Chapter Six

The next day, James was preparing to leave the hotel room where he had spent the previous night.

Just like he promised Rosalind, he was about to return home. It was past 7 p.m. and he had phoned Rosalind earlier ahead of his arrival.

As he packed up to leave the room, a call came in. It was a strange number, but his first thought was Emily. He had expected her call earlier and later gave up after a fruitless wait.

He quickly picked up the call, and as expected, Emily's melodic voice came from the phone. “Hi, James." 

“Hey! How're you, Emily? I've been thinking that I should've gotten your contact so I could check on you,” James said and she chuckled.

"Thanks for your care yesterday. It meant a lot to me, honestly speaking.” 

James blushed, his face lit up with a joy that radiated from within, making the room feel warmer just by his presence. 

“Actually, I called to ask if you're free tonight. I'd like us to go to dinner together, you know. At least let me show my appreciation for your effort yesterday. Is that ok with you?” 

She asked, her voice so soothing as she pronounced her words slowly like she was counting them.

“Oh!" James mumbled in a stuttered breath. He rolled his eyes, and his voice choked on the best response to give. He didn't see that coming, and he was almost on his way home. 

When Emily realized that he was struggling not to say something to hurt her, she laughed on the phone.

“It's fine, I understand, James. You're a very nice person. I wish it could work out though. However, have a nice day. And please, take care of yourself. Hopefully, we'll meet again someday, yeah?" She said, and James swallowed hard.

“Yeah… yeah… Sure… I mean, of course!” He stammered.

"Alright, bye,” Emily chipped in, and James responded “bye bye.”

The call hung up, and James threw the phone on the bed. He struck his head on the wall lightly and jumped on the bed grinding his teeth in disgust.

“Damn you, James! Fucking stupid!” he cursed as he beat himself slowly.

He quickly sat upright and fixed his gaze on the wall, searching for answers.

Meanwhile, in Emily's one-bedroom apartment, she lay on her bed. It wasn't as comfy as James's hotel bed. It was a far lower-quality bed, and the interior and design were average.

The house was decorated with pink colors except for the white painted wall. Given the house setting, Emily was a big fan of the pink color. 

She threw her gaze on the ceiling with the thought of James on her mind. She drifted back to the scene of yesterday when he placed his hands on her cheek. A smothering electrifying feeling sent chills through her systems, and she blushed with a smile.

She had developed a sudden feeling for James, but she wasn't sure what to call that. Of course, who falls in love at first encounter?

“Cutie cutie, James,” she mumbled and chuckled at her foolery. Immediately, her phone rang, cutting her short.

She turned around and jumped forth to the phone. As she took the phone, it was James's caller ID on the screen. Her heart melted immediately, and it was like her soul would jump out of her body.

A giddy, childlike enthusiasm shone in her eyes, and she couldn't help but giggle with joy. 

“Hey?" She said as she picked up the call.

James cleared his throat on the phone.

“I was thinking, sorry for declining your dinner proposal earlier. It's just that today has been hectic for me. I'm too occupied but I'd love to go out with you,” he said, and Emily giggled.

"Seriously? Well, that's understandable. We can do it another day when you're less busy,” she said, and James smiled on the phone.

"uhm… I was wondering if you would like to be my date tomorrow. You see, I have this friend, Julius. We're meeting tomorrow and he is coming with his girlfriend. I'm expected to come with mine, but I've got no girl for the time. I don't want to go alone, you know what I mean? So do you think you can, you know, pretend to be my girlfriend or something?" He asked, and Emily chuckled softly.

“Oh my God!" She mumbled amidst a low laughter.

"I mean yeah. Sure, why not? Just text me the time and where we'll meet up. I've got you." She said, and James let out a low smile.

“Thank you. I'll pick you up at your residence tomorrow around 7 p.m.,” he said. 

“Alright, good night!" Emily said, and James retorted.

The call dropped, and Emily glanced at the screen in disbelief. Her eyebrows shot up in a dramatic arch, and she blinked rapidly in sheer amazement.

She clapped her hands together and jumped for joy, an exuberant celebration of happiness.

She quickly left the bed and checked her wardrobe for her best dress, and luckily everything was tidy. She selected and arranged a long red gown on the bed, staring at it with joy all over her. 

She giggled childishly and fell back on the bed. Her gaze fixated on the ceiling, and while thinking about what tomorrow would be like, she dozed off. 

***

Meanwhile, back in the hotel, James had left the room after canceling every plan of going home. He was overjoyed by the development, and he couldn't tell why he developed a sudden likeness for Emily.

With a heart full of joy, he left the hotel room to catch a drink at the bar. 

The whole place was lively, with cool music playing from the DJ's desk. As he sauntered further carelessly, he bumped into a half-drunk couple walking hand in hand.

The lady staggered on her feet, but James caught her to safety. However, her phone fell on the ground and a cracking noise caught everybody's attention.

“What the fuck, asshole?!" The lady yelled, but James quickly picked up the phone with apologies hanging on his lips even though he wasn't entirely at fault for their crash.

As he stood up to hand the broken device to the lady, a quick slap on his left cheek caused him a blurry vision. 

The crowd went wild, and everybody screamed, darting their eyes towards the scene. Laughter of mockery arose, and hearing the voices, James knew they were mocking him. 

“Hit back, dummy! What a fucking asshole! You gon let a whore hit you that hard and you will do nothing? Damn, dude is a freak!” different voices cursed from behind and James felt his rage rising within.

Maybe they were right, maybe he should hit her back, he thought, and as he raised his gaze to catch the lady, he was perplexed. It wasn't any lady, it was Harper Williams, his Ex-wife.

James held his fist folded, his gaze fixated on her. She appeared a bit drunk, but she recognized him. On seeing that it was James, she retreated slowly, her gaze filled with fear as she stared into his bloodlust eyes.