Emma's P.O.V

I don't even know for how long me and Eddie have been arguing with our boss about this.

Carlton Drake is shady and suspicious.

It's a fact.

But our boss doesn't seem to care about facts right now.

Eddie is seriously frustrated

"Look,Drake is a crook. It's obvious.

Can't you see that?"

I nod in agreement

"He is. A crook. And shady and creepy. A creepy shady crook.

Boss sighs and looks done with us.

"Listen,you two. Drake can buy us with his pocket money. So,go interview him,be nice and polite during it,and when it ends,wish him a nice day."

Me and Eddie leave,tired of arguing with our boss when he obviously doesn't care about what we say.

Drake is creepy as shit.

I don't want to be anywhere around him.

"So,Ed,any plans for today?"

I think starting a conversation would not end well,because Eddie isn't in a good mood.

But,surprisingly,he seems to cheer up

"Oh,yeah. Me and Anne are having date night. We're going to a restaurant for dinner."

Ugh...

Anne...

I don't understand what my problem is with her,but...

I definitely have one.

"Oh,sounds fun. At least it'll take your mind off this."

He nods

"That's for sure. What about you? You have any plans?"

I shake my head

"Nah,I don't. I'll most probably just prepare for tomorrow's interview.

Perhaps read,too".

He doesn't look surprised.

I guess he knows me well.

Well,it'll happen once you know someone for as long we've known each other.

We met in high school,junior year.

I was new there.

Completely mistrustful and suspicious of everyone and everything.

Especially guys.

At first,I completely ignored Eddie's attempts to talk to me.

I had no interest in talking to anyone,especially not guys.

Once,I snapped and asked him why the Hell does he keep trying to talk to me.

He said it's because I'm new here and don't know anyone. And,that he has no friends,just like me, and it made him try to be my friend.

He also said I seem nice and different from other people in our school.

After he said all of that,I kinda felt bad for snapping at him,especially because I could see he's being completely honest.

So,I decided to give him a chance.

Just one chance.

I figured he'd leave after some time. Like everyone else. After he sees how horrible I am and after he gets to know me better.

But... He didn't leave.

And,thanks to that,here we are.

We became best friends. Even went to college together.

I can freely say,I don't regret giving him a chance.

He really is a great guy. He's not like the other guys.

"Don't you always read,though? Shouldn't you go out a bit and do something else besides read?"

He sounds concerned.

Perhaps he thinks something is wrong.

"Well,I love books. Can't help it. Now,I'll go get ready for tomorrow and you go get ready for your date. See ya then."

I leave to my apartment,which is actually pretty close to work.

I enter my apartment and close and lock the door after me.

And then I check if it's locked,I'm paranoid like that.

*in the middle of the night*

I'm woken up by my phone buzzing.

I look outside and see it's still dark,so,it can't be the alarm.

I check the phone and see it's 2 am.

And Ed is calling me.

I pick up

"Ed,this better be a life or death situation,considering what time it is. And,even if it's not a life or death situation,it'll become one,cause I'm goona attempt to murder you."

He snickers

"Nice to hear from you too,Emma."

I sit up and rub my eyes.

"Seriously,Ed. What's going on?"

He suddenly sounds very serious.

"Go to your laptop and check your email. I sent you something. It's... It's bad."

Okay,now I'm officially getting really worried.

I take my laptop,turn it on and log into my email.

I read what he sent me.

And I can't believe it.

"You seeing this shit,Emma?"

I nod.

And then remember he can't see me.

I think I need coffee or something.

"Yeah,I'm seeing. Still working on believing. What the actual fuck?"

I start taking notes.

Ed sighs

"Yeah,tell me about it. It's really horrible. I took plenty of notes,and I don't doubt you're doing the same right now. After all,there's no way we're goona let Drake get away with this.

Even though that's dangerous,I agree with him. We need to question him about this. And expose him.

"I'm with you,Ed. Like usual."

I can hear him soften from his fury at Drake.

"Yeah. Nothing new there."

Hold on a second...

"Ed,where did you get this?"

There's silence.

"Eddie..."

I trail off,already knowing I probably won't like his answer.

He sighs

"I... Perhaps... Went through Anne's laptop."

Wait,what?

"Eddie!"

He sounds like he's pouting.

"I know it's bad,Emma. I know.

But Drake is horrible,you know that. And I needed the evidence."

I can't even argue with that.

Unfortunately.

But it's still wrong.

"If Anne finds out,I ain't protecting you. Just so you know."

He deadpans

"Wow,thank you. What a great best friend I have."

I shrug.

"Goodnight,Ed. Good luck with Anne not finding out."

He says goodnight in return and hangs up.

Carlton Drake,your time is up.

You're going down.