Chapter 976 - Brian is here (1/2)
~ Los Angeles, Cliffside villa ~
November 27
10:52 AM
Emma is using the treatment room for Charlie. Since Aiden's birthday party (10 days ago), Charlie is coming to the Cliffside villa for his treatments and he stays at least one hour after each treatment to chat with Emma.
Charlie likes to spend time with Emma here. Sarah is usually busy, and so are Sophia and Felix. The staff is practically invisible, so there is no one to interrupt his Emma-time.
His favorite spot is on the bench in front of the cage with birds and sometimes they move next to the pond with koi fish.
Emma appreciates that Charlie started coming to the Cliffside villa. It's more convenient since she does not need to think about the commute, and all the necessary equipment is here. Sarah made sure that one room has everything Emma needs because of Aiden's and her treatments.
Emma enjoys her chats with Charlie, and since their almost-argument (how she calls it) he didn't mention that confusing friendship nonsense.
…
Sarah was surprised when JoAnna announced her arrival. It seems that she wants to talk about something. Why else would she come on a weekday?
Sarah raised her eyebrows questionably when she saw JoAnna come with… Brian.
”Guess who I bumped into on the way here?”, JoAnna said with a big grin while giving Sarah a hug.
”Hi, Brian…”, Sarah greeted him and wondered how is it possible that her sister just bumped into Brian?
”What are you up to?”, Sarah asked JoAnna with a whisper when Brian was out of the earshot.
JoAnna innocently blinked. ”I don't understand your question. He was available, and I needed someone to carry boxes with IV supplies for Aiden.”
”Poor Anna… no one to help you…”, Sarah said sarcastically while waving to Bob1 and Bob2 who are standing idle next to the car.
JoAnna was trying hard to suppress her smile. Sarah busted her right away. ”When is Charlie's treatment over?”
”In few minutes.”
JoAnna turned to Brian. ”Brian, can you help bring the boxes down? I will show you where…”
…
After the treatment ended, Emma and Charlie went to the garden, for their chat. Genie brought them freshly squeezed juice as a refreshment and cookies.
”I told you already, Charlie is her patient.”, Sarah heard JoAnna advise Brian. ”The treatment is over, so you can talk to her now.”
Sarah watched Brian as he smoothened his hair with palms before walking toward Emma and Charlie.
”You did this on purpose.”, Sarah told JoAnna as they watched Brian approach Emma.
”Of course.”, JoAnna has no intention of denying it. ”I'm aware that Charlie is wishy-washy. He needs to make up his mind already. This is taking too long. When I heard from Ellie that Brian is still mentioning Emma, and that he is in Los Angeles, I've got a brilliant idea. So… I gave him a call and asked if he wants a chance to talk to Emma. He didn't miss a beat before responding...”
…
At that time in the garden…
Emma and Charlie are chatting while looking at the birds in the massive cage in front of them.
”Emma…”
Emma stiffened at the sound of Brian's voice. She could recognize that voice in her sleep! Emma slowly turned toward him. When she confirmed that it's Brian and not her imagination, her eyes widened and she bolted up on her feet.
”Brian…”, Emma said under her breath.
”Uhm… hi…”, Brian smiled shyly and scratched his head, spoiling any smoothening of his unrully hair he did while walking there. Somehow, the messy hair suits him better.
”Anna asked for my help with carrying the medicine, and I heard you are here...”
At the sight of Brian's mesmerizing smile, Emma had to remind herself to breathe. As much as she thought that she is OK, she can't deny that her heart is racing when she is looking at Brian. Various images of their time at the wedding flooded her mind, and she blushed. They kissed a lot. Those full lips are made for kissing, and he knows how to use them just right. Oh, and he looks super-yummy.
”Emma?”, Brian's voice pulled Emma from her daze.
”Can we talk?”, Brian tilted his head to the right indicating that he wants a chat in private.
Emma inhaled sharply. ”Sure…”
She made a step toward Brian and then realized that Charlie is right there.
”Uhm… I will be back in a minute.”, Emma mumbled before walking away with Brian.
Charlie watched Emma and Brian walk… stop… and face each other. He could not hear what they were talking about, but he didn't miss Emma's reaction when she saw Brian. And she didn't even introduce him!
Charlie frowned while thinking, who is that guy? Why did he make Emma flustered in an instant? Why is Emma smiling so much? Did he just push a lock of Emma's hair behind her ear? Why is he acting so intimate with her… and she does not mind?
If Charlie paid attention to Emma during Jeff's and JoAnna's wedding, he would know who Brian is (and realize how much of a danger Brian is to him), but alas… at that time, he was busy with his uncle, mingling with people who bring value to Smithsonite corp.
Sarah and JoAnna observed the trio from the distance.
Sarah shook her head while JoAnna had a satisfying smirk on her face.
”Do you disapprove?”, JoAnna asked Sarah.
”Not really. I just don't understand your need to meddle.”