Chapter 35

"You're coming with me, THAT'S IT!!"

Emmaline immediately pulled away the cell phone as Matteo's raging voice exploded in her ears. Massaging her forehead, she swallowed her annoyance before answering him, "Don't you get it? I don't like parties, heck I haven't been one to either. I would get bored also it's just a waste of time. There isn't too much work today so I will get to leave the office early. I was thinking of utilizing my time to run errands, not wasting on your stupid hangouts." She muttered in a pissed tone only to earn a low growl from the other side.

A month had passed. Emmaline had kicked her new start with Stefanini Enterprises which for sure brought colors into her life.

After leaving Knight Corporation, the first thing she did was call Matteo and agreed to his offer. Matteo was overwhelmed by her answer. He helped her in arranging and verification of her documents. Mr. Stefanini also warmly welcomed Emmaline. He was on cloud nine as his eyes were always on her. On the other hand, Emmaline could only eat the humble pie at the moment as she was too embarrassed about her behavior toward the father-son duo who had helped her at every stage. She was burdened with their gratitude but at the same time, she also made a new and good friend.

"The hell, Babe. I rejected every girl only to make you my date and here you're turning me down. How can you be so cruel? Moreover, you're choosing your stupid errands over the college's heartthrob. Damn, you broke my heart."

Emmaline stifled her smile after hearing him whining, "Mr. heartthrob, I didn't ask you to break the heart of those girls. Don't get me wrong but I don't understand what they even see in you. Apart from your unique pair of eyes, you have nothing so mouth-dropping." She teased him.

Matteo scoffed, "The guy himself is unique, Babe. If you spare some time and look outside your mundane life, you'll realize my worth. It's still not late you know. Didn't Mum tell you that you're missing out on a gem, Ms. Dawson? And for your information, I have been blessed with charms that are not only jaw-dropping but even panty-dripping." He spoke in a sultry tone.

"Language mister." Emmaline chided him only to earn chuckles. "I don't have so much free time to hear your hogwash. And to burst your bubble, I have seen men better than you."

"Who? Your ex?"

A sickening voice suddenly interrupted their banter followed by the sound of a thud. Emmaline grimaced in response as she eyed the figure that barged inside her cabin.

"What do you want Veronica?"

The worst thing that happened to Emmaline after joining Stefanini Enterprises was when she came to know that Veronica was the daughter of Mr. Stefanini's business partner, Mr. Spencer who was not only his close friend but his business partner. But it was worse for Matteo as Veronica always lingers around him like a bee. Being a true rival, Veronica completely hates their friendship and leaves no stone unturned to demean Emmaline.

But this wasn't new for Emmaline. By now the whole of New York was aware of the scandalous affair of the business mogul with a teen. When she came to know about this, her hatred for her mate increased to tenfolds but the damage was done. She had to bear the brunt alone as Damien had vanished in thin air. She never heard from him after that day for which she was grateful but baseless rumors had caught the town like wildfire. And no matter how hard she tries to escape it, it makes sure to leave its scars on her, reminding her of that painful memory. But for her, it felt more like a reminder which was making it hard for her to forget his name.

Emmaline so eagerly craved to give the cake face her peace of mind but she refrained out of reverence for Mr. Stefanini. Matteo's parents loved her a lot but they can't afford to hurt Spencer too as he was their biggest shareholder.

Emmaline knew everything that's why she avoids Veronica like a plague and Veronica would cash on this opportunity to scorn her.

Delighted with her tired expression, Veronica sashayed in as if she owned the building and plopped on the chair. Emmaline was quietly staring at him but her temper shot up when Veronica put her legs on her desk.

"Don't you have any shame, Dawson? You have a man still you're trying to get in my boyfriend's pants. Pathetic, desperate bitch." She grated out and kicked a showpiece kept on the table with her pointed heels.

Matteo who was still on the line stiffened after hearing her venomous words but panic surged inside his veins after hearing the loud crash, "DON'T YOU DARE HURT HER!! I WILL KILL YOU VERONICA AND I MEAN BY THAT!!" He growled ferociously.

