Chapter 31

Alexander

The room was completely silent. No one said anything when Alexander entered the room and sat in his chair. With Alexander's arrival, the atmosphere of the room had shifted. The uneasiness was visible on the faces of everyone present at the meeting.

"Show me your presentation, Mister Covle," Alexander spoke up. As Covle stood up to give his presentation, everyone's attention shifted to him and most of the directors seemed to like it.

Alexander, on the other hand, was bored after only a minute of the presentation.

"So what do you think, Mister King?" Inquired one of the shareholders of the company. Alexander did not say anything in response. He silently stood up from his chair and was walking towards the door. Before anyone could say anything or try to stop him, he turned around.

"Next time, don't set up a meeting if you cannot prepare a proper presentation," his statement left everyone speechless. He walked out of the meeting room and went back to his office.

He was frustrated for many reasons.

That bigot son of a bitch Covle thought I'd do business with him.

He clenched his teeth and squeezed the bridge of his nose. He only desired to return home. Not because he was tired of his job, but because he needed to see her. He did have one photograph of her that he snapped while she wasn't looking; when she looked irresistible. He pulled out his phone and glanced at her picture. Despite the fact that she was working at that time. She still looked stunning. He only desired to have her near to him. Forever.

Hours had passed in the blink of an eye, and it was already evening time. He checked his wristwatch, which read 4:30 p.m. He had no idea he had skipped lunch. But he couldn't go quite yet since he needed to do some other tasks at the workplace. How he despised it!

He leaned back in his seat and rested his head. As he closed his eyes, he felt his muscles relax as his mind became occupied by Emma's thoughts. He was missing her petite, delicate form beneath him, fighting to getaway. Her skin appeared silky and creamy.

He let loose a deep growl. He was sick of picturing what he wanted to do with her every day. He wanted to go one step farther.

Alexander once again pinched the bridge of his nose. He had an appointment at the café.

This goddamn Matthew, didn't he have another place to hold the meeting? Who on earth chooses a café for an official meeting? Matthew was an old college acquaintance of his. They were classmates, and he was both one of Alexander's best friends and his greatest opponent.

They had been the finest in everything since college. Sports and studies. As a result, the two friends decided to expand their friendship into a business collaboration. He couldn't resist Matthew's request to meet him in a café as Matthew desired a cordial encounter with Alexander.

He glanced at his watch; Matthew had planned the meeting for 6 p.m. He still had enough time to go, but he decided to finish some of his work before leaving.

Meanwhile,

Caroline had left Alexander's mansion two hours earlier, leaving Emma alone in her chamber. She exhaled after taking a long breath. Her thoughts wandered to the talk she had with Caroline.

Emma

"How is everything, Caroline? How is your work?" Emma asked her. Caroline's features changed at the question. She didn't answer Emma for a few seconds. Emma noticed the worry on her face

.

"What happened? Is everything okay?" She asked softly. Caroline's face was stretched in a smile.

"Everything is fine honey. Don't worry."

That did not satisfy Emma at all and she questioned her again.

"Please tell me, I can sense something is wrong," she pleaded this time. She would never want her only family to face bad days.

Caroline sighed softly. "It's just some issues in work honey, things are going pretty bad now. I am not able to repay a few people's money and they have been asking me a lot lately,"

she paused for a moment, then continued.

"I am trying my best, working day and night so that I can repay them. But it is just getting harder day by day."

"H-how much you need to r-repay?" Emma asked.

"$3000 in total. But you don't nee-" Emma interrupted Caroline by walking away from her, only to reach for her closet.

She took out a small baby blue pouch and took out some cash. She walked back to Caroline and put the money in her hands.

"Aunt, I know these are not much but I hope this will help even a little," Caroline looked at the $1000 cash that Emma gave her. It was from her own savings. King's paid her quite well.

"But hon-"

"Please don't refuse this, Caroline. You have done a lot for me. At least, let me do this for you," Emma said and hugged Caroline. They shared a very short but emotional hug.

"Thank you, sweetie."

***

She couldn't imagine quitting her job after her talk with Caroline. Emma needed to earn enough money for Caroline; she didn't want to think about what would happen if Caroline ran into financial difficulties just because Emma was unemployed.

She decided to not talk to Caroline about leaving the job. She had no idea what would happen, but she knew she couldn't leave at that point. That house was a living horror for her. But she had friends, and she was friends with all of the girls. All of the girls were extremely kind; Ela was obviously different from Martha, but she wasn't all that horrible either.

Emma was relieved that she had not faced Alexander for a few days, but she was terrified because she knew that if he did come to her... the same things would happen again.

She sighed and rose to her feet. She was almost through with her job and it was becoming late, so she decided to finish it the next day. She collected her gardening tools and made her way inside. She had to finish the other plantation because Isabelle was unable to.

She came to an abrupt halt when she observed a black car parked at the gate; two guards arrived and unlocked the gate to let the car in. She stood there perplexed. No one had visited Alexander since she had moved in.

Maybe it's one of his family member.

When she saw Liam stepping out of the car, her uncertainty came to a halt. He was dressed formally in a dark green shirt with his sleeves pulled up, grey formal pants, and black sunglasses.

In that outfit, he looked really stunning. He was strolling towards the house while typing on his phone. Emma stiffened as she noticed him getting closer to where she was standing. She began to move away rapidly.

