“We’ll talk about it later,” I murmured, before stepping back into the view of my family. “Sorry,” I announced, smiling.
Blake began to make sloppy kissing noises and motions, but stopped once Sienna threw a napkin at his face. I briefly looked back at Adrian, who was already glaring at me, before my gaze made its way down to my feet. This was going to be one hell of a secret to cover up.
Chapter Twenty-three
I managed to keep the truth from Adrian. I ended up telling him it was an old friend that I didn’t expect to call, which is why I was so shocked, and that I was meeting up with them on Monday during my lunch break. After countlessly reassuring him that it was a girl, Adrian finally let the subject drop.
And now, here I was, waiting for a man I couldn’t stand to be near. I nervously checked my phone again, waiting for Amy to reply to the text message I randomly sent her. I had to know she was okay, and didn’t trust David Walter and his snake-like personality when it came to Amy’s safety.
I looked away from my phone just as David Walter appeared across from my seated position. “Emily.” He nodded, as a smile curled its way onto his lips.
“Mr. Walter. I hope we can make this short. My break ends soon and I need to get back to work. Take a seat.” I tried to stay calm, amd motioned toward the chair that he was standing behind.
His smile grew slowly, as he pulled out his chair. “Emily. I’m sure you know that I’m the one pulling the strings in this situation by now. This lunch ends when I want it to end.” His voice was firm as he called over a waitress in the restaurant.
“What can I get you guys?” she asked cheerfully, oblivious to the tension in between us.
“I’ll just have a glass of water and a caramel doughnut, please.” I smiled tightly. This was going to be my only lunch break for the day, and I couldn’t even stomach anything because of the man sitting across from me.
“I’ll have the chicken wrap,” David muttered, staring at me. The waitress nodded with a smile before turning to leave, and I briefly glanced at my phone again before focusing my attention on David.
“So, why am I here?” I asked while tracing a pattern on the wooden table.
“Well, since you’re so adamant on getting to the point, I’ll tell you. I want you to date me, Emily,” David announced.
I choked on my own salvia just as the words left his mouth, before giving him a look of disbelief. “Are you kidding me?!”
“I don’t ‘kid’, Emily. You’re a very beautiful woman; both physically and emotionally. I would like to have you as my own. I’m sure I can treat you way better than that man whore of yours-”
“Okay, stop right there. Insulting Adrian isn’t going to help you in this already inexplicable request that you have going on right now. I actually like Adrian. A lot. He may not be the perfect guy that has only had two girlfriends in his life and likes to buy me flowers and chocolates. But you know what? I actually like him for the fact that he goes out of his way to make me squirm, or the fact that he gets jealous of a guy that walks past us in the street and briefly looks my way. He may not be like you, Mr. Walter – a deceiving snake that has to blackmail the women he wants just to have a simple lunch with them – but he’s a good guy. One that I will never stop seeing just because you tell me to.” My anger was visibly showing by now. I could feel my face heating up and I was breathing heavily.
David’s expression was a look of pure shock, before he leaned back into his chair and let out a heavy breath. “Well. I didn’t think you were that passionate about your relationship with your boss.”
I glared, not knowing where he was going with this conversation just as the waitress returned with our orders. “Here you go! Enjoy your meals!” She grinned, before walking away.
“I don’t think you understand what I am capable of, Emily. Amy is not the only person I can ruin. How are your parents doing? That little house they’re currently paying off is cute. It’d be a shame if an extra amount of money was put on top of their mortgage for them to pay off. And what about Blake? Such a good looking fellow. I don’t think-”
“I get it. You’re good at making threats. What do you want to achieve out of this?” I snapped with a glare.
“I want you to leave Adrian – just for one night! To go on a date with me.”
“No.” I shook my head instantly, not even bothering to think twice about the request. “You may be a powerful man, Mr. Walter. But I am certain that Adrian is much more powerful than you. One word to him and-”
“And how do you think he’s going to react to the fact that you – most probably, seeing as he actually let you come alone today – lied to him about meeting with me?” David asked, raising an eyebrow smugly.
My next response died in my throat before I could use it, and I frowned and bit my lip at the thought. “I’m sure once I explain to him why I did it, he’ll understand. I was thinking about Amy’s safety. That’s the only reason why I’m here,” I emphasized, glaring at him.
“Yes, yes. Of course he will,” David replied, smiling.
I frowned in confusion at his calm demeanour, just as my phone began vibrating on the table. Adrian’s name blinked back at me in bold letters, and I answered it instantly.
“Shortcake. How are things going with your friend?”
“Not so good. She turned out to be a conniving bitch with nothing better to do with her life other than taunt me.” I looked at David as I spoke those words, before getting out of my seat. “I’m heading back now. Do you need me to do anything for you before I go back to the office?” I asked, before placing a $10 bill on the table.
“So, remind me how this friend of yours looks again?” Adrian spoke up. I frowned at the same time I noticed the fact that the tone of his voice wasn’t his usual, playful one. It was cold, guarded.
I swallowed as my eyes went wide. “She has-”
“David Walter is a she, now? Wow. This is some very interesting news. Even more interesting than the fact that my girlfriend lied to me to meet up with him,” Adrian growled.
“I-”
“What could you possibly say to cover this up, Emily? Get back to the office now. We’ll talk about this then.” Adrian snapped, before the phone call ended.
I looked at the phone helplessly before looking over at David Walter.
“Trouble in paradise? I wonder who would be cruel enough to tell him your location.” David shook his head, before a smug smile appeared on his lips. “Have a great day, Emily. Think about my offer. I’ll be seeing you soon.”