James thought that Emma was going to drown herself in the lake. He felt so scared that he ran after her and snaked his arm around her waist. He lifted her up effortlessly and carried her away from the water.
"Are you crazy, Emma? You're going to jump into the lake because of a man?" James bellowed.
With red, puffy eyes, she replied, "My ring has fallen into the lake. It's very important to me. I have to go get it."
"Your ring?" James still held her arm. He was afraid that she would charge into the lake and hurt herself.
"So you weren't going to jump into the water and drown yourself because of Harrison?"
he asked. Emma took a deep breath. Her eyes became redder. "I'm going to go get my ring. It's very important to me. Let go of me. I have to go look for it."
She tried to shake off James' firm grip.
When she finally managed to break free, he grabbed her other arm. "Wait here. I'll go get it for you."
He bypassed her and stood by the lake to have a look. "It's dark. I don't know how deep it is."
Approaching the water again, Emma squared her shoulders and said, "I'll get it myself. I don't need your help. The lake is only two meters deep, and I can swim."
She started cli
nd picked it up.
When he was back on the surface, he held the necklace in the air and inspected the ring. It had the letters engraved on it just like Emma said.
Then, he swam back to the edge where Emma was waiting. With one breath and movement, James got out of the water.
His wet pants clung to his long legs. His wet hair shrouded his forehead and eyes. He dripped all over as he walked toward Emma.
"Here you go." James handed the necklace to Emma. "Don't lose it again because I won't get it back for you anymore. This is the first time and the last."
His hair covered his eyes, so Emma could not see the emotion in them. She only knew that his face was as dark as the night.
"Thank you," she blurted out. She took the necklace, its coldness a shock against her skin.
James picked up his clothes, shook the excess water off his hair, and said coldly, "I don't like verbal gratitude. If you really want to thank me, you can go to a dinner party with me tomorrow."
'A dinner party?' Emma was confused.
"I'll send someone to pick you up at the college tomorrow." James did not give her time to think about it, and he did not allow her to refuse.
He put his shirt back on and left.
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