Chapter 135 FACE-TO-FACE
\[BRIDGE\]
Drexton stood at the edge of the bridge, eyes fixed on his ruin. Her note. He didn't know how, but he found himself coming to the bridge after he saw Ixora. Also, he knew Maddox and Jaxon would follow him.
He said he'd find her no matter where she was hiding. He would apologize and make amends. He'd show that he'd grown past his hate. But he couldn't face her, couldn't look her in the eyes.
He has no idea if she hates him. She didn't give him that opportunity to read her eyes. She looked...different, like she had finally embraced the part of herself she had tried to erase, the part he wanted her to be.
As he stared at the note, he realized the meaning behind it. Out of his life, and his chaos, to go and transform herself.
The breeze hit his skin, deep and chilling.
It will rain tonight.
As if hearing his thought, thunder rumbled in the sky accompanied by a heavy breeze.
Drexton folded the paper and wanted to put it in his pocket when the heavy breeze knocked the paper into the pool.
"No!" He tried to catch it but failed.
No second thought, he jumped above the bridge.
Someone held his hand from above, stopping him.
Instantly, he froze, his body reacting to the hand.
His leg dangled in the air as the person gripped him with her second hand.
He raised his head and saw her biting her lips.
"Do you want to die?!" she yelled, increasing her grip on him.
The breeze blew her hair, some entering her mouth, others covering her face.
"Ixora," he said. "The paper." He looked down at the water, the paper soaking and floating on top.
"Keep quiet!" She yelled and began pulling him.
Eyes shut, face squeezed, arms stretched, but she was able to pull him up.
Pushing the hair off her face, she faced him with a cold glare.
"Have you gone mad?! Do you want to die because of a piece of paper?!"
Their clothes stuck to their bodies because of the wind.
"How did you find me?" Drexton asked, his eyes locked on her.
"I have been watching your every move," she replied.
"Why did you save my life? You've saved me countless times. I know you were the one who took me to the hospital."
"You saved me in the past. It is my way of returning the favor," she replied, staring into his eyes.
Drexton's gaze hadn't left her eyes. He's trying to read them. To know what she's thinking about him, but just like he was, they can't be read. It's like she's learned how to hide the emotions in her eyes.
Ixora was the first to look away.
"It's high time you take your life seriously. I wouldn't be there to save you again."
"You don't have to appear in my life only to save me. My life is meaningless without you," he said, slowly, like a confession he had been meaning to say.
The breeze has died down, and the weather has brightened a little bit.
Before Ixora could speak, her phone vibrated in her hand.
Dad flashed on the screen.
"Yes, Dad. Do you need..."
"Dad," she called, finding it difficult to hear what he was saying.
The call was breaking.
"Can you hear me?"
The call cut.
She lowered the phone, eyes narrowing in confusion.
She couldn't fully hear what he was trying to tell her, but she could tell it was something serious. He sounded worried.
"What happened?" Drexton noticed, noticing the change in her expression.
"I... I," she dashed off.
Drexton went after her.
\[DR.FELIX HOUSE\]
"Dad, what were you saying over the phone? I c..." The rest of the words hung in her throat when she saw the police in Dr. Felix's house.
They were circling a person whom she supposed was dead because of the white cloth.
Eric stood quietly, looking like someone who wanted to cry.
"Dad, what is going on?" she asked, but got no reply.
"Why are the police here? Where is Dr. Felix? Why is someone covered in a white cloth? Someone should answer my question!"
"How is Dr. Felix related to you?" one of the police officers asked.
Ixora glanced between the cop and Eric.
Why are they asking her that question? That question should only be asked... no
She shook her head, waving out any negative thoughts. Her heart sank, and cold shivers ran down her spine.
"Dad..." she trailed, meeting his eyes.
He looked away, avoiding her gaze.
Her eyes traveled to the person who was covered in the cloth.
Quickly, she ran to the person and lifted the cloth.
Her eyes widened, color drained from her face, her finger trembled around the cloth as she couldn't take her eyes away from the body.
"No!!!" she screamed, kneeling beside Dr. Felix's body. "Dr. Felix, who did this to you? Why are you lying here? Why are you covered in blood?" She shook his body, tears sliding down her cheeks.
