Bound by Affection

Chapter Eight

Briella and Asher were greeted by an attendant as they got inside the restaurant.

"We'd like a seat away from the window." Asher said and they were directly ushered at the back room of the establishment.

A waiter came in shortly.Briella told him her orders followed by Asher's own choice of meal.

"And please take note,my girlfriend has a very severe food allergy. Let the chef know and make sure there is no mix-ups of anything that has peanuts in what we ordered." Asher said.

"Alright. I'll make sure that's all taken cared of." The boy assured. "Would that be all?" he asked.

"Yes, we're good. Thank you." Asher answered.

"We could have had a greater view by the window" Briella began.

"If we're by the window, you'd be more prone to danger since we're openly exposed. Do you get what I mean?" he stared at her expectantly.

"It's really hard to think about this seriously. Out of all people, I'm the one who's worrying about a killer on my back, there are worst people than me you know? This doesn't seem real at all. I feel like I'm dreaming all this up." she confessed.

"Your family has money Briella. That could be one of the reason why, or if This Arturo guy wants to get even with what you've done, he could certainly post someone to go after you."

"But the men who kidnapped me don't want money. They want me dead. Which makes Mr. Arturo our only lead. But what if it turns out that it's not him sending people for me? I seriously don't even know who would want me dead." She looked around as people began to fill the restaurant. "Why can't I just have a normal life like these poeple." She muttered.

"Your father is an influential person. I could think of a few reasons why people are out to get you from that alone." Asher said as he surveyed the people  who arrived to take their breakfast as well.  "And you never know how normal these people's lives are. Look at that woman, she's struggling."

Briella followed Asher's line of sight. "She looks perfectly fine to me."

"Look closer Briella." He frowned. "Can you see how she looks at the man beside her? She's terrified. Look at those bruises on her jaw." As Briella stared longer at the couple,she did notice the little things that seemed uncommon.
The man had grabbed her arm too harshly as he dragged her to sit on the most corner side of the room while the woman only bowed down passively.
He began talking harshly as she sink lower into her seat.

"Do you notice how he handles her? " Asher asked.

"He seems abusive. What do you think is he saying?" She asked.

Asher stood up.

"What are you doing?" Briella was alarmed.

"Bri, in these cases,learn not to be a bystander. She needs help."

"Don't make a scene." Briella stood and brought her hands against his chest. She then noticed a few people had turned their heads to look at them.

"Relax. You don't want people looking at us,do you?" He kissed her forehead.

"I don't think it would be good if you approach them all of the sudden." she said.

"Don't worry Bri, I won't. Sit down and continue with your food."

"What are you going to do? " She looked at him curiously.

"I'm going to talk to the manager and notify them about the matter. I'd ask them to call the police if the situation gets out of hand. Don't wait for me when the food arrives."