Tempting Fate

30 Chapter 30: Kissed of Death

Reed stood in front of Emy’s bed. He kept an eye on Emy while she slept comfortably. Emy slept for about an hour, presumably after sobbing in his chest. He took a deep breath and then vanished into the room.

It surprised Lorie when Reed appeared next to her. She looked around as she brushed away her tears.

“Don’t worry, you’re the only one who can see me,” Reed assured her. Lorie said nothing. She withdrew her attention from Reed. They were seated on a bench in the park, where many children were playing. Lorie has been watching them since she arrived weeping. “I’m not sure why you’re sobbing. Are you disappointed because your plans with Emy fell through? ”

Lorie took a deep breath. “I’m also not sure why I’m sobbing. I could be insane.” Lorie said.

Reed just gave Lorie a sidelong glance before returning his gaze to the youngsters playing in the distance. “I can grant you one wish. Just tell me what you want.”

Lorie chuckled. “Are you kidding me? You’re granting me a wish after doing this to me? What exactly is it, comfort?”

“I don’t believe in it,” Reed said. “Tell me what you most desire, and I’ll give it to you for free.”

“Are you serious?” Lorie asked. Reed said nothing. “What if I ask you to murder Emy or be mine? Will you follow through?”

“What makes you desire that?” Reed asked. “I offer you a free wish. You know who I am, and I can give you what you want most, and the two things you mentioned earlier are simply one of the things you want to achieve, but they are not what your heart desires.”

.....

Lorie brushed her tears away. “I’m not sure what Emy saw in you, or what you saw in her. Reed, you are not human. Is Emy aware of this fact about you? ”

“Yes, she realized I wasn’t human from the start,” Reed said.

“And she accepted you?” Lorie asked.

“Well, as you can see, yes,” Reed said.

“That woman is incredibly ignorant, that’s why she is often fooled by others,” Lorie said.

“If you want nothing, I’m going. My wife needs me right now.” Reed said. “You hurt her.”

Reed stood up. “Wait,” said Lorie. Reed cast a glance towards Lorie. “I’d want to have one.”

“Tell me,” Reed said.

“Can you delete me from Emy’s memory?” Lorie asked.

“What makes you desire that?” Reed asked. “I can make you rich, fame.”

Lorie exhaled deeply. “I want Emy to be happy,” Lorie said. “I’m only waiting for a visa to start working in Dubai. I want to...” Lori brushed her tears away. “I want her to be happy every day of her life.”

——–

Reed returned home after speaking with Lorie. He saw Emy’s father sitting in the garden, just watching Elijah and Ethan blissfully swimming in the pool. He sat beside Eddie’s empty seat. It gave him a sidelong glance but said nothing. Reed took a long breath before looking at Eddie.

“May I ask you a question, Tatay?” Reed asked.

“Of sure,” Eddie said, smiling.

“Why did you withhold Emy’s past from her?” Reed asked. Eddie moved his gaze to Reed. His reaction was astounding. “Lorie confessed to Emy what had happened at the time, and Lorie added you knew that the woman who had beaten Emy was not imprisoned. You know also that they did not fire the couple at that company and the company will not pay for Emy’s hospitalization. ”

Eddie was shocked; he had not expected Emy and Reed to discover the truth. Eddie’s breathing became more intense.

“Emy already knows everything?” Eddie asked.

“What made you agree? What did Lorie tell you to persuade you to agree?” Reed asked.

Eddie’s hand trembled, and his lips trembled as well. “Lorie said that she would go to any extent to get Emy terminated. The company is unaware of what happened, and I believe she has a different explanation. I feel bad for my daughter; she loved that job because it was her first. I kept what had happened to her hidden. Every time she calls, I’m standing outside the hospital, eager to see her.”

Eddie cried, and Reed simply gazed at him, saying nothing. Reed simply let it weep. Eddie stopped weeping a few minutes later, and everything settled down.

“I’m sure she’ll ask me questions when she wakes up. I’m not sure how to convey this to my daughter,” Eddie said.

“She will not ask...” Reed said. “She has forgotten everything about Lorie and what happened at the factory.”

“What do you mean?” Eddie asked.

“You still haven’t answered my question, Tatay,” Reed reminded him. “What made you do that?” ”

“Because I love Emy.” I love my daughter and don’t want to hurt her. I could have endured the hardships to pay off the bills I owed for her hospitalization, but I couldn’t do it when I saw her suffering, depressed, and sobbing.” Eddie said.

“I don’t understand why you desire to love, even though you will be hurt at some point. What other reason could there be for you to seek to feel the love?” Reed asked.

“W-what?” Eddie asked, confused.

Reed looked at Eddie and then patted his shoulder.

——-

“You’re awake.”

