Beyond The Echoes Of You

Chapter 4

The man's face turned beet red with rage as he thundered, "Where is she!? Where could she have gone to!?" His eyes bulged, and the veins on his neck pulsed menacingly. He snatched a nearby wooden object and hurled it at the bodyguard standing before him. The object crashed into the guard's forehead, sending him stumbling backward as blood gushed from the gash.

The guard's face contorted in pain, but he dared not show any expression, fearing his boss's wrath. "W-we'll find her, Sir," he stammered, his entire body trembling like a leaf in a hurricane. "I-I promise we'll find her."

The man's expression twisted into a malevolent sneer. "You'd better find her," he spat, his voice dripping with malice. "Otherwise, I promise to make you suffer a fate worse than death. You'll watch as I destroy everything you hold dear. Your family will beg for mercy, but it will be too late. You'll be the one who'll be left to pick up the pieces of your shattered life."

The guard's eyes widened in terror as he whispered, "Y-yes, Sir." His voice was barely audible, and his body shook like a leaf as he struggled to maintain his composure.

"GET OUT!" The man yelled, his voice echoing through the room. "Leave now, or I'll kill you!" The guard quickly obeyed, stumbling out of the room.

The man poured himself a glass of whiskey and took a sip. His eyes stayed fixed on the door, as if waiting for the guard to return. Suddenly, his face twisted with rage.

"I'll find you!" He snarled, his voice low and menacing. "You can't escape me. I'll make you pay for running away." His eyes blazed with anger, and his face contorted in fury.

***

"Please make sure to call me if you need anything." Anthony said to May as he grabbed his bag from the couch, ready to go to work.

"Anthony." May called softly.

"Yes."

"I'm sorry if I'm taking your time, it's just that I really need to talk to you about this, but I can totally wait till you get back from work."

"It's fine, I've still got a few minutes to kill, what's it you want to talk about?" Anthony asked, giving her his full attention.

May didn't know how to present the topic to him because she's so sure that he won't agree, but she really needs this. "I really don't know how to say this." She ran her hand through her hair, then she sighed deeply.

"Come on, May. You do know you can talk to me about anything right? So feel free to tell me anything." Anthony urged.

May looked at him for a few seconds before finally speaking. "The thing is... I've been thinking, and... I really need to get a job."

"What!?" Anthony blurted out in surprise. "Why? Why would you want to get a job?"

"I can't just sit at home and do nothing, Anthony. I think it's best I get a job. I came here to start life afresh, not depend on you for everything, I really don't feel good about it. I think it's best if I get a job to raise some money, and maybe rent an apartment later on because I really don't want to bother you for a long time."

"You're not bothering me, May. You've never been, and will never be a bother to me." Anthony stated. "I totally get the idea of you wanting to get a job, but moving out? I really don't mind you staying with me for as long as you want, May. No one is chasing you away from here because this is also your home. What's mine is yours as well."

May smiled at him. "What's yours is yours, Anthony. And I know no one is chasing me away, but I really need to do this. You've done so much for me, and I'm starting to feel really bad because it's like I can't do anything without you. I don't want to depend too much on you because you have your life to live Anthony. I'll really love to start earning my own money so I can also assist you with things here."

"I'm doing just fine by myself dear, there's no need for you to worry about anything. If you want to get a job fine, I won't stop you from doing that, but you're not leaving here until I'm sure it's okay. Whatever money you earn will be spent on you alone, you can even open a new savings account and save up some of the money, so don't you worry about anything okay? I'll see if I can help you get a good job with a good pay."

"Oh, Anthony." May didn't even know what to say to him, she's so grateful to him for everything he's done for her, and she really has no idea how she's ever going to repay him for everything he's done for her. "Thank you for everything." She went to briefly hug him. "Thank you so much for everything."

"It's nothing, that's what friends are for." Anthony smiled at her. He checked his wrist watch and saw that he was running late already. "I better get going, I'll see you later." He bids her goodbye before rushing out of the apartment.

After Anthony left, May thought of what to do to keep herself busy, she looked around at the apartment and decides to do a little cleaning even though everywhere was already spotless, but because she didn't want to be idle, she decides to clean up the already clean room.

While May was busy cleaning the room, the doorbell rang, and she frowned in confusion, she then thought that maybe Anthony must have forgotten something, so he had to rush back home. She hurriedly dropped the towel she was using to wipe the table, then she ran to open the door.

"Did you forget...." She trailed when she saw who was at the door. "It's you." May said with a little frown on her face.

"Yes, it's me again." Mike smiled.