THE BAD BOY OF MANHATTAN
Chapter 49. Whatever That Is.

"You're playing very well, Young man." James patted Elric's shoulder proudly. The godson only responded with a wry smile. She looked at Emma who was standing next to James. The girl smiled at him. But Elric's mood was so bad that night, that he did not return Emma's smile. Even a moment ago when the girl was praising him, the young man only responded by raising his shoulders. It feels like Emma's supposed compliment is something she's been waiting for, it's been meaningless.

The evening's charity event was a success. The biggest contributor of funds is, of course, James. And that makes Elric even more arrogant. His expectations of the night were broken. James stole the spotlight and Emma. He could see the girl was amazed when he found out that James did not hesitate to spend a large amount of money to help children in Africa.

And of course, James that night stole Emma from Elric. His godfather tried to get close to Emma and always wanted to have a conversation with her. While Elric, he had to willingly go to one table with his bandmates while occasionally noticing Emma's familiarity with James at another table.

Elric was so fed up with that man. The Hellbound base was really looking for face in front of his girl. So bad was Elric's mood, that the young man did not pay much attention to what Darren was talking about.

"Isn't that right, Elric?"

Darren's pat on his shoulder made the young man gasp. He who was watching James and Emma hurriedly threw a glance at Darren. "Ah, yes .. I think so." I don't know what Darren is talking about, Elric just answers the question.

Darren chuckles. He turned to the table where James and Emma were, then looked at Elric with a mischievous smile. "That's James' girlfriend?" ask Darren.

"Not yet (yet)!" elric made Darren, Samuel and Jacob giggle. They can immediately guess what is going on.

"I smell competition here" Samuel chirped.

"Family competition" Jacob said, making Elric wrong.

Darren chuckles. She turned back to Emma while stroking her chin. "It looks like the girl's face is not unfamiliar," he thought. "Have I ever met him somewhere?" ask him to yourself.

"Emma alumni of Columbia," replied Elric, sipping his cocktail glass.

"Aah, so. Maybe I've seen it on campus." Darren nodded his head.

"Sugary. Although a little old fashion." Samuel spoke of Emma.

"Agreed." Jacob chuckles. "I prefer that kind of girl over boring New York glamour girls" she said later.

"yeah. And it looks like James has the same opinion as you, Jacob." Darren throws a glance at James and Emma's desk, then turns to look at Elric. He was trying to seduce the young man. Elric just smiled wryly. He had no intention of responding to his friends' chat.

***

Emma occasionally throws glances at Elric sitting with his friends at a table not far from where he is and James sits down. The young man looked glum. I don't know what's going on with him.

"Have I said it?" james's question made Emma gasp.

"Say what?" asked Emma while frowning.

"If you're so pretty tonight."

Emma chuckles. I don't know why he felt uncomfortable with James' praise. He felt that the man was treating him a little excessively. "Thanks" he said later.

"Is there still no answer for me, Emma?" ask James. Emma swallowed her saliva. If James started to demand about it, he felt at a loss how to answer it. Of course he was flattered to be pursued by a James Howard. It's just ....

"I ... still can't answer that, James," said Emma carefully.

James took his breath. This beautiful girl before him was so difficult for him to reach. It's a little frustrating, but it's also challenging. "Am I not good enough for you? How do you want me to behave?" the question is a little demanding.

Elric amazed her a moment ago on stage. The boy did not look like he always did. He became a guitarist with a unique character. Emma doesn't know how to describe Eric's appearance in words. Clearly, his eyes could not escape the child's movements on the stage. Hypnotizingly. And Emma felt that there was something strange in her heart.

"You came for Elric, huh?" james's question made Emma hastily cut off her gaze on Elric.

"Elric .. invited me. He said it was his first concert."

James nodded. The man tried to shake off the presumption in his mind. "What do you think of Elric's performance tonight?"

"He .. is amazing."

James smiled. "At a moment many girls will be infatuated with him" he lured.

Emma smiled at his smile. It's probable. But, he knew Elric's goal was not to lead there at all. "Maybe" he said slowly.

"Cheers!" James raises his cocktail glass and asks Emma to do the same. Both of their glasses clashed slowly.

***

At eleven o'clock in the evening James drove Emma home to East Harlem after saying various reasons had rejected the man's invitation to stay at his apartment. And now the clock shows at one in the morning. Emma could not close her eyes. Elric has not been home until now. While at the bar, when he said goodbye to the boy, Elric said he would be home late.

Emma could not close her eyes even though she was tired and her eyes were heavy. He decided to sit in the living room waiting for Elric. He didn't know why he had to wait for the boy to come home.

For nearly an hour and a half, Emma waited for Elric's return. But the boy did not show up. The sleepiness finally attacked him. He lay down on the sofa and a few moments later the girl closed her eyes.

It felt like Emma was only asleep for a while when she felt her cheeks being touched by something cold. He slowly opened his eyes and it was Elric's face that he first saw.

"You're waiting for me, huh?" Elric's ignorant smile rose on his thin lips.

Emma hissing. "Just make sure you get home safely."

Elric's lips were cut. "Why indeed?" he sat down next to Emma.

"Because you must be drinking a lot with your friends."

"I don't drink too much. After you and James left, I went into the studio with them."

Emma smiling. "Since you're home, I'll continue to sleep in my room."

"Dome!" Elric grabbed Emma's arm holding the girl to get out of her seat.

"Yes?"

Elric stared at Emma for a while. The two met for a long time without saying a word to each other. "Good night, Emma," said Elric, releasing his hand on the girl's arm.

***