As they sat there, the city lights twinkling around them, Emily felt like she was trapped in a web of emotions. Julian's words had stirred up feelings she thought she'd long buried.
"What do you mean by 'us'?" Emily asked, her voice cautious.
Julian's gaze held hers, his eyes intense. "I mean, what happened between us in the past. I want to know if you're still hurting from it."
Emily's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected Julian to go there. "Why now?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why bring it up now?"
Julian's expression was somber. "Because I need to know, Emily. I need to know if you're here for revenge or if you're genuinely interested in working with me."
Emily's eyes narrowed. "And what if I said I was here for revenge?"
Julian's gaze didn't waver. "I'd believe you. And I'd deserve it."
The honesty in his words caught Emily off guard. She hadn't expected Julian to be so forthright.
"I'm not here for revenge," Emily said finally, her voice soft. "I'm here because I need a job, and you're offering one."
Julian's eyes searched hers, like he was looking for something hidden deep within. "Okay," he said finally, his voice low. "But know this, Emily. I'll do whatever it takes to make things right between us."
The words sent shivers down Emily's spine. What did Julian mean by "make things right"? And what exactly did he plan to do?
As they sat there, the tension between them palpable, Emily felt like she was walking on thin ice. One wrong move, and everything would come crashing down.
"Let's get back to the hotel," Julian said finally, his voice breaking the silence. "We have an early meeting tomorrow."
Emily nodded, her heart racing with anticipation. What lay ahead, and what secrets would Julian reveal?
As they walked back to the hotel, the city lights fading into the background, Emily felt like she was trapped in a game of cat and mouse. And she wasn't sure if she was the cat or the mouse.