep kiss, and immediately continued tasting my lips, his tongue dancing in my mouth.
I was so turned on by hearing him call me "love" and the way he was hungrily kissing my lips, just proved that he missed me too. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and kissed him back with the same fervor.
"I missed you too Jake." I said after we finally parted our lips to catch some air.
"I promise, I am never going to stay out of town for that long a time, man it kills me." He wrapped his arms around my waist and held me closer to him.
"I doubt your work would let you keep that promise, but I am glad you feel the same."
"You have no idea about ho
w I feel." He took my lips again and kissed me passionately, without a single care in the world.
We both contained ourselves after another make out session. We couldn't keep our hands off each other, but finally I calmed myself. I wanted to speak to him about the latest developments.
"Jake, I am a bit worried. The announcement you made regarding the Windsons."
"Shh… I know. It is worrying, but it is important. I don't want you to stress about it. Just trust me, ok?"
"I trust you, I am just scared of the possible outcomes, with the attacks on Erica and your father."
"I have it under control Emma, don't worry. We will get through this. In fact, I really can use your help with our Norway proposal. You did an excellent job with the Murials, and I am sure I can trust you with this one too."
"Of course! I am always there for you Jake." My heart took sudden pride in the fact that Jake could depend on me. He trusts me with his most critical work, only shows how seriously he took me.
"I know love. And before anything else, I have something for you". He turned around and went to his desk, he then bought in a small gift box, wrapped in a neat golden ribbon.
"Jake, what's this? I think we decided no gifts, please"
"Please open it, this one is exclusively for you, I promise you will love it"
I reluctantly opened the box, and was immediately captivated by what I saw.
"It's called the aurora borealis necklace, it represents us. When I went back to Norway, I had the most precious memories of our time there, especially the night we saw those magical lights in the sky, and have them witness our feelings for each other".
"Yes, I can never forget that," I whispered.
"I saw this necklace in one of the antique stores in the countryside, and all I could think of was you. This piece here is one of its kind."
"Wow. Jake, it's beautiful."
He took the pendant from my hand, and turned me around to make me wear it.
"Now, it's beautiful. You know I used some help from Augustin and had our initials inscribed on the back of it. EJ"
"I love it. I will always wear it, this way I will carry a piece of us everywhere. Thank You." I turned around and kissed him softly on his lips.
Our moment was suddenly disturbed by a phone beep. It was his office intercom. He sighed and went ahead to answer it.
"Yes, Maria."
"Alright, give me a minute. Please ask her to wait." Jake disconnected and gave me a thoughtful look.
"Erica is here."
"She is?" I don't know why but I was suddenly very uneasy. This girl clearly had hots for my guy and I felt totally helpless about the situation.
"Yes, she came unannounced, but I guess I will have to attend her."
"Alright. I must take my leave then. I don't want you to keep her waiting outside."
"I am sorry Emma. I wasn't expecting her. She has been through a lot lately, I really wanted to spend more time with you right now, but..."
"It's fine, I understand. We will meet later. In fact, I have plans for lunch too."
"Plans?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes, with Mark. He asked me before I came up here." I stated simply.
"Really?"
"Yes, we are good friends."
I felt his eyes changed their color and composure. They looked a darker shade now. In the very next moment, Jake held my hand and suddenly jerked me closer to him, he was now holding both my hands against his chest ensuring to close the gap between us.
He hungrily kissed my lips, and sucked them a bit more passionately. This kiss was not soft or subtle, it was aggressive. His hands were exploring every inch of my body. His hold was tight and his lips moved roughly from my mouth to the jawline, giving me wet kisses and sucking my skin while trailing down my neck. I was wobbling under his touch, I felt electricity run through my veins. I wanted him to continue his sweet torture, and finish what he has started this time. I was so mad at him but at the same time I craved him. I wanted him to make me surrender. I arched my neck back giving him more access, my fingers ran through his hair, and I let out a small moan.
I challenged him to not stop, as for now, knowingly or unknowingly, he had ignited the deepest desires in the core of my body.
He kissed and nudged the line of my collar bone, he held me passionately and, in a swing, he lifted my body; my legs were now wrapped around his waist.
He continued to kiss me, and carried me to eventually make me sit on his office table. His hands slipped inside my skirt, caressing and feeling my inner thigh, while his mouth claimed my lips again. I was pressed under his body, his weight on me, his fingers explored every inch inside, teasing my body to demand more, while his mouth ran all over my soft spots, making me whimper. He was marking me, claiming me to be his. His lips trailed down my neck, reaching the curves of my bosom. And suddenly, in the very next minute, he stopped.
