Guest/Guest/shamika . grandberry – Glad you guys thought so. I think it's safe to say it will be getting a bit hotter…but I can't promise you there won't be some hesitancy first.

Jar/cam/ Shadedgrey15/Thulas – Hahaha! Thank you! I was really hoping I didn't disappoint with that kiss especially with all that waiting you guys had to do. Hope you like what I have in store for them in a future chapter

Trinity Dower/Proprocrastinator – Thank you!

Angel – Glad you didn't mind. After all that built up tension…I don't think Emily and Paige could just have a simple kiss

Falitag07 – Thank you so much for that! I will definitely keep that in mind when I need some help. How did I do in the last chapter?

Disclaimer: I do not own Pretty Little Liars or any of its characters

XXXXXX

Feeling the hands she's been dreaming of slip further and further up her thigh, Emily's head flew back as she closed her eyes; reveling in the feel of the woman's fingers caress her skin that only a few has been able to actually feel. Parting her lips as she felt Paige's lips leave wet kisses down her neck, Emily entangled her fingers through the auburn girl's hair as she gripped a handful of it to force the girl closer to her as she felt the woman continue her way between her breasts. Opening her eyes just slightly, Emily watched as Paige began moving her kisses back up and in the crook of her neck.

Letting out a shaky breath, Emily parted her lips as a course of shivers vibrated through her entire body as she could feel her own arousal begin to leave a path alongside Paige's abdominal the more and more her body reacted to Paige caressing her skin. Feeling her body being slowly but not completely lower, Emily wrapped her left arm around Paige's neck and she used her right hand to lightly pull Paige away from her neck so could look into the large brown eyes she's been drowning in. As she lightly grazed her forefinger across the outline of Paige's cheek, Emily maintained eye contact as she could finally see the lust, the wanting, the longing, the desire she's been hoping the girl had for her. Feeling instantly overwhelmed by the silent confession, Emily couldn't take it as she brought the auburn girl lips crashing into her own once again.

"Legend says the Greek God of the underworld Hades; fell in love with the daughter of Demeter, the goddess of nature." Emily suddenly heard from over her shoulder as it instantly broke her out of the intense stupor. "Hades is seen as this evil notion, but in fact he was only maintaining balance along with Zeus the God of air and Poseidon the God of water. One day he saw Persephone, the daughter, picking flowers and instantly feel in love with her. Kidnapping her, he took her to the underworld hoping she would learn to love him. After sometime, Persephone began doing just that. Demeter however, was in an uproar, causing famine to humanity until her daughter was brought back. Zeus managed to infer and asked his brother Hades to return her. Hades complied eventually. Before Persephone left, Hades offered her pomegranate seeds. If she took them, she would accept his gift and come back to her eventually; she did. Diamonds on the other hand are supposed to represent the tears of gods" Spencer acknowledged as she leaned against Emily's work desk with her hands folded.

Completely confused and angry at the brunette for disrupting her daydream, Emily leaned back on her chair to gather her composure before responding, "That's a great story…but what is with story time?"

Tilting her head a bit, Spencer continued, "Your necklace. Since you can't seem to take your hands off of it, I would expect it to be a gift. And because you seem out of it and completely staring into space as though you have the world on your shoulders, I would think it was a gift given to you anonymously but is secretly hoping it's from a certain someone. It looks like your necklace is a beautiful ruby and diamond accent swirl pendant, ergo my story telling. Ruby is equivalent to pomegranate seeds. If I didn't know any better, I would think there's a certain someone out there is secretly grieving over their affections for you" Spencer said with a smirk as she stood up.

Emily let go of the necklace as she made eye contact with Spencer, "It was just a gift".

"Well that is some pricey gift. Those gemstones are not cheap" Spencer said unfolding her hands. Realizing Emily didn't seem to want to talk about her mysterious gift, Spencer decided to change the subject and focus on why she came here. "Cattrall wants us to get the numbers for last January so he could compare them with previous months. We need all of Asset Management including the AUM for each" Spencer continued as it became an all business talk. "Sorry to just spring it on you, but he also needs the final actual for all of last year so we can correctly forecast the next few months". Handing over a large vanilla file Spencer sustained her pace. "There's a bunch of updates the NRD team enlisted yesterday. I highlighted all the changes and put the variances. Just take a look so we can account for them for the L&S".

"No problem" Emily responded as she opened the folder. Watching as Spencer retrieve behind her, Emily scrunched her eyebrows as she the story Spence just told her repeated in her head. Pomegranate seeds. "Hey Spencer, you said Pomegranate seeds?"

