For James and Emily, things were moving at a faster pace than they had imagined. Both were well aware that, even though Emily mistakenly, and out of panic, told Cecelia Grams that they were living together, they didn’t actually have to move in. But, aside from Emily's error, it was more convenient in light of the recent hazard. 

Moreover, their unpredictable grams can stop by anytime out of the blue to catch them red-handed. 

However, every disc has two sides. 

And the other, brighter side for them was their innate longing to be close to each other, which James had grown to accept. On the other hand, Emily was still coming to grips with the reality that she was even mildly attracted to James. 

She was trying much too hard to keep it platonic, but her heart had other ideas.

Emily doesn't usually get nervous easily, but today was different. Her tummy was churning with butterflies. As decided, Emily had most of her belongings shifted and were placed in separate boxes in the living room. Mason had stepped in to assist them. Despite James' insistence that Mason joins them for supper, he had to leave.

Emily took a thorough look at James' apartment after Mason had left.

"It is nothing special." He nervously scratched his neck.

Emily glanced around his apartment, and true to his words, his home was not luxurious. 

It was normal. 

It was way too ordinary, but it felt cozy and very homely, especially for a bachelor guy. 

A regular-sized television, a couch in front of it, and two reclining chairs, one on each side of the sofa. A bean bag was also strewn about besides the recliner. In one corner of his room, he had a stack of books and magazines. The living room's walls were basic, but there were a few photo frames on them.

His apartment had an open kitchen concept, which was just a few steps away from his couch. Overall, his home is small, pleasant, and very inviting. 

James could easily afford a larger home with his income, yet he prefers to stay in this one.

"I like it." She told him, simply adoring his home with her eyes.

"Really?" He asked her in amazement. 

Emily might make a compelling case for not living here or complaining because his house was smaller than hers.

"Yeah, I'm surprised because if it had been anyone else, that person would have moved to a much larger space." Emily voiced out her thoughts.

"I know. But I never felt the need to relocate. Initially, when Justin and I were starting out, we used to stay here on rent. We came across this place during our second year of university. We no longer wanted to live in the dorms, and luckily, this apartment was put up for rent.

Moreover, the location is safe, the apartment is great, and the rent was pretty affordable. But then, after a few years, Justin moved out, which was fair because it was about time we learned to survive on our own and be more independent. The apartment had to be sold subsequently because the owner needed the money. Fortunately, I had enough money saved up at the time, and with the help of the loan, I was able to purchase this property. Dad did pitch in a few percent so that I didn't have to take a large sum from the bank, but I made a promise to myself that I would repay every dime to him, which I did eventually. I know it may not be that big of a thing I'm making it out to be, but I don’t know. This place is special and close to my heart." James tried to explain the reason to Emily. 

Others may perceive it as a small thing. To them, this house and the story behind it may seem nothing unusual, and they may be right to some extent. But this place holds a special place in his heart, even though he knew that he would have to leave this place one day. 

If he could afford to keep this place, then why does he have to let it go?

"James, it is definitely not a small thing to love your home, and I do understand why you are so attached to this place. To tell you the truth, I didn’t peg you as a sentimental guy. There are very few people who know their roots, and I am glad that I am lucky enough to know one. I agree that this place is not extravagant, but I like it. Now, more than ever, because of what you've said. It makes it all the more special." 

Emily was amazed how a single anecdote or perception can alter a person's viewpoint.

"You mean it?" He asked her while looking intently at her. 

It meant a lot to him that Emily didn't try to persuade him that he needed to move to a larger location simply because he could afford it.

"Of course I do." Emily said, "It is admirable that you are still staying here. What you have now is your own. You are a self-made man, which is an outstanding quality that makes you trustworthy." 

James' cheeks were red. Praises coming from Emily were rare, and it made them more heart-warming because she didn’t toss compliments to get into someone's good graces.

"You know, the only reason Fiona and I got a good mid-size apartment was because of dad," Emily said to him. 

"Care to share while eating? Because our food will turn cold, and I am hungry," James asked. 

He enjoyed talking to Emily, but he also needed something to silence his stomach.

