Husband With Benefits
Chapter 479: A Friend

Chapter 479: A Friend

"Emma. You’ve finally woken up?" Seb smiled as he stepped into the hospital room.

With a quick smile, he scanned her pale face, her head wrapped in thick bandages. At least the swelling had gone down considerably.

Emma looked at the man and the flowers in his hand. Even with the pain and fatigue that seemed to be hitting her, she managed a small smile for him. "Hey, how are you?"

Seb chuckled as he placed the small bouquet of flowers on the table and answered," i’d say I should be asking that question. How are you feeling?"

"Honestly? like I’ve been hit by a truck," Emma answered wryly.

Seb laughed at that. It was good to have humor in situations like this. Still grinning, he quipped," Miss Emma! You’re not far off in your feeling."

Settling into the chair beside her bed, he leaned forward slightly, his gaze intent as he studied Emma’s face. "Did you see anything?" he asked quietly, his voice tinged with concern. "The driver who did it, anything?"

"You sound like the police officers who just came to interview me.." Emma complained softly before sighing as she took in his determined expression.

She shook her head slowly, her brow furrowing in concentration as she tried, once again, to recall the events leading up to the accident. "I... I don’t remember much," she admitted, her voice tinged with frustration. "It all happened so fast. One moment, I was driving happily but somehow I felt as if something appeared in front of me and I lost control of the car. And then, a truck rammed into me from behind..."

Her voice trailed off, her expression clouding with uncertainty and some fear as she struggled with the memory.

Seb gently patted her bandaged hand," Its alright, Emma. You’ll be fine soon. You’re safe and thats all that matters, right? Now, do you want me to call someone from your family. I couldn’t find any information about you..."

Emma shook her head," I don’t have a family." Suddenly, she turned her hand and caught his hand in hers, her fingers curling around his," Seb, thank you for everything. When I first woke up in this empty room, I thought that I wouldn’t have anyone to care for me. But,you coming here, bringing these flowers, I don’t feel so lonely. I feel as if I still have someone in this world who cares for me.."

With a gentle yet decisive motion, Seb slowly withdrew his hand from Emma’s grasp, his expression polite but distant. "Emma, I’s sure there are many people who care for you. Don’t let such thoughts bother you."

Emma looked at his hand which he had withdrawn and looked at him with vulnerable eyes, letting him know with her eyes, the feelings that she had, making Seb feeling distinctly unomfortable.

With a sigh, he looked away from her and spoke softly," Emma, I know this might not be the right time but..."

"If you feel it is not the right time, then why say it now?" Emma cut in softly.

Another sigh escaped him. Nope. It was urgent to make things clear, lest Emma too start believing in the lies and rumors that her modelling agency was spreading.

"Emma, I’m here for you as a friend and business partner," he said gently and sincerely. "But I want to make sure we maintain a professional boundary, especially in moments like this. I know your agency has been spreading rumors about us, hoping to get you back into lucrative modelling contracts and I’ve not said anything because it’s business. But..."

Her expression faltered for a moment, a flicker of disappointment crossing her features before she nodded in understanding. Though she longed for more, she knew she couldn’t challenge him. Downcast, she looked away," Thank you for being my friend, Seb. And for yuor honesty. I... understand."

Seb stared at her intently. He knew they’d planned to ask Emma to act as his fiance but her expression had warned him that asking for such a favour would be wrong for her. He could see the budding feelings in her eyes and he did not want to use that. He’d simply have to look for another way to handle Vivienne.

With a nod, he stood up," Rest well, then. If you need anything, you can call Rosie."

Emma nodded, looking away. However, as his back turned, she looked at him and spoke softly," I like you, Seb Frost."

She watched as he stiffened and started to turn towards her. But she shook her head," Don’t turn around. And don’t say anything. Just listen to me. For the world, I am a model who is aging. Even though as a woman in her prime years, I am already old news in the modelling world, reduced to acting as an escort to survive in this cruelty."

"Ideally, I am only supposed to partner up with men for events like the one you hired me for, so that I would remain visible in the lime light, maybe someone would look at me and find me suitable... but the truth is much more disgusting than that as you’re well aware, I’m sure. I know you’ve never treated anyone like that... you’re kind of famous among the girls for that... You only take them to events, send them back with huge gifts. I did not know this earlier, but when I came to know, I... I think it was around that time my admiration and respect for you turned to something more..."

"I just... I understand if you are not interested in me. I just want you to know that if you ever need a friend, you will have one in me. As for my feelings for you, I promise to never speak of them again. I just wanted to get things off my chest so that there would be no regrets. You can go now."

Seb heard her words and sighed. "You’ll find someone much better and deserving than me, Emma. I’ll treat this conversation as if it never happened."

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