UNPREDICTABLE
IX. OPENING UP
"IS THE SHAWN MENDES
OPENING UP TO ME?"

➖
WHAT EMERY wasn't expecting was to be waking up for a random nightmare. Her body jolted itself awake because of the nightmare that she now didn't remember, and wouldn't let her sleep anymore. She let out a groan, tossing and turning on the couch to try and fall asleep again, but it was impossible. Her body wouldn't allow it.

I'll be in my room if you need me

Surely he'd help with a nightmare right? She rolled off the couch with a thud, her feet pattering across the tiles toward the carpeted hallway. Her eyes found the bedroom she'd changed in just hours before hand, the door three quarters closed, with a small light from the ajar bathroom door, illuminating the sleeping form.

She let out a breath, tip toeing into the room after pushing the squeaky door open a little so she could squeeze inside. The sound of the door rang in Shawn's ear, causing him to stir slightly. He always had good hearing when he was asleep for a weird reason, it was like they were on high alert.

He turned onto his back, resting his right hand over his head, looking over at the blonde who stood awkwardly in his bedroom. Her heart fluttered at the sight of his sleepy form staring over at her with his droopy eyes, the light illuminating some features of his face.

"Hi," he mumbled.

"Hi," she mumbled back.

He motioned for her to walk over, allowing her to sit down beside him. She looked down at a loose string on the bottom of his shirt that she was currently playing with. He reached out for her hand to stop her from fiddling, and her eyes flickered up to his.

The light illuminated the golden colour, bringing the flecks of green out into the light. It was then in that moment that she realised he had a lazy left eye. A small scar shined on his skin on his right cheek, which she'd never noticed before. He was so flawed but so god damn beautiful at the same time.

She quietly sat there, thinking about how they'd even gotten to this moment in time. It was not even a month ago when he was announced as the CEO of her grandfather's company, the man she so desperately despised because he took her position, but here she was, about to sleep in the same bed as him while wearing his clothes. Was this even appropriate?

"Isn't this like against the book of rules?" asked Emery.

Shawn let out a small laugh. "Not necessarily. I mean, it's in appropriate in the workplace but outside of the work place it doesn't matter so much. I think?"

Emery just shook her head in amusement. "You think?"

Shawn shrugged. "I never had a close relationship with anyone when I was doing an internship, so I wouldn't really know."

Emery let out a small gasp of shock. "An internship? Is the Shawn Mendes opening up to me?"

Shawn just let out a laugh. "Maybe I am. Is that a problem?"

Emery shook her head. "No, please continue kind sir."

They spent what felt like hours, but was only twenty minutes, talking about the random things that appeared in their minds. That was before Shawn was three quarters of the way through a story, when he noticed that Emery had fallen asleep in front of him.

She was snuggled under the blankets, with only her head visible from under it. He let out a small sigh, reaching out to place some hair that was in her face, behind her ear. He pulled the blanket up from his waist to his shoulders also, watching Emery quietly as she slept peacefully, until he also fell asleep.

Shawn awoke to the sound of his alarm ringing behind him, letting out a small grunt as he reached over to turn it off. He looked back over at Emery, who had opened her eyes and was looking back at him tiredly. She reached up and rubbed at her eyes, before she let out a yawn as she stretched her entire body out.

Shawn started laughing at her quietly, which made her frown at him. He threw his hands up in defence, rolling onto his back to stretch his body out. Emery rolled out of bed, just as Shawn climbed out of bed too.

"Do you have any tea?" asked Emery.

Shawn nodded his head quietly. "In the jars in the cupboard above the bench by the stove."

"Cool, thanks."

Shawn let out a yawn, making his way to the bathroom to shower before he got ready for work. While Emery pattered her way to the kitchen, where she filled up the kettle full of tap water before turning it on. She rummaged through the cupboards to find a mug, and the jars for sugar and tea.

She was stirring the sugar in the mug of Shawn's coffee, when Shawn made his way into the kitchen dressed in just a pair of his slacks with his black socks on his feet. Emery picked up her cup to take a sip of it, taking a bite of her peanut buttered toast, when she noticed Shawn half naked.

"Could you put a shirt on?" Emery asked uncomfortably.

"My house, my rules," remarked Shawn.

"Okay, does that mean I can just walk around your house with no top on?"

