I have no idea what else Nick said to him, or whatever I heard was enough for Blake to back the hell off. He has only spoken to me on work-basis in last two days. Genesis and I went for dinner last night and lunch this afternoon, and things with her are as normal as it could be.

Sex and food. That's what our relationship is limited to, and so far, both have been great.

I haven't really slept with anyone else apart from Myra and her. My thoughts have been a mess when it comes to Blake because we're constantly in each other's presence. I thought it would help me if he would leave me alone but now this is just worse.

Somehow, I understand why he didn't want me to be indifferent because now that he's indifferent to me, it's bothersome.

My mother was ecstatic at Odion's enthusiasm for therapy because it came as a surprise to all of us. It's a painful process, so just his efforts to go through it are admired and encouraged enough by the rest of the family, even Caiden who was immensely proud of him.

"Where are you lost?" Genesis asks as she removes her blouse and her lips start to claim my skin, her tongue tracing my neck before her hands start to get rid of my clothes.

We came back to my apartment after office. She wanted to stay back and get laid in her office, but I wasn't in the mood for that setting so she agreed to drive here.

"Nowhere, just thinking about how amazing those lips of yours are." I smirk at her, my hand going into her hair as I pull her towards me, kissing her and drawing away my thoughts.

She gives me a mischevious smile before she spreads my legs and traces her tongue down to my core. I focus on her hands and mouth as I push every other thought out of my head. She provides a great distraction as I get lost into her brown eyes for the next while.

"I have to rush back to my place," Genesis tells me as she starts picking up her clothes from the floor. "See you Monday?"

"Why?" I pout, catching her wrist to pull her closer as I start placing kisses on her side. "Stay the night."

Yes, because I need to shut these stupid thoughts out. I need an escape. She laughs at me, shaking her head. "Your energy always seems to surprise me."

A blush takes over my cheeks at her words and she leans forward to kiss me. "Tom's coming for dinner. So, I have to rush."

I nod in understanding. I pick out clothes to change into as I walk her out the door but then I notice that all of Nick's friends are there in the living room. Sara, Audran, Blake and my roommate are having drinks and everyone pauses when they notice us.

Genesis shares an awkward nod with Nick and Blake before she heads for the door. I smile at her as she steps out. "I'll see you soon."

I nod but then she steps forward and kisses me. She hasn't kissed me like this in public ever, the most we have shared a few pecks but that also stopped after our conversation a week back. I part away from her with heavy breathing and she winks at me, her eyes going to living room before she leaves.

What was that? I swallow before shutting the door and turning around but then my eyes meet Blake's and he's staring at me with that intense gaze of his. I ignore him and start to head back inside when I hear Audran's voice.

"Hey, why don't you come out hang?"

I give him a small smile. "No, you guys enjoy! I have some work to do."

He nods at me and I sigh, relieved that no one else insisted. Nick offers me a questioning look but doesn't say anything as I head inside the bedroom. I wish my month of no-alcohol was up already but it has just been three weeks. One more week and I can taste that bitter poison again.

There's a knock on my door as I finish changing my bedsheet and throw the old one in basket. Nick pops his head inside, "Hey."

"What if I was naked?" I throw a pen at him and he dodges it, stepping inside.

"Well, not interested. Are you okay?" I nod at him with a frown and he looks around. "Why doesn't your room have any windows?"

"I like it this way, that's why you got the other one."

How come he has never noticed it before? My room is smaller than his too, but I like it this way. It's cosier in winters and I love winters. The New York traffic anyway is a bitch with window rooms.

"Makes sense. Why aren't you hanging out with us?"

"Uh, I thought you would want to hang out with your friends without a baby-sitter, Nick." I tease, causing him to roll his eyes.

"Did Blake do something?"

I shake my head. "Nope, nothing."

That's the problem. The guy hasn't done anything. He hasn't even talked to me properly and I hate how much it's been occupying my thoughts.

"He did nothing?" Nick muses, reading my expression. "That's a problem?"

I shake my head, laughing to get off the topic, "No, it's reassuring."

It's so not. He has left me so confused. I have known him my entire life, and I had no idea he could impact me this way. I think what's most bothersome is that I have never paid much attention to Blake, and when I have started doing that, he hasn't been able to leave me alone.

Another thing, I don't want a guy four years younger than me in my head constantly.

"Well, we're still going to be out if you want to join us." Nick eyes me and I nod.

"Thanks, Nick. Save me some pasta?" I ask.

He gives me a salute before leaving, shutting the door behind himself. I spend another while cleaning my room because I haven't had the time to do so this entire week. I'm setting up my clothes when there's another knock on the door.

"What now, Nick?" I holler over and the door slightly opens.

I almost jump from the floor when I notice that it's Blake who steps inside. His eyes roam around the room before they land on me in front of my closet. An amused look takes over his face when he sees all of my underwear spread on the floor that I was going to keep in the drawer.

