Chapter 84 53

Chapter 84 53

He straightened from his leaned position against the doorframe as I stepped into the hall. My eyes instantly wandered around. My brows creased. Why did he come here? Alone?

I pressed my lips into a thin line and narrowed my eyes at him. He smirked, though it was a hollow one but I relaxed. It meant nothing to worry about.

"Is Duante alright?" I asked.

"More than alright, Mrs Rego." He gestured at the front couch.

I snorted at his bossy gesture but I walked over it and sat down. I held my question back. It would be rude. "Angela didn't come with you?" I asked, drifting my gaze to the door, hoping she would walk in.

"I'm here for a business meeting. It's my usual place to stay. I hope you don't mind, Mrs Rego." He walked forward.

"Until you don't harm me." I flashed my full smile at him.

"I have told you before." He kept his soft smile on his face. Though it was betraying his dark eyes. It was also a relief that his darkness wasn't for me.

I nodded. "How's Angela? You should bring her with you." I told him. I didn't have another topic to discuss with him. Assassin, Ben, Victor no one was around me. They trusted him. But I didn't.

"She wanted to come but our wedding's preparations are keeping her busy, Mrs..."

"Evie." I arched my lips, flashing a full smile, a genuine one this time. Hoping he would get my point. I liked to hear Mrs Rego. But it was getting awkward with him continuously repeating it.

He chuckled. "Mr Rego won't like it."

I rolled my eyes and his smile disappeared. I scolded myself for not carrying my gun with me today. "You're friends. I can see. You wouldn't be here in my husband's absence then. I know he's chasing him out there." My lips flattened. "Don't show me your angry face."

"Does it scare you, Evie?" His eyebrows shot up. My name seemed weird from his mouth as he wasn't even certain. He took the front seat on the couch.

"Poor Angela! Stuck with you." My mind shot a warning, clearly telling me to stop this. He wasn't my husband. "I hope you'll take care of her. You're going to be her world after the wedding. Or I should say you're already."

He laughed, curling his fingers on the couch arm. "I agreed." He got on his feet and stared down at his wrist. "As you know... why I'm here, Mrs... Evie. I should check on the security before attending the meeting." He shoved his hand in his pocket and brought it out with the iPhone. "Here, Duante sent it for you."

I stared at his palm and up at him, not believing. "You're not kidding?" I asked.

I wanted a phone for a long time. I could use the internet and could know everything. Duante never allowed me near any faculty which would lead the stalker to me. It was prohibited in my life.

"Yes, no danger now." He muttered, forwarding his hand.

It showed a lot of things. "Did they catch him?" I asked in a squeal, my big eyes snapped up at him.

He nodded. I took it from him smiling. "I can go back home to my family."

"Yes, if it's safe to travel in your seventh month." He turned, striding over to the door

My cheeks went crimson. I lowered my eyes. A rush of relief washed over my body. I placed my hand on my round stomach and caressed my fingers.

Tears clouded my eyes as I recalled that I couldn't pay much attention to our baby. "I'm so sorry." I muttered to myself in my cracked tone.

"Ma'am," I lifted my chin after hearing a soft voice. Two doctors were staring down at me with a smile.

"Hi," I smiled. They must be here to check on my health before allowing me on the plane. I might have worried about my health but I never neglected it.

"Ma'am boss has..."

I cut her off. "I was waiting for you." I got on my feet and walked over the door of my room for privacy.

"Oh, ok." I heard them as they trudged behind me.

"I'm going home. I haven't seen my niece yet. She must be a cute little doll. My sister, Mini, went through a surgery." I blabbed.

She giggled. "Yes, I've heard about it."

After an hour, I was sitting in the hall. Zara was packing my things. Victor carried the bags out.

Cristiano walked in with Assassin and Ben at his side. He was holding my report. Nervously, I chewed on my bottom lip. I wanted my husband to hold it. I pushed the sadness away before it could affect me. Their feet halted behind the couch.

"Your report is good. As the weather is in our favour today, we're leaving now." Cristiano said softly to me.

"Duante?" I asked, hoping to see him soon.

"He's already in New York." He informed me.

"I wanna talk to him." I lifted my phone.

"The sim card isn't activated yet. Take mine." He took out his phone and dialled a number. "Here," He offered it to me.

I stared at the screen. He already picked it. "Hi," My happy voice sounded in the hall.