Turning back around, Spencer replied, "Yeah! Pretty neat story huh? Kyle was telling me about Hades and Persephone a few years ago while he was buying a telescope for Paige. I think she was the one who told him actually".

Paige.

"You just need to know where to look." Paige responded casually. "Like right over there…you can see Spica, the brightest star that will lead you to see the Virgo constellation."

"Latin for virgin." Emily mumbled as she rolled her eyes.

"Yes, Latin for virgin, but also Virgo is closely related to Persephone." Paige replied.

"Persephone?" Emily asked in curiosity.

"The daughter of Demeter. She is the goddess of Harvest and wife of Hades." Paige stated.

As Spencer continued speaking, Emily was in a complete daze. Remembering Spencer's final words 'I would think there's a certain someone out there is secretly grieving over her affections for you', Emily confirmed it was in fact Paige who gave her the necklace. Paige. Why is she always hiding? Thinking back to night where they were in the park and Paige spoke about mythology, a million thoughts started to cross the brunette's mind. The pomegranate seed. Emily knew it was Paige all along, but she was still surprised after she finally confirmed it. Why couldn't Paige just say it was from her? Why couldn't she just admit she had feelings for her from the beginning? Why were they always playing this game with each other? Or maybe the gift was for a holiday? Maybe for Hanukah, maybe she was sharing the Jewish sprit. Jewish spirit! But it's only September. They have so many holidays in the upcoming month. Maybe it was for one of those!

Emily thought back to that quote. 'I've been falling for you since the day we met. We live two different lives but I knew what I wanted from the start, and that is you.' What the hell are you doing to me Paige?

Taking in a deep breath, Spencer startled her once more, "So just let Jen know when you're done okay? I need to get started on the rest". Walking away, Spencer turned around once more, "And good luck with your secret admirer".

Emily closed the folder Spencer just handed over in frustration. Paige. This perfect woman always made it clear her family would never accept outsiders.

XXXXXXX

Trying to relieve the discomfort from her neck, Paige began rubbing the right side of it hoping she could release some pain before her next meeting. Paige knew it wasn't just work that was causing that discomfort. Ever since she and Emily kissed, it had been radio silent between the two for the last week. Unlike before, it wasn't her this time. Paige didn't just want; she needed to talk to the brunette. She wanted to declare everything to her and just kiss her all over again. But Emily didn't seem to want acknowledge her in the least; or maybe the brunette just needed time to wrap her head around everything. Whatever the case maybe, Paige hadn't slept since that night. Or when she did sleep, it would be on her desk after working late at night.

Staring out the large wall window of the conference room in the dark, Paige had to admit even though it was close to 10pm, the view she had from her office building sometimes made her feel as though it was worth it. She was high enough to take in the night lights of New York only a few were really able to appreciate while working in the city.

Letting out a deep breath, Paige grabbed her spiral notebook and folders that were lying on the desk by the window as she was about to make her way toward the next meeting. Turning around to make her way out of the room, Paige felt her body freeze at the sudden presence of the intruder. "Em, hey" she whispered as she suddenly felt her throat constrict. She didn't understand how it was possible she could fall even harder for the brunette every time she saw her.

Hastily hoping her excessive calling and texting didn't drive the brunette to decide to reject her in person, Paige felt terrified. Given the fact that Emily didn't respond to anything, every second that went by Paige had become harder and harder on herself, realizing the bronze beauty may have regretted everything from that night; especially for allowing the kiss get so heated.

"Hey" was the only thing Emily could muster up before swallowing to relieve her suddenly dry throat. When she entered the conference, she couldn't help but admire the woman standing before her. Gritting her teeth, Emily scolded herself to why she was suddenly speechless around the girl. It was scary and thrilling to see how strongly the auburn girl affected her.

"How are you? Is…everything okay?" Paige stuttered out as she saw the turmoil written all over the brunette's face.

Walking towards the left of the conference room table, Emily knew she couldn't let herself be in reach of Paige. Stammering upon her words, Emily finally spoke. "Yeah, yeah. I hope you don't mind. The receptionist downstairs said you were available to talk to for a bit".

Surprised Emily finally decided to talk, Paige was taken aback a little. "Yeah of course".

Emily didn't know how she would start the conversation. Finding herself gauging at the girl's bare arms, she spoke up again, "I never saw you without a suit jacket when it comes to work".

"Yeah, well they tend to go more lenient on us after hours; their pick of casual" Paige responded picking at her gold-hardware sleeveless wrap blouse. "So what's going on? I take it you didn't just want to talk about my choice of clothing after 10pm" the brown eye woman continued knowing Emily was here to talk about them rather than having small talk.

