Mind, Body and Soul

Three men, Three lifestyles, One Choice



Chapter One - Introducing the Job

She walked quickly down the dark street, the only sound was the sound of her heels clomping loudly on the stone pavement and the gentle rustle of leaves as they almost floated around her feet as the wind blew. The only light came from the streetlamps and the cold air refreshed her tear stained cheeks which were slightly red from walking quickly, detirmed to be on time.

She walked down the last small alley, it really was small and narrow but she walked down this alley almost everyday. The puddles off water gave off little light from where the street lamps had been reflected in the water.She finally came to the big oak doors, belonging to Bridge Street Strip Club. She pushed the large doors open and made her way in, ignoring the comments of her boss complaining that she was late again. The club itself was quite shabby, but visitors didnt seem to care. The walls were a dark red, and the floor a dirty black but it was hard to notice any of them, they just blended in. There was a bar towards the back of the club where you came in, a man worked at the bar though. His name was Steve, she had known him a long time, since she joined the club, and often called him Stevie. He gave her free drinks all the time, and sometimes anyone who was with her. Infront of the bar were a few dirty table and chairs, then further on chairs dragged to the side of the stage, small tables set out infront of them. The stage itself was a bit like a catwalk, but nearer the back a proper stage. The long rectangle like bit that came out into the crowd was used most. Noone really seemed to care what the club was like infact, just what was in it. Though now and again they got some complaints from non smokers. Alot of the men smoked in the club so the air was filled with a foul smell and was often very smoky. The club itself, she noticed, wasnt very busy. She made her way through the rusty metal backstage doors and down a narow carpetted hallway, with yet again red walls. She finally made it into the dressing room and pushed the door open to see all the other girls doing their make up.

There was Roxy, the raunchy redhead as guys like to call her, she was applying the last touches to her heavy makeup and adusting the top half of her outfit. Her red hair came down to her shoulders, she never wore it up unless outside the club, strict orders from the boss. If you had long hair, wear it down. Her green eyes shone brightly, reflecting the light from the big mirror. Noone understood Roxy, she kept quiet about her social and family life, but chatted naturally about anything else. There had been rumours when she first started that she was adopted, but she denied it all and had never spoke of it since then.

Then there was Ariel, the quiet brunette but when she got on stage it was a whole different story, she was doing her nails over in the corner. Her long brown hair laid neatly on her shoulders, every girl wanted her hair. Ariel had a boyfriend, they had met him a few times when he came to pick Ariel up. He proposed to her lately, and she was very very happy about it. Everyone was happy for her, and even the men wondered what was going on after the perfomance she gave that night on stage.

Dannielle was sprawled over a chair, chatting into her phone, probably to more men, as she checked her hair looked ok in the big mirror. Dannielle had a rough life, she lived on the streets even for a while too, but she Roxy offered her a place at her flat, and since then theyve been flat mates. Dannielle herself wasnt the type of girl you would expect too see in a strip club, nor the type of girl who gets payed for sex, but she had a different side to her.

Emily made her way into the small changing room to the side of the mirror and changed quickly into her outfit, returing into the dressing room moments later and dropping her long black leather coat on one of the chairs.

A few seconds later, the big boss came in as they called him, a shy brunette girl stood behind him awkwardly.

"Hello girls, this is Nichola, shes new here and shes having her audition" he explained, stepping aside so they could all get a better look of the new girl. She was average height with long brown hair down to her shoulders and blue eyes. "Nichola, just dance with the girls here for your audition and ill talk to you during the break or afterwards" he explained. "Oh, and Roxy, David asked me to give you this" he passed her the notes of money and with that he left. Roxy stuffed it into her coat pocket. Nichola still stood, looking around until Emily stepped forward to introduce herself and others.

"Hi" she spoke, holding out a hand. Nichola shook it. "I'm Emily, thats Foxy" she pointed to Foxy. "And thats Ariel" she pointed to Ariel then Dannielle. "And thats Danielle" she smiled, then handed Nichola one of the outfits on the hanger. "Oh, and this is your outfit"

The outfit was identical to everyone elses. It was more like underwear, glittery and sparkly and a few gems here and there. Not much, but depending on how busy the club was, you wouldnt be wearing much of it for long. It wasnt very comfortable either, the bra had only a small bit of material holding the front part together, but it was strong and always dug into Emily's skin. At the back it was only done up loosley so they could get it off easily if needed.

Emily pointed out the changing room, Nichola went inside and returned a while later just as Roxy announced it was time to go.

With Roxy in the lead, then Ariel, Emily, Dannielle and finally Nichola, they walked out of the room and down the small corridoor to the stage and waited for the music to start.

It finally did and they walked out onto the small stage, followed by whistles by many men. Roxy straight away headed for the pole at the front, Ariel made for the very front of the stage, she liked to get the men going as she teased them. Emily made for a cage nearer the back of the stage, Dannielle for another pole and Nichola for the cage near the front of the stage.

By the end of the night, everyone was worn out. Nichola had got the job and was already used to it. They were just in the changing room, Roxy was smoking, Dannielle was on the phone again and Ariel was talking to Nichola about some dance moves she recently learnt, saying Nichola could try some, if she wanted. They were alowd to leave anytime they wanted, but the boss said he wanted to speak to them all quickly before they went, so they sat waiting for him to come. 

Chapter Two - Along comes Charlie

"Please do waste my time and take forever getting ready, you know ive got a meeting tonight" Charlie hissed, taking Emily's hand and pulling her out of the dressing room after she had got changed. He almost pulled her hand out of its socket as he quickly walked through the club and towards the car. As much as she hated him, she loved him very much and his sexy husky voice still continued to turn her on.

"Sorry" she spoke quietly, keeping her head down as they climbed into Charlie's blue porsh. He loved the car, frankly she couldnt see what was so cool about it, but he was a guy so she didnt doubt his 'love for his beloved car'. After all, it wasnt that bad. It had its own tv...

"Yeah you better be...how much did you get tonight?" he asked her, looking at her. She sighed and turned her head, looking outside into the dark street wishing someone would take her away from here, just to anywhere so she wouldnt have to answer his question. He leaned over and took her head in his hand, turning it so she was facing him. She tried to avoid eye contact but it was no use, she could still feel his eyes burning into her as he awaited her answer. "How much?" he reapeated.

"50" she replied and looked away back out the window as he finally let go of her.

It had now started to rain outside, the hard droplets of water dripping down the car window and a few rumbles of thunder in the distance. It was much darker now, almost pitch black, but easier to see with the not so many steetlamps and the car headlights.

"50??? How the hell did you manage that?? I thought we said 5 men each day!" Charlie replied in a louder voice.

"I dunno...not many people were about and I was late for the club so I couldnt look for anymore" she explained, trying to find a reasonable answer that he would accept. She couldnt help it, she honestly did look for men, or guys, but she couldnt find any.

"So!? Why didnt you ring me, you know ive got contacts!"

"I didnt think!" she shouted and turned away from him, she wiped her hands on the side of her skirt, she was sweating.

He sighed deeply and looked at her. His mobile suddenly rung. "We'll talk about this later...but wheres the 50?" he asked, holding his hand out. She shoved her hand into her coat pocket and pulled out the money handing him it. She watched as he counted it quickly, stuffing it into his own pocket afterwards, while he held his mobile to his ear, using his shoulder to keep it from falling as both his hands were full.

She looked out of the car window. She wished she could go away, she hated her job and she hated the things that came with it. It wasnt as if she wanted to do it, it was more the fact she had too.

When she first started her highschool, as a new student, Charlie welcomed her and was really nice. He was sweet, funny, sensitive and immediatly she fell for him. He had blonde spiky hair and Hazel eyes, he still looked like it now apart from his hair was highlighted. His skin was lightly tanned and still was, she had no idea how but it made him look really hot. They soon started dating, and Emily hadnt enjoyed life so much since she was born, but Charlie changed everything. He often brought her flowers, chocolates or just small presents to cheer her up. When she was upset, or down, just seeing him made her happy and he always knew how to make her feel better.

She remembered the one time before they even got together, it was Valentines night and she was stuck in her room doing nothing, as they both attended a boarding school. Her boyfriend at the time had dumped her, she was really desvestated, especially as it was Valentines day. She was expecting a girly night in alone, watching films like Titanic and stuffing her face with chocolate, when suddenly her cordless phone rung.

She had no idea who it was, she didnt have many friends at highschool due to the lack of popularity, even though Charlie was the most popular guy in school, it didnt make any difference that she was his mate. She knew for a fact Charlie was out on some romantic date somewhere, she had been the one to give him the idea of where to take the girl. She hadnt heard from Charlie all day, as soon as lessons were over he went straight to his room to get ready, and she hadnt had a chance to tell him about her boyfriend dumping her, seening it wasnt until late that night that he announced it.

She finally picked up the phone, slightly afraid of who it might be. It couldve been her now ex boyfriend ringing to make fun of her, which he had been most of the day.

"Open your door" the reckonizable voice of Charlie spoke huskyily down the phone. She didnt question him, she didnt hesitate, she just stood up and opened the door to see Charlie stood there on his mobile, grinning at her. He was dressed nicely for a date, and he stunk of aftershave (she only discovered this as she hugged him, but it didnt choke her and wasnt too strong so it was ok). Before she could ask what he was doing there, he had pulled her towards him and kissed her.

She smiled at this memory, that was the time they got together and she was glad they did.

Just when she thought things couldnt get any better, it did. They went to the highschool prom together. The prom itself was boring, all the guys trying to spike the drinks while all their dates trying to get them on the dance floor, but after the prom he proposed to her. She immediatly said yes.

A few months later, they had their wedding. She wore the most beatufull dress that she ever wanted, and he looked hot in a tux. The honeymoon was even better, they were whisked off to Spain for a week.

When they returned home, they moved in together and had a house warming party. They only invited a few friends, but Charlie got drunk. She remembered the night exactly. Him and all his mates were drunk, and they were all in the front room. One of his mates called David was sitting on the sofa with her, while Charlie was on the floor and the rest of his mates in other chairs, or in the kithcen. David had foolishy tried to his her, but Charlie got up and angrily told him hes going to pay for that, not meaning it the way David took it.

David giggled and took some money out of his pocket, about 100 quid and threw it to Charlie. What happened next stayed in Emily's mind for the rest of her life. It never left her and often drifted back to her when she was laying awake at night.

Charlie had looked at the money, a look of confusion on his face, then back at David. Then he looked at Emily, and thats when it clicked. The whole idea came into his head as he looked back from her to the money. He would charge people to sleep with her.

He had nothing to worry about, he knew she was good with those sort of things, and could be even better. She had proved it on the night of their engagment.

The next morning he woke up and was pleased with the amount of money, and made it into a habit of making her sleep with men and giving him the money.

It was just like being a prostitute, for Emily with Charlie as her pimp, except she didnt get any of the money she earned and it all went to Charlie. If she didnt earn enough, didnt give him it all or even protested, he would get mad and start shouting things or hurting her.

This begun to happen regulary and by the end of the year she was working full time as a prostitute, as well as in a strip club, with bruises over her body. But Charlie was smart and hit her in places that wouldnt be shown, so he didnt have many places to hit due to her job, thankfully for her, most body parts were shown.

Chapter Three - Nichola Meets Charlie

Gradually, life got harder and harder for Emily so she turned to her friend for advice. His name was James and she had known him since she was about 3 years old, maybe even before. Their familes had been friends before the two were born, so obviously they saw alot of eachother. Sometimes, their familes even went on holiday together. Since then they had been really good friends. She always had really good memories of what they had got up to when they were younger, and not one memory was bad. She even remembered the day they had met. She had been hiding under the kithcen table playing with her dolls, when Mrs Bourne arrived over for a chat. She used to always come over for chats, but hadnt come as often around that time as she was still looking after James. Anyway, Emily was shocked to see a little boy crawl under the table too and sit down beside her. His blonde hair was short and his blue eyes had looked at her mysteriously. He suddenly grabbed one of her dolls and pulled the head of off it, and she had begun to cry. He hugged her, and since that moment they had been friends.