"Hey." He smiles at me and I hurriedly keep the stuff back in the closet before standing up.

At least I'm wearing shorts underneath the t-shirt this time. "What are you doing here?"

"Why aren't you out there?" He asks, his eyes set on my face.

Why does he care? I look at the floor before meeting clearing my throat.

"No reason."

I didn't want to make it awkward for your friends because you and I aren't talking. That doesn't sound like a good excuse, does it? Plus, the less time I spend with him and his bunch, the better.

"Are you okay?" His voice is laced with so much concern that I suddenly feel the need to shake my head but I resist the urge as I nod at him. "What's going on, Emma?"

"Nothing. What's going on with you?"

Why haven't you talked to me? Wow, my inner self is pathetic. He sighs, looking around the room before speaking up. "You've been distant."

"Excuse me?" I frown at him.

How in the world have I been distant when he has barely talked to me ten times in the past two days? Blake has always been the one to strike up the conversations with me, or annoy me. He spent few days trying to get a reaction out of me, and when I finally reacted, he took a step back. How is that fair?

"We haven't talked much." He points out the obvious.

"Because you've been distant." I gape at him. "I just thought something was going on."

He shakes his head. "No, I just can't always be the one to want to talk, you know?"

Shit. He's right. He's always the one to initiate and even though I've wanted to mess with him in office, I held back thinking that just because he's quiet, he didn't want anything to do with me.

"Listen, I can't be indifferent to you. It would annoy the hell out of me if Olivia, Sam or even Nick wouldn't talk to me for a couple of days like you haven't."

His smile drops a little. "Good to know I'm in category of your friends."

I shrug. "Sadly. But seriously, are you okay? It's unlike you to resist annoying me."

He chuckles a little but then I see something flicker behind his eyes, almost worrying me. Nick's words about how he doesn't talk about things come rushing to my head, urging me to question him.

"Blake?" I nudge verbally.

"Everything's fine."

I don't want to invade but then I have to ask something that has been bothering me since the moment I witnessed it. "Can I ask something?"

"Anything." He breathes, his eyes fixed on me.

"Are things fine between Connor and you?"

"What?" His voice is low and almost pissed. "Why would you ask that?"

Shit. I should've kept my mouth shut. I open my mouth to speak but then no words come out as I stare at him like an idiot. He arches an eyebrow, waiting for me to say something but I have no idea what to say.

"You were a little snappy the other day. It's unlike you," I tell him honestly. He scoffs a little, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

"Now you know what's like and unlike me?"

"That's not how I meant it to be."

How have the roles suddenly changed between us? He looks offended and I regret asking asking anything in the first place. I should've let it go. Whatever happens in his family is none of my business, just like what happens in mine isn't his. Our families get along well due to the strong friendship, but that's just about it. We don't interrupt in each other's business.

"Things are fine, you don't have to pretend to worry." He clicks his tongue casually and I swallow at his indifferent tone, nodding.

What an idiot you are, Emily! I can be super sensitive when people invade my space yet I'm doing the same thing with him. But I'm not pretending to worry, I genuinely care about what I asked. It would be hurt me to know if things weren't smooth between Connor and him. I admire both of them a lot, and their small family.

"Well, I just wanted to make sure you were okay. You should come out if you feel like it," He tells me before turning around to leave.

"Blake, wait."

He looks back at me expectantly. "Two things. Firstly, I'm sorry if I shouldn't have asked. Secondly, I don't pretend to worry. I wouldn't have asked if I didn't care."

Sometimes I surprise myself with my honesty but I've learned with experience that honesty is the best policy. He looks taken aback by my words but then I see a moment of doubt flash across his face. A sigh escapes his lip at the same time he runs a hand through his messy hair.

"You mean that?" He asks and I nod. "I don't understand you."

"You think I understand you? You're the most unpredictable guy I know, Blake. You keep me on the edge, constantly on my toes." I let out an exasperated breath, my insides calming because we're finally talking, even this is much different than how we've talked in the past.

He smiles a little, the outline of his dimples visible from the distance between us. "I just don't want to let you in if you're going to keep shutting me out."

His words make sense. I wouldn't want anyone to know me at a personal level if they kept me at a distance themselves. It reminds me of Genesis and my relationship. We share a sexual relationship, so it's tolerable but with Blake, it's a friendship. It has to go two ways for it grow.

I'm stuck with him for lifetime of dinner parties. I might as well learn to bond with him because I definitely cannot go back to being indifferent to his presence. That's the final decision I make in my head. Ignoring him isn't possible.

"Try me. You can kick my ass if I act like a bitch again." I assure him with amusement and he grins, that classic grin of his.

"Sure?"

"I told you I'd try to work on the patience part, this is me trying."

"Okay." He sighs and points towards the chair by the desk. "Can I sit?"

