Chapter 12: "Unknown tension" - "Real Tension"

Emily put down the lunch dishes, all chores complete (today she was very busy at household chores) until afternoon.

Her eyes automatically checked her phone – blank, no calls or messages from Max.

Yesterday's coffee shop promise and evening plans lingered in her mind...

"Max walked me home, kissed me softly, and said – then radio silence since up to now."

Half a day passed without a word – Emily's excitement deflated into mild worry.

She replayed their interactions –"He seemed perfect, genuine... Did I misread his feelings or was he just being polite?"

Emily's fingers drummed softly, awaiting some sign from Max.

Emily decided to Wait till 3 pm – "Give him more time, maybe a busy morning and lunch..."

She busied herself with grandma's garden project – watering plants and pruning flowers.

Time passed slowly as Emily occasionally glanced at her phone... still no updates.

2:55 pm turned to 3:00 pm – Emily leaned against the garden fence, phone in hand.

"No messages, no calls... Max's silence is really puzzling me now."

Just then, Grandma walked into the garden –

"Emily, dear, lost in thought? Everything okay?"

Emily changed the subject – "Grandma, your roses look beautiful! Need help with gardening?"

Grandma's face lit up – "Always welcome help from my favorite gardener! Deadheading needs doing – care to assist?"

Emily nodded enthusiastically, glad for the distraction – "I'll grab the pruning shears. Your roses always smell amazing this time of year..."

As they worked together, Grandma hummed a gentle tune, occasionally chatting about gardening tips.

Emily's mind still wandered to Max, but grandma's presence soothed her concerns slightly.

Just then, Emily's pocket vibrated – her phone!

Emily sneakily glanced at her phone – discreetly pulling it out of her pocket.

She turned her body slightly away from Grandma, trying not to draw attention.

The screen lit up – her heart skipped a beat as she saw the name:"MAX"

Emily's eyes widened slightly as she read the text:"Hey beautiful – crazy busy day, can you today by my house ( Mrs. Jennifer's) up to evening? :-)"

She felt a rush of relief and excitement mixed together.

Grandma remained oblivious, chatting about rose fertilizers...

Emily responded to Max's text – "Yes, okay.

Max replied instantly –"Relieved you still wanted to come :-) Come over to my place around 6 pm?"

Emily's heart skipped a beat – his place, just the two of them...

She typed back – "6 pm works perfectly. Grandma noticed her smiling.

"Everything okay, dear? You look radiant!"

Emily downplayed slightly – "Just hanging out with Max this evening, Grandma – nothing fancy..."

Grandma smiled knowingly –"Hanging out with a cute boy is always fancy in my book – but I'll play along."

She winked at Emily, who giggled and continued getting ready –"Help me set the table for your dinner, Grandma – then I'll start getting ready for... hanging out."

Grandma chuckled and handed Emily plates – "Your grandfather will wonder why you're glowing – should I fill him in or keep secrets too?"

Emily thought for a moment before responding – "Let's fill him another time."

Emily left hopes vaguely – "Just hoping this evening goes smoothly and we have fun – that's all, Grandma."

Grandma smiled warmly –"Smooth and fun evening often lead to wonderful things – be yourself, dear."

She hugged Emily tightly before stepping back to examine her appearance –

"You have plenty of time before 6 pm – want me to style your hair or keep it simple?"

Emily glanced at the clock – 4:45 pm –

"Simple tonight, Grandma – just brush it straight, Max likes it that way..."

Grandma's eyes sparkled with delight –

"He notices your hair styles – this boy's paying attention!"

Emily downplayed again – "He just compliments my hair occasionally – no big deal."

Grandma chuckled knowingly – "Spare me the 'no big deal' face – I see excitement sparkling in your eyes!"

She gently brushed Emily's hair straight, just like she asked – "You're beautiful inside and out – Max would agree even without hair compliments."

As Grandma finished styling, Emily checked the time – "5:15 pm – 45 minutes till I leave for Max's... getting nervous butterflies!"

Grandma handed Emily a light jacket – "Wear this – spring evenings cool down fast. And breathe deeply – nerves mean he's special."

Finally, Emily arrived at Max's house, looking lovely in her outfit and light jacket.

As she walked up the path, the front door swung open – Max flashed a bright smile –

"Right on time, beautiful! Come on in."

Emily's heart skipped a beat as she entered... to find Mrs. Jennifer beaming beside Max –

"Emily dear, so wonderful to see you again! Max invited me over for dinner tonight."

Emily's eyes widened in surprise –

"Mrs. Jennifer – I had no idea you'd be here too! Max didn't mention..."

Pin-drop silence fell over the room – Max and Mrs. Jennifer exchanged a glance.

Neither spoke, leaving Emily wondering if she'd overstepped or uncovered something unexpected.

The silence stretched uncomfortably until Mrs. Jennifer broke it – "Max has something he wants to tell you, Emily. Something important."

Max's eyes locked onto Emily's, his expression serious – "Mrs. Jennifer is right. I need to talk to you about something...

Emily's heart skipped beats as she sensed revelation impending – "What is it, Max? You're scaring me a little..."

Mrs. Jennifer added gently – "Let Max explain, dear. This concerns your relationship... and also mine with Max."

Emily looked at Mrs. Jennifer – "Your tone implies a family secret – am I right?"

Mrs. Jennifer nodded slowly –

"Yes, Emily." Max took a deep breath before speaking – "Emily, Today, out of nowhere, my uncle appeared. I had no idea he existed..."

He paused, collecting thoughts – "He told me he lived with our family when I was little, but was forced to leave for London due to a serious illness. Regular checkups and hospitalizations consumed his life."

Emily's eyes widened as Max continued –

"He said... he never got to say goodbye to my father before he passed away because he was hospitalized at the time. After discharge, he searched everywhere for me..."

Max's voice cracked slightly – "But I wasn't living there – he finally traced me here. Now... he wants me to return with him."

Emily asked gently – "Why does he want you to go back with him, Max?"

Max hesitated before revealing – "His illness is terminal... he needs me to take over our family's business and be with him for his remaining time on behalf of my father which he couldn't see. He has no one else."

Emily responded emotionally – "Oh Max, this is heartbreaking – what are you going to do?!"

Max looked down, struggling to hold back tears – "Honestly, Emily... I don't know. Part of me wants to help my uncle, but another part feels like I'm being torn away from you and everything here."

Mrs. Jennifer stepped forward, gentle – "Max, dear, your uncle's news is overwhelming. Take time to think and uncle also said he is not forcing you to take your time, dear– Emily and I will support your decision either way."

Emily nodded vigorously – but I want to talk to you about something, Mrs. Jennifer if you don't mind can you give us a moment. Mrs. Jennifer nodded and left alone only Max and Emily, there was now full silence in the room, breaking the silence Emily said: Max, I think you should go with your uncle in spite of everything he is your uncle your own family member and like your second dad. He had made every effort to find you only and came here personally to talk to you in spite he knows he had a tragic illness which can rise anytime, he really cares about you. When your dad passed he was not with him and not able to see him and for that he was really sorry for that, but now he wanted you to keep with him so that when he passes away he can see you. And about his business I am absolutely sure that his business is a mess now because no one is there to handle it and uncle with his illness and alone how much can he handle it? So, in my view you should go, but the last decision will be yours and whatever you will take I will support you as told by aunty(Mrs. Jennifer) already before.

I am going now, if you need me or when you have made a decision just call me: Emily said.

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