Emily smiled at this memory, ever since that moment James had been there with a shoulder to cry on, even when they were three years old!

Everytime Charlie had hurt her, she would turn to James for advice. James was great, he would hug her tight and tell her everything will be ok, he would let her cry into his shoulder as held her in his arms, and he always knew the right things to say. James never used to mind when Emily came round or how many times she came round and she trusted him more than anything. James often told her she should leave Charlie, but they would always end up with the solution she couldnt. She had no money, she had nowhere to stay, and her family lived in another country. James sometimes offered to let her stay there, but she refused saying they're wasnt enough room, coz there wasnt.

His house was a one bedroomed and wasnt very big, although he was partly rich too. Charlie had given him a small amount of money to pay for the house, food and everyday needs, as like Emily, James' parents had moved away.

Emily actually preffered James' house to the one she actually lived in. It was small but really cosy too.

"Shall we make a move then?" Charlie asked, almost reading her mind and pulling her out of her day dream. He said it in a much calmer mood and seemed happier then before, but she wasnt easily fooled and she was used to this in the past, so she made sure to stay on his good side. She hadnt realised he had finished on his mobile and put it away. She looked at him and nodded as he started up the car and begun to slowly drive out of his parking spot.

"Wait!" she screeched, causing Charlie to brake in confusion and shock.

"Fucking hell, what is it?!" he asked.

"I'll be back in a minute" she replied and jumped out of the car. She ran over to the shivering figure who was sat on the club steps, hugging herself tightly to keep warm. Even if it was raining, it wasnt hard to spot her tears rapidly falling from her eyes. "Are you ok?" Emily asked Nichola. Nichola looked up shocked, she hadnt known Emily was stood there. "You want a lift?"

"Yeah...yeah please" Nichola replied and smiled weekly at her before standing up and following her back to the car. She climbed in the back while Emily made her way round the car to the other side at the front, avoiding Charlie's stare of confusion through the window screen.

"Charlie...this is Nichola...she joined the club today..." Emily explained to Charlie. He looked back at the figure sat in the back of his car. She looked like a homeless girl, a long leather coat similair to Emily's pulled down over her knees, a pair of old trainers on and her hair plastered all over her forehead from the rain. She also, he noticed now, was crying slightly, a few tears were sliding down her cheek and past her nose which was red from the cold. "Nichola this is Charlie...my husband" Emily spoke introducing them both. They shook hands. "Is it ok if we give Nichola a lift back?" Emily asked, staring into Charlie's Hazel eyes and praying that he wouldnt flip now, or anytime tonight.

He swallowed for a second and looked at the floor, as if thinking. He often done that when he was thinking, or sometimes he would lick his lips. He didnt know why, it was just a habit when he was thinking hard.

"Yeah...yeah sure" he spoke, Emily smiled slightly at him. "You can stay for a few days too if you like, coz no offence, but it looks as if youve had a rough time..." he spoke gently to Nichola. She looked down shyly.

"Thanks" she spoke quietly, before Charlie started up the car again and begun to drive them home.

Chapter Four - Charlies Idea

The Journey home was a short one. It was one of those journeys where it rains hard outside, the radio is on quietly and its just really peaceful and relaxing, it gets you thinking. Emily remembered once when she was little, coming back from holiday. It was night time, and raining hard very much like now. She was laying on the backseat, tried but not asleep, even though she had her eyes closed. She was thinking about times when she was older, how she would be able to share the experience with someone she loved. Just driving home from somewhere and your really tired so you just cuddle up and lay there with your eyes closed, almost dreaming but not yet asleep.

It was just like now, even if her and Charlie wernt cuddled up or anything, it seemed like it. The only thing was, she didnt feel happy being in a car with him and wanting to cuddle up with him. She didnt feel she was with the right person that you live happily ever after with, it was almost as if she was living in the past. She loved Charlie, but only when he wasnt abusive, when he was himself which wasnt very often. In highscool she loved him so much but he had changed now...it was almost as if she had fallen in love with the past...

As they rolled to a stop on the gravel driveway, Emily heard Nichola gasp to herself. The house was quite big even though you couldnt see much in the dark.

Charlie's parents were actually pretty rich people, so they gave him more than enough money to get a decent sized house. He choose this one with Emily and she loved it, she still did now. But, because of her daily job, they had more money now so they were partly rich themselves. Some people would call them filthy rich, but theres nothing wrong with that. After all, they did earn the money themselves.

They got out of the car and made their way inside and through to the front room. The rain was calming down a bit and was turning into a small drizel.

"So...what happened?" Emily asked Nichola as they sat down on the sofa. Nichola had stopped crying now, but she still looked upset and had a kind of blank expression on her face. Charlie sat down too, on the other side of Nichola.

"My boyfriend...he dumped me" Nichola told them, looking from Emily to Charlie as if they were both some kind of agony aunt and uncle who lived a happy life together and run their own sympathy phone line, where you rung up with your problems. "He was an idiot anyway" she laughed slightly, drying her tears on the sleeve of her jacket.

"You know what I think?" Charlie spoke. "You should take your mind of him..." he was about to carry on but Emily innterupted him, she knew what he was getting at.

"Never make decisions when your mad" Emily reminded Nichola. Charlie glared at her and placed a comforting arm around Nichola, sending Emily mad with jelousy.

"Really? What is it?" she asked innocently, looking up at Charlie.

"Go have a night out, or even better a night in" he told her, a cheeky sparkle in his eye. "You ever wondered why me and Emily have so much money?" She shook her head. "Coz, well, guys pay Emily to give them little treats if you like" Nichola looked at him for a second, slightly shocked. She knew Emily worked in a strip club, but was she really a prosititute?

When Nichola was just 15, she left home and ended up living in bed and breakfasts, mates houses, anywhere she could find. She had even been on the streets for a few nights in the past. Life was hard for her, she applied for many jobs at strip clubs in the past but never got them. Soon she met Ashley, a guy she really felt for so they started dating. She lived with him for a while and up until he dumped her, she was happy. She had applied for another job in a strip club, the one Emily worked in, and finding she had got the job, told Ashley. She was hoping he would be happy for her, but instead he dumped her.

She looked back at Emily. Should she give it a go? It wasnt really her type of thing, but you should always try new things. Finally, she came to a decision.

"Sure...yeah it could be fun" Nichola spoke while Charlie smiled slightly at the thought of having more money.

"Great. Well..." he sighed, standing up and checking his watch. "I have a meeting tonight, so I'll see you two girls later and I'll speak to you tommorow, Nichola, and see if I can get someone" he spoke and winked at them both. Nichola giggled and Emily put on a fake smile. He came over and gave Emily a small kiss on the lips, before leaving.

He worked at a company who designed computer programs to help with everyday life, and he was the boss. It wasnt bad, his hours were good and Emily saw him most of the time, and his pay was high too.

Emily looked up and saw Nichola was smiling at her slightly.

"What?" Emily spoke, giggleing. Nichola shook her head.

"Nothing...its just you and Charlie are so loved up! How did you meet?" Nichola asked. Emily smiled.

"Well...we met at highschool...it was a boarding school...and I was new there so he showed me around the school and that...so we become good friends..we were friends for ages..even though I started liking him as more then a friend. Then on Valentines day, well night, he just kissed me" she spoke while Nichola nodded, then squealed.

"Aww! Thats so sweet!" she said.

Emily smiled and looked down, fiddleing with the ring on her finger. She didnt understand how she got Charlie. He was so popular and all the girls fancied him, but she loved him for real, and he just seemed to go for her. Every guy she used to fall for never liked her back. She loved Charlie to bits, she didnt know what she would do without him. Yeah, he was abusive and hit her sometimes, but that wasnt really him. It just seemed to be another side of him...that didnt belong, and she was gonna get the real side of him out. You had to work on a relationship, and thats exactly what she used to do, then it was perfect. Now that hes gone abusive, it was harder, but noones perfect and everyone has bad points.

Chapter Five - Cheered Up

The sunlight poured through a small gap in the curtains, making it just about able to see when Emily opened her eyes the next morning. It was a warm day, but still she pulled the covers up to her chin and hugged herself to keep warm. She could feel Charlie awakening next to her, then hear him yawning, before he gently shook her awake by the shoulder.

"You awake?" he asked, quietly but not quiet a whisper. She smiled at the sound of his voice, before turning over and facing him.

"Yeah" she replied to him.

"Good....I'm gonna take Nichola out and around today, introduce her to a few guys, show her what kinda guys to go for and that" he explained. Emily sighed and nodded, before getting out of bed and getting dressed. She left the room a few minutes later and tiptoed down the hallway to the spare room where Nichola was staying in. She knocked on the door.

"Are you awake?" she asked, not quite sure. It was about tenish, but they didnt sleep until late last night. They had stayed up chatting for about half hour, then decided to watch a film that was on tv.

"Yeah" Nichola replied from inside, then the door opened.

"Hey...Charlie's gonna take you out today to give you an idea of what kinda guys to go for and all that" Emily told her.

"Yeah" Nichola replied, giving a small smile. Emily knew she was nervous.

"Hey, dont worry about it. I was nervous when I first started the job but im used to it now...and when it happens I just switch off" she explained.

"Yeah, thanks...I was just wondering, um, how long am I alowd to stay here? Coz im really greatfall for it as I havent got anywhere else, but I dont wanna be in your way..." she trailed off, looking at the floor.

"Nope its fine, stay as long as you like" Emily reasurred her, they were now friends.

*Later that day*

"Shit, Shit Shit Shit Shit!!!" Emily swore, rooting in her pocket for her key. There was no point calling to Charlie, he was still out with Nichola. Emily had spent the time shopping. The phone rung again, it was really annoying her now, especially as she couldnt get in the house. It was saturday, so she didnt have to work at the club tonight. "Bloody hell!" she muttered, finally getting out her key and taking her shopping bag in the opposite hand. She unlocked the door and pushed it open, stumbleing in. She dropped her bags and closed the door with her foot before running towards the phone on the table. "Hello?" she panted down the phone after finally picking it up.

"Hey, how are you?" a reckonizable sweet voice spoke down the phone. She knew it was James, she reckonized his voice and he always said that same thing when he spoke to her.

"Hey, I'm fine, just got back from shopping...what about you?" she asked him. She could tell he was happy, or just being cheerful for her. He always tried to be as happy as possible near her because he knew what a hard life she had. She could hear the happiness in his voice.

"Yep, im fine too. What you up to today?" he asked.

"Well" she sighed and changed the phone so it was on her shoulder and picked up the bag before walking into the kitchen, planning to unpack the shopping while chating to James. She had been clothes shopping, then also went for a bit of food shopping too. "Charlie's out...all day I think so im gonna just have a long relaxing bath or something" she explained. "Enjoying it while I can" she laughed. He laughed too.

"Sure, ok, or if you like you can come round mine" he asked hopefully. "My cousin's having a party if you wanna come" he often let her round his house and whether she needed cheering up or not, he would plan special nights in, or cook a nice dinner for her. It was kind of like dates, but it was just as friends.

"Yeah ok let me just get ready"

"Pick you up at six?" he asked. It was five now.

"Yeah sure, see ya"

"Bye"

She knew exactly what she was gonna wear. She had bought it today. It was a nice pink top with flowers down the side, and a nice black skirt. She hadnt bought them for any particular occasion, she just saw them and really like them. She smiled to herself before quickly unpacking the rest of the food shopping, then washing her hair before getting ready.

Chapter Six - The Party

"Hello" a guy spoke to Emily as she opened the door and whistled. He had blonde floppy like hair and striking blue eyes, as well as a few freckles that came out only in summer and a sweet grin that could melt anyones heart. In other words, James. "You look nice"

"Hi, thanks. Who's party is this, then?" she asked, walking out of the house and closing the door behind her.

