Chapter 41 Confronting Lilac's Tears
Realizing he was coming with her, Lilac went pale.
“Is that necessary?, ” she asked him. All the hair on her skin rose sharply when she realized he would be wit her all night in her small studio apartment could she get out of this? This was a man who had pulled a gun on her not too long ago, now he had easily killed someone else. Obviously he did not have any moral dilemma with taking a life. Lilac did not believe she was special and would escape him. In fact, she was sure he hated her guts for this marriage and wanted her dead. She would be actually stupid if she let him take her home.
"I mean, a hotel, an Airbnb, there are option!" She said.
“All of which I am no sure can be tracked. But you have many homes that even your family do not know. The last place anyone expects me to be is with you. I am only spending the night in the least expected place, your studio apartment. This night, my men will clean house and take out suspicious people. All my homes are not safe to sleep in tonight. Besides, i already know where you live, you know. I can just appear at night? ” he asked and she bit her lips and looked down at her feet.
“I insist, ” he said.
She nodded and allowed him to lead the way to the parking space. Even though the parking space was greatly lit, she could not reduce the absolute fear she felt to be alone in his presence at this moment.
What if he does something to her on her way home? What if she never gets home? This was a man who threatened to kill her a moment a go. She was not safe with him!
She followed him up to his car and hesitated before getting in.
At first the drive was silent, until he reminded her she had yet to tell him where she lived.
“Now someone is out to kill me, obviously you, my wife are also a target. You know that it would be too dangerous for you to live alone, right?” he asked and she began to tremble slightly. Her mind raced. Was there any way she could get out of this? She wondered. She felt he might use that gun while she slept tonight.
Eric glanced at her still form once in a while. He could tell she was panicking despite being utterly still.
“Calm down, for God’s sake, I won’t kill you,” he said in frustration. He was not sure what he wanted from her. He was obviously excited by her fear, yet bothered by it. He was the one who had pulled a gun to threaten her and yes, he knew he meant every word he had said when he first threatened to kill her, but he had changed her mind. Seeing her fear now peaked and about to burst, he was annoyed.
“You believe in God?” she blurted and his cold gaze swept over her.
“Your mouth is really quick, isn’t it? It moves before you brain can keep up,” he said.
“I’m sorry,” Lilac lowered her head. He was right. She did not know why she had said it. She regretted it the moment she utter those words. Is that she had not died fast enough so she is looking for faster ways to see her coffin?
“I won’t kill you, okay? At least for now, I dont think you are involved with those trying to kill me,” he said.
“Really?” she asked.
“Really,” he said, and even if she did not believe him, she found herself breaking into a tears. Her tears came out of nowhere, making him frustrated and panicked at the same time.
“I thought you were really brave, but who knew you were not?” Eric tried finding words to convince her, but her cries only got louder.
“You are lying, you are taking me back to kill,” Lilac cried loudly. She could no more keep up her brave front as all her tall walls collapsed and she cried like a child. Her crying bothered him so much, it felt as though his chest was about to explode. His legs came down on the brakes and he immediately turned to her.
“I swear I won’t kill you tonight, okay? Stop crying,” he told her.
“So you will kill me tomorrow night?” she cried even harder. He had said so many words, yet, no matter how much he said, her tears came down like rain. He was so frustrated that he got out of the car, slamming the door shut and stood outside to calm his nerves. After a while, he heard her crying stop and got back into the car.
He was uncomfortable, he dared not look her way for fear that he would see her wooden form again. It was a long silent ride, but soon, his car stopped in front of her apartment building. He found somewhere to park before getting out. She nervously came out after him and thanked him in a small voice before starting to walk inside. It did not take long for her to notice that he was following her. She turned around to find him trailing behind her and she paused.
“You don't really need to stay with me, do you?” she told him, hoping he would go back.
“I am only staying the night, Lilac lead the way,” he said, “Or do you not want me to come in because you have hidden something I am not allowed to see?” he asked dangerously and she gritted her teeth led him inside. They got onto the elevator and started making their way up, the more the elevator rose, the more her fear peaked.
“Don’t let your imagination run wild,” he said to her nervous form now trying to open the door.
“You insist on coming in, yet you say I should not let my imagination go wild,” she muttered. She entered the apartment and he closed the door behind them. He looked around the small space and back at her. There was barely anyplace to stand. There was at most a small couch by the corner and a bed right next to it. It was a studio apartment. She dared not relax.
“It’s small,” he commented.
“I apologize,” she answered under her breath but he still heard her. He went a head and sat on the couch and looked back at her. She stood there and waited for him to speak.
“Go and get ready for bed,” he said and she became a block of ice.