Chapter 3

　　"Because I might actually be a girl, I suppose. But I don't know. They are just getting bigger, I'm worried," I said, breaking our hug.

　　"Hey, that's okay, it's one good step in showing your gender," he laughed and I smacked him hard.

　　"Oh, don't be angry, just let me hug you more!" he winked, earning a kick on his leg.

　　"Last time I checked, your kick didn't hurt that much," he said faking pain.

　　"Well, that's because I learned new moves. Should I try it on your 'where the sun never shines' part?"

　　"No thanks. I think I want to send my kids to school in future and for that, I need to have kids," he said.

　　I smacked his arm playfully and shook my head. We sat silently for a while when he spoke again.

　　"My parents didn't approve of Lara."

　　At this, I looked at him.

　　"Well, for starters, tell her to wear full legal clothes next time. I really think your father wants someone who could walk two steps without showing enough skin!" I said bitterly.

　　"But they can't decide with my love. I love her, Emi."

　　Okay, it hurts a little if announced openly.

　　"Of course, you love her, if you didn't, we wouldn't be having this conversation in the first place!"

　　"What should I do? I really want to marry her. Help me, Emi. My parents listen to you. You're the only one who can convince them," he said, holding my hands and squeezing them softly.

　　I looked down at our interlocked hands and up at him again. There was hope in his eyes. Oh, don't look at me like this! It's difficult. Don't!

　　"Okay, I'll help you!" I cried hysterically, banging my head loudly against the counter, scratching nails on the walls, screaming loudly on the isolated island!

　　In my mind, of course! In reality, I only agreed and gave a small smile.

　　I lazily slumped my head on the coffee table, replaying everything I wished to have with Edward and replaying everything again only to be seen all of it destroyed by me, myself!

　　I think I just won the award of "the biggest loser" as well as "the greatest friend" at the same time.

　　By myself!

　　Ironic, isn't it?

　　_____

　　Emily's POV:

　　We decided to visit Edward's home. I rang the bell and Mr Jones opened the door, a warm smile on his face.

　　"Hello, Mr Jones!"

　　"Oh, my cute girl, it's been a long time since we hung out," he said patting my head.

　　I smiled widely at him.

　　"I graduated and I also got a job offer from the National Tropics hospital. I will join after a month." I said, earning praise from him.

　　"Oh, my two children have already grown up. I can't want anything else than seeing you succeed as much as this world can offer!"

　　Mr Jones always thought of me as the second child of his, a daughter which he never had. He took care of me, even going as far as scolding his own son. I was blessed in some aspect.

　　When my father died, he actually financially supported our family for some time until my mom found a suitable job, thanks to his help. Willows and Jones were always there for each other I guess.

　　Mr Jones invited me inside and offered a drink.

　　"How come our sweet neighbour is here to meet us?! See Elena, how these two have grown up. It wasn't long ago when society committee actually complained about them breaking people's window glasses, taking stray dogs, singing loudly in public or taking late night swims in water," he smiled mildly.

　　We both grinned widely and a wave of nostalgia hit us.

　　"Yes. But I thought I should meet you today. I guess I don't want to lose you now, do I?"

　　Was it too dramatic?

　　Edward shook his head, an attempt to say, "You're hopeless"

　　Now I'm going to destroy my own happiness by myself. Here I go.

　　"Isn't it too silent in the house? How much better it would be to have a daughter-in-law and very cheerful one at that! Not to mention, having charisma like Barbie, when she walks on the floor, it burns like hell and you couldn't get any better after seeing her smile... Oh her lips, When they open, they talk like a waterfall of Nigeria and when her hands touch something, it's done as real, oh her legs are the masterpiece of Indianredwoodtree, and her eyes remind you of those extinct dodos around the world...Oh how much you want someone like that in this house," I said huffing heavily.

　　One-minute silence.

　　All three just gaped at me.

　　And then they burst into a fit of laughter.

　　"Honey if you wanted forest and nature so badly, why didn't you just tell us.? We could have gone to some trip!" Mrs Jones said, wiping tears off her eyes.

　　"If it wasn't for your medical job, I would have thought you were practising some comedy," said Mr Jones.

　　Oh. Just. Kill. Me. Now.

　　Edward pulled me by my arm to the next room, his grip on my arm slightly more rougher and urgent than usual.

　　"What are you doing?!" he whisper-yelled.

　　"Helping you?" I reminded him, in case his human brain hasn't evolved yet but it came out like a question.

　　"But you called Lara dodo and her legs tree and rabbit and her lips waterfall. How is that helping?"

　　"I didn't call her rabbit though! How am I supposed to describe her? I don't know her. You know her. You do it.” I whispered back.

　　"They listen only to you."

　　"But-"

　　"No buts. You said you would help me."

　　"Why-"

　　"Because you are my lucky charm. You know I won all those certificates and matches and trophies because you cheered for me!"

　　I rolled my eyes at his stupid imagination.

　　"Or more like 'I taught you late at night skipping my dinner," I filled in.

　　"Because my biology is weak. You of all people should know that"

　　"Okay fine, I will do it again."

　　"Please...Goddess Emily," he said, winking at me. So much for pleading, I thought.

　　I walked, with him urging me to do my task more precisely. I looked behind, his eyes filled with hope and wrists balled in fists wishing me "fighting".

　　I mouthed ‘I will’.

　　And then Thud!

　　A loud one at that. Since I wasn’t looking forward, I crashed into something. I fell on the carpet, a vase on my head and water seeping into my pants.

　　Oh hell to this ******* plan now!

　　I just fell, in front of my best friend who I had a crush on for like, forever and his parents too!

　　"Honey, sweety, are you okay?" his mother came forward in a hurry.

　　"I'm fine. Couldn't get any better. I just am....kinda felt like exercising," I said moving my arms in circles, smiling in spite of the pain.

　　"So Mr Jones, how would you feel if you had one girl to fill in your family? Wouldn't it be great to have Lara as your daughter-in-law? She is an excellent girl, she knows everything, and she loves Edward. They have been dating for five years already. Isn't it high time to include her in your family?"

　　"But dear, we don't like her. Something is just… off about her,” Mr Jones said, “She doesn't really fit into this family."

　　"Don't worry, she is a cheerful person, she gets into the atmosphere easily. I am sure you will never get bored with her. She is a good company. A perfect one to complete your rich family," I offered, tasting the bitterness in my sentence.

　　Okay, I won't cry... I never will... He wants that. Just because I couldn't get his love doesn't mean he couldn't get his share of love.

　　He deserves everything.

　　And I'll make sure he gets that.

　　"Can she cook?" Mrs Jones asked.

　　Edward looked at me and then shook his head.

　　"Then how can we marry Edward off to someone who doesn't even know how to cook when you know very clearly that he doesn't eat anything except for homemade ones. Weren't you the one who cooked for him when we were outside for business?" Mrs Jones said, clearly agitated.

　　I gulped.

　　"Then I can cook for him like always?" I offered.

　　"Then why can't you marry him? You know him since you two were kids," Mr Jones said.

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