Chapter Seventy-three

Chapter Seventy-three
Bryan
A lot of things happened since Kacy and I went back to the old life we were trying to get away from, living it all again—the danger, the anxiety, and the regrets. What's more confusing is that we got a new enemy, a guy wearing a Ghostface mask who killed Kacy's grandmother. I know Kacy wanted to avenge her grandma's death, but that man isn't someone we can underestimate. If he could kill Kacy's grandmother, then he might be able to kill us too. There is only one thing I want to do, and that is to protect Kacy no matter what happens.
If only we could run away from everything, but the best way out is always through. If we run away from this, the enemies will only keep hunting us, so it's better to face them. We might need some help. I hope Francis won't be mad if we reconnect with him.
After eating the delicious ramen and dumplings, I picked up my phone and called Francis, while Kacy went to the kitchen with the bowls and plates. I'm glad I didn't delete his number, or else it'd be difficult to reconnect with him.
"Boss?" Francis finally answered, answering my call after two missed calls. "What's up? Why did you call?"
"I'm sorry for disturbing you, man, but it seems like we'll need your help," I said.
"About what?"
"Something happened; there are still enemies chasing after us, and we had to go back."
"What?" Francis asked in a surprised tone. "How? I mean, you got the money; you could have moved to another country and started a new life."
"That was the plan exactly, but it backfired. Those men were so persistent in not letting us go alive, and Kacy's grandmother had just died. I have a hunch that the enemies aren't just ordinary men; they are powerful."
Francis didn't say anything for a while, as if he were thinking. "And you need my help?"
"Right. We need your help. Where are you, by the way?"
"I've moved to my new apartment. I can send you the address if you want to come," Francis replied.
"Alright. We'll go there. Thanks."
"No problem." Francis ended the call.
A few moments later, my phone beeped as I received his message. Kacy came back after washing the dishes. It's getting dark already.
"I've contacted Francis. He's willing to help us," I said.
"I'm glad to know that," Kacy replied. "So, what are we going to do now?"
"He actually sent me the address to his new apartment. He said we can go there."
"Okay. I think I should shower first. I smell bad." She was about to go to the bathroom, but I held her arm, stopping her. "What?" Her right eyebrow raised.
"Shall we shower together?" I winked at her.
"Come on, stop flirting with me, Mister." She wiped my hand off her arm before going to the bathroom.
I sighed. I don't know why romance is so difficult to apply to our relationship. Perhaps those movies I've watched aren't applicable in real life at all. I went outside the mansion, changed the water in the pool, took off my clothes, leaving only my Calvin Klein underwear, and took a swim.
Memories flooded back in my mind like a series of events: the first time Kacy and I saw each other, the bloodbath in this place, the pool turning red with blood, the now, and everything else in between. It gave us all a headache.
I don't really know what happened. I thought after defeating that man who pretended to be Kacy's uncle, everything was over. My dad is already dead too, so it's a big question who those people are who want to kill us. If it were me, I would know danger is always lurking around, but being with Kacy is what gives me worries. I can't afford if something happens to her.
"Nice water, huh?"
I looked back and saw Kacy wearing a white bathrobe and a towel wrapped around her hair. She has changed a lot since the first time we met; she has grown a little taller. She lounged down the pool ledge beside me, dipping her feet in the clear blue water. She has long, curvy legs.
"I just changed the water. It was dirty. I mean literally, it's muddy," I said.
"Thanks for doing that. It's been so long since the last time we were here. A lot of things happened; those men who were here must have left already."
"Perhaps they were the ones who were chasing after us?"
"If they were chasing after us and after my grandmother, then that masked man... he must be related to them, right? And he could be lurking around here. You know, Grandma's place is connected here," Kacy said. Her words made me think.
"That's reasonable. I haven't thought of that. Your grandma's place is not far from here. There's a great possibility that the man chasing her is also here, waiting for the right timing to kill us. I'm not saying this to scare you."
"But you're here to protect me, right, Mr. Bodyguard?" Kacy asked, moving close to me.
"That's right. I'll do everything to protect you, Kacy. No one can hurt you as long as I'm here." I touched her face and haven't prevented the urge to claim her lips.
She responded to my kisses. I devoured her mouth like it belongs to me. She tastes like strawberry. I couldn't let go of her lips until she pushed me away.
"I'm sorry," I apologized.
"It's okay. Just don't be so passionate, or I'll suffocate."
I laughed a little and then faked a cough to clear my throat. "I think we should leave as soon as possible before the enemies can find out that we're here. I don't want more bloodshed on this pool."
"That doesn't sound like you." Kacy stood up. "Actually, I felt something strange when I was in the bathroom, as if someone was watching over me."
"Is that a joke?" I asked, looking at her.
"Just a feeling."
I stood up and touched the side of her neck. "You don't have to be scared as long as I'm with you, Kacy. Nobody can touch you." I kissed her again before bringing her to our room. We changed clothes, and then we went to the room where we kept the guns.
While loading our guns, Kacy and I heard a thump coming from outside. It must be the enemy. I know it's strange how we could stay calm despite the danger lurking around this place. "Shhh... Stay here, Kacy. I'll check what's that."
"No, let me come with you, Bryan," Kacy insisted, so I let her come with me. I led her, checking the surroundings for someone. Then we saw a picture frame shattered on the floor. "Seems like he's here."
The mansion was eerily quiet; we could almost hear the beating of our hearts. The door suddenly opened, and Kacy and I pointed our guns there, but before we could pull the trigger, we realized who it was.