Tempting Fate

41 Chapter 41: Emy was Stabbed

“Markus let the stranger in, Kuya,” Ethan said. “I already warned him you’d be upset, but he didn’t listen.”

While everyone was eating breakfast, Reed asked them if they were letting anyone else into the house. Reed confirms that Emy’s siblings are the ones who let other people into his house, which causes harming Emy.

“I’m sorry, Kuya. Nothing like this will ever happen again.” Markus stated.

“It ought to be,” Reed replied. “Negligence leads to trouble.”

“I’m sorry, Reed,” Eddie said. “These kids seem to have forgotten what I told them.”

Reed couldn’t help but be irritated by what had happened. Emy’s own family will ruin her. Reed took a deep breath. “Enrollment is about to begin. We’ll be seeing your potential school next week.” Emy said.

“Really, Ate?” Elijah asked. “Will you enroll me in a private school?”

Emy gave a nod. “Yeah, so you should be good to me, okay?”

“Yes, Ate,” Emy’s siblings all agreed. Emy smiled.

.....

——-

“I apologize for my siblings’ negligence,” Emy said. “I do not know what happened, so...”

They were on their way to the office. Reed was focused on the road while Emy sat in the passenger seat beside him.

“What happened?” Emy asked.

Reed cast a peek towards Emy before returning his attention to the road. “Nothing,” Reed said.

Emy didn’t even bother to ask, although she suspected something had happened that she wasn’t aware of. They arrived at the office a few moments later, and Avery and Jasmin were already there. Emy got out of the car first, while Reed parked his car.

“Good morning, sir. Are you seriously excited about getting to work?” Emy chuckled.

Avery and Jasmin greeted her cheerfully. Emy received the iced coffee from Jasmin. “85 pesos,” Jasmin said.

“Haist, seriously, you’re too early to charge me,” Emy chuckled.

“It’s good to be on time, Miss Emy,” Jasmin said. “I’ve been forgetting things lately.”

Avery and Emy burst out laughing. A man entered soon after the door opened. It appears to be wealthy and alone. It went straight to the three of them. Emy noticed that the man’s gaze wandered around, but she ignored that.

“Hello, good morning,” the man said.

“Good morning, sir,” Emy said. “What can we do for you?”

“Ah, I’m looking for a condo near my work,” the man told.

Emy shifted her gaze to Jasmin. “Condo, Jasmin,” Emy replied as she returned her gaze to the man. “She’ll look after you, Sir.”

“Okay. Thank you very much.” the man said.

“Ah, Sir, let’s sit there,” Jasmin said.

Jasmin instantly welcomed the man to the sofa and handed him a brochure. Avery and Emy went back to their respective tables. Avery headed directly to Emy’s table, then she picked up the envelope on her table. Emy saw Avery seemed to want to tell her something. He instantly placed her bag on her table.

“Are you going to say something, Avery?” Emy asked.

“Miss Emy,” Avery began. She gave the envelope to Emy.

Emy glanced at Avery before taking the envelope and its contents. Emy glanced at Avery when she have read the first sentence.

“Are you going to resign?” Emy asked.

“Miss Emy, I needed to. My mother is gravely ill, and I am the only one who can care for her. I am the sole female in the family.” Avery said.

Emy re-read the paper. “As of this week? This is too soon,” Emy said.

“I’m sorry, Miss Emy, but I don’t want to prolong it so that I can see my mother alive,” Avery said.

“Okay. I’ll inform Sir so that we may find a suitable replacement for your position.” Emy said.

“Thank you very much, Miss Emy,” Avery said.

“Is Jasmin aware of this?” Emy asked. All she knew was that the two were relatives, but she wasn’t sure.

Avery simply nodded. “I told her earlier.”

“All well,” Emy said.

Reed entered and turned to see the man Jasmin was speaking with before turning to Emy and Avery. He approached them two instantly.

“You seem to talk seriously,” Reed commented.

Emy gave the envelope to Reed, although wondering if he had accepted it. He then took the paper up and read. Reed glanced at Avery before returning his gaze to the paper. He placed it back in the envelope, glanced at Avery, and tore up the resignation letter. Emy and Avery were astounded.

“Reed...” Emy whispered to Reed before turning to look at Avery.

“Leave. You will file sick leave or vacation leave. I don’t mind. I will not accept your resignation letter.” Reed said.

“But, Sir...,” Avery protested.

“I don’t care when will you come back; what matters is that you come back,” Reed said, staring at Avery. “Isn’t that right? You will come back?” Avery nodded shyly. “It’s hard to find a job anymore,” Reed stated as he walked away.

“Miss Emy, it’s embarrassing for Sir Reed. There is no guarantee... ” said Avery as Emy watched Reed.

“The owner decides, just follow him,” Emy said as she grasped Avery’s hand in her.

—

Reed was seated in his swivel chair, looking at the wall of his office, when Devin arrived and approached him.

“The vampires revolted because of what you did to Eldrick,” Devin explained. “They are now raging in the realm and threatening to cross the portal where their vengeance will be carried out.”

“Is there nothing you can do to stop them?” Reed asked.

