Chapter 2

Dad, can I have a word with you? Sure, why not?" George answered. I want to go to school outside Maywin for a while! I want to further my education in law, as I've learned a lot about the company, and I want to try something different. Be assured I will be there when you need me, but now I want to discover myself more, and I think going away for a while will be good for me. Whatever will be great for you, we will support you, George said to her. Susan and Ian, having been eavesdropping on the conversation, chimed in. We love you, Emily, and we will do everything in our power to make sure you are safe and happy." The family of four joined in a group hug while Emily sobbed. A month had passed in what felt like a blink of an eye, and Emily was saying goodbye to her family. Felicia came to say her goodbyes to her best friend. She sobbed while clung to Emily, her voice shaking. “I’m so sorry Emi. I should’ve tried harder. I knew what he was like…. but didn’t want to hurt anyone.” As she was feeling guilty about the whole thing. She had warned her about him even though he was family. “Don’t forget to call me when you have a tough day. Let’s talk every single day. I will miss you so much, Emi.” “Me too, Fel”! After what felt like forever she finally pulled away and climbed into the purple Maserati. “What now Ian? She asked. She rolled down the car window, tears still clinging to her cheeks. Fastening her seatbelt. He grinned.”I just wanted….to say take care of yourself. Have fun, make us proud—be proud of yourself too. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Life happens. “ He paused. Handling her a small gift bag, I got you your favorite designer bag …..and something more. Hope you like it.”You’re only twenty-two just live like it.” Emily laughed through her tears. “You’re only saying that so you can steal my room.” “Obviously,” Ian smirked. “I hate you.” “You can have it all,” she whispered. “I love you so much, baby brother.” As Ian teased her one last time, Emily smiled through her tears. Their parents and Felicia watched quietly, tears welling up in their eyes. Susan clung to George, her shoulders shaking softly as she sobbed. As her kids embrace each other. But as the car drove off, her mind drifted elsewhere—to the boy who once held her heart.” As her dad’s driver drove in the direction of the airport, she recalled the time she was ten; Steven was her superhero; he would take care of her when she came to the Jackson’s mansion to have sleepovers with Felicia; he was attentive to her as he was to Felicia and her younger siblings. “At first, Steven was just Felicia’s uncle to her. But that night, something changed. She found herself watching him, admiring the way he carried himself. That was when her innocent admiration turned into something deeper.” She only looked up to him as an older brother as she was the first child of her family not having older siblings to look up to. It was during summer break that she had to practice swimming with Felicia, so she left for the Jacksons only to find out Steven was there too on a summer break. He would usually babysit them, as they were five years younger than them. He was mature and very smart. Emily slipped on the sloppy floor and sprained her ankle, and Steven, being the oldest, quickly carried her for first aid. Her ankle throbbed, As Steven carried her, all her focus was on his face—his sharp features, dark eyes and a smile that made her breath hitch. He is a masterpiece! And that day was when she fell madly in love with him. “That day, Steven had been her hero. But now, he was the source of her pain. The contrast was too much to bear, and before she knew it, tears spilled down her cheeks.” She started asking Felicia about Steven and when he would visit. He was smarter than most—he skipped three grades in junior high.” He went to college at a young age. She told herself she would work hard to get into an Ivy school like Steve did, become smarter, and jump class too. Emily was a bright kid; she wasn’t interested in studying but never got bad grades either. Having heard sounds, Bash, the driver, looked in the rear mirror at the passenger seat to see Emily weeping. “Miss, are you okay? We can go back if you want! Do you want me to stop for water? Anything I can stop by at the nearby convenience store! I can cancel the flight now if you need me! He said worriedly. No, you don’t have to, Mr. Bash. I’m fine, I need some air! “Lost in thought, she stared out the window, trying to suppress the ache in her chest. Just then, her eyes landed on two familiar figures stepping out of a store—Steven and Regina.” “ Her breath caught in her throat. Seeing Steven with Regina felt like a stab to the heart.” It reminded her of the night that everything shattered. Steven and Regina were coming out of a convenience store. Regina was Steven's longtime girlfriend; they met in college. After college, they had to part ways after so many attempts to convince her to come to stay with him in Maywin. She insisted on going back to Beverly Roses, where she had lived before college, which led to their breakup. “Just your luck, Emily! She whispered bitterly. “ Of all days.” It seems like I’m wasting my time and energy on someone who perhaps has long enough forgotten about me.” A honk from the car behind snapped her back to reality. She clenched her fists, forcing herself to look away from the duo. ‘Let it go, Emily,’ she whispered to herself. ” Their arms were looped in each other's, just like the night it all fell apart, everything made sense now. Steven had changed drastically in the past couple of months. She looked at them. Steven was looking in her direction too; in this awkward moment, she recalled the night of their breakup. “Maybe leaving Maywin would help her forget Steven once and for all. But could she erase years of memories? She thought back to the first time she ever saw him differently…”