"Of course." She didn’t mind sharing this part of her story. 

For dinner, there were meatballs, mashed potatoes, and green beans with red wine.

"James, this looks incredible," Emily said while sitting down on the floor and leaning against the couch, followed by James. 

They had arranged their food on the centre table.

"I hope this tastes as good as it looks. We can sit on the couch if you want." James told her. 

His home had a very casual setting; hence there was no dining table unless one considered having food at the kitchen counter opposite the stove area.

"Jeez James, relax. This is good. Stop with the formality." Emily rolled her eyes, but she found his reaction adorable.

"Suit yourself." 

When Emily took a bite of the meatball, she couldn’t help but praise the food. 

"This food is amazing. Where the hell did you order this from? It has a homely taste." Emily asked James, looking for a response.

"Anderson Restaurant." He winked.

But his response only made Emily confused.

"I had never heard of this place. Where is it?" She asked him, waiting for his reply. 

This made James chuckle.

"I made it, Em." He finally said.

"Don’t lie, James. I mean, you don’t need to impress me." 

"Ah! So you are impressed. I am that good, huh? But I cooked it. No joke here." James told her uncomfortably. 

He is not good at taking compliments.

"Really? In that case, I love you, James. If you are this good of a cook, I am staying with you forever." Only a few moments later, Emily realized her choice of words. 

James was staring at her, and while she couldn't read his mind, he appeared astonished, but not in the wrong way. He liked the concept of her staying with him forever.

"I mean, I love your food and will hire you as a chef. I mean, you know, not like…." She tried to cover her words up, but it was a failed attempt.

"Awe… Em. You don’t need to disguise your love for me in the form of food. I know I am a highly loveable person." He tried to ease her discomfort.

"Self-absorbed jerk,"

"High and mighty queen." James mocked.

Emily was relieved to see them back to their old selves. She didn't want anything strange to get in the way of their relationship. For a short amount of time, James means a lot to her as a friend, though she will not admit it in front of others.

"So, your story?" James reminded her, trying to divert their earlier question. 

How he wished Emily would confess her liking for him, if not love. He would love to kiss her again.

"Oh yeah, Dad gave the house to Fiona and me as a gift. It was his parents' home in their last years. Later, he lived there with his wife." Emily began.

"I had no idea Bob was married," James said.

"Yes, he was. His marriage to Bianca ended in divorce. His ex-wife was far too ambitious for him, contributing to their legal separation. Dad tried to support her in every way possible, but it was becoming increasingly difficult for him to keep up with her. Gradually, he started feeling that he was staying with a roommate rather than a wife. And then there was the fact that he suspected his wife of having an affair with a co-worker. She didn't act on her feelings, though, until they filed for the divorce."

"Wow. It can be surprising what a person can go through in a short amount of time." James said.

"Tell me about it. Unlike my biological father, Dad is a gentleman. He is a compassionate man who enjoys living in the present. He didn't want to sell this home when he left Pelican and relocated to Seopol. He was not holding onto memories of his ex-wife, but it was his home because of his parents. The last few things that he had of them. But then, selling this place was a viable option. However, one of his nephews was looking for a place to rent in this city, and his home was ideal. So, they struck a deal where he would put it up for rent instead of selling his house. It was a great side income. And when I was moving out, Dad asked Fiona and me to stay there. Both our families thought that it was a safe bet, as it was his home." Emily told him.

"Damn. Bob is a big-hearted guy." 

"Yes, he is. Both I and Fiona wanted to pay the rent to him, but he took offense to that. He was furious. His exact words were, ‘What good am I as a father if I have to take money from my own daughters to stay at a place which is their own?’" Emily quoted.

"Really? But that’s understandable." He would never let his kids pay rent to him whenever he has them in the future. 

"Yes! Fiona was still hesitant as, technically, she was my friend, but Dad literally made her sit down and told her that she was as much of a daughter to him as I am. He told us about how his ex-wife had an abortion when she was in the prime of her career. She didn't consult him, but he discovered her reports in her drawer. She snatched his right to become a father without even informing him of her pregnancy. That was their breaking point. But in return, he got two daughters."

