Chapter Sixteen

Emma

While having Chinese, I manage to glance up at Emery once in awhile; just for my own satisfaction. He does not bother with his surroundings as he watches the television, unaware of me staring.

''I didn't know you find me that attractive,''

My eyes widen at his sudden respond before he turns to look at me with a slight smirk on his face. Now, I realise how bad I am for staring because it takes me a whole lot of effort to look away. He's too beautiful. Anyone can see that. Not just me. Everyone.

''Excuse me?'' I furrow my eyebrows, holding the chopsticks in the middle as I pay a closer look.

To my surprise, he leans in a bit further, raising my heartbeat within seconds; which means that my body is reacting like a freaking pussy. I never really fall head over heels for someone this easily. Yes, it might take a few effort and a few moments but with Emery, it glides on smoothly. Is it because we're married?

''You can't fool me, cupcake. I can see you look at me even if you try to hide it away. Truth be told, I would look at me too if I were you,'' He replies, seconds before he leans back in his seat and continue to eat his food. Luckily, he ignores me the entire time and I don't bother to stare at him anymore—afraid if he might catch me again and the embarrassment will just grow bigger. He's cocky. Since when? Just now.

Once I'm done cleaning up, I look at the living room to see that Emery is nowhere to be found so I quickly turn everything off including the lights and only leave the downlight near the front door on, incase there'll be any emergencies.

As I enter my bedroom, I see Emery playing with his phone without even glancing at my direction—probably not realising that I'm here as he continues to type off something on his phone. I do the same, ignoring him before entering the bathroom, brushing my teeth and cleansing my face so that I'll sleep with feeling refreshed and clean.

When I step out of the bathroom, I see Emery laying in the middle of the bed—with his phone up above as he continues to scroll down the screen with his thumb. I furrow my eyebrows at him but I sit near my makeup table, applying toner to my skin before applying my night cream after applying my skin serum; letting my skin heal while I sleep. As soon as the night cream absorbs into my skin, I quickly make my way towards my bed.

''I actually own this bed too,'' I mutter.

Emery glances up at my direction before moving towards his side and he does nothing but play with his phone—I wonder what he's looking at. As soon as I lean over to look, he immediately hides away the screen from my sight, ''Respect other people's privacy. Okay, Emma?'' He looks back at his phone.

''Is it something worth being so secretive?'' I frown, trying to peek but he won't let me. So, with another sigh, I lay back and turn around, letting my back face him. Even if my eyes are closed, I can't stop thinking about him and that he's in the same bed as me. We've been sleeping together since yesterday because well, he doesn't want to sleep on the couch but he doesn't want me to leave the bed, either. Complicated.

After a few minutes, I manage to fall asleep and within seconds, the lights are turned off; only letting me feel the coldness on my skin but the coldness is once replaced with something warm, making me realise that he has covered my body with the comforter before leaning close. When I turn around to face him, I see that he has his hands close to my body yet he doesn't bother closing the distance between us.

Even in the dark and only the light on my makeup table is turned on, I manage to see his features perfectly. The way his eyebrows are nicely shaped, naturally without even any effort of getting them done, how his nose is not even crooked. Not a slight as it defines his face nicely. Other than that, his lips. The way they redden whenever we kiss or the way they moist almost all the time; never once I see them chapped. Let's not forget his jawline, though.

''Sleep,'' He whispers.

My eyes wide as he opens his eyes, droopily. He glances down at my lips after looking deeply into my eyes and surprisingly, he starts to pull me by the waist, leaning in a bit closer. Then, he snuggles with my body—letting me adjust so that the both of us can feel comfortable before he starts to close his eyes.

''If you wanted me to, you could've just asked. I would gladly warm you up, sweetheart.'' He mumbles and I quickly slap him by the arm, causing him to groan and open his eyes once more. ''What was that for?''

''Your expectations are too high,'' I reply.

''Well, a prince can dream.'' He winks so I ignore him by closing my eyes, trying my best to fall asleep. When I open one eye to look, I see him looking back at me, not even breaking the eye contact. ''You know, speaking of expectations, I never expect you.''

''Now, what does that mean?'' I raise an eyebrow.

