Beautiful Mistake (Mistake #1)

by Laiza Millan

  "How what?" Drake impatiently asked.

  But Emma remained quiet. Her thoughts rushing through her head with different emotions, she doesn't really know what to think.

  "You're still monitored though," she glanced at his ankle, remembering he can't exactly go every where he pleases.

  Drake raised an eyebrow and looked down at his anke, lifting up his pants to reveal the absence of the tracker bracelet. "Am I?"

  Emma's eyes widened as she quickly glanced back at him, "when did this happen?"

  "Yesterday." He said smugly, "so I'm all yours, Emma Collins." He took a small step back and spread his arms, "If you wish."

  Emma snorted and rolled her eyes. Still... She cant help but feel curious and a bit nastolgic.

  Can this work? What if it doesn't? Then again, what if it does? Ugh... What if, what ifs. There's only one way to find out if this will lead to anything good or bad.

  "One date?" She asked instead, her voice quiet.

  Drake could feel his heartbeat increasing as he's taking another step closer to her. He was so close, he can touch her again.

  "One date."

  .

  Chapter 18

  .

  Drake stared at the woman in front of him.

  Seriously?

  She's seriously considering to go on a date with him? She's finally agreeing to him?

  "One date." Drake repeated, taking her hand.

  "After, I talk to Richard." Emma reminded him, gently taking her hand away.

  When she saw his expression fall, a sharp pinch of guilt hit her chest. Hesitating for only a second, she took his hand again with hers, and squeezed it tightly.

  "Just give me a few days, okay?" Emma asked him gently.

  She honestly has no idea why she's being nice to him, but she figured getting mad all the time isn't going to help the both of them. If he's being civil and nice, then she'll pay him with the same courtesy.

  Drake obviously was getting impatient, but he kept his cool. He doesn't want her to feel rushed and annoyed, so he just simply nodded back.

  "You still don't trust me." Drake said bluntly, crossing his arms.

  Emma blinked and looked away from his gaze. "Drake... it's not because I don't trust you -"

  "You don't." Drake interrupted her, "But I can see why though."

  Emma looked back at him, looking unsure. "You do?"

  "Yeah." Drake shrugged, hesitating for a minute. "I mean, the last time I was nice to you, we ended up banging each other so hard. But then I treated you like shit afterwards."

  Well maybe it's because he never physically told her what he really feels now. It's not like she's psychic, able to read his damn mind. He needs to just grow some man balls and just simply tell her.

  Emma blushed at his words and looked away from his gaze. Wow, isn't he just blunt? Yes, they did indeed just 'bang each other' as he politely put it.

  "Well, look at the bright side." She said, after a few awkward silences.

  Drake frowned, "And why should I?"

  Seriously, he was a dick to her the last time he was "nice". It's no wonder she had a hard time trusting him. So what's the bright side she's bull shitting to him now?

  "Aidan wouldn't be here if that night didn't happen." Emma said, surprising him, "And I really do love Aidan."

  "I love Aidan too." Drake immediately agreed.

  Fuck his pride.

  She continued to stare, not knowing what to say. Wow then... finally Drake admits to her that he actually loves her - their son.

  "I know." Emma shrugged, trying to look blasé even though she can feel herself feeling proud towards this new attitude Drake is showing. "And I'm glad."

  Drake was starting to feel uncomfortable with the way Emma was looking at him.

  He was so used to her icy glares and snarls, yet now that she's finally showing him some rare kindness towards him, he feels slightly strange.

  "So one date?" Drake asked again, trying to lighten the mood.

  However, Emma rolled her eyes. "Shut up. Don't push it."

  Though a small lingering of a smile is still on her face.

  "Well, do you want to go for a walk still or go to a different restaurant to eat? I did kind of ruin our meal back there." Drake asked with a chuckle, shoving his hands inside his pockets.

  Emma chuckled back; looking down at the ground and tucking lose strings of hair behind her ear. "Actually, I kind of told my friends that I would meet up with them after. Next thing you know, I might get a call from Tom constantly asking me where I am."

