Chapter Five
1854 Words
CHAPTER FIVE
Worry
Zaheera
Curiosity kills the cat, they said. But somehow, you’ll end up getting killed if you don’t know anything about your surroundings.
“Are you sure this is all you need?”
I turned my back on checking out the markers to face Vyrxon, who was boredly looking at the shopping cart in front of him.
“Yes, I don’t need much anyway, since most of my classes were done online, and you’ve bought me an iPad, so I’ll just use that one to take notes,” I said and turned to get the marker that caught my attention. I also got two highlighters.
“These are a few. The cart wasn’t even full. Get everything you need, and don’t mind the expenses.”
I walked towards him and put the markers and highlighters on the cart. I looked at him and smiled.
“I promised. This is everything. I’ll let you know when I need something for school.”
Besides, I don’t wanna bother him with my expenses anymore. It’s already a big deal that he got me a job at his company despite my lack of proper education. The salary is greater than my previous job, and I’m also a freeloader at his house. He also made me agree to receive an education allowance from him since he’s not always at home. He even gave me a supplementary card with no limit at all. This unexpected opportunity is enough for me to save up for Gavin’s medical school and to cover my school expenses. All the excess money from Vyrxon will be deposited into the online bank account that I created yesterday.
While traversing the long road to home, Vyrxon received a call from one of his men. He swiped to answer the phone and tapped the speaker button. I didn’t wanna bother him, so I just sat quietly on the passenger seat and ate the fries we bought from the potato corner.
“What do you want, Rio?” he asked while his eyes were still on the road.
“There’s an escape. One of the men belongs to the Molina clan. I’m—” The line cut off when Vyrxon ended the call and stopped the car on the side of the road.
I looked at him, curious. Escape? Are they holding hostages? And Molina? Isn’t that the family clan that owns construction firms nationwide? What is happening? Is he doing something illegal?
“What—” I didn’t even get to finish when he cut me off.
His voice was firm and serious as he said, “Stay here and don’t even think of getting out of the car.” This is the first time I’ve seen him like this.
I gulped and nodded. He got out of the car with his phone in hand. He looked so furious, and even when I tried to read what he was saying, I didn’t even know how.
After a few minutes, he went back, but he looked different. Something terrible must have happened because he looks so awfully quiet right now, and his aura is different. I just sat there and waited for us to arrive home.
“Get out,” is all that he said after parking at the front door.
I looked at him, stunned. Huh? What is happening?
“What happened?” I worriedly asked.
Did something happen at work? What was with the phone call earlier? And who escaped? More importantly, why is there an escape to begin with?
I wanted to ask. Too many questions, and I can’t seem to find my words. Nothing is coming out. Why am I curious, anyway? Why do I care? It’s his company.
“It’s none of your f*****g business, so get out, or I will drag you out of my f*****g car.”
I flinched and grabbed all my stuff. With shivering hands, I opened the car door. I didn’t get to stand properly when the car sped up. I held my chest tightly, reminding myself to breathe.
“You’re here early.” I jerked when I heard someone talk from behind.
I turned around and saw Rjin with his hands in his pockets. I fixed my posture and smiled.
“Rjin, hi! You’re going somewhere?” I asked, since he looks so proper right now.
“I’m just meeting a friend,” he said, looking behind me. “I thought you were with Vyrxon? Where’s he?”
I looked behind and sighed as I remembered what had happened earlier.
“I think something happened at the company. He looks so upset. Something about an escape. Do you know anything about it?” I asked, hoping to get an answer to my curiosity.
I thought he would get curious, too, or be worried about what was happening to his brother. Instead, he just shrugged like he knew this was bound to happen, or he had already experienced it before.
“It’s nothing serious. Don’t worry about it.”
I was about to say something when he continued talking.
“Don’t make it a habit to interfere with everything you’ll see or hear. You won’t be able to handle the consequences.”
He walks past me when a car parks on the front porch. I just stood there, confused.
I know there’s something wrong. There’s definitely something wrong with those two brothers, and even when I told myself not to think about it, it bothers me…a lot!
I immersed myself in studying to stay ahead of the lessons. It’s been years since I stopped, so it would be advantageous for me. I was so engrossed in my studies that I failed to notice that it was already past eleven o’clock in the evening while studying. I held my stomach when I felt it rumble.