“Reed. No one in the realm is aware of what is going on with you in this world. It is you who must clean up the mess since you created it.” Devin said.

“So for what, and I appointed you to address this problem if you shift your obligation to the king?” Reed asked.

“You are the king. You created a mess.” Devin said. “You should be aware this will happen. Why do you have to become involved?”

“They meddled with the queen,” said Reed.

Devin took hold of his head. “But why did you kill him? I would be better if you simply threw him into the realm.” Devin said.

“Demon like him should be killed,” Reed said.

“They should be killed in our world, absolutely,” Devin said, “But you killed them in this world with nobody else being able to show that they broke the law. If anyone hurts the queen, it’s you because you don’t know how to be king.”

Reed tightened his fist and gazed at Devin, who had vanished from view. He stood up.

“Damn it!” Reed exclaimed loudly.

——

Reed hadn’t yet left his office at midday, so Emy walked straight to him. She knocked on the door and opened it. She notices Reed standing in front of the glass wall, where he can view what is going on from below. While looking at the glass wall, he put two hands in his jeans pocket.

“What you’re thinking,” Emy said, as she can get close to Reed.

Reed moved his gaze to Emy. “Eat with them. I’m going somewhere,” Reed said.

“Huh? Eat first,” Emy advised.

“Later,” Reed said. “Don’t go till I get here. Wait for me.”

“What time you will return?” Emy asked.

“I’m not sure,” Reed said. “Well, dine with them.”

Why didn’t you let Avery resign? You’ve just given him time off from work.” Emy asked.

“Because she’s your friend.” I’ll value everyone important to you,” Reed said.

Emy gave him a warm smile. “Be careful,” Emy said as she stroked the scar between Reed’s eyes and brow.

Reed frowned as he watched Emy walk away. He locked his gaze on his reflection on the glass wall. His finger also caressed the scar that Emy had touched. He couldn’t tell if Emy saw it or if it happened by coincidence.

—–

The door immediately opened, much to everyone’s amazement. All the generals assembled in the room. There are plans in place. When Reed arrived, they paused in their conversation. Reed went straight to the generals. Eldron, the former king, and Devin both approached Reed.

“What’s going on?” Reed asked.

“The vampires went on strike because...” said the general.

“I already know that thing,” Reed said. The general went quiet. “What I want to know is what the bastard vampires are already doing.”

Before anybody could respond, a soldier arrived. It didn’t knock anymore, and the soldier immediately approached Reed.

“My king, vampires are leaving our realm through the tunnel,” said the soldier.

Reed clenched his fist. “Bring fifty soldiers with you. We’ll shield the tunnel.”

.....

Devin spoke as Reed was walking away. “Fifty soldiers? Do you know how many vampires you’ll have to deal with?” Devin asked.

“I know,” Reed said. Reed rushed out of the room.

The generals glanced at former King Eldron. “Why are you still here?” Eldron asked. “Didn’t you get what the king was trying to say?”

The generals exchanged glances before hastily rising to their feet. “You will stop the vampires from reaching the tunnel. The king will deal with any vampires that get through into the tunnel.” Eldron said.

“We’re going, King Eldron,” said the generals.

“The flaw in your comprehension,” Eldron said. “I wouldn’t be shocked if Reed suddenly replaced you with inexperienced men.”

Devin approached Eldron. “Uncle, talk to Reed,” Devin suggested. “He shouldn’t be there in the other world for long.” His responsibility is here, not in that realm.”

“But the queen he has chosen to live there,” Eldron pointed out.

“He is the king. He is to be obeyed, not the queen. If he wants to be King of Nevernight, he must be here and not in that realm.” Devin said. “I’m going.”

Devin swiftly turned his back on Eldron and exited the room. They left Eldron standing, staring at the paper on the table.

—–

The ruckus outside the pantry astonished Emy, Avery, and Jasmin. When they turned back, Avery rushed out of the pantry to see what was going on. She left Emy and Jasmin inside the pantry.

When Avery emerged from the pantry, he found that their stuff had become disorganized. Their bags were spread on the floor. She carefully approached Emy’s desk and spotted the man who had caused all of this. This is the man Jasmin spoke with earlier.

“You, you scumbag thief!” she yelled. Avery scooped up the umbrella that was dispersed on the floor and smacked it on the man.

The man, on the other hand, covered his arms with each strike of the umbrella. He departed next to Emy’s table, and it was about to come out when Jasmin intercepted herself there and promptly contacted the police. The man grabbed his knife and prepared to attack Avery. Emy noticed this and approached Avery immediately. Emy was ready to shove Avery, but as she reached Avery, the knife stabbed her in the back.

“Miss Emy...” Avery said, turning to face Emy.

“Ugh! ” Emy snarled. Avery’s eyes widened as blood flowed from Emy’s mouth. The man shoved the knife deeper into Emy’s body, causing blood to flow from her mouth.

Soon after, Emy’s maid appeared from nowhere and approached the man, then grabbed his neck. The man’s feet rose to the floor, and Maria hurled him, using one hand on his neck, against the pillar, where he collapsed senselessly on the floor.