While everyone looked at Ian with questioning stares for dropping the glass of water, Mona looked at Amy with an ugly expression. She could not believe they would meet here after everything she had done. Her parents were monitoring her because of that little stunt Amy pulled. It was a good thing her friends didn't suspect her but ruining that business almost ruined a lot of things for her, especially with Ian.
She was on her way to his place to see where their relationship stands after she had been grounded for a week. No one knows how torturous it was, not seeing him. She had her ways of finding out where he lived but what she didn't expect was his grandma answering the door when she buzzed up leading to her going home without saying anything. Unexpectedly, Adrianne happened to see her and dragged her right back. She had recognized Mona from seeing her with Ian at the library the other time when she went for the boo club meeting.
"Mona? Is this....?" Stella sucked in her lips to suppress a smile as she looked at her grandson.
"I'll clean this up", he said as he turned to get a mop and dust pan.
"Aunt Emily!" Stacy climbed down from her grandfather's arms and rushed towards Amy.
Amy knelt down and hugged the little. "How have you been?"
"I'm good. I thought I was going to see you on Sunday but mommy said we'll see you today. I made another drawing of a giraffe we went to see today. We had a class trip to the park", Stacy's eyes were big and bright as she narrated her day's happenings to Amy. The latter could not help but smile seeing the little one go on and on.
"Stacy, are you forgetting something?" Stella scolded.
She gasped. "Excuse me Aunt Emily." Amy nodded and the girl went over to her grandma's and hugged her waist while cutely looking up at her with her best smile playing on her lips. "Good evening grandma. You look so pretty today!"
"Very cheeky! But thank you. You can go back to your Aunt Emily", she sent her away. She didn't waste a second before running over to Amy.
"One sec, let me greet everyone before you can continue telling me about your day", Amy told her.
"Okay." Stacy made sure to hold onto Amy's hand as they walked over to greet everyone.
"Hey kid", Richard greeted her with a side hug.
"You'd think she's your daughter and not mine", Alex chuckled as she hugged Amy who laughed in response. "And this is my sister Nora, Nora this is Emily. She's mom's neighbor and friend. They work together at the library."
Amy took in the young woman, unlike Alex who had more of a feminine style following her mother's footsteps, Nora had on a jeans and shirt, and piercings on her lip, nose, brow, and ears. She had trimmed the hairs on the sides and kept the one on top slightly longer. 'So that's who Ian took after', she mused. Even so, Nora was a beautiful sight to behold.
"It's nice to meet you Nora", Amy held out her hand.
"And I don't get a hug?" She arched her brow.
"Nora, she's married", Alex whispered through gritted teeth.
"So?" Nora pulled a confused Amy into a hug and openly sniffed her hair. "Wow! You smell good. What shampoo do you use?"
"Okay", Amy felt awkward as she released herself from Nora's embrace.
"Alex", Richard called out. Alex understood her father and pulled her sister away from Amy and gave her an embarrassed smile. "Excuse my sister."
"Did I tell you I missed you? You should come home more often", Adrianne beamed at Nora.
"Think of all the marriages I'd ruin. Starting with yours", Nora countered.
"And I'd happily help you", Adrianne responded before the two broke into giggles.
Adrianne's husband cleared his throat in clear displeasure when he heard this. Everyone else sighed when they saw the two. Adrianne's husband extended his hand towards Amy.
"Hi, I'm Jared. My soon to be ex wife has told me a lot about you", he gave her a small smile. He was a man with kind eyes and a warm personality. Amy felt comfortable already as she shook his hand.
"I'm Emily. It's nice to meet you", she smiled back.
"Wait! Are you really divorcing me because of Nora?"
"Why do you look so pleased?" Jared deadpanned.
"Oh! I'm distressed! Tell them Nora!"
"Very distressed!" Nora nodded without even trying to hide her amused look.
"Okay! You're not fooling anyone. Settle down everyone. Alex, Nora and Amy, help me set the table. Ian, you can keep your friend company", Stella winked at him whilst giving him a knowing smile. "Richard dear, what would you like to drink?"
"A beer will do", he responded as he walked over to settle on one of the sofas.
"Did you eat something before coming over?" She asked.
"Yes ma'am", he grunted as he sat down.
"And you Jared?" She asked.
"I'll have the same. Thank you Stella", he followed Richard to the seat.
Adrianne joined the ladies in the kitchen to help out with serving the dishes. Even little Stacy helped to carry some plates to the glass coffee table to set everything down.
Mona, however, could not help but feel awkward at the same time stare at Ian. She never thought she would be caught in such a situation.
Adrianne managed to catch her in the act as she nudged Stella. The two friends watched in amusement while Alex became Amy's defense shield against her sister.
The food was finally served and the group of family and friends sat in the living room to share the hearty meal prepared.
"So Emily", Nora started.
"Nora", Alex warned.
"I just want to ask something. Besides working with my mom, is there something else you do?"
The question threw the room into silence and especially piqued Ian and Mona's interest. From last time's incident, they had been wondering what she possibly could be doing as a job for her to find them that easily.What exactly is Amy's profession?
This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