I slowly walked towards my closet, to bring out the piece of paper, that, I knew in my gut, was going to cause a lot of damage in the very foreseeable future.
"This. I am trusting you to own this and help me investigate." I carefully handed the envelope to my confidante.
"I cannot believe this! Where did you find it?"
"In the study, hidden behind a photo, in a frame."
"I did not expect this."
"Me neither. Let's be certain before jumping to any conclusion." I was fiddling with my fingers, and my palms were getting sweaty.
"Give me a week. I will get to the bottom of this."
After my short meeting, I was left alone in my room. I was taming several unleashed demons that were tormenting my mind now, constantly reminding me of the showdown that awaited all of us ahead.
I spent the entire day calming my nerves and waiting for Jake to return home. It was almost dark when Jake arrived. The winters were setting in, the days were shorter, and the nights were getting chilly. The outdoor pool area was now equipped with sparkling lights, bonfires and barbeque.
Jake arranged for us to have a cozy dinner in the outdoor setting. We both were now comfortably seated, under the stars, watching the crescent moon grace the vast dark sky.
I took time to silently observe the love of my life, scanning every trace of the calmness that donned his face today.
Something was different about him tonight; he looked composed. His blue eyes twinkled whenever he smiled as if it was truly heartfelt. I missed seeing him like this; it melted my heart and brought me great joy whenever I found him truly happy.
We both enjoyed a pleasant dinner. The food was delicious, and the tiny bonfires surrounding all over the place, kept us warm, allowing us to enjoy an otherwise cold night.
"You are awfully silent today. Are you feeling, ok?"
He asked as he took my hand in his, and gave a small peck on the back of it.
"Yes, I am fine. In fact, I am happy to see you doing well after a long time." I gave his hand a gentle squeeze and intertwined our fingers together.
"Yes, I felt a burden was lifted off my shoulders after we won the case today. This was a crazy month."
"I know. Tell me about it."
"I want to say something to you, Emma, please don't stop me today."
I knew where this was heading, but I stayed silent to let Jake pour his heart out. His emotions had been all over the place lately, and it was time that he let it all go.
"I am really sorry all this happened to you, Emma, and I will probably regret your attack all my waking life." He heaved a deep sigh, and continued, "ever since we met, you have been my anchor. I was so lost and bitter. Regret and vengeance took the better of me, and I forgot what love and happiness truly meant."
"Jake..."
"Shh... tonight just let me." He got up from his seat and walked across the table to sit by my side. He was now kneeling on both his knees to come face to face with me. He cupped my face with his hands, and continued, "You came along and changed everything, Emma. I want to cherish our time together, create magical memories, travel the world with you and live in the moment as if our life depends on it."
I held both his hands and gave him a warm smile.
"I want to scuba dive, jump off the plane and get stunned by the Pyramid of Giza, do all this, and a lot more, with you by my side. I want to seize the day, Em. I am ready to move on."
I had no idea how I felt hearing these words from him. I had longed to see this day when Jake would finally be ready to give up on the revenge, he madly craved, and move forward with his life instead. I wanted him to embrace love and free himself of the guilt that weighed him down.
And now, when it was happening, here I was; sitting so close to him, and yet holding within, the biggest secret of his life.
"I don't know what to say, Jake... this..."
"You don't need to say anything, Emma. I promise I will make things better. I will make peace with dad's untimely death and pray for him in the heavens above".
"He will be delighted to see this, Jake. He is always going to live in your heart."
"I know. And thank you, Emma, for showing me the way. For making me realise what really matters. For being my light-bearer. I love you very, very much." He whispered, as his face inched closer to mine, his lips brushed lightly against my left cheek. A tingling feeling ran down my spine, as his minty breath fell timidly on my skin.
"I love you too, Jake and I wish you the best in life. Always and forever."1
As soon as I muttered the last words, the aching anticipation of tasting his lips was suddenly unbearable. I pulled up his face and crashed my lips on his, and he reciprocated by hungrily deepening our kiss.
This was our first intimate moment together, ever since I got back from the hospital.
I kissed him back with the same passion, my tongue slid in his mouth, he sucked and bit, making me moan and whimper, and we savagely held onto each other for a very long time. We parted our lips to catch some air. I knotted my fist in his shirt and pulled him closer; I sniffed his scent, reminiscing the familiar feeling, that I forgot in the chaos we had been facing for months.
He held me closer, circling his arms around me. He gently stroked the length of my hair and then looked deep in my eyes.
He then continued to give me several soft peaks, starting at the corner of my mouth, as he slowly trailed down my jaw; with his one hand caressing the nape of my neck while other fondling my back. He brushed his mouth at my earlobes and then traced the line of my collarbone.
"Take me to bed, Jake," I demanded, as the pleasure of his touch ignited a burning desire. Without wasting a second, he got up and lifted me in his strong arms, cooping me against his toned body.
"You have no idea how much I have waited to hear this." He murmured in my ear. I blushed at his words and shyly hid my face in his chest, tightening my grip around his neck, as he slowly walked us to our room.
