Chapter 7 Covered

• Emma's POV
• Mr. Preston walked further, and I took in a deep breath. I had never asked him for money before, but here I was, about to do it. My heart raced as our eyes met. For a moment, everything else seemed to fade. I forced a smile, trying to hide the anxiety building in my chest as he walked closer.
• "Is there a problem, dear?" he asked, his voice smooth, but there was a hint of concern in his eyes.
• I nodded slowly, the words I'd rehearsed in my mind suddenly feeling heavier. "Can I see you, sir?" I managed to ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
• Without hesitation, he signaled for me to follow him, and I did, my footsteps tentative, like they were walking me toward an inevitable, life-changing moment. As we entered his office, I stood there for a moment, unsure of how to begin. He closed the door behind us and gestured for me to sit, his face unreadable.
• I swallowed hard, taking a seat, trying to calm my nerves. "Mr. Preston, I-" My voice faltered, but I quickly regained my composure. "I came to ask for a loan. I need the money for my mom's medical bills. She's been in the hospital for a while now, and I'm doing everything I can to keep up, but... it's just so much. I'm desperate."
• I paused, hoping he would understand, but before I could finish, he reached for his desk drawer. My words caught in my throat when I saw him pull out a thick wad of cash. Without saying a word, he slid it across the desk and dropped it in front of me.
• "Use this," he said, his voice calm, "and don't worry about paying me back."
• I froze, staring at the money in disbelief. I blinked, the weight of his words sinking in. Was this... real? He couldn't be serious. My hands shook as I looked at the wad of cash-more than I had ever imagined.
• Tears welled up in my eyes, and before I could stop myself, I dropped to my knees, overwhelmed with gratitude. "Thank you! Thank you so much, Mr. Preston!" I sobbed, my voice trembling. "You have no idea what this means to me. You're saving my mom's life."
• He didn't say anything at first, just watched me with a steady gaze. I could feel my tears streaming down my face, but I didn't care. I had just been given a lifeline, something I hadn't thought was possible.
• "I'm just doing what's right," he said, his voice gentle yet firm. "Now, get up, Emma. You've got work to do."
• I nodded, still shaking, my hands clutching the cash. I quickly wiped my face and stood up, unable to believe how my world had shifted in the span of a few minutes.
• "I'll make sure this goes to the right place," I said, my voice still thick with emotion.
• Mr. Preston gave a small smile, and I turned, heading for the door with the money clutched tightly in my hand. As I stepped out of his office, I felt like I was walking in a haze. My mind was racing, unsure of what to do with this incredible gift.
• I needed to go to the restroom.
• I quickly found my way to the ladies' room and locked myself in a stall. With trembling hands, I pulled out the money from my purse, careful not to let anyone see. My heart pounded in my chest as I counted the cash. One hundred... two hundred... three hundred... four hundred... five hundred... the numbers blurred in my mind as I kept counting, realizing just how much was there.
• When I reached the last bill, I froze. $3,000.
• Tears threatened to spill again, but I couldn't let myself fall apart just yet. This was more than enough. More than I could ever ask for. I quickly stuffed the money back into my purse and took a few deep breaths, trying to regain my composure.
• After work that night, I made my way to Mr. Levin's office to repay the $500 he had lent me. He looked surprised when I handed him the money, but he didn't say anything-just gave a nod of approval. I felt a wave of relief wash over me as I left his office, knowing that debt was one less thing weighing me down.
• Then, I headed straight for the hospital.
• When I arrived at my mom's ward, I took a deep breath before entering. The room smelled sterile, but the sight of my mom, lying in bed, her face pale but still somehow peaceful, made my heart ache.
• I walked over to her side, sitting on the edge of the bed. I held her hand gently, speaking softly. "Mom, I've got the money. We're going to pay for your treatment. We're going to be okay. I'm going to make sure you get the care you need."
• She didn't respond, but the faint squeeze of her hand was enough to make me feel like I was doing something right. I stayed by her side for a while, talking to her about everything and nothing, just trying to fill the silence with love and reassurance.
• Eventually, I had to leave. I kissed her forehead gently and told her I'd be back soon.
