Chapter 7: How I met my savior
1749 Words
“I know you’re sick, so I got you a recovery gift,” Edward said excitedly.
I wasn’t exactly thrilled. Not after the last few days I’d had.
“What is it?” I asked, my tone dull.
He pulled a silk strap from his pocket. A strap? That was it?
Boy, was I wrong.
He walked behind me and tied it gently over my eyes.
“What’s going on?” My voice trembled.
“Just trust me, princess,” he whispered, guiding me toward the door. “Just trust me.”
I let him. Eventually.
“Are we not there yet?” I muttered, irritated. I was supposed to be giddy, bouncing. Instead, I was... edgy. Numb.
Then,
“Ta-da!” his boys chorused.
Edward slipped the blindfold off, and I blinked into the sunlight.
My vision adjusted, and my heart just... paused.
A brand-new car. Red ribbons. Glossy paint.
Not just any car. A vintage Porsche.
“Is this for me?” I asked, stunned.
“Yes, princess,” Edward said with pride in his voice. “It’s all yours.”
A Porsche. For me?
Tears stung my eyes. Not the happy kind. The overwhelming , I-don’t-deserve-this kind.
“I can’t accept this,” I whispered. “It’s too expensive.”
Edward blinked. “What do you mean? You deserve it. You’re a princess…”
“Who’s trying not to feel owned,” I cut in softly.
He frowned.
“It’s thoughtful, Edward. And I appreciate it. I do. But I can’t take something I couldn’t even dream of affording. I don’t want to owe anyone anything.”
Silence.
His eyes darkened. The charming Edward was gone. In his place stood the mafia king.
“Why?” he said, voice low. “Just one reason, Leah. That’s all I need.”
My heart thudded. “Because I need to stand on my own feet. Even if they’re shaky.”
His jaw clenched. Then he looked away.
“Alright, princess. I’ll respect your decision,” he muttered.
He turned to walk off, but before he disappeared, he added, “Let the boys lead you.”
And just like that, he was gone.
Still looking out for me... even when hurt.
“Whats your boss like when he’s angry?” I asked one of his boss Liam.
“Very irritable.” His answer was so fast it was like it had been rolling at the back of his tongue.
Thinking back, I think I overdid it. I shouldn’t have rejected his present. He was just being sweet. Why, though?
“Take me to Edward.” I begged. I needed to apologize.
We found Edward by the lounge, sipping some wine and having some alone time. Rich people really do things differently.
“Edward.” I announced my presence. He must have sensed my presence before I did that. Of course he’s a mafia lord, all six senses intact and active.
“Princess…” He looked shocked and not too shocked that I was here. “What do you want?”
“I’m sorry Edward. I have to apologize for my behavior back there.” I was really sorry. Or maybe I’m used to being sorry.
“Why?”
“Why what?” I asked.
“Why are you sorry for having an opinion?” He asked softly.
And yes, he’s very right. But, this case is different. The apology is needed.
“I’m just not used to being helped or being gifted. I’ve been a shadow all my life, always the giver. I’m not used to people doing nice things to me!” I blurted out, tears stinging the corner of my eyes.
Edward was silent and gave me time to express my thoughts. And I did.
“So that’s why I find it strange that someone I’m not affiliated with with blood, or anything gave me a car. I thought you were trying to tie me down by making me owe you, I thought you were tormenting me psychologically!” I stopped to catch my breath. “So why are you nice to me? Why?” Curiousity couldn’t capture what I was feeling right now.
Edward moved slowly towards me, gently carrying his legs like he was walking on a fragile floor.
“Princess, we’re not affiliated by blood, but there’s one thing that brings us together. Love.”
“But I don’t love you.”
“You will soon. No matter how long it takes, I will always be here, waiting for you.”
“Why do you love someone that’s not ready to love you or reciprocate the energy?” Is he dumb, or does is he just love-deprived?
My eyes were no longer stinging.
“Because you are my savior.”
Savior? What does he mean? What did I save him from?
“What do you mean?”
