Chapter 32

"Crying would do no justice, spitfire."

A deep voice suddenly echoed in the empty garden. But Emmaline wasn't startled as she already knew to whom it belonged.

Matteo Stefanini

Heavy footsteps trampled the verdant grass. The atmosphere all of a sudden turned chilly as the man dressed in branded clothes from top to bottom headed to meet the disheveled doll sitting on the bench. But to her dismay, his charms didn’t woo her as Emmaline refused to budge, not giving him the attention he wanted. She was tired of dealing with these billionaires.

His black cargo trousers came into her view. Matteo deliberately stood in front of her cognizant of the fact that she would ignore him. But his jaw twitched when Emmaline turned her head sideways, foiling his plan.

Grabbing her bag, she started fiddling with the chains pretending to be busy but what he did next was strong enough to elicit her reaction.

Emmaline jolted when Matteo raised his right hand and wiped the tear stains on her right cheek with his fingers. But what triggered her was that his fingers lingered on her skin for a much longer period than was needed.

"What do you think you are doing?" She immediately slapped his hand away when he started caressing her supple skin with his index finger. But unfazed by her outburst, Matteo heaved a long sigh and dug his hand into the pocket of his trousers.

"Look, Emmaline. First of all, I want to apologize to you for my behavior as really, I am guilty of the way I treated you yesterday." He spoke gravely grabbing her attention.

Emmaline looked at him and she would be lying if she said that his actions weren't sincere. He indeed looked regretful.

Nodding half-heartedly, she dropped her gaze to her lap, "It's all right. I also went overboard when you were only trying to help me out. Maybe if I would have behaved a bit more maturely, things wouldn't have turned out this way."

His heart basked hearing her apology but the sorrow in her voice left him staggered. Placing his right knee on the ground, Matteo crouched down in front of her, "What happened? Did Damien Knight again threaten you?" He asked while his eyes raked all over his face in concern.

"Doesn't matter Matteo. You and I both know that we can't challenge him. And I think it would be better if I just listen to him and do as he say. After all, I also can't afford to die on the streets." Emmaline spoke nonchalantly while staring into space like a broken soul.

Matteo felt a pang in his heart. He doesn’t know but he felt guilty watching her this impuissant and hopeless. A strong need to comfort her overpowered him but it disappeared the moment he heard her response.

"WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU? So, you'll just back out and accept his slavery? You know that's what he wants. Your actions would only boost his sick ego." He yelled. He couldn't believe that the girl who wreaked havoc just because he touched her is surrendering without a fight.

But Emmaline as if made up of stone kept answering him in a robotic tone.

"At least I would get my job and my education back. You think I am happy by doing so. No, I hate it but I don't have any other options. I tried my best to defy him, act tough and win but I can't. He is a business tycoon and you better don't forget that he is more powerful than you. I am just a student; I can't do anything. Moreover, I think that I am only digging my grave by challenging him at every stage knowing that I won’t stand a chance against him. I need money and it's not like I am going to earn it illegally. If he wants me to work so let it be. At least I can get my previous life back. I am tired of fighting with the man who can crush me and no one would be able to say a word."

Her voice came off as stern. Matteo sealed his lips into a thin line as she directly taunted him.

"Thanks for your help but Matteo even if I had accepted your job, he would have used his devious tactics to trap me again. That man has so much power that he can make me drop out of college, snatch my job and even turn me homeless in a single day. I have understood it by now. Yes, it took me a while but I think it will be in my best interest if I think practically rather than emotionally."

Saying that Emmaline cleared her tears with the back of her palm and grabbed her bag from the bench, "And don't mind but I would suggest you stay away from me. Don't misunderstand but I like staying alone and don't like people interfering in my matters. So, just act as if you don't know me and I would do the same."

Matteo watched her silently as she took out a hair tie and tied her hair neatly. Collecting herself, she pulled to her feet and threw her bag over her shoulder. Without sparing him another glance, Emmaline forwarded to head inside the building but his next words hindered her movements.

"But what if I don't want to stay away from you?"

"What?"

Emmaline immediately turned back and looked askance at Matteo whose gaze was already pinned on her.

"You heard me." He deadpanned.

Now that irked her. She was trying to resolve the matter but his stubbornness was only heating it more.

Emmaline turned to him and spoke while looking straight into his eyes, "Listen, Matteo, I am fed up with everything. I am very politely requesting you to back out as I don't need you or your help anymore. I am capable of dealing with my stuff. So, please leave."

"Or?"

His harsh reply took her off guard. Matteo smirked and strutted to her, his bluish-green eyes trained on her pissed face.

"Or what you will do? Force me?"

Emmaline noticed the sarcasm.

Matteo finally towered over her small frame and ducked his head to meet her eye level, "Answer Ms. Dawson? How do you plan to reward my defiance?" He husked.

Emmaline kept quiet as she guessed his actions. He was trying to provoke her. By now, she had understood him well.

"Well as you wish then."

Matteo was stunned at her composed demeanor. A troubled expression adorned his face watching his plan failed as Emmaline wheeled around and started leaving.

He quickly jogged to her and stood in front of her.

"Listen to me, Emma."

He said while blocking her way. Emmaline threw him an annoyed look, "Move aside." She spoke with a clenched jaw. But Matteo didn’t move an inch.

"No, I won't. You have to listen to me."

"WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU, HUH??" Emmaline finally yelled, "Don't you understand one simple thing? Fucking leave and-"

"AND WHAT? LET YOU JUMP OVER THE CLIFF??" Matteo screamed back.

"Why does that bother you? Who am I to you? Why the hell are you taking so much interest in me? We met just yesterday then why are you being so nosy in my life?" Her voice cracked. Angry tears filled her eyes but she didn't dare to drop them.

“You can’t fight him and neither can I. Why the hell is it so difficult for you to understand this? Stop bluffing.”

“I ain’t.” He shot back, “I have a perfect way to save you.”

Emmaline scoffed and crossed her arms over her breasts, “Oh really? What is it?” She spoke and let out a chuckle knowing that her response would be a frivolous one. But her laughter died down the moment she heard his answer.

"Accept me."