Chapter 37 Scared to Lose

Chapter 37 Scared to Lose

I handed back the first aid kit to the cleaner who bent her head lowly as I tried to stop her from trying to be so apologetic for getting the kit to me a little late “It’s fine” I smiled as she made her way back to her cleaning section but the moment I turned to look, I noticed James from the Conner of my eye, his fist clenched beside him, his mouth close to his phone as he put it next to his ear.
“You promised that I would be safe—but seeing what happened, I might end up exposing you all” he whispered. I perched my body next to the wall, trying my best to make out what he had been saying.
“You also said she would be safe but I could see the bruises” he added, my eyes widened in shock, what on earth is he talking about? Bruises? Denise wasn’t injured—at least not when she was being dragged o ut.
Just as I stared at him, “Whatcha doing?” I heard a whisper from behind, pulling my focus from James and now to the feminine tone that felt all too familiar. The moment I turned to see her face, her hands went over my mouth, muffling my scream.
“Shh—he’ll notice us” she whispered, looking over my head and past the wall “He’s gone” I pushed her hands off my mouth, staring at her, her long lustrous blonde hair now sat short just above her shoulders like a wolf cut, and it was no longer blonde, it was dark black. I wasn’t sure whether to scream stranger danger or just continue to stare at her like I didn’t know who this was.
“You cut your hair?” The first statement slipped from my lips, a smile formed on hers as she placed her hand on the wall, cornering me with a grin on her face. Whenever Claire looked like that, she’s obviously brewing mischief and it wasn’t funny.
“I’m glad you noticed—you like?” Her voice having a hint of arousal, she smelled of roses and jasmine, then with a mix of a hot spicy feeling. She looked more seductive than she was with long hair.
“What are you doing here? Here to see Dante?” I casually asked as I moved her arm out of my way, turning to see if Jameson was truly out of the area.
“I’m here to see you—you are most likely my aide now” she smiled walking over to meet me, her cat eyes lingering on my lips and then my chest. Her gaze felt familiar—it was just like Dante’s, only softer.
“Why would I be your aide? I worked for you once because of circumstances and since that’s taken care of—whatever transaction we ever had is over” I said coldly, turning to leave “Oh—and Felov—please keep him under control”
“Is he bothering you?” She asked, inquisitive, I didn’t want to answer, to admit that I would be staying at his hotel for the time being “Or did he follow you again? Because last I recalled, you didn’t go to Dante’s house—you went somewhere else after I dropped you off” she snagged, staring at her nails.
“You went to his hotel didn’t you?” She asked, making me pull her by the wrist as I drag her to the elevator so we can talk in my office instead of in an open space like the hallway.
“How did you know that?” I asked, closing the door behind me as I turned to face her. Her herls making a clank sound as she made her way to my desk, taking a seat in front of it. Her eyes lingered on me for a second.
“He called to tell me that something great happened—that your paths crossed in his hotel” he chuckled. I could tell from her demeanor that it was the reason she dropped by.
“Why are you here Claire?—if you wanted to say something like this, a call would’ve sufficed” I folded my arms as I watched her stand from the chair and make her way towards me, taking a strand of hair out of my face and putting it behind my ear, my eyes glaring at her. “If it’s another one of your jobs—I’m not taking it so if you can—just go home” I said firmly, walking past her and heading straight to my desk.
“I heard Denise is out of the picture—but it seems that there’s a greater mastermind” she started, I paused, “I’ve given it up to the police—they’ll handle it all, maybe Dante will make sure it’s all done before we know it—”
“This is much more than him—they all say that he has become weak and the only thing to do now—is to eliminate him, completely” my heart sank at the sound of her words. The air thickened, I knew this would be the issue “He’ll need all the help he can get if he wants to come out alive” she continued, her voice taking a serious tone “Unless he has help”
“And I’m guessing that help is meant to come from you” I turned to look at her, her eyes lighting up once again. The tension in the air loosened “So what do you want to get it done?” I asked folding my arms as I walked back to my swivel chair to take a seat.
