I Do, Maybe: A Novella Read online

  I noticed that your credit card has yet to be used. I know that you’ve had lunch with Kat on weekends and have been to see movies. Whose money are you spending?

  Fraser.

  From: Emily Watkins

  To: Fraser Lewis

  Sent: Wednesday 26th February, 2014 16:03

  RE: Bank Card

  Good afternoon Fraser,

  I have been using my money that I received as an inheritance from my grandfather. I don’t feel comfortable spending your money as you have spent so much on me already.

  Emily.

  From: Fraser Lewis

  To: Emily Watkins

  Sent: Wednesday 26th February, 2014 16:47

  RE: Bank Card

  The card was given to you for a reason. Please use it.

  From: Emily Watkins

  To: Fraser Lewis

  Sent: Wednesday 26th February, 2014 16:48

  RE: Bank Card

  Okay.

  I sat back at my laptop. Emails from ‘business’ Fraser scared me. I much preferred receiving his light hearted correspondence.

  Chapter Three

  Easter was approaching and I had yet to speak to either of my parents. They had emailed me frequently, I had sent them curt replies, still too angry to forgive them for what they had done, although I was no longer angry at my position in life.

  I was happy.

  I was enjoying school. I had made a great friend in Kat. And even Fraser was proving to be a good friend too, always emailing or texting me, letting me know he was thinking about me and I was free to contact him still. He’d even let me add John’s email address and phone number to my list of approved contacts.

  I was a little surprised when I arrived back to my dorm room to find an email from Fraser about going home. I had told him I didn’t want to go home for Easter.

  From: Fraser Lewis

  To: Emily Watkins

  Sent: Monday 7th April, 2014 16:47

  RE: Easter Break

  Hey Piglet,

  Just thought I’d let you know that I’ve arranged for Greg to pick you up from school and escort you to the airport and then to your parents home for the Easter Term Break.

  You will depart Sydney at 7pm and you will arrive in Melbourne at approximately 8.15pm. You will leave Melbourne on Friday 25th April at 4pm to return to Sydney. I hope this is okay.

  If any changes need to be made let me know ASAP.

  Fraser.

  P.S. Did you make the swim and track teams?

  P.P.S. Have you Googled me yet?

  From: Emily Watkins

  To: Fraser Lewis

  Sent: Monday 7th April, 2014 17:12

  RE: Easter Break

  Hello Fraser,

  Thank you for taking the time to arrange for me to go home but it won’t be necessary. I’m staying in Sydney for the Easter break.

  Yes I made both teams!! Cross country training starts in May, track begins in June and swimming comps start from July. I’ve been training hard.

  No I haven’t Googled you yet. I have made my intentions clear on that.

  Thanks again.

  Piglet.

  “Why on earth is Fraser Lewis addressing you as Piglet?” Kat asked as she read my emails over my shoulder.

  “It’s a pet name, a personal joke.”

  “Why do you have personal jokes with Fraser Lewis? What’s going on between you two?” Kat had admitted to me that she had no idea if there was anything going on between Fraser and I other than my education. She said she’s a hopeless sticky beak and if she smells even the slightest scandal, she can’t let it rest until she knows all the details.

  “Nothing, I’ve already told you, they’re family friends.” This is the line I was told to tell anyone who ventured to ask.

  “No they’re not, otherwise I would’ve heard of you. The Lewis’ don’t have friends. They have business associates and family. That’s it.”

  “My dad is a business associate of Mr. Lewis, that’s it.”

  Kat sat down at her desk at the opposite end of the room. “Do you want to know what I think?”

  “Not really.” But I knew she’d tell me anyway.

  “You had a fling with Fraser and last year and you gave birth to his child and so now you’ve been sent away and your child is being raised by your mother. Your child will grow up thinking you’re her sister but once she turns eighteen you’ll tell her the truth. Am I right?”

  I screwed up my face at her. “No, you’re not right.”

  “But I’m not wrong.”

  “Yes you are,” I sighed. “It’s impossible to be not right and not wrong. You have to be one or the other.”

