Chapter 9- Playing with fire.

Emily walked into the coffee shop, scanning the room for her friends. "There they are." She said as she spotted them at a corner table, laughing and chatting. Emily smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She needed her friends right now. As she approached the table, Chloe, Selena, and Vivian turned to her with big smiles. "Hey, girl!" Chloe exclaimed, standing up to hug Emily. Emily hugged her back, feeling a sense of comfort. "Hey, guys. Thanks for meeting up with me." The four friends sat down, ordering their drinks and catching up on each other's lives. Emily filled them in on the latest drama with Alex and Emilia. Chloe's eyes narrowed as Emily told her story. "Why the hell did Alex hire Emilia in the first place?" Chloe asked, her voice laced with skepticism. "I don't like the vibe I get from that girl." Selena nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I've met her a few times. She seems really...friendly with Alex." Vivian raised an eyebrow. "Friendly? That's one way to put it." Emily sighed, feeling frustrated. "I know, right? I've been trying to brush it off, but it's hard not to feel insecure when I see them together." Chloe put a hand on Emily's arm. "You have nothing to be insecure about, Emily. You're an amazing person, and Alex is lucky to have you." Selena and Vivian nodded in agreement, offering words of encouragement. Emily smiled, feeling grateful for her friends. "So, what's the latest with Alex and Emilia?" Vivian asked, curiosity getting the better of her. Emily told her friends about Alex's surprise visit to her office, and how he had taken her out for lunch. She recounted their conversation, and how Alex had told her that he loved her and was committed to their marriage. Selena and Vivian swooned, oohing and aahing over the romantic gesture. "That's so sweet!" Selena exclaimed. "He's really trying to make things right." Vivian nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it sounds like he's really in love with you, Emily." But Chloe was skeptical. "I don't know, guys. This sounds like a classic case of 'cheater tries to win back wife's trust'." Emily frowned, feeling defensive. "Alex loves me, Chloe. I believe him." Chloe raised an eyebrow. "Really? Then why don't you check his phone and see if he's still in contact with Emilia?" Emily's eyes widened in horror. "No way, Chloe. That would be invading his privacy." Chloe shrugged. "If you're so sure he's telling the truth, then what do you have to lose?" Emily shook her head. "I'm not going to spy on my husband, Chloe. That's not how relationships work." Selena and Vivian nodded in agreement, but Chloe looked unconvinced. "Suit yourself, Emily. But if I were you, I'd be keeping a close eye on him." Selena's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Emily, I've been wondering something. How did Emilia afford that expensive jewelry she's always wearing? I mean, it looks like it came from Paris or something." Emily shrugged. "I have no idea. She's never told me who her boyfriend is." Vivian's eyes widened. "Really? I thought for sure she would have told you by now." Emily shook her head. "Nope. And it's not just me. She hasn't even told her dad who the guy is." Chloe's eyes narrowed. "I don't like it. If she's getting expensive jewelry from some guy, I'm sure it's someone's husband she's involved with." Selena's eyes went wide. "Do you think Emilia is having an affair with a married man?" Emily's eyes widened in shock. "Chloe, don't spread rumors. I don't know if you don't like her, but still. "I'm not spearing rumors, Emily. I'm just saying what I know. Vivian's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "This is getting juicier by the minute. I need to know more." Selena leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. "For real, I'm all ears. Spill the tea." Chloe's expression turned serious, her voice low and cautious. "I'll tell you one thing. If Emilia is involved with a married man, she's playing with fire. And if his wife is a quiet one, she's gonna go through a lot." Emily felt a shiver run down her spine as Chloe's words echoed in her mind. For some unknown reason, Chloe's warning seemed to taunt her thoughts, making her feel uneasy. Just then, Selena changed the subject, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Speaking of juicy gossip, I have some news to share." Vivian's eyes lit up. "What is it?" Selena grinned. "I've got a new boyfriend." Chloe's eyes widened. "What? I thought you didn't want to date anymore. Welp start spilling the beans." Selena giggled. "So he is cute and his name is Max, and he's a pilot. A cute pilot." Vivian whistled. "A pilot? That's so cool." Chloe raised an eyebrow. "And how did you meet this flyboy?" Selena blushed. "We met at a charity event. He's really charming and handsome." Emily listened, distracted, as her friends chatted excitedly about Selena's new boyfriend. But Chloe's warning still lingered in her mind, making her wonder if she was indeed playing with fire.