Chapter 28 The arrest
AKIRA
Just like me, he was stunned for a brief moment, the shock taking over his features before he put on his mask of ice again, expression turning cold.
" That will be all for now boys. I will contact you later tonight for more information" he said to the group without turning to look at them, eyes still fixated on me.
My heart thumped wildly in my chest as I thought of what he would say. Now I knew that this man was way more than what I had thought he was, but I still couldn't point it out.
" Let's go." He said simply walking ahead of me.
I did not wait for another invitation, my legs drummed quickly on the floor as I got into the car with him.
For the first half of the journey, only our breaths and the low humming of the car could be heard.
" I know you have questions." He finally said, jolting me out of my thoughts.
" What is going on? Who are you? What does don mean? Do you know about the death of Hannah or who killed her?"
It felt as though his words were the push I needed to unleash my tirade of questions.
His grip on the car handle only tightened but he did not say a thing.
" There are a lot of things that should be left unknown to you Akira, and I do not appreciate you eaves dropping in my conversation."
" You won't tell me what's going on?"
" It does not concern you"
My teeth clenched and my breathing became irregular. I hated how easy it was for him to dismiss me, so nonchalantly like I was something he would not bother himself with much.
" I think you should call off your guards surrounding my house" I finally said when he pulled into my yard.
" I can't do that. There is a killer out there and I know he is waiting for a slip up. My vow is to protect you and that is what they are here for."
I scoffed at him, the anger bubbling all over again.
" You don't want me knowing about your business, so I would rather you stay out of mine too. Call off your goddamn guards or I will call the police and report them for trespassing!"
I slammed the door shut, shocking both he and myself as I ran up the front porch and shut my door with a loud bang.
It was only until I had gotten in that I realized what I just did. Bryan was not a man to be trifled with, I always knew that but today's occurrence just strengthened that knowledge.
I could almost imagine him storming into this house and ordering me to follow him home. He was mysterious, brooding in a manner that always piqued my curiousity.
I groaned in frustration as I stared out the window. His car was still parked out, but the guards were gone.
My phone dinged again and I picked it up, my eyes lighting up when I saw the latest news. It was a text message from Jared.
" You are welcome. Leon is now the trending topic and all for the wrong reasons" the text read.
He was right. Leon's name seemed to be on every search bar. Jared had done a fantastic job revealing their relationship. He even attached images of them basically everywhere, including an image from the both of them kissing in his office.
My heart clenched as realization hit me.
Leon has been cheating on me long before I even found out.
Regardless of my outburst of anger with Bryan, I still managed to have a good night rest, knowing fully well that Leon was under siege now.
The next morning, even the birds seemed to acknowledge my good mood. They were chirping unnecessarily loudly and the sky itself lit up as I picked up my homemade coffee, locking my door to head to work.
And then, it all turned gloomy when I saw his car still parked outside, in the exact same spot I had left him.
I sighed, walking over to the car and knocking on the glass.
He rolled down, his eyes still holding their normal coldness, but today, there was something more.
Tiredness.
"Did you sleep outside all night?" I asked in disbelief, my tone going up a notch.
" I told you, I can't leave you unprotected. And since you complained about the guards, I had to send them home"
I felt a flurry of emotions in that moment. Anger, worry, surprise , and perhaps something more, smouldered in those mushed up emotions.
" Why would you stay up all night? You are really a hard nut to crack are you not Mr Bryan?" I asked, as I got in.
He shrugged.
" There is so much I did not tell you, but it's not because don't want to, but because I'm trying to protect you. And in my world, the lesser you know, the safer you are. So trust me on this and don't question me. Let me protect you."
The rest of the anger from last night dissipated almost immediately as I looked down at my hands in guilt.
" I'm sorry you had to sleep outside because of me. You can tell the guards to come back"
He nodded, pleased.
" It's for your own good. Trust me on this."
I nodded, not out of duty, but because this time around, I trusted him, wholeheartedly.
The stares at the office today were different. It was more of curiousity than disgust.
I smiled internally. Yes. They have all seen the article. I was about to get my name cleared.
" Just because a stupid article was released anonymously labelling Leon the bad guy does not mean we dont still see you as a slut. Look at you trying to already kiss up to the boss and you have been here just one week" Brielle said as she passed me, bumping into me purposely.
But the truth was, I was not worried. My mission has been achieved. I will clear my name little by little and take back what was rightfully mine.
" Are you miss akira?" A voice said from behind me.
I turned to look at the carrier in shock.
It was three police officers. Their presence was enough to gather a small crowd that stared in surprise at the occurring event.
" Yes I am" I said, trying to maintain my composure.
" You are under arrest for the defamation of Mr Leon and miss Stella, we advise you to remain quiet and come with us because anything you say or do will be used against you in the court of law"