  Drake's expression turned dark. "You and Tommy, huh?"

  Emma blinked at his sudden change. What the heck is his problem now? "It's Tom, Drake. Never Tommy. You remember him, right?"

  Oh Emma, how could he not remember him? That idiot she calls 'best friend' was the dick who stole her from him when they were in high school.

  Back in high school, when he and Emma used to date, he remembered being slightly jealous of that tall friend of hers. Why should he, when he was obviously the most well-known and good-looking man in school?

  Well, to himself he was anyway.

  Emma was always there to put him down whenever his head got too big. Why is she even friends with that idiot anyway? Jason and that Jenna girl, he can see why. Those two seem alright in his book.

  But for some reason, he never liked that Tommy guy... And no, it was not because he was always so close with his girlfriend at the time! But because her so-called best friend was such a damn motherfucking fake ass -

  "Drake!" Emma shouted, trying to gain his attention by breaking his thoughts. "You keep spacing out."

  Drake shook his head, clearing his thoughts. He then looked down at her and grinned wolfishly. "Damn, I love it when you shout my name."

  Emma gawked at him for a long minute before poking him in the chest, cursing him with colorful words that inwardly made him proud.

  Ugh, goodness... was he going soft towards his ex?

  "Forget your friends," Including Tommy, thought Drake. "And chill with me some more."

  Emma scoffed, shaking her head. "I think it's time for us to go home now, Drake. It's getting late and I'm really tired now."

  Drake frowned and lifted his wrist to glance at his watch. "What the hell, Emma, it's only eight o'clock. Let's have dinner."

  She tsked, rolling her eyes. "We had a late lunch and now you're hungry for dinner still?"

  "Well it's not like we had a proper meal." Drake muttered dryly, crossing his arms. "The wine ended up all over me instead in my taste buds, thanks to you."

  Emma raised an eyebrow and then smirked, looking satisfied. "Well you did deserve it."

  Honestly, calling their son a bastard again by accident? Prick.

  As if he was reading her thoughts, he took a step closer to her, ignoring the way she took a small step back, looking startled. He lifted his hand and took the back of his forefinger, gently caressing the lower part of her cheek.

  It was so tender and intimate; Emma fought the urge to look away.

  "What are you doing, Drake?" She murmured, swallowing hard as she stared back at him.

  Drake, as if just realizing his tender gesture, dropped his hand, and took a step back. Whatever quiet spell between them is broken.

  "I uh... Nothing." He cleared his throat, trying to keep his voice neutral. "I'm not leaving Aidan." He said, reassuring her about his intentions.

  Emma understood. "I know."

  Well he's not going to leave her either, but she doesn't need to know that now, right?

  Drake only nodded back and sighed, shoving his hands inside his pockets again. "Well. I know we came directly from work before we ate, so would you like a ride back?"

  "That would be lovely." Emma smiled politely, as they both headed back to the restaurant where Drake's car was waiting.

  "I'll drop you off at your car since it's still back at work, right?" Drake asked, asking stupid questions only because he doesn't know what els
e to say.

  Emma, trying to lighten the mood, rolled her eyes. "Common sense, Drake. Obviously I drove to work. But you, being the gentleman you think you were being, insisted we only use one car. So you drove us to the restaurant, leaving my car back at work."

  "Don't get all lippy with me." Drake shot back, though he was smirking.

  "I was not being lippy." Emma scoffed, her strides trying to keep up with his. Curse being short, it's so ridiculous.

  "Yes you were. Besides," He quickly glanced at her and shot a sneer, "I can think of other ways you can use your lips for."

  Emma abruptly stopped, and glared at him. "You stupid -"

  "Don't get your knickers in a twist." Drake laughed, gently taking her arm and pulling her along. "I was just joking."

  She made a distrusting sound and snatched her hand away from his grip, muttering words under her breath.

  The whole time Drake kept glancing at her, looking so full of himself. "Oh you're so funny, Emma. I can't wait for our date."

  "As if there's going to be one!" Emma snapped, wanting to smack the arrogance off his face.

  Oh there will be, Drake will make it happen.