Somehow, I could tell he was about to enter story telling mode with the way his shoulders fell and relaxed, and his back leaning into the chair.
“You saved my life princess. Three years ago…” he started and I was listening to him with rapt attention.
“You may not remember, but it was a major event for me. Oakland road, at the DET BALA event. You informed me that someone had spiked my drink. Do you remember?”
Of course I do!
“You were the man from that night! Of course I remember.”
“I didn’t believe you then. I thought you were just a spy trying to get my attention to get close to me. So I swapped my drink with yours.”
I looked into Edward’s eyes with a new emotion I couldn’t describe. So he was the reason I missed out on my trip to the UK to further my education!
***
765 nights ago, my mother had given me a call to represent her at the DET BALA (Dramatic Elegance and Theme; Ball of the Arts, Legend and Aristocrats.)
I didn’t want to go because of my interview for the next day as I had just gotten a scholarship and the interview was due tomorrow.
“If you can’t be useful for me then I would go out of my way to make sure I’m not useful for you either. Tomorrow's your interview, right?” Mom, Victoria Sinclair, threatened over the phone.
“I’m sorry ma. I’ll go.”
And that was how I landed in the event. The young man across the table was having the same drink as me. I wanted something tough, so I was having ‘men drink.’ I had warned him about his drink. Someone had poured some powder in it while he wasn’t looking. What I didn’t know was that as I stood up to use the bathroom, this young man had switched the drinks, hence why I fainted and was hospitalized.
***
“So it was you?” I was bewildered.
“Yes. Only after I saw that you drank your drink innocently did I believe. I was foolish and regretted my actions immediately I saw you foaming in the mouth.” He was apologetic.
I don’t care! He had put me in harm's way and ruined my dreams of traveling abroad!
“I started stalking you, from your recovery in the hospital, to your daily activities and jobs. Then I found out your parents were mean to you. This broke my heart. You were just a child with no love. You reminded me of my past.” He said, allowing his own words to digest. “When I couldn’t watch your pain anymore, I started to do things for you. You called them luck. But they weren’t.” He looked into my eyes, like he was waiting for a go ahead.
“Your jobs since then had been sorted by me. Each time I saw you go for an interview, I would pay the employers a visit. And each time you got the job. There was a time you started suspecting the accidental food order, so I had to make it look like you had a secret admirer.”
“That was you all along? All that food?” At this point I was beginning to doubt my sanity. “I thought I was just lucky and the universe was smiling on me!”
“I was indeed your secret admirer. I started like your spirit and person. So I approached you. You didn't remember me as a man from the party. I love bombed you and professed my attraction to you, but you were hard as rock. So I decided to continue doing things in the shadows. All these changed till I saw your text that afternoon.”
“When I asked for your help to run away from home.” I said dryly, all the dots were connecting.
“Are you willing to forgive me? I’ll totally respect your decision and let you leave the mansion.” He asked. His shoulders were stif, as if he was expecting bad news.
“So why do you like me? Because you pity me? Or because you like my person?” I wanted to know where his heart stood.
“I love you Leah, for being Leah. You’re the biggest thing that has ever happened in my life. I love you for you.” His voice was warm, sweet.
“Edward, you’ve been nothing but an angel to me. You’re so sweet, I’m willing to try new things with you.”
His eyes glimmered with joy.
“Thank you princess. I’ll treat you like one and give you a world you deserved from the very beginning. You’re a jewel.”
My heart melted. Although I didn’t love Edward that much, but he was still a softie to me.
“Will you accept my gift now?” He asked.
The car? Of course I will!
I nodded a yes, and Edward carried me bridal style again to the compound where we had a blast with my new car. We drove under the sunset, warmth and happiness in the air. My heart felt free like a chain had been broken.
“Kill them all!” Edward barked on the phone.
After the ride, he received a phone call. And those were his exact words, before kissing me a goodbye for something urgent that came up.
“Don’t wait for me, sleep well. I’ll be back before you’re up princess. I love you.”
- Writer