''I mean, I never expect you to open up so quickly. It's not a bad thing, I like it that we're getting used to each other's presence and sometimes we feel comfortable but I thought you would be a little bit more, uh—''

''—stubborn?'' I lean closer.

''Exactly. I'm not complaining. I'm just saying how things are going on smoothly in a good way. Look, what I'm trying to say is, that I'm awful at attracting people. I don't know how,'' He says.

''You don't have to do anything, seriously.'' I chuckle and he does the same, ''You obviously have that kind of thing, naturally. I, actually don't expect to open up to you quite easily because we barely know each other but I guess, I really want to open up to you.'' I smile.

''Look at us, we're actually having a conversation.''

''About our feelings,'' He assures.

With a smile, I nod my head and he continues to embrace me in a way that would make me feel butterflies in my stomach just because of his touch. It's intoxicating—that's a fact. He's toxic.

The next morning,

I open my eyes to find Emery sleeping soundly as his hand is nicely placed on my waist; not even removing it. Even if we're slightly far from each other—his hand doesn't even show any sign of moving. I smile to myself but as soon as I do, I find him opening his eyes. Oops? I thought.

''Good morning,'' He breathes out, removing his hand and laying on his back before stretching out. I watch his every movement, seeing that he has his eyes closed again for a few seconds before opening them.

''Morning,'' I reply.

Seconds before he can turn towards me, I hear his phone ringing which causes him to sigh and sit up straight before picking up his phone. As he is about to speak, I frown to see him staring at the wall—his face is showing, shock and confusion, ''What?'' He asks.

Then, he quickly stand up on the ground, ''What are you talking about, Evelyn? Don't play with me!'' His voice raising up a little, leaving me shock but I keep quiet; afraid if he might become angrier. ''This is—''

He is cut off with someone saying something on the other line which causes his face to fall. After a few seconds, he ends the call immediately; looking down at the ground with tears appearing in his eyes. I quickly make my way towards him as he grips hard onto his phone—somehow holding back his anger.

''Emery, what's wrong?'' I ask, feeling concern.

''Emery, look at me. What's wrong? Please, tell me what's wrong. Why are you acting his way?'' I cup onto his face but he continues to cry, only avoiding my eyes but as I take a closer look, I see sadness in his brown eyes as they are clouded with tears.

''Emery,'' I lean my forehead against his.

''Father, he's dying.'' I hear him breathe, causing my eyes to open wide before wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him close for an embrace. I may not be good at comforting people but I'll try. I'll try when it comes to Emery because it pains me to see him this way, it causes me sadness too.

Within seconds, he is wrapping his arms around my waist too, only letting himself crash and fall; without holding back his feelings. I know he's not ready to cry in front of me and I know he doesn't want to show his feelings too quickly but the sorrow, it doesn't help.

''We need to get back,'' He whispers.

Then, he looks straight up at my face, into my eyes. I can't seem to look away from his teary eyes and his wet cheeks because I know how he needs me. During moments like this, he needs someone. I'll be that.

''We need to get back,'' He repeats, standing up and quickly taking his suitcase out before throwing every single clothing that he has in it. I stand quite far from him as I watch his every movement which causes him to stop, ''Pack, Emma. We need to go home,''

I do as told.

The flight back to England was arranged in a rush. Emery didn't matter if it would cost trouble to other people who works for him and his family because he wants to go back home, he wants to go back to England. His father dying is affecting him; too much. I know, I'm not in his place to speak.

As soon as we land, we are still jet-lagged but I hold back that thought because I need to be strong for Emery. The whole country was shocked when they heard the news but the royal family hasn't confirmed anything yet, they don't want to rush.

Not just that, Emery and I are also in the news.

For being in New York.

''I'm on my way,'' He says before hanging up the call and looking out the window; leaving me to a peace of my own mind. I eye him from the side, only realising that he doesn't bother to look, this time. All he does is try to control his breaths—little by little.

As we arrive back in England and step out of the car, I see him clenching his jaw. When I take a few steps away from him—it surprises me to find him grabbing onto my forearm, the sparks overflowing my whole body; even though it's not the right time to feel those. He pulls me closer towards him as a sign to stay and not leave.

I thought he needed space.

''Emma, I need you.''