Paige was being direct which managed to break Emily out of her stupor. Nodding her head, Emily looked away and simply said, "Hades and Persephone? I mean, I knew you sent it to me, but what I didn't get was why. And then I realized the symbolic meaning behind it which led to me realizing it dealt with way more than just the moment we finally decided to talk at the park." Emily watched as Paige combed back her hair in hindrance. "You know, you do this thing with your hands when you're nervous Paige".

"I don't know what to really say right now" Paige whispered as she watched Emily place the necklace on the table.

"How about the truth? Emily stated. "How about you finally find it within yourself to tell me the truth?"

"The truth?" Paige asked irritably as she began nodding in agreement. "Ok. We kissed. We had the most incredible kiss Saturday night, but every time I texted you or called you, you seemed to have ignored it".

"Well hey, it hasn't been three weeks right?" Emily retorted as she used 230 5th against Paige.

Nodding Paige continued. "Well hey, this time it was me kissing you, not Kate. What if I do have feelings for you? I gave you that necklace based on how I felt for you"

Snapping at Paige, Emily walked closer to her heatedly responding back. "When the hell did you even begin to have feelings for me?" Emily asked before realizing it must have been before they finally had a conversation in high school. "Obviously it was before the night at the park back in high school. Should I take offense to the fact that you liked me since high school but decided to completely ignore it and treat me like shit? Or should I take offense to the fact that I'm not Jewish which is why you never asked me out?" Watching Paige stand there silently, Emily was beyond furious. "What? After you told me what your family expects of you, you honestly didn't think I was going to realize that's basically why you treated me this way? Speak Paige! You're always the opinionated one why are you so silent now? Did you honestly think I wasn't going to figure it out?"

"I've liked you since the moment I first laid eyes on you" Paige desperately confessed as she drifted her gaze finally toward Emily. "But yes, I didn't do anything because I was scared. I was scared about my family. I was scared about what I was feeling. I never felt anything like the way I've been feeling for you. I was scared about everything. So I did what I do, and I turned my fear into something I could fight against. I decided to ignore you instead. When I found out you were dating Bess, I didn't think it was fair. So my disregard for you turned into hate. Before long I began believing in that hate. But then there would be times when I saw you with Bess that everything I felt for you came rushing back. That night in the park when I saw you, I knew something wrong. All I wanted to do was sit there with you. Then we started talking. There was a 2% chance you would remember me talking about the Greek gods" Paige admitted. "You hated me, so I was sure everything we talked about would go in one ear and out the other. Everything changed. The necklace…was just a gift I wanted to give to you. What exactly do you want me to say?" the auburn girl tearfully asked.

Emily stood there speechless at the confession. She felt her chest drop as Paige finally admitted her feelings toward her but was still hurt that Paige didn't do anything about it. "Pomegranate seed huh? That was pretty clever. What do you say to the other girls who you ask out?" Emily whispered as she tried to avoid eye contact; not wanting to know the answer.

Paige looked at Emily angrily; surprised she even asked such a question. "Those girls aren't exactly you Em" she said honestly.

"So what? Why did you start showing interest me now? What the hell did I do that was so different from back at Midwood? If your feelings for me were such a nuisance on your life, why did you start talking to me? How exactly to do you want me to feel after telling me I'm basically considered below your family expectations for you?" Emily asked as she tried to hold back her tears. "And if you did just want me in your life like the rest of your friends, why didn't you just let me be? Why did you have to ignore me when I finally did decide to move on from the possibility that you didn't like me? Why did you have to stop talking to me the moment you saw Kate kiss me?" Watching Paige take in a deep breath, Emily knew the answer to all her questions. "You know what forget it. Here, I brought this for you" Emily continued as she shoved a piece of napkin at Paige before walking passed her.

"A napkin?" Paige asked confused as she turned to face Emily.

Emily laughed. "It doesn't look familiar huh?" she indicated before saying one of the items on the list. "Ghirardelli Mint Dark chocolate, I should have figured it out since the park".

Paige's eyes widen as she began unraveling the piece of paper realizing the familiarity of it. "How did you get this?" she said as she could feel her heart drop.

"When you leant me your jacket that night in the park, it was in the pocket" Emily responded. "I didn't make anything of it, but I should have guessed. I mean, how the hell did you even know I wore my father socks?"

"Bess." Paige confessed. "She said she borrowed a pair of socks that you had in your room which led to her telling me you wore your father socks. I thought it was adorable" Paige honestly stated as she kept looking down at the old piece of napkin. "You kept it?" she asked as she tried to catch Emily's gaze.

