Emily’s POV
“So you’re investigating your own family?” I asked, pretending that I didn’t know. I’m lying on the bed, naked under the sheets. Matt Foster is beside me, playing with my hair.
“Yes,” he breathed out. “I had no choice. You said I should investigate to prove Kelly that she’s wrong, but I’m proving myself wrong, Em. My father was involved in her mom’s death. I’m sure of that.”
I shot an eyebrow up. “You don’t even have a proof.”
“No concrete evidence, but I heard him twice talking to someone about certain documents that could be used as evidence against him.”
“So you believe, your father, a perfect man in your eyes, was a murderer?”
“I don’t know.”
I can see it in his eyes. He’s having a hard time accepting what happened. It breaks his heart discovering how evil his father could be. It was the same heartbreak I felt when I realized my father was involved in some syndicate. I can’t accept it. I can’t accept that the money he used to raise me and give me education was from illegal doings.
“What are you planning? You’ll report him?”
“I have to, Emily. That’s the right thing to do.”
“What about your twin? Will he do the same?”
“He will do the opposite, Emily. He believed in our father so much.”
He insisted on having a relationship. I don’t have feelings for him. Yes, he satisfies me in bed. I like his kisses. I like his touch. I like how he makes me excited whenever we get physical. But is that enough to enter into a relationship with him? I admit I’m afraid to trust again. I admit, I’ve developed a trauma because of what happened to me in the past. I don’t wanna trust him.
I felt his hand caressing my bare shoulders and suddenly, I didn’t like it. So to avoid his touch, I got off the bed, completely naked and wore my robe. I even grabbed a stick of cigarette and lit it.
“Do you smoke all the time?”
Slowly, I faced him and smirked. “Why? You don’t like women who smoke? It’s okay. Let’s break up.”
His brow shot up as he looked at me. “You think I’ll Let you go because of that stupid reason?”
I scoffed. “Why do you even want to have me as your girlfriend?”
“I already answered your question, Emily. I told you I like you.”
“That’s not enough.”
“That’s enough because I know it will grow more.”
“What?”
He got off the bed and walked around naked. My gaze landed on his buttocks and my brow shot up.
“If you don’t want to believe me, then it’s alright. I just want you to stay with me and try this relationship. You’re bored, anyway. So if you want to ease your boredom, just call me.”
I chuckled. “The last martyr was killed a long time ago, Matt. I don’t think you’ll settle for that.”
He stopped in front of the bathroom door and looked at me. He smirked. “Try me. I’m telling you this feeling is eternal.”
I was left alone and dumbfounded because of what he said. I stared at the closed door of the bathroom and swallowed hard. He’s serious. I don’t know what to do. I never got involved with a man like him. He’s full of surprises. At first, I thought he was just like another man but I was wrong. He’s different. Really different.
I swallowed hard and went out of the bedroom as I dialed Kelly’s number. I bit my nail finger while waiting for her to answer the call. I think she’s still asleep.
[Hello—]
“Kelly!”
I heard noises from the other line. [Are you okay? Did something happen?]
I bit my bottom lip and took a very deep breath. “I just...have a question.”
A long pause from her line made me think if I’m really gonna ask her about this, but in the end, I found myself asking.
“Uh...I think I’m developing feelings for your cousin.”
[Matt?]
“Yes...”
[He’s not evil, Emily. I think you can trust him.]
“But I’m afraid of trying again.”
[Emily, if you already have feelings for him, you can’t run away from it.]
“So...you suggest we make this work?”
[You really are together?]
I sighed and played the carpet with my slippers. “Yes. He’s just...so persistent. He kept on chasing me. Can you even believe that he made a scene in a bar just because I’m avoiding him?”
I heard her chuckle. [I guess this is your great chance in love, Emily. Why don’t you try it? Just like how I grabbed the chance to be happy with Pierce again.]
I bit my bottom lip. “You think he won’t hurt me?”
[I can’t answer that. But if your heart wants it, go for it. Don’t restrain your feelings, Emily. It will only make you feel burdened.]
I swallowed hard again as I slowly nodded. Well, I guess she’s right. There’s no harm in trying, anyway. And happiness always comes with risk and sacrifices. I guess I should give this a chance and see if it will work. If not, I’ll immediately cut my connections with him. But if it did work...then I won’t let him go either.