Chapter 9

Encounter

It was Friday night. Emma buried herself with work for the whole few weeks. She had to forget about Aaron, about the kiss. The kiss. As if it's hard enough to just forget him, she needed to forget about the best kiss she ever had. How is that even possible? There were many times she'd also doubt her decision not to give them a chance, not to let him have her and vice versa, not to tell him how much she wants to be with him. But in the end she couldn't. She's not that selfish after all. She wished she was, because it would be much easier.

Emma took a look at her calendar on her phone and sighed heavily. This Saturday there will be a high school reunion at New York Marriott Marquis, a hotel on Broadway. She was supposed to go there with Aaron, they made a plan together. To make it worse, lately Molly has been texting her nonstop. Molly will be in New York for the whole week before the reunion on Saturday night. She'd asked Emma to meet her and Aaron, to watch a movie, go for a dinner, lunch, or anything a human being could possibly do together as a friend, she'd ask. Emma has been rejecting it constantly to the point Molly would think she's avoiding them. Well, she did. It was him she really didn't want to meet. Deep down, she was afraid if she met him, she would change her mind and she would hurt Molly in the process. She knew she couldn't avoid him forever. After all she'd made him promise to stay friends. Something she might regret at some point.

Emma was having a second thought on going to the reunion, but Erica persuaded her to come. She said something about how she couldn't keep avoiding Molly or she'd eventually ruined their friendship, which ironically was something she tried to avoid by not pursuing things with Aaron. Emma hates it when Erica was right. And in this case she was right. She had to face them one day, and she thought it would be better to meet them for the first time in a crowded place full of people. So that she could easily walk away from them if things are getting weird. In the end, she made a decision to come and face them. Tomorrow is the day.

The damn reunion. Emma thought.

Emma was staring at her bedroom's window, watching the November rain fall into the night. It reminded her of a certain memory she had shared with him. It was a few days after her grandfather's funeral. Aaron has been worrying about her constantly during that time. She remembered how thankful she was for him, because with him she could tell everything that has been bothering her. Something she couldn't tell her family or even Erica because they were all mourning over the death of the same man.

That day they both spend their day talking in a nearby Starbucks. It was a rainy Saturday morning.

The two friends were sitting by the window, enjoying their cup of lattes. Emma was staring at the window watching people passing by while Aaron was watching her the whole time.

"How are you doing?" Aaron asked. He's been worried about her since the day he found out about the death of Jack Geller Sr.

Emma turned her attention to him and gave him a weak smile before she replied, "I've been better."

Aaron then took her hand on his and gently stroked it, "I may not know him that well, but I'm sure he's a great guy and he will be missed."

Emma's heart was warmed by his words, it sounds simple yet so sincere.

She gave him a squeeze on his hand while she smiled and said, "Thank you. That means a lot for me."

He smiled back before he said, "You're very welcome. I'll be here for you if you need anything."

"I miss him." Emma said with a weak smile on her face and Aaron continued to stroke her hand gently.

"I know it might sound silly, but sometimes when I look at another man about the same age as him, I couldn't help but missing him so much." Emma said as her eyes started to get misty.

"Hey.." He said softly, "It doesn't sound silly at all. It sounds more like you love him so much." Aaron said and gave her a sweet smile.

"Thank you." Emma smiled and said before she turned her attention back to the pouring rain.

Aaron gave her a squeeze on her hand before joining her to watch the rain from the cafe's window.

"Hey.. I know what might cheer me up." Emma said after a few minutes of silence.

"What?" He asked curiously.

She smiled giddily, "An ice cream."

He giggled at her answer he found cute before he replied, "Really? At this kind of weather?"

Emma nodded almost too eagerly, "Yep."

He chuckled then answered, "Okay.. Hmmm.. Let me guess." He waited a beat before continuing, "A mint choco?"

"Bingo." She said with a grin before she continued, "Sometimes you know me so damn well, Goralnik."

"You bet." He replied with a smile.

He playfully messed with her hair and gave her a sweet smile, and then he got up from his seat, put on his coat and offered her his hand, "Let's go. The ice cream is on me."

She smiled, nodded, took his hand and then put on her own coat with a little help from him.

Back in present

She missed him so much. She missed having him to cheer her up when she was down. To tell everything will be okay. Or just simply be there for her and just his presence is enough for her. She missed her best friend.

Tears started to escape her eyes as she curled her body into a ball on her bed.

"I miss you." She muttered in her cries.

...

The next day. The reunion night.

Today was the day. Ready or not she has to face them tonight. She took a last glance of herself at the full sized mirror in her room.

"This is it. Take a deep breath, Em." She mumbled to herself.

She was wearing a white off shoulder dress from Balenciaga, a matching white coat from Chanel, and a pair of Jimmy Choo's gold high heels. All borrowed from her mom's collection, except the shoes, since they have different sizes. Complementing all that, she was wearing a necklace with her initial, 'E' she got from her dad on her eighteenth birthday. She let her hair set loose with a little curl at the bottom end of her hair. A perfect attire for a formal party.

She walked outside her room and found Erica quickly staring at her.

"Aaron would never resist that." Erica blurted which caused Emma to roll her eyes.

