by Laiza Millan
"I can see how very upset you are about this," Emma said sarcastically, noticing how relaxed Drake looked.
Drake rolled his eyes, taking a sip of his wine. "Very. Now the Rogers fortune will belong to me and only me again. Very heart-breaking, it hurts."
Emma scowled. Well it looks like he's still arrogant as usual. "So, you're okay with this because you still get to keep all of your money?"
"Don't be stupid, Emma," Drake sighed, clearly annoyed. He set his glass down and leaned towards her. "Am I upset that this news is printed and written by some idiotic journalist? Yes. Am I upset that the engagement is over? No, because it means I have more time with Aidan and you."
Emma, who was in the middle of drinking her water, spluttered after hearing the last word. She cleared her throat to ease the discomfort. "Excuse me?"
"Are you deaf?" Drake smirked, crossing his arms as he looked at her. "I said, without this shit happening, I can now focus my time with you and Aidan."
Emma grimaced.
"Now, doesn't that sound lovely?" Drake continued on, sarcastically. "Just imagine... you, Aidan and me. Just the three of us getting to know each other-"
"I already know what kind of guy you are, prick." Emma half-joked, taking a large gulp of her wine. She relished the bitter taste as the news sunk in.
"Now, now," Drake chuckled, leaning against his chair to stare at her in amusement. "We're supposed to be civilized, remember? We're supposed to start all over. Or did you forget to-"
"Shut up," Emma groaned, grabbing the paper again and scanning the column. "Seriously Drake, now that this is out... everyone is going to wonder. The public will want to know why the wedding is off, or if you have another girl. They're going to be so far up your butt about this."
"Let them think whatever they want to think." Drake shrugged, looking completely at ease. "They all just think that another local rich bachelor is single again and ready to mingle."
Emma blinked.
Is he crazy? Maybe he didn't really understand the situation because it could lead to so many worries she wasn't mentally prepared for. "Drake, I mean the public would know about Aidan-"
"Everyone does know." Drake scoffed, "Everyone we know already knows about Aidan, thanks to your dumb girl friend-"
"I'm not talking about the people close to us, Drake, I'm talking about the public! These days, everyone is nosy about other people's lives! When they find out about Aidan, what's next? They would all be curious about this baby."
Emma rambled on, ignoring him. What would happen if old friends of Drake's find out?
Her voice was becoming higher and she was talking faster. "What are we going to do? I don't want people to know about Aidan yet! He's still so young and-"
"Can you calm the fuck down, Collins?" Drake snapped, annoyance flickering over his face. "It's like you've never dealt with the media before."
"Oh, I know I have! But last time was not a very pleasant one, if you remember!" Emma slapped her hand on the table, glaring at him and ignoring the whispers from the nosy people around them.
She leaned forward and harshly whispered so only they can hear each other. She was bringing a memory she didn't want to rise. "Don't you remember how your freaking gang friends tried to attack me because I helped you on your case and not them?"
Drake inhaled sharply.
Oh shit, he couldn't believe he had almost forgotten about that. Swallowing hard, he nodded anyway. "I remember Emma, and I thank you for that. But please trust me on this; I'm not going to let anything happen to you and to Aidan."
Deep down, he knew she had a point.
Damn, why didn't he think of that? He practically got a threat literally thrown at his window, and he just immediately forgot about it once he saw she was still safe from harm.
Idiot.
Maybe getting involved with Emma and Aidan is going to target them from his past like his so-called friends and him, and he doesn't want that.
Shit, that's the reason why he was such a jackass towards her in the first place. Now that he's suddenly becoming a decent person to them, he forgot about the dangers he's putting them in?
But then again, maybe this is exactly what they need.
He needs to be closer to them so he can watch for any suspicious shit going on. He wasn't joking when he said he won't let anything happen to them.
"But what if the news of your son spreads so fast, that they will find out and target him? I can't risk it." Emma interrupted his thoughts, "I know in the beginning I wanted you to be part of Aidan's life, but I didn't mean that I want him to be broadcasted to the whole city. What if your father -"
"Collins," Drake growled, uncharacteristically flinching when she mentioned his father.
But Emma didn't notice it so she continued on. "Soon, everyone is going to know what really happened. That you had tricked me into sleeping with you because I was foolish enough to -"
"No they won't, because I've got a plan," Drake said with a smirk, looking so full of himself that Emma's temper was about to explode.
She let out a heavy sigh. "Pray tell, what genius plan have you got, Rogers?"
"We'll talk to the people closest to us about this plan so the story is the same," Drake added, as if the thought had just occurred to him. He had a large grin on his face as he stared at her.
Emma began to feel that uncomfortable feeling again. "What?"
"C'mon Emma, you should have seen it coming." Drake laughed, crossing his arms as he stared at her.
When she continued to glare at him, looking very impatient, Drake shook his head.
"Isn't it obvious?" His grin widened even more at her confusion. "We just have to get married."
.
Chapter 17
.
Emma stared.
And stared.
And stared.
