Chapter III

Three years later,

"You...how dare you do this to me? Did you forget about our agreement? Have you finally lost your mind..."

Ugh! Emily groaned inwardly and repeatedly tapped her two fingers on her forehead to ease her pain. She wasn't in her mood today, feeling as if everything was falling apart, even though she didn't have the slightest idea about the reason behind it.

No, she had nothing to do with this couple fighting in this mall close to her workplace, where she went to grab a bite, and everything went wrong there.

Of course, Emily wouldn't, as she was someone who avoided troublesome stuff that might give her a headache, but could you possibly leave her friend behind who was getting humiliated by an obnoxious man who was looking down on her friend, enraged by how she turned his whole world upside down?

"What agreement? Heh, it was the young matriarch of the family you were engaged to hire me to take you down. Well, even if she didn't pay me for it, I would still have done what I did to a punk like you who can easily make a bandit ashamed of himself! And Emily! Let's get out of here. I am sorry...you had to deal with something like this when you wanted to spend time with me."

Her friend looked very apologetic at the same time when she grabbed Emily's hand, ready to push the crowd out of their way who were surrounding them, and annoyed at what Emily was sure wasn't directed toward her.

"Bitch, where do you think you are going? You don't know who you messed with this time! I will make sure to teach you a lesson..."

"Hm...it's okay, Helen, but will you be okay after this?" Emily continued to speak as Helenite made their way toward the exit, dragging Emily in the process without paying any attention to their surroundings and how people were gasping and cursing them for shoving them around in their way, "If I am not wrong, this man has been stalking you, or has his men doing that for him? Whichever it is, you should let your seniors know and take immediate action against him, who looks like he has some powerful backing too."

"Backings my foot! That bastard is already in the path of hell. But don't worry. For a just future lawyer, my comrades urge me to run wild like the thug that I am. Although they get on my nerves because of this, these missions suit me more." Helenite snickered as she led Emily to the parking lot. "Anyways...tell me what's making you depressed all over! You aren't showing it now, but I know more than anyone that your calm yet chaotic mind can do some damage to whoever comes your way of living a peaceful life."

"Lord, it's nothing like that? I just wanted to have our lunch somewhere quiet."

Emily immediately responded after getting in the car. She didn't miss how that guy they left behind was struggling against the guards or cops in civil uniforms, most probably, to get a hold of Helen, which made her gulp. She instantly looked away, not wishing to make eye contact with anybody there, as she feared she might figure out something...treacherous.

It wasn't a pleasant experience to see those series of incidents happen in the past in your dream. It also wasn't a great feeling when you suddenly realized you were being watched. Just like now when she told her friend to be careful and advised her to take precautionary steps. Because denial was bliss to Emily, and she wanted to believe Helen's group was watching her, not anyone else she had no idea of. She wished she hadn't known how to differentiate between the familiar and unfamiliar gazes around her.

So many years had passed, but Emily still couldn't forget the lessons her deceased mother taught her stealthily. Thanks to that, Emily survived this long, avoiding the gazes of some people who almost put an end to her life. She wouldn't have quivered like this if the situation was the same, living all by herself. Now she lived with people she called family and was the only guardian of a child now.

That's why. Emily kept telling herself her intuition was wrong. Because there was no way those beings could locate her so fast, right?

Emily stiffened, feeling Helen was watching her from the driver's seat, but she couldn't just say a word. The goosebumps on her skin made it clear how terrified she was, even though her posture showed calmness, which could make anyone feel at ease. She sighed in relief when her friend showed some understanding and spoke to her, hinting she would bring up the matter again later.

"Alright, I won't bother you with my questions for now. Talk to me about it when you feel like it today or tomorrow. I stay in your place most of the time anyway. Besides, what happened there has already taken a toll on you, so it is understandable."

Emily nodded, stared at the boulevard in front of the car's windshield, and saw a familiar complex coming into her view.

BlueBerry ClubHouse.

This was the place where she and Helenite worked but in different departments. Where Emily worked as a swimming instructor and trained under 24 for zonal, sessional, and national competitions, Helenite worked as a bartender in the evening, doing nothing but keeping an eye on each high-class individual, something her superiors were aware of, but couldn't do anything about that.

Well, the duo was hired for that purpose and one of the reasons Emily was looking for a way out now that the owner's son was leading this organization. She didn't want to get involved with this new individual who made her uncomfortable for some reason, even though she never ran into him. But there was a problem with switching jobs. She took responsibility for those children under her, and as a dignified teacher and professional swimmer, she couldn't even allow herself to play with their dreams.

Climbing out of the car, they parted ways as Helen had to report to her seniors in college, and Emily had to meet the new head she was dreading coming across.

Why?

Because that guy gives her creeps by watching her training sessions on the top floor of his office.

Damn it! What business did he have with her? That man had no reason to ask her to come on his offer.

It took a while to reach the top floor, and she was greeted by the sight of well-flourished high-quality white marble, which made her wince for its brightness. There were so many viciously cold-looking men in black guarding that place that it made her gulp inwardly.

It couldn't be helped. If only she could run away now. But his foolish step might become a reason to lose her job if she didn't have a new offer. Why is life so hard? Sulking, Emily entered after a knock, which she didn't intend to do.

"Do you take my office as a museum, Lass?"

The harshness of that tone made her jump on her feet in fright. In bewilderment, Emily looked at the figure sitting on a chair on another side of the wooden desk.

"I am sorry, sir- "

She opened her mouth for her apology, but his harsh voice cut her off rudely.

"Don't you know the courtesy to wait after knocking on my door, Ms.?"

Her scared eyes met his, and she couldn't help shivering in dread. She was so startled and embarrassed that she couldn't retort back.

