A Call That Changed Her Entire Life

What kind of negotiation was this? It was crystal clear that he was taking advantage of her.

Emily was dizzy from the euphoric kiss when Jacob stopped for just a moment to let her speak. She conceded, "Okay, you can stop kissing me now…"

Jacob didn't heed this and went back in his words, he proceeded to kiss her violently. He only stopped when someone knocked on the door, his face full of unsatisfied regret.

"Rat-a-tat." The knock went on at a steady pace, accompanied with Ina's voice, "Miss Lu?"

Upon hearing this, Emily snapped back to reality and glared at Jacob then pushed him away. With her temper leashed, she proclaimed, "I'm alright!"

Ina continued, "Miss Lu, I brought the food I got from the market, but I'm not sure if the okra I bought was the one you wanted. Would you come out and take a look?"

Clearly, Ina didn't want Emily to be alone in a room with Jacob.

With a gleam of displeasure in his eyes, Jacob wordlessly stood up and fixed Emily's hair then smiled, "Now it's settled. We, a family of three, will go to the seaside."

A family of three…

Emily had to admit when she heard the word 'family', a warm feeling spread throughout her body, like a small hole was opened on the walls of her heart.

"Miss Lu?" Ina urged again, this time with a tinge of nervousness in her voice.

Emily couldn't stay in the room with Jacob anymore, so she went out with Jacob in tow.

As soon as Beryl saw Jacob come out of the room, she ran and wrapped her arms around his legs and eagerly asked, "How was it Daddy? Did Mommy agree?"

Jacob patted her little round head, winked and gestured an OK sign to her. Beryl's smile almost reached the heavens as she raised her hand for a high-five.

"You're the best, Daddy! Even Mommy listens to you!"

Seeing the evident adoration on his daughter's expression, Jacob's weary heart couldn't help but feel revitalized. "Why, of course. Mommy's always obedient to me..."

"Am I?" Emily's cold voice came from behind him, "You're saying that I'll obey your every command be it right or wrong?"

solemn expression, he lied through his teeth, "What I meant to say

amused surprise.

towards the kitchen. She heard the faint

is afraid

her instantly.

long sounding "Oh", Beryl replied,

man touched her innermost emotions. She thought that with age comes emotional maturity, but she

observing her

snapped back to reality. Looking at Ina's suspicious eyes, she

continued, "Do Sean and

counter and pondered for a moment, she then said, "Whether they know or not,

of something that Emily couldn't quite understand flashed in her eyes

of action, so the next day he had already arranged the seaside trip and went there extra early to pick up Beryl and Emily.

Beryl opened the door. As soon as she saw Jacob, her eyes lit up and beamed at

to pick her up and

she's lying down on her bed." Beryl raised her chin proudly.

praise for his daughter. In his eyes, Beryl was the best

about to stop Jacob from going up,

held Beryl in his arms

painting brushes over her eyelids. Her breath shallow yet at a rhythmic pace, her sleep was peaceful and she looked beyond

a beautiful sight if he could help it.

his collar and spoke, almost whispering, "Don't forget we're going to the seaside

up, Beryl?" Jacob asked

get angry

to do it?" Jacob didn't

with perfect assurance and a smug face, "Because daddy loves

was watertight. No getting out of this one, Jacob

out his hand to caress Emily's face and spoke softly, "Emily, wake

in her voice, Beryl said, "My mommy is Cloris, not