He steps closer, crouching to meet my gaze. "Among everyone here, only I can save you. Your answers will decide that outcome."
Answers? Damn it! I don't even have answers for myself. How can I give them to him?
But, he is right. If there is a person who I can hope to help me escape, it's him. I grab his hand, making sure the one doesn't have blood and tears roll down my cheeks.
I can see him taken aback, but I cling to him, letting my tears show the hidden pain that keeps eating me alive.
"I'm scared," I tell him. "I don't know what's happening to me. I don't remember anything—only to find I'm accused of being a murderer and a kidnapper, to top it off." Tears blur my eyes, but I can see his frown. "Help me."
He watches me for seconds, then raises his hand to my face. I flinch but let him do what he's doing. He wipes away my tears.
"You don't have to use false tears, at least not with me, Riley."
My cries stop, and I watch him with disbelief. I have a feeling he may know me, but not enough to see through my act. I've used this talent of mine often at the hospital, and it worked—even with that annoying detective, Yanran.
Damn it! This was supposed to be easier, but now I have to try harder. Riley? That must be the name he knows me by. Riley sounds better.
Realizing that no matter what I say, I won't get away, I stop my fake cries and sit properly. The name he used proves my guess—this man knows me differently than the others.
"I don't have anything to give you. I was meant to have died anyway, so hurry up and tell your boss to grant my wishes."
He stares for seconds, surprised.
"However, before that, I have to eat. I'm famished and thirsty, too."
Indeed, I am starving. I don't even know what might happen, so I should eat while I have the chance.
"You have no idea what you're asking. For you to act like this, only one thing makes sense... You've lost your memories," he says thoughtfully.
Yes, believe me.
He remains quiet. "Should I believe you lost your memories enough not to remember me?"
Wait, was he important to me?
He gives me a complicated stare before he gets up. "This drives me nuts!" He sounds frustrated. "Don't you remember anything?"
Hah! For real, he still doesn't believe me. What should I do to make him believe?
"If you know me, I was only told I tried to kill myself after my crimes were exposed. But heaven wanted me to pay while I'm still here. And look at me—half-dead," I tell him casually.
It's not like it's something new; everything is in the news about my accident and my condition. Of course, not the part about losing my memories or my legs, just that I won't be able to stand in court.
He sinks into thought, then moves his eyes to my legs. "How bad are your legs?"
"Decorations."
At that moment, the door opens, and a pretty woman wearing a bra and hot pants steps in.
"He ordered to bring her over," she says, delivering the message before leaving.
My heart races. I have a good idea who the person wanting to see me is. I don't wish to see him so soon. I turn to him, giving him a pleading look. Please, do something. I might truly die at this rate.
He gives me a long look, then sighs. "Let's go."
I sink. Why does he have to be loyal to such a barbarian? He saw it—he almost killed me. Am I wrong to think we shared something? Like not wanting me dead.
He takes a couple of steps and stops, then turns, picking me up in his arms. He catches me off guard, but I remain calm.
Soon, we arrive outside. I move my eyes to grasp where I am, and I meet the dark sky. I am not in a house or any sort of building.
Instead... it's a boat. Boat is an understatement—this is a luxurious boat in the middle of the sea or maybe a lake. Now, I'm not sure if I'm still in Hong Kong.
Is this not enough to understand my situation? He wants to kill me, and no one will know. If I don't help myself, then no one else will.
I sit and lift my head to face the barbarian at the end of the deck. Fine. I'm the one who has her, you deep shit. You have to be talking business with me. Unless you want her dead, then kill me.
I lean on the chair and watch him. Nonchalantly, I tell him "You care about her? Then let's see how far you can go."
At only a few words, he takes huge steps toward me. He reaches closer and pulls his handgun from his back pocket. That was a wrong move. I shouldn't have started like that.
This guy is impatient. One mistake, and I am dead. The veins on his forehead bulge, and anyone can easily guess what is about to happen.
However, I swallow and maintain my calm, only watching him. Reaching closer, he points the gun at my head. His hand trembles with rage.
"Where is she?!"
"You shouldn't be asking that. What I want—isn't that the right phrase?" I fold my arms across my chest. "Before anything, are you sure your gun should be pointing here?"
He pierces me with a glare, then lowers his gun. He doesn't see me as a threat because I am a cripple.
"Celine is fine, if that's what you're worried about. If I'm being honest, I can't guarantee how long it will last. Unfortunately, you can't give me what I want... This isn't your war."
His patience runs thin. His hand moves and grips my neck, dragging me to the edge of the deck and hanging my head over the water.
I feel the cold breeze. This guy is a monster. How come Yanran never notices these kinds of guys but only sees me?. Fortunately, this is what I want.
His eyes are full of madness and lethal intent, so much so that no one dares approach him.
"Enchen..." The boy with auburn hair calls carefully.
"Shut the f*** up if you don't want to join her!" Enchen growls, stopping anyone who wishes to intervene. As if anyone would dare.
"What were you saying?" he says, facing me as he presses me further toward the water. Does he think I can still talk after I die?
I turn my eyes to the left, where the auburn-haired boy stands with clenched fists. I give him a farewell smile. When he watches me with confusion, I allow all my weight to push myself further into the water.
Enchen's eyes widen, but I grab his hand to drag him along. His eyes widen even more. It's always like that—those who harm others, when it's their turn, you get such responses. Fear.
Realizing my intention, he lets go of my hand forcefully, causing more pressure, only to push me and my body into the water
I wasn't lying when I said I want to die.