Emerson looked down at her phone for the umpteenth time, swiping to ignore the notification. It was her mother's birthday soon and her siblings have been requesting for her presence. Different year, same old shit. They watched their father kick her out, but now they decided they should be siblings.
"Is that Elijah?" Letty has met him a few times and she was enamored with Elijah Sommers to say the least. Not only was Elijah a gentleman, but he seemed to be so genuinely interested on talking to her. She's had her fair share of encounters with men and besides the MC, she didn't trust anyone. But Elijah just made her feel so at ease. Maybe he was just a good people person, regardless, she was enamored.
"No," Emerson looked at the young woman before her and laughed. "Do you have a little crush on Elijah?"
"No," Letty blushed. She didn't exactly have a crush on Elijah. He was just different from what she was used to. Dressed as prim and proper as Miguel Galindo, but he didn't have the same aura as Miguel. Elijah exuded a positive energy she couldn't describe. She didn't know him well. He could be as sinister as Miguel Galindo, but she doubt that. "I just like him for you, you guys make a great couple. Both good people and good looking as well."
Emerson smiled at that. "You know, that's not the only thing that makes people compatible." On paper, she just seems like the perfect match with Elijah. And as she had told Miguel, she did weigh out her options, she seemed like an idiot to even not consider Elijah. But it just never clicked for her.
"True, but you're not a bad match up."
"That's fair, but you know, Elijah and I just don't click. Maybe you're too young, but when you meet a person, there's just a spark."
"You don't have that with Elijah?"
"Unfortunately, she didn't feel that spark with me." Elijah joined the conversation, surprising Letty.
"Eli!" She called out happily.
"Hey Letty," Elijah greeted as he walked up to the back of Emerson's chair. He placed a kiss on top of Emerson's head. "How are you doing, mi amor?"
"I'm good Eli, I didn't expect you till next week. I thought you were in France?"
"Decided to come back early," he shrugged. He placed a few bags on the table before he pulled up a chair and sat beside Emerson. "I brought you something as well Leticia."
"Can I guess?" Letty wasn't used to people, especially men, giving her gifts without wanting something in return. But after she met Elijah, he always brought her gifts from wherever he went. It became their little routine.
"Isn't that our thing?" Elijah smirked as he draped an around over Emerson's chair. "3 guesses as always."
"Is it edible?"
"Not this time."
"Hmm," Letty bit her lower lip, slightly tilting her head. "This better not be one of those weird hats you were talking to me about."
Elijah laughed. "No, though, that's not a bad idea." He playfully wiggled his eyebrows at her. "One left, if you don't guess it right you don't get to have it." It was a silly stipulation since Elijah always made sure she got the answer correct. After all, he didn't get that present for anyone else but her. "Clue, as I always do, it's something to use for when it's cold. If you say heater, we're done."
Emerson fondly watched the interaction between Elijah and Letty. She always admired how well Elijah controlled a room, more importantly, how he interacted with children. Elijah was the eldest of 3. He had a younger brother and a younger sister, whom he dotted over when they were younger. Letty most likely reminded her of his younger sister, who unfortunately passed away a few years ago. Emerson didn't remember anything about his sister's passing, but she shed a few tears when Elijah broke the news to her.
"Okay, cause it's you and you're well, predictable, you got me the denim jacket I've been wanting." Letty smirked victoriously.
"Ooh, you're good," Elijah took out a bag that he dropped beside Emerson's chair, handing it over to Letty. "But it's not one of those low brand stores, a little pricier, but it'll last longer." He wasn't exactly sure how Coco felt about him giving his kid gifts, but he was sure that Coco didn't mind.
"Stop being such a rich prick," Emerson smacked him on his chest. "You're such a name brand dick."
Elijah shrugged. "It's what I know," he smirked. "You used to be the exact same way."
"Yes, well, I've changed," Emerson was a rich kid, she was spoiled and once upon a time, she valued materialistic items. But now, it wasn't like that anymore. She still enjoyed the vintage handbags her grandmother had given to her before she passed. But otherwise, that didn't matter to her anymore. All she cared about was the bakery and well, Leticia.
It was weird for Emerson. Maybe Leticia, along with the MC, became some sort of family for her. When her father kicked her out, it was painful, but at the same time she was relieved. The whole time she was home, she felt as if her family was tiptoeing around her, that they were hiding something from her. If she was honest, it felt as if her family, mostly her father, did not want her to remember whatever memory she lost 5 years ago. Her father paid for the therapy, but whenever she asked her father about her the years she lost, he would just give her the most vague information. It got to the point that she got over it and didn't want to remember anymore.
The last thing she remembered was graduating from high school and the next thing she knew, she was 24 years old, with no recollection of the last 6 years.
"You definitely have," Elijah nodded his head. "Alright Letty, try on the jacket and let me see how it looks."
