*
*
She had stared at the pictures and phone number almost for the rest of the afternoon.
The decision on what to do had been made for her when Julian returned from the university that evening.
Faith told him everything and he'd been hell-bent on finding out who it was.
"Have you tried dialing the number?"
"No, not yet." Faith replied.
"I guess that's where we have to start from, put it on speaker."
Faith held her breath as she grabbed her phone and punched the numbers, seconds later it started to ring.
She met Julian's stare, wondering if she had made the right choice as he had suggested.
Her heart gave a slight pound when the answer came from the other side.
"Hello?" The feminine voice greeted.
For some reason, Faith hadn't expected it to be a woman, not only that, but the voice also sounded kind of familiar.
"Why did you send those pictures to me?" She decided to go straight to the point.
"I knew you'd definitely call, I just didn't think you would wait this long." The woman spoke again and Faith frowned, she'd definitely heard this voice from somewhere.
Could it be___
"I_It's you!"
"I'm surprised you recognized my voice! What do you think about the package I sent you?"
Faith met Julian's inquiry stare, why would Emilia of all people call her?!
How did she manage to get her phone number in the first place?
Her nervousness was replaced by wariness, the very last thing she wanted to do was to speak to the woman who had spoken horrible things about Sterling.
Faith had never mentioned that conversation to Sterling because she hadn't thought it was important, she also hadn't thought she would ever meet or hear from Emilia again, at least not so soon.
"What do you want to tell me?" Faith spoke.
"You can take this call as women looking out for women, I have to talk to you in person, it's your choice whether you want to or not! But for your sake and safety, I really hope that you do!"
The line went dead leaving Faith to stare at her cellphone.
"Who was that? You know her?"
Faith nodded slightly at her brother, she was irritated and confused.
She didn't want to meet Emilia, but the woman had mentioned that it was for her own safety. What if it was really something important and she was refusing to go because of her selfish dislike for the woman?
*
*
Faith walked into the restaurant, it was a popular one that was just at the center of the city. Even though she had been the one who chose the location, Julian had insisted on coming along with her.
Faith felt less anxious knowing that he was just outside in case of anything.
Her eyes searched around the crowded cafe until she spotted Emilia who sat alone in a reserved spot.
Faith smoothed her casual evening dress as she walked toward Emilia with purposeful strides. Emilia's red lips curled into a smile.
"Glad to see you made it even though you don't seem to like me very much."
Faith ignored her statement and pulled out the seat opposite Emilia to seat down.
The waiter approached and Faith requested a bottle of water.
"I hope we can be friends because it seems we both share similar fates, we are both unlucky and can only be used by others." Emilia wore a small smile that didn't reflect in her eyes. Faith didn't know what she meant, but she bluntly disagreed.
"I'm not unlucky, I also don't think I'm being used by anyone."
She felt she was the happiest and luckiest woman in the world, Sterling made her feel so, sometimes, she often found herself wondering how a man like Sterling was even interested in her, she couldn't think of anything special about her, and sometimes feel that she didn't deserve him and everything he had done for her.
"You think so? Do you still remember what I told you that night? I never got to tell you everything, you left probably thinking I was jealous!"
Faith met Emilia's gaze that held a hint of sadness.
"Well, I can't blame you considering I was once like you a few years ago. Young, naive, I thought I had it all. A man who loved me, who was willing to help me pursue and help me achieve my dreams, I couldn't be any more wrong."
Faith already knew where this conversation was heading, and she didn't think she would be able to tolerate it if this woman dared to utter a bad word about Sterling.
"He made me feel like the most special woman in the world, then we got engaged, I already even picked out my dress and was waiting so eagerly for that day to come, It turned out that he was only with me because he wanted shares in my uncle's company. I already signed the documents that gave him the sixty percent that belonged to me, do you know that he broke up with me after that?" Emilia laughed but it lacked warmth.
Faith didn't know how to respond, she didn't believe what Emilia was saying either.
"Sterling is someone who would go to any extent to get what he wants, he could be evil when he wants to." Emilia paused, her eyes studying Faith.
"When I found out he got married, I never expected it to be with someone like you, you appeared to be too innocent for someone like him, and I couldn't help but think he might be manipulating you as well."
Faith inhaled deeply when Emilia finished
"I don't know what transpired between you and Sterling and honestly don't wish to know, he also never mentioned you to me but__"
"__but you trust him, that's what you're going to say, right?" Emilia cut in, her eyes flashing with several emotions as she grabbed and unzip her handbag to reveal several documents.
