JANE
He walked slowly towards me. "Why are you here?" he inquired
"How is he?" my voice quivering as I managed to utter ignoring his question.
Without a word, he rushed forward, enveloping me in a warm embrace. I was unable to contain my emotions and tears which I had struggled to contain, flowed freely.
"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry," I cried out, my voice echoing loudly, drawing the curious gazes of passersby. His embrace felt like that of a child reuniting with his mother after a long separation.
"Why did you come back?" he inquired softly as he pulled away from our embrace.
"I couldn't bear the thought of you in pain, I had to…" I stammered through my tears. "I had to come to see how you were doing. I didn't want you to be alone. It's the least I could do."
A gentle chuckle escaped David's lips. "You're still so cute when you cry," he remarked prompting me to playfully punch his arm for his jest at a time like this and I wiped away the tears streaking down my face.
He smiled gently and brushed my hair back. "You shouldn't be here," he said, his expression laced with sadness.
"There's nowhere else I should be," I replied firmly and then my thoughts drifted to the looming exams and the preparations I had neglected.
If he discovered that I had exams approaching, he would undoubtedly be upset that I'd come to him. I knew my life was ruined when I fell for this man, but I had no intention of making it worse, so, I actually planned to return home today, I just wanted to ensure he was okay I promise.
David took a deep breath, his worry concealed beneath his composed façade "I was just about to head home to gather some things," he said, changing the subject.
"Oh!" I responded
Joan, who had remained quietly behind David, edged closer.
"I'm sorry," she interjected, addressing me. "Jane, can I speak with you?"
"Yeah" I nodded and followed her a short distance away from David.
She paused once we had moved a few steps away. "I've never seen David this emotionally invested in anyone," she began. "I can tell he's only pushing you away to protect you and you should listen to him."
"Protect me? What do you mean?" I asked.
"I can't..." Joan faltered.
"I can't go away knowing he's in danger, what would that make me?" I said
Joan sighed in defeat "Just make sure he doesn't do anything reckless for his own sake. If anything were to happen, it will weigh heavily on you" she said and then departed looking so exhausted.
Her confusing words left me perplexed, but I chose not to dwell on them. I returned to David, who stood by his car.
"Are you okay? What did she say?" he inquired looking into my eyes.
"She's never seen you quite like this before," I relayed. "Are you alright?" I asked seeing how drained he looked
He nodded softly and opened the car door for me to enter. I settled into the passenger's seat.
"How's your dad?" I inquired softly as he drove out of the hospital
"The surgery was successful. He'll pull through," he responded, his expression clouded with unease.
"Thank God" I whispered, a small smile touching my lips.
* * *
Mr. Pius greeted him with a somber expression as we got down from the car. He acknowledged Mr. Pius with a faint smile and a slow nod, his posture strong and impressive. His physique was impeccable, and an overwhelming desire to embrace him enveloped me, I wanted to hug him for long and keeping hugging him if I could.
Turning toward me, he subtly indicated that I should accompany him inside. Raindrops began to fall as the weather changed. We hurried inside, and he closed the door behind us.
"Have you had anything to eat?" I turned to inquire.
He shook his head gently.
"I'll prepare something quickly," I offered.
"No, don't worry," he declined, "I'll handle it"
"You should freshen up," I urged, but he wasn't ready to say no. "Please" I added with a serious tone, letting him know it was the right thing to do at that moment as he needed to freshen up and prepare to return back to the hospital or maybe get a little sleep for it was evident that he needed to regain his composure before returning to the hospital.
He nodded slightly, his complexion still weary as he headed to his room. I wished there was a way to uplift his spirits, yet I found myself at a loss for the right words or actions. With a heavy sigh, I made my way to the kitchen, where I ended up preparing a simple meal of instant noodles.
After some time, he came out wearing a black shirt paired with black joggers, the dark color made him look really attractive. Pulling out a chair, he settled down to join me at the dining table. The tray I had prepared was before him.
"Aren't you eating?" he inquired, his eyes fixed on mine.
"Uhm" I hummed in response, avoiding his gaze. He cocked his head waiting for a response as he stared directly at me
"I'll go get mine," I hurriedly excused myself and scurried to the kitchen to get for myself the noodles left.
Returning to the table, we ate our meal in silence.
"You okay?" I inquired after a while breaking the silence, though fully aware of the answer. He was far from being okay.
His gaze met mine with a profound intensity as he said, "I'm not sure."
"Sure about what?" I pressed gently.
He glanced downward, his words faltering briefly. "About how I feel…" he paused "for you" he added. His words struck me, leaving me utterly speechless. His eyes met mine again, and he continued, "I'm not okay, I'm still trying to get over the past, there's a lot I'm still trying to figure out and you shouldn't be with a man like me who is silly and..."
"I never said that I wanted to be with you," I responded, concealing my own heart ache. "I understand you may still have lingering feelings for probably your ex, Joan. I won't stand in your way. I only wanted to repay your kindness somehow and check up on you," I continued, feigning indifference. "I'm sorry if I caused any trouble, although I'd have loved to see Mr. Kingsley before I return home, but there's not much time for me. I should take my leave now," I added, my smile bittersweet.
He stood up alongside me, "I'll take you to the park"
"Thank you, really," I expressed my gratitude though I wasn't expecting him to reply that way.
He nodded, averting his gaze as he got up. I stood up after him to leave. The rain outside continued to pour relentlessly. I had no idea why he had said nothing about the rain, and he was willing to let me leave in such inclement weather.
Facing him directly, I turned to confront him. "The rain is pouring heavily."
He glanced outside as if just noticing, then met my eyes again. "I'll fetch an umbrella."
Defeated, I gave in, my sadness apparent. I gazed at him, unable to convey the pain his words and actions were inflicting on my heart.
"You okay?" he inquired, his eyes searching mine.
"I get it, just promise me you'll be all right," I managed to utter, my voice trembling. "Joan spoke as though you might be in grave danger."
"I'll be fine, I promise," he assured me calmly, his eyes still locked onto mine.
I forced a half smile and stretched upwards on my toes to give him a slight hug, but he caught me off guard with his tight grip, causing me to smile. I could feel his sturdy chest as my head rested on him and my hand wrapped around his shoulder.
Gently, his hand found its way beneath my sweatshirt, tracing my exposed waist, prompting me to gasp instinctively. I surrendered to his embrace, every subtle movement of his fingertips sent shivers cascading down my spine. Gradually, I pulled away, meeting his desire-filled gaze, which pulsed through my body. He reluctantly released his grip, and shifted his gaze upward, then back to me
"You should go now" he softly uttered and I nodded trying to conceal the emotions that had surged within me during that moment.
Suddenly, a gunshot rang out. David instinctively pushed me away and rushed towards the door to shut it, but before he could, armed men barged in one by one with their guns pointing at us, their faces covered by masks and headgear.
David shielded me with his hands widened defensively. "Who are you people?" he demanded.
Swiftly, one of the intruders lunged at me, but David seized his hand, twisting it and landing a forceful blow to his face.
"Move, and she's gone," another assailant, who seized my hand while David was distracted, threatened with a gun pressed against my temple.
In an act of desperation, David raised his hands in surrender, "Don't touch her" he pleaded "Take me instead..." His words were abruptly cut short as he was struck on the head with the butt of a gun. I attempted to scream, but my mouth was quickly covered. Darkness enveloped me, and the world faded into blackness.