Anybody could tell by the tone of her voice that she was being severely sarcastic. Shawn just let out a small laugh at her statement, shrugging his shoulders carelessly.

"I wouldn't mind it," he winked.

Emery just rolled her eyes at his flirting, taking another bite of her toast while scrolling through her phone. She found another article written about Shawn and his new position of CEO at Ellwood Corporation. She just let out an annoyed groan, looking up to find Shawn leaning against the counter behind him, staring at her.

"What?" asked Emery.

"Nothing. I just find it ironic that you're still upset with your grandfather. I can tell."

Emery just glared at him. "My relationship with my grandfather has nothing to do with you."

Shawn let out a small chuckle. "I wasn't prying, I was just stating the obvious."

"Well, obviously I am still upset with him, when he practically gave my future position away," muttered Emery.

Shawn let out a sigh. "He did put the position up online. It wasn't like he just handed it over to me Emery. I had to work for it."

"And so have I," she snapped.

By then, she'd finished her breakfast and her cup of tea, meaning she could get up to rinse them off and put them in the dishwasher. She left the room without another word, making her way into the bathroom, finding her clothes hanging up on the rails. She closed the door behind her, walking over to turn the shower on.

She undressed and climbed in, hoping that the water would wash away her problems. But it didn't. It never did. She hated it. She always had the smallest of problems that affected her the most, but the position of CEO wasn't a small deal. It was a big deal. A very big deal.

She climbed out of the shower and dried herself off, humming along to the song she had stuck in her head. She changed into her work clothes from the day before, then went searching for a comb. She found one and gently combed through her hair before ridding off the hair in comb, washing it, and then putting it back where it was.

She let her hair dry off naturally every time she left it down, which allowed the waves in her hair to form. She flicked the light off in the bathroom, and then walked down the hall again to the open space of the living room. That was when she overheard Shawn on the phone, so she stopped to listen.

".... yes. What colour? ... Tabby .... none? ... Okay, I'll get a black one thank you. ... You too darlin. Bye."

When Shawn was finished on the phone, she made her way into the room like she hadn't over heard him on the phone. Shawn looked up at the blonde as she walked past him and grabbed her phone from the counter. She checked her phone, only to find a message from Lainey.

LAINEY GRAHAM:
Hoe. You. Are. A. Hoe!
sent at 6:58am

EMERY ELLWOOD:
Well, good morning to you too.
sent at 6:59am

LAINEY GRAHAM:
SINCE WHEN WERE YOU UP BEFORE SEVEN AM?
sent at 7:00am

EMERY ELLWOOD:
Since always. I just don't reply to your messages until after seven. Before seven am is too early in the morning to deal with your shit. Sorry Lains.
sent at 7:02am

LAINEY GRAHAM:
The fact you insulted me hurts, but because you actually told the truth makes it hurt less. Thank you for being honest with me Em x
sent at 7:04am

EMERY ELLWOOD:
Haha, you're welcome. I'll be there early today, I think?
sent at 7:05am

LAINEY GRAHAM:
WHAT?! WHY? You know what? Tell me when you get to work. You'll have plenty of time if you're coming in early.
sent at 7:07am

EMERY ELLWOOD:
🙄 Today's going to be a long day. Want a coffee from Starbucks?
sent at 7:09am

Emery and Shawn left his apartment, Shawn holding his keys in his hand while Emery was still texting Lainey. They'd made it to the bottom floor of the building, where they then made their way to Shawn's Jeep. They'd climbed in, just as Lainey replied to her message.

LAINEY GRAHAM:
Yes please, for the both of us - Ed xo
read at 7:12am

Emery just nodded her head, looking over to Shawn who was concentrated on driving. He felt her eyes on him, causing his eyes to flicker over to hers. He just smiled at her gently, which she reciprocated.

"Did Lainey want a coffee?"

Emery nodded. "Ed too."

Shawn nodded his head, making sure to cut the route short to go to Starbucks before they got to work. He parked the car close by, reaching over and handing out his credit card to the blonde.

"Use my card," said Shawn.

Emery shook her head. "No way. I'm paying."

Shawn frowned. "That's almost twenty dollars in coffee. Let me pay."

"No, I pay for coffees everyday. I can manage, Shawn."

Shawn glared at her, his hand still out reached with the credit card. The glare made Emery uncomfortable, with his narrowed eyes and sharp jawline that held his lips in a straight line. She gently took the card from his grip, climbing out of the car with the card in her grip.

