EVAN'S POV:-
I sat on the hospital bench outside the operation theater. Akeno has been brooding ever since eternity. He wouldn't lift his head up or look at me. I know he feels it's his fault. So, do I. Ria and ace haven't been in sight since yesterday. They didn't even visit sash. I understand that much, Akeno might have told them not to.
My concerns have limits and ichiro comes first under those limits. If something happens to him what would happen to the family and I cannot imagine the pain Akeno and I will go through. His father probably trusted me and Akeno. While I scratched my mind for a resolution the doctor stepped out of the operation theatre. Akeno wouldn't look up. I had to approach the doctors rather than just looking away.
"What is it doctors?"
"Sorry young master we can't say just yet. He needs observation."
"He had been shot. What is there to observe so deeply?"
"Yes, we know, but do you know how many times he took the bullets?"
"No. just save him."
"9 bullets is not a joke master. We are doing our best."
I couldn't help but hold my head. This unsurity is the worst feeling a man could feel. My phone pings, I received a message from my men about the arrangement of the funeral. This took my mind off to Ria and ace. I didn't want to talk to Akeno about it. So I left for the penthouse where both of the girls have been cooped up for a while now. I don't know what I would say, but, I need to go.
As I knocked on the door, it got pushed open and no lights on the hall were lit, but the lights from near the kitchen counter. A half eaten breakfast stood on that counter, it was hard to guess how many days has it been sitting there. It was all dead silent until I notice a figure sitting near the bed beside the window. I stood there for a few minutes contemplating to go inside but, ended up knocking on the door.
The knock made her come out of her reverie.
Ace:-"oh! You? Here?"
"You okay."
Ace: - "yeah I am fine."
The guilt weighing on me on the inside didn't even make me realize when Ria entered the room and stood behind me.
Ria:-"move aside."
A little surprised by her way of speaking, I quietly gave her way and she brushed past me towards ace. I know I had to start talking.
"Can we talk a little more comfortably and in a civilized manner? I will be waiting in the hall."
I closed the door behind me as I made way to the couch in the hall.
RIA'S POV:-
Of all the people right now I didn't want to see him right now under these circumstances. As soon as I came out of the washroom I saw him hesitating at ace's room doorstep. I wanted to go hide somewhere. I wanted to go home at that moment. I wanted to steal away from everyone's eyes for some time alone. He wants to talk and I don't know what is so important right now.
I still can't find a reason why anyone would target her. I don't know how things are back home but here it all seems messed up.
We made our way to the hall which we have been avoiding it seems silent with just us. Evan has always been quiet like this and methodic in his ways. He starts to speak but I can't concentrate neither is ace concentrating. We sit there like puppets and he just speaks. He is talking about a short funeral for sash. This is when I realize it has almost been 2 days since she passed away and it's been too quiet. He hands over a bag of clothes and a certificate that the hospital issued for sash. I don't want to look at it so I just place it beneath the items on the table. He left with that conversation, reminding us to be on time, but I wanted to go home.
AKENO'S POV:-
Evan told me about his visit to ace and Ria. I have been thinking what to say for past 3 days and here I am at the funeral waiting for her to appear. I am not sure if I should talk to her or avoid her at the venue. As I pass on the instructions to my men I notice their car stop by the entrance of the venue. She was looking at the ground and kept her gaze fixated away from the people's faces. After much discussion with myself I walked over to her and stopped a few feet away from her and stretched my hands to her shoulders, but my hands met another pair midway. Ria came out of nowhere and swatted my hands away.
Ria: - "don't you dare talk to her."
"Just for a minute."
Ria:-"not even a second. The last thing on earth that she would like to see is your face. So save it for later."
"Why are you being like this? Do you control her life?"
Ria:-"she doesn't want to meet anyone. So do me. So leave us the fuck alone."
"Stop it. Let me talk."
Ria:-"she won't. And for your information I have availed a long leave. Don't worry we will be back for your important deal."
"Where are you going?"
Ria:-"home. And to be very honest away from you guys. Hope you keep it private, see you."
She wrapped her arms around ace and then disappeared in the crowd and I just stood there watching like a fool. There was nothing I could do and now I was sure of it. So, I decided to let them go. Somehow I believed in their promises. It was like letting out children to play because you believe they will come back to you.
AFTER A MONTH
ACE'S POV:-
I was so glad Ria intervened. I didn't want to talk to him or even talk in general. I would have bawled my eyes out right there. What would I say to people at home, Butler Samuel, oppa Kym, and the nanny? I don't even know anymore. We are going back to them, without sash and that's enough of disappointment after all, the running and the chasing ended. I don't know why but I think I need to rely on someone too. Of course I have my brother, my father like butler, the nanny who treated us like her own children. But we are not kids anymore, are we? The question has been constant in my head.
I think I shouldn't mind anymore since I am home since 1 month. We have been working nonstop since we came here. We had meetings to attend to. Good thing Ria explained everything to the oppa and butler Samuel. We keep searching but we can't seem to join the dots. Not even a speck of dust in the execution. I being silent have been bothering everyone. But I am fine at least for now. And rage is all that is on my mind. I am angry and I am thinking a way out but it's an unending maze. There is no exit. All our efforts are futile. There had been nothing in the whole world that our men couldn't find. But this time my hands were empty. Maybe because we are new here; so my men are facing little troubles blocking us from our goal. Or they are keeping a low profile. I know these are excuses, and I don't like them. But not bringing out results is bothering me. I came here with Ria away from those guys. She seems to be doing fine. None of us have contacted them. But we made a promise to return. Ria and I will be going out today. Brother always forces us to go out and breathe a little.
He had to endure the pain of losing Leah and now sash. He lost his 2 sisters. But he stands strong. I am glad we left the phoenix in his care. Lost in my thoughts I was staring at my coffee when Ria brought me back from my thoughts.
Ria:-"you will break the cup with your stare."
"Oh! You are back. How was the meeting thought it would take long?"
Ria:-"they were shocked to see me. You should have come. You could have stared a hole into their souls."
"Yeah! Next time maybe. Let's go for lunch."
Ria:-"I saw a café nearby let's go there."
"Yes. Let's go."
"What did you order? I got some sandwiches and coffee."
Ria:-"I would prefer a large burger and a coke."
"Let's wait until the order is ready."
Just then ria's phone screen lit up. The buzzing of the phone didn't stop until she realized her other phone was also ringing. She unclasped her handbag and the company phone came out. I vaguely remembered that phone since Akeno gave me one too. But I didn't carry it around.
I looked at her with a questioning look, she answered with a frown,
"They want us back." It's urgent she said.
EVAN'S POV:-
It's been a whole month and a half. I am calling them back if you don't. I slammed the door as I came out of akeno's room.
I didn't want to slam it but I couldn't control it. He has been more silent than he was. I know the reason and I am calling her back for the same. We need to get out of this setup. This daily life and its treacherous ways. I thought my efforts will go into vain when ace didn't look at my messages. But Ria replied. They are coming back, ace is coming back and I hope Akeno stops blaming himself.
If I maybe so bold I am planning a vacation and I will see to its execution at any cost. But I first need them to meet ichiro. Now, I realize they never met him in the first place after the incident. Can't blame them. After all that happened it would only give them more pain. I know how they are. And especially when they seem too mature and tough for their age.