Alex's POV.
“He did what!?” I couldn't even believe what she said.
I blamed myself because even though I told her that if anything happened it would be on her, I knew I shouldn't have sent her off alone with that monster! Especially not after seeing the way he looked at her.
Little wonder she's been quite disoriented the whole of today.
I wish she'd come to me to tell me everything and not wait until now, where if I hadn't noticed the bruises and asked, she sure wouldn't have told me.
I didn't wait for her to answer a second time as I grabbed her hand and led her out of the office. I don't think I have ever been this angry!!
Contract or no contract, that asshole Allerton is going to pay.
***
Sophia's POV.
Have you ever wondered what the scenario might have been if your answer had been different? Like what if you had said no to your partner when he proposed? Or what if you had chosen a different field of study? Would you be happy or are you satisfied with where you are right now?
To me, it wouldn't have been all roses and rainbows and it also wouldn't have been all blood and tears. Maybe, just maybe, if my answer had been different, then maybe it wouldn't have Mr Hayes almost beating Michael to death.
Then maybe I wouldn't be standing here, screaming at the top of my lungs and maybe police officers wouldn't have had to pull them apart.
My voice was hoarse from crying so loudly, my eyes were tired from crying for so long and all the energy I had in me was drained.
I saw Mr Hayes punch him, one after the other. He didn't stop even when Michael fell to the ground barely conscious as blood started oozing out from his nose and mouth.
There were several bruises on Michael's face. My screams were left unheard as he kept on punching him until two police officers pulled him away from Michael.
Someone must've called the police! This is getting bad real quick!
Mr Hayes's hands were covered in blood and his eyes were bloodshot red.
Why on earth did I have to tell him the truth?
Now I'm sure I've gotten him in trouble with the police even though I know he could easily get away with it.
My legs gave way under me and I fell to my knees, tears running down my cheeks. The scene before me was the most unpleasant scene I'd ever seen in my life.
As soon as I told him who gave me these bruises, Mr Hayes dragged me to his car and drove to Michael's apartment. The place which has given me the worst nightmares of my life.
My heartbeat immediately picked up and my hands started to shake as we entered the elevator. Even when we were standing outside the door and he was pressing furiously on the bell, I begged him to leave but he did not listen to me one bit. Now, see where it led us.
“Mr Hayes, we will need you both tomorrow at ten in the police station, to get your statements.” One of the police officers spoke, looking at him and he just nodded his head.
With that said, they walked away along with Michael and even though he's left a scar on my life, I still felt bad for him.
Mr Hayes had made sure to beat him to the point where his face wouldn't be recognized easily by anyone, at least not for now.
Once they were gone, my eyes met him and his angry gaze softened instantly. He walked towards me and sat on his knees across from me as he rubbed away the tears from my eyes and traced his finger on my cheeks.
“Are you okay?” I asked, taking his hands in mine and examining the bruises. He kept staring at me as I touched his knuckles. I saw him flinch slightly and I quickly dropped my hands, afraid that I might hurt him even more.
“Let's go.” He helped me stand up, only to carry me bridal style. My eyes widened and I gave him a questioning look.
“You're in no condition to walk.” He said, leaving no room for an argument.
He walked us towards his car and dropped me gently on his passenger seat. Soon enough, the engine started and the car roared to life. I had no idea where we were going as my mind was busy wandering about.
Fifteen minutes later, we were outside Mr Hayes's penthouse apartment and I gave him a confused look.
Why here? Weren't we supposed to head back to the office?
These thoughts clouded my mind and before I knew it, we were inside the penthouse as he walked us to his bedroom. He tucked me into the bed and laid a duvet over me.
All the while, I remained silent just watching his every move. He was angry, yet was calm. He was in pain, yet he was relieved. He was hard to figure out.
“You need to sleep.” He spoke.
He was trying to compose himself and I could see that. But why?
Why did he beat Michael up that badly? Why did he get so angry? Why was he acting so different?
There were so many questions, which were yet to be answered.
I saw him opening a door which I suspected was the bathroom and returned sometime later with a first aid kit.
He opened the kit and rummaged through its contents, taking out some antiseptic, cotton, and bandages. He took off his jacket, followed by his shirt and as much as I tried I couldn't avert my gaze from his muscular back.
Just looking at him made my cheeks go crazy and I was glad that he was not looking at me or else I would be drowning in embarrassment.
I saw him struggle as he tried to clean himself up and that was when I pushed the duvet away from my body.
I walked towards him and knelt in front of him, taking the antiseptic and cotton from his hands.
“What are you doing up? I told you to rest.” I ignored his statement and continued cleaning the bruises and he let me quietly.
I heard him hiss when I pressed the alcohol against his skin and I gave him an apologetic smile.
“I am sorry, it might hurt a little,” I said and continued doing it until everything was clean and covered.
Once I was done, I looked up to find him staring at me. My cheeks instantly turned red at the proximity. I quickly looked away and busied myself with putting all the stuff back in the kit.
When I was done, he was still looking at me, but this time, with a different emotion.
“What?” I finally managed to ask him and he pulled me up with a tug which made me sit on his lap.
“Can I do something?” he asked, trailing his thumb along my bottom lip, pulling it out from my teeth. His eyes started to darken as he looked at my lips and then my eyes.
“What?” I whispered and he pulled me closer by my waist. “Can I kiss you?”