For Emma, it was one of that moment where you keep staring at the person, not sure if what you heard is right?

The candlelight glowed on their faces . . Maximus staring at her as if he will never look away. .and maybe she wanted that too. .

For him to never look away. .

As the thought filtered in her mind , her emotions jumbled up and she tried to step back but his hold around her hand didn't let her budge.

What's wrong with him?

What's wrong with me?, She thought wildly.

His void eyes watched her struggle , trying to break free. But the struggle was half hearted.

His heart hit by a strange desire . .to see her struggling in his hold. .forever and ever.

See her lips pursing, lashes fluttering—looking at him in disbelief for not letting her go.

"I'm gonna die!"

Laura wailed in the background and Emma whipped her neck at her . Seeing her in distress state on the carpet. . moaning. Holding her head.

She glanced back at him.

"Let go! She—she needs help!" Emma stammered , her eyes couldn't withhold his stare. .there was something in them making her breathless. .

Laura gagged.

And his hold softened. . letting her go.

Now that he let her go, she didn't immediately snatched her hand back. .

His hold was loose around her. .and still she didn't pull back. .

Kept looking at him with big brown eyes.

"Don't test my patience." His husky voice electrocuted her and this time she did snatch her hand back.

Rubbing her hand and with a red face, she went towards the drunk girl.

Feeling his gaze burning her back.

××××××××××××

Lying in bed, Emma had shut her eyes.

Reminding herself. .what just happened didn't happen.

It was a spur of a moment. Nothing much.

Then how come she felt it close to her soul? For the first time ever , she heard her heartbeat loudly. Proudly. Not letting her sleep.

The moment hardly lasted for few seconds and yet it felt like eternity. The fact he didn't come for Laura—it was like a reflex reaction when he moved towards her like the wind.

Holding her hand. Cupping it in his larger one. Enveloping it in his warmth—

"Shut up shut up!" She groaned , stuffing her face in the pillow.

He had laura!

He's taken—even if he wasn't . .she still wouldn't think about him in that way.

What the hell was that way?

××××××××××

The next morning she tried to avoid the man who kept lurking in her thoughts. Trespassing as he pleased. Emma had been avoiding him at all cost. Doing as she was told by Diana—setting up the office. Piling the scattered files neatly. Spraying water on the flowers in the vase. .but every footsteps would spike up her heartbeat.

As if her heart expected him to come for her—

She shook her head, placing a hand on her heart. Pressing her hand against her chest, Trying to calm it down. .

Her nerves were so frazzled last night, she went straight to the apartment at in the morning. Getting Laura into bed, she had slipped into the guest room. Bolting the door shut and leaning against it. . breathing hard . .

Why the hell did these strange moments kept happening between them? First the hug and now. . .

Another moment to over think about. .

As soon as the weather settled down, she zoomed past the rooms and went out.

Stepping out of the mansion, an invisible weight had been lifted off of her chest. The pressure on her head had resided. . stepping back.

And now she was zapping around the office , overworking herself . . trying to keep her head occupied while Diana chatted away on her phone.

"I kind of have an idea about your intention." She said slyly." Lets see how how surprise me."

Something was said to her from the other side that made her laugh out loud.

And her eyes had sparkled as she opened her mouth.

"I like your . . .thoughts and I think we should bring it to action,—" Diana stopped as if just noticing her presence.

Emma was trying to be inconspicuous.

Diana put the phone down, covering the speaker with her hand.

"Emma? Darling please be a sweetheart and get me a cup of coffee?"

"Sure." Emma said softly, biting her lower lip to hide her smile. She knew Diana wanted some privacy and today Emma didn't leave her office and her alone even for a moment.

Guess it was time for her to get out of the hole, Emma thought darkly.

Slowly, she stepped out the room. . shutting the door behind her.

And instantly she felt like she had stepped into an uncharted territory. The feeling of anything can happen anytime striking her. . wistfully, she glanced at the door . . .her safe zone.

Knowing well the beast had to be lurking by somewhere. .

Emma asked a working maid for a cup of coffee for Diana and she had immediately rushed to get her order ready. Feeling useless, she walked around the house. . aimlessly.

She had just taken a few steps when she heard the distinct noise—of moaning. . .

Startled, she looked left and right but couldn't find anyone beside her . . slowly... unsurely...she moved towards the door that was slightly ajar. .

Should she look in?

Emma thought wildly, standing rigid. It was Laura's room. What if he was inside—

"Water. .water. ."

She heard the raspy , parched voice and immediately made her mind. Opening the door all the at, she stepped in. .

Taking in the haphazard state Infront of her.

The sheets were dangling from the edge of the bed, heels lying down, makeup scattered on the floor. .and her sitting up on the bed with a bird's nest hair.

Eyes swollen.

Skin dry.

Lips chapped.

"Water. ." She said softly, her voice parched.

She was so out of her head , she didn't notice the sparkling jug full of water on the bedside table.

Emma nodded, diving towards it.

Laura licked her lips seeing the water splashing into the glass. Thirsty, she outstretched her hand as Emma handed her the glass. Greedily, she chugged it down in one go. Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

Emma took the glass from her hand, placing it back.

Sighing in relief, Laura fell back on the comfy pillows . .her eyes on the ceiling . .hands on her stomach. .

"You okay now?" Emma asked gently and her baby blue eyes snapped at her. .a greatful smile on her face.

"Thanks. You save me from the clutches of death. I owe you."

"That's kind of an exaggeration. ." Emma chuckled softly.

"I'm the queen of exaggeration. Say, did Max bring me here?" She asked , her eyes hopeful.

Emma's throat constricted.

No.

"Yes. He brought you here. "

"Awww, that's so rare of him." She sighed. "You know , I wish he wouldn't have this no strings attached relationship with me. He doesn't realize how badly I want to make babies with him." She grinned.

A dark cloud descended on Emma's heart as she heard the no strings attached phrase. And what came out of her mouth was definitely not in her control.

"Well, that makes him one characterless piece of pork!"

The fiery reply surprised the both of them.

Emma got horrified.

Whole Laura burst out laughing, clapping in applause.

"Ah! How I wish Max had heard this!"

The girls continued.

Not realizing a dark figure had been standing by the door, listening to every word that had been uttered.

Walking away with nothing but revenge on his mind.

×××××××××××