"Well, its being thrown by my cousin and this guy called Matt, my cousins mate. I helped plan it too" he explained. Emily smiled, she loved parties but she loved James' parties even better. He was always great at planning them, he invited the right people, got the right music and the right food. If anyone ever wanted a party, James was the person to go to.

"Great" Emily replied as they climbed into James' car. It was a convertable and was Emily's fave colour, Red. She loved James' car better then Charlie's just like she loved James' home better than Charlie's.

She saw James check his watch. It was new but she knew he wouldnt keep wearing it for long. She was like that too, they liked things but couldnt wear them all the time. It was just with jewellery, though.

"Ok, it starts in halfhour, so we got just enough time to get there" James told her, and grinned at her before starting up the car and pulling out of his parking spot.

"Whats the occasion?" she grinned and looked over to him. He looked so sweet just sitting there trying to concentrate on his driveing as well as trying to think. He had only just passed his driving test, so he was always careful.

"No occasion. Just felt like a party" he told her. "It was my idea originally" She nodded along.

Soon the house disappeared, as did the usual scenery of big mansion like houses. They were on what seemed like a country road, as tree's whizzed her window and fields on James' side. The sky was turning to dark, as it was winter it turned darker quicker now, but it still wasnt too dark. Emily wondered how far away this guy really did live...

"Were here" James spoke, almost reading her thoughts. She looked up to see they had pulled up outside a similar house to James'. It had a drive and it was two floored, it seemed like a nice place. Various cars were already parked outside, from Black porshes to White Transits. Emily jumped out the car and checked her outfit once more while James locked the car.

She had gone for a casual, yet sexy look tonight. She had the outfit she bought earlier on. Her makeup was normal, and her hair laid neatly on her shoulder. She had quizzed on whether to bring a small bag, and she did. It was a small black number, where she could just about fit her mobile and a few other things in.

She hadnt noticed it before, but it sounded as if the party had already started with loud music cleary able to be heard outside and a few raised voices around the back.

James took her hand in a friendly like way and they made their way to the front door. He sometimes held her hand, she didnt know why and neither did he but it just felt right.

"James! Hi how ya been?" a tall man spoke as he opened the front door. He had brown floppy hair, like James' but longer, and blue eyes. He pulled James into a manly like hug, she guessed this was his cousin then.

"Alright, you?" asked James.

"Fine too. Who's your lady?" he asked. James smirked and followed him inside to the hallway. It was jampacked with people. People on the stairs, people at the door, even a few people sitting on the bottom of the stairs. The familar sound of 'Jumpin' a song by Liberty X could be heard, this, as James would say, was the song of the year.

"Shes just a mate, Emily meet Darren, and Darren meet Emily" James introduced them. Emily shook hands with him formally.

"Hey" she told him.

"Hey" he replied.

After James and Darren had chatted for a bit, catching up, but letting Emily join in in the convo, James and Emily went to look around.

Chapter Seven - Meets and Greets (Meeting Matt)

Emily thought the music was loud enough in the hallway, but that was nothing compared to in the front room. You could just about feel the vibration through the floor, coming from both the people and music. This room was packed too, at the window where the curtains were closed, there was a small stage for the massive DJ like sterio system, the kind with all the lights. In front of this was a massive crowd of bodies grooving together in time to the music. Dotted around the room some people were sitting down enjoying a drink, or couples snogging in corners. Emily didnt recongise anyone, but James seemed to know everyone. He was waving at various people, shouting 'Hello's' and 'Hey's' to everyone and anyone. Emily just stood by his side, smiling politely.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw a guy was walking over. He stopped infront of James. The guy was wearing Baggy jeans and a red top saying 'Cant Skate' in white letters on the front. He looked a bit of a skater type person too. He had black hair which was highlighted blonde at the tips, and his eyes were a dark brown. He was really cute, but he also gave of this bad boy vibe. He walked right up to Emily and James

"Hey, mate" he spoke to James. James looked up and grinned.

"Hey, party going well then?" he asked. The other guy nodded and grinned.

"Loadsa chicks here" he spoke. "Looks like youve brought one too" he grinned again, then smiled at Emily. She blushed and smiled back.

"Yeah, Matt this is Emily, my MATE, Emily this is Matt, also my mate, its his party" James introduced them. They shook hands.

"Hey, you alright?" Matt asked Emily. She nodded.

"You dont mind If I steal ya girl for a mo do ya James? Shes hot" Matt grinned and winked at Emily. James shrugged.

"Shes all yours" he smiled, then realised what he said. He looked at Emily and gave a small apology through his eyes, and she looked back at him as if to say it was ok.

James smiled gratefully and walked off, before dissapearing into the crowd.

"You wanna go somewhere quieter?" asked Matt. Emily looked at him and nodded, he took her hand and led her up the stairs, followed by whistles from Darren who was chatting to some blonde girl. They carried on up the stairs and along the hallway until they came to a room. Matt pushed the door open, she assumed that it was his room. They went inside and she closed the door while he turned on the light. The room was only a large one with a double bed and a small table on one side. There was another door, probably leading to an en suite bathroom, and over in the corner there was a sterio system set up on the floor surrounded by CD's. There was also a chester draws. "Its kinda empty...I only moved in a few weeks ago" Matt explained and sat down on the bed. Emily had no choice than to sit next to him, as there were no chairs. "So how old are you?" he asked. She looked at him.

"Nineteen" she replied.

"Oh...me too" he told her. She looked around the room, not exactly knowing what to say or do. She suddenly realised he was staring at her, she looked at him too and looked right into his dark brown eyes with a concentrated stare. She wanted him too feel uncomfortable and look away, but wanted him to want to rip all her clothes of at just one look. Alternatavly, he choose the second option. In one quick motion he had lunged across the bed. But instead of going to kiss her, he went and locked the bedroom door. 'Nice' she thought. Then he lunged at her, kissing her lips passionatly and sending an unbelieveable mixture of pleasure and lust through her body. She kissed back, almost about to grin into the kiss finally being able to have fun with someone she actually liked for once, but decided against it and kissed back more and more passionatly.

By now his hands had wondered and already taken of her top and undoing her bra. She concentrated on getting his top off and when she finally did, smiled at the site before her. He looked even better topless, she was sure he worked out. She was already in her underwear when she started on his belt, but he pushed her hand away and undid it himself, as she was taking to long.

Soon they were both naked as his body grinded into hers while he kissed her still...

Chapter Eight - Morning comes/Rise and Shine

Emily awoke with a start. It was morning, and she could hear the gentle pitter patter of rain on the window, and she could feel a light draft coming in. She yawned and pulled the cover up to her chin, before turning over in bed. She didnt wanna go anywhere, it was too cold outside and too warm in bed. The bed was very comfy today...

Wait a second. This wasnt her bed, was it? It wasnt usually this comfy...She felt some movement beside her, and then someones breath on her neck.

"Hey Babe" someone spoke. It wasnt Charlie. It wasnt his usuall huksy voice, or tone, nor would he speak to her like that. The voice sounded like...

"Matt!" someone shouted through the door, knocking on it. "Hurry up and get up, the house is a mess!" Darren continued, then Emily heard the footsteps die away and down stairs. Now she remembered what happened. The way her and Matt had done spent the whole night, well, most of it anyway, making love. Apart from it wasnt making love. Just sex. But it was more then that. No, it was just sex, drunken sex. Charlie would kill her if he found out...

"Mmm" Matt replied to Darren, not that he could hear. Matt yawned and stretched, before kissing Emily on the cheek. She felt him get out of bed and open the chester draws, she assumed he was getting dressed. Once he was ready, he walked over to her. "I've gotta go help tidy up. Let yourself out when your ready, and ive left my number in your bag" he explained, before walking out of the room and closing the door behind him.

She laid in bed for a few moments, despite the fact she had to get home.

Emily felt bad for leaving James to make his own way home, but she didnt have time to worry, she had to get home. She got up and dressed quickly too, before running downstairs and following the sound of voices coming from the kitchen.

She hadnt been in the kitchen yet, only the front room and Matt's room. The kithcen was big too, it was a fashionable cafe stylee kind. Darren was sitting at the glass table, eating some cereal of some kind. His hair was sticking up and he was dressed in his clothes from yesterday. He looked tired. Matt too was in the same clothes from yesterday, but was more cleaned up and leaning against the counter, eating cereal. His face lit up when he saw her and he quickly swallowed whatever was in his mouth, before grinning.

"Emi-" he begun to say her name, but she interrupted and spoke.

"Hey Matt, I had a great time last night and im really sorry but I really gotta go, ring me and I'll see you again soon" Emily quickly explained, shoving her number into his hand and kissing him passionatly on the lips.

She liked Matt, he wasnt expecting a full on long term relationship, and he didnt take her for granted either. He didnt even know about her job at the moment, it was almost as if they were starting a relationship based on sex. She didnt know what to do, whether to keep seeing him or not but she would think about that later. She had to get home to Charlie, or she knew what he would do.

She slammed the front door behind her and took out her mobile, phoning a taxi.

"C'mon!" she mumbled under her breath, the taxi better be there soon. Suddenly her mobile rung.

"Hello?" she asked, answering it and pacing back and fourth down the garden.

"Emily, where the fuck are you?! Did I say you could fucking go out, weve got people fucking waiting!" Charlie shouted, he sounded really angry.

"Charlie..Charlie Listen" she begged. "I went out to find some guys, im sorry im on my way home now"

"Well hurry the fuck up" he said, then the line went dead. She sighed and dropped her mobile into her bag.

Chapter Nine - Another days work

The sound of the key in the lock and the door opening was just about the only sound in the whole house. Nichola was out looking for men, and Charlie was sitting in the front room on the sofa. Emily stumbled inside and wondered why the house was so silent, usually Charlie watched TV, or had some clients round and chatted to them. But today the silence was frightening, she imeddiatly thought the worse, like maybe Charlie been hurt and was sitting somewhere waiting for her to come and help him, blood surrounding him...

She shook her head, she would hate for anyhting to happen to Charlie. Instead, she closed the front door behind her and walked into the front room, right into a fist.

"You bitch!!" he shouted, pushing her against the wall causing her to cry out in pain. "I nearly fucking lost one of my best clients, and lost fucking 500 quid!!!" he continued, shouting at her nearly right in her face.

"Charlie..Im sorry!" she replied, tears had started to fall from her face from the pain he had caused, both mentally and physiclly. It broke her heart to see him be this horrible to her, while she loved him more than anything.

"Fuck You!!" he screamed. "Dont fucking apologize, you will fucking pay for this!" he shouted, pulling her up and pushing her towards the door. "Twenty men!" he shouted. "Be back in two hours and if you havnt got £1.000, you will pay!" he growled and almost threw her out of the house, slamming the door behind her. She slid down in and put her head in her hands, crying.

She was sitting there for ten minutes, she didnt know if Charlie knew she was out there but she didnt care. How was she gonna earn £1.000 in just two hours? Men payed £75 at the most, and the only men who payed anything more were filthy rich, and only Charlie knew where they lived or their numbers. When having any 'rich' clients, he would always give her a lift over, mainly so she wouldnt go to them at times like this, she thought. Her mobile rung. She forgot she still had her mobile, and infact, she was still wearing what she was the night before. She checked to see who was ringing. It was James. He always rung at the right times or when she needed him most. She answered the phone and stood up, walking down the street a little way so Charlie couldnt see nor hear her on the phone.

"Hello?" she said in a somewhat wobbily voice. She wasnt putting it on.

"Shit, Emily are you ok???" James asked. "Im coming round, where are you? Its Charlie isnt it?" he questioned. Emily nodded but then realised he couldnt see her.

"Y..yeah..I'm at home" she stuttered, there was no way of arguing or changing his mind when he was worried.

"Ok, just...just stay there i'll be round in a mo" he explained quickly and put the phone down before she could reply.