"What if I have proof? I have strong connections and carried out some investigations, I know most of the things that transpired before you got married to him!"
To say Faith was uncomfortable was an understatement, she had the urge to leave this woman and this place.
"You had someone investigate us?!" Faith yelled, gaining some attention from the people around but she didn't care.
This woman in front of her was starting to give her stalker vibes.
"Only to ensure he isn't ruining another woman's life as he did mine! He needs to be exposed for who he is!" Emilia argued.
At first, Faith didn't wish to see whatever proofs Emilia was claiming to have, but now she wanted to. It wasn't because she had any doubts about Sterling, rather, she wanted to prove him innocent.
"Those pictures were circulating the internet a few months ago, I found out that you had been with your ex-boyfriend then, whoever published that article meant to slander your reputation, have you ever thought who could have wanted to do that to you?"
Faith knew Sterling had resolved the rumors, but he had never actually told her how he went about it.
"Sterling is a huge public figure, it isn't too weird that someone took those pictures of us and decided to publish it." Faith responded and didn't expect Emilia to erupt into loud fits of laughter.
"I knew my guess was right! You knew nothing about it! Now, why do you think your boss would want to tarnish your image?"
At first, Faith didn't understand. It took some seconds for her to absorb Emilia's words, she didn't manage to hide her disbelief as she sprang to her feet.
"He wouldn't! Sterling would never do anything like that! " She inhaled sharply and grabbed her purse from the table.
"If this is what you want to tell me, then I'm leaving!"
"Why are you always running? Is it that you're afraid of the truth and want to get away from it so badly?"
Faith whipped her head towards Emilia, she hated to admit that the woman was right. She couldn't help but recall her meeting with Dan immediately after her marriage, he had said the same thing. He had mentioned something about Sterling publishing photos in the news
"If you still don't trust me, I am acquainted with some of the publishers, you can ask them who gave them those pictures and the orders!" Emilia's smile was filled with confidence.
Faith's heart was beating too fast, each breath was shorter than the last, she refused to believe it!
Sterling would never stoop to such a low level!
And for what?
It was incomprehensible!
"During that period, you broke up with your boyfriend, and in less than a month, a series of misfortunes led to you becoming Sterling's wife, I heard that your younger brother got arrested, then you lost your house to the government, none of the banks were also willing to lend you some money and you weren't able to secure a new job." Emilia paused and Faith didn't realize she was holding her breath, Emilia knew too much about her!
Her entire life didn't feel private anymore, she felt vulnerable, and anyone could easily access her life whenever they wanted.
"Now, who do you think has the influence to do all of tha__"
"Shut up! I want you to stop talking!" Faith retorted angrily, she was still shaking her head furiously, taking a step backward only so she could breathe as the restaurant suddenly felt too small and lacked ventilation.
All of those misfortunes were nothing but coincident!
She was sure of it!
Sterling cared about her! He wouldn't be so heartless as to frame and get her brother arrested, take away her family's only property, or blocked her from getting loans and as well as a job.
It was too much an accusation!
"I believe you're not foolish and ignorant! These are the pieces of evidence I got from the people I have working in the banks!" Emilia threw the papers toward Faith.
"I got these from the federal housing agents! I confirmed that he wanted your home seized!" Emilia shoved the rest of the documents towards Faith.
" I don't know his purpose, but he pushed all limits to marry you__"
"I told you not to say anymore!!" Faith shouted.
All pairs of gazes were on her, ignoring the pity in Emilia's gaze, she ran out of the cafe, bumping into Julian.
"What happened? Why did you take so long?"
"She's lying to me! I k_knew I shouldn't have c_come here! S_she's lying!" Faith choked out the words, her chest felt too crushed to breathe.
"She's lying!" She despised that her words lacked conviction even to her ears.
Emilia's words combined with Dan's and Julian's words kept ringing in her head.
Her head was starting to spin.
"But what if she's right? What if that evidence is true? What am I going to do? Oh my God?!" Tears blurred her vision as Julian tried to stabilize her.
"What if it's true? That he__" This time, the tears fell freely.
"What did she say? Why __ Damn it! What the hell is wrong with you!"
She could see Julian's mouth moving but couldn't hear what he was saying. Gradually, her visions went dim, she wanted to speak, her lips moved but no words came out.
Then, shaky knees gave way.
She didn't get to hit the floor and probably heard him scream her name as darkness seized her.