Tonight, was about binding our love in light of new hope, of starting afresh. He was gentle and soft, ensuring my healing bones were not hurt in the process. He marked my soul with his love, yet again, promising a brighter future for both of us.
The entire week flew by in bliss.
Rest, Recovery, and Reflection became our priority.
Jake never looked happier, and I found him spending more time in tranquility, rather than hustling and chasing behind milestones.
He slowed down for a bit and used every minute of this opportunity to appreciate his newfound quest for life.
On the other hand, I was in the biggest dilemma of my life. I almost decided to hide the information that I accidentally found, and keep it a secret from Jake all his life. My heart ached to bring him down, when only now he had lifted himself again.
However, they say, that it's better to get hurt by the truth than being comforted with a lie, for truth always comes out, and I did not want to risk breaking Jake's trust on me.
Not telling him would also be unfair to him, as everyone deserved to know the truth, no matter how harsh it could be.
My phone buzzed, and I got out of my trance, I received a message that instantly made me nervous.
"Meet me in fifteen. I will be waiting to pick you up from outside the main entrance."
Jake was in his study. He had back to back conference calls, so he would most likely be busy until noon. I decided to sneak out silently, and before anyone realised that I was gone, I would quickly head back.
I slowly made my way out, using my weak legs to carry my weight and walk me. As soon as I reached downstairs, in the living area, Aunt Olivia saw me.
"Are you heading somewhere, dear?"
"Umm yes, my friend Niki is outside. We decided to go on a drive. I was feeling a bit suffocated in the house. Since Jake is busy, she volunteered." I lied on her face, in plain cold words.
"Sure darling. Come, I can help you walk out." She offered politely.
"No, I am fine. I am recove
ring well. It's time I start doing things independently." I insisted.
She reluctantly nodded, and before she could ask anything further, I turned around and left the house.
As soon as I sat in the car, I felt chills; part of me was not ready to face this. I knew this would be the sticking point, the conclusion that will decide what's coming next, and seal our future.
"Did you find anything?" I asked in anticipation.
"Everything. Here take this." A big white envelope was handed to me.
"What's this?"
"Take a peek."
My hands were trembling as I opened it carefully. The items included the same small envelope I had found, a pen drive and a huge file.
"What is in the pen drive?"
"Audio recordings. There is blackmail involved."
"Oh my god. You tapped the phone?"
"I had to pull some strings."
"And what's in this file?"
"Read it for yourself."
I sighed and nervously went through the contents of the file. I was shocked.
"You mean... God!" I stuttered finding hard to let out words from my quivering lips.
"You have to tell him Emma, and you have to do it today."
"No, I don't think I am ready. I cannot do this."
"You have to. He deserves to know. Keep yourself in his place. Would you like to be kept in the dark? Would you not want to know?"
"I am so scared. This will break him."
"I know. But he is strong."
"Pam is flying in tomorrow. I am not sure how will she react to this. She will not take this well." I recalled my earlier conversation with Jake today when he mentioned his mom would be back by tomorrow.
"All the more reason to tell him tonight."
I nodded and placed the envelope in my bag. I slowly got off the car and walked towards the garden in the front yard. I don't know how long I sat there. I just could not bring myself to the fact that I was going to be the one making Jake live his biggest nightmare.
Chapter 42
Web of lies
Jake
"Sir, sorry to call you again. I have arranged for your visit, in an hour from now."
"Are you sure? How did you change his mind?"
"Yes Sir, I tried coaxing him to make the deal, it was all your doing. The quote you offered was hard to decline."
"Great. I will see you in an hour."
I quickly left the study and headed back to my bedroom. I was extremely excited and could feel the blood pulsing in my nerves. I thought of making an excuse in front of Emma; I wanted this to be a surprise for her.
I did not see Emma around, so I started looking for her in the house. One of the staff members told me that she was out in the garden.
I stealthily approached her from behind, and snaked my arms around her waist, causing her to jolt by my sudden intrusion, "Hi, sweets. Getting some fresh air?"
"Jake. You scared me!"
"I am sorry. I was looking for you." I chuckled as I turned her around and saw her furrowed brows and anxious eyes.
"What's wrong, Emma? Are you feeling ok?"
"Yes, I am fine. I just feel a bit tired." She stuttered. I could see her mind was elsewhere; she was never this nervous around me.
"What were you thinking?"
"Nothing much, just random things. Nothing in particular." I was not convinced, but I decided not to pester her any further.
"Come, let's go inside. You can take some rest. I wanted to give you company, but I have to go to an urgent meeting. I will be back in a couple of hours."
"Oh! Sure, no problem Jake. Take your time." She replied with a small smile and again got lost in her thoughts. I slowly walked her inside with my arms around her shoulders. I was curious about what grabbed her attention so much that she hardly spoke five words to me. Usually, she is so cheerful and talkative. I wanted to know more but now was not the time. Maybe she was just exhausted.
I tucked her in bed and hurried to meet my estate agent, who would be most likely waiting for me by now.
Since the last week, I had been looking to purchase a penthouse. Keeping in mind, Emma's preferences, only one of the dozen listings I saw, appealed my heart.