"Hey, Emma!"

Oh no... he saw me. She thought to herself.

She turned around to find him standing there with a smirk on his face. He approached her while taking off his sunglasses. She could see his breathtaking gaze.

His eyes were as blue as the ocean under the sunbeams, so distinct and non-identical to Alexander.

"How are you? Didn't expect to see you here, I mean you work here but I didn't expect you outside," he asked her.

She looked down and answered. "I am very good, thank you for asking sir, how are you?"

"I'm doing fine, thank you," he replied with a heartwarming smile. She wondered why he was so kind to her, so different from his siblings, especially Alexander.

"Come on, let's go inside," Liam spoke up. Emma felt very stupid for not asking him to come inside; however, she moved forward to go inside with Liam following her behind. She opened the door wide to let him get inside. He thanked her politely.

"Is my brother home?" Emma flinched at his question.

She shook her head No. "He hasn't come home yet," Liam nodded his head in response.

"Please make yourself comfortable, I'll bring something for you to drink, sir," she politely said.

"Liam, you can call me Liam, Emma I've told you that before too," he told her with a polite smile on his face, he was so charming and polite that Emma couldn't utter a word. She just nodded her head and went off.

Emma found Ela sitting at the kitchen table, writing something on her notepad.

"Ela, Liam is here to meet Master. What should I offer him?" She asked.

Ela immediately put down her notepad and looked at her with a stunned expression. "What did you just say?"

Emma looked at her, confused. "I-I sa-"

"No, I heard what you said..." Ela was gazing at Emma and after a pause, she spoke up. "Did you just call him by his name?"

Emma's eyes widened at her statement. Oh my god! What did I just do!

"N-no I-I'm really s-s-sorry I d-didn't me-"

Ela stood up from her chair. "Stay in your limits young lady, don't forget you work in this house, you are no friend of Master Alexander, Liam, or any of the heirs of the Kings. Am I clear?"

Emma's stare was fixed on the floor as she nodded. She was about to break into tears. She truly didn't want to address him by his given name, which was why she kept denying it. She hadn't intended to utter his name in front of Ela in that way. It simply slipped out of her mouth.

"And give him something to drink and don't keep him waiting. I will prepare some food," she nodded her head again.

Emma took out a bottle of wine and headed to the living room where Liam was quietly seated on the sofa. She approached and placed the tray of wine and glass on the table. She poured him a glass and offered it.

"Thank you, Emma," he politely remarked and took the glass from her, passing her a smile. She nervously smiled back.

She stood there quietly a little far from Liam, not knowing what to do. She didn't want to be rude and leave him alone there. She waited for Ela to come. Ela was going to bring the food after all.

After a few minutes of standing there, she finally spoke up.

"Erm, I'll be here... just call me if you need anything," she said quietly and walked past the sofa.

"Oh no, you don't have to go Emma. I will be bored alone here, please keep me company," he said to Emma, almost pleading with her to stay as he put the glass down on the table. That made Emma really nervous. She nervously nodded her head in response and stood there again.

Liam chuckled and shook his head while looking at her. "Emma you don't have to stand there. You can sit flower."

Flower. why does he call me that? I am nothing like a flower.

She thought to herself. "No sir, please I'm fine here, thank you for your kindness," she replied.

"No, Emma I insist, and don't call me s-" He was interrupted by Ela entering the living room.

"Hello, Liam. How are you doing?" She politely asked. Liam replied to her. "I'm doing well Ela, thanks for asking, how about you?"

"I'm good. Sorry, I took time. I brought something for you to eat, please be comfortable," Ela put the tray full of food on the table and was setting out the plates and glass. She looked over at Emma.

"Why are you standing there, Emma? Come help me out," She nodded and quickly rushed to Ela, helping her.

Ela brought some cookies, fruits, and other stuff. Emma put a few pieces of fruits on a plate and offered him. He took a bite of the fresh strawberry with a smile.

"What are you doing, Emma? Give him some cookies as well!" Ela scolded her.

She looked down and apologized. She didn't know whether Ela didn't like her much or if she was generally like that with everyone. However, she offered him some cookies as well.

"It's alright Ela, don't need to scold the poor girl," Liam kindly said.

Ela smiled at him and nodded her head, Emma never saw her smile. It was surprising, but maybe it was because Emma and the other girls were maids and Ela preferred being strict with them. Emma did not mind her that much. She could not expect anyone to be like Martha as all people aren't the same.

"So what are you here for Liam? Master Alexander hasn't come home yet," Ela asked.

"Ah I see, I am here to talk to him about something. Do you know when he might come?" He asked.

She thought for a moment before replying to him. "I'm sorry Liam, I cannot predict the time he will be home. Nowadays, he comes home very late and leaves very early, so it's hard to estimate," Liam nodded his head and took a bite of the cookie.

"It's alright, maybe I'll come later."

"Oh no, nonsense Liam. You can wait for him, at least until dinner," said Ela. Liam chuckled and said. "Alright Ela, but just because you are insisting," he passed Ela a soft smile.

"That's great." Ela looked at Emma. "Alexa may need your help at the library," Emma understood that Ela wanted her to leave them alone. She quietly nodded her head and walked away from there.