“I didn’t know that accounting is a fascinating thing to do,” I murmured to myself as I got up from the chair.
I went downstairs to see if there was any leftover food that I could reheat. It didn’t surprise me when I didn’t see anyone in the kitchen. They must be in their room, sleeping. The main chandelier is already turned off, and the only lights on are the dim ceiling lights.
I went to the fridge and looked for something to eat. Luckily, there’s some leftover kaldereta. I quickly got it and checked for any leftover rice. I almost squealed in happiness when I opened the rice cooker. I immediately reheat everything in the microwave.
I was busy scrolling through my phone while eating. I only received messages from my family and Lou. I wondered what time Vyrxon went home since I didn’t receive any text from him. I immediately stopped what I was doing when the front door suddenly burst open.
I went to the living room to see who that was, and I was surprised to see Vyrxon hardly walking. He was holding his side. I immediately turned on all the lights with the remote attached to the wall.
I can’t talk. My feet are numb. My eyes are fixated on the man looking dangerously at me. He was standing fairly close to me. His shirt is full of blood. His pants were ripped. I’m pretty sure he’s hurt by the blood dripping from his hand, which was pressed against his side.
He’s hurt. . . Vyrxon is hurt. After realizing what was happening, I immediately went to the cabinet where the emergency kit is placed.
I put it on the table and immediately went to Vyrxon, but he refused to be touched.
“Come on, you’re hurt. We have to do something about it. I won’t ask if you’re not comfortable.” I tried convincing myself that I’m okay and that it doesn’t scare me. But the tremble in my voice didn’t help.
“What the f**k are you doing here?” he asked with so much coldness in his voice.
“I was just grabbing something for dinner. Please, don’t change the topic. We have to treat your wounds.”
I tried holding him again, slowly approaching him so I wouldn't startle him. But he immediately grabbed my hand and pinned it to the nearest wall.
I winced as I felt his bloody hand gripping my wrist tightly, changing color. It hurts.
“If you think you can touch me, think again, you b***h. I’m not someone you can easily manipulate with your angel face.”
My eyes were wide open with what I heard from him. What’s wrong with him? It’s like he’s totally a different person.
“W-What are you talking about? I was just…trying to help.” I can barely talk properly because of the pain he’s causing in my wrist.
“Help? Really, huh? For all I know, you just want to get into my pants. b***h!”
I didn’t know what to say. I just remained silent while looking at him with blurry eyes. I don’t know what’s happening to him and why he got hurt.
“Now, get out of my face before I change my mind and kill you like those assholes who escaped my den.”
I can feel my body shivering. My heart is pounding like it wants to explode. I want to move. I want to run. But I can’t love. My feet are nailed to the floor.
“Huh! You’re really choosing the hard way, huh?” He smirked devilishly before he let go of me.
I was about to feel relieved when he started to walk backwards, eyes still fixated on mine. But my breath hitched when I saw him pull out a gun from his back pocket.
“W-What…What a-are you d-doing?” I managed to ask.
He didn’t answer. Instead, he pulled the trigger, ready to shoot me. Please, don’t do it. I silently plead.
I screamed when I heard a gunshot. Vyrxon gets on one knee. He dropped the gun far enough not to reach easily. With widened eyes, I looked at the person responsible for the gunfire.
“f**k!” I looked at Vyrxon, who’s in so much pain right now.
“Vyrxon is not who he is right now. Go to your room and lock your door.”
It’s my time to look at Rjin, who’s ready to shoot again. Again, I can’t move. I want to do what he’s saying. But my feet don’t want to move. f**k! f**k! f**k!
Vyrxon made an aching sound again, and that’s when my feet started to move sideways. He looked at me intensely, as if he wanted to chase after me.
I heard a gun click and saw Rjin aiming mercilessly at Vyrxon. He looked at me with cold eyes.
“Run,” and that’s what I did.
I ran as fast as I could. Never looking back. I locked my door and hid in my bed. Thankfully, my room is soundproof. I won’t be hearing anything that's ever happening downstairs.
I stared at the door, praying no one would enter forcibly.
Rjin… he won’t kill his brother, right?
- Writer
