chapter 5

Emily.

December 12th 2015.

"I thought we had one more week, what the fuck!" I hear Alex confused voice scream down the halls as I'm rushed into the emergency room.

I almost find myself laughing at Alex and his hysterics and I know for a fact that if I wasn't in pain right now then I most definitely would have been laughing my ass off at him and his constant cursing at everyone.

His such a clutz.

If he wasn't constantly glancing at Jasmine or so close to her all the time, especially when guys are around, I'm pretty sure people would think that him and I are together and that his the dad.

This happened a few times at the mall when Jasmine wasn't there with us, people thought that we were married.

We laughed for days about it.

A sickening pain stabs through my lower half making me cry out in pain, oh my god, I think I might just die.

"Don't you dare die on me, I will kill you!" Jasmines voice warns me once I'm prepared and ready to go.

I let out a weak pained laugh, shaking my head at her. "How does that work?" I wheeze out, the pain is too much. Someone needs to stop it, quickly. I honestly do feel like I'm going to die if it doesn't stop soon.

"Goddamn, Emily think of something else. It might ease this pain or something, fuck!" Alex hysterically says.

I slowly find myself smiling, thinking back to Alex, my kind and over dramatic friend, one of his many days where he took joy from my misery but still somehow made me smile.

FLASHBACK.

It's late, I think maybe just after half eleven when the bar gets a little rougher, louder and much more crazier.

The smell of smoke and alcohol mixed into the air.

It's not a smell that I'm fond off, but I'm forced to be used to it by now. My senses have come accustomed to it.

It's not like I didn't expect this because I obviously did know that this was coming, this is how it gets on most nights especially during breaks and weekends.

The atmosphere here is different, something that I definitely have not felt ever before. It's almost refreshing and I know that probably sounds insane because who in their right god damn mind would ever think a bar is refreshing?

Well anyone besides people who tend to spend, literally, their whole life in here, drinking their life's away. . . just like my father often did, does.

Unfortunately for me and my hate for anything alcoholic, I work here, in this bar from five to twelve on weekdays.

Luckily for me though, I get some weekends off which is an extremely good thing since I've recently been feeling utterly tired where my bones actually start to ache.

I'm trying to keep myself from being too busy, but that tends to be abit difficult when I'm currently working at a place that always seem to be busy, at a bar. I think it might be my stress and my sleeping habits. I'm really unsure right now, but I do plan on seeing a doctor soon.

I notice a few people come up to the bar, some getting served and some waiting on being served. It makes me snap out of my reverie and back into reality.

"Hey, what can I get you?" I smile tightly, it's fake.

"Vodka." The lanky man says.

I've learned that it's better to fake a smile and not wear to a permanent scowl on your face, people tend to think you're angry because of them.

"Actually, your strongest one will do." The man adds after a short pause making me chuckle lightly.

"That kind of day uh?" I find myself asking.

His baby blue eyes scan me for a second too long before a small smirk forms on his lips. "Oh yeah, it's been a long day." He chuckles, amusement dances across his features.

Nodding my head, I smile and pass over his drink which he happily, much too eagerly, gulps down faster than I can even blink. I should be shocked at the sight, but really I'm not because I've seen females gulp down their drinks in one go so it really isn't anything new to me.

"Another?" I muse.

He nods his head, a silent agreement of conformation until his six vodka glasses down and trying to flirt with me and It doesn't go well of course.

Many men, mostly drunk or high men, have tried to hit on me on numerous and countless occasions since I've started here and I haven't bothered to entertain anyone of these bozos yet.

Some have flirted endlessly and eventually grew tired of my constant silence or my rudeness where others have taken the not so smart choice of approaching me when I'm not behind the bar and even go as far as touching and groping me. That doesn't turn out very well for them either.

"Oh c'mon, I know you want me!" He tries again.

I frown, shaking my head over and over again. I definitely do not want him. He could pass off as one of my elder family members and by the way his currently dressed, I'm pretty sure he might just be!

The rich look.

The taylor made suits that fits his body perfectly and I'm pretty sure his got some sleek shoes on too. The way his whole appearance is.

Hell, even the way he speaks just screams rich!

Maybe one of the many uncles I haven't had the chance of meeting yet. One of the many rich relatives.

I know old guys like this and frankly I'm not fond of them at all. I have nothing but hatred for these old drunks and I'm not afraid to say or show it if need be.

I've been around guys like this, I remember them very well and I hate that I do remember them and their crude, rude remarks and commentary. It's almost cringe worthy.

And it's quite sad really because these old guys, who are utterly useless and stupid, they actually have families and loved ones at home who are most probably waiting on them, dying for their attention but do they care? No.

They don't give a damn.

I knew this factor because I've seen, heard and been around these sorts of people before. I even lived with one. It wasn't easy, but I found a way out. . . I guess.

"Sir, if you aren't getting anything else then there's a nice little booth vacant over there." I gesture behind him.

