ERIKA"W-what?""I can help you get what you want and I need you alive for this," he said, his expression mysterious but giving way to one more hopeless effort. Or was it? She didn't even know him and yet he was looking at her like he knew a lot about her. That was suspicious but it was also unnerving, making her feel like she was finally calming down.Erika was saved from making a decision that would stop all of these issues forever but just before that, a new way appeared itself in front of her. She really didn't know how to even believe that."I don't understand, who are you? What issues do you think I have?""Really, Ms. Erika? I wouldn't expect a woman almost committing suicide to ask me that question. As I said, I am here to help you get out of here and get a new beginning," He said, as if it was that easy, like her issues were only exaggerated by her. But then he paused for a moment and looked up as if remembering something. "Oh, I didn't introduce myself. I am Metin Divit, Mr.
ERIKAHer eyes opened to the bright sun pooling in from the window. She stretched a little and sat up, looking around to see she was alone in that room. Erika took a deep breath and freshened up, preparing herself already to be locked up in that room until afternoon when she would actually slip out and meet Metin.She was just about to change when she noticed a note set on the bedside table and she picked it up."Go back to the room you used to live in, you can't enter my bedroom anymore. You'll continue working as a servant," the note said and it was clearly written by Nigel. Even though that was for the best but she was confused. What could've happened last night after she slept that had brought a complete 180 in his decision? Why would he send her away out of nowhere?But this made Erika's job easier, she wouldn't have to sneak out anymore. A little enthusiastically, she put on her uniform and left the room once and for all, leaving to start her shift. She ran and finally reached t
ERIKA"Is this..?""Yes," Metin nodded, confirming her fears. "He's going to trick your father into signing 100% of the company rights and transfer it to himself. Not just that, Mr. Matthew will also lose all his money. Nigel Asher is planning something truly unfathomable. And once he does it, it's over."Erika's mouth dropped open and she felt warm all of a sudden, the kind that made her sweat. Her head almost hurt with the spiralling thoughts, he was about to destroy her whole lineage and her dad's empire that he built for decades. She just couldn't take that information in without freaking out."No.. he can't do that..""That was his plan all along. But I feel like there's still enough time to stop him as he wants to increase the value of the company as much as he could before taking over it wrongfully. And we.. have to stop it. Do you understand what I am saying?" Metin asked and she nodded instantly. This just proved she needed Metin's help more than she realised and could finally
ERIKA"They're not looking at you because they know who you are," he said, making Erika finally look into his reassuring eyes. But her breath of relief instantly got caught as he completed his sentence. "They're all looking because you look gorgeous."She kept looking at him like the voices around her was drowning out. She opened her mouth but nothing came out and he didn't wait for it. He turned away from her and started walking away, further into the party. This was the third time she was caught off guard like that, to think that he had come up with a compliment for her was off putting itself. She didn't know why but it felt like the calm before the wind.Erika still tried to keep her head low as she followed both of them around. She actually knew some of the people there, even acquaintances. She couldn't even imagine how scandalous it would be if she accidentally took off her mask, it would be unbelievable.Nigel was actually social in parties because he seemed to attract all the at
ERIKA"Okay," she said decisively, placing her hand on his and watching his lips curve to a more satisfied smile. He looked like he actually wanted a dance with her but also deep down knew it was difficult to make it possible. But he had it now, manipulation or not.If Erika didn't want to do it after looking at Nigel at a distance, she wouldn't have done it. It felt like this was a way of getting back at him even though she'd get in trouble for this. But who cared anymore? If he pressed her to answer why, she'd just say this stranger was blackmailing us."But before that," Erika said before climbing down. "I still don't know who you are but you know me, it's only fair you tell me.""I mean you agreed for a dance, I don't have much to hide anymore. I'm Ryan Desmond, CEO of Iris private limited, also technically your dad's rival," he introduced himself and she nodded because she recognized the name. She got off the barstool, ready to enter the dance floor even if her heart felt like it
ERIKA This time she actually felt alone, not angry. It had dissipated. She sat back up in the barstool again, wondering where Ryan went. She doubted he would be coming back. She really had to matter a lot to him for him to risk his reputation and career by openly starting a disagreement with Nigel Asher. Not only because of his good looks, he was very powerful and skilled which automatically made him influential. That's why very rarely people wanted to mess with him. That was nothing but a headache for her. His social standing was only growing day after day, making it more difficult for her to gather people to help her take her revenge. There was very little chance of her being able to pull off even one percent of it alone. But she felt a little stronger with Metin and Violet by her side. So, she sighed and took a sip of her whiskey, she felt like she needed something strong as she was supposed to sit there all alone for another hour at least. "One more," she asked, almost slurring
ERIKA "What?" The man said, backing off. "No way. I found her like this and I offered to drop her home. That's all man, trust me. You can ask the bartender if you want to. I would never hit on someone's girl man." "She's not..", Nigel frowned a little as Erika giggled, still in her senses but drunk nevertheless, and wrapped her arms around his neck trying to sling from it. "None of your business. Leave." "Cool. Sorry again, my bad," the man said, holding his hands up as his car pulled up. He quickly got in and left, leaving Nigel woth Erika. She was giggling and swaying too much, leaving her whole bodyweight to him. He could only think of how close she was and wondered if she was also that close to the other man. He could feel his jaws clenching as he tried to push away his thoughts. He was a very territorial man, that was his explanation to whatever he was feeling. "Whyyy didn't you leave? Why are you hereee? Goo," she nagged, suddenly starting to push him away and start walking
ERIKA She looked out again at the cityscape, stressing more on her memories. And that's when, a weird feeling crept on her as a distant memory started unlocking before her. She could see herself holding his face and squeezing it, all while laughing. Then she could see herself quiet down and the next instance was her pulling him close and kissing him. Erika sat up, gasping with widened eyes. There was no way that was real. She believed she hadn't done it at all. It was all her hallucinations. "Fuck.. oh no way..", she spoke to herself as the car pulled up to his mansion. She was breathing hard, trying to remember more but failing. All she could see in her memories were her kissing him and him slowly putting his hands on her waist, pulling her in. She remembered him kissing her back but it was impossible to think about it. He would never do that. Even if her kissing him wasn't just her imagination because she was used to doing reckless things, but she knew him kissing her back was.