Chapter 26

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?“, Emmaline spat and jerked her hand away from Matteo which he let her. Stepping back, he simply dipped his hands in the pocket of his trousers before staring at her with a straight face.

Emmaline was astounded at his behavior. His eyes held no emotion as if he hadn’t just dragged her in between an ongoing lecture. He was cool as a cucumber and on top of that, his silence was fueling up her anger more.

“LISTEN, YOU DUMBASS, DON’T YOU EVER DARE TO TOUCH ME AGAIN. I AM SPARING YOU THIS TIME BUT NEXT TIME, I WOULD CHOP YOUR HANDS OFF” Emmaline yelled and immediately wheeled around to leave.

“Stefanini Enterprises.”

His deep voice echoed in the hallway making Emmaline freeze in her steps. Frowning, she turned around but almost got a heart attack finding him standing so close to her. Emmaline quickly moved back and again shifted her eyes toward him when he suddenly held a card in front of her eyes taking her off guard.

“What-”

“My father’s company. Many vacancies for technicians and computer specialists have been released last week. The recruitment is currently going on so you can apply there.” Matteo answered her questions and handed her the card.

Emmaline was dumbfounded. She looked at the card and then at him.

‘How does he know?’

Emmaline was bewildered but soon anger took over her.

“YOU WERE SPYING ON ME??” She shrieked while crumbling the card and throwing it in his face. But to her surprise, Matteo didn’t even blink an eye. His expression was austere and grim.

“Nope eavesdropped.” He replied to her making her jaw drop.

“What? You sick, shameless prick. Didn’t your parents teach you basic etiquette?” Emmaline continued lashing out at him.

Matteo narrowed his eyes at her, offended by her nonstop criticism, “Listen, I am new here. I was heading to the Dean’s office when I saw you talking with Professor Andrew. I didn’t mean to interfere but when I saw you in tears, I couldn’t resist probing into the matter. You want a job, right? Then work in my father’s company. He had been looking for a reliable and prowess employee. I checked your academic performance and you have great work experience. You are perfect for this job that’s why I am telling you-”

Matteo tried to explain to her but he was harshly cut off by Emmaline as she raised her palm in front of his face, startling him.

“Neither I need your appreciation nor your damn job. And instead of apologizing to me, you’re touting to me the benefits of working in your organization. I never asked for your advice so it will be good for you to keep it yourself. My job is my headache, none of your business.”

Matteo was stunned at the choice of her words.

‘Such a brat. Instead of thanking me, she is showing me attitude?’

His gaze darkened as Emmaline crossed her arms over her chest and looked at him with disdain, “What have you thought? That I would jump in excitement? You shamelessly pulled me out of the classroom and embarrassed me in front of Mr. Smith and my colleagues. I don’t give a damn about you but I do have a good reputation at this university. And I forbade people who are a threat to my image. So better stay away from me or like Professor Smith, I would also report you to the authorities.” She grated out but her core clenched when she noticed the menacing look in his heterochromia eyes.

His eyes abruptly turned to the darkest shade of blue and green and for sure the blend didn’t look appealing. Rather it was bone-chilling, heralding a great danger.

A cold shiver ran down her spine when Matteo took a large step in her direction. The pure unadulterated rage dripping from his eyes compelled Emmaline to hide in a hole. He was offended and it was confirmed that this time he didn’t take her criticism lightly.

Still, Emmaline remained rooted in her spot as she didn’t want to appear weak in front of him. But she couldn’t stop trembling so she curled her fingers in a tight fist.

Squaring her shoulders, she matched his gaze head-on but a loud gasp escaped her lips when he abruptly gripped her right elbow and hauled her towards him.

“What are you doing? Let go,” Emmaline yelled and flail her arms but he simply tightened his grip.

Emmaline shot him a death glare, “LET ME-”

“SHUT UP”

Matteo blared rendering her silence. She couldn’t help but feel intimidated as his gaze abruptly turned deadly and piercing.

She again wiggled but her heart lurched in her throat when he cupped her chin between his cold and long fingers and lifted her head with a jerk.

“You,” Matteo growled before looking into her blue eyes that were shaking in fear, “Pathetic human, I was only trying to help you. I thought to help a brilliant girl who would be ousted from the university just because of her poor financial condition. I thought that you were innocent but after confronting your bitchy self, I am sure that the reason for your helpless state is not him but you.”

Emmaline gasped in shock. Her eyes turned to the size of saucers as she stared at him in disbelief.

“Him? Y-You know him?” She asked him but that wasn’t her only concern. Because if he knew where she used to work then there might be a chance, he would also know the reason behind her resignation.

‘Did Damien expose the reason for my resignation?’

Her heart sank to the pit of her stomach. He would definitely portray her as the bad guy and she isn’t that influential for now to remove that stain.

‘He would definitely spread this rumor that I was the one who threw myself on him and later rejected him. Already my peers despised me for my cold and standoffish self and now when they would come to know that the great reserve, pious Emmaline tried to get her hands on her Boss, they would make my life a living hell.’

