Chapter 03~ The Devil at Her Doorstep

EMILY

I didn't know my words would cause more damage than good. And do you know what, I didn't regret it. Chief Ramos had me suspended for a month, and from handling any case files until further notice.

A part of me hated myself for being too stupid for saying that, the other appreciated me for doing what I could to preserve my life. Kent later chatted with me and told me he had taken the case.

“Good for you,” was all I could tell him.

While I sat at the table, having dinner with Stephanie, I received another massage from an unknown number. This time, I noticed that the number that messaged me was a different number from the first.

“I see you're listening, Miss Thompson.”

“Who are you, and how the hell did you get my contact number?”

Silence.

Minutes passed, so did hours, and I didn't get any reply. I couldn't tell if I was more scared now than before. At this point, it feels like it's not just one person watching me, but thousands of them. I had to call Gina, explaining everything to her. She agreed Stephanie should stay at her place until everything was settled.

Later that night, I went out to buy things to make dinner. While on my way back, from the corner of my eyes, I noticed something was strange about the evening. At first it was just a figure, then two, trailing behind me. I acted not to have noticed, but I increased my footsteps.

I phoned Stephanie to leave the door open, so I wouldn't have anything to hinder my easy entrance. The figure likewise increased their footsteps, making them a few inches closer. I started running, not caring the eyes staring at me. They started running too, chasing after me.

I thought of heading straight home, but on second thought, I would only be taking a big risk. So, I changed direction. They kept following me, until I had to walk into a stranger's apartment. The young gentleman looked at me awkwardly and was going to yell when I begged him to keep calm.

I explained to him what was going on, that was why he didn't react. Walking towards the window, he looked down, scanning the street. “You need to wait a little longer, they might be anywhere around.” He suggested.

I breathed with both my nostrils and my mouth, trying to accumulate my lost breath. He looked at my hands. “You had this with you while running?” It was then I realised I still had the food stuff I bought with me. “Youcve got a strong grip, I'd say. Make yourself comfortable.”

After what seemed like minutes, he checked the window again. “Everywhere seems clear,” he said. Then he looked at me. “Are you sure you want to go?”

I stood up, “My niece is home alone, I need to get her out of there.”

“I can walk you home if you don't mind.”

I looked at him, “No. I don't want to get you involved in this mess. I'll go alone.”

“Alright.” He didn't argue. “Here is my number just in case.”

I took the card from him, nodding, before leaving. As much as the atmosphere felt a bit safer, I still couldn't get my heart to stop beating so fast. My home was only ten minutes from here, but then, it felt like an hour walk. My eyes moved from one side to another until I was standing before my apartment.

Stephanie left the door opened as instructed, so I walked my way in without having to knock.

“Stephanie?” I called to be sure she was safe. I didn't get a response, which made my heartbeat rise the more. “Stephanie?!”

I dropped the bags in my hands, rushing towards the room, only to see her walking majestically towards me. “I'm coming!”

I let out a heavy sigh I didn't know I was holding. “Don't you ever scare me, ever again. Understood!”

She looked at me, confused. “Is everything alright?” She asked.

I shook my head, still breathing heavily. “Nothing,” I lied. “I bought you snacks while you wait for dinner.” I turned and left her, heading for the sitting room.

I took the bags with me to the kitchen to make something quick for us to eat. I couldn't concentrate on what I was cooking, my mind was here and there, imagining scenarios where I was taken, leaving just Stephanie behind. Or, if I was killed for having taken the case to heart.

Didn't he ask me to stop, and I did? Why then are they still after my life? I need to get Stephanie out of this place at all cost, or she gets involved into this mess.

I was lost in thought that I didn't notice the food was already burning until I started choking. My eyes flew open, and immediately, I turned off the gas, fanning the smook off my nostrils. The damage wasn't bad after all.

Even as I tried to push off the thought, it kept coming back, making me twice uncomfortable. This wasn't what I signed for. This wasn't the kind of case I wanted to get my hands involved in. This was all Chief Ramos’s fault, why am I suffering now?

There was a knock on the door. “Aunt Emi, someone's at the door!” Stephanie yelled from the sitting room.

I didn't realise when I said, “Check who it is!” Until I heard the sound of the door opening. “Stephanie, wait!” I rushed to the sitting room, but it was too late.

I stood frozen, watching as a group of men walked into my living room. There were about four of them, dressed in black tuxedos, then another walked in. The aura that followed him was so strong, like he owned the place. He had a cane in his right hand, and a hat that halfway covered his eyes. He didn't even need my permission, he made himself comfortable on the single couch.

Stephanie rushed towards me, and I shielded her behind me. “Aunty Emi, who are these guys?”

I looked at their faces, “I don't know who they are. Go to your room, and shut the door. Don't open it until I ask you to.”

“Aunty Emi…”

“Go!” I yelled at her, and she ran to her room, slamming the door.

Staring at the men before me, I asked. “Who are you people, and what do you want from me?”

The men standing didn't say anything, they just kept staring at me like I was talking to my shadow. Then the man sitting on the couch took off his hat, slowly raising his gaze to look at me. The only thing that looked familiar about his face was the old scar that ran from his left eyebrow down to his left cheek.

At that moment, I didn't need anyone to tell me who he was. Matteo Romenetti.

“So,” he said in that deep voice that always sent shivers down my spine. “We meet again, Miss Thompson.”