  “Or a little bit of both. The baby is a boy. I was wrong about the gender.”

  “You were wrong about the baby and the fling and everything. He’s a family friend and I don’t even like him.”

  Kat laughed. “Yes you do, you let him call you Piglet.”

  I hung my head in my hands. “Kat, he’s just a friend.”

  “Did you sign a NDA?” She typed at her computer.

  I looked up. “Yes I did,” I said quietly.

  “Fine, I respect that. But just promise me one thing?”

  “What’s that?”

  “I’ll be your first bridesmaid at the wedding.” She turned and winked at me. “Here we go. Fraser Lewis, born July ninth, nineteen ninety eight.”

  “What are you doing?” I asked as I stood from my computer.

  “He asked if you’d Googled him. You said no. So I have.” She continued to read down the screen. “Son of business mogul Trent Lewis, blah, blah, blah, three brothers, blah, blah, oh here we go. Rumoured to have had made his first million dollars before the age of thirteen and to date is worth upwards of eight million dollars.” She looked at me. “Not bad for a fifteen year old. Although this article is old, he’s probably worth more than that now.” She looked back to the screen. “Is described as ruthless and brutal in his business dealings.”

  The article showed a picture of Fraser and his father wearing costumes for a Halloween charity ball. Fraser was dressed as the Grim Reaper and Mr. Lewis was Han Solo. In regards to Fraser the caption made a comment about life imitating art.

  Kat looked up at me. “I’m sure he’s nice in his personal life. The Lewis family are known for their generosity and kind nature as well as their business dealings.”

  I shrugged nonchalantly and went back to my computer. “It doesn’t matter anyway, because he’s just a friend.”

  Brutal and ruthless. I’d seen that side of him while we played Monopoly; his comment about not sharing his wealth and his abruptness when I mentioned John. But I’d also seen a kind and gentle side to him, when he held my hand in the plane when I was nervous about flying, his email when he suggested I’d made a good first impression and his generosity, his overwhelming generosity.

  I took a few slow deep breaths and reminded myself of my resolve to get to know him personally and to not believe what’s written.

  But I did make a note of his upcoming birthday and then spent the next night and day wondering what on earth I could buy a fifteen year old boy who could afford to buy himself anything he wanted.

  My thoughts were interrupted when my phone began to ring. The caller ID informed me that Fraser was calling.

  “Hello, Fraser,” I answered.

  “Em, have you spoken to your parents since you went to Sydney?” His tone told me he already knew that answer to that question.

  “No,” I answered quietly. “I’m still angry at them.”

  “Angry at who?” Kat mouthed at me.

  I shook my head at her and turned my back, hoping for a little privacy. One thing I had learned about being at boarding school, you had little if any privacy.

  “Em, you have to talk to them. They’ve done nothing wrong.”

  “They have done so much wrong, Fraser. You couldn’t even begin to understand.”

  Fraser sighed down the phone. “You t
hink I don’t understand? Emily, I understand better than you think. I know that what we did was…a shock for you. And one day, it will all make sense. But in the meantime, you have to trust me okay? Your parents did nothing wrong and they don’t deserve to be punished.”

  “What you did was more than just a shock Fraser. You took complete control over my life.”

  “I haven’t done that…”

  “You have,” I say, my tone giving away just how annoyed I was. I look over my shoulder and give Kat a look to let her know I needed some time alone. She took the hint and gathered her shower bag and headed out. Once she was clear of the room, I continued. “I’ve read the contract, Fraser. I’m fully aware of what I can do but more abundantly what I’m not permitted to do.”

  “Well in that case, Emily, if I’m so damn controlling, you will get your arse on that plane and go see your parents. There will be no further discussion about it.” He ended the call.

  Wow. I’d just had my first business meeting with Fraser Lewis and like the majority of his negotiations, he’d come out on top.