Emmaline was going berserk as negative conjectures flooded her mind.

Matteo noticed how her face was losing colors. She was embarrassed and scared.

Emmaline was lost in her world but she was pushed back to reality after hearing a sinister chuckle.

“Did that surprise you? Wasn’t it obvious, Ms. Dawson? The best hacker in New York whom everyone wanted to hire, was suddenly given a pink slip by the tech hub of the US and it happened only after the arrival of the CEO. Even if people ignore this, won’t it would be difficult to believe that she was rejected from every organization despite her extraordinary and perfect CV, right after she resigned from her previous job?” Matteo spoke.

Emmaline stayed rooted in her spot. He was saying the truth though. Knight Corporation was the best company in New York so its tiniest news would intrigue the denizens. And Emmaline was approached by all other organizations before she opted to work in Knight Corp. Companies always keeping records of brilliant, young talents at hand so that they could hire them the moment, he or she leaves or their previous office. It is one of the tactics that business professionals use.

And Matteo was the son of David Steffanini, Chairman of Steffanini Enterprises. Emmaline remembered the company well as it was her second choice after Knight Corporation.

She recalled the day of her interview. How eagerly they were persuading her to take up the job? They even lure her with exceptional packages yet, she denied it.

“I wish I hadn’t.′

Emmaline groaned in her mind. She was regretting working under Damien. She was blinded by the love of Knight Corporation and rejected all the offers. Only if she knew that would become her biggest mistake.

Matteo gazed at Emmaline who was staring at the floor. Her long face was evidence that she was upset at herself, at her choices but what irked him was that she wasn’t guilty of her actions. How she misbehaved when he was only trying to help her. And that painted a negative image of her in his mind.

Scoffing, Matteo released her and stepped back. Emmaline still made no move as she couldn’t muster up the courage to look into his eyes.

“I know Damien Knight.”

No sooner he said that than Emmaline shot her eyes up and looked at him.

Matteo simply nodded, answering her unsaid questions.

“People worship him but I know what kind of a playboy he is. Though he isn’t in a relationship there is a never-ending list of his girlfriends. Fame comes with a cost. No matter how much he portrays himself as a virgin Mary, he has a great history of scandals, affairs, and playing with innocent people. That casanova does nothing but enjoys the hard work of his employees, taking all their credit.”

Emmaline could hear the rage and contempt in his voice. He hated Damien to the core.

“When Dad told me about you, I knew that you were innocent and that fucker had compelled you to leave. Because when you applied for jobs, your application was also rejected by Stefanini Enterprises. I knew all this because I am the acting president of my company.” Matteo spoke.

Emmaline furrowed her brows in confusion, “Acting president? Aren’t you studying right now? How can you join a company without a professional degree?” Her voice raised an octave.

The thing that Emmaline despised the most was nepotism. That was something illegal in her eyes. The reason is the injustice done to her.

Matteo didn’t reply and that aggravated her.

With jutted chin, she marched towards him while pinning him down with a glare, “You’re offering me a job in your Dad’s company in the name of help but I am sorry to say that doesn’t look the same to me. You are against the injustice done to me but aren’t you doing the same with your employees? How can you get a higher position and supervise the people who are more talented and qualified than you? Or you also follow the same trend that the one with the riches rules the world.”

She said and threw him a mocking smile. She deliberately provoked him because she was looking for someone to lock horns with. The rage, frustration, helplessness, and sorrow had snatched her sanity.

Matteo simply gave her a blank look. On founding no response, Emmaline again tried to trigger him.

“It’s my first time watching a Richie rich trying to protect one who was tortured by his doppelganger. Both of you are sick and retarded. And I don’t need advice from an oppressor who is repeating the same cruelty with his people. So, better shove your job in your ass and fuck off.” She snarled with clenched teeth.

Emmaline was losing her mind, and Matteo wasn’t giving any response to her outburst.

‘Stop it, Emmaline. You’re making me furious now. Leave before you evoke me. Just leave Emma, he is not worth it.’ Reina rebuked her.

Emmaline’s vulnerability wasn’t hidden from her but the way she was losing control, Reina feared she would reveal her identity.

Emmaline was born with a special power. Unlike other werewolves, she could change with or without the consent of her wolf. The bridle of her decisions was in her hands. Even if Reina is calm, Emmaline can evoke her if someone pisses her off. The best example was David whom she nearly choked to death when Reina was initially trying to calm her down. But that jerk kept pissing her off and eventually pushed her wolf’s buttons as she had to come out to defend her friend.

Reina was ice but Emmaline was fire. And riling her is never a good choice because the consequences become cataclysmic.

Taking a deep breath, Emmaline silently agreed to Reina and forced herself to leave. Giving Matteo a death glare, she turned around and forwarded her legs to leave.

“Monster, asshole” Emmaline cursed him and was about to exit the hallway but his next words snatched the ground beneath her feet.

“Take one more step and you would end up behind the bars.”

*****