The man on fire!!!

"We need to leave. Where is Emma?" Theo asked Sophia.

"She is very sick. I have given her some medicines. She is resting now" Sophia said while looking at the floor, avoiding eye contact. Theo could see Sophia was lying and he knew Emma told her to lie. Theo was getting late so he decided to talk to Emma later.

Theo's servant handed him his coat after brushing it nicely and helped him put it on. Theo left without saying anything else and Sophia went to check on Emma.

Sophia entered Emma's room. She saw Emma lying on her bed, staring intently at the ceiling. She looked gloomy and sad. Sophia did not know what transpired between Emma and Theo but something did happen. It was quite clear.

Theo and Uncle Joe were sitting in the car. Uncle Joe noticed Theo looking outside the car window as the car drove away from the Relish Mansion.

"You are in some deep thought," Uncle Joe asked.

"Just worried about this meeting," Theo said.

"It is just a regular meeting. Don't worry. These people want to look at our work so we are going to show them that. They just want to know if our factories and workplace are up to the standard and that we conduct a safe environment for all" Uncle Joe said. "I thought Emma was joining us," Uncle Joe asked.

"She fell sick," Theo said.

"What happened?" Uncle Joe asked.

"Sophia did not say much," Theo said in an irritating voice.

"Why did you ask her to come along," Uncle Joe asked.

"I need to keep an eye on her," Theo said.

"You can't keep an eye on her all the time," Uncle Joe said.

"So, what should I do?" Theo asked for a suggestion.

"Hire someone, anyone for that, or lock her up to prevent her from running away," Uncle Joe said.

"It is not funny. I am truly worried" Theo said.

"I know my son, you are. I am not kidding. There will come a time when you might need force to tie her down" Uncle Joe said.

"I hope not" Theo huffed.

**********

Sophia ran to Emma's room. Sophia burst open the gates and Emma jumped from her bed at Sophia's entrance.

"What is wrong?" Emma asked.

Sophia struggled to catch her breath. She sat on the edge of Emma's bed where Emma was sitting now.

"There was an accident," Sophia said.

"What accident?" Emma asked.

"Mr. Relish caught on fire," Sophia said with horror in his voice.

"Fire? Fire!!! What are you saying?" Emma asked.

"They all were in the factory when it happened. They were smoking cigarettes, I heard. Maybe that caused the accident" Sophia said.

"They smoke cigarettes all the time. When has that happened before? How is Theo? Is he okay?" Emma asked.

"He has been taken to the hospital. I don't believe it is very nice" Sophia said.

"We should go too," Emma said.

**********

Emma and Sophia were rushed to the hospital. They saw Uncle Joe arguing with people, doctors, and police in the hospital.

"How did it happen? How could it happen? We could have died. My nephew could die. I need answers!!!" Uncle Joe shouted.

"It happened because of the coat Mr. Relish was wearing," one of the investigators said.

"What coat?" Uncle Joe asked.

"The one he was wearing," the doctor said. "It is made up of inflammable fabric. It must have caught fire"

"When we were lighting cigarettes? Is it a joke?" Uncle Joe said.

"No sir. It is because of the heat" Doctor said.

"Heat? Heat!!! We were in the factory. Of course, there was the heat. We have worn coats and whatnot before. Our clothing never caught fire like that. Who makes such clothes by the way? It does not make sense" Uncle Joe growled.

"It does not make sense to us too. We have reasons to believe, it was no accident. Someone is intentionally responsible for this. Someone caused this accident on purpose" the cop said.

"I want this responsible person. I will punish him myself. I will burn him and dump his body in the depth of the ocean. Just find out who this person is" Uncle Joe said.

"Who could have done this" Sophia whispered to Emma.

"I can think of only one person," Emma said.

Emma called Ricker and said, "I need to meet you. Where are you right now?" Emma asked.

"In the office," Ricker said.

"I am coming," Emma said.

"Come," Ricker said.

Emma went to Ricker's office. He stood looking outside from the large glass wall. All the traffic lights shined in the darkness of night. Ricker has both his hands in his pocket while he stared at the city blankly. Emma stormed in and Ricker heard her entering but he didn't move. His back faced Emma.

Emma was in disbelief at how unhinged Ricker looked to her. She knew him the way even he did not know himself. At least she uses to believe it. But now!

"Did you do that?" Emma asked.

Ricker gave no response. Emma took a few steps forwards and said again, "did you try to kill Theo?"

"I wanted him to suffer, not die," Ricker said.

"You almost killed him. You burned him!" Emma said angrily.

"He deserves that," Ricker said.

"No one deserves that. Not even you. What is wrong with you?" Emma shouted.

Ricker turned to face Emma. "What is wrong with you?" Ricker asked.

"Me. What did I do?" Emma asked in fear. She could see Ricker was not angry. He was upset. Sad. That feared Emma.

"That is the problem. You did nothing. You just stood, pleading that scum" Ricker said. Emma stood still. He knew. Ricker knew what happened. 'NO' she thought. That can't be possible.

"I don't understand," Emma said lightly.

"I know what he… tries to do with y- you," Ricker said with difficulty.

"How? How could you know?" Emma asked with teary eyes.

Ricker walked towards Emma and put his hands over he shoulder, consoling her. Emma was not scared at that moment. She was more relieved. She had not felt that kind of warmth for quite some time. She felt safe strangely. Ricker embraced Emma and whispered, "I am sorry. I am so sorry. It won't happen again"

"Right. I should go" Emma said lightly.

"You don't have to go," Ricker said.

"It will be the right thing to do," Emma said.

Ricker released Emma and said, "Alright, you do what you think is right, I will do right by myself"

"He will strike back" Emma warned Ricker.

"Let him. I will be waiting" Ricker said looking into Emma's eyes, ensuring her.