Despite what just happened, Emily smiled to herself slightly at how sweet James was being. All through her life he had always been there for her, always helping out, always lending a hand and always offering a shoulder to cry on. She guessed the relationship and friendship they had was just special, she tried to do her best and be as helpful and caring as James had been to her whenever she could.

Their friendship meant a lot to her, he knows everything and anything there is to know about her, and she knows everything and anything there is to know about him.

She was pulled out of her daydream by a voice calling her name.

"Emily!" James called, he jumped out of his car and ran over to her. He had got there quick. He pulled her into a hug. "Are you ok??" he asked, he lifted her head up and saw the bruise that had now formed from where Charlie hit her. He gasped even thought he had seen it all before and led her over and into his car and closing the door, before scrambleing in the other side and beggining to start the car up.

Chapter Ten - Money Count

"Here" James said gently, passing Emily a cup of hot chocolate, he knew it was her fave drink of all time. They were in his front room. It was an old fashioned stylee one, but still at the same time, modern. It had a widescreen TV to the side of a fireplace, and on top of the fire place was a mantel piece with a few bits and bobs including a photo of them both when they were little. Emily kept the exact same photo too, she took it everywhere with her in her purse, it meant a lot to her. Above that was a mirror, and beneth the window was a radiator. The room was really nice and cosy and warm in winter. Underneath the TV, was a DVD player and a Playstation two, and across from the fire and and TV was a soft blue sofa, with matching arm chairs either side.

"Thanks James, I dunno what I'd do without you" she told him and gave him a watery smile, before sitting down on his sofa. She honestly didnt know what she'd do without him, it was as if he was the one who put a roof over her head and he helped her with everyday needs.

"Its ok, now what did Charlie do, and whats the problem?" he asked, sitting next to her.

"He..he wants me to earn £1000 by tonight...because I never came home last night and came home late this morning..And I mean he doesnt really mean £1000, as long as i get atleast half then thats ok and I dont know how im gonna do it coz ive only got, like, two hours" she spoke, almost crying again and getting worked up over the situation. She saw James dive into his pocket and pull out some money, counting it.

"Heres £450" he told her, pressing it into her hand.

"James, im so grateful but this is so much money" she told him. She was beggining to speak like some girly princess now.

"Listen, just take it dont worry please" he begged, she looked at him and threw her arms around him.

"Really? Are you sure?" she asked, he nodded. "Thanks so much" she told him. She was so grateful to have him as a friend.

They talked for a while, then James dropped her off so she could earn the rest of the money, just to be safe. By the time she arrived home at just about the right time, she had £750 altogether., which was all she could get.

"Heres your money" she told Charlie coldly as she arrived home. She handed him the money and she could hear some clattering in the kitchen, so she guessed Nichola was home too. For once the house looked pretty cosy, with it all being dark and cold outside, whilst inside the fire was on so it was nice and warm. It reminded her of christmas, which was infact coming up soon.

Charlie took the money and counted it, then put it in his pocket. "Nichola's attempting to make dinner, saying its to make up for letting her stay here for a while and telling her about the job" Charlie explained. Emily nodded. "She did ok, managed to get £250, so that and your money is £1000" he continued then sat down. Emily made her way into the kitchen where Nichola was, reading a magazine at the table.

"Hey" Emily spoke, Nichola looked up.

"Hey" Nichola replied. "Listen, thanks so much for letting me stay here im really grateful AND ive got a decent good pay job now thanks to Charlie so...it really means a lot to me" Nichola quickly explained then got up to take whatever she was cooking out of the oven. "So ive made dinner" she grinned. It was pizza and chips.

"Thanks, and, like I said, dont worry about staying here. Its a big house so anyone whos a mate and needs somewhere to stay can come here" Emily told her, as she heard Charlie's phone ringing from the front room, then she heard him answer it and close the kitchen door so they couldnt hear.

"So..where did you go yesterday? Charlie was really pissed off, I think he missed you"

"Oh, my mate James, his cousin was having a party so we went to check it out"

"Any good?" asked Nichola.

"Yeah, it was cool. Met a nice guy called Matt"

"Cool, well just dont get too involved and cheat on Charlie or anything, coz he's a really good husband to you, despite the fact that he's your pimp but to us theres nothing wrong with that" Nichola told her, she nodded and thought 'You have no idea...'

Chapter Eleven - Seeing Matt

*The next day (Monday)*

"Hey" Matt said to Emily and kissed her on the lips. She had phoned and asked him to meet her in town. Charlie had an all day meeting to go to so Emily and Nichola both had the day off, althought they both had to work in the club later that evening. Nichola wanted to spend the day shopping and Emily wanted to meet up with Matt, so Emily agreed to travel into town with Nichola and meet up with Matt there.

"Hey" she replied and kissed him back, sliding her arms around his neck.

"You ok?" he asked her.

"Yeah, you?"

"Yeah, you wanna go and grab some pizza?" he asked. She nodded and he took her hand. They walked down the crowded road planning to go to pizza hut. The town was only a small one, but it had quite a few good shops, if you knew where to look in the right places.

They found pizza hut and sat down after ordering their meals.

"So, how come your in town?" he asked her, looking over at her. He thought she was so hot, and could feel his manlyness growing as he thought of things they could get up to when they got back to his, but eventually he turned his mind to something else and concentrated on talking too her. She, however, was looking out the window, as they had choosen a nice seat by the window.

"My mate wanted to go into town, so I agreed to travel into town with her. How come you were already in town?" she asked, just as the waiter arrived with their food. The resturant was strangly empty today...

Matt shrugged and tucked into his pizza. "Just wanted to get a CD" he told her. Emily too started to eat her medium pepperoni. Matt had choosen a pepperoni too, but they decided it was better to get two seperate pizza's instead of one, as they didnt know how much they would eat.

Half hour later they had finished eating and were on their way back to Matt's, as he informed her Darren was out.

She didnt care anymore, if she wanted she could date Matt, Charlie really pissed her off yesterday. It was like she was stuck between Charlie and Matt. She loved Charlie so much but she longed for someone to actually care for her and thats exactly what Matt did even if it was just a relationship based on sex. It had this nice, rauncy idea about it and she liked the fact that she had someone there to just go to whenever she wanted it, and he liked the idea too. They could have the relationship without even saying a word once for all she cared, but she think she preffered it that she knew a bit about him, afterall people arnt always who they seemed, Charlie was one very good example...

They finally got to Matt's and stumbled inside, laughing at one of his jokes. As soon as she closed the door he had leaned up against her, kissing her neck and moving the kisses upwards all the time. She could feel his excitement through both his trousers and the way he kissed her so hungrily.

He picked her up and carried her through to the front room, almost tripping over the edge of the carpet as he did so, which made her pull away laughing. He grinned and leaned back in for a kiss as she fell backwards onto the sofa and him on top of her, pulling of her top and undressing her. She undressed him too, and just like last time, they found themselves exploring each others bodies physiclly, and it just seemed to get better and better...

Chapter Twelve - In bed

The Day had been spent making use of the privacy and space of the house. Emily and Matt had begun using the time in the front room and moved to various rooms over the house, until finally they ended up in the bedroom. They now lay exhausted in bed. Thankfully Charlie wasnt due home till late evening, so Emily was making the most of her time.

"Matt...theres something I need to tell you" she begun, fiddleing with the engagment ring on her finger which she had told Matt was just a good luck ring. Stupidly, he believed her. Or maybe he didnt, and just didnt care if she was married or not, he thought the idea of cheating on people for a rauncy love affair was worth it by far.

"Yeah, babe?" he asked from beside her, leaning over to kiss her neck.

"Um, well...you see im married. To this guy, Charlie But im telling you now, I know this is wrong in every way possible, but I still dont wanna stop...I still wanna see you" she spoke quickly. He sat up and looked at her.

"Great" he grinned, happy that she still wanted to see him. "Ive got a girlfriend too, long relationship, her names Mel. Getting a bit bored though, you see. She couldnt come to the party, thank god, because she was working at the time" Matt told her and laid back down beside her. She was happy she finally told him, but he seemed pretty ok with it. She smiled.

"So...whats Mel like?" she asked.

"Shes the same age as you and me. Shes got long brown hair down to her bum nearly, she wears it up but only takes it down for special occasions. Her eyes are green, god, I love her eyes. You can just get lost in them sometimes you know? God dammit shes hot" Matt spoke. He sure loved her then. "What about Charlie?" he asked.

"Um, hes got blonde spiky hair, and erm Hazel eyes" she told him. He sensed she didnt wanna talk about it, so he changed the subject.

"Oh...well you know what? My fave food is pizza" he told her. It wasnt the best thing, but he couldnt think of anything else. She giggled, however. "What?" he grinned. "How dare you laugh at my favourite food...infact it isnt my only favourite thing, i have many but still"

"Oh..." she smiled seductivly and crawled over to him. "So, what IS your favourite thing?" she asked and smirked.

"Ive got lots of things, like, kissing, snogging..."

"I know, but what is your favourite favourite favourite?" she asked, laying down beside him and kissing his neck, then up to his chin.

"This" he told her and rolled on top of her, grinning and kissing her.

"Well" she spoke, pushing him off. "Its a shame we dont share the same interests" she laughed. He put on a hurt face, then dived under the cover in search of a pillow. After finding one he popped his head out and grinned at her, before pulling her under the covers and pelting her with the pillow. She giggled and found one too, and soon they were both pelting each other with pillows and laughing their heads off.

"Ok, I give in" she smiled and looked at him. "You really turn me on, Matt Jay"

Chapter Thirteen - Back to Charlie

"Sorry, I gotta go now" Emily told Matt, unexpectidly. It was now dark outside, and they were sitting on the sofa watching tv. "Its just if Charlie comes home and im not there..." she trailed off and Matt looked at her. He sighed and lifted her off his lap.

She actually had to go back to the club, as it was Monday she had to work again. It seemed strange that her and the girls only worked weekdays, as you would expect men to come at the weekends. But, often they came round after work which was anytime from sixish to sometimes as late as twelve.

"Yeah, ok, but I want a very good goodnight kiss" he spoke. She smiled and picked up her bag before following him to the door where he was stood waiting. She smiled again, at him, and took a step towards him, draping her arms around his neck.

"I guess that couldnt be a problem" she whispered in his ear, then kissed him long and hard on the lips.

"Wow" he said to himself afterwards.

"See ya" she told him and walked out of the door.

"Bye" he waved, and closed the door after her.

It was cold outside, Emily could even see her breath infront her face as she breathed out, and she could feel her nose getting red. The cold wind blew against her, keeping her hair out of her face. She sighed and took out her phone, phoning a taxi. Another five pound wasted. She really did wish Matt lived near her, she really liked seeing him.

"What?!" she almost shouted down the phone. How can there be no taxi's? How was she gonna get home, it was nearly snowing and she had atleast 3 miles to walk!

"I'm sorry mam, there are no taxi's. There all out im afraid, on a journey to Scotland, and wont be back until late morning, tommorrow" the young guy said on the phone. Emily scowled. Good for nothing taxi's...

"Fuck you then" she cried, slamming down the phone and sighing deeply. She looked around, there was no use going back to Matt's, he couldnt drive nor did he own a car. Charlie had their car, and she just used the last of her credit on her mobile on that call. She had a choice. Funny, how she always had so many choices in her life. She could go back to Matt's and stay the night, making Charlie lose out on a lot of money and making him very mad, or she could walk the way and just hope he would understand and believe her when she said she honestly coudnt get a lift home...

She choose the second choice. She zipped her coat up as far as it would go, buried her face into the top of it and hugged herself to keep warm, before beggining the long walk home. Strangley enough, it had now started to snow.

It was nearly Cristmas after all. She loved Cristmas. Every single bit of it put together with all the other parts made Christmas all worthwhile. Being bombarded with presents from everyone and aunties that youve never met before living in Austrailia. Grands and Grandads coming round and comenting on how much youve grown since last time they saw you, which was just the day before when you were forced to help take all the presents round their house and pretend theyre not your ones. Your Dad getting stuck down the chimley on Christmas eve, 'Ho, Ho, Hoing' pretending to be Santa. Everything about Christmas made her smile, and despite a large chance of Charlie not being exactly happy about it this year, she couldnt wait.