"Somebody talk to me. How did he end up like this? What happened to him?!"
"Miss, you have to control yourself. We have some questions to ask you," the cop said.
"Questions? You want to ask me some questions when you haven't answered mine?!"
"Your answer would be needed for the investigation. It's a case of murder. We got a call from someone asking us to come here because they had witnessed a murder. By the time we got here, there was no one, just him in the pool of his blood."
"Why didn't you rush him to the hospital! You could have saved his life!" she asked, sobbing deeply.
The cop shook his head. "By the time we arrived, he had already moved on."
"No. This can't be real." She sniffled, still shaking Dr. Felix's body. "You supported us and helped us with our plan. We are this close to achieving our aim. Don't you want to see us come out victorious? You can't leave us. You just can't!"
Eric held her shoulder. "Get up." He began helping her up.
"No, Dad. They have to bring him back. He doesn't deserve to die," she cried, wrapping her arm around his shoulder.
From the door, Drexton stood silently watching everything that was happening. He had no idea who the man was, and what important role he was playing in Ixora's life.
Eric's gaze traveled towards him, and their eyes met for the first time.
Drexton's phone popped up with a text notification.
He checked. It was from an unknown number.
Unknown: You've seen what happened to your lover's supporter. I'm sure you want to know the person behind it. We've got some scores to settle. Come and see me, or else Ixora suffers the same fate as the man.
Drexton read, his eyes going to Ixora. There was a red pointer on her back. He wanted to rush to her, but that would mean alerting everybody, and that's something he didn't want.
He typed back.
~Send the location.
He gave Eric and Ixora one last stare before leaving the house.
Nelly came in with Alexa.
"Ixora," Alexa said.
They darted their gaze around, already understanding what had happened. Besides, Ixora has already told them about Dr. Felix.
"I'm sorry," they said, sharing a hug with Ixora.
When she had calmed down, they broke the hug.
"I wonder who wants him dead. He's a good man," Nelly muttered.
Ixora sniffled and wiped off her tears.
"Only one person is capable of doing this."
"Who?" Alexa asked.
"Nikita."
\[CLIFF\]
Drexton looked around while checking his phone. He was at the exact address, so why is no one there?
He pocketed his phone and fixed his gaze ahead.
The person was playing tricks with him. He's sure he wouldn't have come here if Ixora weren't involved. Though he might, but he wouldn't be the first to arrive, and have someone keep him waiting.
Though at times, he has to do it. He's sure whoever sent the text was the one who buried him alive. Nothing excites him more than knowing his enemies before sending them to hell.
"You are here," a voice said, drifting him back to reality.
He looked further to see someone standing at the base of the cliff.
She jumped down and strode towards him. "You must be very curious to see me."
"Nikita," Drexton muttered through clenched teeth.
Nikita's lips stretched into a smile. "You still remember my name. Not heartbreaking."
She held his arm, trailing her manicured nails along his hand. "I thought you didn't know my name since you never mentioned it when we were schooling."
Drexton took his hand away from her, restraining the urge to cut off her tongue and render her speechless.
"Why did you kill him?"
"Oh, you mean Dr. Felix?" she asked, smirking. "He didn't value his life and family. If he did, betraying me would have been the last option on his to-do list. But he got himself involved in Ixora and her father's business." She drew in a sharp breath and shook her head. "So sad he had to pay with his life."
Drexton took his hand behind him and balled his fist. She tried to harm not only his life but Ixora's too.
"But you know what?" she walked around him in slow steps. "He's just the opening party of the kill I'm planning. The list is not much, but they are important, and one thing I'm sure of." She leaned in, placing her lips centimeters from his ear. "Very dear to you."
"What if I don't allow that?" Drexton asked, meeting her gaze.
"Let me think," she placed her index finger on her chin, pretending to think. "Eric. You." She let out a one-sided smirk. "Ixora."
On saying that, Drexton's hand curled around her neck, her feet left the floor, eyes widened in horror as she gasped for breath.
"D... Rexton." She coughed, kicking her legs, gripping his arm for release.
His veins stretched as he glared at her with a look that screamed death.
She hit his arm, fighting for her life.
"If you want a merciless death, I dare you to touch her."