C7 To a new beginning.

“You must get rid of it! You must get rid of it! I can't condone such nonsense in my”….

“Nooooo!!!” Emma cut in and rose from her bed, panting heavily. “So it was a dream, God” she placed her hand on her chest looking at the four corners of her room, she was so scared. “Is this what I'm about going through? For how long? For how long??!!!” She screamed.

“The best thing you can do for yourself is to stop having bad thoughts at night, it attracts bad dreams. You're not the first to get pregnant out of wedlock. This is just the beginning” Mrs Armsten said without pity. “You're going to pass out if you continue like this, come to the dining table, your breakfast is getting cold” she stated again.

Walking to the dinning, Emma has been thinking of what to do about her job.

“Take the hangover soup, the toasted bread and omelet is yours too, stop acting like you're confused” her mum said..

“That's not the problem mu….

“There are lots of problems right now, which one is bigger than the other? Which of them do you have in mind at the moment? Her mum asked with sarcasm written all over his face.

“My job!” How do I continue? Do I have to explain this to my boss? This is unlike me for real!..Emma said looking sadder than ever.

“Mr Oliver has to know. You have to write a resignation letter, there should be a tangible reason for your resignation, you're not just a regular worker” Mr Armsten replied.

Emma had her breakfast and prepared to visit the càfe. She wore a different cloth from her work uniform. On getting to the càfe, Mr Oliver was on a call, he signaled Emma to come in. After his call, they had their session of discussion. Although she didn't tell him who was responsible and other details of the incident. But Mr Oliver wasn't too surprised, even though Emma was not the type that flirts. But he expected that one thing must lead to another, so things can change for her.

“So you want to stop working, not just for me, but anybody? You know, I'm concerned about your welfare throughout this time, given the condition at hand, you need to feed well and stay hydrated as well. I have a friend who owns a famous cosmetics company, you should know him. He has always complimented your hard work anytime he visits. And guess what? He's been looking for someone as good as you. If you don't mind, he can offer you a better, not stressful, paying job. Your condition shouldn't be an excuse to stop making finances for yourself. Take your time and think about it Emma. I want the best for you”...Mr Oliver told her while he gently nodded his head, trying to make her feel the comfort in his voice.

Mr Oliver offered to help her secure the job, since it's the owner of the company that wants Emma even more.

“All of a sudden? Did he ask for a favor afterwards? He's being too nice, don't you think so?” Mrs Armsten asked Emma.

“He didn't mention any payback. He just said he wants to see through my welfare, and helping me to bag another office, a good paying job is all he could do for me”..Emma answered.

“So since he said you should think about it, what do you have to say? I don't want you to feel indebted to anyone, that's my point”... Mrs Armsten further explained.

“I'll take it, I can do it. You don't have to worry mum, this is my responsibility to take” Emma answered.

They kept discussing further when Emma's phone began to ring. She picked it up from the seat close to the bed, looking at the screen, Ethan was calling.

“Hi Mister!” She picked.

“Mister? Was that for me? C'mon! Ethan chuckled. Are you up for a hangout tonight?”...he asked.

“Sorry mister, I can't drink now today. I'm…

“I didn't mean to drink, it could be for shopping or something okay?” Ethan cut in immediately, not wanting her to get the wrong idea.

“Are you asking me on a date right now?”....

“Yeah, you can say that. A shopping date won't be bad right?” Ethan asked again.

Emma has never experienced this before. She blushed while she pushed little strands of her hair to the back of her ear. Her face was red. Unlike her, she was already thinking of an outfit that could make heads turn. She was in the delulu world.

“Hello?, still there?” Ethan distracted her from her imagination.

“Uhm, uh..you see, I'm quite…

“I'll see to it,” Emma said without hesitation.

“8pm, I'll pick you up okay “ …They concluded.

ETHAN'S CAR.

*He opened the front passenger’s door for Emma*

She entered, Ethan jammed the door and rushed to the driver's side. He played some high spirits and didn't utter a word.

“Where are we headed to”.. Emma asked.

“Uhmm, let's see,” Ethan replied.

He drove a few kilometers, there's a mall by the left side of the express road and that was their destination.

“Don't worry princess, I'll do that”... Ethan softly said to Emma with his deep manly voice, not letting her open her door herself.

She just stayed put. So things like this actually do happen? She has never experienced such a kind gesture. Ethan hurriedly stepped down and opened the door for Emma. They both walked into the mall.

On the other hand, Iris was packing her stuff for her shift and thought of calling Emma.

“I didn't fully expect this to work out today”...Ethan said.

“Why?” Emma cut in.

“I thought you would be busy at work, or maybe tired and stressed”...Ethan explained while they were strolling and picking stuff from shelves.

“Wouldn't you like this?” He picked up some chocolates and smiled.

For the first time Emma is looking straight into this man's eyes. He has charming eyes, and guess what? He smells so nice too, that is totally a weak point for Emma. A handsome man who smells nice, she's so attracted to cents. She was still for some while, staring at Ethan until he distracted her.

“You don't like them?” He asked.

“Ah, uhm, nah I love them *chuckles* I was meaning to tell you that I didn't go to work today” she tried covering up.

“Eh why?, is there a problem? Ethan asked, adding more chocolates into their shopping basket.

“Nah, just because” she responded.

“Ow, I see”..Ethan nodded.

They had their further conversation and it kept getting dark outside.

“Card or transfer payment sir?” The cashier asked.

Ethan passed his card and paid the bills. He carried the bags as they alles toward his car outside.

“So, of all places, why did you choose this mall?” Emma extended their discussion.

“You don't like it?”.....

Emma's phone rang, Iris interrupted them….