"Cornelia texted me that she was at the station. And she showed them the conversation she recorded when Morgan shouted at me while we were on the phone." Emery stood in the kitchen holding his phone in one hand and scratching his neck nervously while I was making dinner.

"That's great, I guess. It's the proof, isn't it?" I told him, but he didn't look happy.

"Yes, it's proof. At least something to show the police, what my stepmother was like to me when we were alone, but it's... I don't know... real? I would rather not go through all that and involve my friends in the process." He sighed and perked up. "What are you cooking?"

I looked back at the pan. "Fried pork chop and some potatoes. You can help me with the salad, only if you want?" I suggested hoping it would take his mind off the case and make him busy with something else.

"Sure." Before he made the first step to join me behind the counter, my phone went off. "Hello?"

"Good afternoon. May I speak with Emery, please?" A man with a deep voice spoke, and I looked up at Emery, passing him my phone. We weren't sure if he could get his phone back or if we should arrange for him to use one of our old ones. We were hoping that Cornelia could go and search his room to get some of his belongings like clothes, documents and phone if it's there. For now, we gave them my number as a source of contact.

"Yes, speaking." Emery looked at me, and I watched him listen to someone on the other side. His face was unreadable, then sagged before he could start answering a few questions.

He sat on the sofa's armrest, and I split my attention between cooking and watching Emery, who was also stealing glances at me. I hoped it was for comfort, as I knew he had hated being alone since the incident.

Sometimes I was irritated by the constant presence of someone else around me.

I cut the hours at the coffee shop, and because I was waiting for my final presentation in two weeks, I had plenty of free time to focus on Emery, but that meant having him around from the morning to the night. It wasn't bad. I liked his company and enjoyed getting to know him more, but I missed the time when I could be companionless.

Since we picked him up from that house, I left his side only at the station and at night. Even then, he slept with his door cracked open, so I could sense his presence when I heard him moving.

It was draining to me mentally, but I could do nothing. I had to get used to it as I got used to being alone.

"Yes, I would like that. It would be helpful if I could talk to someone." He told the person on the phone, and I wondered what they were talking about, "Thank you. I appreciate that."

"Was that a good phone call?" I asked when Emery got up from the armrest and walked closer to me, lying on the counter on his elbows.

"Something like that. Victim support. They will schedule counselling for me. However, it will take some time. Unless I go privately, which is expensive... but I don't want to ask my father for money in this situation." I could hear him taking a deeper breath through his nose.

"Did you talk to him since that phone call?" It was a stupid question, as I knew about every phone call he made.

"No, but I should meet him."

"Do you want to meet him?" I looked up from draining potatoes in the sink.

"I don't know. I don't have that close family and..." He paused. "What if he sides with her?"

"Well, you won't know if you don't talk to him. Maybe there is a chance that he only wants an explanation?"

"Easy to say." He shook his head, pointing at the bowl with fresh cucumbers. "Do you want my help with that salad?"

"Yeah, I left them for you. You can have five minutes to shine with your chopping skills." I laughed. "We are pretty good with Jasper in cooking. It won't be too bad if you are not. We won't starve."

"I never had to cook. I won't be much help to you guys, but I can cut stuff." He bumped my side with his elbow as he moved behind the counter to where I prepared the wooden board and knife. "How do you want cucumbers?"

"Just thin slices are okay. Then if you can chop the onion in small squares, that would be great."

"Sure." He grabbed the knife and got to work on our salad.

"The meat is ready." I checked the sides of the last pork chop. I smiled to myself, pleased with the results. Jasper and I shared this little passion for cooking. We always tried to invent new recipes and ways to improve. It was something I didn't know I had in me until we started living together. Back then, I was okay with simple recipes and irregular meals.

"Looking good." Emery stopped while he glanced at the bowl with cutlets inside. I didn't miss his reddened eyes.

"Are you okay?" I chuckled.

"Huh?" He stared at me expectantly. He blinked a few times as his eyes became glassy. "Oh, just bloody onions."

I laughed, feeling the tension leave my body. There was always something behind my head keeping me guarded. I noticed that Emery was in the middle of chopping the onions. Watching him struggling and frowning as he kept rubbing his eyes was one of my favourite moments of the day.

"Do you want me to finish? We can share the pain." I offered.

"I just finished, but thank you."

I watched as he slid the last pieces into the rest of the veggies. Feeling embarrassed that I missed it, I turned around and checked on the potatoes that were boiled in the pot.

"Can I maybe see my father in the cafe where you and Jasper work?" I nodded, and he continued. "I just... I think it will be easier for me if there are familiar people around me that I know."

"No problem at all. How about tomorrow if you want? Jasper and I are on the late shift, and after, we can go back home together." I dropped the idea making my way to the table with meat and some plates in my hand. Emery watched me looking worried for some reason.

"How long is your shift?"

"Eight hours as I do full one tomorrow. Jasper... I think shorter as he has classes before work." And Emery will be alone for the first time. "I can ask if I can do shorter hours. Just tell me."

"I will be okay. Don't worry." He said and went back to mixing salad. He worded it lightly and almost convincingly, if not for his shaking hands. I sighed quietly, pulling out my phone and texting my supervisor for permission to come later because of the emergency.

"You almost convinced me." I puffed a chuckle.

"What do you mean?" He looked taken aback. Kind of... scared.

"Nevermind, just if you want me to stay, tell me. I booked these shifts before I knew you would live with me. I can cancel them anytime. I'm sure my boss will understand, and we have plenty of part-timers that would be happy with extra hours."

"I don't want to make your life difficult. I would prefer not to be alone, but I can't rely on people babysitting me all the time. I need to get over it." He said with a barely audible voice. I wasn't sure who he wanted to convince more.

"It's not babysitting but being supportive." Emery didn't say anything after that leaving me in silence. I decided to change the topic.

"Can you put the salad on the table when it's ready? Jasper will be here soon." I placed glasses and juice on the table, not missing the ugly stain I could swear wasn't there the day before. Checking messages on my phone, I returned to the kitchen, searching for a cloth to wipe that spot off the surface. Besides Jasper saying he was grabbing more pastries for the evening. My supervisor messaged me back with information that I could cut my shift by four hours. It was perfect.

"I will go to work at four tomorrow. We are closing at eight, so... I guess... maybe see your father around six or seven? Would that be alright? You can take Uber, or I can leave you my car so you can drive yourself."

"I don't understand." He stopped between the kitchen and living room, holding the bowl in his hands, staring at me with an unreadable expression."

I felt hot chills running down my back. Did I say something wrong? Was I too pushy or overbearing?

"What do you mean?" I asked carefully.

"Why are you so nice to me?" His unreadable expression turned to a frown.

"Well, you are my friend. At least I think of you as my friend." I cleared my throat. "I just want to be helpful if I can."

"That..." Emery didn't get a chance to finish his thought when Jasper opened the door carrying the paper bag. I recognised the logo immediately, and it seemed that Emery did too. "Mini croissants?"

"Yes, that's correct." Jasper made his way to the kitchen, and I motioned to Emery to sit with me at the table. "That looks great." He complimented while he left bags on the counter.

Rushing, Jasper took a spot by my side, reaching out for food.

"Emery made the salad," I announced proudly.

Jasper hummed approvingly after taking the first bite of vegetables. I looked at Emery, and he seemed pleased with the compliment.