After spending half of the night drafting premium policies and doing other paperwork, Emery's morning wasn't so bright with the lack of sleep.

Two weeks behind that magnificent desk and she couldn't afford to be tardy. The fact that the company did not pay for maternity leave meant working extra hard to save something up for her impending double life.

So whenever the weariness sets in, the love for her little one and the zeal to secure a living for both of them kept her going.

Today was another booked work day and without charge, she was awake five minutes on the dot before her digital clock could do its work.

With quickness, she began her morning routine. This basically goes from stuffing down a bowl of cereal to a series of prenatal morning yoga. After which she would whip up a wholesome sandwich and protein shake for lunch, and clean up around the house.

With all said and done, she would wash up, get dressed and head to the office—by eight forty.

And today was no exception apart from the fact that she was running late by the time she was done with her chores, and yet still couldn't decide on an outfit.

Stood before the floor-length mirror, Emery gave her high waist skirt a once over, her lips twitching back and forth as she contemplated on whether to go with the soft burgundy pleat or go for an office pant.

"As long as you're comfortable down there, Princess, let's begin another interesting day." she grabbed her handbag and headed out of the bedroom.

Locking up her apartment, she took the elevator down and quickly sent Janina a text when she didn't see her roommate's car outside.

Ever since Janina told her who lives in the condo across from their block, Emery had been low-key spying on the similar brownstone building to satisfy her own curiosity.

So habitually, she took a peek at the flat as she walked over to her car, but none of its inhabitants had the semblance of her tall, dark and handsome high school friend.

It's probably someone else.

As a new self-rule, Emery connected her phone to her car's stereo, and sang along every girl power song under the sun while she drove to work. This forbade her mind from lingering and helped to kill boredom whenever there was a traffic jam.

But by the time she got to the office, she was seven minutes late due to the rush hour on such a busy Friday morning.

Under normal circumstances, that would not have been an issue with her supervisor, but her employer on the other hand was a ticking time bomb who doesn't think twice before replacing employees for being tardy.

Luckily for Emery, the usual spot for the almighty Mercedes-Benz was vacant when she pulled into one of the empty lanes in the lot.

Prudential Insure was a novel three-story building with all the generic yet modish office complex any employee would wish for. And with all the amenity comes great expectations.

It was a quick lift to the second floor where Emery co-shares a spacious working area with a cheerful brunette who was an insurance underwrite.

Luck was definitely Emery's portion because when she shambled into the office, her manager had not arrived yet, leaving the ever-smiling Lindsay Moore behind her desk as she munched on her breakfast.

"Madina is really going to throw a fit if she sees you eating in the office," Emery commented blithely.

"Well good morning to you too, Mrs. Dekker." The lady said with a smirk knowing Emery would be the one to throw a fit after the use of her unwelcome title.

But Emery only rolled her eyes. "Good morning, Lindsay."

After the bank incident she encountered months ago, it was no use arguing about her certified name.

Also, having had to deal with implied inquires from superiors and fellow workers alike as to why a married woman wore no wedding ring, Emery had no choice but to slip on the pieces of diamond, and scornfully accept her so-called husband's name without objection.

Setting her handbag beside the swivel chair, she hang her suit jacket on the back of the chair and took her seat.

"Is it just me or Fridays are late days for most of us because the first floor is just as empty as the second," Emery said as she powered on her PC.

"Nah, the marketing team mostly have their briefings on Friday mornings so most of them are probably in the conference room," Lindsay replied and quickly stashed her breakfast away when their manager walked into the office.

Madina Doyle, the actuary manager was the true definition of lady boss. The woman's level of professionalism and sense of humor was an example to be imitated — Emery couldn't have asked for a better supervisor.

"Good morning, ladies." Madina flashed them a smile.

"Morning Mrs. Doyle." Emery and Lindsay said simultaneously.

"Someone looks worn out. Is it the kids or the husband?" Lindsay's playful taunt had Emery shaking her head behind her desktop.

