Adrien was frustrated. He wanted to spend some more time with Emerson in London, and the accident had to take place.

The MD was completely fine except a small head injury which led to amnesia.

Other times he won't have ever complained, but when he wanted some free time, more work had to pile up to keep him busy.

"Hello? " Emerson spoke.

"... "

"Yes. Two month statistics and data reports."

"... "

"I mailed them 3 days ago. They were due for tomorrow morning."

"..."

"So, it means I have a free week? "

"... "

"Thanks, but I am in London. Maybe next time."

"... "

"Thank you. Bye"

She hanged up and sighed.

"Free week? " Adrien asked her, envied she is having the free week, from what work, he didn't know.

Emerson nodded.

"Yeah . I will be having a lot of free time now. I don't have to compulsorily attend my minor subject lectures due to extra credit from previous and this semester , I dropped law which took a lot of work, and I have only 4 hour classes everyday." She shrugged, a small smile on his face.

Suddenly Adrian's face lit up but he composed himself, but Emerson saw it and eyed him in suspicion.

"What do you want to do after graduating? " Adrien asked her.

Emerson thought for a while. She never gave it a thought.

"Probably apply for PhD? " She said, but she wasn't sure.

"Dream job? " He asked her.

"Never thought about it." She said truthfully.

"Do you enjoy management? " He asked her.

Emerson thought for a while.

She did. That's why she applied for management course in Oxford and not Law .

She nodded.

Adrien looked hesitant before asking,

"Will you do me a favour? "

Emerson frowned.

The great Adrien Stone asking me for a favour? The hell is freezing and pigs are flying.

"What kind of favour? " She asked.

"Will you handle the work of MD for the time being? Please? " He asked.

Emerson stilled and stared at him blankly.

No.

"Why? " She asked instead.

"The MC's amnesia and all, that's why. I have seen your work and it's what anyone would want, plus you are interested in management —" He continued trying to convince her but she interrupted him.

"I wasn't asking perks of working Adrien, but the why you want me to work there." She stated calmly.

Adrien blinked. He didn't expect her to easily read him.

He scratched his jaw.

"Actually, to decrease my work load. I already have many meetings and contracts to work on. I can't handle the work of MD too." He confessed.

Emerson nodded.

"Sounds fair. But no."

Adrien frowned.

"I will pay you accordingly and also it will be part time so you don't have to worry about less time for studies. I won't give you overload." He said.

I don't want a job under you.

Emerson thought.

"Sorry Mr Stone, but no. I don't want to." She said.

Adrien frowned deeper.

"Why? I mean why not. It's a good offer. You can be independent. " He asked but regretted the moment he saw her eyes harden.

"And on whom I am dependent I may ask you? " She asked in a blank tone.

He just can't keep his mouth shut. He has to say something rude.

He was speechless. He couldn't say anything. Last time he said something about daddy's allowance, it didn't end well, and this time too he had to say something like that. But he wondered where her money came from.

"Uh. I didn't mean it like that. Just saying having a job looks good in future opportunities." He defended himself.

Emerson stared at him blankly.

"How did a masters junior get a job in middle of the year directly as a big company's MD, even if part time? Does it sound good to you? " She asked him.

Adrien sighed.

" I didn't think of that. I am just trying to convince you to help me. I really need it right now." He said.

Emerson shrugged.

" Many are out there. Why don't hire someone else." She suggested.

He took a deep breath.

"Please Emerson. I want you to work because your work is best, I have seen it. Hiring someone else will take more efforts, formality. It won't be necessary with you. Everything will go faster. And the MD will be here in no time. Just this once, please." He said.

Emerson eyed him warily. But he almost sounded desperate. So she decided.

"You should go now, the rain stopped. I will call you tomorrow." She said.

Adrien sighed. He was hoping she would agree but she was really strong not to budge.

He nodded and took his suitcase and bag.

"Bye."

"Bye"

And with that he was gone.

Next day Adrien was busy with all the work. But at lunch time he called Emerson.

She picked up on fourth ring.

"Hello? "

"Hey Emerson, would you like to grab lunch? " He asked.

He could hear the shuffling on other end.

"Oh, I had planed it with a friend already. But I don't mind you to join." She said.

Adrien frowned. He didn't want to intrude but he was curious who her new friend was, so he agreed.

"Great, I will text you the adress, be there in 10 or so. Bye." Whith that she hung up.

He sighed. He had really packed schedule but he wanted to spend time with her.

He was almost regretting deciding to take the hotel plans in his hand.

Emerson was sitting with Lee Shan in the diner. The Asian boy was keeping her a good company.

They were talking about their classes when Adrien showed up.

Adrien was a little shocked when he saw a small diner. He thought she would choose a special English place now that she is in London and enjoy the things there. But he was wrong.

He was more shocked when he saw her friend she was talking about was a boy and not a girl.

He walked towards them.

Emerson saw him and smiled politely at him, gesturing to sit at the other chair.

He returned the gesture and took a seat.

Shan turned towards him.

"Hello. I am Lee Shan." He said in his extraordinarily deep voice.

Adrien nodded.

"Adrien Stone. "

The waitress came and her eyes we're glued to Shan, never leaving him once when she took their orders.

When she left, Emerson looked at Shan with a smile.

"Looks like someone has a crush." She said teasingly.

Shan rolled his eyes.

"She must be looking for a, what you call it, hookup or something. I heard it's pretty common in West." He said in a dry tone.

Adrien raised his eyebrows.

"You are blindly judging." He stated, not able to stop himself.

Shan shook his head.

"That's not the thing. What I heard is what I saw. Most of the girls behaved the same way. My deep voice and foreign accent is liked by them." He replied.

Emerson tilted her head.

"You don't like it, having the attention ?" She asked curiously.

He shook his head.

" It isn't about attention, I just don't see sex as an escape or release, that's what you say right? "

Emerson nodded her head.

"I agree."

"So Mr Shan, how did you get in Oxford?"

Adrien asked.

Shan frowned.

"It's Mr Lee. We say our surname first. But call me Shan. It took two entrance exams and IELTS, language is necessary." He said.

Adrien nodded.

"What about you? I thought Emerson was new here but she invited you? " He asked Adrien.

"I am here for work, just for a few months. I am from NYC. I knew Emerson long before." He told her.

Shan nodded.

"Is the MD ok? " Emerson asked Adrien.

He shook his head.

" Still in hospital. He would be sent to rehab."

Emerson nodded.

" How are you liking here, the rain is sometimes irritating." Emerson asked Shan.

He shook his head.

"I am used to it. In Hokkaido it rained a lot. We had a traditional style house there and so the rain would always create puddles and all. I like it the way it reminds me of home." He said with a dreamy look in his eyes.

"You must love the place." Adrien stated.

Shan nodded with a smile.

"It's a beautiful place. You should visit sometimes. I would be honoured ." He said

Adrien nodded.

"Sure."

"Do you miss home Emerson? Your family?" Shan asked curiously.

Emerson stilled for a second but relaxed. She was good to mask her emotions.

She thought over it. Did she miss home.

Home? Where is home?

Did she miss her parents and sister?

No.

Did she miss the mansion?

No.

Adrien?

For a few seconds but she was fine.

It was probably only grandma Rose she missed.

Adrien was curious to her answer.

She nodded.

"Grandma Rose. My rock. I miss her dearly but sometimes distance is also needed. I call her everyday." She said.

Adrien frowned internally.

She didn't miss his place or him.

They finished the lunch soon.

Shan left early for his class.

Adrien turned to Emerson.

She spoke.

"So about the job..."