"I don't know why I am even talking to someone like you. You are always curious about others' lives when you can't even walk straight without tripping on your steps. Who let you on this floor?"

Emily felt like her cheeks and ears were burning in embarrassment. She lowered her head, not able to hold his stare any longer.

She didn't see how he looked, but his dark green eyes scared her wits. Swallowing the lump in her throat, Emily blinked back her tears and apologized in her strained voice, "I'm sorry, sir. I-I a...should- " She fisted the hem of her dress and mumbled, " -leave."

She turned around, and as she opened the door to leave, that door went shut with a banging sound.

Her teary eyes widened, seeing a hand on the door.

"Did I ask you to leave?"

Her heart jumped in her throat, and her back visibly stiffened as she felt his presence behind her.

She slowly turned around, regretting doing so.

He was standing way too close to her. The way he was breathing was enough for her to know he was beyond furious with her.

"Look up! I hate people who disrespect me."

He ordered her with authority and dominance, causing her heart to race so fast that she felt she would get swept up.

She looked up, and her brown eyes locked with his icy emerald-green orbs.

His look gave her chills in her body. She staggered back, and the back of her shoe sole hit the door.

Trapped...she felt. 

He was tall. So tall that she needed to tilt her head to see him. 

His broad shoulders were square and firm, just like his facial expression holding confidence and power. With that navy blue suit on and a black-tie set perfectly around the collar of his buttoned-up white shirt, everything gave the vibe of a ruler to her.

She saw his eyes flickering with something...gazed from her eyes to her lips. She nearly choked at her breath to see him tugging his lower lips between his teeth, and he bit on it sensually!

Her brows furrowed at him, not believing her eyes.

She could see he was enjoying her fear of him and his intention.

And that angered her, which she swallowed eventually. She couldn't afford to make an enemy for life.

"What's your name?"

He asked her with his eyes still fixed on her lips.

"E-Emily." She sucked in a deep breath. "Emily James,"

His eyes flickered with something again, and that time, she would have read it, but he was fast hiding it behind his dark emerald.

Taking two steps behind, he gazed at her up and down with his heated gaze. It was so intense that she felt very uncomfortable and...exposed. She wrapped her arms around her to hide her body from him subconsciously.

She could be wrong, maybe.

She was reading his eyes more than she should.

"Sr. Adam asked me to come here this morning. I was not thinking before walking in. I zoned out, so I am sorry. It won't happen again. I will send him over to meet you."

She turned around, and again his voice stopped her.

"Did I ask you to bring him here, Ms. James?" Turning around, Emily looked at him when he continued to speak as if he wasn't pissed a moment ago, "I ordered him to send you to me, especially,"

Her lips parted as she looked at him in confusion.

He seemed like he intended to keep her in suspense for some more.

She watched him walk around to his wooden desk and sit down elegantly like he was the emperor of an empire.

He raised his hand and gestured at a seat coldly. "Take your seat, Ms. James, or you can stand there if you believe- " He tilted his head, gazed at her small frame one more, and used a tone that made her shudder. " -you should be punished for barging in here in my office." His expression changed suddenly. "That's so disrespectful of you." 

Emily didn't feel like going close to him anymore, but her mind reminded her she was strong in the first place. There was no one to blame but her. Her 'what ifs' always get in her way, and she becomes more guarded when she should be taking action.

Nodding once stiffly, she walked forward and took her seat.

"What is it, sir?"

She didn't hear anything from him for a while. She knew she sounded a bit indifferent, and others might call her arrogant for that, but she wasn't in the mood to beat around the bush. 

"Do you know me?"

His question took her off guard. Even his look was puzzling her.

"No, I am seeing you for the first time."

She refused politely and again missed seeing his expression, which turned vile, nearly murderous.

It seemed like he didn't like what he heard, or maybe it was something that no one could think of in Emily's place.

"Is there something you want to talk about, sir?"

"Well then," The man nodded and pressed his lips tightly. Emily didn't know why, but his look was scaring her, and she felt as if she was going to hear something that might put her in a very tough situation. She was praying that her instinct had proved wrong, but...!

"You've been working here for three years. Your education qualification is not updated." He paused. "And you didn't go to college?"

Her stomach tightened, palms turned sweaty. "College graduation wasn't under the job requirement, sir."

He smirked again. Emily felt iffy seeing that cunning smile on his face but kept her expression neutral.

"What if I add a new clause to the contract, Ms. James." Her heart dropped in the pit of her stomach. She felt numb, and her pale face cast down on its own accord. The hair on her arm rose, hearing him, "Would that be an issue for you then?"

"Did you- " She was shocked to her core. She was on the verge of breaking point, but still, she held her ground, raised her head, and looked at him in defiance. "You wanted me here to discuss this new clause? Or did you ask me to come here to fire me, sir?"

"Can you guess that?" 

He raised his perfectly shaped eyebrows at her.

"I do." Taking a shaky breath, she said, "Considering that, I can already guess you have candidates like me lining up for the post I am currently working on. They might be better than me at managing the students under me and have the qualifications that I don't have."

Emily didn't spare him a glance when she said that. No, it was more like she could when her eyes landed on the nameplate on the desk before her.

Sebastian Fernandez.

Her eyes sightly went enlarged.

Why?

Just why did that name sound so chillingly familiar as it echoed in her head?

Why was she getting goosebumps in her arms?

Emily couldn't help but swallow thickly.

She instantly stood up from her seat, and the man before her looked startled, but she quickly nodded to him, stammering before leaving, "I...I should g, get going now, s, sir. You w...will r, receive my resignation letter by tomorrow."