Chapter Four
Emma blew the candles out and gave a tight smile.
The restaurant was buzzing, and a few people even let out a little clap and a shout out just for her.
Emma certainly did not feel like celebrating.
Her mom, Lydia and father,George were smiling happily at her, and even Ella had made an appearance having flown out from Massachussets to be here.
"Thanks everyone," Emma said, staring at the simple, yet undoubtedly expensive chocolate mud cake.
"You're welcome baby. We just hope that your new job will be exciting and give you the happiness you so deserve." Lydia said.
"Mom, she's working at a club. It's nothing life changing." Ella laughed, downplaying it as much as she knew how.
"It's not just any club, darling. It's The Harbour Room." Lydia retorted.
Ella raised an immaculately waxed eyebrow. "Oh really? Well then, you'll be rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous, no doubt." Her hazel eyes sparkled with sarcasm. She could not have cared less.
Ella had lost hope for Emma ever doing something with her life and was resigned to it. Emma knew now that her sister was in Harvard following in her father's footsteps, she was looking right down her nose at her. Growing up had changed her immensely, and so had the relocation to both New York and then college.
Emma shrugged and took the slice of cake her mom had cut for her. "I really don't care what you think, Ella."
Ella snorted and refused the cake. "I'm watching my figure."
"Ella I wish you woud be more polite for your sister. Your behaviour is quite appalling," George spoke up.
Ella looked away, embarrassed. "She knows I'm kidding,"
Do I? Emma felt like saying. She knew certainly well she was not kidding.
George, cleared his throat and reached into his pocket. His phone was buzzing. "Excuse me a moment."
"Yes, if you girls will excuse me also, I need to take a trip to the ladies room," Lydia rose out ever so elegantly from her chair and walked off, her blonde ringlets swaying perfectly.
Emma was left face to face with Ella. An uncomfortable silence broke out between them, and Emma was genuinely sorry for that. Back home in Bainbridge they had been so close. People had often mistaken them for twins, as they not only had the same features but were also the same height.Yet now since Ella moved away and Emma had gotten emotionally stuck somewhere between Ohio and New York, the distance between them was huge.
Emma folded and unfolded her napkin, fidgeting restlessly. She wanted to go home.
"When are you going to wake up to yourself Emma? This depressed bum act your doing is wearing thin," Ella broke the silence in no time.
Emma continued to stare at the napkin. "Shut up, Ella. You don't know a thing about my life,"
"Ha! What's to know? It's the same bullshit that's been going on since you got here. You hate it and your waiting for Adam to come and pick up the pieces. As if."
Emma pushed back the tears in her eyes. The last thing she wanted to show her sister was her that she was getting to her. She remained silent.
"Adam is long gone, Emma. He isn't coming to find you. Even if he did come back, who do you think he would be now after all this time? The same sixteen year old troublemaker he used to be? No, now he would probably be a twenty one year old troublemaker caught up in who knows what."
"Just leave it alone, Ella." Emma's voice was hoarse with unshed tears.
"Go find him then, if it's what you really want. If this is what you need to pull your finger out of your ass and get a life then go. What are you waiting for?"
"I can't afford to go back to Ohio,"
"Hit dad up for some cash and get out of here. The sooner you sort your shit out the better," Ella took a sip of her water. "Or are you just afraid of what you will find?"
Emma swallowed past the lump in her throat. "Adam isn't there anymore,"
Ella's eyes grew wide. " So where is he?"
"I have no idea. He left shortly after us. No-one has seen or heard from him since,"
"Time to get your act together Emma. You can't do this to yourself. You have no friends, no life, you don't even have a good relationship with mom and dad. It's time to let Adam go. There are so many guys out there, better guys. Go find one. For goodness sake, Emma, you don't even know where he is. Stop chasing a dream,"
Lydia returned to the table. She had retouched her make up and looked as elegant as always. Who would have known she ever came from such a small town? She fit the bill here perfect. As did all of them. Except Emma.