  While they were having their usual banter, they arrived at their destination. Turning off his ignition, he turned to Emma and sighed. "Good night, Emma."

  She opened his car door and hopped off, bending down to shoot him a smile back. "Good night, Drake. Thank you for the late lunch."

  After she closed his door, she noticed how he didn't leave automatically.

  "You can leave, you know." She said, looking for her keys inside her bag.

  However, Drake only shook his head, watching her and everywhere around her. As if he was thinking that any minute someone would have come and grabbed her.

  Hmmm, so now he's trying to act like the perfect gentleman, is he?

  Once she found her key and opened her door, she slid right in, safely inside her vehicle, and given Drake a good-bye wave.

  Drake nodded back and turned his car on again. But before leaving, he quickly shot Emma a wink and finally drove away.

  Emma snorted to herself.

  She knows what he's doing. He's trying to win her over, isn't he? She has no idea what his intentions are, other than Aidan.

  Drake can totally be with Aidan, she's not against it anymore.

  She knows he can be a good father to him. So why is he trying to get closer to her also? He may have won Aidan's affections and her reluctant trust with their son, but when it comes to something irrelevant like dating?

  Please. Emma thought to herself. Never again.

  Speaking of dating, she needs to give Rich a call.

  But there are other people she wanted to call also. These past few days, she had been thinking in the back of her mind, to call them. But she hasn't heard from them in ages, so how weird would it be if she starts calling them tonight?

  But for some reason, she just has this sudden urge to just give them a random call. After all, at times like these, she needs a bit of advice... Even, if it's coming from them.

  She's not even sure if the number is still the same, but hey... it was worth a shot.

  So after inwardly debating with herself for what seemed like an hour later, she went to a liquor store. After purchasing a calling card for international calls, she immediately drove home where she first checked up on Aidan, and then finally settled in on her bedroom.

  Reaching for her landline, she stared at the calling card, contemplating if this was even a good idea or not. She bit her bottom lip, unsure of what to do.

  Maybe they're busy?

  Maybe they don't even remember her?

  Fuck, maybe the number doesn't even work anymore!

  Groaning, Emma tossed the calling card on top of her bedside table, and roughly lay down. Why is she doing this anyway... what's the point.

  Knock! Knock! Knock!

  Emma frowned, sitting up. She hesitated for a minute, but stood up when she heard the doorbell chime.

  She already bid Drake farewell... After checking up on Aidan, she told her friends that she wanted to stay home instead of going out with them, so who else could it be?

  Knock! Knock!

  "I'm coming!'' Emma snapped, feeling annoyed as she rushed downstairs. Once her hand reached for the door handle, she twisted the knob, and threw the door open.

  Drake had his fist in a ball, lifting it as if he was about to knock. When he saw Emma already opened the door, he quickly dropped his hand and smirked.

  "About time you answered the door." He scoffed, shoving his hands inside his pockets. "Long time no see!"

  "What the hell are you doing here?" Emma growled, stepping outside to glance around him. "I thought I told you I was tired?"

  "You told me you were meeting your friends." Drake snapped, giving her a pointed look. "So imagine my surprise when I saw them at the theatres, without you. I figured you bailed on them, which I would have done too, and came home. I wanted to see if you were okay."

  Emma gave an impatient sigh, "idiot, why wouldn't I be okay? I'm just tired."

  And he's ruining her plans!

  "So," Drake made an exaggerated tone, "Are you going to let me in or what?"

  No, Emma voiced in her thoughts. But she took a step back and opened the door wider, letting Drake inside her house.

  .

  .

  .

  "So what are you doing?" Drake asked, awkwardly standing by the side as he watched Emma close the door.

  "What do you want?" Emma fired back, tired.

  Wow, not one for a conversation. Drake heavily sighed.

  "I kind of wanted to see Aidan." He admitted, shrugging. "Is it wrong of me? I feel like I haven't seen him in ages. Kind of miss the little bugger."

  Emma glared at him, "Don't call him names. Just because that term isn't that well-known here in the states, doesn't mean I don't know what it actually means."