She could hear Drake echoing inside her head.
Over and over and over... bits and pieces of their conversation... His voice ricocheting on repeat as the words continued to swirl around her head endlessly.
"Isn't it obvious? We just have to get married!"
And over...
"Isn't it obvious?"
And over...
"Obvious?"
"... Have to get married."
And over.
"... MARRIED."
As Emma continued to stare at him in shock, she watched Drake's face morph into a smug smirk.
Emma regained her composure and gasped.
"What the hell did you just say?" she screeched, jumping up to glare at him.
Drake merely raised an eyebrow, looking amused. "Are you deaf, Collins? Do I need to repeat myself? I said our solution is quite simple. We're going to get married."
Drake stifled his amusement as he watched the woman's emotions run over her face.
Confusion, shock, anger.
He honestly didn't know why had he said it, but it was worth it to watch Emma's face go from shocked to confused to pissed off. Drake may have decided to be civil and act more respectful towards his child's mother - well, respectful for him, anyway- despite their struggling of trying to still be civil, but he still liked to rile her up.
Just for old time's sake, of course.
Drake cleared his throat and scooted his chair closer to the table, raising his eyebrows challengingly.
Emma opened her mouth, but closed it again as she took a seat.
She just felt as if she needed to sit back down to regain her breathing and control her emotions. Otherwise, she might do something drastic like punch him in the face - not that she would mind, of course.
"Have I rendered Emma Collins speechless?" Drake smirked, taking a sip of his drink casually.
"You're insane," Emma snapped, abruptly getting up from her seat. "If you'll excuse me, I have other things to do - get your hands off of me!"
Drake had wrapped his hand around her wrist, preventing her from leaving. "Collins, sit down."
Emma grabbed the newspaper an
d smacked his hand, "Leave me alone!" she hissed.
Drake snatched the paper from her with his other hand and placed it on top of the chair next to him, away from her reach.
He turned to her again with a scowl and rolled his eyes, but gently tugged her closer to him.
"Collins, everyone is watching." Drake said, smirking as Emma continued to try to pull her arm away from his hold. "Do you want more curious people wandering around in our business? Because if not, I recommend you sit down, hush up, and stop making a scene."
Emma glared at him, but looked up. People outside were giving them curious glances. Giving a quick reassuring smile to the nosy audience, she gently sat back down, only to slap his hand away from her wrist.
Drake tutted at her, but didn't say anything as he let go. "My, my, aren't we violent today?"
"Me?! I'm violent?!" she snapped, grabbing her forgotten drink and taking a big sip, relishing the burning in her throat.
Drake could feel her annoyance settling in him as he let out a heavy sigh. "For fuck's sake, Collins, how many times do I have to tell you? I'm sor-"
''Oh, shut up already. Stop repeating the same shit again! I know it was an accident." Emma said, taking her wine cup and swirling the liquid around idly. "Just stop talking."
She heard Drake let out a deep sigh, but she didn't bother looking up. So, it was going to be like that again? So much for this "civilized conversation" they were supposed to have.
After a few more awkward minutes, she could feel Drake's stare burning into her skin, giving her no choice but to look up.
He was looking at her with an almost painful stare.
His mouth was curved downwards and his eyebrows were furrowed as if in deep thought, but his eyes pierced her with an intense look, causing her to remain uncomfortable.
"Stop staring at me," Emma mumbled, throwing him a cold glare.
Drake merely blinked, as if only just realizing what he was doing.
Clearing his throat, he shook his head and stared at the table. "Collins, I'm surprised you haven't hit me yet -"
"Oh believe me, I am fighting the urge to." Emma muttered under her breath, interrupting him.
He ignored Emma and continued on, "But just think about it, will you?"
"How about you go to hell, how's that?" Emma said in a sweet tone, giving him a fake smile.
Cursing himself, Drake continued to glare at the tabletop and cleared his throat before speaking again. "Look, I know I'm not the prince charming every girl would want. I've proven that to you in high school."
He saw Emma stiffened, but he continued still. "We need to work this out, together. For Aidan."
Emma blinked, and looked away.
After a few seconds of hesitation, she sighed. "Drake... I understand what you're saying, and I'm so happy that you want to do with what you think is best for Aidan. But marriage isn't always the answer."
Drake groaned impatiently, "I don't want Aidan to grow up thinking I'm never there -"
"He will not!" Emma assured him, finally looking at him in the eye. "I'm not going to stop you from seeing Aidan. Like I said, we're starting over, so I'm giving you a third chance. The only thing I'm worried about is the media publicizing Aidan because you're the father. I mean c'mon, look at this!"
She grabbed the newspaper that contained the Rogers-Gordon canceled marriage, and waved it in front of him. "You're in a freaking newspaper just because you and Alona's marriage failed. Now loads of people in this city know that you're another rich bachelor. What's going to happen when they find out that you also have a baby? What will the people think?"
Drake shook his head, scooting himself closer to her as he murmured, "Emma, since when do you care what people think?"
