Chapter 20 Lost
ADRIANA
I spun around and rushed back into the restaurant, but to my greatest dismay, the bag was gone.
My heartbeat raced madly, and I felt my head swirl around in circles as I stared at the empty booth where I was sitting with the bag beside me.
My feet began to shake, and I staggered back, feeling anger, regret, and pain flood through my system.
After everything I had gone through to protect the bag from reaching those monsters, I ended up losing it all. Everything was all gone. It was all in vain.
I felt like screaming out how frustrated I was with life, but I was in a public gathering and might end up in an asylum if I did.
My wobbly feet gave way to the shallow ground, and I began to drop to the ground with eyes rolled up.
Strong hands grabbed me before I hit the ground, and I felt my body being lifted into a pair of arms that belonged to Anderson.
My eyes closed, and my racing heartbeat slowed as Anderson dropped me into the booth, whispering my name.
“Hey, instead of fainting, we should be looking for the bag," he muttered as he placed his hand on my shoulder.
I shook my head as tears gathered in my eyes and my throat knotted.
“We're never going to find it," I whispered.
He sighed and plopped down, running his hand through his hair.
“That can't be the end, though, isn't there a way to find a copy or something?" He asked, but I shook my head.
“That's the only existing copy. I'm sure they'll destroy it, that's why they're after me," I mumbled.
Anderson sighed again and leaned into the seat, devastated by the turn of events.
Silence hung over our heads as we sat there, confused and frustrated. I was in deeper pain from the loss.
I had risked my life, fought with death, just to end up losing it all at the last minute.
The appetite I had was all gone, and there was nothing I could do but sit there and stare out of the window near the table.
Without studying that book, there was no way I would fight those monsters. There was no way I could take revenge on everyone who had wronged me.
“Hey," a voice called after hours, and I slowly raised my head.
The waiter that I had bumped into while running off to catch the biker stared down at me with a smile on her face.
“Hi," I mumbled dryly.
“I noticed that you haven't touched the milkshake you ordered," she said, glancing over at Anderson.
“I'm not in the mood to have anything," I almost yelled at her.
She looked out of the window, then back at me. The sun was going down, and the sky had turned peach, signaling the coming of darkness.
“Have you seen a bag? A black bag?" Anderson asked, and I narrowed my eyes.
“Oh, yes!"
I jerked my head in her direction and straightened up.
“You have?" I gasped loudly.
The waiter nodded as the smile returned to her face.
“Is it yours?" She asked, and I nodded.
“Yes," I rasped out.
“Hold on, I will get it,” she said and left.
My heartbeat increased as I sat at the edge of the seat, hoping that it would turn out to be my bag.
She returned with the black bag swinging in her hand, and I felt a wave of relief rock my body from within.
I released a breath I didn't know I was holding and stretched out my hand.
“Thank you so much!" Anderson said, his eyes lightening up again.
“If I had known it was meant for you, I would have brought it a long time ago,” she muttered and handed it to me.
“We appreciate your help, thank you," Anderson said again, and she nodded before walking off.
“Will you have the steak now?" He asked as I rummaged through the bag.
I paused and looked at his amused face, a grin spreading over my face.
“Yes."
He chuckled and placed an order for us.
The waiter arrived shortly with our order and left.
“How old are you?” I blurted out in the middle of the meal.
My question made him choke on his food. I raised my brows and stared at him as he wiped his lips and muttered an apology.
“28.”
“What? Twenty-eight? I can't believe you're just two years older than me. You look older than your age,” I muttered, and he scoffed.
“You look eighteen,” he retorted.
“Stop lying,” I muttered, and he burst into laughter.
I wanted to ask him what his grandfather knew, but I kept quiet and let the silence and peace reign.
After having dinner with him, Anderson and I took the bike to my place.
“Thank you for helping me out today," I muttered as we stepped down from the bike.
"I did nothing,” he muttered and shrugged.
I chuckled, my heart shrinking in pain when I took a glance at my apartment.
"So, you're really going to take revenge?” He asked, and I nodded.
"I need to.”
"Even against your sister?” He asked.
"Even if I let the others go, I will never let Arlene go,” I muttered.
Rage slowly ripped into my heart the moment I mentioned her name.
Anderson sighed and shrugged, then took a few steps back, but never left.
We stood under the moonlight, staring into each other's eyes while bearing questions we intended to ask but didn't know how to.
“What are you going to do tomorrow since you have no job?" I broke the awkward silence.
“Go for a run…” he paused, his eyes dimming, "With you.”
My brows raised, and I felt my heart skip a beat.
"What?” I gasped loudly.
"I'll come to your place tomorrow to drag you out for a run, so you better be ready. You gotta work those fists out if you want to get revenge,” he said, flicking his hand towards me.
I chuckled and tilted my head to the side.
"You'd better watch your back when you're going home,” I muttered.
Fear dashed across his eyes in a split second, but he covered it up with a laugh.
"Don't worry about me, I'm going to live,” he said, waving his hand in the air.
"Take the bike, you'll need it,” I said.
His eyes darted over to the bike, and his brows raised.
"Why?” He asked.
"I'm bribing you,” I said.
He huffed loudly, shaking his head.
"No way, it suits you more.”
"Just take it and leave, you like arguing over everything!” I snapped, and his grin increased.
I stretched my hand, nodding at the key in my palm.
He stepped closer and took the key, then grazed his fingertips over my palm.
I felt chills wash through me and quickly withdrew my hand, avoiding his eyes.
I expected him to leave, but he didn't. Instead, he did the unthinkable. Anderson boldly stepped closer and kissed my lips.
My breath hitched, and my eyes widened when he stepped back with a smirk on his face.
I parted my lips to speak, but he turned around and walked to the bike.
“I'll see you tomorrow, Adriana!" He waved, and the engine of the bike roared to life while I watched, dumbstruck.
“Anderson!" I recovered from my shock and called.
He turned his head and lifted the helmet.
“When we meet again and sort out our differences, then let's go on a date at the beach."
I didn't know where that courage or idea came from, but I said it anyway, against my will.
My lips stretched, and I saw his eyes sparkle.
“Yes, let's do that tomorrow then," he said and drove off.
I hoped he would stay alive, even though our meeting tomorrow will never happen.
I bit my lips and clutched the bag tighter as I watched the bike disappear from view.
I just needed him and Salvador alive. That was all that mattered.
Love? No, my revenge comes first.
With that thought, I unlocked my door and slipped in, ready to start my plan.