"I have to go," Emma stood up. "I 'm working tomorrow and I want to be fresh for my first day,"
"Of course honey. Here," Lydia said, cutting a huge chunk of cake and putting it next to her untouched slice. "Take this. You and your room mate can share it,"
"Her name is Abby mom. Thanks." Emma took the plate. She gave her father a brief smile and wave and walked out into the New York heat, heading home.
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Emma's black slacks and white shirt were freshly pressed and ready to go. With her blonde hair in a tight bun and a touch of eyeliner around her blue eyes, she took one last look in the mirror. It would have to do.
The bus ride was short, only a few stops before she got off and walked to the Harbour Room.
New York Harbour was really quiet stunning. The beautiful blue water and boats all around really caught your eye. Huge buildings and towering skyscrapers on the forefront made it visually stunning. The Harbour Room was located right on the harbour, with beautiful views.
Emma's heart was pounding as she walked inside, at exactly three o'clock. With Seth nowhere in sight she walked up to the bar where staff were drying glasses and restocking the shelves.
"Hi, " She said, to no one in particular.
A tall brunette who was drying glasses looked up at her, unimpressed. "Yes?" Her brown eyes were condescending, very unfriendly.
"I'm Emma Black. I start here today,"
Setting down her glass, the brunette leaned across the bar. "Today is your first day? Says who?"
"Say's Mr Dean." Seth's voice suddenly came into play and Emma turned her head to find him standing beside her. He gave her a smile. "Hey, Emma."
"Bennett told her to start today? His father's function is on tonight, why is he putting her on that? Not even Gemma gets to work that," Brunette looked very put out.
"Oh, Elise, how am I suppose to know? I do what I'm told and that's that. I don't go questioning Mr Dean's decisions. I like working here. If you know better, you better be addressing him as Mr Dean tonight and not Bennett," Seth replied.
"He likes it when I call him Bennett," Elise said, winking. "Especially in bed."
"Oh girl, don't you just wish," Seth laughed, and took off.
The club had been transformed into an even more sophisticated version of itself. Ten tables dressed formally in white tablecloths and linen covered chairs took pride and place. The floral centrepieces alternated with a beautiful candle pieces gave it an understated elegance. Obviously Mrs Dean had helped decorate tonight's event.Seth gave Emma a quick tour of the Harbour Room and she was nothing less than impressed.
Emma stood at the iron gated balcony and looked down at the downstairs area.
"You like?" Seth asked, as he watched Emma take it all in. She nodded.
"It's beautiful. The way it's been set up down there and this-" She pointed to the one side of the building where the glass wall went from top to bottom, showcasing the harbour view.
Seth smiled. "It is nice. When you've worked here for as long as I have, you get used to it,"
"How long have you been here?" Emma asked.
"Going on five years."
"Oh wow," Emma said. Her calculations of him at their first meeting obviously were incorrect. "I thought you were much younger,"
"Really?" Seth grinned. "Thanks. I'm actually twenty three. I was just doing casual odd waiting jobs around here while I was in college, not serving alcohol. When I turned twenty one, Mr Dean gave me a full time job, and quickly made me the manager."
"I'm still surprised he hired me in the first place," Emma said.
"To be honest with you, Mr Dean doesn't usually do anything of that sort. He trusts my judgements. But for some reason when you left, he started asking all kinds of questions about you,"
Emma's interest perked. "About me?" She pointed to her chest, frowning in confusion. "Like what?"
"Like who you were, where you're from, how old you were the usual. Except he doesn't really care to ask that about anyone. Then when he was leaving he told me not to put you on at Tiger Bar and to keep you here instead,"
Emma could hardly believe it. What a chance she was getting.
"He might like you." Seth nudged her and winked.
Emma snickered. "Yeah, right. I'm sure someone as rich and handsome as him can have any girl he wants. I doubt I fit that bill,"
Seth frowned back. "Why not? You're gorgeous, has nobody ever told you that?"
No-one's ever gotten close enough to get the chance. And even so, I wouldn't believe it. Emma thought, before waving him off. "Let's just get back to the job,"