Chapter Fourteen - Saying sorry

"Sorry, I'm so sorry I'm late, I was out just you know you were out so I thought I'd go visit and old mate, I forgot he lived soo far away and I tried to ring a taxi but they were all out, something in Scotland, and im just sorry" Emily spoke quickly, barging through the door. She knew Charlie was in, because she had seen his car. Charlie looked at her with a confused face.

"Hey, Hey, its ok. Your all wet...and cold and..." he looked at her in a confused expression. "Why are you covered in snow?" he asked.

"I...I had to walk home and its snowing, look" she gasped for breath and pointed to the window. It was snowing badly now. She didnt understand why he was being so nice. She understood that he was like this now and again, but why now after he was so horrible and mad at her earlier?

"Oh" he replied, sounding funny. "C'mon, I'll run us a nicehot bath" he grinned and took her hand. She smiled weakly at him, was this some trick? The bath was ready withen 10 minutes, the bubbles flowing to the very top and the steam above the hot water. As they got in, he sensed how uncomfortable she was. "Are you ok?" he asked her. She nodded. "Listen, im sorry about earlier, i mean im really sorry. I was just being stupid and overreacting" he explained. She smiled and he smiled back, leaning towards her slowly. His lips soon met hers and kissed them ever so gently, tickleing them and massiging them with his lips.

It wasnt the same. When they had first met, sparks flew between them like those small electric shocks you sometimes got, expcept their shocks were much stronger and didnt hurt. She had wanted to be with him everyday, and an unbelievable ache inside her heart would occur whenever he was away. If they ever made love, it would last almost all night, and sent constant shivers down her spine. Now, as she lay in bed in his arms, she greatly doubted if she would ever feel anything of that again. Whether he meant it or not, the not so usuall 'I love you' from him didnt send her heart beating like mad, or her legs turn to jelly. It was as if she never loved him anymore.

She sighed deeply and begun to get up, pulling away from his arms as she did so. She heard him grunt, but he was just about asleep and too tired to protest. Infact, she was wrong. He was wide awake and considering it was now morning, she wasnt surprised.

"Hey" he spoke, seeing her. "Come back to bed and I'll make breakfast" he demanded, and she had nothing to do except do as she was told. She slipped back into bed, pulling the covers right up to her chin. She missed these mornings, where she would wake up in his arms and they would just lay there for a while, waking up or talking. Then he would make her breakfast in bed, and later in the day they would go out to the park, or somewhere nice. It was just the little things like that, that made a relationship worth going through and worth making an effort. She used too. Infact she still did make an effort, but it wasnt a lot of the time she had a chance too.

Sometimes she wished she had never met Charlie. She would have found someone else and married them, then lived a happy life. Other times she wished Charlie was back to his old self. Sometimes she even wished she would just leave Charlie now, she had learnt a lot from the relationship so to be honest, she didnt regret it.

He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly. "I really do love you you know" he told her and left the room before she could reply.

He returned about half an hour later, she had been laying there with the cover right up to her chin still and enjoying her lay in. It was extra comfy in bed.

"Breakfast is served" someone Charlie spoke. She hadnt realised he had come into the room. She sat up and smiled at him, then look at the plate. He had made her a fry up.

"Thanks" she told him. It was strange, but she liked the way he was being so nice. It was still very unusal, after all this time she still wasnt used to it.

"Listen babe, im sorry but Ive gotta go to another meeting, but tommorrow we'll go out somewhere or somethine i promise" Charlie explained. She hadnt realised he had got changed into a suit, and now he was straghtening his tie. He gave her a kiss on the cheek then rushed downstairs, muttering something about being late. She heard him go out of the door and close it, then there was silence.

Chapter Fifteen - Matt again

"Oh my god!" Emily giggled seeing him at his front door. She had arrived just now, and he had opened the door to reveal him stark naked. "Why are you naked?" she hissed, he pulled her inside quickly and closed the door, leaning her up against it. She was shocked, anyone could have saw! I mean, she understood he had a nice body but that didnt mean he had to come to the door naked. Had he been naked all day? She smiled at that thought.

As soon as Charlie had left, she found herself feeling so guilty for going with Matt, she guessed Charlie really did love her. She had to end it with Matt, she knew cheating behind Charlie's back was wrong, whether he abused her or not. She really hated guilt, she wished the feeling would just go away for ever. The feeling was horrible and she had always hated it. It was wrong, just cheating on him. He abused her, but she understood he had a problem. She didnt like lying to him, not that she had to as he hardly speaks to her about her social life anymore, but its like shes lying everytime shes near him. It was an unbearable feeling.

Matt himself was another story. She loved being with him because he treated her like a proper person, not like a client or anything. He never asked questions about her life at home, and she felt even without dating him, they could be friends. The sex was great too, even if she felt they were building a relationship based purely on sex, she loved the idea of it and guessed he did too, since so far he hadnt tried to end it at all.

"For you" he spoke in her ear and begun kissing her neck hungrily. She giggled, but then pushed him away. He looked at her, confusion in her eyes. She found herself looking down at the red carpet they were standing on, she couldnt look him in the eye. "What is it babe?" he asked.

"Its...just...Matt we have to stop this!" she cried, turning round and walking into the front room to sit down. He followed her. "I mean its wrong! I'm fed up of being sneaky and going behind peoples backs"

"What? Why? Listen, I dont love Mel! Shes a right bitch, you have no idea, and having this secret relationship, well i dunno it just serves her right and it makes me feel like im getting my own back on her and all that" he explained. "Do you love Charlie?" he asked, looking straight up and into her eyes. She hadnt expected this question. She didnt want to answer it, so she looked away. "Well?" he asked her. She still said nothing. He sighed and got up, before walking out of the room and upstairs. He returned a few minutes later with jeans on this time. "I know you love Charlie, so i'll let you go back to him" he smiled and opened the front door, waiting for her to go.

Did she really love Charlie? She had asked herself this question so many times, she wondered if there was even an answer. There were never sparks between the two anymore, but why couldnt she leave him? Why did she always go crawling back to him?

She sighed and walked slowly out of the door, Matt wouldnt believe her anyway. She felt his eyes burning into her back as she stood on the door step, yet he didnt close the door. She turned around to say bye.

Suddenly she lurched forward and ran inside, grabbing Matt's head and pulling him towars her as she kissed him passionatly on the lips. He grinned into the kiss and pushed the door closed, leaning his arms on either side of her and kissing her back. He was glad she came round. He held her chin in his hands for a while and massaged her lips with his, sending shivers down her spine. She wrapped her arms around his neck and his hands wondered from her waist down, then back up the short skirt she had decided to wear, leaving his hands on her bum.

She giggled as he lifted her up with her bum and walked backwards until he came to the stairs, she was still kissing him at this point and wanted more. He walked backwards up the stairs and pushed the door open to his room, before falling on the bed. She fell on top of him but landed sitting up, so she took this oppurtunity to pull of her top while he grinned up at her from beneth.

How could she even consider leaving him, especially with that grin!

She didnt know what to do with her top. Normally he would take over and undress her, she had never noticed what he done with them. She wasnt exactly the sort of person who had a massive experience of rauncy bed activities, despite her job. She never dressed or un-dressed infront of her clients, and always kept a limit to what went on.

Matt grinned more seeing her confusion on where to put the small pink top, so he grabbed it off her and dropped it down the side of the bed. He lifted her up so he could get his own jeans off, he wouldnt get anywhere unless he got his jeans off!

She watched as he fiddled with the belt. He had such a great body. Not just topless, he was so cute anyway. He always looked sexy with his moody, non-smiling look, but when he grinned he looked really cheeky too. He always gave off this bad boy vibe that he was up for anything, but isnt totally crazy and never goes over the limit. Much.

Soon they were both naked and he looked at her. He smiled and spoke, "I'm glad you came back" before leaning down onto her and kissing her passionatly.

Chapter 16 - Mel finds out

"God Emily, Wow" Matt grinned as they broke apart. The water falling down from above them made his hair wet and droplets were dropping down his forehead which made him look sexy. They were both in the shower 'cleaning' and 'washing'. Emily grinned back at him and pulled her hair out of her face, it seemed plastered to her forehead coz of all the water and was hard to get off, so Matt jumped out of the shower for a second. He returned back and passed her a small towel to whipe her face with. He carried on grinning at her, then his face turned serious. He pulled back the shower curtain again and stepped out quickly, looking out of the small window. "Oh Shit!" he spoke, jumping back into the shower and turning round quickly, thinking what to do. "Shit shit shit!" he continued.

"What?" asked Emily, looking at him with a confused face.

"Its Mel" he hissed. "Shes come back early" He got out the shower yet again but never got back in this time. Instead he leaned in and turned the shower off, before passing Emily some towels. "Here put these on and hide in here for now. I'll try and get her out the house or something then try and sneak out" he explained quickly and gave her a quick kiss before putting a towel around his bottom half.

"Matt darling, im home!!!" a voice called from downstairs, it was very high pitched and squeaky, it sounded very annoying. Matt walked out of the bathroom closing the door behind him and walked to the top of the stairs before looking down.

"Mel! Your back!" he called and gave her a put on smile. She rushed up the stairs to him and hugged him tightly. Meanwhile Emily put on the towel and put her hair in one too, before crouching down and sitting in the corner of the shower, and pulling the curtain shut.

"I am so tired!" she heard Mel say on the landing. "I think im gonna have a nice long relaxing bath and then me and you can catch up". Emily's eyes widenened and Matt ran too the bathroom door, standing infront of it.

"Naa, c'mon ill make us some dinner then we'll share a bath later" he spoke, taking her arm and gently moving towards the stairs.

"But Mattie I want a bath now!" Mel spoke.

"You cant, its a mess and has spiders in, thats why I had to have a shower just now" Emily heard Matt's voice say too, outside the door but still a bit distant. Suddenly the door opened, Emily gapsed quietly to herself.

What should she do? She had never been in a situation like this before and come to think of it, she never thought she would have to be in a situation like this! She didnt think that Mel might actually find out, or come home early one day to find herself here.

"Matthew!" Emily heard Mel say. "Are you hiding something from me?!" Emily could just about feel the tension, she knew how much Matt hated it when he was called Matthew.

"No im not and dont call me that" he said. Emily jumped out of her skin as the shower curtain was pulled open. Mel was looking in with a shocked face on. Her black hair was long and straight and her eyes were green as she narrowed them at Emily.

"You bitch!" she spoke to Emily, then turned to Matt. "You bastard!" she screamed. "GET OUT! BOTH OF YOU GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!!!" Emily sheepishly quickly walked into Matt's room and got changed quickly, as she heard them rowing still in the bathroom.

"ITS MY HOUSE!!!" Matt was shouting back. Emily put the towels on Matt's bed and tiptoed quietly out the door, caustiously avoiding the open bathroom door.

"AND YOU!" Mel screamed, pointing at Emily and walking out of the bathroom.

"LEAVE HER OUT OF THIS" Matt warned her.

"YOU LEFT ME FOR HER?! LOOK AT HER FOR GODS SAKE!!" Mel continued. Emily felt her eyes filling with tears, she had never taken insults very well.

With her sort of job, she thought she would be used to it. But infact, she hardly meets anyone other than men, or other girls in the job. She remembered at school when someone had called her a 'freak'. She had spent all day in the girls loo's crying until James found her and stood outside the cubical door reasurring her it would be ok if she just came out.

"SHUT UP MEL SHES WAY BETTER THEN YOU ANYDAY!" Matt shouted at Mel. Emily run up to him and kissed him on the cheek.

"See you later" she whispered in his ear then left the house quickly, hearing the shouts from inside still halfway down the street.