I nod, stepping aside as I take a seat on the edge of the bed, looking at him. As long as we can maintain a reasonable distance between us, it's acceptable to me. I'm done with baby-steps with him, it's time to make some progress.

"First of all, just understand things from my perspective instead of coming to his defence?" I frown at his words so explains. "Dad's defence."

Oh. Shit. Something is really wrong with them. I wasn't wrong. My worry grows as I immediately nod at him.

"Of course."

"I haven't really talked about this with anyone, and I'm not sure why am I talking to you out of all people about all this but then you know my family, so I'm hoping you will understand it at a deeper level instead of judging us."

"Blake." I put a stop to his nervous rant and his cautious eyes meet mine. "No judgment. I promise."

"You've been spending too much time with Nick." He teases and I give him a look to continue so he takes a deep breath. "So, Dad has a lot of expectations from me. Being an only child and all. It's like all his dreams are out there and it's somehow my responsibility to make each one of it come true."

"That sounds like Connor." I comment, aware how as a parent he has always bragged about Blake's achievements so it becomes evident how proud he is but also very expectant.

"It does?" He looks at me in surprise, causing me to shrug. "I just didn't think it was evident. Mom keeps him balanced because you know he listens to her but I just wish I can go up to him with a genuine problem and instead of telling me to bring out my fighting spirit, he'd let me sulk."

"What does he do instead?" I ask, feeling upset for him because as much as I love Connor, I understand Blake's plight.

He lets out a sad laugh. "He questions every little thing I do. He wanted me to go to Harvard, you know that?"

I shake my head because I had absolutely no idea. I only got to know Blake goes to Columbia when he applied for internship.

"That's in the list of multiple disappointments. Apparently, Columbia isn't good enough."

Ouch. Columbia is good enough if you ask me. I mean, obviously I'm biased but it's one of the Ivy Leagues, for crying out loud.

"What else?"

"Oh, you want a whole list? It's never ending." He chuckles but the sadness is evident behind it. "He's not happy that I've chosen HR, he thinks I can't do it. Sales has more incentive and that's what he's been doing his whole life, so I should go for that."

"Just because you're his son that doesn't mean you'll have the same interests." I frown at that logic, feeling disappointed in Connor because of how upset Blake sounds. It doesn't sound fair for him to be so pressurised due to his father.

"Thank you." He passes me a small smile. "It's just hard. They were supposed to fund my tuition fee but I took a student loan for next few years instead. I couldn't bear it if in the coming future he were to say that he wasted his money on Columbia instead of Harvard. Why do you think I'm living in a matchbox?"

"He wouldn't. I understand the other things, but he wouldn't." I assure him, because I've known Connor my whole life, and not just superficially but I know him enough to know this.

"Well, I don't want to take any chances. That's why I asked Genesis's favour for internship. I'd rather flirt my way into it and lose my own self-respect than get it through his favours and hear it for the rest of my life."

Wow. I had absolutely no idea that this is why Blake was struggling and making so many efforts to get into Cox and Bell despite his promises to me that he didn't want to hurt my relationship with Genesis. A sudden guilt rises inside me as I give him an apologetic look.

"I'm sorry, I had no idea. For what it matters, you didn't flirt your way into it. You only got it because your interview went extremely well," I tell him honestly and he gives me a small smile.

"Thanks." He nods. "You're having a hard time picturing him like that, aren't you?"

I can't hold back my embarrassed look as I nod at him. "Yes, I've just always known Connor as a loving man. Your parents have been my favourite people growing up, and he's always been so happy for the same things for me, but then I'm not their daughter and you're his son."

"That, and you're Emily. The star child." His tone is almost bitter as he says that, taking me by shock.

"What?"

"C'mon, Emma. You're the most loved person I know. My parents are crazy about you. Growing up, all I've ever heard is Emily this, Emily that." He rolls his eyes at the end and his words almost hurt as he continues. "Sometimes I felt like I was fighting for my own parents' attention with you."

What? His words leave me in shock with my lips parted. I had no idea he felt this way. Suddenly, it makes sense why he would stare at me always. He was just trying to figure out why his parents loved this other girl who wasn't even related to them in any way. I wish I could tell him how pretty the stars look from far away but even something as beautiful as moon has its dark sides.

"I'm sorry, Blake. I didn't know." I apologise, meaning it. I would never want him to feel that way because of me.

"Hey, no issues. I still envy you sometimes, but it's getting better."

"Trust me, there's a whole lot in here you would never envy." I joke, trying to lighten the mood but also meaning it. "Still, I'm sorry. If you ever need me to knock some sense into Connor, let me know? Or you can tell my Mom too, she'll do a much better job."

He chuckles. "Yes, I think Diana's much safer and scarier choice. But just don't ever mention it in front of anyone, alright? No one. Not even Nick. He has an idea, but not completely."

I nod at him. "Thank you, for trusting me."

"I've always trusted you, I'm just waiting for you to reciprocate."