  *****

  Boarding the plane in Sydney, I was nervous and angry and a whole lot more nervous about seeing my parents again. The time on the flight to Melbourne had given me time to think. Time to reflect on my attitude and how I’d behaved like a spoilt brat. If I was miserable in Sydney, or being neglected, I would have reason to be angry. But I was being looked after, just as Mr. Lewis had promised me I would be.

  As we approached Melbourne, I realised that time with my mum and dad was just what I needed and I found myself feeling excited about seeing them again.

  The front door opened as soon as the car pulled up at the front of what used to be my home. Mum came running down the front path and before I had barely opened the back door, she pulled me from the car and wrapped her arms around me, crying into my neck.

  “Oh my baby girl. I love you so much. I’m so sorry,” she cried.

  I instantly forgave her. “I should be the one apologising. I’ve been horrible.”

  “No. You were within your rights to be upset.”

  We held each other for a long time before we heard someone clear their throat behind us. I turned around and John was waiting, arms open for a hug.

  He wrapped me in his arms. “I’ve missed you so much.”

  “I’ve missed you too,” I said.

  He held me at arm’s length and looked at me. “You look different.”

  “No I don’t, it’s just the clothes. Give me two minutes and I’ll be the plain old boring Emily you love.”

  I went into my bedroom and there was a large wrapped box on my bed. There was a card taped to the top.

  “It came yesterday,” Mum said as she stood in the doorway.

  I picked up the gift. “Whoa, it’s heavy.”

  “Yes it is.” Mum came onto my bedroom and sat next to me on the bed. “Are you going to open it?”

  “I guess so.” I took the card from the box and opened it. I read it out loud to Mum. “Happy Easter. Enjoy! Fraser.” I looked up at Mum. “It’s from Fraser,” I said as I pulled the red ribbon loose and tore open the white paper revealing a boxed solid chocolate Easter egg.

  “It weighs two kilograms,” I said after looking at the box. “It’s white chocolate, how does he know I prefer white chocolate?”

  “A lucky guess honey,” Mum said. She reached out and took my hand. “Are you okay?”

  I looked up at her as tears filled my eyes. “I don’t know Mum.”

  “What’s happened? Trent has only said good things about you.”

  “Oh Mum. They would only say nice things because they are nice people. Last week, I went to the nurse because I had a headache and not five minutes later Mrs. Lewis was ringing me to make sure I was okay.” I sniffed. “They are so kind to me.”

  “Then what’s wrong?”

  “Mum, I think I like Fraser. I mean I really like him. He emails me all the time with funny little messages and I like him.”

  “That’s a good thing darling.”

  “I know but sometimes he sends me emails that are really not funny and…”

  Mum’s hand tightened around mine. “He’s not mean to you is he?”

  “No Mum, he is never mean to me. He’s just…sometimes…he’s just so…business like. I like funny Fraser, I’m scared of business Fraser.”

  Mum wrapped her arm around my shoulders and pulled me close to her. “Honey, sometimes, I’m scared of your father too.”

  “What do you mean? You and Dad…”

  “We love each other very much. But sometimes he scares me because I love him so much, and I know if he was ever to leave me, I’d be a broken woman.” Mum sniffed, causing me to look up at her.

  “Mum, why are you crying?”

  “Because I’m in love with your father, and it scares me.”

  “Are you saying I’m in love with Fraser?”

  “No, you’re not in love with Fraser. But you like him, his friendship means a lot to you, maybe more than you’ll let yourself realise.” She nodded at me and I nodded in return. She looked down at the gift in my lap. “And he obviously likes you too. Both of you have a lot of growing up to do. Give yourself time. Give him time. Remember, this is all as new to him as it is to you.”

  She was right. I hadn’t thought of that. He had just as much, if not more pressure on him to make his family happy.

  I rested against my mum. “Thanks Mum. I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  I looked down at the chocolate gift in my lap. I owed Fraser an apology. I got my phone from my bag and typed out a text message to him:

  Thank you for the Easter egg. I’m not going to even ask how you knew I preferred white chocolate to dark. Is that in my portfolio too? ;) I wanted to say I’m sorry and to thank you for insisting I come home. I really needed to. You were right. (Mark this day, Fraser. I will never ever repeat those words). I hope you have a great Easter and be sure to eat lots and lots of chocolate. Em.