Letty slightly felt bad accepting the gift, but at the same time, it would be rude to decline his gift. It's not like she expected for him to give the gifts to her, he just always brought her something since he brought Emerson something. She never actually told her dad that the gifts were from Elijah. She always told him that Emerson bought it for her. For some reason, she didn't think her father would be okay with Elijah buying her gifts.
She put the jacket on, just loved how it fit her. Turning to face Elijah and Emerson, they clapped and hooted.
"Look at my girl looking good!" Elijah proudly stated.
"Don't be weird," Letty blushed, playfully pushed Elijah on his shoulder.
Emerson chuckled. "Yeah don't be a creep, she's like 20 years younger than you."
"Hey!" Elijah pushed Emerson. "I'm 15 years older than her, get your facts straight."
"Oh, because that's so much better." Emerson laughed harder.
"You're just jealous because I like Letty better than you."
"Oh, extremely jealous." Emerson shook her head, a small amount of laughter still coming out of her lips. "Finish your homework, one of the boys are going to be here soon."
Letty thanked Elijah and hugged him one more time before she went to the back to grab her stuff.
"The Mayans are still around you?" At first, he did not like that thought of any of the Mayans being near Emerson. They were an outlaw biker gang, and as cliche as it sounded, he knew what they did during their past time: drugs, violence, women and liquor. He didn't judge them, it just wasn't his way of life. And he definitely did not want that around Emerson.
"Yes, is that a problem?" Emerson didn't like Elijah's tone. He had a habit of being controlling, but he never tried to impose it on her. After all, they weren't together and she didn't work for him, he didn't get to order her around.
"No, simply curious," Elijah knew Emerson was protective of her relationship with the Mayans due to Leticia. But Leticia wasn't part of the gang, regardless of who her father was. "Your siblings have been bombarding my cell phone, have you not answered them."
"I don't see why that's any of your business. Besides I hardly speak to them as it is, they don't get to dictate when I talk to them when they're the ones who turned their backs on me." Emerson knew how to hold a grudge, Elijah knew that. It was the reason he never pushed for a reconciliation between Emerson and her family. For the most part, she replied to birthday text messages from her siblings or holiday greetings. But when they try to initiate a conversation, she shuts down.
"Emmy, your mother really wants to see you." Elijah knew he shouldn't push, but Emerson's mother pleaded for him to talk to her eldest daughter.
"She had a birthday last year, she wasn't this persistent about seeing me." Emerson pointed out.
"Your grandfather is dying and your mother wants you to come to New York and see him."
It wasn't Elijah who helped her with her shop, at least not entirely. Her grandfather was the one who helped her. For a second, her heart stopped as Elijah's words registered in her head, but then she realized that that was a lie. She just spoke to her grandfather and if he was sick, he would have told her.
"You're lying."
"Am I? Why would I lie about that?"
"I spoke to my grandfather 2 days ago and he mentioned nothing of this sickness you speak of," Emerson was slightly irked with Elijah. He was trying to play a card that he knew he should never play with her.
"Emerson, I have no reason to lie to you."
"You have plenty of reasons to lie to me." She said to him with through gritted teeth.
As Elijah responded to her, Emerson felt as if Elijah was far away, that his voice was coming from a distance. She blinked a few times and her vision became blurry, Elijah's worried face appearing in front of her.
She felt a sense of deja vu as her words repeated in her head.
"Emerson," he called out, as she dropped the plate in her hand.
Letty ran out of the kitchen, her bag on her back. "What's wrong?" She watched as Emerson fell onto Elijah's arms.
"Emmy!" Another voice call out.
Angel made his way to the store, already in fight mode seeing Elijah and Emerson talking. But when he saw how Emerson's face contorted to show her displeasement to whatever Elijah was saying, his fight mode grew stronger. As he opened the door, Emerson began to look pale and looked as if she was going to pass out.
"Move," Angel took Emerson from Elijah's arms, surprising him and Emerson, who never passed out.
"Angel," she softly called out.
"Hey queirda, you okay?" He softly brushed away the hair from her face.
Emerson couldn't even reply as she became lost in Angel's eyes. She managed to nod her head as Emerson moved away from him.
Angel noticed how her wall immediately went up and how she moved over towards Elijah. It stung to see that. Elijah wrapped an arm around her, placing a kiss on the top of her head as his eyes locked with Angel's.
"Leticia, Emmy is fine, she'll see you tomorrow, okay?" Elijah turned to Letty who was checking on Emerson.
"I'm fine Letty, I just get these spells every once in a while." Emerson assured her. "Go with Angel."
"Okay," Letty frowned but understood. She walked over to Angel whose eyes were still on Elijah and Emerson. She noticed just how angry Angel looked. There were a few times that she saw that look coming from Angel. One time, it was directed to EZ and she never questioned why. But this was of pure hatred. She could tell that Elijah wasn't too fond of Angel either. "Come on Angel, let's go."
"No, we're not leaving till Emerson comes with us." Angel wasn't going to let this dick win.
