Page 57 of Black Wave

I cringe at the same voice that told me to stop seeing Emma. If I loved her, I would let her go.

I haven’t heard this voice in about a decade, but anger bursts through me at the memory of our last exchange. Things went differently then, when he told me I should respect Emma’s parents’ decision. I went looking for Emma the following summer, but her mother held true to her word in not returning with the girls to her brother’s house.

“Andrés? This is Eduardo Ruiz.” I let that sink in for a bit and wait to see what he will say in the introduction.

“Eduardo.” He pauses in what I am sure is confusion mixed with what I hope is also some regret, but I highly doubt it. Andrés Ortiz doesn’t feel bad about his decisions or have regrets.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?” He’s curt but not unpleasant.

I know we have the same goal in mind–to keep Emma safe, or at least that’s what I remind myself when proceeding with this exchange.

“I am calling about Emma. I just wanted you to know that we have reconnected, and I am keeping her safe.”

I hear Adrian, her cousin, in the background.

“I’m putting you on speaker, Eduardo. Adrian, my son, is here.”

I respect the disclosure, but it isn’t needed. I’m not the same kid I was back then, and I won’t be walking away, no matter the cost.

“Hello, Adrian,” I say in greeting, which he reciprocates.

“Gentlemen, it has come to my attention that Emma is in danger. I have moved her in with me after a scare at her apartment.” I hear a chair topple over.

“What the fuck happened?” Adrian is upset. Not knowing about another issue with Julian before this conversation looks equally bad since they are supposed to have someone watching Emma; however, their piss-poor job is ridiculous.

“Julian Martinez is a dead man. I am currently gathering information about his family and should have some idea what their obsession with Emma is. He was in her apartment and left her a message in the bathroom mirror. He is fucking with her, and I am not at the liberty of him toying with my girlfriend.” I hear a series of expletives leave Andrés’s mouth.

“What do you mean your girlfriend, Eduardo?” He isn’t very gracious in concealing his feelings about Emma and me rekindling our courtship.

“Is that all you got out of that?” I applaud his reaction. At least I am keeping her safe, unlike these fuckwads. Instead, I continue as if this doesn’t phase me.

“Well, that is also the reason for my call. I appreciate that you have been helping Emma, but I feel I can assist and be there for her. I know her parents are not around and?—”

“Let me guess,” he interrupts. “Do you think you can date Emma now that her parents aren’t around to prevent you from being together? Eduardo, I was never against it, but…” He seems to rethink what he was going to say. “How does Emma feel about it?”

“That is part of the reason I am calling. We have been given a second chance, and I never want to lose her again. As her next of kin, I’m calling you as a courtesy, and as her next of kin, to ask for her hand in marriage officially.” I hear a drink being poured, and I understand the sentiment. “Is that a celebratory drink I hear you pouring?”

He sighs, and when I think I will have to marry her without their approval, he finally acquiesces. “I know that you love her and will keep her safe. My niece has lost so much. If you can bring her joy and provide a home, then you have my blessing.”

Adrian verbally agrees in the background.

“I appreciate your approval. I will keep you posted on what our sources find out. I will also update you on our wedding announcements when I propose to Emma. That is, if she accepts it, of course.”

I hear Adrian scoff as if he has moved closer to the speaker. “I will keep you posted as well.”

Andrés counters, “I, for one, haven’t been able to find out anything. You, being on the other side in the US, might be more successful.”

We hang up on a consensus. I feel more relaxed knowing that Emma is mine and I only need her to agree to my marriage proposal. Now to think of how to get the girl.

Julian seems to slip away and hasn't been seen in a few months, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t plotting or planning to abduct Emma. Emma questioned where Philip was, and I told her he had a family emergency to take care of. Everyone else thinks he is dead, but I won’t tell her the same story. She won’t discover what I said to other people because my men wouldn’t dare tell Emma I killed her bodyguard because of a mistake. I’ve had her watched at work, so I know Julian hasn’t shown up again in the waiting room or at the coffee shop she likes to frequent.

Today, I have a surprise for my girl. I spent the whole day at the gym tying up loose ends when Helena started talking about a concert she was going to buy tickets for. The girl is always going to some heavy metal venue, and I only half listen, but when she mentioned her Ghost concert tickets, I perked right up.

“Excuse me, what band?” I ask, but this time, I listen thoroughly to her ramblings.

“Oh, so n-ow you are paying attention to me?” she snorts, typing data into the patient account on the computer.

“Sorry, but this band you mentioned is… Ghost? Are they the ones who wear the masks, and the lead singer dresses up as a satanic pope?” I look at her with exaggerated interest.

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