The Glossy Eyes

Chapter 54: Guardian Devil

Alannah sat quietly beside Nathaniel's hospital bed, her eyes fixed on his peaceful sleeping form. The doctor had just left, assuring her that Nathaniel's head trauma was minor and would heal with time. A sigh escaped her lips as she reached out and delicately traced her finger along his hand, marveling at the strength and vulnerability it represented.

Realizing that she needed to update their friend Amy on the situation, Alannah reluctantly rose from her seat, careful not to disturb Nathaniel's slumber. She tiptoed out of the room, closing the door gently behind her.

To her surprise, she found Adrian standing in the hallway, munching on a sandwich with an air of nonchalance. Alannah couldn't help but chuckle softly to herself at the sight. Despite the gravity of the situation, Adrian's carefree demeanor reminded her of his eccentric nature.

Adrian looked up, a mischievous glint in his eyes, as he spotted Alannah. "Well, look who's finally out of her vigil," he teased, taking another bite of his sandwich.

Alannah shook her head, smiling. "You're something else, Adrian," she remarked affectionately. "But you're a good guy, deep down, even if your mind tends to wander."

Adrian shrugged, a playful glimmer in his eyes. "Loose screws and all, right? Can't be boring in this life."

Alannah took a seat beside Adrian, her gaze focused on him with genuine curiosity. She couldn't help but wonder about his deep-rooted concern for Nathaniel. Leaning in slightly, she posed her question softly, "Adrian, do you really care about Nathaniel that much?"

A bittersweet smile tugged at the corners of Adrian's lips as he met her gaze. "He's the only family I have left," he admitted, his voice carrying a touch of sadness. "My father passed away from cancer, and my mother died during childbirth. Nathaniel became my guardian, my older brother. But eventually, I decided to forge my own path, leaving him behind."

Adrian's eyes flickered with memories of their shared past, and he continued, "I kept an eye on him from a distance, just to ensure he was safe. Nathaniel was never meant for this life of danger and chaos. He deserves something simple, something ordinary. But he got tangled in this web, and he's been doing his best to navigate it. Everyone fears him, but he's also incredibly lonely, never letting anyone get too close."

He turned his gaze to Alannah, his expression softening. "But then you came along," he whispered. "You broke through that protective shell he had built around himself. He approached you on his own, talked to you, let you in. That's why I looked into your life, to make sure you were safe. To make sure you were not a danger to him."

Alannah listened intently, her heart swelling with a mixture of gratitude and love for Nathaniel. She couldn't help but appreciate the care and concern Adrian had shown, despite their initial differences. Meeting Adrian's gaze, she said with sincerity, "I love him so much."

A warm smile graced Adrian's face as he nodded, his eyes reflecting understanding. "I know," he replied softly. "And the way you reacted when you saw him, it was clear to me. Your love for him shines brightly."

"Nate's lucky to have a guardian angel like you," she said, her eyes sparkling.

Adrian gasped dramatically, his hand pressed against his chest. "An angel? Me? Oh no, my dear," he responded, his tone filled with mock surprise. "I am more of a devil. A charming and mischievous one, of course."

Alannah giggled at his remark, appreciating the lightheartedness he brought into the room. "Well, then I guess Nate has a guardian devil," she teased, her eyes gleaming with amusement.

"Anyway, I need to tell you something, Alannah."

Alannah's smile slowly faded as Adrian's expression turned serious. Her curiosity piqued, she looked at him intently and asked, "What is it, Adrian? What did you find?"

Adrian took a deep breath, his eyes filled with a mixture of concern and empathy. "I didn't want to pry into your past, Alannah, but I felt it was necessary to find some answers," he began, his voice gentle yet tinged with unease. "I looked into the incident involving your parents."

Alannah's heart skipped a beat, her breath catching in her throat. She held her breath, waiting anxiously for Adrian to continue.

After a momentary pause, Adrian continued, "I discovered that your parents were killed by a gang. It wasn't a random act of violence or a simple drug deal gone wrong. It was a targeted act of revenge."

Alannah's eyes widened, tears welling up as a mix of shock, grief, and anger washed over her. "Revenge? But... why? For what?" she managed to utter, her voice trembling.

Adrian shook his head, his expression filled with genuine regret. "I don't have all the details yet, Alannah. I wish I did. But I promise you, I will do everything in my power to find out the truth. You deserve to know why this happened, to find closure."

Tears streamed down Alannah's cheeks as she struggled to process the weight of the revelation. She felt a mixture of sorrow for her parents' tragic fate and a burning determination to seek justice for them.

"Thank you, Adrian," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "Thank you for uncovering this, even if it's painful. I need to know the truth, and I appreciate your support."

Adrian reached out and placed a comforting hand on Alannah's shoulder. "You're not alone in this, Alannah. You have got Nathaniel and I hate to say this but 30% of me as well."

With a grateful nod, Alannah slowly made her way back into Nathaniel's hospital room. As she sat by his side, watching his peaceful sleeping form, she couldn't help but let her tears flow, her hand gently gripping his, seeking solace in his presence. She rested her other hand on his arm, feeling the warmth and strength that emanated from him.

Silent tears rolled down Alannah's cheeks as she let herself grieve for her parents and the pain they had endured. In the quietness of the room, she allowed herself to cry, releasing the pent-up emotions that had overwhelmed her.

Nathaniel stirred from his slumber, he felt a damp sensation on his arm. His eyes slowly fluttered open, and he turned his gaze towards Alannah, who sat beside him, her tears silently falling. Concern etched across his face, he gently lifted her chin, his touch tender and reassuring.

"What's wrong, my love?" he asked, his voice filled with both worry and affection.

Alannah hesitated for a moment, her mind weighing the decision of whether to share Adrian's findings with Nathaniel in his fragile state. Ultimately, she decided to protect him from the burden for now. She mustered a smile, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, and replied, "I missed you so much. That's why I was crying."

Nathaniel's lips curled into a soft smile, his fingers gently brushing away the tears that stained her cheeks. "You missed me that much, huh?" he chuckled softly, his voice laced with tenderness. "But I was only sleeping, my love."

Alannah pouted playfully, her voice tinged with a mix of teasing and longing. "That's precisely why I missed you even more," she whispered, her eyes sparkling with affection.

Nathaniel's heart swelled with love for the woman before him. He reached out to caress her cheek, his touch conveying both comfort and adoration. "I missed you too, Alannah. More than words can express."