Chapter 14.

**(Freya's POV)**

I was a little surprised that it was Stella. She came back to my office right after Ash left. I guess she did it on purpose because she didn't accept the rude thing I did to her in the lobby earlier.

She walked up to me with her footsteps firm and arrogant. Staring at me with a pair of sharp eyes directed at me. Her arms were crossed over her chest.

"What did you come here for? I don't think we have any need to come face to face like this," I said in a rude tone.

She snorted. "I came here again to warn you," she said.

"Warn?" I raised one eyebrow.

"You'd better stay away from Ash."

"Stay away from him?" I chuckled. "Don't you see he's the one who came to my company? He's the one who wants to work with me. This is business, it has nothing to do with feelings. And I have no interest in taking Ash away from you because I have no feelings for him either!" I exclaimed.

Because my love is gone just as it was when I disappeared four years ago. Because my current focus is only on finding the murderer who took the lives of my mother and father. And I will make sure to avenge them. Making sure they're as devastated as I felt when I saw my parents' corpses.

"You think I can be fooled by your acting? After four years away, why did you suddenly show up again?" she asked curtly. "You must have deliberately taken all that cooperation from Ash's company so that he would come to you. And you can easily flirt with him. Didn't you?"

"Is your head just filled with thoughts like that?"

"Yes! Why?! You don't like it? If you don't like it, you should stop interfering in our lives! We're already happy together, so stop being the third person in our relationship. Do you understand?"

"But unfortunately I'm not interested in being the third person. Let alone fighting over a man like him. He's not so important to me that I have to lower my self-esteem in front of everyone." I gave her a sharp look.

One had to be meaner and more assertive when dealing with Stella. Because dealing with her cannot be done with words alone.

"I don't care. And I don't want to hear any more nonsense from you," she said, glaring at me, "Listen, Freya. This is my first and last warning. Stay away from Ash or I'll use all the power I have against you!"

"Whatever. And you think I'm scared of you?!" I exclaimed not to be outdone.

"You should be afraid, Freya. You have no idea what terrible things I can do to you. Because I'll do anything to make sure Ash stays mine. So, don't let yourself regret not listening to my warning!"

At that moment, my gaze was drawn to the door where Eric suddenly came and entered into my study with a furrowed brow.

"Eric," I called out as I walked over to him.

"Oh, you have a visitor? I didn't know. I just walked in because I thought you were alone," Eric said.

"It's okay. She's just an uninvited guest anyway."

"What do you mean?" Eric asked.

I just shrugged my shoulders as I looked at Stella who had now turned around and was casting a glare in our direction.

"Are you one of the guys she's flirting with?" Stella looked at me with a condescending gaze.

"What did you say?" Eric looked offended by Stella's remark. He immediately stepped forward, confirming who the woman was who had dared to demean me. "I don't know who you are but, be polite to Freya. I don't like anyone putting her down."

"Oh, look. It looks like you were completely fooled by her. She's just a slut. You shouldn't be in a relationship with a slut like her!" Stella shouted trying to make Eric hate me with all the bad words she said.

But Eric looked very calm, not even affected at all by Stella's words.

"She is my girlfriend. And stop calling her that. Or you'll get into big trouble," he threatened.

Stella was suddenly silent as her face turned deathly pale. Only a few words came out of Eric's mouth. It could already make Stella scared.

"Y-You're her boyfriend?"

"Yes, I'm her boyfriend! Did you think I'd stay silent when I heard someone degrading her like this? I could destroy that cheap business of yours with just a snap of my fingers, so watch your mouth when you're talking. Especially in front of us," Eric said, looking at her sharply.

I noticed Stella. It seemed like she knew Eric so she was scared by his threats.

"Now, get out of here and leave my wife alone," he said.

Without saying anything, Stella walked out of my office. She stomped her foot violently, slamming the door with a burst of anger.

After Stella left, I let out a long breath. "Thanks, Eric," I said, throwing a smile at him.

"It's no big deal. You don't have to thank me," he said.

"I don't." I shook my head. "Your help means a lot to me. I don't know how long the argument would have lasted if you hadn't come. You showed up at just the right time, Eric."

He chuckled. "Really? I'm honored by that."

"Well, yeah. Is there anything you want? I want to return the favor for what you've done for me, Eric. I mean it," I told him. I looked at him intently.

"Um, there's nothing I want. I did it because I wanted to help you. I don't need anything in return, Freya."

"But there must be something you want. I insisted."

He was silent for a while, like he was thinking about what he wanted.

"What about lunch?"

"Lunch?" I furrowed my brow.

"Yes, if you don't mind and you don't have much work to do."

"I can," I replied, looking at him doubtfully, "but I have to make sure Sia and Gia are home."

"We can take them if you want."

I shook my head. "No, no. It'll be too much trouble. Just a moment, I'll call the people at home to ask if Sia and Gia are home yet."

"Alright," he said as he sat on the sofa.

I walked over to my desk and picked up my cell phone. I dialed a few numbers, calling the home phone number to ask how my two daughters were.

But no one picked up my calls. I tried calling again, but there was still no answer.

On the third call, I heard the voice of the maid who worked at my house.

"Hello, Miss Freya."

"Yes, it's me. I'm calling to ask about Sia and Gia. Have they arrived home yet? Because I have to have lunch and might be home late," I explained.

"Ms. Freya, Sia, and Gia are missing!"