I can't believe what I'm seeing. Battered and dead, Suzy is lying in the garden of Jackson's former home, which is up for sale. At first, this sight makes me weak. My knees buckle under me and I collapse on the grass, turning my face in the opposite direction.
Jackson stares at the face of the girl who for a long time, however, meant something to him.
- I didn't think he would be able to kill her. Now I know that this monster has no scruples. I am no longer able to fight him.
- What do you mean? - His man looks disturbed by these words. - Do you want to give up? After such a long time?
- I want to do it because someone I'm damn worried about has reappeared in my life. I would not tolerate a similar sight of the person I really would like to protect being targeted.
- So you just want to give up and everything he wants, give him up without a fight?
I lift my face and look at the brunet with frightened eyes.
- Yes, I want to do it. I don't have the strength to take it anymore. After an incident, I thought my life would be normal, and again I entered the swamp in which I am drowning.
- So your friend died in vain! - The man raises his voice at him. - He was able to give his life to protect what was his!
- In the past, I was also so stupid! I was like that until Alice appeared in front of me, and meeting her once again made me realize how precious life is and that I could lose it through my obstinacy and greed!
It looks terrible when their argument is going on over the dead body of a girl, and I sit not far from them pale as much as she is, unable to rise from the ground.
- Do you think he will just let go of you and this girl, even if you give in? This is a man who does not compromise. It's too late for you to give up, Jackson. You'll lose everything, and he'll still get you.
- I'm going to run far away from here together with Alice to protect her and myself.
- You sound like a coward....
- When you care about someone, you will understand my decision. - I am shocked when Jackson walks up to me and lifts me off the ground. At this point, I am like a puppet that he controls. - I have ruined Alice's life and I have to take responsibility for it. Not only will I lose out on this, but she will also have to give up everything she owns.
- What are you talking about? - I ask in a whisper. - I can't give up my mother's company.
- I will make it up to you, I swear," he turns to me in a calm tone.
What, how does he think of it? Just like that, I'm supposed to leave everything and go somewhere far away in the world to start life all over again?
- This scares me, Jackson says.
He directs his gaze to Suzy's dead body, ignoring my concerns.
- Do her funeral. I leave everything in your hands, my friend. Fight for the entire estate, if that's what you want. I give up. I no longer have the strength," he turns to his man.
Furthermore, I feel like running amok as Jackson, holding my hand, leads me out of the garden. We stop in front of the motorcycle, and then he puts the helmet on my head.
- Just like that, in one moment you can abandon everything?
- Yes, because I am doing this to protect you. Remember that for you, I am able to do anything. This hits me as hard as it did in the past. You are the one who is everything to me, Alice, not the stupid wealth or power, but you.
*
The wind blows my long hair away as I hold Jackson tightly around the waist, hugging his back. We followed the empty street on the motorcycle, heading to my friend's house. It's the middle of the night and at this hour I should not pay him a visit. But I'm compelled to do so, to explain the whole situation to him and ask him to take care of everything that is mine.
He's the only person I can trust, and I know he won't let my mother's company go belly-up. I'm sure he will take proper care of it.
My heart pounds like crazy when we stop in front of his house. All it takes is one phone call, with which I wake him up, for him to fall outside like crazy in his pajamas, hugging me so tightly that I can't breathe.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Jackson squinting, displeased by the sight.
- Alice, where have you been? Why do you show up at my place in the middle of the night? You scare me... - His mouth closes as he notices that I am accompanied by a boy on a motorcycle.
- I have so much to tell you, but so little time....
- What - Kai looks deeply concerned. - What is going on? Why are you with this man? - He points to Jackson with his hand.
- Let me first explain the whole situation.... I didn't really go anywhere. The whole time I was in the city, I was hiding in Jackson's house," I say in a low voice, watching his reaction, but he has a grave face, just waiting for further explanation. - This is Jackson. I think that name explains to you who he is and the past we have in common. For this very reason, I was and am forced to stay by his side. I and him are in danger.
- What on earth are you talking about? I still don't understand any of this. All I know is that he is your ex, who has already brought you trouble in the past!
- Those troubles, unfortunately, are still dragging on, and Jackson has to take responsibility for me to keep me safe.
