C9 He stole my Innocence

*AT THE RESTAURANT, THIRTY MINUTES LATER*

Ethan's car pulled up in front of the restaurant....

He looked over at Emma whose fingers are interlaced with each other on her laps.

"Emma" he called, but she seemed to be so lost, so he placed his palm on her interlaced fingers.

She faced him slowly...

"Are you ok?" He asked, and she looked out the window to see they'd arrived at their destination.

"Already?" she muttered, coming down from the car.

She started going in without another word, but he held her back.

"Are you mad at me for what happened earlier? I'm so sorry I didn't mean to….

“No, it's fine. I'm not thinking about it anymore”...she smiled a fake smile, and he smiled back, then they entered the restaurant together.

The vibes between the two flew off like the wind had blown it away. They walked towards a table close to the glass wall, then Ethan pulled out the chair for Emma to sit. He ordered some cool cocktails and fries.

There was a moment of quietness between them, until Ethan broke the silence.

“You don't seem to be okay princess, I'm sorry for crossing the line and…..

“I said that's not the matter. I”…she paused.

Ethan looked at her with an expression of someone expecting to hear more.

“Okay? You what? Common mama say something” he told her.

“It's complicated, not something I can say tho plus….

“Not something you can say? To me? Or just anybody? I've always wanted to have a deep convo with you so, whatever it is, I want to hear it.” He told her again.

“Ethan, uhm… I'm pre.. preg… pregnant for someone else”…she stammered.

Everywhere became silent again. The waiter brought their order and placed them on the table respectively. None of them had the appetite at the moment. Ethan was both confused and shocked to the bone marrow. To him, Emma has never seen any man or maybe, let's say she's single.

What question does he even want to ask her?

“For who?” He finally asked.

“It was an accident. I went to a party with my colleague and it happened” she answered.

“An accident? Was it a rape or something?” He asked in further confusion.

They had a long and deep convo. They're both adults anyway, and they understood that anything could happen. Ethan was just lost in his thoughts.

They stepped out after having just a glass of cocktail.

“Is not like I'm mad at you or something, I'm just shocked okay? I'll drive you home, I guess you need some rest princess” he said while opening the car's door for her to enter.

Emma didn't utter a word. The atmosphere was becoming more silent. Ethan connected his Bluetooth to the car's speaker and played some hip-hop music to cheer up the atmosphere.

*EMMA'S ESTATE*

Ethan stepped on the brake and they both pushed forward a bit.

“Oh, when did you get here”...Emma asked, waking up from her slight sleep.

“Just now” he answered, coming down to open the door for Emma.

“You don't have to think of anything right now. If there's a problem you should let me know as soon as possible okay??” He said to her.

Emma nodded her head in self disappointment and faked a smile. He hugged her and bedded her goodbye. While he drove off.

It would have been a perfect day for them.

“You did well mama. Besides, even if I don't tell him now, he must still have to find out soon. At Least this is enough to draw our lines” Emma soliloquized, flashing back on the scene they created to themselves in the car.

**Goodnight mama [+a red heart emoji]* a message from Ethan.

She immediately opened the text. Ethan smiled on the other end, seeing how fast the message showed “Read√√”. She didn't reply until she slept off.

*THE NEXT MORNING*

Emma woke up according to her alarm. Hurriedly prepared for work. This is officially her first day at her new working place, so she gave her dress code and scent a 100 rating.

On getting to the company, she used the lift. Walked straight to her new office and made heads turn.

“Is she an intern? Did she just apply to work here without the normal procedures?

Is she an unknown member of the family?...other people in different offices were murmuring.

Her office was already set up. A telephone that is connected to the CEO’s and another one connected to her colleagues.

**Tununu…tununu…one of the telephones rang immediately.

“Miss Emma Armsten?” The voice asked.

“Yes? On the line. How may I help you?” She responded.

**The caller disconnected.

Mr Calistus had called to confirm she's settled at her office in time. He summoned everyone working in the same section as Emma, to make a proper introduction to a new member/colleague.

A new message,**Congratulations once more mama. Call me after work today, would love to meet up….From Ethan**

**A treat? Emma replied

**Well, can say that* he sent back.

*AT THE END OF THE DAY*

She stood at a spot, waving when she saw Ethan's car pulling towards her. She entered the car and they drove off. There was a food tray, juices, and chocolates in the car, the air conditioner was high and the music was high as well. Ethan seemed to be happy.

“You're so in a good mood today? Any good news?” Emma didn't hesitate to ask.

“Of course you! You're the good news! He answered pushing forward towards the steering and falling back on his seat, just vibing to the music.

He placed his right hand on her lap again.

“Congratulations princess” he said and drove straight to the sea downtown. On getting there, he brought down the goodies from the car. They sat and watched the sunset.

“Yuuno, come to think of it, I would love to help you see through this. Okay? Whatever it is you need, I'll take care of it” he told her in a consoling voice.

“You don't have to be this extreme. I can take care of myself. Don't pity me,..

“C'mon now, pity you?! I admire you a lot as the strongest lady I know. What do you mean ‘pity you’? I just want to be there for you.

She hugged him.

He hugged her back and kissed her forehead. “These are for you” he told her, pointing at the food tray and all.