"Gosh! That's not the reason I'm dressing up. And you know that!" Emma said with a rather annoyed tone.

Emma had told Erica everything that happened between her and Aaron and about their situation with Molly. Of course as her cousin and her best friend, Erica wanted the best for Emma. Erica said something about how there are much more fish in the ocean, but what she didn't know is that Emma didn't want any other fish, she wants this one particular fish who sadly belongs to another woman.

"Alright, I'm sorry. But I'm going to be honest with you, Ems. If you want to forget about Aaron, then try to date another guy. I bet there will be a lot of guys asking for your number tonight. Go get some fun, y'know?" Erica said with a smile.

Emma knew that. She wasn't dumb after all. But a part of herself wasn't ready to let go of him, to simply move on to another man. Hell, they didn't even have a chance to start, but she needed to move on. What kind of joke is that?

Emma gave her a sad smile before she said, "I'll try my best."

"That's my girl." Erica said as she gave her a big hug.

"I just want you to be happy." Erica muttered.

Emma broke the hug and sweetly smiled at her cousin, "I know. Thanks Er."

Erica nodded and smiled.

About half an hour later, Emma found herself standing at the hotel's lobby.

"This is so stupid! I shouldn't have come." She mumbled to herself while she walked toward the elevator.

"Emma!" A young girl squealed, calling her name while slightly running toward her.

Oh, God. It already started. Emma thought to herself.

She put the best smile on her face and greeted her best friend.

"Molly!" She yelled excitedly and hugged her best friend.

Just then Emma saw Aaron trailing behind Molly.

The universe must've resented her at some point, because he looks so much more handsome than the last time Emma saw him. It kills her.

He's hot. Dammit. Emma cursed under her breath.

Aaron was wearing a pair of Pierre Cardin black suits with a white dress shirt and a matching black tie wrapped around his neck. His hair was styled up, so people can see his face clearly. So much different from his usual look. A good kind of differences, or even better perhaps.

"Hi, Ems." Aaron said with a smile, a little bit awkward but he was glad Molly didn't notice anything.

"Hi." Emma simply said with a smile.

A few minutes later, they were all up at the ballroom where the event was held. Aaron grabbed a drink for the three of them, leaving Emma and Molly alone.

"So.. Any boyfriend, yet?" Molly asked as they were standing in the middle of the crowded ballroom.

"Nah. I'm still single and happy." Emma said with a little lie on it.

More like single and miserable. She thought to herself.

"How about you and Aaron? Any marriage plan yet?" Emma asked out of her curiosity. But regretted it right after.

What if they did?

Molly quickly blushed which didn't go unnoticed by Emma, Molly cleared her throat and said, "I don't know. But I hope so." Emma gave her a genuine smile, no matter what she was still happy for her best friend.

"I mean we have been dating for almost three years now.. " Molly trailed off and Emma nodded absentmindedly, before Molly continued, "I know we're still young and everything, but I think we're ready. I mean, I love him so much. I don't know what we're waiting for."

Her last two sentences definitely broke Emma's heart. Who is she to ruin her best friend's happiness? The thought of that sickening her.

"Well, I'm so happy for you guys." Emma said wholeheartedly with a smile on her face.

Molly returned her smile before thanking her, "Thank you."

Just like a cue, Aaron came back, clearly struggling to hold on three glasses of champagne in his hands. Emma quickly took one from his hand before he'd drop everything and made a scene.

"Thank you, babe." Molly said as she took a glass away from him and then gave him a peck on his lips.

Aaron and Emma both felt uncomfortable at that. He wasn't ready to be seen with all the romantic and mushy gestures he'd usually shared with Molly in front of Emma, and neither did she. She didn't prepare for that, ironically, even though she knew the fact that they were dating and it's only normal to kiss your partner, duh.

A young man in a navy suit entered the awkward scene.

"Matthew!" Emma greeted him excitedly.

Aaron's face suddenly dropped. It was him. Matthew Adams. The one who made Emma turned him down during the whole prom thing in high school. He never really likes him. Not because he was a jerk or anything. In fact he'd gladly become a friend with him if it's under different circumstances. He didn't like him simply because he got to take Emma to their prom night instead of him.

"Emma!" The young man gave her a hug and a peck on her cheeks which somehow made her blushed and made Aaron burn in jealousy.

"You look wow." Matthew said as he looked at her, clearly mesmerized by her looks. If that's even possible Emma looked a thousand times prettier than the last time he saw her.

"You don't look so bad yourself, Matty." Emma smiled sheepishly.

Molly smiled at this scene. She never really understands why Emma broke up with him in the first place. According to her, they both would make a perfect couple. Just like Aaron and her.

Meanwhile, Aaron was looking all sour and jealous for no reason. He had no right to be jealous and yet he is. It was that kind of time when he just wanted to scoop Emma into his arm and planted a passionate kiss on her lips. Or in another way, claiming her.

Matthew then looked away from Emma after a few seconds to notice the couple who were standing behind Emma and watching the entire scene.

"Molly! It's been a while, huh? How's your dad?" Matthew asked.