Emmaline tried to end the call to not get him worried but before she could press the end button, Veronica snatched the phone from her hand.

"You sound so hot daddy," She spoke seductively making Emmaline retch, "Make sure to use that tone when we are fuck-"

Before she could complete it, Matteo hung up. She giggled and threw the phone at Emmaline's face but her eyes widened when Emmaline caught it in mid-air.

"Wow, you're fast, nerdy." She quickly masked her surprise and let out a sneer.

"But I do hope you're fast enough to understand your place too." Her laughter quickly died down as she rose to her feet while pinning Emmaline down with a warning glare who was unfazed by her threats.

"I am disappointed with Mr. Knights' choice but I won't let Matteo repeat the same mistake. You're no match to me bloody orphan so it would be better if you accept my slavery before I make you." Her eyes shone with an evil glint. Emmaline could easily smell jealousy oozing from her.

Huffing, Emmaline ensconced herself in the chair before looking at her with bored eyes, "Then why you're getting so defensive, bitch? If I am a nobody then why are you not able to rein in your man who loves my company?"

Her response turned Veronica speechless. She opened her mouth only to exhale a cold sigh.

Shaking her head feigning disappointment, Emmaline stood up while adjusting her wristwatch. Veronica who was already bristling with rage lost her mind as soon as her gaze landed on her Rose Gold Rolex dangling from her left wrist. The diamond-studded dial pierced into her skin like needles.

Emmaline smirked noticing her reaction. Flipping her silver tresses back, she picked up her Chanel handbag before looking straight into her eyes, "You never were important in my life nor you ever will be. Neither I liked wasting time on you in the past or the present. But if next time I hear you insulting me, I promise you that day you'll lose the privilege of bad-mouthing anyone ever."

Her stern reply made Veronica gulp. Unbeknownst to her, she took a step backward as Emmaline walked closer to her, her crystal orbs screaming danger.

Her heart raced in fear. Veronica tripped on her heel but somehow balanced on herself. Wincing in pain, she again stood up when she noticed a change in her eyes. She squinted her eyes but her soul left her body as soon as her view cleared.

Emmaline?

Her irises were gleaming.

Veronica held back her scream still denying to accept the reality. She was so focused on her eyes that she failed to notice Emmaline standing in front of her.

"You're well aware that I have no one behind me. But that also means that there's no one to question or judge my actions and my decisions. So, fucking think twice before opening your mouth in front of me, GOT IT?", Emmaline raged.

Her voice turned Veronica pale as she jumped on the spot and cowered back in dread. Throwing her a death glare, Emmaline walked past her and closed the door with a loud bang.

Veronica was glued on the same spot counting her breath. She could still hear her heart hammering in her ears.

"F-Fuck, why am I getting so intimidated by her? How dare that bitch insult me-" she continued cursing her when those golden eyes flashed in her mind.

"I am sure her eyes changed color" Saying that she quickly turned around and started scanning the room.

"Was that lens or a reflection? But they changed to golden. I saw that."

The golden streaks she saw in her blue orbs started haunting her. She couldn't pinpoint it as it disappeared in a blink of an eye.

She ruffled her hair in frustration. Strutting to the window, she looked down only to see Emmaline leaving the building.

"I know you're something else Dawson not the one you portray to the world. I may not confront you now but I wouldn't leave you."

Her quick reflex, her dominating aura, and the way she drops her cold masque and delivers the caveat which is enough to turn one's blood cold whenever she gets angry sowed the seeds of suspicion in her mind. After pondering for a while, she finally concluded that it isn't normal. Emmaline was defiantly hiding something.

Glowering at her with sheer hatred, she punched the glass pane before seething, "Enjoy but your happy days are soon going to end Dawson. You’ll pay for messing with me." Chuckling, she twirled her cell phone between her fingers before turning it on.

"Time to get down to real fun."

Her eyes impatiently scan the contacts before halting at the desired name. Without further delay, she quickly made a call before placing her mobile against her ear.

"Hello"

The deep sonorous voice didn't fail to flutter her heart but she quickly composed herself and answered sweetly.

"Greetings, Mr. Knight."