"By accident" Emily lied. "It was just with my other high school stuff." The brunette always had a gut feeling the auburn girl may have had a small fascination with her back in high school, but always dismissed it almost immediately thinking reality isn't like the movies. When she was on the train going home that night, Emily couldn't help but have that somewhat small crush on the auburn girl immensely grow the instant she saw the napkin. The notion someone like Paige at the time took notice of the small things she did sent a wave of warmth through her entire body. Bess didn't even know what her favorite food was let alone chocolate. But here was Paige, the Casanova of Midwood, taking notes of someone like her.

"And the Gold Lion of Judah Mezuzah? Why do you still wear my old necklace" Paige asked as she shifted her gaze towards Emily's right ankle. "Where did you even find it?

Emily watch with astonishment realizing Paige knew all along she's had her pendant. "How did you know-" Emily started before Paige cut her off.

"I noticed it the night of the Halloween dance and again the night you slept over" Paige honestly answered. "So please tell me. Was that by accident too?" she asked straight forwardly knowing Emily didn't keep the note just by accident.

Emily cocked an eyebrow at the question. Swallowing hard, Emily combed back her hair with her hand. If Paige was being honest with her she had to be honest to the girl. "It was the day Hallie gave you that blueberry muffin by your locker" Emily breathed out. "We were sitting by the quad and when you got up to walk Hallie back to class, I noticed it on the floor" the brunette admitted as she looked down. "I know I should have given it back to you especially since you told me the importance of it literally a few days before. But I don't know, I just couldn't. As soon as I picked it up I just felt…calm." Emily watched as Paige's eyes drifted toward the floor unsure of what to do. "What do you want from me Paige? You act like you want to be with me, but you do the complete opposite. And when I do move on you decide to completely shut me out and act like I betrayed you. So please! I'm asking you what exactly do you want from me?"

Watching Emily become uncomfortable, Paige berated herself at the position she put Emily in. Looking that the brunette in agony, Paige knew she wanted nothing more than to just run over and kiss the girl. But she also knew if she did that, they would both be in for more than they could imagine when it came to her family. Paige wanted Emily. But staring at how scared the beauty was in front of her, Paige didn't want to put her in anymore agony. "I'm not mad you kept it Em. When I saw it around your neck during the Halloween dance, I realized it belonged there." Paige responded as the last statement forced Emily to focus on her. "I knew that would be the last time I was going to see you, which is why I wanted you to keep it. I wanted you to feel safe. That's all I've ever wanted. That necklace always protect me but I rather it be with you. All I ever wanted was to see you happy and safe." the auburn girl admitted. Finally looking up to hold Emily's gaze, Paige decided she had to put aside her feelings for the girl to have her move on. "Em, just forget that I gave you that necklace. Forget that I like you" she heartbrokenly confessed. Paige thought that's what Emily wanted. Wanting Emily to have a normal love life, Paige could feel herself instantly tearing up by just imagining someone else touching the brunette the way she wanted. Paige failed to take notice at the confused look Emily was currently sporting.

Realizing Paige must have thought she wanted her to move on; Emily scrunched her eyebrows at the last statement the auburn girl managed to say. Feeling devastated, that was the last thing Emily wanted. If Paige was willing to finally admit her feelings to her, Emily was more that rejoiced to help calm the tension that might arise between the girl and her family. Emily knew she didn't know but the tip of the iceberg when it came to the girl's family, but Emily wanted to know everything; for better or worse she was willing to stay by the girl's side.

That was the missing piece between the girls. That was why Emily couldn't return any of Paige's messages. Emily had to know Paige was not going to regret being with her because of her family. Being someone's regret after wanting nothing more than to be with them would drive anyone to be disheartened.

When it comes to Emily and Paige, anyone could feel the intensity of their sexual tension between one another. Both girls wanted to scream at each other. They wanted to hold each other. They wanted to shove each other. They wanted to kiss. They wanted to cry. They wanted to hide. There was so much built up tension since high school, neither girl knew what to do but also knew what they wanted. Both Emily and Paige could feel how the other felt about them. They could see it when looking at one another. They could hear it in the silence when neither knew what to say. And more than anything, they could feel it in the kiss they both shared which was long overdue.

Just as Emily was about to walk closer to scared girl, a tall blonde man open the door in urgency and demanded Paige. "Paige, emergency conference call with Mumbai. Conference room E".

Paige nodded and just as quickly lifted all her items once again. "Have a good night Emily" Paige quietly responded looking back at the woman who just shattered her heart; without knowing she had shattered hers as well.