"Not everyone has a kinky bone, Lindsay." The woman threw back lightly, a faint smile lightening her visibly drained features while the girl's chuckled over her reply.

"And the company policy doesn't prevent any worker from using the lunchroom, Ms. Moore... believe me, I don't have the strength to defend you from Douglas." her glasses tipped down her nose as she regarded Lindsay with a knowing look.

"Sorry boss," Lindsay muttered sheepishly.

Madina sighed softly and said, "Alright. Let's be quick and go over the premium draft before Douglas calls for another departmental meeting."

The ladies grabbed their paraphernalia and followed the manager to her office just from across theirs, and for some few minutes, they touched base and brainstormed on the day's activities.

"These are some of the best premium drafts I've seen since my ten years of office, it's profitable yet competitive. Good job ladies and hopefully Douglas will approve of this one." Madina complimented after she had gone over their premium policy plans.

And at the mention of the big boss, Emery and Lindsay sighed audibly.

Emery was yet to find out if her employer had anything against the employees on the second floor because she had never seen the brighter side of Douglas Winston since she started working for his company.

It was either the second floor was too noisy —seeing as it housed mostly chirpy females or it lacked a touch of masculinity, unlike the other departments.

Regardless of the boss's sexist remarks, his employees still manage to have a good laugh when they don't have clients lined up.

"I will go over this with him and get back to you ladies, you can get back to your work."

Thankfully, the day went on with Emery dealing with more paperwork than clients since most of her customers give her sore throat with their incomprehension of company policies.

But with her occasional backache, sitting behind that desk for hours was tiring so when the clock struck five in the evening, Emery was among the multitude who called it a day without further ado.

· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·

"Gosh I want a baby right now, your videos are giving me life." Natalia's voice filled Emery's car as the latter drove through her bustling neighborhood.

"You're definitely welcome to join team supermoms..." Emery chuckled.

"Let's see what your brother has to say about that... I'm now leaving the shop so catch you up later boo."

"Talk to you later, hon. Say hi to Chris for me."

"Sure."

Pulling the Bluetooth headset out of her ear, Emery drove at a snail's pace as she spied the tree-lined street that led to her apartment for a parking space.

"Damn it, someone stole my spot again... and here I was thinking I get off work before most of my neighbors."

As Emery was pondering on what to do, a horn blared from behind her car, startling her.

She rolled her eyes when she spotted a black sports car through her rearview mirror.

"Chill dude we're all hustling for parking space."

Sighting an empty space just a breath away from her usual spot, Emery drove ahead to park there.

The other car zoomed pass hers into a garage under the condo opposite her apartment.

"So what was with the rush when you have a reserved parking space?" Pulling the key from the ignition, Emery grabbed her handbag and stepped down.

A soundless cold breeze swept by and she cussed at the unannounced hike of her skirt. She quickly placed a hand on her swaying dress to cease the wind from showcasing her undergarments.

The sun was below the western horizon so those in sight probably didn't see the brief nature display, but someone definitely heard her swear and did recognize that soft tone.

"Emery?" a sonorous voice called from behind her and Emery veered around at the mention of her name.

And though the streetlight did little to reveal the face of the young man from across the street, that familiar voice could not be forgotten.

Emery squinted to see through the partial darkness just as the man stepped away from his black mustang and walked into the outdoor light.

After all the stretch of years, what Emery felt on instant as she stared back at her childhood friend was indescribable.

"Tony?" she mumbled in disbelief, breaking into a full smile as she met him halfway. "God, I can't believe this."

"Wow, me neither..." the man's voice held an equal expression of surprise as Emery's.

With Anthony Simmons ever charming personality, the air was thick with flattery during their brief exchange of pleasantries, but changed instantly when the young man noticed Emery's baby bump, and sighted the rings adorning her finger.

Emery's heart sank upon seeing his crestfallen look but put on a smile nonetheless and accepted the congratulatory notes.

And irrespective of the awkward feeling which overwhelmed both of them, the joy of seeing the face of a long lost ally was all it took for the two to share a lasting warm hug.