It was a duplex condo on top of a fifty-story tall building, with two outdoor terraces on each side of the seven-bedroom residence.
Its meticulous interiors looked modern yet cozy, and the fact that it is sun-facing made it become my top preference. Its massive living hall has huge French style, floor to ceiling glass windows, and quite wishfully it's the perfect abode to beautiful sunsets and sunrises.
The gracious foyer offered spectacular views of Central Park, Hudson River and the downtown skyline on all three sides, and the moment I stepped inside this house, I was sure, that this was where I saw myself living happily with Emma.
I immediately finalized the deal and did the initial paperwork, having the lease in both our names. I was adamant on quickly moving it along as I had very little time left to make this condo ready to move in for us.
I had been planning this with her best friends Niki and Britney since a while now. I was going to ask her to move in with me officially, and we were hoping to do it on Christmas, which was less than a month away.
Niki told me Christmas was Emma's favorite time of the year, and I wanted to make her feel special all the more now.
Last time she agreed to live with me, in my family home, was under immense pressure and extraordinary circumstances. This time I wanted to do it right, and in a place that will belong to both of us. After looking at the house and dreaming my future all long, I headed back home, as my heart swelled with contentment and peace.
Stop smiling. She will see right through you. How will you keep it a secret for twenty-three more days? My inner self chided me before I parked my car and walked through the driveway. I calmed myself before entering the house.
The moment I entered the living room, my jaw almost dropped to the floor. Emma was sitting in one of the couches right at the center with two suitcases neatly placed by her side. I don't know why, but I felt a knot in my stomach.
"I know I talked about travelling the world with you, but I didn't expect you to pack for it already." I laughed nervously, unsure of what the hell was happening here.
"Jake, you are back." Emma stood up, her eyes inflicting sadness and pain.
"Yes, I am back, and I am scared. What's with your luggage? Are we going somewhere?"
She was staring at a point on the floor, and I could sense her uneven breathing. Her silence gave me a hundred stabs, and I didn't know what to do or say anymore.
"Say something, Emma. What happened?"
"Jake, it's me who is going, not us." She whispered after a long pause.
"What? Where?" I suddenly could feel the heat emanating from my body. My temples were sweating, and I never felt this shocked in my life before. Her body language said a lot more than her words. Her shoulders were drooping, and her legs were wobbling, she felt weak in her knees, and her aura had guilt written all over it. My eyes were piercing hers as she was constantly trying to dodge eye contact with her head down staring at the floor.
"Emma... just tell me what happened? Did someone say something to you? Did I hurt you in any manner? Where are you going?" I held her from her shoulders, insisting her to look at me.
"I am going back to my parent's house, Jake. Dad will soon be here to pick me up."
"But why? Oh my god! Is everything alright with your family? Is there some emergency?"
"Jake, No. It's not that. I need to tell you something. Come, please sit." She took my hand and gestured me to sit down.
My throat lost all its moisture, and I was suddenly feeling breathless. Emma cupped my face and looked straight in my eyes, and what I saw in her eyes in return made me confident that I won't be able to stop her today. She was restless yet determined.
"Jake, what I am about to tell you is going to be painful to hear, and I regret being the one to reveal
this to you. But you need to know. You deserve to know."
There was dead silence as Emma paused for a bit, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, before she continued, "You remember a week back, my accident in the study? When I fell and broke your dad's photo frame?"
"Yes...I remember... you got it fixed later." I murmured in confusion, not sure of where this was heading.
"Jake, all this while you have been running out, hunting for answers and seeking revenge for your father's death. You have been entangling the web of lies and deception of people around you." She gulped before continuing, " but ironically, the truth was right here, inside your house, sitting tight and hiding behind your favorite memory of him."
"What are you trying to say, Emma? I don't understand." I suddenly had a horrible feeling.
"When I opened the old photo frame, I found this envelope behind your picture." She handed me a small white envelope with trembling hands. The envelope had my name written on it, and within seconds I recognized the handwriting.
It was from my father.
I instantly grabbed it from her, and hastily opened it, only to feel stabbed in my heart.
"Mom? And... Ben?" I whispered choking on my words.5
"Yes, it's an old picture of them it seems. I ... I am sorry Jake, but... your mom had an affair, she was cheating on your father." She shuddered as she held my hand tightly in hers.
I was appalled beyond words. I was numb and for a second wished that maybe all this was some sick joke.
My world spiraled, and my words failed me. It was one of those moments when the realization hits you, and you see that you quite didn't know everything about your life. All this while, you were living a lie, and all your beliefs and opinions seem worthless.
"I am sorry Jake; I didn't tell you sooner but I wanted to be sure. One picture does not mean anything right, so I umm.... please don't hate me, Jake."
"You what Emma? Please just say it...!" I yelled, throwing my hands in the air.
"I took the liberty of investigating further, and I found this..."
I could see her gulping, tears rolling down her cheeks and her lips trembling like a leaf, as she handed me another envelope.
I will lower the moon for you Page 24