Chapter 14

"Excellent, Ms. Dawson. You are the perfect candidate for this job. I think we should now discuss your salary."

Mr. Taylor, CEO of Brook Corporation spoke to Emmaline who passed him a soft smile and nodded.

Finally, the burden was lifted off her shoulders. She bagged the job and was unencumbered by Damien Knight and his sinister schemes. Taylor was highly impressed by her qualifications and flair. Without much delay, he rejected the other candidates who were in the queue and selected Emmaline as she upstaged them.

Emmaline knew the results beforehand. She had worked in such a prestigious company, Knight Corporation before, whose name itself is enough to put golden feathers in one's cap. She knew there was no reason for her rejection. It wasn't her overconfidence but rather her belief in herself and her education.

Emmaline then looked at Taylor and spoke, "Yes Sir, I would like to-"

The ringing of the telephone interrupted her. Excusing himself, Taylor picked up the receiver and answered the call.

Emmaline was puzzled when Taylor abruptly started sweating profusely. His face slowly started turning pale as he listened to the person from the other side. Once the call ended, he put the receiver back with trembling hands and exhaled a loud sigh. Emmaline stared at him as he grabbed his forehead and massaged it roughly.

'What happened to him all of a sudden?' She vaguely wondered.

Silence fell in the room. Emmaline was a bundle of nerves by Taylor’s bizarre behavior. Danger bells started to ring in her head but keeping the negativity aside, she focused on the positive part.

'Must be workload.'

To ease the tension between them and also to clear her suspicion, she mentally prepared herself to ask him the reason.

Emmaline cleared her throat and spoke softly, "Is something wrong, Sir?"

Taylor froze with her voice. Gulping down the lump that was formed in his throat, he licked his lips and looked at her. Emmaline was shocked to find a tinge of regret in his eyes.

"This post is already filled. I am sorry. You may leave now."

Emmaline was dumbfounded.

Sadly, the train of rejections didn't end there as her day turned worse after she stepped out of the Brooks Corporation.

Present time

Sitting on the metallic bench, Emmaline stared at her interview file in her hand emotionlessly. Her face was blank but her eyes were teeming with sadness. She was rejected everywhere. Though her interviews were perfect, her CV was up to the mark still she was rejected.

"You aren't fit for this job."

“But why Ma’am, at least tell me the reason.”

“Leave Miss or else we’ll have to use force.”

Emmaline was fuming in rage as some literally used force and kicked her out of their buildings as she kept pestering them. Her last hope was Space Digital. Apart from Knight Corporation, it was her second choice when she was searching for jobs. She turned down the offer as she had already signed the contract with Damien’s company. Emmaline knew that they would surely select her. Sadly, she had to face rejection there too.

By now Emmaline had concluded the reason for her continuous rejections. Just one night before, she kept receiving emails for job interviews till midnight. Her application letter was accepted by every tech company in New York. Some even offered her sky-high salaries then how come she turned into an unwanted candidate the next morning? Why did all those companies suddenly start despising her?

It was crystal clear that someone stopped them from recruiting her.

Only one name clicked in her mind.

Damien Knight.

It has to be him. Emmaline knew that she did a grave mistake. She was at the peak of her career but dropped the ball by slapping the owner of the company. Though he apologized, Emmaline knew very well it was all fake. She had read his mind. That man was still holding grudges. His apologies and his countenance were a sham but she decided to slide the matter down for her sanity. She wanted to move on.

Who knew he was planning to drag her down?

Her hold on the dossier tightened. Her body started to shake while tears blurred her vision.

"I didn't know he would resort to extortion. He is now messing up with my life. I wouldn't be able to survive if I don't get a job."

Emmaline knew that her decision of paying the amount for infringement wasn't the right decision. But she was confident that she would get a new job and wouldn't have to live on hand to mouth the whole life. What she didn’t know was that the mogul had already made plans to crush her hopes.

A drop of tear trickled down her cheek. Emmaline was at the end of her rope. She tried her best to fight but for how long her small heart could hold the agony of a heartbroken, orphan who had been fighting with the world alone for so long.

'Why am I so unlucky?'

Taking birth from a Queen's womb, she was expected to live like a sybarite, after all, she was an Alpha's daughter but today she had been wandering from place to place just to keep the wolf from the door.

Her eyes today relieved her of her unspoken misery by shedding them in the form of tears. To ease your mind and get rid of your troubles, you need to voice out your pain. Otherwise, it will keep eating you from inside.

"Cry, Emma. Relive yourself." Reina told the broken girl and with that, her dam broke.

Reina was the only one who had accompanied Emmaline in weal and woe. Though they were always on a warpath, Reina never left her alone in times of distress. She had seen her troubles, her pain, her efforts. Then how come she can leave her other half all alone when she is wallowing in self-pity?

"Don't give up Emma. A job is a job. What if you can't work in companies, you still have multiple ways to earn."

Emmaline fisted the hem of her skirt. She didn't want to do odd jobs but now it seems like her only option.

Her temper flared when Damien’s words echoed in her head.

“Instead of doing the job as a tech expert, you can work in one of my restaurants as a receptionist. There are plenty of girls who opt for jobs like waitresses and servers in restaurants and cafes. Also, these kinds of jobs are meant for you guys. It’s safe and also an easy-going job other than being a tech expert.”

He finally succeeded.

All of a sudden, she felt a cold sensation on her crown. Lifting her head, her blue hues landed on the dark, grey clouds sprawled in the sky. Another drop of water landed on her face and with that, the downpour started.

Her lips stretched in a sad smile.

"Maybe God is also feeling my pain today."

Emmaline then looked down and shifted her gaze to the hassle going around her. People were scurrying towards the shelter to save themselves but she remained seated. The grueling day had sapped her energy.

Emmaline simply scooted to the side of the bench which was dry as it was covered by the trees. Hugging the dossier closer to her chest, she curled herself into a ball.

A deep frown settled on her brows when a shadow towered over her curled figure. She slowly craned her neck up only to find Damien Knight standing in front of her with an umbrella in his hand. Her eyes widened seeing him completely drenched as he held the umbrella over her head.

‘He’s protecting me?’

Damien smirked at her puzzled expression.

"Enjoyed your jaunt to New York or there are still some places left?"