  Drake raised an eyebrow, lifting his hands to show he meant no harm. "Sensitive, are you?"

  She ignored him and went upstairs. "Follow me, then. I have to see if Aidan needs a diaper change. He's been asleep this entire time, so don't make any noise."

  Drake merely nodded, excitement brewing inside his chest. Finally, he gets to see his son again!

  When they reached Emma's bedroom door, he just couldn't resist adding slyly, "My, my, my, Emma. You naughty girl, I know that you want to have sex with me, but please. Let's do this the decent way, and let me take you out on a date first."

  Emma whipped her head around, giving him an insulted furious look.

  It's a good thing that Aidan is just a few feet away from them; otherwise she would have seriously punched him the face by now, for his crude humor.

  "Calm down." Drake snickered, shaking his head. "I'm only joking."

  "Just shut up." Emma hissed quietly, nodding towards the door. "Aidan is probably still asleep, so be quiet."

  Drake rolled his eyes.

  This infuriating woman... she already told him that. Besides, it's not like they were making any noise going up the stairs. She needs to relax a bit.

  Once Emma was sure he would keep his obnoxious mouth shut, she turned back around and gently pushed the door open.

  Huh, guess Aidan's not asleep after all, much to Drake's delight.

  Emma heavily sighed, but smiled. Rushing over to the crib, she bent down and gently scooped up the very much awake baby.

  "I thought you were asleep," Emma cooed, giving Aidan a kiss on the cheek. "Did mommy wake you up? I'm sorry, sweetie."

  Aidan simply yawned, placing his head on the crook of her neck. His eyes began wandering around the room, until those curious glances landed on Drake, who stayed just outside the room.

  Emma shifted her body, so she can see Drake and frowned, "Didn't you say the reason why you came over was to see him?"

  Drake nodded. After taking his shoes off, he took a step inside her bedroom and lifted his arms up.

  Aidan,
as if sensing who just walked in, lifted his head up.

  When he saw the invitation in Drake's arms, he shifted his body weight, and leaned towards his dad. Emma held on to Aidan tightly, waiting until Drake's hands grasped under Aidan's arms.

  Once she was sure that Drake got a firm grip on their son, she gently let him go and watched as father and son reunited again.

  She's not going to lie to herself; she's still cautious of Drake being around Aidan, but she knows that he's doing well.

  What can one expect? She's can't just easily forgive someone; especially Drake. But she's giving him a chance since she knows that this time, he actually cares about their son.

  She knows he's trying. So far, he hasn't done anything to go back to his old 'ways', and hasn't done anything to betray her trust.

  She's hoping he doesn't break it, because she could see how much Aidan is taking a liking to Drake.

  Aidan stared at him, lifting his finger and placing in on Drake's chin. Drake chuckled, causing his son to look at him.

  "It's been a while, munchkin." Drake grinned, giving his son a gentle squeeze.

  Aidan only blinked and let out a squeal, his hands swinging and accidentally smacking Drake on the side of his face.

  Emma let out a laugh, clearly amused.

  "Careful," she warned Drake, "Aidan's a hyper child."

  Drake chuckled back. While holding Aidan on one arm, he lifted his other arm and gently pinched Aidan's cheek.

  Aidan leaned back, letting out a sound.

  "He doesn't like that," Emma said, rolling her eyes as she continued to watch their interaction. "Jenna would always do that and he hates it."

  Drake playfully pouted, causing Aidan's attention.

  Aidan grinned toothlessly and lifted his own tiny fingers up to his father's lips. Drake continued to pout, making Aidan's forefinger dig into Drake's bottom lip.

  "Ouch." Drake laughed, gently taking Aidan's hand away. "That irritates my lip, Aidan."

  "Well you pinched his cheek." Emma shrugged, though she was also smiling.

  After a few minutes of continuing to watch Aidan and Drake interacting with each other, Emma was reminded with what she had planned to do earlier before Drake showed up.

  "You both okay here?" Emma asked, heading towards the door.

  Drake was in the middle of tickling a squealing Aidan, when glanced at her.