Chapter Seventeen - Goodbye for a while

RING RING

The familiar sound of the old phone rung as Emily opened her eyes and groaned. It was early morning, she could just feel it and also tell by the darkness outside. She heard Charlie groan too beside her.

"Get that Emily" he spoke, and rolled back over, facing the other way. Emily sighed and stuck out an arm to where she thought the phone was, picking it up and answering it.

"Hello?" she asked in a tired voice and yawned.

"Hey, Emily its me Matt. Sorry im ringing so early, im at the airport, Mel was doing my head in so ive apparently gotta go on holiday to sort out my head. She kicked me out of my own house for gods sake. Well anyway, ive gotta think about things you know, about what to do and erm that. Ill be back on Friday" Matt explained.

"Yer, ok, bye" she spoke.

"Bye" he replied. She put the phone down. "Just a prank call" she told Charlie, hoping he wouldnt question her more, but he was already asleep. She sighed, she didnt blame him. It was very early in the morning and she was dead tired.

Yawning, she climbed out of bed. It was no use trying to get back to sleep now, she knew it wouldnt work so instead she pulled on her red silk dressing gown and made her way slowly out of the room. Charlie had bought her the dressing gown for her 16th birthday, also the same night in which he proposed to her. Amazingly, it still fit her.

She remembered when he had proposed to her. It was the summer holidays before they had to go back to school for their final year. She had spent the day with her parents, they went out for a pub lunch like meal, by the canel as it was very sunny outside. She enjoyed it, but had missed Charlie lots as she hadnt seen him for most of the week. He had called her that morning though, to wish her happy birthday, and ask her to be ready wait at home for seven a clock, where he would come and pick her up.

She had no idea where he was going to take her, but she was sure she couldnt wait. Her parents had given her full permission to stay out for the night, even if it was around Charlie's as they trusted him complety.

Chapter Eighteen - Reflections of the Past

"Emily..." my mum called from the bottom of the stairs. "Charlie's here"

I grinned and checked once more that I looked ok. Charlie had called again earlier this evening, to tell me that we wouldnt be going anywhere posh (Hmm i wonder where then?) as we were going to at first, but it 'clashed' with his afterplans. I was wearing a demin skirt with one of my fave tops, my hair was down by my shoulders and i had my make up put on a little more than usual, but it still looked nice.

I picked up my small bag and made my way quickly downstairs, almost buclkeing on the last step and falling into Charlie who was waiting at the bottom of the stairs. He smiled and kissed me gently on the lips, as my legs turned to jelly and i felt tons of butterflies in my tummy.

"You look....gorgeous...very hot...sexy...sweet..." he smiled into the kiss and kissed me more. "C'mon, lets go' he grinned and took my hand.

"Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeee mum" I called and closed the door behind us. We climbed into his car (ok so it was his Dads, and Charlie hadnt COMPLETLY got his license yet, but he knew how to drive). We were driving for about half an hour down dark country roads before we stopped almost in the middle of nowhere and in a field. I had no idea what was going on now.

We got out of the car. "Here wear this" Charlie told me, putting a blind fold round my eyes. Now I was really confused. He took my hand and we got back in the car, and we drove for about 1 minute before stopping. Charlie lead me out of the car again and took the blindfold off. I gapsed at what I saw.

We were in a field still, the car was parked next to a tree, and underneath another tree, a little picnic like thing was set out. There was a picnic basket, and candles all around so it was all well lit. It looked really romantic and it was strangly warm outside.

"Wow, omg Charlie this so sweet!!!" I almost squealed and ran over to him throwing my arms around him. I kissed him. "Your so sweet!"

He grinned and muttered a 'its ok' before going red, and sitting down. He beckoned me down so i sat down too infront of him, but he turned me around so i had my back to him, and he wrapped his arms around my waist. I smiled and leant back on him and we fell backwards giggleing. We laid down for a few minutes, before sitting up again and eating some of the delicious food Charlie had made and packed into the backsket. There was everything from mini sausage rolls to sandwhiches (he knew ALL of my favourite food, so he only packed both of our faves). It was all really delicious and after we had finished, I didnt want to go home. I just wanted to stay out here all night.

"Charlie, i dont wanna go home" I told him and laughed slightly. He looked up at me, before continuing to put away the basket.

"We aint" he told me, and finished packing up. Then he helped me up and took me over to the car, and putting the blanket on the bonnet. Then he climbed on and helped me on, and we both laid on the bonnet of the car staring up at the stars talking nearly all night.

Then, just as I was almost asleep, he sat up and looked at me. I wondered what the hell was going on, he had a really serious face on and I thought he was gonna break up with me or something. But, instead, he pulled something out of his pocket, it was a small box. So i thought it was a necklace or something for my birthday. But, then he started talking, so quietly and soft yet so nervous and excitidly.

"Emily, I know were only young and that, but ever since we've started dating ive had SO much fun, i love everything about you and everytime I see you, I never want you to go away. You mean more than anything to me, and to have you just with me for the rest of my life would be the best thing ever. Waking up and seeing you lying next to me would make me so happy, and living happily ever after with you would be so perfect. So...will you take pity on poor little me and promise to make me happy and marry me?" he finally asked.

I didnt know what to say. I wanted to say yes more than anything, but so many things were rushing through my mind. How? My parents would never approve, it wasnt that they didnt like or trust Charlie, but 16 was such a young age and how would we pay for it all if we wanted to live happily ever after? And When? I still had to take all my GCSE's, so the following year would be so busy.

Even though all these things rushed through my head, the answer was obvious and I said it almost right away, before hugging him tightly and kissing him.

Chapter Nineteen - Missing Matt

"Emily make me some dinner" Charlie asked. Charlie, Emily and Nichola were all sitting on the sofa, early evening, watching tv.

Emily sighed. She wish Matt was here, still in this country because then she could retreat to his house instead of being stuck at home. Charlie had decided to give them a week off for once (Emily was shocked), as he had to go and meet with some guy in Italy tommorrow, and had decided to stay over there for the week too. He offered for Emily and Nichola to come, but they decided to stay here instead. A lot of people were going away this week, it was very sunny for a change so a lot of people had decided to head off for a holiday before it got too cold. Even the club wasnt very busy.

Emily had just about time to make Charlie something to eat before her and Nichola left for the club. After yesterday, the boss had been expecting Emily too come and she had promised to try her best. She looked outside at the small drizzle of rain. She wasnt looking foward to going outside to get to the club.

"Ok then, what do you want?" she asked Charlie, standing up and looking at him. Nichola stood too. Usually they both ended up making dinner for Charlie after becoming good friends, although Nichola hadnt seen or heard of Charlie's anger problem yet. Charlie seemed to be keeping quiet for now, atleast until he had fully gained Nichola's trust.

"Anything" Charlie shrugged, not taking his eyes of the tv. His usuall Hazel eyes looked different today, they were usually mysterious and sometimes quiet, but now they just looked bored and defeated. Emily realised that Charlie now seemed a stranger to her, he had changed so much over the years it was hard to decide between what his personality was, or even if he had a personality.

Emily sighed again and slauntered into the kitchen, closing the door behind Nichola and drowning out the sound of the tv. "Hes so different" she muttered to herself.

"Who is?" asked Nichola.

"Noone, dont worry" Emily replied. She looked around the room, thinking what to make. The kitchen was quite big, it had a brick stylee lino on the floor made out of dark small slabs, making it look pretty cool. Around the edges of the room was various worktops, cupboards and sides, aswell as a fridge, cooker and dishwasher. Then, in the middle of the room, there was a glass table with stools around it. This was one of the not so many rooms Emily had a choice of how it was decorated when they moved in.

Emily walked straight over to the freezer and pulled out some chips, before shoving them in the cooker and turning it on. She slid herself up onto the side. She was really pissed of with Charlie now.

After all that she had done for him ever since they had known eachother, this is how he repaid her. He physicly abused her and forced her to sleep with men for money. And it wasnt as if she hadnt realised it before, she had spent loads of time laying awake at night thinking about it. But now it was really pissing her off, because she knew he would probably move on to Nichola and make her do this stuff too. It was one thing when he made YOU do it, but its another when its your friends or someone else who dont know whats coming for them.

She sighed and jumped off the side, before taking out the now cooked chips and putting them on a plate. She then walked out of the kitchen, Nichola followed. Emily passed the plate to Charlie. He looked at it.

To her surprise, he shrugged and begun to eat them. Maybe he was just tired. Emily looked at him confused.

"Well...me and Nichola are off. Weve gotta go to the club, so we'll see you later" she explained. He nodded and swallowed the chip he was chewing.

"Yeah sure, see ya" he replied and went back to eating. Emily looked at him and shrugged, before leaving the house with Nichola.

Chapter Twenty - World Falling Apart

Wednesday nights had always been spent staying in and watching a selection of DVD's, while eating chips from the chip shop, when Emily and Charlie had first started living together. Monday nights was just watching TV, resting after their first days back at work, and on Tuesdays they usually cooked a big dinner and ate formally. Then on Thursdays they watched their favourite TV programs, and on Friday they ordered Pizza and rented out any new DVD's. On Saturday they usually went out for a meal, and finally, on Sunday, just rested on the couch watching TV.

"It seems like ages since last time we were in the club" Nichola commented as they stepped out into the cold outside, closing the door behind them. "Last time when you never turned up, Roxy and that were really worried. They kept asking about you and Charlie, and whether you had made him mad about anything!" she explained. Emily looked at her.

"Yeah well, ive known them a while now and they're good mates, they just worry about me"

"Yeah I know. I just told them you went out" Nichola shrugged as they begun to walk down the road, the leaves rustleing around by their feet, just like the time Emily walked down the road a week ago. But this time, Nichola was walking with her.

"So, have you settled in ok and everything?" Emily asked Nichola. Nichola nodded, just as Emily's mobile rung. "Hang on a second" she said and answered it. "Hello?"

"Hi Emily its me, James you ok?" James' sweet voice spoke down the phone.

"Yep im fine and you?" she replied.

"Yeah, im er ok. I was wondering if you could pop round after the club, coz I need to speak to you about something. It'll only take half hour, just tell Charlie you were out doing your job" James told her quickly.

"Erm well that would be a problem coz Ive got Nichola with me tonight...?"

"Who's Nichola? Wait, forget it dont answer, just bring her with you, you can tell me then. I gotta go now, ok?"

"Ok bye"

"Bye"

Emily smiled and put the phone back into her pocket. "We've gotta go out after the club for half hour, ok?" she asked Nichola.

"Sure" Nichola replied, as they walked through the big oak doors to the club. Emily looked around. The club wasnt too busy tonight, mainly just regulars. Stevie waved at her from his place behind the bar, and she saw Roxy dissapearing down the corridoor to the backstage room. Both Emily and Nichola made their way through.

"Hey Nichola, hey Emily, everything ok?" asked Roxy as they entered the small room. All the girls were their, Ariel was chatting to Dannielle and they both looked up as Nichola and Emily entered the room. Emily smiled and sat down.

"Yeah everythings fine, what about with you guys?" she asked, just as Dannielle screamed at something behind them. Emily looked round. James was stood at the doorway with his blonde hair sticking up cutely, although he didnt have his usuall grin on his face. "James what the hell are you doing here?" hissed Emily and pulled him in the room, shutting the door behind him. "Your not meant to be in here, no boys allowed!"

"I need to speak to you" he told her, his face still serious as his Blue eyes narrowed at her. He looked around the room, his eyes darting over the outfits they wore as his face turned to disqust... "C'mon lets get out of here" he smiled slightly at her and took her hand.

"But...I cant im working!" she argued. He shrugged.

"Its important" he replied and Emily let him guide her out of the room and out of the back way to the building. She knew she was gonna get fired, but obviously what James was going to tell her was more important. They carried on walking until his car came into view and they climbed inside. James turned to her.