"Blackie told me about your report. The weather is also good. Our..." Without another word, I held it for him. He could have told this to him, too. I wasn't interested in hearing his robotic voice.

Cristiano arched his brows in question. I folded my free arm over my chest and snorted gazing up at him.

He took the phone. "She doesn't like what you just said to her."

He laughed, looking back at me. He must have said something funny. My husband remembered him. They must have been friends for a very long time. I felt unease settling in my chest. He wasn't angry. Did something happen?

"Ok," He whirled on his heels to glance down at me.

After the way things had been with my husband, I shouldn't expect this. I shouldn't be excited like a teenager. I was only getting his coldness and bossy attitude.

Cristiano held the phone out for me again. I stared at him before hesitantly taking it. I hoisted it up to my ear.

"Don't you dare to do that again when I'm talking to you." His cold voice reached my ears, making my eyebrows pull together. I held my tongue.

"It's safe to travel for you. It's your seventh month. We'll talk when you reach home." He ended the call.

Cruel! I muttered in my head and gave it back to him.

"We should be going." He said.

I nodded, getting on my feet. Did he give me another choice. I was hoping it would be my last flight until I wasn't dying to go out of the house.

So many different emotions rushed inside me as I stared at my home. I was happy to be back. I was fatigued but it faded when I saw many guards taking chairs. I pulled my long coat wrapping my arms around me. I knew it would be cold here when Assassin put it next to my seat.

"Is my husband getting married?" I murmured to myself absentmindedly. Why did they need to set so many chairs? It wasn't clear all I could see were chairs.

"Evie, does it look like a wedding to you?" Cristiano asked, a little irked with my statement.

"No, but I don't trust Duante. He was rude to me. Almost cruel. He would use black carpets to mourn our wedding and to celebrate his new one." I wasn't sure but I just said it. I felt difficulty in breathing as I felt my heart running rapidly. I forced it out and inhaled deeply. The fear always lived there.

"Are you okay?" I was startled by his sudden concern voice.

My head jerked at him. My eyes took him in. He was draped into a black Armani suit with black shirt and a tie. A tie which he never used. He looked so tempting, eatable. A Greek god. Now I was certain.

"What's going on?" I asked. He wasn't going to ask about my health. So better, I came to the point. If he wanted to still pretend. Good luck with that, man!

His frame was stiff, his features rigid, his amber eyes stayed on my face. "You look tired. Come inside." He took a long step ahead and curled his arm around my stomach. I was wearing my pyjamas and a loose top, matching with my pyjamas. I didn't care what people thought of it. They were comfortable.

He motioned at Cristiano and he nodded back.

His eyes stayed on my stomach for a long minute before I felt the pressure of his palm on my back.

"I'll see you later." Cristiano said, taking long strides to the double wooden door.

"Sure," He said without sparing him a glance. His eyes turned to me. "Your family will be here."

I inhaled his musky, sandalwood scent. "What are you going to do to me? Why are they coming?" I asked, feeling the fear vibrate through me. My feet halted.

"Should I carry you inside?" His jaw was locked as he stared at me.

I wanted to say you couldn't as I was big and heavy. But I shook my head and began to pace. "My phone is out of order." I lifted my chin and felt the warmth of the sun. I hated the cold.

"It will be activated soon. Take a hot shower and put on the dress." He said, frowning at me.

"It's cold here. I like them." I looked down at myself.

"The dress is warm." He said.

"Still, " I blinked in confusion. Why did he want me to put on a dress? We reached our room. I could see guards taking things to and fro. "Did you catch him?" I asked under my breath.

"For just a few hours, then you can change into your pyjamas." His lips pressed on my temple.

My body relaxed. I wasn't even bothered that he ignored my question. "Alright," The situation felt awkward. I wasn't convinced. "What's happening?" I tried again.

"Evie?" My confusion made me turn when I heard a familiar voice.

"Amara! What are you doing here?" I turned to glare at my husband but he was on his feet to leave the room. He closed the door behind him.

"I can answer you while you take a shower. We're running out of time." Amara said, picking a black dress from the mattress.

I sauntered over to the washroom. "Are you alright? I never thought I would see you here."

"I'm fine. I couldn't stay there after Rocky...." Her cheeks turned pink. "He confessed his love for me."

I smiled, turning to face her. "I'm happy for you." I might not like him but he was good with her and didn't hesitate to threaten me.

She giggled. "Thank you. I should help you."