• As I stepped out of the hospital, I felt like I was walking on air. Everything was falling into place, but I knew it wasn't just luck. I had worked so hard for this.
• And tomorrow, I would keep working even harder.
• Damon's POV
• I sat quietly in the backseat of the car, the sound of tires on asphalt filling the space between Harper and me. He kept his eyes on the road, but I could feel his gaze flicking to me from time to time, his curiosity palpable. The silence stretched on, thick with unspoken questions.
• Finally, I broke the stillness. "I know you have questions."
• Harper's grip on the wheel tightened slightly as he nodded, not missing a beat. "Yes, I do. I'm glad you know..." His voice trailed off, and he didn't need to finish the sentence. I could feel his gaze on me again, even if it was just a flicker in the rearview mirror. The guy was too sharp for his own good.
• I sighed, leaning back against the seat, trying to find some way to process what had just happened.
• "Why?" Harper finally asked, his voice casual, but I could hear the edge to it. "You gave it out just like that? You want to bed with her?"
• I scoffed, irritated at how easily Harper had assumed the worst. "You know my type?" I shot back, the words harsher than I intended.
• He rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "Yeah, yeah, virgins. But the way you just gave it out...?" He trailed off, leaving the question hanging in the air, but I didn't need him to finish.
• I didn't have an answer for him. Hell, I didn't even fully understand my own actions.
• "She needed it," I muttered, my voice low, as I stared out the window, watching the city pass by in a blur.
• Harper snorted, clearly amused by my response. "Yes, boss." His tone was dripping with sarcasm, but there was something behind it. Something in the way he understood that I wasn't just playing around, that I wasn't giving out money just because I could.
• But I still wasn't sure why I'd done it.
• I kept running the scene in my mind-her standing there, vulnerable yet strong, the desperate edge in her eyes as she asked for help. I couldn't ignore how it felt to give her the money. There was something about her that made it impossible for me to say no.
• I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. Harper didn't press me any further, but I could feel the weight of his questions hanging over me. Why had I done it? Was it because of her? Or was it just a momentary lapse in judgment? I didn't know the answer.
• The drive felt longer than it actually was, my thoughts racing, tangled in confusion. Harper continued to drive, his silence a strange comfort. But I couldn't shake the feeling that I had just crossed some kind of line.
• When we pulled up to my apartment, I didn't say anything as I got out of the car. I could still feel Harper's eyes on me, but I didn't acknowledge it. Instead, I stood there for a moment, letting the cool evening air settle around me, hoping it would clear my head.
• Inside, I paced back and forth in the living room, my mind still on Emma. What the hell was it about her? She wasn't the type of woman I usually took an interest in. She was... different. And that made it even more complicated.
• I let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through my hair. The sound of the elevator doors opening snapped me out of my thoughts. Harper was standing there, looking at me, waiting for me to give him something more.
• "Mr. Damon," he said, his voice low but insistent, "I'm not going to let this go. You gave her that money, and now we both know it wasn't just for her medical bills."
• I stared at him, then turned away, walking toward the window. "I don't know what you want from me, Harper. Maybe I did it because I could. Maybe I did it because I saw someone who needed help, and I could give it to her. But it's not like that. I'm not interested in her."
• Harper didn't respond right away, and I could feel him weighing my words, trying to read between the lines.
• "You don't have to explain yourself to me," he said after a beat. "But I've known you long enough to know that when you do something like that, it's never just because you can."
• I didn't respond, my gaze fixed on the city skyline. Harper was right. There was more to it. But I couldn't let myself think about it. I wasn't ready to go down that path.
• "Well, whatever it is," Harper continued, his voice softer now, "just don't get yourself caught up in something you can't control. You've got enough on your plate already."
• I nodded, acknowledging his concern, though I wasn't sure it mattered.
• The next few hours were a blur. I couldn't stop thinking about Emma, about her quiet strength, her grace under pressure. I didn't know her well, but something about her stuck with me. I thought I had it all figured out, that I could control everything in my life. But now, for the first time in a long time, I wasn't so sure.
• Maybe Harper was right. Maybe I didn't need to understand it right now.
• But something told me I would have to face it eventually.
• I wasn't sure what that something was yet, but I knew it had nothing to do with the money.