Chapter 41 — Shot

A few days had passed, and I was avoiding him like the plague. After that day, I didn't speak to him a single word. Whenever he comes to talk, I just make an excuse. He waited for me at the dining table, but I preferred my breakfast or dinner in my room. And it hurt him.

But it was the best way I could save myself from getting hurt. I didn't want to think about him. He was a heartless man. How could he believe in others instead of me? Was I nothing to him? Was I so mean to him? And I was such an idiot who fell for him. I loved him, but he would never feel the same.

Since Henry went to Florence for his business, I decided to have my breakfast downstairs. When I entered the dining room, my eyes widened to see the person who was sitting on the chair. "You were…" I quieted and walked in silently. He looked at me with the same surprise on his face, but he quickly erased it away.

"I'm glad to see you here," Henry said softly and expected me to reply to him.

But I didn't accept his greeting and sat down on the chair silently. Jessica came out and placed the breakfast tray on the table before disappearing into the kitchen. The dead silence filled the room. Henry didn't even take a bite of his food, only stuck his fork into the piece of chicken. And the entire time, his eyes fixed on me like a magnet. "Why are you avoiding me, Alice? Talk to me."

I kept my eyes on the food. "There is nothing to talk about between us," I said roughly.

"You are still mad at me?" He rubbed his temple in frustration. What do you mean, still mad at you? "I didn't know that day was your birthday, and if I knew that, I wouldn't have taken you there. I'm sorry, Alice." He held my hand. "Please forgive me." His eyes were soft like he meant every word that came from his mouth.

I snatched my hand and stood up to leave before the tears escaped from my eyes. I didn't want him to see my pain. Before I could walk away, he quickly grabbed my arm. "Say something! I can't tolerate your fucking silence, Alice! Please."

"I need some time, Henry." My voice came out in a whisper.

The disappointment witnessed on his face; he sighed. "Ok, you can take as much time as you want, but let me take you to dinner tonight. We haven't spent time together for a long time," he said and I frowned. Did he care? "Since I forgot your birthday, I want to do something special for you, Alice. Don't refuse me." I stared into his eyes. He was begging me. After a few seconds, I nodded in agreement and his lips formed into a smile. "Thank you."

*****

"Ok bye." I kissed Harley and sat her in the car.

"Bye, Princess," she said and placed a small kiss on my left cheek. I straightened my body and passed a small smile to Vivian before leaving. I pulled out my phone to call Joseph. Henry had asked me for dinner and I couldn't refuse him. He looked incredibly sad and I couldn't see him in pain. I wanted to arrive home as soon as possible because I was already getting late for dinner.

Suddenly, a loud bang broke out in the air, and I jolted with noise. My body went to cower in fear when I realized what was happening. The sound of gunshots filled the air.

"Alice, move!" Vivian screamed at the top of his lungs. "Alice!"

And the next moment he grabbed my waist and jumped to the ground immediately. Another loud bang occurred and our body slammed onto the hard ground. A few seconds passed, and we didn't move from our place, but after a second. Bang! And the blood drained from my face and neck. "Vivian, you got a shot," I cried out and gazed at him with horror.

His face turned red and his eyes got red and moist. He breathed heavily, enduring the severe pain in his back. I heard one more sound: a gunshot. But before it was long-lasting, Vivian immediately pulled out his gun from his pocket and fired several shots, each shot hitting his target. I could see there were three men around us. He was tearing them limb from limb. "Fuck off."

"Vivian, stop now!" I stopped him because we didn't have enough time to fight. He had taken a bullet in his back. If we would waste a few more minutes, then it could risk his life. "Get up, we don't have time for this."

I quickly stood up and helped him to stand up. I hung one hand around my neck so that I could support his body. He was groaning in pain. I hurriedly opened the car door and sat him carefully. I glanced at Harley. She was busy on her phone, wearing headphones. Thank God that she had seen nothing.

