1. New Life
Emma POV
I drove alone on the road to Fork City. I am Emma Wilson. I was thirty-five years old. I'd been divorced from my husband, Robert Cassanova, for a year because he'd cheated on me with my best friend, Wilma Anderson, during our ten-year marriage. I'm not a woman who wants to stay in a broken marriage. Actually, my family was against me getting a divorce because Robert was a rich man. His father's company was quite big in the US, but I didn't want to get hurt.
Even though I didn't get anything after the divorce, at least I got my honor. A year passed, and my life was still miserable until I got a job offer to become a teacher at a university in Forks. I knew Forks was quite far from New York, where my family lived, but I thought I would be able to start my new life there.
I arrived at a simple house that had been prepared by my best friend, Luna Harez. She was my best friend in college. She was my confidante. Her husband was the rector of the University where I would be teaching in the math department. I was so lucky to still have Luna. She was the only one who supported me in my divorce.
I quickly got out of the car. Luna and her husband greeted me. Luna hugged me tightly. She must have felt sorry for my life, but I didn't want to be sad all the time.
"I'm glad you're okay, Emma," Luna said.
I furrowed my brow, then let go of Emma's hug. "I am very well. I've forgotten everything, Luna."
The tall, brown-haired, and very well-dressed man beside Luna smiled at me. He was Professor Barak Cornelius.
"Professor Cornelius," I greeted as I extended my hand to him.
"Oh, come on. Just Barak. We're not on campus. Relax, Emma."
I was happy with their welcome. They were the only ones who were friendly and encouraging to me. My year in New York was a living hell. I couldn't do anything but take the flak for getting divorced.
"I'll bring your things, Emma. Come in with Luna." Barak was so nice. My ex-husband was too. Unfortunately, he had betrayed me for a long time.
My marriage happened with Robert because his grandfather liked me. I had worked at Robert's grandfather's foundation, and he wanted me to marry Robert. I thought I was Cinderella back then. I married a wealthy man, but it turned out that I was just in a fake marriage. Robert betrayed me for ten years.
"Barak, I don't want to trouble you. You've given me a ride and a job. Now you're carrying my stuff," I said.
"It's nothing. Don't be shy, Emma." Luna put her arm around me and invited me inside.
I felt awkward. To be honest, my life had been all about Robert. I knew nothing about the world. Fortunately, I was a math major with a pretty high GPA. After marrying Robert, I wasn't allowed to work. And now, I was going to live my life as an independent woman.
"This is your house, Emma. You can use it as you please," Luna said.
I was dumbfounded at how beautiful this house was. It's a semi-permanent house not far from a pine forest. It's really central, and it's not too far from the University where I'll be working. I can use a bicycle or walk. I checked the place.
"This is amazing, Luna. I'm speechless." My tears were about to fall. At least after the long-suffering I had endured, I now had hope.
"Don't be sad, Emma. Everything is in the past. You have to start your life here. Forget Robert."
I nodded. It was almost impossible to forget Robert because I loved him so much. Yep, I had an unrequited love. I only realized it now.
"Look at your room," Luna said. "It's on the second floor. I have to help my husband."
"Why are you .... " Luna didn't let me finish my sentence. She walked away.
I sighed. They are so kind. I don't know how I can repay their kindness. I quickly went to the second floor to see my room. It just so happened that this room had a window that directly faced the window of the next house. I accidentally saw a young man who wasn't wearing any clothes.
I observed him looking at his laptop while moving his hands to the bottom. I understood what he was doing. Judging from his stature, he seemed to be around twenty years old.
I looked at the young man's expression. He seemed to be really enjoying his activity. I smiled. Young age is indeed the highest turmoil to enjoy intimate things. And somehow, I enjoyed this scene. I've never seen this before. As a once-married woman, I'd never seen a man having fun with himself. Robert and I made love conventionally. I had never seen Robert satisfy himself.
The sound of moaning could be heard from the other side. It seemed that the young man had finished with his activities. Unexpectedly, my eyes accidentally crossed with his. I panicked. I didn't want to be perceived as peeping into other people's privacy. I quickly closed the window curtain and turned around.
When I turned around, Barak and Luna had just arrived in my room.
"Oh, my God!" I was so surprised that I made a noise.
Luna frowned. She was surprised by my attitude. Probably.
"What's wrong, Emma?" Luna asked.
How was I supposed to answer her? I couldn't possibly say that I saw a young man pleasuring himself.
"Oh, nothing," I said. "I was just daydreaming a bit earlier." This seemed like the perfect excuse.
Luna came over to me. She was holding my shoulders. Her expression was clearly worried for me.
"I really feel sorry for you, Emma. I know divorce is a bad thing." Luna even cried.
Luna misunderstood. I didn't even have Robert. Ah, never mind. I shouldn't explain what I saw.
"Emma, your neighbor is Mr. Johan Smith. He's a well-known businessman here. His son, Nathan Smith, is a math major at my place. Maybe you'll meet him at University. Be nice to them."
Instantly, my heart felt like it had stopped beating. What the hell is this? Did I just see my student do something like that? We had even made eye contact. What if I have to face him? Oh, damn it!