Chapter V

Emily felt cold.

She had never felt openly being watched by someone ever before. But could she blame the man in the driver's seat glaring at her coldly? Even if she wanted to be mad at him, she couldn't, not after seeing the video recording he showed of last night's incident.

Helen, why did you have to do that for me? What good would it do for you to cause a commotion in someone else's lair?

Emily couldn't help but groan inwardly, hearing his sharp tone.

"Are you not going to say anything regarding this matter, Ms. James?"

The atmosphere in the car was thick. She knew she should say something. Or, at least, beg him for mercy, but why did it feel so hard to talk to this man? She had a feeling that no matter what she said, nothing would get through his brain because he was that angry.

"I...I can't decide." Emily looked speechless still. Sighing in resignation, she said, "Let's just have it in your way for now, Sir."

Emily took a lungful of air from her mouth from outside the window, distancing herself from him as much as she could. Her former boss, whom she had just met yesterday, felt like a ticking bomb that would blow with just a single poke of her forefinger.

This was dangerous. Emily shouldn't let her sister get close to this man, but leaving Cheryl in someone else's place didn't sound good either. Then she didn't have the time to spare right now. Making this enraged man wait for Cheryl's bus was already too much for someone who lost a lot of money in just one day. But then, his intention couldn't be good, could it? The way he reacted a while ago and threatened her to get in his car made it clear he didn't follow her here only to help her out of the situation.

Nothing comes for free in this world. Emily was experienced enough to know she would be dragged around by this man like a puppet shortly. The question is how he would use her, get the best out of this situation, and turn things he desires in his favor.

The honks could be heard near the bus stand. Emily raised her head and saw Cheryl's school bus.

Emily turned her head towards Sebastian but didn't look into his eyes.

"My sister is here. I'll be back with her in a minute. Sorry for keeping you waiting, sir."

She felt his gaze didn't waver from the second she stepped out of his car. That piercing gaze was glued on her back, making her think it wouldn't end well if she ran away with her sister, hailing a car immediately from the stoppage. What was the point in doing something this stupid anyway? Both of them would end up running into each other at the police station, after all.

What if he changed his mind about bailing her friend out then?

Emily gulped hard.

But her solemn expression soon changed when she saw Cheryl. The child looked more energetic than she ever was and didn't look like she cared about her classmates, whom she was mercilessly pushing away from her way.

Dear lord, from whom did Cheryl learn this form? She wasn't going to turn into Helenite 3.0, right? RIGHT?

Emily suddenly got chills. This concern made her forget about the person who lost much more than the amount he told her earlier. She worked in the bar before, and after seeing the video, Emily, at least, had the idea of just how much the man lost last night. And then it was Friday night. The police suddenly walked in, and that man had to close the gate of his club when the night was still young. She was relieved that he hadn't brought up the matter yet. She prayed the man would show that much mercy to her by considering her hard work and dedication that helped his clubhouse to rise exponentially and was now nationally recognized.

"Millie Billie!"

Emily gasped when Cheryl rushed toward her like a missile.

The little kid was so fast that Emily couldn't react on time and almost fell on her butt, stumbling backward.

Emily couldn't help but wince as Cheryl squealed in her high-pitched tone and bombarded her with her questions after throwing herself at her elder sister, "Oh, you are here! Did you miss me? Nobody picks a fight with you, right?"

"You are asking me that? How funny."

Emily snorted and could still hear Cheryl's classmates screaming and demanding an apology from Cheryl, who had just waved those kids off. Emily had mouthed an apology to the guardians and Cheryl's teachers, who smiled awkwardly and told her to go back.

"Hehe...You smell like vanilla. Did you bring snacks for me? Millie Billie, Cherry Bomb holds high honor for you."

Cheryl had the biggest smile, with her chubby cheeks stretching wide, but Emily felt like the child had lost a couple of pounds in just three days when she was away from home. Emily started to regret her decision to allow Cheryl on her school trip.

"Cheryl, listen to me carefully this time." Exhaling sharply, Emily said, "We'll drop by somewhere before heading home. I will make something delicious for you tonight. So, would you be a good girl and be quiet in that car parked behind us?"

Little Cheryl asked cautiously and looked at the handsome man's features becoming visible. She had never seen that person before and was curious to know why they had to get in some stranger's car, but she was sharp enough to sense the tension around her and how her elder sister's hand, which always felt warm, now felt cold and shaky. Her silent agreement put Emily at ease, luckily.

It took everything for Emily to walk her way to get in Sebastian's car. She had to leave Cheryl in the backseat with her bag and took the front seat, not wanting to give him a reason to scold her for taking him as their chauffeur.

She tried to avoid that man's gaze with all her might, but it was hard not to see him when she was getting heated glares from him.

It didn't help how Cheryl's eyes were moving back and forth from her to her former boss driving the car. Of course, she needed to tell her sister beforehand that they were going to the police station, despite knowing how shocked Cheryl would be after returning from a school exhibition with her friends, but was there anything Emily could do to save herself and her friend from this embarrassment?

