CHAPTER 7

Rosela still couldn't stop herself from laughing, while Emily now turned to glare at her.

"Jesus, Emily ... I didn't know a panther could turn into a kitten," she teased.

"Rose ... Stop making fun of me. Do you really think I would? I had to, in order to survive in the tiger cage."

" OK, I will stop laughing. At least now I know your master's tastes."

"Ah ... I'm speechless when I talk about him."

"Even if you don't mention it once, I think he's cooler than my former master, Mil."

"He has paranoia, so he is naturally suspicious. I don't know if I can do it or not," I complained.

"That's much better than getting a masochistic master." Rosela daydreams, delving back into the dark story of her past.

Emily knew very well how her best friend's journey of life was, remembering the time when she had to come in the middle of the night to treat Rosela, who had many wounds after serving her master's lust.

"Rose ... don't bring it up again, it's just a memory you have to forget."

"How could I forget, Mil? This apartment is one part of those bitter memories."

Emily hugged her best friend tightly. "Never mind … don't be sad anymore. Now, live freely and never go back to how you used to be."

"I'll try to find help. If necessary, I'll sell the apartment—"

"Shh! I told you, don't sell anything. Even if you want to sell it, just use the money for your parents. They are more deserving than me."

They could only sigh in the end. Trying to accept each other's circumstances that are trapped in difficult conditions.

An aide knocked on the door again, trying to persuade Emily to go home before Jonathan came back to scold them.

"I guess I should go back, Rose."

"If I could, I'd love to take you away right now, Mil."

"Don't worry, Rose. I came today, so you know I'm okay."

Rosella had a deep breath . "Promise, if anything happens, call me."

"Fine."

Emily hugged her best friend back as a way of farewell. She didn't know when she would have the chance to see her again. At least she felt relieved, because she had met Rosela and told her about her current condition.

The aides were already preparing to escort Emily home, they didn't care about the stares of the people around them as they passed by.

The other thinking people tried to avoid them, worried about getting into trouble because of the aides' sinister looks.

"Master said, Miss must go home soon," said one of the aides as they entered an elevator.

"Yes I know."

While watching a play, Emily thought it would be amazing if she walked around with an escort like this time. However, who would have thought that in reality Emily actually felt annoyed because her space seemed to be limited?

They arrived on the ground floor, when the elevator door opened. How surprised Emily was when she saw William standing right in front of her.

"Mily," he whispered.

William was about to approach Emily, but the aides immediately took steps to block him and almost beat him if Emily didn't immediately intervene.

"He's my best friend, don't!" Emily screamed while holding the arm of an aide who was ready to strike.

"But, Miss—"

"Give us a minute."

"Later Master could be angry, Miss."

"Just a moment, please."

"Well. However, it should not be too long and away from our supervision."

The aides were in a dilemma. In the end they gave Emily the opportunity to speak privately with William even though they were only five feet apart.

"Who are they, Mil? So, where have you been all this time?"

"For what do you know? Isn't there something else you should explain, Willie?"

"A-ah, I can explain, Mil."

"Didn't I say before, I don't want you to help me with your family's power, Willie. If I know that the office belongs to your family, I'd rather be unemployed."

"I just want to help, Mil. I wanted to say, but you would definitely refuse—"

"Of course. I'm tired of being constantly terrorized by Aunt Rosita, you know that?"

"Sorry, Emily."

William could only look down, he felt guilty because he had been hiding the fact that he was tight as possible from Emily and his parents.

"Does Aunt Ros know?"

"Not. All this time my mother did not know."

"So you want to toy with me to the end, Willie?"

"N-not like that, Miles. I'll tell you everything when mom is more open, Mil."

"William Richmond, have you forgotten what happened to Aunt Ros when I was working as a waitress at your restaurant?"

"Mil, that's not going to happen. My mother doesn't know that you work in a printing office. I made sure that Frances wouldn't speak up."

"I don't know, Will ... you're selfish. I've decided to stay out. After all, Fransiska fired me."

"She can do that, I-"

"Of course she can if it turns out that Aunt Ros asked her directly."

"You mean … my mother already knows?"

"I dont know ... you think?"

"No way ..."

"That's enough, Will. Thanks for the help so far, but I'll be fighting on my own two feet. Don't do this again, or later Aunt Ros will think bad things about us again."

Emily was about to turn to leave, but William held her hand. "Mil, let's let mommy think more about us."

"What do you mean?!"

"If my mom thinks we have a relationship, then go for it."

Emily widened her eyes in disbelief. "Are you kidding?!"

"Why? After all, I do like you and you know that, right?"

"I do know, but my answer is still the same as before. No."

"Why? What am I missing, Mil?"

William was indeed a kind, understanding and loving man, but Emily had promised her mother that she would never think of anything other than friendship with her at any time.

Not without reason, Rosita is a stubborn and determined person. If she didn't like someone, Rosita would always try to annoy that person, including her mother, while she was still alive.

Her mother's status as a widow created a lot of unfavorable rumors, especially at that time, William's father had paid little attention to his mother's son. Eventually, they became true rivals for many years. Until finally, her mother died but the hatred was still there and Emily had to bear it even though she didn't know anything.

Actually, even without that reason, Emily didn't want to lie to William. She did not deny that William's attention was able to thrill her heart, but until this moment Emily was not sure about her feelings for William.

"I want to live quietly without Aunt Ros's shadow."

"I will try to convince mom, Mil," he coaxed hopefully.

"No need, Willie. After all, I already have a boyfriend."

"Lie! Since when?!"

"It's up to you. Whether you want to believe it or not."

"Mil—"

"Sorry, Will ... I have to go. Thank you for all that time."

Emily walked away, when William was about to hold her back, the aides immediately blocked her steps.

Emily knows maybe what she's doing is wrong, but she believes it's time to distance her childhood friend and set boundaries so she doesn't misunderstand.

Emily cursed herself for being slow to act. She thought William had forgotten his feelings for her, but who would have thought that it was as if Emily gave her hope?

Emily entered the car that her aide had prepared, ready to return to her new role as someone's pet woman. Despicable, of course, she loathed even her own reflection.