Without hesitation, they swapped contacts and took Anthony's car to the nearest coffee shop to catch up on five years spent apart.

It felt as if Emery was reliving her high school days all over again as she vividly recalled every memory Anthony talked about, and paraphrased all the wonderful times spent together.

But they never touched on her marital status after she made it known that it was complicated.

Once again, an unpleasant heaviness settled over the duo when the conversation stirred to her family. That had indeed been an emotional moment and after Anthony offered his condolences, he did his very best to lighten the mood.

After endless minutes of reminiscing the good old days, the two called it a night. He drove Emery back home and walked her to her apartment.

"I'm sorry we got caught in the moment cause its almost eight. I hope your husband doesn't mind me stealing his wife for a few minutes?" he asked gently.

Not the husband again.

"Don't worry, we don't live together and he certainly wouldn't mind a talk over coffee with a good friend," Emery affirmed.

The deep crease on Anthony's forehead told off the gnawing questions he harbored but he respected Emery enough to stay out of her private matters.

"Well, you have my number so don't hesitate to call if you ever need anything, Em," Anthony said, shoving his hands inside his pants pocket.

"I sure will...goodnight Tony."

He flashed Emery another dazzling smile and said, "Have a wonderful evening, and welcome to the neighborhood once again."

"Thanks." Emery couldn't contain her smile as she watched him saunter back into the Elevator.

She unlocked her door and stepped into the dark apartment, taking in the mild whiff of vanilla fragrance.

Switching on the lights, she kicked off her stiletto and discarded off her suit before going to turn on the flat screen to fill the silence.

"Home sweet home." she grabbed her shed clothes and strode to her bedroom.

"Ugh, I'm definitely skipping the tub."

Regardless of that rant, Emery took a hot oil-scented bath to soothe her aching muscles and relieve her off the stress of the day.

"I'm tired of pretending, Em and I know you're too. I'm not going to lie, it feels good being with you, and I don't know why but I need this closure. I want to give us a chance."

It was all coming back again and Emery could not allow it. "Girl its a no... think about anything but him. Anything but him... Anything."

She tried to talk herself out of that memory lane but his essence was like that of a hunting nightmare whenever the loneliness crept in, and somehow he always finds a way into the fortress guarding her resolve.

Clearly the so-called lawyer had relayed Emery's despiteful message to his client because the days succeeding his visit were filled with tons of explanatory and imploring voice notes from him.

"I know I was blinded by my love for HOPE and I messed up but I love you, Em and if I could go back in time and rectify my mistakes, I would, just to make things right between us..."

"That was a very interesting way of showing your love, Dekker but I wish you had loved me enough to believe me... at least we would have still been together and we wouldn't have lost a child."

Wiping off an escaped tear, she stepped out of the bathtub and grabbed a towel.

"I know that nothing I say at this moment will be enough to redeem me but believe me, there was not a day that went by without the guilt eating me whole. I wanted to tell you, Em... but I was afraid you'd leave, and I couldn't risk losing you."

"Excuses are for fools and I have been there before... and I don't intend to go back, Dekker." Emery mumbled under her breath. She pulled on a bathrobe and walked out of the bathroom.

She refused to be a victim of folly again because once upon a time, she had been a naive girl who had fallen prey to the powers of deceit.

And in her vindictive opinion, Billion Miles Dekker did not deserve a hearing after he had vehemently denied her that prerogative.

So after the first few voice mails, Emery cut off ties with him—from social media and all the way down to simple text message.

But clearly it was the pregnancy hormones taking its toll on Emery because after all the motivational mantra, she would go back to stalking him on Instagram and pin over him.

When she was done tending to her needs, she grabbed her laptop and phone and shuffled into the living room to start her solo weekend.

We are better off this way.

So she thought.

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OK, so this is chapter 45 and though not much happened, if you enjoyed it kindly leave some sunshine. ||comment, vote, and share.||

More interesting chapters coming your way so stay tuned.