- What a bunch of nonsense! - exclaims Kai unexpectedly, throwing the brunet a furious look. - Just admit that you want to be with him! His appearance has rekindled your heart, and you don't give a damn about me anymore!
Jackson remains silent, not intending to interfere in our conversation. I am grateful to him that he can be patient.
- Kai, dangerous people are sitting on our tails. The other day I disappeared without a word of explanation because I had to deal with them. If I show up with you, they will take advantage of it. It's best if I disappear from your life. I want you to take care of my mother's business because I trust you. I have to go far away from here to be safe.
- Is this a joke? - I see tears in his eyes. - Alice, you yourself admitted that I am your only family, that you will never leave me. Now you appear before me after such a long absence and tell some fairy tale to leave with your ex and disappear from my life!
I notice that Jackson is already losing patience. Leaning against the motorcycle, he crosses his arms over his chest and lowers his head, tightening his lips.
- It's not that you don't mean anything to me anymore! Kai, understand that you are critical to me! You are like a brother to me, a person I can trust in every matter. If it weren't so, I wouldn't be standing here asking for your help, talking about my plight!
- So you want to abandon everything, including your mother's company, and go out into the world! Are you crazy?
- So I'm supposed to stay here and die? I'm supposed to sacrifice you and the company because you don't like what's currently going on? I have no control over this.
- Dude, Alice at this point is trying to protect your ass. She leaves you all her assets, and you still have a problem with it? - speaks up to Jackson, measuring him with furious eyes. Kai reaches him, grabbing the collar of his leather jacket. - I wouldn't advise you to start a fight because you'll be at a loss.
- It's your fault! You're the one who brought this hell on her! Your appearance in her life is the worst curse! She would be much happier without you!
- Enough, Kai! Don't speak for me! You don't know what I really think! - Finally, I couldn't stand it and raised my voice at him. - If you would rather not help me, fine! I'll abandon this company, the house and all my possessions, and I'll still go far away from here! I just wanted to leave it all to a person I trust. Furthermore, I wanted to leave it to you because you are a member of my family!
My friend lets go of Jackson and looks at me with hurt eyes.
- I don't want you to leave me, Alice. I don't want you to leave with that bastard, leaving me alone.
The tears in his eyes make my heart break. I go up to him and hug him, feeling him start to sob.
- I don't want this either, my friend, but I am forced to. Understand me, please. Put yourself in my shoes.
- I will try," he says in a breaking voice. - I will try because you are critical to me.
*
All the way there, I struggle to hold back my tears. I realize that this was my last meeting with Kai. This was our goodbye. I abandoned my best friend, although I promised him that I would always be by his side.
At that moment, I think about my grandmother. What would she say about this? Would she love Kai as much as she loved Jackson?
I miss her so much. I wish I could hug her and feel safe in her arms. She would wrap me in the care I lacked throughout my childhood.
Could it be that she is the angel who reunited me and her favorite? If so, will she protect us from danger until the very end?
We get off the motorcycle when we find ourselves in front of the building that is currently our shelter. Jungkook grabs my hand and leads me into the house. A strange premonition doesn't leave me even for a moment as we head for the apartment door.
- Wait... - says the brunet in a whisper when we are on the right floor and walking down the corridor. - Something is not right.
Exactly. I, too, have this strange feeling.
- What do you have in mind?
- The car in front of the building. In this place, no one drives such a luxury car. Rather, moderately wealthy people live here.
Seemingly, it's not a good argument that something is wrong because someone might have just taken a loan for the car, but it still makes me uneasy.
- If you're thinking right, how would they find out about their new place of residence?
- There must be another mole.
This time we don't choose the elevator, but run down the stairs. We are sure that if they are actually in the apartment, they are waiting there for us. There's no way they wouldn't hear a motorcycle coming at night.
My heart is pounding like crazy as we run for the exit. Unfortunately, it's too late, because there are two gorillas waiting for us there.
We are trapped.
- The boss is sad that you want to give up so easily. He hates cowards even more than his enemies, so he paid you an unexpected visit at your apartment. You're not going to leave with this lovely lady without saying goodbye, are you?
Is this the night of our death?