"Angel," Letty pulled on his kute. She didn't understand why Angel was so protective of Emerson at times. He didn't even know her well enough to be this protective over her.
"Leticia, not right now."
She knew Angel wasn't playing games, especially when he used her whole name. Looking over at Emerson, she mirrored the confused look on Letty's face.
"Who are you to Emerson to even demand such a thing?" Elijah questioned, putting himself in front of Emerson and further pissing off Angel.
Angel took a step forward but the opening of a door caught their attention. They all looked towards the door and found EZ walking in. Letty has never been so relieved to see EZ.
"What's going on? Bishop wants us at the clubhouse." EZ could feel the tension. He noticed everything from the car but wasn't exactly sure what was going on. He decided to come in just in case something went down.
Angel muttered under his breath before looking over at Emerson. "You okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine. Just go."
With one last look, Angel just nodded and narrowed his eyes at Elijah. He turned around, calling for Letty to follow him.
"I'll see you tomorrow Em." She gave her a quick hug once Elijah moved out of the way and ran after Angel.
The two watched as the Reyes brothers drove off with Letty. Elijah turned back to Emerson, cupping her face in his hands.
"Are you okay? What happened?" Elijah softly stroke one of her cheeks with his thumb. "Have you been eating?"
"Yes, I'm fine. It just felt weird when I told you that you have plenty of reasons to lie to me."
"Well, seems like your brain doesn't agree since it almost made you blackout." Elijah teased trying to lighten the situation.
"Such a prick," she pushed him away, a small smile spreading across her face.
"So, you've remembered a few things." Elijah was worried at what Emerson remembered. He was confident that everything was fine, but he wasn't exactly a saint. They had their fair share of arguments, but there were certain things he hoped she wouldn't remember.
"Yeah, it's fragments really, but I've remembered a few things."
"What have you remembered?"
"It's weird, it's kind of blurry. Like I see someone there but I don't recognize them."
"How about the voice?" Elijah wanted her to remember to some extent, but he wasn't sure just how much he wanted her to remember. Once she remembered everything, he would be pushed to the back burner again.
"I don't know," Elijah could tell that Emerson was closing him off. She was beginning to get this look on her place, where it was voice of emotions and you can clearly tell she was upset. He was almost certain that her answer from here on out would be 'I don't know'.
"Don't do that, don't start closing me off just because I want to help you."
"I'm not closing you off, I just don't know." Emerson always loved having Elijah around but at the same time, she knew it had its cons when he came. She understood that he was trying to help, but she didn't want any help. For 2 years, her father had her go see a therapist to help her out with her memories and Elijah would be there for her every step of the way. But she grew frustrated and stopped going. She was totally fine with living her life not knowing what she lost. Well, at first, but then the feeling of finding her past became strong when she became engaged to Elijah. It just didn't feel right.
It was during her wedding dress fitting that she realized how wrong it was. She was sick to her stomach. After that day, Elijah noticed the difference and she was honest with him. He agreed that they shouldn't get married if she didn't want to marry him regardless of what arrangement their parents made.
This infuriated her father and she would never forget what he told her.
"You are no longer an Andres, I refused to acknowledge a daughter who has no respect for her parents wishes."
And just like that, she left her home. The eerie thing was, her father's words sounded familiar. Like it wasn't the first time he had disowned her. But that couldn't be possible.
What broke her was how close she was with her father. She adored her father, much more than her mother. But for some reason, she felt that there was something hanging over her and her father. There was something she wasn't telling him and she never really pushed for it. She was so confused and didn't even know what to focus on.
"I went to Stanford."
"Yes, you went to Stanford and graduated with a business degree."
"Business," she scoffed. "Bet father dearest had something to do with that."
"Perhaps, but we both know that you were always interested in business. Come on Emmy, you have such a great mind for business." Elijah always thought that if anyone should take over the Andres empire it should be Emerson. Her older brother was good, but was easily side tracked and had far too many ideas for his own good. Her younger sister, well, someone had to be the rich spoiled child. "That's why our marriage would have been perfect, having you by my side would have elevated my family's company."
"Very nice to know what our marriage would have been like." She knew he didn't mean anything by it. They were always good business partners whenever she helped Elijah with a plan to present to his father about the newest real estate development they should venture.
"I would have given you the world."
"I don't need the world."
"No, you don't," Elijah gave her a small smile. Ever since Emerson had gone to Stanford, she changed. Gone was the young girl who valued materialistic items. Gone was the young girl who enjoyed all the luxuries her parents handed to her. She began to work for her money, wanting to prove that she didn't need her parents. It wasn't a statement, Emerson just realized that working hard for something gave such a great sense of accomplishment that she began to do things for herself. Emerson was never the worst out of her siblings, he was almost certain she was the least stuck up. She still had her moments, but she was much more approachable than her sister.
And it was all thanks to Ezekiel Reyes.