Hot Coffee (The Hollens) novel Chapter 44

Ethan's POV

Hearing Emma's voice sent chills all over me again. She brought out the heat in me. I was missing having her near me— her beautiful bright brown eyes, soft hair, silky brown skin, full lips and soft calming voice, but with an edge to slice you in half whenever she got angry. My Emma.

"Hannah, I don't like this coffee. Remake this. I want it to be perfect this time," I said for the fifth time.

I was in my home office, typing out the contents and organizing for my company's Autumn Gala in two weeks. It would be extraordinary; it always was. I hosted the event each year before winter to raise money for homeless shelters and children with cancer at the local hospitals and cancer treatment centers in America. The company raised millions each year.

"But, Mr. Hollen, I've made the coffee over five times already, and it's still not to your liking?"

"Hannah, if I don't like the taste of it, I won't drink it. I want a drinkable cup of coffee."

"What's wrong with it, sir?" she asked with a little attitude. 

I arched my eyebrows. "It doesn't taste like what I usually drink."

"That's because I wasn't the one who usually makes your coffee. Why don't you get your fiancee to mak—"

"Get Out!" The nerve of that woman to stand there and talk back to me with such attitude.

"This is bull, Mr. Hollen! You're taking your frustrations out on me over a cup of coffee I've made five times. I'm not your fiancee. I don't know how she made your coffee," she snapped, taking the cup from the desk then storming out, slamming the door behind her.

Emma must have told her that she was the one who always made my coffee. She was still upset about that that unforgettable night.

I shook off what just happened with Hannah because she was right. I was taking my frustration out on her over the coffee because it tasted nothing like what Emma used to make for me. Emma's coffee was special, just like her. It calmed me, revived me and took my stress away. I was dying for her coffee and the new maid, nor even Halley, could perfect it. 

I heaved a sigh in frustration but I went back into typing on my computer. 

A knock came at the door.

"Who's it?"

"Halley."

"Come in, Halley."

"Sorry to disturb you, Mr. Hollen, but you said you'll like to know if I heard from Emma."

My eyes immediately left the computer and latched onto her. Both she and I had been calling Emma nonstop since she left the house.

"What did she say?"

"She said she was alright and she didn't want me to worry about her."

"Did she tell you where she was?"

"No, I asked her but she thought I would snitch to you. She's even going to change her phone when the weekend is over. She knows you can track it."

"Damn it. I forgot to contact my ICT guy. I'm certain he could track it ASAP."

"Even if it's off? Because I tried calling her a while back and it went straight to voicemail."

"I need to find her. I need to fix this," my voice was breaking. I couldn't stand the thought of her being out there alone and unsafe. The police still hadn't located my mother and Sharon as of yet. Heaven only knew what extent they were willing to go to hurt her, all because of me.

"Well, Emma isn't an explorer unless she's with someone, like me or you, for instance. I don't believe she'd go too far away. If she happens to be close by, you could find her. Some pompous paparazzi is bound to capture her on a street or in a cafe or even at an apartment or something."

"Wow. I never even thought about that. I'll watch the GSDC." 

"Thanks Halley. You're the best."