Chapter 28

Emma's P.O.V.

Strolling through the wayward streets draped with mourning silence, I dragged my feet to my apartment. Empty streets and lonely nights never appeared so dreadful to me as today. I felt cautious and kept wandering my eyes around when I knew no one could even harm a single hair of mine.

It's all because of that fucking Matteo. That prick who also turned into my stalker jotted down points to blackmail me. I hate to admit that but he won 'cause David is in the hospital and he fucking saw me choking him.

The audacity of this man. He had been chasing me ever since we collided in the cafeteria and I had no clue. It's all my fault. I was so pissed with Damien that I let my guard down and for the first time, tasted defeat. Now, I have no option but to agree to all his provisos. He even instilled a fear inside me to always remain alert. Damn.

"God, just when my life was about to get on track, you had to throw this boulder in my way? WHY?" I screamed to no one in particular.

But what's the use of throwing a fit? Violence isn't always the best option to solve a problem. If I had to get an upper hand, I need to gain sufficient power to teach him a lesson. I will accept his offer and once I become financially sound, I would deal with him.

'Just wait Matteo. It wouldn't take long for me to drop you at Lucifer's gate.'

As my apartment came into my view, I dipped my hand in my pocket to take out the house keys and headed to the entrance when my eyes landed on something lying in a corner.

Duffle bags?

"But t-they are mine."

I nearly stumbled back in shock. My clothes, my books, my gadgets, and even my furniture were strewn all over the streets like rubble. This is the height of cruelty. They broke the stuff that I had bought after stowing my monthly savings.

The keys slipped from my hands. I rushed to the gate and tried to get inside but was stopped by the guards.

"Sorry Miss but you can't get inside." One of the guards spoke in a stern tone.

I glared at him, "I live here, all right."

"Not anymore."

That voice.

With the speed of light, I turned my head to the owner of that voice. There stood Ella, my landlord, an aristocrat, and haughty woman, with her hands crossed beneath her breast scowling at me.

I returned her glare with the same intensity. "You can't just throw me out without prior notice."

She looked at me for a while before guffawing, "Oh? But you can live freely in my home without giving rent?"

Her derision left me tongue-tied. I looked away, feeling ashamed as indeed I hadn't paid my rent for the last month too. I had planned on giving Ella double payment this month as I had used the money to buy a new laptop for me to which she agreed. Who knew I would turn jobless and penniless? Now I am so helpless that I can’t even say a word in my defense. I failed to keep my word. What more can be embarrassing than this?

I know I would sound pathetic but I have no option but to gain her mercy, "I-I will pay the rent. Just give me-"

"NO!!" She suddenly crowed out of nowhere making me jump.

Throwing her expensive Louis Vuitton purse aside, she marched towards me with her long heels digging holes in the rough terrain and towered over me.

"Didn't you promise me double payment? Listen, girl, just because you're a kid that doesn't mean that I can't kick you out of here. I have turned down so many offers who were even ready to buy my flat at thrice the amount I had set for it only for your sake. And this is how you're repaying me?" She huffed, masking her face with disappointment.

Her words left me stumped, "Where did that come from? I agree I am at fault but I didn't beg you to let me stay here. Don't show as if you had done me a favor by sheltering me. I pay you as well, Madame." I retorted.

What is she trying to imply? Yes, I didn't pay the rent but it's not as if I had never given her the rent. If I knew she was planning on ousting me from her grand flat today, I would have accepted Matteo's offer. I am not stupid either. His behavior was hinged on my words so I would have kept my anger aside and would have straightaway accepted this proposal without any drama. And I am sure he would have given me a bonus if I had told him about my condition. Because he really offered me help first but I turned him down.

I rolled my eyes after hearing her loud gasp. Ella didn't expect my comeback which even left me puzzled. Had she expected me to bear all her barbs while she kept making a joke of me in the middle of the street?

"Y-You are a such brat. Now I know why you don't live with your parents. They must have kicked you out, isn't it? Of course, they would, who would even want to have a kid like you? So disgusting and disobedient."

End of Emma's P.O.V.

Her vitriolic words left Emmaline frozen on the spot as they went straight through her heart, piercing her soul.

Emmaline was too sensitive on topics that included her parents. She had never seen them. Never got the chance to relish in their shelter and nag them to fulfill her wishes. She has no idea what's motherly love or the shade of a father. Moon Goddess somehow showed mercy on the poor child and granted them foster parents but they also abandoned her. Thus, whenever someone raises this topic in front of her, other than sorrow, rage also kicks in with full force. And that's what happened today too.

Ella scoffed at Emmaline’s crestfallen face but she was startled when her figure abruptly started to shake violently. Her words triggered the dormant wolf residing within her which started to rub her paws while gnarling like a wounded beast.

Emmaline clamped her jaw. She lifted her head and squinted her eyes before shooting Ella a fierce glare that left her paralyzed in fear. She had never seen her this angry before.

"Watch your mouth. You have no right to insult me. I also don't have any interest in staying in your house anymore. Just wait for a night, I will get your money and shove it down your throat." She spat in rage. Words flew through her mouth before she could understand, but eventually, her eyes widened in shock as soon as her brain construed them.

But instead of panicking, Emmaline schooled her expression and tried to rephrase it but the ship had already sailed while drenching her with waves of slurs.

"OH MY GOD!! DID YOU ALL HEAR WHAT SHE SAID?" Ella shouted out of the blue and palmed her mouth feigning shock.

Stephanie, her friend who had accompanied her strutted to her before joining Ella to poke fun at Emmaline, "Yeah, and she's still acting all gutsy? Gosh, how disgusting. She's not even eighteen and is in harlotry? Damn." She said and threw a scornful smile.

*Punch*