Tangled Love
CHAPTER 45

CHAPTER 45

I sniffle before signalling for the tissue box. Ivory grabs a tissue, wiping her own eyes before passing itto me.

"It's just so sad, you know?" I sniffle, watching Rose pleading for Jack to wake up. He's clearly dead,his whole body turning blue and icicles forming on the strands of his hair.

"What a waste of a beautiful human," Ivory mumbles, blowing into her tissue. She turns towards me —

"I can't believe you've never watched the Titanic before Emily, it gets me every time."

We're both laying on the couch in our pyjama's, staring up at the TV where the movie is almost comingto an end. The door creaks open, revealing Jake and Tobias watching us with an amused expression.

"Really girls?" Tobias asks, shaking his head and chuckling at us both. He lunges forward and snatchesthe remote from Ivory's hand, causing her to shriek loudly.

"Tobias! No! It's almost the end!"

She runs at him, knocking over a vase of flowers on the coffee table. I sniffle again and wipe my eyes,looking up to replace Jake standing over me holding back a laugh.

"Really Emily?" He grins down at me, his hands inside his jacket pockets.

"Shut up Melvin," I mumble at him, reaching for another spoonful of Nutella. I have to drown mysorrows in something. Before I have the chance to devour it, Jake plucks it out of my hands in one swiftmove.

"Get up and do something beside eat Nutella and cry over chick flicks. Ivory is rubbing off on you."

I shake my head protesting and lunge for the nutella spoon again. Jake is quicker than me andsuddenly I'm flung in the air with Jake's back as my only view. My mouth hangs open in shock and Ishut it quickly.

"Jake, put me down!" I yell at him, slapping his back. He ignores my screams of protest and insteadcarries me effortlessly out of the living room, heading up the stairs.

"The blood is rushing to my head!" I yell, slapping his back harder. Jake's body vibrates against me ashe chuckles and I huff unhappily. I replace myself suddenly being flung down onto the bed and I let out alittle scream, my eyes widening.

"That-was-not-funny." I grumble, crossing my arms over my chest and pouting. Jake rolls his eyes andpins me down onto the bed, his body over mine.

"Jake! You're too strong, you'll squash me like a bug!"

He laughs loudly, throwing his head back as the joyous sound fills the room.

"You really do make me smile Muffin," he tells me, blue eyes sparkling brightly. Warmth spreadsthrough my chest and I giggle back at him before he leans down, attacking my lips with his.

*****

A week inside is causing me to go insane.

I need to smell the fresh air, feel the grass, hear the birds. I pull on my trainers and clip the dogs leadonto her collar, leading her outside with me.

My shoulders tense up with nerves and I'm constantly on edge as I head for the local dog park. I needto do this. I can't stay locked up in fear forever. The local park is a ten minute walk away however I getthere in five by rushing. My chest rises and falls as I struggle to catch my breath. Damn, I'm unfit.

"Calm down pup," I instruct Boe who's barking at another dog a few feet away. I tug on her leash andshe obeys to my surprise.

"Good girl!" I praise her, heading for the dog trails. I take the chance to enjoy the atmosphere, it's socalm and peaceful. The sun is shining through the stands of the tree's and I inhale deeply, loving thebenefits Mother Nature has to offer. A slight breeze whips around me and I felt my shoulders relaxslightly.

A small rustle from behind me catches my attention and I turn immediately only to replace the branchesswaying to and fro from the breeze. Stop being paranoid Emily.

I scold myself, feeling completely on edge. I push any paranoid thoughts to the back of my mind andbegin to jog ahead of the dog, smiling as she follows me. We both weave our way through the trails,getting lost in a sea of trees and bushes. Wherever I go, the dog is right behind me.

I lightly jog up a small pathway, my muscles loosening the further I go. When I glance down, Boe isn'twith me. I immediately stop and turn, scanning the area. . . She's nowhere to be found.

"Boe?" I call out, my voice echoing through the air. I decide to re-trace my steps and turn the corner,colliding into a hard chest.

"I'm so sorry!" I apologise, looking up to replace a man in his early thirties. He has a dark buzz cut with achiselled structured face that has a faint line of stubble running along his jaw. His dark eyes connectwith mine and despite his age, he's clearly handsome. He grins at me, showing off a row of perfectlystraight teeth.

"Don't worry about it. Is this your dog?" He asks me, holding Boe in his arms. I breathe out a sigh ofrelief, smiling gratefully at him as I take her in my arms.

"Yes, thank you so much!" I respond, clipping her back onto her lead to stop her from running off again.

"You're welcome Emily."

I freeze at the mention of my name and glance up at the man. His whole facial expression haschanged, dark eyes now cold and emotionless.

"How do you know my name?" I ask him quietly, taking a step back. He takes a step forward instantly,his eyes never leaving mine.

"I know your father."

He tilts his head to the side as he studies me. I feel my stomach clench tightly —

"My father is dead."

The man chuckles quietly in response, the sound causing every hair on my body to stand up in chills.

"Do you know who I am Emily?" He asks, his tone quiet and chilling.