“Work for me” she walked straight at the desk placing her hands firmly on it, her eyes taking a serious look “If you work for me—I’ll willingly lend a hand, he can’t do it alone”
“I don’t even know what’s happening and why I’m in the middle of it—but working for you feels like something I’d never want to do, I love my job being an accountant, I’ll never want anything different, so take your offer to him instead—I’m done working for you” I said as loud as her ears could hear. The last job still has a lingering human around me—who knows what’ll come next—I’m declining this offer” I said as I shut my eyes.
The moment I opened them, her face was right in front of me, her eyes oogling over my face “ Well—if that’s how it is, then I’ll lend a hand regardless” she smirked. I pulled back, her aura has begun to seep into my skin and it screamed ‘arousal’
“I’ll still be here if you want to change your mind—bye” she smiled, taking her purse and walking out the door. I finally had the time to breathe, to let her essence out the door. She always looked like the type to influence me, no wonder she and Dante would be a perfect match.
My mind kept going back to the words Denise had spouted about being a toy to Dante. I had once shut out the voice but now ot kept ringing in my head. For the next hours, I worked on the accounts given—the ledgers and ignored Dante completely, putting up excuses whenever he called for me like it had now become my lifeline.
“Finally” I let out an exasperated sigh as I stretched my hands, looking at the wall clock for time. It was finally time to leave—and get back home, well the hotel, to a hot bath and some movies before bed.
In the few months I had been with Dante, my routine changed. It was no longer a boring work day where I’d nap till morning, or watch the Notebook and all my favorite series because I was never called to hang out but I did love my routine and wanted it back too. So I packed up my bag, held the last file in hand and walked out the door smiling—“no more spicy nights for me” I mumbled as I gave the file to the man who stood by the elevator who always escorted me in.
“Please hand this to the chairman—thank you and Goodnight” I smiled, he did the same, biding me Goodnight as well. I walked right out the door to hail a cab when his car came in front of me, the door opened immediately and I felt someone holding my hand and pulling me in, closing the door and driving off.
“Wh—what are you doing?” I yelled, struggling, using my nails on his arm. I notice his face twitch. I looked at his arm, I had scratched it so hard he had begun to bleed. “Oh my God!” I exclaimed, throwing my hands over my mouth “I’m so so sorry” I rummaged through my bag when he held onto my hand gently, I turned to look at his sad eyes.
“Why are you avoiding me?” He asked, his arm bleeding and his hand still covered with the bandage I had used, it looked soaked in blood.
“Yo—your hand, you didn’t get the bandage changed?” I muttered, taking it closer to my face, then I turned to the driver “Please take us to the hospital” I turned back to him “You can’t be this reckless, we’ll go to the hospital first!”
“No—drive us home” he said subtly, his eyes staring at me, they weren’t going to work today, I wasn’t going to let them.
“We are heading to the hospital—there is no home for us, just you” I paused “Dante I don’t think I can do this—play wife at home and hiding at work because I’m scared of what might happen, I can’t do this” my voice shivered. “I’ve never really had a relationship with anyone—you’re my first but if it’s going affect my work then—I can’t do it anymore” my eyes went teary.
He placed his hand on my face “But I love you and I would never want anything that’ll hurt you—I don’t care what happens, I’m scared of losing you, I can’t leave you” his eyes went low, those sad eyes that seemed to always get its way, not today.
“We need time apart—get him to the hospital and drop me off!” I stood firm.
“You’re driving us home—I’m not letting you stay mad at me Amorino, please” he pleaded “I love you and I’ll do anything to show you how much I need you” he breathed
“I’m going to jump off if you don’t let me out” I gritted my teeth, almost opening the door
“Stop the car—at least tell me where you’re staying”
“That defeats the purpose of being apart” I said, waiting for the car to stop before opening the door and letting myself out “Goodbye Dante” I walked off “Oh and he needs the hospital right now—I don’t want to see his hand all bloody tomorrow”
I said finally before walking off, holding in my tears. My heart raced and for the first time—it was pain, a long agonizing one that said I had just lost something right next to my heart.
“Is this what love feels like?”