I shook my head. "I'll manage." My gaze rested on the filled bathtub. I could smell lavender, some herbs in the air. I didn't want to put her in any trouble by asking questions. She wouldn't refuse me but I just couldn't be selfish. I was going to meet Duante, anyway.

"Are you sure?" She asked.

"Yes," I couldn't stand the wait for my questions' answers any longer. I needed to shower and went to him.

"Okay, then." She whirled.

"Amara, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…"

"No! No! Evie! I'm sorry. Rocky shouldn't behave rudely to you." She lowered her head in embarrassment.

"There's no ill-will. We're good." I asked.

"We are good." She nodded. We shared a smile and she left the room.

I was relieved to see the room empty after the shower. I frowned at the laid dress on the mattress. A black dress! I thinned my lips before grabbing it. I let the bathrobe pooled around my feet as I put on it.

My heart began to pound as the door creaked open. My head jerked back as my widened eyes landed on it.

"Relax, it's me." Duante locked the door behind him.

"I need Amara's help." Suddenly, I didn't want to hear what he had to say to me.

Without a word, he strode forward and zipped up my dress. It was a beautiful black dress with a-shape. I stared at him for any sign of emotions. Nothing.

"Are you feeling cold?" He asked.

"No," I muttered. "What's happening?"

"We captured the Stalker." His hold was gentle on my arm as he turned me to face him. His eyes ran on my body before turning to my face.

"Who was he?" I asked.

"Andrew," He whispered.

It sent shivers down my spine. I had a feeling that I despised him. "Hee..." I didn't know how to tell him. "When you weren't home, uncle wanted me to..." I bit on my lower lip softly.

"Marry him." Anger filled in his eyes as he jaw twitched.

"But. I..." He cut me off with the wave of his hand.

He sat on the edge of the mattress and tugged me down with him. "If you can't understand anything, just shake your head. Did you get me?" He asked, staring in my eyes.

Whatever he was going to say, it wasn't good. I had this nagging feeling in my chest. I gulped and nodded.

"I remember you." He said, looking in my eyes.

"I know." I curtly said, flattening my lips.

"I didn't mean to be harsh on you." He said, brushing his knuckles on my cheeks.

"I don't know." I snapped.

He cupped the side of my face. I let out a slow breath. "Uncle has twin kids from his..." His forehead creased as he found the exact word. "The woman he loved in college. Andrew and Sofia." He said.

I nodded my head. His warm breath brushed my cheeks as his face drew closer to me. It was a good distraction from disturbance running within me.

He smoothed my hair, slithering his fingers through them. The gesture was full of tenderness. "Tan kidnapped Andrew and trained him to destroy us. Same blood was running in our veins but his loyalty doesn't stand with us." Anger flashed in his eyes. It was gone when he sighed softly. His eyes turned on my face.

I nodded my head again. His anger was hard to ignore. "And Sofia?" I asked.

His thumb stroked my lower lip, silently telling me to be quiet. "Her grandma brought her up. Uncle gave her everything she needed. After his wife's death, he stayed with her until she got married. She was happy until Andrew decided to kill her husband and captured her."

I gasped as my eyes widened. She was his sister. How could he do wrong to her? His own sister? My eyes burnt with unshed tears. I nodded with a heavy heart when I felt his eyes on me, waiting for me.

"She's safe, back in her house with her kid." I let out a sigh of relief as I closed my eyes.

"You should tell me this part before. I got it." I opened my eyes, glancing at him, holding a strange kind of pain in his eyes which I couldn't decipher.

"He's in one of the dungeons. It won't be an easy death for him." He growled, promising me. His nose touched my cheek as he drew his face closer.

"Duante?" My heart began to drum in my ears when I felt him in agony, sad.

He cupped my face, drawing my attention to his face. He wasn't near calm. I tried to pull myself back. He just shook his head.

"He killed uncle. The venom... Doctor couldn't save him. He's no more. It's his funeral today." He said.

My body shuddered at his words. My eyes filled with tears. Our eyes locked together. I shook my head as my lower lip began to tremble.

"Shh!" He pressed his thumb on my trembling lips as he pressed his lips on my cheek. "He died protecting us. Unfortunately, he thought he could take him down alone. He was wrong." He took me in an embrace.

A sob broke through my throat. I pressed my face into the crook of his neck as I cried. He was the father figure for me. I was upset with him but I never wanted this, not so soon. He took me in an embrace and pressed his lips on my head.