  His reply came through minutes later:

  I hope you enjoy your time with your family. You deserve it. Be sure not to eat too much chocolate, I’d hate for you to end up with a sore tummy. Fraser.

  He’d hate for me to end up with a sore tummy? My mind instantly went to the “Health” section of my contract which stipulated I was not to exceed 50 kilograms, the healthy weight for my height and age (the contract went on to list all the healthy ranges for age and height until 18 years of age in Appendix G). I currently sat at 40, well under by limit, but it still haunted me.

  I sighed and look at my mum, who still sat on the end of my bed. “Where’s Dad?” I asked.

  “He’s been held up at work. He’s dying to see you though. He’ll be home just as soon as he can be.”

  My reunion with Dad was just as emotional as it was with Mum and remainder of the weekend consisted of laughter, an epic egg hunt and an over consumption of chocolate.

  But something wasn’t right about Dad. He looked exhausted. But he made every effort to make my time with them memorable.

  Tears fell when Greg arrived to take me back to Sydney.

  *****

  From: Fraser Lewis

  To: Emily Watkins

  Sent: Saturday 26th April, 2014 16:35

  RE: Hi

  Hi Piglet,

  How was your Easter? As per your request I ate a ridiculous amount of chocolate and spent a good part of the weekend rolling around on the floor in agony. I hope you’re happy now. ;)

  Fraser.

  From: Emily Watkins

  To: Fraser Lewis

  Sent: Saturday 26th April, 2014 16:58

  RE: Hi

  Eeyore,

  I will not accept blame for your over indulgence, you are old enough to make your own decisions regarding your body. However I am sad to hear of your agonising experience.

  I had a wonderful Easter thank you. I too indulged and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was nice to run again with Jo
hn in the mornings but I did miss my evening swims. I’m about to head down to the pool now.

  My Dad seemed out of sorts, he seemed to be tired a lot and he spent a good part of the weekend “resting”. Mum said he’s been working hard and was taking advantage of a few days to unwind.

  Thanks again for organising my visit back home. I really needed it.

  Piglet.

  *****

  Ten days later, Kat was watching the evening news when I returned from my evening training at the pool. She always watched the evening news, and always read the news in the mornings on her iPad.

  “You’re such an old lady, Kat,” I said as I dropped my bag onto the floor.

  “Have you spoken to Fraser today?” she asked.

  I rolled my eyes. “No I haven’t.” She was always teasing me about my relationship with Fraser. I wished I knew more about her so I could’ve teased her back. But her reputation was faultless and she never spoke about her personal life. “We don’t talk everyday and we…”

  “Have you seen this?” She pointed to the television screen.

  I walked around my bed to see the screen. Red writing appeared at the bottom of the screen, “Breaking News. Tragedy Strikes Lewis Family.”

  “What happened?” I said, my heart feeling heavy.

  “His grandparents were murdered during a burglary.”

  “No,” I said sitting down on the small sofa. I’d never met Fraser’s grandparents, but it didn’t stop me from feeling Fraser’s pain.

  My eyes were glued to the TV as it showed footage from outside their home, police and ambulance lights flashing. I got up and quickly opened my lap top, checking my emails. There was nothing from Fraser. My phone rang from my bag. Fraser’s name flashed on the screen.

  “It’s Fraser,” I said to Kat.

  “Answer it,” she said.

  “What do I say?”

  “Say hello,” she said as she turned the TV down.

  I pressed the answer button and held the phone to my ear. “Hello.”

  Fraser didn’t say anything.

  “Fraser, are you there?” I asked quietly.

  He sniffed and took a ragged breath. Then I heard him typing. Moments later my email pinged, notifying me to a received email:

  From: Fraser Lewis

  To: Emily Watkins

  Sent: Monday 5th May, 2014 19:22