31: The Night She Doesn't Want to Talk to Strangers
Emil's POV
"Signor Carini, your meeting with Signor Sebastian will start in 5 minutes." Martina buzzed in my intercom while I was in the office drowned in my thoughts. My conversation with Em last night brought brutal honesty that had been inside my head for so long.
"Okay. I'll be there." I replied still thinking about what I have said last night. Damn Em for pushing my buttons. I see her as my little sister and with her strong- minded personality, she can kick my ass sometimes or she can easily annoy me. It frustrated me that she got it out of me when I have been keeping that feeling to myself. It made me sadder now remembering that it has been a long time since Biya and I broke up but I was still aching. It made me pathetic. I am pathetic. I signed the paper angrily, pressing the pen harder on the paper. I huffed out a breath as I finished. I set the pen down, let a breath trying to relax and leaned back on my chair. I should be happy for Biya. I am happy for her. It's just that I feel like she needs to be happier. I don't know why I have thought of that but there's something missing. I saw her bright and beautiful smile last night and she looked happy. I ached to be beside her but I can't do that. I wouldn't do that. That's immoral. I can look from afar wishing we're never apart. It's my fault I messed this up and she didn't give me any more chance. It gave me more pain as I saw her near me yet I cannot be in the same group as her. I knew to myself I cannot go near her as people might begin speculating about us again. We speak through text and that's it. Those text messages were about her brother. But even though we only text each other to speak about Dante, it gave me comfort knowing she's okay. It gave me assurance that she is happy. Her texts kept me going. I really am a pathetic guy. Em told me it's sad, pathetic and unhealthy for me to be like this but I cannot help it. I cannot move on even if I want to. Do I want to move on? To be honest, I don't. I still love her and love won't go away. I tried finding someone or something to ease the pain but whenever I try, it made me more depressed and hurt. So now, I was begging for scraps; tiny pieces from Biya. Her texts were the tiny pieces I have been keeping and I won't throw that away. I have given her protection knowing there are still dangers lurking around the corner. It gave me security knowing that my men are watching out for her. Gio's security team have pulled out once the media stopped bothering her but I still wanted to keep her protected. I was jerked back from my thoughts when my phone started to ring. I looked at it and it was Marcus.
"Yes?"
"Sir, this is an update. I heard Miss Beatrice shout upstairs." He informed and I stiffened, gripping the phone tightly in my hand.
"Is she okay? Why aren't you with her if she's in trouble?" I asked as I stood up from my seat.
"We haven't heard a commotion, sir. We cannot intervene because it is a personal matter. Perhaps, it is a common misunderstanding like before."
"Before? What do you mean by before? Why didn't you tell me this?"
"I'm sorry, I didn't tell you this, sir. I thought it wouldn't matter because they had an argument and it's normal for couples to fight."
"What happened?"
"They had an argument; she temporarily moved out of her apartment and went back to the Moretti residence. She came back to her apartment after her brother's show."
"Do you know why she did that?"
"Unfortunately, sir, no." I sighed in disappointment.
"Okay. What are they doing now?"
"The shouts coming from her window are getting louder, sir. We should check up on her upstairs." He suggested.
"Do that."
"Okay sir." I heard his reply before I heard him order his men to go to Biya's apartment. I heard the shuffling and loud footsteps coming from the other side of the line.
"We're here, sir." I let out a breath of relief at Marcus' information.
"Good."
"Their voices are muffled here since we are enclosed by walls but they are definitely arguing."
"If you notice or hear Biya in distress and in need of help or if you hear him hurt her, don't hesitate to enter their apartment and help her, understand?" I ordered him. This was trespassing but I'll break the rules just to protect her. It's a bad move but I have to do it. I need to do it.
"Yes sir." I didn't hang up as I was too worried for her and I wanted to make sure she's fine. A moment later, I heard Marcus curse.
"What is it?" He didn't answer me, instead, he ordered someone to do something.
"Get ready to pick the lock!" I heard him bark an order.
"What's happening?"
"We heard a loud thud, sir. I think Biya fell down on the floor. If anything happens, we're going in." He said and my heart stopped. My chest felt heavy and I cannot breathe. I was now really concerned. There was an urge to help her and I can't stop it. I have to be there. God knows what's happening to her. I thought that man was best for her with his title and his good behavior.
"I'll be there." I swore in my life I would protect her. I grabbed my keys and put my wallet in my pocket before going out of my office.
"Martina, cancel the meeting. I have an urgent matter that just came in. Tell Signor Sebastian that I am sorry for cancelling the meeting. Reschedule it." I instructed my secretary who was now taking notes with everything I have said.