"Emily, im moving. I got this wicked couisen who lives on an island near the Carrabian, ive been there before and its so beatiful, you'd love it Emily, you would! Its so sunny and hardly ever rains, and the beach is always clean and the sea is always a deep blue and there are palm trees and everything! I swear you would love it! My couisen, he said theres this really nice house up for sale right by the beach and he wants me to come down and buy it! I'm gonna buy it Emily I really am, ive always wanted to live there, remember when we used to pretend we lived there and play in the bath tub pretending it was the sea? Well I can really go!" James blurted out excitedly, while Emily felt her heart had been ripped out and thrown to the floor.

"Wow, James thats....great!" Emily smiled and leaned over to give him a hug, even though tears were rapidly forming in her eyes. James was moving to the other side of the world! She was gonna miss him so much, there would be noone to talk to, noone to go to for advice, noone to hug and hold her close when she was upset. Sure she could phone him, but it wouldnt be the same. She was never gonna feel his strong arms around her or the feel of his warm hand holding hers. She hugged him tighter, afraid of letting him go.

"Yeah, I know! I wont be moving for a few weeks though" he explained. She nodded.

"Ok, I'm really sorry to spoil your happiness, but ive gotta get back to work, but I WILL come round after work, ok? I promise" James nodded too.

"Ok, bye" he kissed her on the cheek.

"Bye" she replied and jumped out of the car, running into the club before the Boss caught her. She was in no mood for doing her job, but she had to, despite the feeling inside that her world was falling apart.

Chapter Twenty One - A Visit to James

"Hey" James grinned opening the front door of his house wider and letting Emily through. She had just spent Wednesday evening at the club and was acutally meant to be out doing her second job, but she risked it and came round to see James instead, who had asked her too come round when she could. "Come in" he told her and she stepped inside. The warmth of the house hit her immediatly and straight away she took of her coat, hanging it on the end of the stairs. She knew James didnt mind, he had spent half his life telling her to 'make herself at home'. She heard James shut the door and come over to her. Then she was suddenly spun around and James threw his arms around her, hugging her tightly. "I cant beleive it!" he told her. She smiled. She could defenatly tell how happy he was about moving and she was more than sure she wasnt going to stand in his way. Sure she would miss him, and she WAS partly upset to see him go, but mostly she was happy for him.

He deserved to go and be happy, he deserved to live where he wanted. He had always been more than happy to be there for Emily all her life, now it was her turn to be there for him by showing him how happy she was for him and by letting him go away, he couldnt be there for her all his life anyway.

"I'm gonna miss you" she whispered in his ear then he pulled away from the hug to make some drinks.

"I know, and im gonna miss you more than ANYTHING, but you can always come and visit, you know that" he reasurred her, she seemed to have dampened his mood a little.

"I know. When are you leaving?" she asked him.

"Not until after christmas" he replied, handing her a cup of hot chocolate and leading her through to the front room. They both sat on the sofa. "Oh, and by the way, heres you christmas present" he told her, his grin growing as he leaned over the side of the sofa to pick up a bag from around the back of it. "But dont open it until christmas day" he passed her the bag and she looked anxiously inside, but she couldnt see anything because it was wrapped up.

"Aww thank you, and heres your present" she spoke.

She had got him a present, despite the lack of money. She had managed to save just about money to buy his present, with some money left over. And what was even better, she knew he would like it because it was something he had wanted in ages.

She dived into her pocket and pulled out an envelope. She saw James' eyes widen as he tried to work out what it was, she passed the envelope to him. "Open it now though" she smiled. He looked down and slowly pulled out what was inside and gasped.

"You got me Justin Timberlake concert tickets!! And backstage passes!!" he said, really shocked. He hugged her really tightly.

"Ah cant breath cant breath" she said, prising him off.

"Sorry"

"Its ok. I tried to get Micheal Jackson ones but I couldnt"

"Its ok, i love you so so so so so much for getting me these" he smiled. She knew he was joking, but she couldnt help noticing how quickly her heart was beating as he said 'i love you' to her, and how much she really did wish he loved her in that way. She shook her head. He was her mate, and her mate only.

Chapter Twenty Two - Christmas is here

The house looked so bare compared to any other house. Most houses down their street were filled with christmas decorations, but as Emily trodded downstairs on christmas day, not even a bit of misteltoe was put up. It was a shame, because if Charlie had let her, the house might have looked actually nice and cosy for once. She really loved christmas and would have put a lot of effort into it. But now it looked like they wernt even going to have christmas dinner. It was Friday, almost a week since Matt had gone away so Emily expected him back soon.

Over the last couple of days, she had sent presents, christmas cards and long letters to her family who seemed to live all over the world in so many different places, and got presents, christmas cards and letters back.

She had no idea how she managed it, but she always kept a small amount of money for christmas presents each year, and this year she managed to buy christmas presents for everyone (even Charlie) and very expensive concert tickets for James, with even some money left over.

"Merry Christmas" Nichola told Emily as she entered the room. Nichola passed her a giftbag. "Charlie has gone out" Nichola said, as Emily opened the bag. Inside was a nice photo frame and a little makeup set. "Ive seen you carrying that photo around, and your always looking at it. I thought I'd get you a nice frame to put it in" she explained, referring to the photo Emily kept of her and James when they were younger.

"Thanks, I love it. Heres your present" she passed Nichola a bag too, Nichola opened it and pulled out a pair of killer black high heeled bots. Emily knew Nichola loved boots as she wore them all the time.

"Thank you so much, these are exactly what I wanted" she grinned and gave her friend a hug.

"So wheres Charlie gone?" Emily asked, she had wanted to give him his present, so hopefully he would get into the christmas mood. Nichola shrugged. "He said something about putting money away in the bank"

"Oh" Emily replied. She really wanted to open James' present, but she would wait until she was in the comfort of her own room for that. "Well, im gonna ring my mum and wish her a merry christmas" Emily told Nichola who nodded. She picked up the phone and passed it to Emily. "Thanks" Emily replied and dialed the number while walking into the kitchen with the cordless phone and sitting on the side.

"Hello?" her mothers voice spoke down the phone.

"Hi Mum, merry christmas!" Emily replied.

"Oh hello Emily merry christmas dear. You should ring more often I get worried about you you know, I havnt seen you in quite a while. Come down, the whole family's here, weve got enough room for another couple of seats. Bring Charlie, I havnt seen him for a while either" Her mum spoke. Emily sighed.

"Mum, I cant, you know that, its a long drive!"

"We wont be having dinner yet, you shall get here in time. I'll tell you what, I'll ring Jimmy now, of course he has to come and I'll get him to come and pick you up on the way. Your still in contact with James arnt you?"

"Yes mum but it doesnt matter"

"It does, now be ready" her mum replied and put the phone down. Emily sighed and walked upstairs and into her room. She pulled the bag from James from under her bed and opened it. Inside was the most beatuful top and skirt she had ever seen. The top was a silk red and was so soft, while the skirt was about down to her knees and was black, also very soft. Emily smiled and pulled them on, deciding she WAS going to visit home, and she was most deffinatly going to wear this outfit.

Chapter Twenty Three - A Visit To Home

"Emily dear, glad to see you came, me and your father have missed you so much! And James, weve missed you too, so happy to see you both!" Emily's mum commented as she opened the door for them. She pulled them both into a hug.

"Hi mom! Ive missed you tons too, its great to see you" Emily replied and hugged her mum tighter, before letting go and slauntering into the house, and being blinded by colourful christmas lights. James smiled at Emily's mum and passed her some wine he had bought, James was really sweet and was the type of person perfect to bring home to your parents.

"Thank you, James how thoughtful" Emily's mum continued, everyone usually called her Mrs J for short, and Emily's Dad was usually called Mr J.

"Hello Japser!" Emily grinned as her parents pet dog came bounding around the corner and jumped up at her. She had missed Jasper as much as anyone else too. "So...who have you managed to convince to come round this year?" Emily asked.

"Well your aunt and uncle have come over all the way from Spain, and theyre staying here for a few weeks, both your nan and grandads are here, a few couisens dotted around here and there" Mrs J smiled. Emily could hear a large amount of laughing coming from inside the front room.

"Well, I'm prepared for a family reunion, and James, for the love of god, hold my hand and dont let go until we leave. Its a dangerous place in there, once they've got you right where they want too, they'll torture you with news about knitting and smokeing ciggar's, and you wont be seen for the rest of the night" she laughed, James grinned and laughed too, but took her hand anyway. She smiled and they went inside to the front room.

"Emily!" her Uncle roared from the corner, and lifted up a drink of beer to salute her. She smiled and waved. Her nan from her mums side of the family didnt even look up as she was engrossed in a deep conversation with her nan from her dad's side of the family. Her poor aunt was trying to calm down two annoying brats while holding a conversation with Emily's father, and one of Emily's cousin was in a corner, snogging the face of off some poor girl.

"Hey Dad" she smiled and walked over to him, plonking onto a sofa near him with James. "How are you?" she smiled and leaned over to give him a hug.

"Hey Smelly, im great how are you?" he replied. "And James, thats a face I havnt seen in a while. How are you both infact?"

"Were both great, Dad" Emily replied and smiled. It was pretty good to see all her family again, even though she still held onto James' hand tightly.

"Yeah were wicked Mr J" James continued and gave her dad a big grin, James and her Dad had always had 'friendly' chats when they met up. It was great to have James as such a close friend and also someone she always knew she could bring home to her parents. If Emily murdered Charlie and married James, they would be delighted. Well apart from the whole murder thing, but they would be so happy if she married James.

"Hello Emily, I havnt seen you in ages" he aunt spoke up, finally getting the two toddlers to calm down.

"Hey, aunt Mary, its great to see you..." Emily replied and continued to say hello to everyone in the room over the next half hour, James not once leaving her side. She respected him for that, she knew he would prefer to hang in the kithcen chatting to her mum or something, but he stayed with her and made polite conversations with her family.

Finally they sat back on the sofa and James chatted to her Dad as her mum dragged her into the kitchen, asking how Charlie was.

"Mum" she begun, and closed the kitchen door after realising noone else was in there. "Charlie's fine, i mean me and him were kinda fizzleing out and were both fine with it so we've both decided to get a divorce and were both mates and fine with it but that aint the point i need to tell you something"

"Oh great, my daughter is a single pregnant mum. Right?" her mum guess. Emily was shocked.

"Mum! No i am not, its just...I think im falling in love with James"

Chapter Twenty Four - Mums know Best

"Ah, right" she said, and grinned at her daughter. Meanwhile in the other room, James decided to go and get a cold drink from the fridge, he knew he was more than welcome too. But, realising that the door from the front room leading to the kithcen was closed, he got up and made his way through the hall, the long way round and into the kitchen the other way where the door was open. Emily and her mum hadnt bothered to close that door coz noone used it anyway. James was just about to go in, when he heard his name, so he stood still out of site, curious to why they were speaking off him.

"And why arnt you shocked?" Emily asked, James continued to listen, she sound pretty upset and he had to find out because she usually told him everything, and he wanted to help her and give her advice.

"Because..you and James were always so close as babies and you still are all these years later. Ive always thought you two would end up together. Emily in love with James, its the perfect love story!"

Outside in the hallway, James slauntered back into the front room, sick to the stomach knowing he had found out something he shouldnt have. Poor Emily, she must feel so bad being in this type of situation.

"Mum, I dont love him, I just reckon im kinda falling IN love with him...I just cant help my feelings you know? I mean I guess ive always loved him but Ive always been so wrapped up with Charlie and crap that I havent realised!" Emily sighed miserably and jumped off the side. "And I dunno what I'm gonna do but I need time to think" she continued and made her way back into the front room and sat down next to James. "You ok?" she asked him, he seemed a bit quiet. He looked at her, straight into her eyes as if diving in to find answers to a million un asked and un answered questions. Then he looked down.

From that moment on, Emily knew. She knew he knew. James had never been afraid to look her in the eye, and defianetely never broke eye contact, never like that anyway.

