Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 15283 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 76(@200wpm)___ 61(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 15283 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 76(@200wpm)___ 61(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
Maybe this is the day she gives me a chance.
Leaving my bag in the foyer, I enter the large, country-style kitchen. Reggie is finishing his coffee while Emilee sits at the counter. Her long hair is loose and flowing down her back.
“Good morning,” I say.
“Good morning, Sir,” Reggie says. “I’ve prepared some coffee if you’d like.”
“Thank you, Reggie.”
I turn to Emilee, but she’s already at the doorway. I follow her into the foyer, where she’s grabbing her handbag.
“I just want to let you know that I’m—”
She walks out the front door and pulls it hard behind her. The heavy door makes a dull thud.
“…going to be gone for a few days,” I say.
“I’m sorry, Sir,” Reggie says as he grabs the keys to the limo. “If you’d like, I can let her know.”
“No, she’ll figure it out for herself.” I sigh. “And please stop it with the sir already. You’re family.”
“I’m still doing my job, Sir.” He peers out the window, then turns to me. “You suggested I tell you if there’s anything suspicious with her.”
“Yes. I promised her father I would keep her safe. And…”
“And you already care deeply for her. Even if she’s dismissive of you.”
“There’s something there, Reggie. I can’t explain it, but I know she’s the one. Where are you taking her today?”
“That’s what I was going to tell you. She asked for me to simply drive her around. I suspect she’s looking for him.”
“Great,” I grunt.
“Shall I arrange a car to take you to the airport?”
I open the front door in time to see Emilee slide into the back seat of the limo. Why is she looking for him? Can’t she see she means nothing to him while I’m right here waiting for her?
“Thank you, Reggie, but I think I’ll be driving myself. If it’s alright, I might follow you at a distance for a bit. I need to see this for myself.”
“As you wish, Sir.”
After the limo leaves, I head to my car and put my luggage in the trunk. The private road to my home is so long that I know I have plenty of time to be able to follow them.
Reggie heads towards the New York skyline, driving along the Hudson River on the Belt Parkway before taking an exit into Brooklyn. I check the time, but figure I can always take the next flight if I miss mine. This is more important.
I’m keeping a distance, careful not to be seen in case Emilee looks behind her, but still very aware that I’m stalking my wife.
The limo stops in front of Spumoni Gardens, a pizza place. I park a couple of cars behind and wait in my car until she exits hers.
It’s early, and the restaurant isn’t open yet, but people are already waiting at the outdoor tables under the bright blue umbrellas.
Emilee walks up to a man dressed in black with his hair pulled back in a bun. He’s seated at a table with two other men in similar attire. I remember seeing Emilee with one of these men the day we met.
The other two men get up and move to another table as Emilee starts talking to man-bun, who I realize is Dylan. She’s very animated, but I’m far enough away that I can’t hear her talking. I move closer, staying behind her, and stand by a nearby table.
“All you have to do is tell my dad how you feel about me,” she says.
“And why would I do that?” Dylan asks.
“If you do that, then I can get an annulment, and we can get married. He just wants to hear that you love me.”
“But I don’t.”
“But you have to! You do love me. We made love, you called me your baby, and you said you wanted to be with me.”
Dylan laughs. “Yeah, baby. Because that’s what guys do to get some pussy. I thought you would put in the good word with your dad and get me some extra pay. It would’ve been worth putting up with you.”
“Putting up with me?”
“Fuck, you’re such a clingy bitch.”
“But I thought—”
“Don’t you get it? It doesn’t matter what you think,” he scoffs. “All that matters is what I get. Can’t believe I have to spell that out to you.”
“But Dylan…”
She steps closer to him and puts her hand on his arm.
“Get the fuck away from me,” he says.
He slaps her hand, then gives her a push. Emilee stumbles backward, but I catch her.
“Are you okay?” I ask, letting her go.
“Alex?” she whispers, then nods.
I’ve seen enough. I take two steps towards Dylan, with my hand balled up, then punch him on the nose, breaking it. Dylan falls back off the bench. His hands fly to his face and cover his nose as blood begins to gush.
Standing over him, I look down at him, wanting to hurt him even more.