By the look on his face and by the way he scoffs at my offer, I know for sure that his not going to go easy and that only irritates me further, but I force myself to smile at the man seated in front of me.

As much as I want to bash this strangers head into the wall, I can't because number one, I'm not violent. . . at all and number two, I'm not one to use my harsh words on people I don't really know. And also because of my boss, Alex. I'm sure he'll 'act' angry, but he'll have a laugh about it later on, I know that for a fact.

Only because it's happened before.

Alex is a nice, refreshing kind of boss and it's a bonus that his my friend. It's kind of how I got this job in the first place and for him I am thankful.

He did, still does, however offer me a higher position in one of his many other companies but I of course have to refuse his kind gestures. I can't risk it and plus, I want to experience some things on my own.

Thankfully he understands and respects that choice of mine. He also didn't pry to ask why or any other questions.

"If I wanted another seat I would have moved by myself! What I would like though is you." The strange guy hisses, interrupting my train of thought to focus on him.

Alright, I think I've had enough of this old, groggy cow's shit! I glare at him and open my mouth to say something hateful and mean to him, but I'm interrupted by a new voice and by the familiar hand wrapping itself around my waist. I stiffen abit in the persons hold.

I should be used to this, but I'm not. I don't like when people hold me or touch me, I just. . . I don't like it. I'm not used to it anymore and it makes me slightly, just slightly, uncomfortable. I know exactly why too.

"Any problem here, sir?" A playfully stern voice questions, the troublesome man, from behind me.

"No, not at all." The man lies.

"Okay good. I'm just going to go speak with my girlfriend over there." Alex excuses both of us.

"That's your woman?"

"Yes, gorgeous isn't she?"

"Yeah. She's a real beauty."

Alex smirks and nods his head before he gestures for me to follow him to a more 'quieter' area where he'll probably laugh at my expense yet again.

Alex Henderson, one of New York cities actually no, one of the states most admirable young bachelors and not only is he good looking and goofy, but he also happens to be one of the few young billionaires around. And his also annoying, very annoying but I love him because his my best friend and the only family I have here.

I befriended Alex through one of my many family members friends. We've become very close and he had helped me out a lot since my arrival a month ago.

A very far friend to my family's friend.

Fortunately for me, he doesn't really know my family and neither did he know me earlier. It's refreshing being somewhere were nobody knows you or your family, where there's no rumors or anything like that, somewhere new where you can actually breath freely.

Alex hadn't, still doesn't, realize how much he had helped me by allowing me to work here without formalities and not to mention a damn apartment for myself in one of his many buildings. His a lifesaver.

I had run away, from my home, from my family and from my friends. I ran away from everything and everyone in that town. He doesn't know that.

I needed him and he was there, I am thankful for him and probably be for eternity. And maybe one day I'll tell him why I asked him for this job.

"That was fucking hilarious!" Alex burst out in laughter.

Rolling my eyes, I playfully shove him back by his shoulder. I expected this. "It really wasn't that funny." I grumble.

"It was! I watched for five minutes, he was over you. It was amusing as hell." He takes a minute to tell me that before he starts laughing again. "Also, when he tried to grab you through the bar." He adds between laughs.

"You don't sound like a 'almost' twenty year old. . . You sound like a tween who is about to go through pu-ow!" I tease, but a slap on my hand cuts me off.

"Get back to work, peasant!" He playfully mutters.

I smile, showing him the middle finger before strolling back towards my workspace and when I notice the guy from earlier no where in sight, I let out a relieved sigh.

END

And then all my thoughts and memories vanish when another, much more painful, jab is attacking my insides.

I hear all these voices urging, screaming at me to push. With Jasmine and a almost fainting Alex beside me and I give them one last squeeze of hands and push my hardest and last push and then . . .

I hear it, the loud cries of a baby, my baby.

"Congratulations, Miss Collins, it's a boy."

I smile, a tired lazy, yet happy smile as I hold my arms open out for the little bundle of joy that's neatly wrapped up in a soft little blanket, sleeping his tiny life away.

I don't realize I'm quietly crying until the tears start wetting his blanket. I instantly shut up, not wanting him to awake just yet because he needs all the rest he can get.

"That is the cutest baby I have ever seen in my whole life," Jasmine whisper yells over to me, excitement and amazement dancing across her hazel eyes as she stares at the little baby in my arms.

"Alex, are you alright buddy?" I ask, concerned.

There was alot going on in the birthing room but through all that screaming, pushing and pain I'm sure I saw him pass out before the baby came out.

"Y-yeah, it's just that his so. . . so tiny," He murmurs.

I smile, nodding my head. "His so perfect." I mumble, my fingers slowly caresses his soft cheeks.

"Have you thought of a name?" Jasmine asks.

With the smile still on my face while my eyes refuse to look anywhere but at my tiny little baby in my arms, I nod my head yes, tears sting my eyes.

"My little prince," I whisper, softly kissing his head before looking up at my two wide eyed friends. "Guys, meet little Archer Collin's." I introduce, smiling.