Emy shifted her gaze to the sofa near the bed. Reed was sitting there. He was clutching a book and dressed casually in a black t-shirt and tattered jeans. He was extremely handsome when he grinned at her. Reed rose and approached her after leaving the book he was reading on the sofa. Emy sat down and wiped her face with the back of her hand. Her eyes began to swell for no apparent reason.

“What am I doing here at home? Did anything happen?” Emy asked.

“You lost consciousness at work earlier, so I brought you here,” Reed explained. Reed touched Emy’s hair while staring at her.

“Did I pass out? Why?” Emy asked.

“Well, the doctor told me you’re pregnant,” Reed said.

“What” Emy’s voice became louder. Her pupils dilated, and she became quite frightened. ‘How did that happen?”

Emy sprang out of bed, ran to her closet, and checked the calendar.

“Are you okay? You’re pale?” Reed asked.

Emy was more astonished when she noticed Reed standing behind her, staring at her. “Are you serious? I’m pregnant?” Emy asked, her cheeks flushed with fear. Even her voice was shaking.

Reed lifted an eyebrow. “Why do I feel like you don’t like to get pregnant? You don’t want to conceive my heir?”

“No... I don’t want to... I can’t yet,” Emy said. Emy paced back and forth inside the room, confused. “What would Tatay say?”

Reed was staring at her. He wanted to laugh at Emy’s reaction. He wanted to tease her more, but he couldn’t stop herself from smiling.

“I’m just kidding,” Reed said.

Emy came to a halt and turned to face Reed. “W-what? ”

“You lost consciousness because...” Reed said. “Because of fatigue.”

Emy drew a deep breath as if a thorn had pricked Reed’s words. She rushed up to Reed and struck him in the arm. She winced since he hadn’t expected how hard his muscular arms would be.

“Don’t make fun of me like that...” Emy became irritated.

“Why not? You could become pregnant and you know that.” Reed said. “I shoot every sperm I have.”

Emy’s face reddened. “Gosh, do you need to say it in my face? I don’t want to... I can’t yet,” Emy said.

“Why not,” Reed asked. “Do you remember, you’re my wife?” ”

“We aren’t married yet, Reed,” Emy said. “It appears like we are merely living together. There is no thread connecting us. ”

Reed cocked his brow. “You still don’t consider me as your husband?” ”

“Why? Do you love me?” Emy asked.

Reed didn’t respond. Emy does it again. Reed couldn’t understand why Emy wanted that thing after what had happened that same day. It hurt Emy since she loved Lorie, but it did not return her feelings. Emy’s father felt the same way. He loves Emy, but he must lie and risk being hurt.

Emy saw Reed’s reaction. She lowered his gaze. “It’s still early; I can go back to work.”

“Are you planning to go back?” Reed asked. “We’re at home. I already had your belongings.”

“But they...” Emy said.

“They already know what to do.” Perhaps you could put your trust in your two assistants as well. ” Reed said. He smiled as he approached Emy and kissed her. “Do you want us to go on vacation?” ”

“W-what?” Emy asked.

“Let’s close the shop for a few days. Don’t worry, I inherited it from the previous owner, so everything is OK.” Emy gazed at Reed as he said. “Let’s bring Avery and Jasmin, as well as your family. What is your opinion? ”

Emy smiled. He nodded after clasping both of his hands against Reed.

“I like your idea,” Emy said. “Can we go to the beach?” ”

Reed smiled. “Of sure... we’re leaving tomorrow,” Reed said. “Perhaps you should contact Jasmin and Avery so they can get ready,” Reed said, looking at his wristwatch. “They’re closing the store now.”

“Yes, I’ll call you...” Emy said.

Emy hastily turned her back on Reed, but Reed caught her wrist before she could take a stride. He drew her closer to his body and kissed her on the lips.

—-

“Please don’t kill me...”

The man knelt, begging not to be slain. His eyes widened as he saw how those men were killing his wife. A man pulls his wife’s hair behind her head while a white bead emerges from her mouth. The woman, as well as the thing holding her, gaped. After a moment, the light exited the woman’s lips and went directly to the mouth of that dark thing.

The instantly rose and ran away from the man, but the black beast stopped him before he could even get away. It touched the back of his head, as well as his torso, and he could not move. It’s incredibly effective. His mouth was pushed open moments later. Even though he was straining to avoid opening his mouth, he did not know how that was happening. He already knew what that terrifying thing would do.

Even if he wasn’t, the man felt strangled. Something hot was ripped and driven out of his body. As it massaged his throat, the guy felt his body progressively cool. He was out of breath in a matter of minutes. Struggling for breath could be heard, but the man’s strength dwindled as the bead of light eventually emerged from his lips.

.....