Chapter 17

Emma's P.O.V.

Fluttering my eyes open, the first thing I came across was a pair of steel eyes staring into my soul. I was still in a daze so I rubbed my eyes and again focused on the creature who was seated in front of me.

No sooner did my vision was clear than a shriek left my mouth.

‘What the hell? What am I doing here?’

With a thundering heart, I scanned the capacious and beautifully designed modern bedroom. But the problem was that it belonged to Damien Knight which wasn’t a good sign, for sure.

“Baby, are you okay? Do you need something?”

His voice which was sweet as candy rang in my ears. Turning my head back, I looked at the man who was looking very dapper and handsome in his jet-black Armani suit. He was standing at a good distance from me, perhaps waiting for my reply but I kept my lips sealed. Taking the help of my elbows and sat on the bed while leaning my back on the pillows. I brought the duvet to my chest and stared at the man coldly. Taking my silence as a cue to act further, Damien took cautious steps in my direction before perching on the mattress beside me.

My senses turned alert but I made sure to show no signs of fear on my face. I won’t let him revel in his sick pleasure that he had finally broken me.

Damien heaved a long sigh and looked down. I kept staring at him but my heart almost burst out of my ribcage when he grabbed my fingers that were clutching the blanket for my dear life and intertwined them with his.

Giving my right hand a slight squeeze, he again let out a soft sigh and lifted his head. I was not at all surprised to see regret shining in his eyes. I had confronted this contrite self of him once before.

“Em, I know whatever I would say wouldn’t be able to absolve me but I can’t be at peace unless and until I gain your forgiveness. I-I did wrong and this time, I do realize my mistakes. I lost my mind and started torturing you for the crime which you never did. I was mad when you walked away and turn down my offer. It hurt my pride and I was hell-bent on making you pay.” He spoke in a heavy voice. I kept my face stoic but my eyes widened when they met with his glassy ones.

‘He was crying?’

Damien Knight is crying? For what?

“Because I am ashamed of myself.” He answered my unspoken words. Shifting closer, he grabbed me by my forearms, and before I could understand, I was thrown into his arms while he started crying on my shoulders.

“I was vindictive. And I won’t lie, I was coming to pick you up when I saw your frail figure from my car swaying in the air as you were about to cross the word. You don’t know Em how scared I was at that moment. You were about to get yourself killed as you were in the middle of the road. I immediately leaped to catch you and the moment I held your limp and unconscious figure in my arms, I realized what the fuck I was doing to an innocent soul. There were dried tears on your face and your eyes were joined together even when you were unconscious. You were in pain and I was the reason behind it. I can’t tolerate this anymore. Please forgive me Em. I can’t carry this boulder of guilt anymore. Punish me but don’t ignore me. I won’t ever hurt you anymore but please forgive me Em.”

I stayed rooted in my spot and kept listening to his cries. I was too stunned to react.

‘Why is he crying?’

This fact didn’t sit well with me. His tears wetted my shirt but I don’t know why I didn’t feel good seeing him vulnerable. I know I am not sadistic like him so it was obvious that I would feel bad for him but deep down in my heart, it wasn’t sympathy but his tears scarred my insides. An unsettling feeling erupted in my chest when I saw him crying.

‘What the hell is wrong with me? He does deserve this then why am I sympathizing with him?’

My jaw clenched in frustration. There was something wrong in my mind but it was good that he had realized his fault now. Finally, I will be at peace.

I slightly squirmed which made Damien loosen his hold. He broke the hug and looked at me but I didn’t look his way. I don’t want to look at his swollen, regretful eyes which would again ignite this disturbing feeling in my heart.

I cleared my throat and adjusted my shirt before speaking softly, “Well it’s good then. I just want peace nothing else. I am ready to forgive you but you have to promise me that you wouldn’t bother me anymore.”

My tone came out as firm but Damien bobbed his head like an obedient child. I could assume him smiling at me.

“Of course. You have my word Em. I swore to protect you with my life. After all, I love you so much.”

‘Woah, WOAH, WOAH!! WHERE DID THAT COME FROM??’

My head instantly snapped in his direction as he said those nonsensical words. For a second, I thought that I heard it wrong but the gleam in his eyes and the smile on his lips ratified me.

“What do you mean by you love me? Didn’t I make it clear that I have nothing to do with you anymore?” I said and shot him a stern look.

His smile immediately dropped. Raking his fingers through his hair, Damien contemplated for a while before answering me, “Yeah, I know that but I can’t stop my feelings. And I am not a coward who would hide my emotions. I know your decision but I also wanted to let you know that I love you. I fell hard for you Em and there’s no turning back now. At first, I thought it was just an attraction but the fear I felt after holding your weak figure in my hands, it felt as if my world would collapse. Never had I ever in my entire life shed a single tear but watching you lifeless made me cry buckets of tears.” He said and lightly chuckled to ease my mood. I kept staring at him in shock.

