THIRTEEN

On getting to Emily’s apartment building, Ashley could not help but wonder again why it was Dave she had to call to help her. It was just weird that a secretary is so close to her boss. Most probably they have a relationship outside their office.

Emily’s apartment was the one-man modern type of abode. The whole room set in an orderly manner, Ashley just had to appreciate the work Emily had put into the room to make it look good and welcoming.
“Emily, where are you?” Dave called as they walked further into the room. Eyeing the numerous throw pillows that stared back at her from the single couch in the room, Ashley could not help but just admire how nice her kitchen looked. The wall-installed microwave and oven was quite a sight as well as the polished counter.

“Dave?” The wooden floor creaked and the visitors followed the faint voice that had called.

Sprawled on the huge bed that was seated on a huge platform and weirdly occupied mostly with teddy bears, was Emily.
“Emily, are you fine?”

“No, silly.” Her sort of shrill voice responded. “I am so tired. I think I broke something in the bathroom. Oh,” she began to sit up as Ashley and Dave took the little staircase that gave assess to the bed. “,I am so glad you are here, my knight.”

*‘Okay, this is getting weird.’* Ashley thought. There just had to be more to their relationship.

“At least you sound okay.” Dave engulfed her in a huge hug as he took his seat at the edge of the bed.

“Thank you for coming Dave.”

“It is fine.” He held the sides of her face, a worried frown on his forehead. “Are you sure you are fine?” It was as though Ashley had suddenly became invisible.

Not bothering to gave an audible response, Emily crashed into his chest. Ashley, not being comfortable made to get off the platform but the weird looking teddy bear at her feet made some weird sound when she stepped on it.

Then, she became visible all of a sudden. “Miss. Steve.”

“Call me Ashley. I hope you are good.”

“Yeah,” the once sort of perky voice became awfully quiet. “,I am fine.” Emily’s eyes darted between Dave and Ashley as if trying to make a connection out of an assumption. The look on her face as her eyes landed on Dave who was checking something on his phone was so clear. She wanted to ask what Ashley was doing there.

Ashley scoffed to herself. It was not as though she wanted to come anyway.

“Ashley was with me when you called. I was afraid I would need an extra hand, so I asked to come along. But it looks as though you are fine. So…”

Immediately, Emily’s chest started rising and falling, her eyes flickered here and there as though about to have a seizure.”Dave…”

“What? What is it Emily?”

“I suddenly feel hot. I…” her slender hand fanned her face as she *attempted* to get rid of the heat.

“Here, let me adjust the fan for you. You should feel okay soon. You need to sleep. And I need to drop Ashley at home.” Ashley gave a quick smile in response to the one he swiftly flashed at her.

Her legs fighting, Emily’s cries became worse. “I feel like my skin is on fire. Ice… I… Dave, I need ice.”

“Ice. Okay, okay.” It was kind of cute seeing him all concerned about someone. But Ashley could call bullshit on what Emily was doing at moment if she could.
“Ashley, please, get some ice from the refrigerator.”

“Sure.”

“I want you to stay Dave,” despite saying this with a low voice, Ashley heard loud and clear what Emily said. Rummaging through the standing refrigerator, she listened with extra ears for more demanding statements as the former. But, Dave was keen on keeping her calm.

Emily was playing a game. Her panic attack claim could also be drama, God knows. But it was all nonsense to Ashley. “Here is the ice.”

“Thanks Ashley.” Slowly, he massaged the ice on Emily’s body according to the commands of the lady.

“Right there,” Emily hands went to her top and exposed more than half of her upper body after getting massages on her face, arms and weirdly, her legs. “Dave, right there. Ohh. Yes. Keep going Dave, this feels so good.”

Ashley’s eyes just had to squint as her mouth fell ajar with surprise at the drama playing out in front of her. Emily kept giving unnecessary moans to the ice massages and Dave, well, he kept doing it with all seriousness. And care.

Ashley decided that she would ask him if there was something else between him and Emily when they were finally out of the house. And she hoped that was soon. Checking her phone for the time , Ashley realized it had being a while since she was out till after eight pm.

That was something. Even though she was breaking record in the house of a possibly jealous, over-dramatic secretary, it was still something.

Apparently, Dave had noticed her checking the time, so he put a stop to the massage. “Okay Emily, you seem fine now and we need to get going.”

“Oh,” she quietly said as she sat up and collected the extended pack of ice in Dave’s hand.

Getting up, Dave continued, “I am glad you are fine though. Tomorrow is a day I would like to be as perfect as possible. So if you can make it, I will be glad.”

Ashley did not miss the sadness that suddenly showed in Emily’s eyes which were in contrast to the short smile on her thin lips. “I will be in the office tomorrow. Thanks Dave, for taking care of me.”

If it were his arm she had intended to touch, no one knows. But what was clear at that moment was Emily’s hand resting directly on Dave’s manhood, squeezing it slightly as she looked up at the man with appreciation in her eyes .

“Emily,” Dave quickly withdrew, almost hitting Ashley. “What is this?”

“Oh my God, I am so sorry. I thought that was your arm…” She pushed through her hair. “I am so sorry. I am just so dizzy, I…”

“Just don’t stress yourself if you can’t make it tomorrow. Ashley, let’s go.”

“Take care Emily.”The sincerity of Ashley’s smile was met with a sneer and Ashley just knew, without any doubt that it was an act all along.

On getting outside, Dave immediately turned to face Ashley, his eyes searching hers. “I wasted your time by bringing you here, didn’t I?”

“Well...” Ashley hunted her brain for a suitable way to answer the question without sounding too blunt.

“And, that scene… where she…” Appearing to struggle with his words at first, Dave finally composed himself after a deep sigh. “There is nothing in between Emily and I, okay?”

*‘That’s not what Emily thinks. I can see it in her eyes how much she wants you.*’

“Why are you telling me that?” Ashley asked instead.

“I know things are going a bit fast between us despite my talk about it being risky and all. Now that… I just don’t want you to think that I am a man slut that sleeps with his secretary.”

“I didn’t even think that. I am sure Emily didn’t mean to grip your… you.” *Lies. *

“Great. Let’s get you home then.”

After a long ride filled with music from the radio and no conversation between them, Ashley finally asked the question on her mind. “I wanted to ask, are you and Emily friends or something? I mean, it is just so weird to have a boss and his secretary being that close without there being a kind of tie between them outside the office.”

“We are actually college friends. I employed her to work in my company after we graduated. Ever since, our friendship remained intact.”

That actually explained a lot. “So, your company, did you inherit it?”

“Yes. From my uncle. But I expanded it after few years. It wasn’t exactly the big company it is now few years ago. Hey, do you smell something burning?”

Ashley sniffed the air, “No.”

“I don’t know it is as though the whole atmosphere is smoke filled.” Dave said as he swerved.

“I think I smell it now. I wonder what is going on.”

“It is as though someone is burning something.” Ashley nodded in agreement, her hand covering her nose as the smoke was managing to enter the car despite the rolled up windows.

As her eyes flickered to her left to settle on her house, Ashley’s eyes widened, her hand dropped, a loud gasp left her mouth.

Her house was on fire.