Chapter 4 - Emily

It's been a week since I started working as Mr. Parker's secretary. Emily here is still teaching me about the other paper works. I've already learned how to properly be in a business meeting with Mr. Parker. I also learned one thing about him.

He doesn't like a clingy secretary.

That's actually not a problem to me. Why would I be clingy around him? He's not my lover anyway.

I stood up to show him his schedule for today. He has two business meetings with a client in Queens. I went inside his office and I saw him leaning on his chair while sleeping. He must have been so tired doing his work last night.

"Sir?" I tried to wake him up. He then opened his eyes.

"I was just going to give you your schedule, sir." I handed him the tablet.

"Call our client if they can make it to our meeting before 11 AM," he said before giving me back the tablet.

"Would you like a cup of coffee, sir?" I asked politely. He stared at me for few seconds before nodding.

I was about to leave when he called me.

"Let Emily do it. I want to talk to her," he said before opening his computer.

"Yes, sir," I responded before getting out of his office.

I went back to our cabin to tell Emily. I offered to make the coffee so she won't be bothered anymore. I walked towards the little room where the coffee maker is located. As I was instructed, I always put only one cube of sugar in his coffee.

I wonder if he hates sweet things.

I went back and I gave the tray to Emily. I sat down as soon as he entered his office. I was curious about what they're going to talk about.

After a few minutes, Emily came back smiling.

"Seems like you had a good talk with him," I teased before fixing the papers.

"I don't know if I should call it a good news or a bad news. But for me, it's more like a good one." She sat down.

"Care to share?" I joked. Me and Emily are quite friends now. She has this good attitude that can make people like her so much.

"He said that this is my last day of work. Tomorrow, I can help my parents pack our things before going back to Texas," she explained.

"Oh, wow. That's great." I didn't know how to react.

"Are you going to be okay here? Don't worry, I won't leave until I finish my work for today." She gave me a smile.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I smiled too. "I hope I'll get used to it."

"Used to what?" She asked.

"You not being around anymore. Everything I know since the day I started working here is all because of you. I hope I won't get stupid without you," I chuckled before putting the folders in the box.

"Liv, don't be too hard on yourself. Besides, I think that the real reason why Mr. Parker allowed me to leave already is because he already sees that you're ready to work with him," she tried to encourage me.

"I just hope that's the real reason why," I answered.

…

"So, this is where I say goodbye?" She gave me a sad smile.

We were fixing our things because our work is done for today. We're still in our cabin.

"Don't give me that look. It seems like we won't see each other anymore," I tried to lighten up the mood.

"Wait, do you wanna have drinks with me?" She suddenly asked.

"No, Emily. I still have work tomorrow, remember?" I said.

We started walking towards the elevator.

"We'll be quick. I promise, I won't let you get drunk." She gave me a look that I can't resist.

"Fine," I sighed and she happily jumped. "Wait, won't you say goodbye to your former boss first?" I remembered that she won't be coming back here tomorrow.

"I don't have to. He doesn't like getting goodbyes from his employees." She pressed the elevator button.

So, Mr. Parker hates goodbyes, huh?

I texted Alice that I won't go home with her for tonight because I'll be hanging out with Emily. She then texted back and she joked about not bringing her with me.

For the past week, I realized something about Emily. She's doesn't have a lot friends inside the office. I assumed that she's very shy to speak with them because I can feel that she's not that talkative. Alice doesn't even talk to her. I forgot to ask why.

We grabbed a taxi and we went into the nearest bar. There wasn't a lot of people there so I think I can handle this. I'm actually not used to drinking in this kind of places. Alice and I never go here but I've heard a lot about this bar. They say they serve the best drinks in here in Brooklyn.

The music wasn't so loud and we can still speak to each other without raising our voices. We sat on the table on the corner before ordering.

"Order everything you want, Liv. It's my treat," she proudly said.

"Thanks," I chuckled. "I'll have a tuna sandwich and an apple juice."

"That's it?" She asked like she was expecting me to order more. "I didn't expect you to be on a diet."

"I'm not." I laughed a bit.

"I'll have a cheeseburger, onion rings and banana shake, please," he said to the waiter.

"Anything else, Ma'am," he asked politely.

"That's all," she replied before giving the menu back.

We ate as soon as the food was served. The sandwich wasn't so bad but it's a bit saucy. After we ate our dinner, we asked the waiter for the menu of their alcoholic drinks. I've never tried these drinks before.

"I suggest you to taste the vodka with orange juice. It's their specialty and it's good for beginners like you," she chuckled to tease me.

"I'll have that." The waiter nodded at me.

"This looks so good." She pointed the drink in the menu. "I'll have a rum with coke."

We waited for few minutes before they served it.

"It tastes so good," I complimented.

"Told you," she proudly said. "This bar doesn't disappoint anyone with their drinks. They're the best."

"I believe you." I smiled. "Anyway, are you excited?" I changed the topic.

"About what?" She asked before taking a sip of her drink.

"About going back to Texas," I said.

"I think so," she simply answered.

"How long has it been since you last saw your hometown?" I asked.

"It's been seven years. I've missed it a lot which is why I'm excited on getting back," she said happily. "By the way, is Alice really your friend?"

I nodded. "Actually, she's my best friend. We live next to each other. Why?"

"Nothing. I just remembered something." She playfully mixed her drink with the straw, trying to avoid getting an eye contact with me.

"Remembered what?" I asked curiously.

"It's nothing. Just forget about it," she said.

"Emily?" She looked up to me. "Is there something wrong between you and Alice?"

I mean, they've known each other for a while now. Alice's boss is Mr. Parker's cousin and it's actually impossible that they don't talk to each other without a reason.

She pressed her lips together. "She accused me of being a gold digger."

"She what?!" My eyes widened.

"I know you'll react like this that's why I-"

"Tell me more," I cut her off.

"She thought I was forcing Mr. Whitmore to date me," she said.

Mr. Whitmore? Zach Whitmore? Alice's boss?

That's ridiculous. Alice would never care about Mr. Whitmore's personal life.

"Do you have an idea why she said that to you? You must've misunderstood her," I tried to defend Alice.

"No, Liv. That was four months ago. She went into my cabin and she almost made a scene. Luckily, the other workers didn't hear us arguing."

I just can't believe it. Me and Alice have been best friends for seven years now. She won't accuse someone without a proof. But I also don't think that Emily is lying to me right now. She's too nice to do that kind of story.

I'm going to talk to Alice tomorrow. I'm curious about what really happened back then. Alice didn't mention anything about Emily before. She must've hated her for a long time now.

"Is it the reason why you're leaving?" I asked just to make sure.

"No," she immediately denied. "No, Liv. I wouldn't leave my job just for that crazy reason. We really planned on going back to start a business."

"I'll talk to Alice about this, I promise. But may I know why she accused you? I mean, she won't just say that without proof, right?" I tried to be nice.

"You don't believe me, don't you?" Her mood changed as she laughed sarcastically. "Well, what can I do? She's your best friend. I'm just a new friend."

I don't feel comfortable with her anymore.. I don't know why.