"Yes sir. Do you need my assistance?" She offered her help.
"I'll call you." I said and went to the garage. I hurriedly got into my car and drove to Biya's apartment, my tires screeching as I left my building. I should not have taken my SUV to work. Driving it agitated me as it wasn't as fast as my other sports cars. Damn it. I came into an abrupt stop as I arrived at Biya's apartment building. I grabbed my baseball cap and fake glasses from the backseat, wore them then I went out of the car.
"Mi scusi, Signor. What do you need?" The security stopped me.
"Who are you?"
"One of the security team of Beatrice Kairis... sir." I told him.
"Ah! Yes. They're upstairs. Do you need help?"
"I'll talk to you when we need one." I replied and he nodded at me before he let me in.
"Thanks." I jogged towards the elevator. I clicked it a few times wanting to be there for Biya as soon as possible. The elevator finally dinged and I rushed inside. I took my glasses off and put them in my breast pocket. I pushed the close button instantly not wanting to wait for other people to come in. I was reaching Biya's floor when Jasper called. I prayed to God that Biya was fine and I was very nervous as I answered.
"Sir. She's hurt." My knees went weak and I began to get angry again. I breathed large amounts of air as I tried controlling myself from bursting out. The car stopped and it opened. I was greeted with silence and I knew the fight was over. I rushed to her room gripping my phone tightly in my hand as my blood boiled just imagining what Zeke has done to Biya.
"Where is he?! I swear to God, if he hurt her, he'll regret it." My voice was raw and loud. Entering her room, my eyes instantly landed at a fear- stricken Biya, tears still flowing. My heart broke at the sight and she blinked multiple times before there was recognition drawn on her face. Then, she looked like she was in pain and she clutched her stomach. That son of a bitch.
"Emil..." She croaked and she began to cry harder. My hands were trembling, aching to go to Biya to check on her but Jasper was already beside her. She was applying an ice bag on her face and I got angrier. I looked to my left and my men were at the corner with a grim expression in their faces.
"Where is he?" I asked Marcus who was standing in front of his group. He stepped aside and he revealed a bloody Zeke. I marched towards him, my jaw tight and my hands forming into tight fists. I might break my phone if I put more pressure in it. I put my phone inside my pocket and tilted my head at Zeke trying to challenge him. He looked at me, coughed and spit some blood on the floor. He looked at me as if I was a joke and he began to laugh. Without waiting any second, I swung my right hand to him and punched him on the cheek. He groaned in pain and I wanted to hit him again.
"I told you, Beatrice. He still loves you." He managed to say and I prepared to punch him again but Marcus stopped me.
"Enough sir. We'll do this in a legal way. Calm down. If you want to talk to her, talk to her now. Should we call the police or are we going to take this matter into our own hands?" He said in a low voice. I looked at Biya again and he was looking at Zeke in horror.
"I'll ask her what she wants to do with him." He raised a brow at me as if he was asking if I can ask her. Honestly, I can't.
"Can you do it? She might not want to speak with you?" I faced the reality of the situation. It was best for me to not face her after what had happened. Thinking about the circumstances, she might think that I was here like an opportunistic seller tricking a clueless customer. If ever she thinks of me that way, I will do my best to prove her wrong. I knew she has trust issues because of how she grew up in the streets. It's a very hard life. If Zeke ever thought of her using him for her position in the hospital, it's his big loss. She would never do that. Biya is a person who works hard to get what she wants. She believes that there are no shortcuts when it comes to success and she always does her own thing to achieve her goals in life.
"Jasper will do it. Miss Beatrice seems comfortable with him helping her." I nodded at Marcus' suggestion. Marcus proceeded on telling Jasper what we want Biya to answer. Marcus came back to me stealing a glance at Zeke who was still groaning in pain. I noticed that there were scratches on his face and neck and if ever Biya sues him, she will win the case with all the eyewitnesses. My men were the witnesses and I will make sure he will pay for what he has done. Marcus stood beside me while Jasper went to talk to Biya. I kept on looking at her in worry and Marcus nudged his elbow lightly on my stomach.
"What?"
"You're making her uncomfortable. Stop staring." He whispered and I sighed.
"Fine." I looked away.
"She doesn't know what to do." Jasper informed us as soon as they finished talking.
"Why?"
"His mom is the boss of the hospital she's working in." I connected the dots.
"So, we're going to let him go?" Marcus looked at me disapprovingly.
"I don't want to let him go too. Ask if she wants to report it to the police."
