**Diary Entry A Lesson in Love and Trust**
The cab pulled up near the entrance of the club, its neon lights flickering against the dark London sky. Emily stepped out, thanking the driver before adjusting her fitted jeans and cropped topcasual yet flattering. She never was one for high heels, preferring trainers instead, even though her best mate, Lucy, had begged her to dress up for the occasion.
Inside, the bass thumped loudly, a stark contrast to the quiet street outside. The air buzzed with chatter and laughter.
“Hey, you made it!” Lucy squealed, pulling Emily into a tight hug. “Ready for birthday drinks and presents?”
Lucy thrived in crowds, always the life of the party, while Emily wouldve much preferred a quiet evening in a cosy café or curled up with a film. But friendship meant sacrifices, and tonight, shed plaster on a smile and endure it.
“Come on, Ill introduce you to some mates!” Lucy grabbed her wrist, dragging her toward the bar where two tall lads stood chatting. One turned, his dark eyes meeting Emilys with an intensity that made her pulse stutter.
“Alright? Im William,” he said, his voice smooth as honey. “This is my brother, Tom.”
For a moment, the noise faded. There was something about his gazewarm, directthat made her feel like they were the only two in the room.
“Pleasure. Youre like a ray of sunshine in this dim place,” William grinned.
Emily laughed. “Flattery will get you everywhere.”
“Oh, trust me, shell have you wrapped around her finger in no time!” Tom joked, finishing his cocktail.
The night blurred into music, laughter, and clinking glasses. William proved to be the perfect gentleman, walking her all the way home. They talked easily, as if theyd known each other for years.
“Its late. Thanks for tonight,” Emily said, lingering awkwardly at her doorstep.
“Loved every second. Youre brillianttruly. Can I call you tomorrow?” William asked, uncharacteristically shy.
“Id love that,” she replied before pressing a quick kiss to his cheek and slipping inside.
Her parents were long asleep, unaccustomed to her staying out so late. She tiptoed to bed but lay awake for hours, Williams smile burned into her mind.
The next morning, she caught herself grinning over breakfasther chest light, her stomach fluttering.
“Bloody hell Im in love,” she whispered to herself, laughing.
Later, at their favourite café, Lucy smirked. “Saw how he looked at you! Wedding bells soon, eh?”
“Think Ive properly fallen for him,” Emily admitted, cheeks warm.
“Think? Youre smitten, love!” Lucy cackled.
Lucy flitted from one bloke to the next, never serious, while Emily was the oppositea hopeless romantic waiting for her fairy tale.
Monday passed. Then Tuesday. By Wednesday, still no call. Emily checked her phone obsessively, each silence twisting her stomach tighter.
“Forgot? Changed his mind? Found someone else?” The possibilities gnawed at her.
After her last lecture, she rushed outsideonly to freeze at the sight of William waiting with a massive bouquet. Relief, anger, joy crashed over her.
“Sorry! Everything went mad,” he blurted. A mates car had broken down in the middle of nowhere, and his phone died during the rescue.
“All that worry over nothing!” Emily laughed.
“Let me make it up to youdinner tonight?”
The restaurant was perfectsoft music, delicious food, his hand brushing hers. Two months later, they were inseparable.
Then Tom called. “Need your help, Em. Im proposing to Lucy!”
They picked out a dainty ring with a heart-shaped diamond and a teddy bear holding a “Love” sign.
“Just look her in the eyes and say it,” Emily encouraged, hugging him.
But that evening, William never showed. A text arrived late: *”Its over. Dont call.”*
She rang endlessly, but his phone was off. Lucy knew nothing. Tom was away. The uncertainty crushed her.
Worseshe was four weeks pregnant.
Days later, she woke in a hospital bed. Lucy sat beside her, eyes red-rimmed.
A knock. William entered, roses in hand, followed by Tomsporting a black eye.
“Im a fool,” William choked. “Saw you kiss Tom and lost it.”
“We sorted it,” Tom muttered.
William took her hand. “No more doubts. Im herefor you, for our baby.”
…Love isnt always smooth. Jealousy plants doubts that poison happiness. Trust is everything. Hold tight to the ones who matter.