"Where are we going, Millie?"

Emily was glad that her sister asked the question first, as she was scared to make a noise beside someone who could ruin her life with the flick of his finger.

Yet someone like him had approached her first, which was a relief, believing she could negotiate about this matter with him, and that was why, the moment she thought about telling Cheryl where they were heading, Mr. Fernandez said out of nowhere, "She is moving in with you at my place this week."

In his place?

Emily was still in a daze and couldn't process what she had just heard him saying.

But she sensed the threat when he told her his decision.

It was like he was authoritatively ordering her. He was not going to take no for an answer.

Hell, that wasn't even a question.

"Millie?!"

Emily didn't hear it for the second time, either. All she did was stare at the man driving beside her, trying her best to see what he was cooking up there. Clearly, she was being played by him. If anything, she wished to stop Cheryl before her imagination ran wild.

"She is calling you," Emily gasped when that man halted his car. She was surprised to see they were already in the parking lot of the police station. Her head snapped toward the man who held her shoulder. "Won't you tell her who I am to you?"

Emily blinked hard. She was gaping at him, looked miserable beyond her belief. "...He is- "

" -a close friend." Besides that amused look, Emily saw something in his eyes that made her want to run away from him as far as she could. And that pressure he put on her shoulder, she knew her one wrong step might put Helenite in trouble. "Right, Emily?"

Emily cleared her throat and scolded herself internally when she met Cheryl's judgy eyes.

She smiled miserably and lied through her teeth, "Yes,"

"Are you sure, Millie?"

Swallowing slightly, she nodded with her eyes locked with his eyes, "Y-yes, he...he is a friend, Cheryl," She broke her gaze and smiled at Cheryl. "- at work."

"Just friend?" Emily's breath hitched as his fingers slowly trailed up, touching her neck. "Don't you think she has the right to know why you are moving to my place?"

She frowned in confusion. How could she know? It was he who said that. A question was bothering her, too.

Why was that man touching her inappropriately? Given the current circumstances, it felt too much for Emily, no matter how proud she was to call herself a swimming instructor and keep a friendly relationship with her colleagues and her students' guardians.

But wait, she had yet another pressing matter in her hand.

Does he want me to find a reason to make Cheryl believe the man isn't a threat?

Seeing his raised brow, Emily thought about saying something to save everything from trouble.

She inhaled sharply and pushed back the anxiety that threatened to take charge of her. Looking back at Cheryl, she swallowed hard and had to say something that would make her regret it for a lifetime.

"My friend needs a swimming instructor."

She talked confidently to Cheryl.

"Oh," Cheryl leaned back in her seat before shifting her gaze to the man. "Do you have a swimming pool at home, Mr.?"

Emily peeked at him through her lashes, trying to keep her expression neutral. She thought she would see him angry, but to her surprise, that quirky prince looked amused again...! Her cheeks warmed up, and she looked away.

Anxiety hit her again when her gaze fell on the police station.

"I have," She stiffened to hear him. Her throat tightened, feeling the tip of his finger gazing at her neck. The touch was innocent, but Emily knew better than a finger might replace it with a sharp knife any time. "Your elder sister promised to help."

The 'help' word gave her goosebumps on her skin.

Emily nodded only. There wasn't much of a choice for her left to choose.

Leaving the car with Cheryl was the right thing she did, which she believed, denying that man politely.

She was about to step forward, but a hand grabbed her elbow, making Emily stop abruptly.

Emily turned around and saw his face was very close to hers, and his eyes narrowed slightly. Leaning closer, he whispered as his breath tickled on her nape, "It will be sorted without a hassle if you stay quiet and go with the flow, Ms. James."

Her heart pounded hard, threatening to rip out of her chest at any moment in fear. She flinched when he suddenly pulled away after saying, "Mind you. I am not really in a good mood right now. You don't want to see yourself on tomorrow's front page now, do you?"

Emily lowered her gaze and nodded to him only after realizing something. She broke into a cold sweat and dared not to raise her head, fearing the possibility of being followed by the reporters. The man could be a public figure, as it wasn't easy for an amateur to succeed in a city like Seattle in just four years. Lord, what if she gets caught by her family again with Cheryl?

Swallowing thickly, Emily pulled Cheryl closer to hide her face and began walking hurriedly toward the desk of the officer in charge. She felt him following her inside, but she didn't glance behind, not wishing to show how pale she had suddenly turned.

"Millie?" Cheryl tugged Emily's hand and asked, gazing at the police constables, "Why are we here?"

"For Helenite,"

Hearing familiar voices, Emily rushed to the corner with Cheryl and saw Helenite's cousin, Liam, having a heated argument with the officer in charge. There was a lawyer, and Helenite's mother was crying, holding her daughter, who was glaring at the officer.

"Dynamite! What is going on? Why are you here with everyone?"