"Have a good lunch with Mark, my love. I will make up for our lost time at dinner tonight. Be ready by seven." He whispered in my ear as he loosened his grip on me. He then took a step back.
What the hell?
I could see he was teasing me, his eyes sparkled with pride and mischief. A mocking smile curved up his lips, as he knew the way my body received the pleasure from him, and the state I was in at the moment.
He played me. Such a tease. How will I ever focus on anything after what just happened? I immediately checked myself. I was a mess. I got up from the table and adjusted my hair and clothes. I was totally flushed and so mad at him.
"You are such an ass." I spat at him annoyingly. I hated him for letting me go, and not completing what he started.
"An ass that you love making out with, an ass who would love to take you right here, right now." He chuckled, and held me again, giving a small peck on my cheeks.
"Go away." I pushed him back, my cheeks still blushed red.
How could he? Aggh! I definitely needed a cold shower. I never felt so turned on and so angry at the same time.
Suddenly, Jake's intercom beeped again.
"Yes, Maria."
"But I asked you to tell her......."
Before Jake could complete, the door of his cabin flung open. I was terrorized, what if anyone could have walked in a minute ago?
I turned around to see who the visitor was, and as expected, there on the door stood Erica.
Chapter 28
Hurting her
Emma
Erica stood still at the door, giving us both suspicious stares. A while passed, and she wore back her usual smile, and entered the room, straight in Jake's arms.
"Hey. You are back, I have missed you." She literally jumped on him and caught him off guard.
"Hi Erica. You look better now, how's your wound?" Jake said in an awkward tone while his pleading eyes still stuck on me, he reluctantly held her to ensure her weight on him is balanced and they both do not tumble.
I felt as if I was hit by a meteor. Witnessing somebody else in Jake's arms, where rightfully I belonged seconds ago, were like thousand merciless stabs to the heart.
To say I was angry and hurt, would be an understatement. I could kill her with my bare hands right now in this moment. She turned around with the same arrogant aura, and looked at me distastefully.
"Oh, so we meet again. I am sorry I don't remember your name? I saw you at the office party in Norway." She addressed me in a cold tone.
"Yes, you did. I am Emma... Emma Carter." Inside, I was fuming, but on the outside, I contained myself and replied back in the most casual tone possible.
"Great. Sorry I interrupted you, but if your business with Jake is done, I could use some privacy with him." She turned around to smile warmly at Jake while completely ignoring my presence.
Bitch! How dare she? She was clearly delusional. I hate it when Jake allowed her to run her motor mouth without thinking, specially at places where she clearly didn't belong.
Accident or no accident, this girl was far from suffering. Befo
re I could respond or utter a word, Jake cut our conversation, and replied himself, "Erica, Ms. Carter here is almost done, but I have a very busy day ahead, I am afraid I won't be available for long."
"I am sure you are busy Jake, but a nice sumptuous lunch never harms anyone. I am dying of hunger, so shall we?" She offered Jake her arm.
I turned around to take their leave, as I wanted to disappear from that room at a lightning speed if possible. If I stayed a minute longer to witness this drama, I sure could explode.
I was almost at the door, when I heard Jake reply to her, "Ok. You win, let's go."
I don't have words to explain how I felt in that moment. I was jealous, insecure, agitated and murderous all at once.
I kept my head low and exited the room without turning back.
***
Jake
"Hey I am really sorry for her behavior today, see you at seven. I will explain everything then." Read my text to Emma.
Emma left the room with a disheartening expression on her face, I wanted to run after her and stop her but Erica was all over me, as always.
You need to end this drama with Erica. My conscience snapped at me.1
Erica picked her usual favorite Chinese restaurant, and we were now comfortably seated in one of the private areas of the restaurant.
She called the waiter and was ordering something, which I didn't bother to hear as my mind and heart left the room with Emma. I decided to send another text to her, as she hadn't replied to a single one so far.
I was pulled out of my thoughts and phone, when Erica suddenly held my hand from across the table.
"Jake? Are you here?"
"Yes, sure. Tell me?" I nodded, keeping my phone away.
"I asked if you were okay with what I ordered."
Honestly, I didn't have a clue but I nodded in agreement nevertheless. After a while, she again broke the silence.
"Ok. Come on. Shoot, quickly."
"What?" I was perplexed by her sudden bossiness.
"Really Jake? Are you going to act innocent? Come on, tell me all about Emma."
"Emma?" I was l at a loss of words, I did not expect Erica to confront me like this. Anyway, I wanted her to know about my feelings, and she gave me just the right opportunity.
I will lower the moon for you Page 15