"Christ!" James commented. 

He had no idea that Bob had been through such a difficult time.

"I know, right!" Emily chuckled at the thought of so much drama.

"But then he did get two daughters and a son," James said.

"And a daughter-in-law as well."

"Kate right?" He asked her.

"Yes, you need to meet Jake and Kate officially," Emily said abruptly. "If you are my boyfriend and we live together, then Jake needs to know about it. Because if Jake isn't on board, our plan will fail, and he will kill you rather sooner."

"Em, you didn’t think that before telling CC Grams that we are living together." James' face was expressionless. 

"I forgot. But you should know Jake is very protective of me." Emily informed him.

"He is your brother, so obviously, he is going to be protective of you. But I am not worried as families love me." He tried to assure himself of the coming illusionary storm if her brother didn’t like him.

"How many girlfriends' families have you met?" She asked him curiously.

"You are second, but know that none met mine." He told her.

"You kidding, right?" She couldn't believe what she was hearing. 

He didn't look like someone who didn't have many girlfriends.

"Nope. I never dated in school. I was quite an introvert. Even during college, I had only one girlfriend, whom I was serious about, so I met her family two or three times. But later, we split up. After that, I did go on a few dates here and there, but nothing concrete came out of it." He elaborated.

"So you were playing the field." She asked her with raised eyebrows.

"If you mean playing the role of Casanova, then no. The girls I have been on dates with were boring. Too pretentious. I just didn’t have the heart to go on a second date. Gradually, I stopped dating and looking for anyone and invested my time working. I do socialize with friends, but that's about it." Emily nodded, trying to understand James more. 

She really didn’t know anything about him.

"Okay, so would you mind telling me why you broke up with your girlfriend in college?" Emily asked him hesitantly. 

She didn’t want to overstep her boundaries.

"Of course not. Her name was Christina. Her life was different from mine. We got along well, and I liked her. But then, things began to shift between us. It was okay for her to plan goals for herself, but then she started to impose her goals on me. That was the final straw. I am fine with supporting my partner's decision, and I am not against the idea of working together for each other’s goals. But I still prefer to do things my way every now and then. You can't tell me not to eat something because it has too many carbs, and you want me to lose weight." James attempted to explain as best he could.

"Like a manipulative bitch looking for a trophy partner," I say. Emily puts it succinctly.

"Right on point," James said. 

Emily grinned smugly in return. 

"What about you? Any serious relationships in the past?" He asked her, as it was only fair she should tell her story. 

He wouldn’t push her, though. But it would be nice to get to know her better.

"I tried dating in school, but the guy was a jerk. He asked me out because of a bet. I have always been a tough person, so some guys thought it would be amusing to make some bucks off me." Emily told him.

"Crap! And let me guess, you struck back?" 

She has to. Knowing her, Emily doesn’t go down quickly.

"Well, what do you think? I retaliated against him by agreeing to go on a date with him in the first place," Emily informed him.

"I don’t understand." James was perplexed.

"I heard that Triston, the guy who asked me out, had made a bet on me. So to get back at him, I said yes. I confronted him about the bet and threatened to punch him when we went on a date. He was terrified, so he didn't deny it, but he did express his regret. He thought it would be cool to boast that he had scored a date with me. But poor him and his friends. The next day, I confronted the other guys he had made a bet with, threatening them in the best possible way. I took money from each of them – the amount they bet on me – and donated it all to the community centre. Since then, they never tried to do that to anyone else."

"Em, I don’t know if one should be scared of you or praise you for your good deed," James told her.

"Scared. Definitely scared." 

If James was uncomfortable with compliments, then Emily doesn’t accept compliments.

"Nope. You deserve a hug for your pure thinking." James said while getting up to act on his words.

"James, don’t." Emily tried to warn him, but who was she kidding. 

Before Emily could run, James pulled her into a tight hug.

Once he let go of her, she hit him in the chest. "Do that again, and I will kill you." 

Emily made a solid attempt to strike a threatening tone, but it only made him laugh.

‘Stupid, idiot, cute, dumb-duck James.’ Emily mused.