For once, Emma gave him a real small smile. To say that it shocked him was an understatement. "Drake, to be honest, I don't care what people say about me... But I don't want Aidan's reputation to go to shit, you know?"
Drake furrowed his eyebrows in a confusion matter, "I don't think I quite understand, love."
Oh shit.
What the hell did he just call her?
His eyes widened as he finally caught what he said. He looked at her, trying to gauge her reaction.
"Think about it, Drake." Emma sighed heavily, leaning back from her chair.
Huh. If she heard his tiny slip up, she is so good at ignoring it. Because here he is, still sweating like a stupid idiot for called her that one tiny term of endearment that normal friends call each other. Sometimes more than friends...
"Did you hear what I just said?" Emma snapped, interrupting his thoughts.
Drake blinked, throwing her an amused smirk. "I still don't get it."
Emma glared at him, "I said I'm scared of what Aidan's reputation would be. Imagine it! You're a fresh new bachelor and then out of nowhere you have a baby? When he grows up, people are going to think he was just a one-night-stand child who is just trying to get your money support and -"
"I honestly don't give a fuck with what those assholes think or say." Drake said bluntly, shrugging carelessly.
That small gesture annoyed Emma even more. "Well I do!"
Drake scoffed, rolling his eyes at her, "Well if you're so worried than let's get married! That way people won't be surprised to know that I have a baby with you, and Aidan won't grow up thinking I was never there."
"Let's just keep this professional," Emma suggested, ignoring what he just said. "This is only about work and Aidan."
Drake scowled, looking away from her to glare at a random object. "Right."
"I mean, none of this nonsense about getting married," Emma said slowly, hoping he understood her point.
Drake growled. What is the big deal? What's her problem; it's just marriage, right? Glaring at her, he said. "A Rogers can't have a bastard son, Collins."
Immediately, he regretted it. Wow, good job asshole. He wanted to beat himself up as soon as the words left his lips.
Emma felt the heat of her anger bubbling to the surface once again as his words washed over her.
Bastard son?
Did that foul man just call her son a bastard again?
Well then. This should teach him.
Emma grabbed her drink and tossed the remainder of it onto his face, watching with a satisfied smirk as the wine stained his hundred something dollars outerwear and dripped down his pale pointed face.
She was so satisfied that she didn't notice that the people around them gasped and whispered, wanting to know what Drake's reaction would be.
Like she cared.
"Screw you, Drake Rogers," she said quietly, as Drake's wine-splattered face glared back at her.
Her satisfaction was short lived.
"This is ridiculous," Drake growled under his breath, getting up.
He threw a small pile of coins on top of the table for their drinks, grabbed her arm before she could leave, and immediately rushed them away from the nosy crowds.
.
.
.
Ian gathered Alona's hair and pushed it to the side, stroking her in the process. He leaned down to kiss her cheeks and frowned when he felt the wetness. "What's wrong?"
Alona smiled sadly. "I just feel guilty, that's all."
"What for?" Ian asked, taking her hand and placing a chaste kiss on her palm. "We got what we wanted, right? You're no longer engaged to him. You and I are free to be together."
Alona sighed, turning her head away from him to face the ceiling, "I know. But all that we had to go through and poor Nancy... and -"
"This is why I love you," Ian laughed. "You are so nice. Too nice, I think."
Alona grinned. "Am not. I mean, I did cheat on my fiancé with you, after all."
Ian smirked. "That's not all you did," he said cheekily, rolling on top of her, swallowing Alona's squeals of delight. "You and I... we're going to get married, right?"
"Yes," Alona said, stroking his hair. "Let's wait until the news of my failed engagement to Drake
fades and then I will be all yours."
.
.
.
"Let go of me!" Emma snapped, yanking her arm away from his grasp as Drake continued to drag her. She took a step back and gathered her bearings as she looked around them.
"Why did you do that?" she asked, noticing they were near a lake with people jogging around, far from them. She gasped, "You're an idiot! The crowd inside would have thought you hurt me or something!"
"So? All those looks that were thrown at us, I gave them an apologized look back so they'll think you're the crazy one." Drake threw her a look as he bent down to pick up a rock. "I'm not stupid, Collins. My grip isn't strong enough to give you a bruise."
"That still doesn't explain why we're outside instead of inside, finishing our meal." Emma snapped, clearly miffed.
Drake sighed, throwing the rock at the grass. The embarrassment was almost too overbearing for him. "This is where I found out."
Emma's patience was decreasing. "Found out what, Rogers?"
"Where I found out you were pregnant with our baby."
Shit. He didn't know why he said that.
He wanted to mentally kick himself in the face for even telling her that. Ugh, it sounded too cheesy for his liking. Why did he tell her that? He could have just lied.
However, Emma was just shocked that he even remembered.
After all, he kept claiming that time that she was lying and wanted no part in her 'lies'. Who knew that something insignificant like this location would be burned in his memory?
So, she cleared her throat and asked, "No... you found out at your home when Alona told you, didn't you?"
He turned around to face her and surprised her with a thin, but real smile.