Matthew and Molly had known each other since they were little because their dads are friends with each other.

"He's fine. Still golfing and boring." Molly joked and they both giggled.

Aaron cleared his throat which was quickly noticed by Molly.

"Oh, this is my boyfriend, Aaron." Molly said as she placed her arms around his waist and looked directly at Aaron eyes lovingly.

Aaron smiled at this and then offered Matthew a hand to shake, "Hi, I'm Aaron."

Matthew gladly took his arm and shook it, "I'm Matthew. Nice to meet you." He smiled.

Matthew then turned his attention back to Emma who was standing beside him.

He sweetly smiled before he said, "So, what about you Ems. Any boyfriend I should know?"

Emma smiled back to him before she shook her head and replied, "Nope. None that I know of."

They giggled a bit before Matthew offered her his hand.

"So, do you want to go somewhere quiet? I have something to say to you." Matthew said with a smile.

Emma hesitantly looked at Aaron as if she was searching for his permission which she didn't even know why she needed it. Aaron's face was deadpan. No smile, no anything. He just stared at her blankly. Emma decided to take his offers. After all as Erica would say she needed to find another fish.

Emma gave Matthew a smile and nodded, "Sure. Let's."

Just like that the two left the ballroom, heading toward the balcony.

...
Back in the ballroom, Aaron couldn't take his eyes off her. He didn't even care what Molly was saying the whole damn time. He watched every move Emma made, how she smiled at Matthew. They seemed to engage in rather pleasant conversation by the constant smile, giggles, playful nudge they'd shown.

It could be him. It could be him who made her laugh like that. It could be him who made her smile like that. It could be him who stood beside her in one of the most romantic scenes in New York. But it wasn't. Instead he's here feeling all jealous over a girl who wasn't even his girlfriend. He didn't even care if his current girlfriend caught him staring at another woman. He just can't see Emma with someone else. It was selfish, but he couldn't help it. He needed to talk to her. He needed to tell her how he felt. Even if it means he had to end things with Molly, he just couldn't care less. For once in his life he'd do anything to have her. To touch her, to kiss her lips again. Her lips, it was something he couldn't forget for the past few weeks. I mean, how could he? It was his dream girl we're talking about.

"Uh, I need to talk to Emma about something. Do you mind?" Aaron said to Molly who was talking to one of her friends.

Molly gave him a kiss on his cheeks, nodded, before she said with a smile, "Sure. Go ahead. I'll be here."

"Okay." He replied.

He then made his way to the balcony, but he stopped his track by the door, listening to their conversation.

The New York's sky that night was clear, it made the view of the city much more beautiful. It was very romantic. Emma stared at the beautiful city view, completely oblivious with the cold November wind. Matthew joined her. For a few moments they'd stared and enjoyed the view, making small talks about basically everything. Their life after high school graduation, their friends whereabouts, works, and families.

It turned out they were having a great time. Matthew was a different guy from the last time she met him. He was more caring, he'd even occasionally asked if she was cold, something he didn't do back then in high school when most of the time he was more engaged to himself than her. He was also somewhat funnier than the last time she remembered. And more importantly, he wasn't that dumb and careless teenager who was living with his parents' money anymore.

He was now a banker much to her surprise. He wasn't that kind of smart guy in high school, at least that's from what she knew. He said something about a family accident that snapped him out of his comfortable life and that's when he decided to study economics and one thing led to another, now he's a banker at one of the private banks in New York. As much as she hates to admit it, she kinda likes this new side of Matthew. Somewhat it was more mature and stable. What she didn't know yet is, if she's ready to move on from Aaron. Is she?

"Oh really? Wow. I'd never thought he'd do that." They were both laughing about a story that Emma told about one of their friends.

Then they both stopped laughing and then there was this silence for a few minutes as they stared back at the New York's night sky.

"So..." Emma said as she turned her head slightly to face him, breaking the silence.

"So..." He repeated and she gave him a smile before he continued, "Uh, I was wondering if you would like to go on a date with me?"

Emma smiled at this. Maybe all she needs is a date to forget about him. Aaron. It seems like every decision she made these days were solely circled around him and she needed to change that.

"Sure. What about next Friday?" Emma asked.

Matthew's face beamed with a smile, "Sure, I'll pick you up at seven?" He answered with an ecstatic tone that Emma couldn't unnoticed.

Emma smiled and nodded before answering him, "7pm it is."

He smiled happily, which made Emma a little bit fluttered by it. She didn't know how much he was interested in her, but judging by the look on his face that beamed up after she said yes to date, it probably a lot.

Little did Emma know, Aaron was listening the whole time. Enough to know that she's going to a date with this Matthew guy.

Aaron was stunned. This maybe sounds ironic at some level, but he couldn't help but felt betrayed. It's not like she was cheating on him, because hell no, she clearly made a point that there are no 'us' for both of them. She basically begged him not to break up with his current girlfriend. But still, he was hurt by the fact that she was ready to move on, to give up on him, to give up on them. But again, it wasn't entirely her fault and he knew that.

He sighed heavily before he turned away from them and headed back toward his current girlfriend.

She had moved on, now it's time for me to do the same. He thought to himself.