"I asked her that already. She said she doesn't know what to do. Perhaps, we should give her time to breathe." Jasper suggested and I looked at Marcus.
"Well, if that's what she wants, we're going to give it to her." Marcus said.
"I don't like this." I said.
"Yes. Me too." Marcus agreed with a sigh.
"I'm over here. I can hear you." Our attention went to Biya who was now putting ice bag on her stomach. Her cheeks were reddish in color and I suspected that he might have slapped Biya. I also saw her neck turning red and some in a darker shade of blue now. I clenched my fists together now seeing Biya being choked to death by Zeke. He'll regret this. I swear.
"How are you feeling?" I was surprised by how calm my voice was.
"I'll be fine. Elda will be home any minute now and she's take care of me. I'm a doctor. She's a doctor. I'll be fine." She said not looking at me while waving a hand at us like this was nothing. This was nothing. Dio! If this is not the first time he hurt her, I will ruin him.
"And please leave. I want to be alone right now. I'm really uncomfortable with you, guys, in my apartment. You're strangers to me." I thought she shot an arrow right into my chest. She's making us leave. We're strangers. I'm a stranger.
"I don't mean to sound rude but I really want to be alone right now. I- I'll talk to you when I'm feeling better. Thank you for helping me. You saved me from him." She shot Zeke a hateful glare.
"Please take him away. Uhm... I think I'm going to file a case. I- I'll think about it."
"We should do it now, Miss Beatrice. This is the perfect moment to report him to the police with all the marks you have made on him to defend yourself. I'll help you if you want." Marcus offered and man I will forever thank him for understanding and helping me with this kind of situation.
"Really? You would do that?" Her face had hope in them and a small smile crept on my face.
"Of course, Miss Beatrice. This man needs to learn his lesson."
"Then, please report him now. Do whatever you can do now so it will be easier."
"Of course, Miss. I'll do it right away. I'm calling the police." He fished his phone out of his pocket and began to call the police. He moved away from me and began to report this incident.
"We should take you to the hospital." I can't help myself anymore. I blurted my concern out and Biya finally looked at me. There was a look of uncertainty in her eyes.
"It will be better if you know you don't have any internal bleeding." I added and she contemplated before answering.
"Okay... I guess." She looked down on the floor, her fingers playing with the ice bag that was still on her stomach.
"We should drive you there right now." Jasper said and so we all agreed to take Biya to the hospital while Marcus and the other men will take Zeke to the police station. After Biya's check- up, if she's clear to get out of the hospital, we will go to the police station to report and Biya will give her statement. We moved swiftly and a few minutes later, we were on the move. We were getting out of the elevator when Jasper approached me.
"Miss Beatrice wants to talk to you, sir." He informed me and I quickly nodded. He joined his men and I saw the security team being surprised with what they were seeing. They might think we beat Zeke while he was in Biya's apartment. As if Marcus can read my mind, he approached one of the guards and started talking to them. Then, I saw the ambulance stop in front of the main door so I rushed to Biya's side to talk to her. She was looking down while she walked and she was lucky no one has bumped into her yet.
"Is there a problem... Biya?" I asked nervous. My palms were clammy and I began sweating.
"I- I don't want to be... uhm... rude." She stuttered and I saw that she was crying again.
"It's okay. We understand. You can tell us everything." I refrained myself from letting her beautiful name roll out of my tongue.
"I don't want to see you here right now. I know this is really demanding and I'm sorry." She looked at me for a brief second before she looked away again.
"Wa- why?" It broke my heart into millions of pieces again and I can't even reattach my whole heart without Biya.
"Because this is too much for me. I just got away from Zeke and here you are again. Just please give me space. I know they were your guards that had saved me but this is enough for one day. Please. I don't want to see you right now, Emil. It's too much for me. I can't take it." She pleaded at me, her cheeks being stained by her tears.
"Okay. I will." I said.
"Goodbye Biya. I'm sorry if this came to you by surprise. We just want to help. I'll see to it that Marcus will take care of everything." She didn't look at me as I bade goodbye. It hurt for me to see her this way. I'm sorry I can't let you go...
"Thank you." Her voice was soft and trembling. More tears fell. I didn't want to leave but she wanted this so I'll do it.
"Goodbye." I said again and walked away before the urge to stay with her takes control. Marcus saw me walk out of the door and he nodded at me. I nodded back before I got into my car and drove back to my office.
Hey! Here is the new chapter of the story. Do you like it? What are your thoughts about it? Feel free to comment. Please vote also. It will mean so much to me if you do. Thank you very much!
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