Chapter 3 The Biggest Regret

Don nodded without daring to meet Emily's face. "Stay here until he settles his debt to us."

"What if he can't pay his debts?" she asked fearfully. Emily was not ready to hear the answer Don would say. However, She knew how unbelievable Kevin Jordie was.

"Ah, right! I have yet to explain this to you. This time Don really couldn't face Emily anymore. "If he can't pay off his debt, you must stay here long. You have to work here to pay off his debt."

Emily felt so devastated. It was like hearing the death penalty.

"Sorry for lying by pretending to be your client. I apologize to you, Emily."

"Your sorry are useless," whispered Emily bitterly.

"Hopefully, you can survive living here. If there's anything you still want to know, ask the person who told me directly. Sooner or later, you will meet him." Don stood up from the chair and said sincerely, "Take care, Emily."

After Don left, Emily got back to her room.

Emily held her head which was spinning, curled up on the bed while feeling the great hatred gnawing at her heart. This reality is like a dream for Emily. Jordie had turned her life upside down.

"That guy is bankrupt, and I'm sure he won't be able to pay off his debts. That means I have to work here to pay off everything." Now Emily understood what Jordie meant two weeks ago after he had been missing for the past three months.

Those words now echoed loudly in Emily's head. Remember, Emily! If something happens to me, you have to be willing to help. If not for me, at least do it for Reyna. You have to remember what you are now, thanks to whom. Remember to return the favour.

"If every month that I am here is valued the same as the salary he gives me, how long will it take me to pay off all his debts? Even after tens of years, the debt will never be paid off." Just thinking about it made Emily almost go crazy. If not for Reyna, the cousin she loved, Emily might have chosen to run away.

"This is equal to selling me!" Emily hissed furiously. "Why doesn't he just kill me too? It's useless for me to live on when all my dreams have been shattered."

Under these circumstances, Emily deeply regretted her innocence in her youth. If only she had never asked Jordie for help, maybe Emily's life would not be like this.

Since her mother died seven years ago, Emily has been forced to live at Jordie's house. Even though she was 16 and could care for herself, her extended family refused to allow Emily to live alone. They decide Emily should stay with Jordie, the only close relative in the same city.

The days after her mother left were very hard for Emily. When her mother was still there, their life was hard enough. Her father died when Emily was a child. The only thing that entertains Emily is her one-year-old cousin, Reyna. Reyna is so cute. The baby made Emily fall in love from the first day she moved into Jordie's house.

When she was about to graduate high school, Emily asked Jordie to help her pay for college. Emily is willing to work to pay the fees as long as she can attend college.

Emily was so happy when Jordie agreed to help her. Jordie said he would pay for Emily's college, and the girl should help work in his office. However, Jordie added one other condition. Emily must be willing to help whenever Jordie needs help. The innocent Emily didn't know that Jordie's words had a hidden meaning.

Since then, Jordie has tried to approach Emily at every opportunity to take advantage of the girl's promise. This condition made Emily regret ever asking Jordie for help.

Emily's regrets did not stop there. When she graduated from college and thought she could finally be free from Jordie, the man devised another dirty trick. Jordie forced Emily to continue working in his office to pay the tuition fees already incurred. Even though Emily's work in Jordie's office is in her field as an interior designer, she still feels pressured. Jordie used and squeezed her, occasionally trying to get close to Emily when the opportunity arose.

For some reason, Jordie gradually forgot the boundaries between uncle and nephew. For Jordie, Emily is only the child of her half-sister. There is no blood relationship between them at all. Emily is a girl he must conquer, becoming a terrible obsession in Jordie's life.

That's the nightmare Jordie brought to Emily's life, from college until today. Now it's probably the worst because Emily has to pay off that guy's debt with herself. It's a harsh reality for a young girl just about to walk the path to achieve her dreams. The man, supposed to be a protective figure, instead destroyed her life.

How I wish I had never asked for help from you. Kevin Jordie, one day you will regret ruining my life.

A knock on the door interrupted Emily's reverie. She only realized the door to her room was no longer locked from the outside. Emily can go in and out freely. However, he preferred not to leave the room because it felt pointless. She would remain imprisoned here for a very long time.

"Miss, I will take you to your new room," said the well-built man caring for Emily's needs for seven days.

Emily just nodded. She slowly got up, then walked to follow the man. They passed the building where Emily had spoken to Don, then walked along the pool to the main building. Arriving at the main building, the man escorted Emily upstairs. While walking, Emily secretly appraised the design of this building. Overall this place could be more luxurious but looks elegant and very masculine. This place is thick with a modern contemporary feel, both in its exterior and interior design.

While observing the house's interior, Emily ignored her steps and almost bumped into the bodyguard who had stopped before a door. Luckily the man was alert and quickly backed away to avoid colliding with Emily. "Please stay in this room, Miss." The man opened the door for Emily.

***