I took a deep breath before starting the car. I still couldn't believe that someone had tried to kill me. God, what had happened five minutes ago? My heart was throbbing as if it would come out, and my body was shuddering with terror. I kept glancing at Vivian, and his condition was getting worse with every second.

After ten minutes of driving, we arrived at his house. "Princess," Harley blurted out. "You also come with us."

I glanced at her over my shoulder. "Um, yeah." I gave her a forceful smile.

"So, will we have fun together?" She asked excitedly. I nodded and waited for her to climb off because I didn't want her to see her father in this condition. "Where is dad?" She poked her head between the seats, but before she could see anything Rose arrived on time.

"Harley, come out quickly. I made your favorite cookies," she said while opening the car door.

"Cookies!" Her eyes glittered with joy, and she quickly got out of the car.

"Vivian, don't sleep." I shook him. He had already lost a lot of blood. "Vivian, please open your eyes."

"Hmm," he groaned, his eyes still closed.

After a few minutes, a man in a black suit came near the door where Vivian was sitting. He seemed to like his doctor. "Help me," he said, and I opened the door and helped him to lift.

He got him into his room and laid him down on the bed carefully. "He lost a lot of blood." My voice was barely audible. I couldn't form a word seeing him like that. His condition was serious. He took a shot himself to save my life. If anything would happen to him, I could never forgive myself. I put my hand on my mouth to stop myself from sobbing. "I can't see him like that."

"Don't worry, it wasn't his first time. He has already taken many gunshots on his body. He fell unconscious because he had lost a lot of blood. Now please, can you go out?" he asked politely, and I gave him a nod before walking out of the room.

*****

Harley had fallen asleep and I was waiting outside Vivian's room. Four hours had passed, and I didn't get any news about him. My stomach knotted due to fear.

Suddenly the door creaked open, and the doctor stepped out. I reached for him. "How is he?"

He sighed. "It is very soon to say his condition is stable because he has lost lots of blood. I've given him a blood transfusion and fixed his wound. We'll know his condition only after a few hours. Be positive." He nodded. "And take care of him," he said and walked away.

I entered his room. He was in deep sleep and his shoulder wrapped in bandages. IV attached to his arm and monitor beside his bed. I sat down on a chair, looking at him. He was in this condition because of me. If he had not saved me, perhaps I would have been in his place.

Hours had passed, but he was still unconscious. What would I tell Harley if she asked for her dad in the morning? And again, Ava would blame me for her brother's condition. I held his hand. "Vivian, please wake up. Please don't let me down again," I whispered and wiped away my tears, and rested my head on his bed.

*****

"Alice." I heard a masculine voice. "Alice," he called me again.

I lifted my eyes at him and found a familiar man. My eyes bugged out when I recognized him. "Vivian, you awake." I rubbed my eyes to make my view clear. I couldn't believe he was sitting right in front of me. I touched his shoulder. "You're fine?" It was real. I quickly jumped on his bed and hugged him tightly. "You scared me to death dammit!"

He hugged me back. "I'm fine, Alice. Stop crying now." I could feel a smile in his voice. "Where is Harley?"

I pulled myself back and looked at him. "She is in her…" before I could complete my word the door slammed open and I jumped back.

I turned my head to the door, looking at the person. "Henry," I whispered, meeting his furious eyes.

Shit! I forgot about him, about his dinner.

His eyes trailed down over my body before he stared into my eyes. I was in Vivian's shirt. My dress was covered in blood, so I changed into his shirt last night. Now I am regretting it. I swallowed hard as I waited for him to burst into anger. I expected him to shout at me and come to me and grasp my arm, but he stepped back from the room and walked away immediately. And this was more dangerous than his hot-cold anger.

"Henry!" I got out of the room and ran after him, but he had already approached the exit door. He was furious at me. "Henry, what you're thinking there is nothing like that."

I rushed out of the house, but before I could catch him, his car crossed me at full speed.