"Yeah I'm fine" he replied and acted like his normal self. Emily knew he was acting, but he didnt know that she knew that he had heard what she told her mum. And Emily had no idea how he knew, but she knew he just did.

Chapter Twenty Five - Matts return

It was new years day, Emily was at home watching tv with Nichola a Charlie had phoned and informed them that he wouldnt be home until Monday. Matt had also phoned earlier to say that he was on his way home, well he was on the plane when he phoned, and, after hearing Charlie was out, said he would come round later. Emily was glad, she wanted to speak to him and he sounded like he wanted to speak to her too.

Emily had ended up telling Nichola about Matt, infact, because Emily and Nichola had become such good friends, Emily told her everything. Even about Charlie abusing her, and how she suspected she had fallen in love with James. Nichola was shocked, but told Emily she thought Matt sounded like a real bad boy.

Just as Emily sat down after getting some popcorn out of the cupboard, the doorbell ran so she got up to get it. At the door was Matt.

"Hey" he spoke and gave her a hug.

"Hi" she replied.

"Listen, I kinda came to a decision. I mean i really like you but the thing is its too confusing and shit I mean we cant exactly go on behind peoples backs all our lifes and I think I wanna have a proper relationship you know?" he blurted out, and looked at her for some kind of expression. She smiled.

"Yeah I know exactly what you mean, I was hopeing to tell you that just now...and anyway I think we would be great as friends" she told him. He also smiled.

"Great, im really glad you understand, and im really happy we can stay mates too" he smiled. She nodded and took him through to the front room.

"Matt this is my mate Nichola, Nichola this is the 'bad boy' Matt I was telling you about, who is now my ex" Emily grinned and Matt's jaw dropped before he sat next to Nichola on the sofa.

"Hello Im very pleased to meet you" he grinned and got indulged in a deep conversation. 'Well thats them sorted, now for me' Emily thought to herself and sat down, cross legged on a near by chair.

She was more than sure she wanted her and Charlie over, she had been over this conversation in her head a million times and now she knew for sure that she wasnt gonna stick by Charlie. She couldnt exactly have James, he was moving away and she didnt want Matt. It made her sound like a slut, but she was extremly confused.

Coming to a decision, she smiled to herself. She would admit everything to Charlie, about how she cheated on him with Matt and how she had fallen in love with someone else. He deserved to know. Then, what happened, was up to him. He could forgive her because she told the truth, and maybe then she would stay, because hopefully the old Charlie would be back. He could kick her out, she would then have a chance to begin a new life and hopefully be happy. Or, he could choose to let her stay and force her to carry on with her old life, which was one thing she didnt want.


Chapter Twenty Six - Emily's confession

It was Monday evening when Emily decided to tell Charlie. She was nervous, she felt as if she was gonna throw up and the sick feeling in her stomach wouldnt go away. But he needed to know. It wasnt as if she wanted him to know, its just her life had got so confusing and fucked up lately she really needed someone to help her out or give her a push in the right direction. And seening she was so stuck on her own life and couldnt make her own decision, it was up to Charlie.

She felt ten years old again she just couldnt regain control of her life. She felt pathetic and like she could never do anything right in her life. She had been to so many people for advice that she had given up, being fed up of all the sympathy. She might now hate Charlie, but it seemed maybe for one split second, he would have to be her best friend and help her with this. She didnt know anyone else to turn too.

Nichola was infact out on a date with Matt. Emily was happy for them, they seemed to like eachother straight away. Nichola had told her that herself and Matt had chatted about what happened between him and Emily, but Nichola was fine with it.

James...she couldnt tell. Because the real problem was whether she should carry on her life with Charlie, go live somewhere else or hope that after all these years James would take her in and help her out...

She jumped as she heard the front door open, and Charlie came walking in. She stood up a little shakey, she couldnt believe she was doing this.

"Er..erm Charlie...theres erm er some...something I need to tell you" she spoke stuttering. Charlie gave her a weird look and sat down.

"What?" he asked. "And make it quick I gotta go back out in half hour"

"Erm well you know how you always talk about me 'pleasing' men in return for money? Well erm ive kind of been seeing this guy you know without him paying...oh fuck it ive been having an affair behind your back coz im so fed up of you treating me like shit and basiclly making ME sleep around the town just for YOU to get the money and I dont really give a damn what you do next you can hurt me all the fuck you like but im leaving you for good so fuck you!!" she screamed and ran upstairs to pick up the bags she had packed the night before.

She had only packed a few things, money, underwear, clothes, things that mean a lot to her, tolietries and some money she had been saving just incase this day would have to come. Which it now has. She pulled on her coat and a scarf around her next, and slowly opened her bedroom door. She had no idea where to go but she would find somewhere. Finally, she picked up her mobile and put it in her pocket, before creeping out of the room.

"Dont you dare" Charlie spoke in a really cold voice behind her as she walked through the front room. His voice sent shivers of fear down her spine but she still turned around to face him.

"I'll do what I like and I am. I'm leaving you Charlie, getting a divorce and dont expect to see me again" She spoke before turning around and walking out of the house closing the door behind her. She sighed happily realising she had finally left Charlie and stood up to him... 

Chapter Twenty Seven - Nowhere to stay

It was hard to explain the pure bliss she felt from that moment on, even though she greatly feared it could be snatched right back of off her any second. She had finally stood up to Charlie and left him, which was something she had wanted to do in a long long time. Although she had nowhere to stay, and very little food, she was still happy.

She walked down the street quickly incase Charlie decided to come after her, but thankfully he never. Then, scaring the life out of her, her mobile rung.

"H..hello?" she said gently, afraid it might be Charlie.

"Hey Emily its me James whats up?" James spoke sweetly.

"Awww James im SO glad you phoned its SO wicked guess what??? I stood up for myself to Charlie and told him I was fed up of him treating me like dirt then I told him I was leaving him! And I did James! I actually did it! I left Charlie im so happy and glad I did it!!!!!" she cried down the phone happily, jumping up and down in the street with large grin on her face.

"Wow Emily im so happy for you! Did you get away ok?" he asked, slightly worried.

"Yeah corse Im fine!!!" she replied still very happy.

"Cool so er where are you staying?" he spoke and her face dropped slightly.

"Oh James ive got no idea I mean ive got money and everything so I'll probs stay in a hotel"

"Where are you now?"

"The street around the corner from Charlie's"

"Ok wait there im coming to pick you up I need to talk to you about something" he spoke quickly and put the phone down.

Chapter Twenty Eight - Ideas

"Ok im way way way happy for you...but where are you planning on staying?" James asked Emily, deeply concerned for her as they both sat on his sofa. She pulled of her bag and put it on the floor.

"Ive got no idea, coz ive got money and I packed the stuff I needed so I guess I'll be staying in a hotel...for now anyways just until I can afford to buy a proper house" She told him and looked around the now nearly empty front room. James was leaving tommorrow night, and everything was packed except furniture. Apprently it had furniture there, so he was leaving most of the furniture here.

"Cant you stay at your mums for a while though? I mean hotels are pretty dangerous, and, not trying to rule your life or anything, but I dont want you to live in one..." James trailed off and looked thoughtfully at the fire, obviously deep in thought. She smiled to herself about how concerned James was, this was on of the things she loved about him. As he was deep in thought, she sat back and decided to do some thinking too.

She hadnt had a chance to think about it properly yet, but was she really falling in love with James, her friend who had been there for her all her life? Even sitting there next to him sent constant shivers up her spine and butterflies through her stomach, yet the butterflies were more butterflies of happiness and she still felt she could act herself around him.

She knew it from the day she met him that they would be good friends, but now she feared she had felt like this all along. She knew she had, she just was too wrapped up with Charlie to realise it. How could she be so blind?

"James..." she spoke gently and tapped his shoulder until he jumped and looked at her. "I seriously do appreciate how your trying to help me out and it means the world to me, but I think I should just stay in a hotel until I can get enough money to get sorted you know? I promise you i'll choose a safe one..." she trailed off, there wasnt many safe hotels around here, most of them were really rundown and the only decent onces were quite expensive. James looked at her.

"But you cant there are no safe hotels around here! You've had such a hard life Emily I dont want it getting worse by you living in a hotel with..with poo for water and rats everywhere. Cant you stay with one of the girls from the club??"

"I dunno..." she replied and sighed deeply, looking down at her hands.

"Come with me" James said unexpectidly. "Yeah, come with me to the Caribbean" 

Chapter Twenty Nine - Temptation

Emily looked at James who had now taken both her hands and was looking at her with a massive grin, his Blue eyes shining brightly with exciteness.

"Yeah, Emily c'mon it will be wicked I promise! We'll have a house warming party and everything and we can get a pet...and we can go down to the beach coz the house is right by it and it will be so great!!!" James continued happily.

"James...I..i cant I mean i'd love to but I cant i got all my friends here and a job and everything and I couldnt afford it..." she spoke again and trailed off again. He stood up but continued to grin at her.

"Yeah but you can Emily! You think those girls at the club are you friends? Ok yeah they are sorry but your not exactly gonna miss them when you quit your job, when you can get a better one and you dont wanna be reminded of your past!!" he sat down next to her again and looked straight into her eyes. "I heard what you told your mum..I didnt mean to it was a mistake and im so sorry...but im so glad you love me coz...well...I love you too"

"W..what?" she replied, deeply shocked. "You c..cant I mean..." she trailed off yet again.

"Emily ive loved you ever since we first met when we were like a year old! And I know thats a long time but I didnt tell you coz I thought it would jeopardize our friendship and you fell straight for Charlie..I love you more than everything and you mean the whole world to me Emily"

"Oh god ive been so selfish!" she cried, throwing her head into her hands."I think..no I know I loved you all along but you know as kids we were too young and we had no idea what our feelings meant and then I meant Charlie and everything just happened so quickly..we dated...got married and all this happened. I am so sorry I was just so wrapped up with Charlie and everything, James im so sorry"

James couldnt help but smile about how worried she was, didnt she realise he didnt care? He pulled her head up lightly and wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Its ok..I promise" he whispered to her then slowly leant towards her and placing his lips upon hers.

Fireworks exploded everywhere in Emily's head, shivers went constantly up and down her spine and the butterflies in her stomach were so strong that she could swear they had millions and millions more than before.

James grinned slightly into the kiss before pulling away. "So you coming then?" he grinned and she nodded before pulling him closer for another kiss. 

Chapter Thirty - A new life

"Would the passengers of the flight to the Caribbean, flight number 222, please begin boarding the plane" the flight attendents voice sounded through the waiting room. James squeezed Emily's hand slightly before turning towards her and grinning.

"Well this is it" he begun with a slight grin. "This is where we both leave our old life behind and begin a new one together...you ready for it?" he asked.

"Hell yeah!!! Race you there!" she screamed and stood up, picking up some of her bags and racing off towards the turmoil and waiting for James at the metal detector thingy. James run over too with the remaining bags.

"Great" he grinned and they showed their passports, got checked and made there way onto the plane. Emily had rung Nichola, Matt, and her family in the waiting section of the airport before and they all wished her the best of luck while she promised to keep into contact.

She couldnt explain the pure bliss she was feeling right now, just knowing she was starting a new life with James. Sure, it was a great place they were moving too, but the best part of it all was the fact that she got to spend the rest of her life with James. She had always thought how she owed James something in return for everthing, and now she had the answer. Just simply to make him happy.

Even though it was just earlier this day she had walked away from Charlie forever, he felt history to her, just a distant fragment of her imagination now. But, she had to thank him, coz he did help her realise who she really wanted to be with.

She also had no idea what this new life would be like with James, but she knew it was gonna be amazing and she was prepared to give up everything and just see what happened when they arrived.

"You ok?" James asked, as Emily turned to look at him after they had taken their seats on the plane.

"Yeah just a bit tired" she replied.

"Lean on me if you like" he suggested, so she laid her head on his chest and he wrapped his arms around her pulling her closer, as they both prepared for this new life ahead of them...