Hot Coffee (The Hollens Book 1)

France

Ethan's POV

I had been calling Emma for hours and kept reaching her voicemail, and Halley's too. When I got back they would be grilled. I also wanted to know what the results of the pregnancy test. Would I be a dad or would I have to make a better effort?

I couldn't concentrate on the meeting being held in front of me; I kept thinking about Emma.

"Sir, does that mean that the demands have been met?" Linda shooed my floating thoughts away.

I raked my fingers through my hair and heaved a sigh. Linda looked at me.

"Sir, are you alright?" she asked with a small smile to show she wasn't making a scene.

"I'm fine," I answered and flipped through the proposals in front of me.

I headed back to my hotel room, after the meeting, and called Emma again but got the same results. Voicemail. I called Halley and I got her voicemail too. Where were they and what were they doing? Something was wrong. Emma wouldn't ignore my calls like that and she wouldn't take so long to return them. She loved her new phone.

I called Luis.

"Yes sir?"

"Luis, I'm trying to get a hold of Emma or Halley. Where are they?"

"Sir, I don't have that information. I'm currently with my wife and kids."

"Oh, right. I'll try calling Anton." 

I ended the call and tried Anton who should have been at the grounds presently. His phone went to voicemail as well.

Damn it! When I get back, I'm going to kick some asses all over the place.

I laid on the bed and stared at the ceiling fan. I didn't want to work myself up over nothing. Emma would call me when she could; I knew she would.

A knock came at my door. I opened it and Linda walked in.

"Hey, how about you get up and join me in a friendly dinner?" she suggested with a smile.

I returned her smile and grabbed my wallet. We headed down for dinner in one of the hotel's restaurants. Linda always knew how to cheer me up and keep me laughing. She was a really great employee and friend. I couldn't imagine Hollen Tower without her. She had been there since the beginning and believed in me when no one else did. She had my utmost respect.

We were in the middle of a conversation over dinner when my phone buzzed with a text from Halley.

Hello Mr. Hollen. Hope you're enjoying your business trip. You've been trying to reach Emma but she's asleep and exhausted. I'll have her call you back when she wakes up. Hope you're not worrying too much, she's fine. I'm taking good care of her. Bye.

Well the message made me relax. Emma had been sick and sounded exhausted. She did needed to rest, and I needed to stop worrying. She was a big girl and she could take care of herself, and Halley was there with her. But why was I having a gut feeling that something was definitely wrong? I wished she was the one who texted or at least call me back. Had I really hurt her that badly by leaving? 

I'll be back soon, baby. Just four more days and I'll be there.

"Are you enjoying the food?" Linda cut my thoughts again.

I looked down at the untouched dessert plate in front of me. "Yeah. France always has the best wine and cuisine."

"Ever wonder why they're hardly sick and have low rates of heart disease?"

"Not really."

"Well, it's because of all the wine they consume."

"Really, or are you just assuming?"

"Yes, really." I watched as the glass of wine went up to her lips. 

She reminded me of when Emma drank her first glass of wine and got drunk. The poor girl couldn't even stand up at the auction. I smiled to myself at the memory.

"Ethan," Linda cut in and I was starting to get annoyed with her. Why couldn't she just leave me alone with my thoughts and my feelings?

"Huh?"

"Did you hear what I asked?"

"When?"

"Just forget about it." She waved her hand in dismissal and got up and left. 

I felt bad. She was a friend and I couldn't even focus on having a simple dinner with her. I kept thinking about my fiancee, even though I there was no need to worry because I'd heard from Halley. I hurried and paid the bill then got up and went to apologize to her. 

I found her in her hotel room. I knocked on the door and she opened it slightly.

"I'm sorry. I'm just worried about back home," I apologized.

She opened the door and ushered me inside. "I know you're homesick but you need to focus on this business deal." She sat down next to me on the chair and began to rub my shoulders.

"I'm worried about my fiancee. She hasn't returned my calls."

"Well, maybe she's happy you're out of the house and decided to throw a party."

"Ha ha, very funny."

We stayed in and watched a movie together then I called it a night and went back to my room. I was restless again and kept calling Emma. Voicemail, voicemail, voicemail.

Emma must be related to bears because she has to be hibernating. Who could sleep for so long? I don't think I can make it for four days without hearing from her. 

Her voice put me at ease and at peace with myself. She was my everything. I really hoped nothing was wrong with her.

I took a steaming shower then laid in bed, looking at pictures I'd taken of her without her knowing. I laughed when I came across one where she had just gotten up from bed, her hair all wild and crazy.

My phone rang.

"Sir, we have some bad news!" Anton spoke loudly, his voice panting and scared. 

The pit feeling came rushing back. "What's wrong Anton?"

"Your fiancee."

"What's wrong with my fiancee!" I was already out of bed and on my feet.

"Sir, she's gone,."

What the fuck! Where did she go?

"What do you mean gone? Where is she?"

"Sir, your mother and your ex-fiancee took her."

They had definitely awaken the demons in me. I sourced my private jet to leave France that night. No meetings, proposals, money or colleagues were more important than Emma. I would have heads for this!