The already puzzled Cheryl gasped, looking at Helen. Emily gulped hard as she wondered what excuses she should make for suddenly having a strange man as her friend and now Cheryl's godmother's first-ever criminal record while Helen was still in college.

Helen's eyes widened, and she looked embarrassed suddenly.

"Erh- Millie, why did you bring Cheryl here? Children aren't supposed to be here."

"But what was Millie Billie supposed to do? She just picked me up from my stoppage fifteen minutes ago!" Cheryl huffed and puffed at this blatant injustice. "And anyway, why are you here again? Did someone bully you, too, when I was away from home?"

"Cheryl, calm down." Emily patted her sister's head before her friend could say anything. "Let us take Helen home first, alright?"

"I didn't do anything wrong!" Helenite exclaimed, meeting Emily's glaring eyes. And knowing Emily, she could tell her friend would neither blame nor take her side for the time being. "You know I was on a mission, and then suddenly I heard that you resigned- "

"Goodness! I told you not to get involved until your graduation." Emily cut her off, getting a headache again. "Can you see anyone here in the group you belong to? Well, there are many things I wish to know, but for now, bailing you out of here is my priority."

"Cheryl, stay here with Mrs. Kryeziu and Helenite. I will be right back."

With that, Emily was about to reach for the officer where her friend's cousin was standing with their lawyer, but a tug on her elbow from behind stopped her, and she halted on her steps. For a moment, she forgot the existence of the person holding her, but now...

Tilting her head, Emily looked at the hand and the man who looked cold for his reasons. Before she could say something, Bash squeezed her elbow lightly and let go after saying in a deep, raspy tone, "Let me handle this,"

"Berndt,"

The officer turned behind, and Emily saw his eyes widen. "Mr. Fernandez, you- "

"I was out of the country just for some time, and you suddenly find this time suitable for a police raid like this! You amazed me."

"I'm sorry for the inconvenience caused by us, but we received some information that we couldn't let you know before our visit, sir."

"If you wish for my understanding of your situation, you should have prepared well with your proper written warrant..." Emily tried to see what they were talking about but couldn't, for Bash was blocking her view with his broad shoulders and tall build. "Your excuses won't be enough reason to cover up the inconvenience you caused me by harassing my employees and guests."

The matter was handled in no time, and it left Emily stunned when Helenite's family thanked that quirky prince and her, too, for bringing their boss to get Helenite out of jail! But wasn't that he who brought her there, threatening to put Helenite in jail?

"I let the matter slide away because of your coming into my club with the wrong warrant and arresting my employee when she tried to help her female colleagues, whom your male constables assaulted in the name of the search for drugs and illegal weapons."

Emily froze, looking stunned after hearing them. She thought it was just a drunken fight often seen in their club, but strangely, they never involved the police to cool down the matter during her time working there. But again, why did her former boss blame her for something she had nothing to do with? It couldn't be helped to stand on guard without knowing what Helen had to say about this.

"Mr. Fernande- "

"Enough!" The police officer tried to apologize, but Bash didn't let him. "I won't talk to you without my lawyer anymore."

His tone was cold and menacing, which gave Emily chills in her back. Just how powerful someone had to be to treat an officer like that! Even the other officials and constables were shivering, which looked unlikely to her.

Emily's heart trembled, seeing the rage in his emotionless eyes, which soon changed to genuine worry. But she knew better. She shouldn't fall for that as she was sure this man was putting an act there.

Her breathing ragged as he slowly made his way toward her. Emily didn't want to talk with him when she was puzzled.

To her dismay, the man held her chin delicately and said in a gentle tone, "You look completely worn out. Are you feeling okay?"

He was way too close to her, making her forget to breathe.

"Uhu?" She made a confused sound, and her cheeks looked like they were about to bleed, feeling everyone's gaze on her.

She didn't have the luxury of thinking about what the people around them were thinking as this man looked intimately close to her.

"Uhu?" Her breath hitched as he mimicked her tone, "Ms. James, don't you think you should apologize to me?"

What?

In shock, Emily almost jumped in her place when he asked in concern, "Do you want me to give you a lift home?"

"No!!!" She cried out, only to hide it by coughing loudly. Her eyes widened, seeing his narrowed gaze. She gave him a puzzled smile as she was unaware of how to express herself there. "Oh- n...no, sir. I just- "

"I have a few things to take care of tonight, Ms. James." He said through his teeth. "So, I am taking my leave now."

He looked angry again, but at that time, Emily was sure she had summoned the devil in him again.

"Have some rest at home." He made sure only Emily could hear him. "We will talk in my office tomorrow."

The look he gave her was enough for her to know he would get back to her if she refused to meet him the following day.

Emily couldn't help but nod before he made things hard for her, and people close to her started looking at her in concern. The time she had now in her hand before their next encounter, Emily was sure she could come up with something to fight back. So, for now, it would be best for her to return home and cook something delicious for her little sister and give an earful to Helenite before asking her what led her to end up in jail like a fool. Her former boss looked pleased and put Emily at ease taking his leave.