The world around Darryl and Vanessa melted away just as their kiss began to deepen. But a knock at the door interrupted them, breaking their sensation.
Quickly, they parted, their eyes moved towards the door as Phoebe’s head popped into the room through the partially open door.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Phoebe said, a hint of a smile playing on her lips, “but you have a visitor, Darryl.”
Darryl flashed her a confused look as his lips twisted up. “Who is it?” he asked.
Curiosity sparkled in Phoebe’s eyes as she answered. “It is Emmy.”
Vanessa’s eyes widened, and her heart skipped as she heard Emmy’s name. Darryl’s eyes narrowed slightly, as he asked, “What does he want?”
Phoebe shrugged, her expression neutral, “He didn’t say. But he looks like he’s got something important on his mind.”
With that, Phoebe disappeared from the doorway, leaving Vanessa and Darryl in a shocked state.
Vanessa’s hand gripped Darryl by his wrist as she struggled to process what she had just heard. Darryl pulled her into his arms, his hands stroking her hair in a reassuring way. Her body and soul relaxed and the tension she was feeling melted away.
“I got you. I got everything under control.” He whispered into her ears as he gently stroked her hair.
“Stay here, I will see him outside.” Darryl said as he gently pulled her away from his body.
“No, I want to see him too,” Vanessa said, causing Darryl to frown.
“I want to hear from him, I want to know what he wants from you.” Vanessa added, and Darryl’s facial muscles relaxed.
“I thought we knew the reason why he has been hovering around me like a fly,” Darryl said with a flicker of humor, flashing her a questioning look.
“I’m not the reason for his presence, I’m sure about that,” Vanessa countered.
“Let’s hear from him,” Darryl said, his voice brooking challenge.
He dialed Phoebe’s desk on the telephone and asked her to let Emmy in. When he ended the call, he gestured for Vanessa to come closer to him while they settled in the chair, awaiting Emmy’s presence.
Blood drained from Emmy’s face as he saw Vanessa sitting beside Darryl. He wasn’t expecting her to be in his office, not to talk about how close they were sitting.
“Vanessa?” He called her name like he was trying to confirm if she was the one.
“Emmy, welcome. Please, have your seat.” Darryl replied instead of Vanessa because he could sense that she was uncomfortable with him around her.
“Darryl, I…I” he stammered, but his tongue decided to fail him.
“I remember the last time you were here, you were confident. I wondered what changed.” Darryl said as he leaned forward away from the chair.
“You came here to blabber about how you would help me with Vanessa’s address in exchange for a business partnership, but you ended up being a tool in Tania’s games.” He paused, sending him a smug smile.
“Why are you here, if I may ask?” Darryl asked, as the smile disappeared from his face, replacing it with a glare.
“I came here to apologize to you and to ask if you are still interested in doing business with my company.” Emmy stuttered as he spoke.
Darryl scoffed, “where did you get the idea that I was interested in working with you? You should sue the informant for deception.” Darryl said as he was enjoying the look on Emmy’s face.
“And about your apology, I don’t think we need it. Or do we need it, babe? He asked, turning his face to Vanessa.
Vanessa’s eyes remained on Emmy with an impassive look. Her body was still as she stared at him without emotion. Emmy was aware that if looks could kill, he would have been under the ground by now.
“Babe,” Darryl said, his elbow jabbed her slightly as he tried to get her attention.
“We don’t need his apologies, but I want him to apologize for what he did to me.” Vanessa said firmly, her eyes not leaving Emmy’s face.
“Vanessa,” Emmy started, but Vanessa interrupted him.
“I don’t want to hear my name from your filthy mouth.” She uttered, shutting him up.
Darryl was entertained by Vanessa’s unexpected change in character. He thought she was afraid to be around Emmy, but now, he realized that she was not afraid, she was blazing in a rage. Now that he knew that she could handle the situation, he leaned back into the chair, his legs spread comfortably as he watched the drama unfold.
“I’m sorry,” Emmy mumbled, his voice barely audible.
“Pardon?” Vanessa said, placing her hand on her ear in a dramatic way. “I didn’t get that, can you say it again?” She added.
“I said I’m sorry,” Emmy said, his voice louder than earlier.
“For what?” Vanessa fired at him.
Emmy’s head hung in shame as he remembered everything that had happened between him and Vanessa. He was humiliated because his past had finally caught up with him. He had cheated on her because she was too blind to notice it. He knew she was naive, and he used it to her advantage.
“For everything, I’m sorry for everything. Please, forgive me.” Emmy finally said after silence threatened to envelop them.
“Pick your apology from the trash can on your way out because we don’t need it.” Vanessa said with a satisfying look on her face.
All she wanted was to see him humiliated for everything he did to her in the past. She was grateful that she had healed from the trauma he caused her, and she was ready to leave everything in the past.
“Get out, Emmy. We were in the middle of something before you interrupted us,” Darryl said, winking at him.
Defeat washed over Emmy as he dragged his feet out of Darryl’s office. He was disgraced, but he couldn’t even stand up for himself. He had lost the partnership he was hoping to get to save the image of his company because he was deceived by Tania. Someone had to pay for his loss, and Tania was the only one he could think of.
“What was that?” Darryl asked as Emmy left his office.
“What?” Vanessa asked, pretending to know nothing.
“The sassy thing you did. The ‘pick your trash on your way out’ thing you did.” Darryl said, mimicking Vanessa’s voice.
Vanessa shrugged “Just making him pay for messing with you.”
“What about the things he did to you?” Darryl asked, his tone morphed into a concerned one.
“I don’t hold anything against him. I’ve moved on successfully.” She said, giggling after.
“With whom?” Darryl asked, his tone goofy.
“With you,” Vanessa answered, her voice lacking emotion.
“You are boring.” Darryl said as he pulled her into his lap. “I can teach you how to spice things up a little.” He said, as his eyes sparkled with love and affection.