Damien despite resistance grabbed my hands and kissed my palms which send shivers down my spine. He noticed me trembling and smirked.

“You felt it, didn’t you?”

‘Huh, what does he mean?’

Damien then looked at me. My core dried when I noticed his eyes darkening. A yelp escaped my mouth when he suddenly grabbed the back of my head and pulled me toward his lips. I gulped and looked at him with wide eyes. His mint breath fanned near my lips while his eyelashes ticked my forehead.

Damn, he looked so ethereal.

We both remained seated in the same spot with palpitating hearts and breathing in the same air. He slowly brought his fingers near my face and then traced them to my face. I could feel the hotness on my cheek as he caressed his fingers on my left cheek and then repeated the same on my right cheek.

I don’t know what happened to me but I leaned more onto his touch. Closing my eyes, I breathed heavily as he cupped my face and kept caressing my face. He traced his fingers over my cheekbones and then dropped them onto my jawline. We both were nervous; I could tell that by the loud thumping of his heartbeat that reverberated in the closed room.

The rogue strands of my hair hung loosely near my ears and swayed as he released a deep breath as soon as his fingers made contact with my lips. My eyes also shot open but he didn’t let me back and pulled me more to himself with a jerk. I brought my elbows near my chest in defense but the force was so strong that I ended up holding his broad shoulders. I could feel my head throbbing. I had never witnessed such a euphoric feeling before which was ecstatic and creepy at the same time.

“Emma” he breathed near my lips making me shiver. Anxiety kicked in with full force when I felt his hands grabbing my waist while his other held my head on spot.

“Forgive me for realizing this late but I know for a fact that I can’t live without you. At least not now when I had confronted my emotions. You also can feel the sparks that I feel. We both felt it, Emma, it’s high time you confess it. I know you need time; you are still in denial but just know it, I love you, only you. I would do anything to make you mine. I would go to any limits to achieve your forgiveness. Take as much time as you want to. I will be waiting for your answer Emma and I would turn every stone to get your consent.”

He said while tracing circles on my back. His eyes held determination which made my heart flutter.

But the thing which had me baffled was why can’t I just push him? Did my self-esteem and my dignity vanish into thin air? Why can’t I just say no and reprimand him?

‘WAKE UP EMMA!! HE IS THE SAME MAN WHO MADE YOU WANDER ON THE STREETS LIKE A BEGGAR? DON’T GO SOFT ON HIM JUST BY HEARING A FEW SOFT WORDS. THEY AREN’T ENOUGH TO THAW YOUR HEART!!’

With a jerk, I opened my eyes and pushed him back. Damien didn’t expect that and strumbled back but somehow maintained his balance.

No, this is wrong. Very wrong.

I could feel his eyes on me but I still stood up on my shaky legs and jumped on the floor from the other side of the bed. Damien tried to approach me but I showed him my palm which made him halt on his track.

“Em, listen please-“

“No, it’s enough all right. You said that you’ll respect my decision so kindly do me a favor and let me leave. I understand your feelings but you also need to understand that this is wrong.” I tried to give him an innuendo but he blatantly made fun of me as he scoffed at my words.

“How is it wrong? I love you. It isn’t a crime to confess your feelings.”

“BUT DON’T YOU REALIZE THIS IS FORBIDDEN??” I finally exploded as I was so done with his shit.

“I am 17 and you’re freaking 25. You are my Boss and I am your employee. You are a business mogul, a luminary while I am just a nerd, a teen, an average kid with no class. This relationship is not only forbidden but can invite dangers, scandals, and unwanted attention. You may be habitual of this but this can ruin my life, Mr. Knight.” I gritted.

His aura abruptly turned grim. I noticed how his hands were loosely hung on his sides clenched. His expression changed into feral and the look in his eyes turned furious.

‘Oh no. I should better scram.’

Wearing my heels, I grabbed my handbag and my file that was kept on the table and made a dash for the door. I didn’t even bother tying my hair because I was more focused on getting away from this ticking bomb before it explodes.

“Thanks for saving me and taking care of me, Mr. Knight. I am grateful to you but I request you to be considerate. My decision won’t change so I expect you to kindly respect it.”

Saying that I grabbed the knob and twisted it.

‘But it didn’t open?’

‘What the ‘

I again twisted it but it was locked. I wrung it again and again but the door was still locked.

“Mr. Knight, I think the door got blocked. Please open it I have to leave-“

“Did I say that you can leave?”