Chapter 11 Can’t risk seeing him
This motel wasn’t the most luxurious, but Karen couldn’t say that it stunk. The mere sight of him gave her the impression of extensive wealth, surpassing even that of her parents.
With no connections or friends, who could have hired someone like him to protect her?
Being carried out of her motel room made Karen feel awkward and uneasy. She couldn't pinpoint the reason, but something inside her felt drawn to this savior.
Could she trust him? She had no idea, as the same air of mystery surrounded him as it did Roger. He even mentioned Roger, leading her to wonder if they were somehow connected.
As they reached the sleek Maybach GLS 600, her confusion grew with the beeping sound of the remote control. He gently buckled her into the passenger seat before sliding into the driver's side, his movements graceful yet intimidating.
As he pressed the accelerator, the engine roared to life, pulling out of the car park of the motel and driving into the dawn.
The nightlife had been quiet, but she suddenly awoke to the reality before her and asked, "Where are you taking me?"
"Where do you want to go?" His voice was as gentle as a breeze, yet she couldn't decipher his thoughts. His gaze remained fixed on the road ahead. She pursed her lips for a moment before speaking,
"I need to retrieve my belongings from my apartment and those men you left at the motel. Aren't you worried about being arrested?"
Worry surged through her. If she hadn't witnessed Roger effortlessly handle five men, she would have been terrified of Van's disposal of three, though she hadn't seen how it transpired.
In that moment, she felt on the brink of death before being brought back to life. "Their bodies have been taken care of, so why are you here?"
Such a question caught her off guard, especially coming from someone who claimed to have her file. If he didn't know, then why was he here saving her? “Didn't you mention that you have my file?”
“Did they disclose the sender?" Surprised by her response, he glanced at her briefly before returning his focus to the road. "I was informed that you are polite. Not even a simple thank you."
People had feared him, and she had initially shown the same reaction, but her sudden comfort around him was intriguing.
Karen lowered her head shyly, feeling ashamed. "I apologize. Thank you for saving my life. It's just that I nearly died today, so what's the point of being polite? If there's another death waiting for me, I just want to be aware of it."
A chuckle escaped Van. Indeed, people change based on life's challenges. In Karen's case, her near-death experience had made her stronger.
One moment, she felt like everything was lost, and the next moment, hope was smiling at her, but she was also smart enough to know that life never offers free lunches.
"If I wanted you dead, I wouldn’t have wasted my time bringing you with me, and I already know who sent them," he revealed expressionlessly, making Karen panic. "Who?"
He glanced at her briefly before returning his focus to the road, feeling disappointed. "Do you mean you don’t know?"
She had her own assumptions, but what if she was wrong? "I suspect…" She was saying when Van interrupted. "Your husband is on his way to your apartment. What’s the plan?"
Karen’s heart sank as she grappled with a flood of questions racing through her mind. How did this man know so much about her? The last thing she wanted was to encounter Roger again.
“I can’t risk him seeing me,” she whispered.
Van glanced at her briefly before pulling into the car park of her apartment building. Bringing the car to a stop, he spoke firmly, “Don’t act impulsively. What do you think will happen if he arrives without spotting you?”
His words struck a chord with Karen. Roger was cunning and would easily track her down. As someone who adamantly refused to grant her a divorce, she needed a solid plan.
“I’ll return and devise an escape strategy. But how did you know my address? I never shared it with you,” Karen inquired, still puzzled by how he had found her apartment so easily.
In a composed manner, Van explained, “I have access to more information about you than you realize, all in that file. I’ll be back once he’s gone.”
Relief washed over her upon hearing that he would be back, but if he was afraid of being seen by Roger, did it mean he was also afraid of Roger like her?
No matter what, she felt more at peace with this dangerous stranger than with a man who had shattered her heart repeatedly.
Even when she ran out initially, she had heard him say that he wouldn't let Karen go until he got Tonia.
To Karen, it seemed impossible because Tonia openly expressed her distaste for Roger.
Van unlocked the door, allowing her to step out of the car, feeling lightheaded. After ensuring that she was safely indoors, he drove away just as Roger pulled into the car park.
The two cars passed each other without exchanging glances. The brewing storm was only felt by one person, and that was Van.
Karen was in the shower when she heard Roger’s voice. “How did it go with your parents?” he asked casually. She pretended not to hear, letting the sound of the shower drown out his voice.
However, this time he didn't let it go, sliding the shower door open and catching Karen off-guard.
She scrambled for a towel, hastily covering herself, but it only partially concealed her body, leaving her feeling exposed and embarrassed.
“Roger, what are you doing?” Karen's voice was strained with desperation as she tried to maintain her composure. Roger smirked, nonchalantly removing his shirt to reveal his well-toned muscles.
“I live here too, wifey,” he shrugged, proceeding to pull down his pants. Karen was taken aback by his audacity and quickly tried to leave the shower room, but Roger intercepted her, grabbing her forcefully as the towel slipped off.
Their gazes locked and his gaze burned in a way that made her uncomfortable. “Green,” he muttered, right before adding, “kitten.” Her green eyes reminded him of his sister, whom he nicknamed after his late kitten.
Karen's face flushed with heat, her body reacting to the proximity of this man who had caused her so much pain. The memory of the passionate kiss they shared on the chaotic night lingered in her thoughts.
Intimacy with him was the last thing she desired. “Let go, Roger," her meek voice came out, making him chuckle. "You're blushing. You still like me, don't you?"
His deep voice was filled with a distinct longing as he gazed intently at her, seeing her without her detestable eyeglasses for the first time.
Karen wanted to punch him for making her feel this way, but could love have blossomed in the midst of the chaos? It wouldn't hurt to find out.
"Roger, have you let go of your feelings for Tonia?"