Emma kissed him back without thinking. She felt his lips landed softly on hers and couldn't pull away. He grabbed her neck tighter, pressed his lips deeper into his hers. For a still moment, it was just desire, pleasure, thrills and chills. Everything else paused and Emma's heart raced faster than it ever had.

Her shoulders dropped, melting into the kiss dangerously. Until the sharp vibration of a phone broke through, Emma didn't realize she was kissing Ross.

She jerked away, her eyes wide. Her breath caught, and she stood abruptly, nearly knocking into the table beside her. She calmly grazed her lips, realizing what had just happened.

“Shoot! What did I just do!?” She thought to herself.

Ross blinked, still caught in that space between tension and awe. He grabbed his phone from his coat pocket and answered. “Hello?”

“Ross!” his mother’s voice snapped through the line. “Bring Emma home now.” She said and hung up.

He sighed and ended the call, pocketing his phone slowly. When he looked up, Emma had already picked up her purse.

“That was my mum,” he said gently. “She’s worried and she wants us back at the house.”

Liz gave a small nod, the awkward silence hovering between them as they walked to the car.

Ross helped open the door, and noticed Emma's tipping feet.

“Why are you tip toeing? Is your leg hurt?” He asked, eyes wide and concerned.

“It's nothing. Let's just go home.” Emma insisted. Ross pulled her closer but she moved back.

“Ross, I'm fine! You don't have to be worried about me always.” She snapped.

Ross didn't listen and lifted her up, calmly placed her into the car, ignoring all her protests.

“Rest you head till we get back home. And don't come down from the car unless I say so.” He warned.

They both went silent throughout the drive. Emma was half asleep. At the gate, Ross alighted and carried her out of the car.

“I'll walk.” She said, stretching her leg for him to see.

Ross didn't fight her this time. They walked into the house and found Eliana by the door. Her arms folded with an unreasonable expression.

“Have you had dinner, Emma?” Eliana asked.

“Yes. I had dinner a few hours ago.”

“Good. You can go to sleep then.”

Ross watched as they both exchanged uncertain glances. He knew what his mother was up to, making Emma uncomfortable. But he was never going to allow that.

Emma's gaze shifted from Eliana to Ross, then from Ross to Eliana.

“If it’s about earlier,” she said carefully, “please don’t be mad at Ross. He was just out… trying to help me.”

Eliana didn’t even blink. “I wasn’t speaking to you, Emma. Go to bed.”

Emma felt the sting in those words, but she masked it with a smile.

Ross was about to say something, but Emma cut in with a polite nod. “Understood, Eliana. Good night.”

She left the room quietly, but not without sneaking a glance back.

Eliana’s stare had shifted sharp, questioning and disappointed. Ross stood his ground, but Emma could tell a storm was brewing.

She closed the door behind her and pressed her ear to it, hoping to catch a word. But the walls were far from the living room.

She gave up and reached for her phone, dialing Lily's number. If one thing doesn't work out, the other might.

“Lily,” she said as soon as the call connected.

“Miss Emma? Is everything okay? This is past midnight.”

“I know Lily. I just had to make sure I get to talk to you before morning.”

“I guess it's that important.” She sighed over the phone.

“I need you to find a private investigator. And that, as soon as possible.”

There was a pause. “That’s expensive. Why would you—?”

“That’s not your concern,” Liz snapped, then softened. “Sorry. I just… I need someone reliable. Can you find one? And check how much it would cost, it doesn't matter to me.”

Lily hesitated. “Alright. I’ll find you one. But does Mr Dale know about this?”

“What!? No! He doesn't know about this. Ross mustn't find out.”

“And my job?”

“I'll guard that for you. As long as you're my personal assistant, Ross wouldn't fire you.”

“Thank you. I'll do just what you asked.”

Emma hung up, dropped her phone on the bed, and sighed deeply.

Her mind circled back to the hospital. Ross's warmth and soft core. She just had to pretend she wasn't after knowing why she ended up in the sea and didn't die.

How many weeks or months has it been? How did she end up alive? She needed to find things out while keeping her head low. Everything must fall into place.

But the kiss…

“He kissed me.” She thought, “I can't let him have feelings for me.”

She touched her lips, just once, and whispered, “That felt too good…but I can't.”

Everything wasn't adding up, and if anything—it wouldn't be putting Ross in danger because of her own messed up life.

She had several thoughts and decided, “One step at a time, Emma. Don't sink too deep.” She murmured, sleep slowly taking her in.

The next morning, Emma dressed in a light pastel blouse tucked into smart black trousers. She pulled her hair into a neat ponytail, applied a bit of gloss, and headed down the stairs.

A black sedan waited outside. But before she could reach the door, she spotted Eliana in the living room, a cup of tea in hand.

“Good morning,” Emma greeted with a small smile.

Eliana didn’t bother to return it. “Morning. You’re off to the office?”

“Yes.”

Eliana placed her cup down slowly and looked up. “Good. I hope you don’t ruin this, Emma.”

Emma blinked. “I’m sorry?”

“Ross gave you a project,” Eliana said calmly, though her tone held steel. “A very important one. Don’t mess it up. If you care at all about showing gratitude for giving you a chance to live, prove it through your work and your behavior.”

Liz’s throat tightened. “I… I will. I’m really grateful. Truly.”

Eliana studied her carefully. “Aren’t you trying to find your family?”