She made her way into the cafe, finding that there were only about three people in here. Two of which had already ordered and were sitting down, and the other had just finished ordering. She walked up to the counter where she was greeted by the barrister, who grinned at her.

"Morning Miss Ellwood, what can I get for you?" asked Harry.

Harry would always take her order whenever she came in because he'd always have the early shifts. Usually by the time she'd get there, he'd already been there for at least two and a half hours because of his six am start. The two got along well, except when Harry called her that.

"Harry, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Emery?" asked Emery.

Harry just rolled his eyes playfully. "It's a sign of respect, Emery."

Emery just let out a laugh, before telling him the drinks she wanted to order. She handed over the credit card, which Harry had noticed was different. He looked up at her, furrowing his brows.

"New card?" asked Harry.

"It's my boss'," laughed Emery. "He insisted on paying for the coffees."

"Mr Mendes, huh? Is he attractive?" winked Harry.

Emery just whispered as he handed her the card and the drinks over. "Like you wouldn't believe."

Harry scoffed. "Damn, I'm jealous. Enjoy the rest of your day."

"You too. Thank you for the coffees!"

"You're welcome! Hit Mr Mendes up for me will you?"

Emery left the building after sticking her thumb up for him to see, chuckling to herself at her conversation with Harry. He was hilarious most times of the morning, which always made Emery's day better.

She climbed into the car with the tray of drinks, placing them on her lap as she put her seat belt on. She was giggling to herself, which confused the brunette beside her because he didn't want she was laughing at. Emery handed his card back to him, before he pulled out of the car park.

"What are you giggling at?" Shawn questioned.

"Just something the barrister said," Emery replied.

"Mm, and that would be?"

Emery looked over at her boss sitting in the drivers seat beside her, his hands gripping on the steering wheel. His eyes looking out the window to concentrate on the traffic around them. He didn't really seem like the guy to be homosexual, but then again, looks could be deceiving.

"Are you straight?" blurted Emery.

Shawn's eyes flickered over to her. "Am I straight?"

"Yeah, are you?"

"Are you?" Shawn remarked.

Emery choked on the sip of coffee she had, burning her mouth slightly. Shawn winced at what she'd done, an apologetic look on his face.

"Depends on the environment and my hormones I guess."

Shawn's throat went dry. He let out a cough, trying not to look over at her. What was he supposed to say to that? He really had no idea. The two of them had climbed out of the car after Shawn had parked it. Emery let out a chuckle at his silence, knowing that he had nothing to say.

"Wait, are you being serious?" Shawn questioned.

Emery nodded her head. "100%."

Shawn nodded his head as they entered the elevator. Emery pressed the button for the 49th floor, standing back beside Shawn as the doors closed. He was staring down at the ground, thinking, when his thoughts got the better of him.

"When did you realise that you were different?" Shawn blurted.

Emery thought back to the day when she realised. The day where everything had changed. She looked up to Shawn, who was staring down at her.

"I was about fourteen, when I realised that my feelings for my friend were more than just the way friends feel about one another. They developed more than that, and I knew from that moment onward that was different. It took a while to open up to people about it though, because nobody really understood it."

Shawn listened to her talking, understanding what she meant. There were days where he had emotional stress and nobody understood, but it being her sexuality would be a lot harder. And he was glad that she could open up to him about it.

"I'm glad you built up the courage to tell me. I'm proud of you."

Emery looked up at him, noticing the glint of truth behind his words. She gratefully smiled up at him, a toothless smile, that made him smile back.

The door of the elevator opened, and the two of them walked out. Emery still held onto the trays of coffees, which Shawn had insisted on carrying but she told him she was independent and capable of carrying a tray of coffees herself.

Shawn just let her be, knowing that she fully well could handle it. He was just trying to be a gentleman. They'd reached the end of the hallway, and was met with half an office full of people. Shawn grabbed his coffee from Emery, leaning down to whisper in her ear when he noticed Lainey and Edward staring at her.

"Have fun with that," he said.

Emery just glared up at him. "I'm going to get a million questions now. Thanks, for making my life even more difficult than it needs to be."

Shawn just let out a laugh, holding her shoulder for a second before he made his way to his office, leaving Emery standing alone with the tray of coffees.