Chapter 154 Think again
>>Seraphina
My soul was ready to leave my body when I saw that person, blended in with the shadows of the room. She remained in her place, unmoving, her gaze was so fierce it made me nervous. But somehow I was able to point my finger towards them and let out a meek voice
"A-and, who's that?" I couldn't take my eyes off of her while she quietly stood there
"A bodyguard," Azef replied,
"A bodyguard?" I was confused, "Why? For what?" Something tingled in my senses.
"Don't mind her, she's here because I asked her." He seemed to want to leave but his words made me think.
Something was odd. He didn't say anything when I took her to the general ward. He could have moved Eris to a VIP room right then. He must have known the cause when he talked to the doctor then. But he didn't do anything.
"I'll come back to visit later," He began to walk away
Then out of nowhere I was home, his whole vibe changed, there's someone in his basement that he most likely tortured and Eris has a bodyguard?
Azef crossed me to get to the door but I grabbed his wrist, making him stop in his path.
"Something happened," He looked at me and I looked into his eyes, "Didn't it?" I may not be an extremely smart person but I can tell something is off.
"You don't need to worry about it," He shook his head at me.
I didn't let him go, "This involves my sister," I said, "How can I not worry about it?"
"Stuff like this happens," He grabbed my hands and pushed it off of him, "It doesn't involve your sister, I'm just doing this to make sure nothing happens." He didn't meet my gaze when he said that and that was suspicious to me.
I grabbed his hand again, "..." I looked into his eyes, "I feel like you're lying to me."
He looked away, "Go to sleep,"
"No," I refused to let him go, "Something happened, didn't it?" I put my other hand on his wrist as well, "Tell me what's wrong." I kept my eyes on him, "Please, if it involves Eris being in danger, shouldn't you tell me?"
...
There was silence for a few seconds, then he let out a sigh and looked at me, "Later," He nodded, "I'll tell you about it later."
"Later when?"
"I need to look into some things urgently." He pushed my hands off of him, "When I'm done, I'll come meet you and tell you, okay?"
I still wasn't convinced. What if he was just saying this all to calm me down. What if he never tells me about it and we are actually in danger? Why do I feel like something major happened with Eris and that's why she's here in this private room with a private guard.
My instincts are telling me we might still be in danger. And among all this, where is he going?
To deal with the person in the basement? He did leave it and come out for me, because I was rattling the doorknob. He came out because he didn't want me in there, right?
Why?
What did he do in there?
"Did you kill someone," I asked, "In the basement?" I didn't mean to be this blunt, but I couldn't help myself. I wanted some sort of answer. Some sort of explanation.
We looked into each other's eyes.
"I did," He replied, his eyes clear of any lies.
I stepped back, "Okay..." My skin stood up at how easily he admitted that, "I'll wait,"
He didn't say anything to me after that. His gaze lingered on me for a few seconds, then he turned and left.
As I sat in the hospital waiting room, boredom settled over me like a heavy blanket. The hours stretched on endlessly, and the sterile surroundings offered little in the way of distraction. I would have taken a nap but for some reason the bodyguard kept glaring at me.
Like girl, I've met you for the first time in my life, there is no way I could have offended you. Why are you glaring at me??!
I kept my gaze elsewhere but I could still feel her eyes on me.
Gosh, is she perhaps mad that Azef called her here on private duty? Is that it? But that's not my fault! I turned my head slowly to look at her.
"Uh-Hi?" I waved at her, "Runy, right?"
"..." She didn't reply to me.
"You've been staring at me for a while, is there something you'd like to ask me?"
"..." She didn't say anything and I just felt even more nervous. I pursed my lip and looked away again. God, what is wrong with her?
A sense of restlessness gnawed at me, urging me to leave the hospital for a while. I've been here for hours and the doctor only came in once to tell me Eris will most likely sleep throughout the day and then she left.
It's been awkward other than that interaction, and utterly boring since I don't even have a phone on me at the moment...
Maybe I should leave for an hour. Go walk around, get something to eat and then come back. I glanced at Runy. She seems to be highly trained, there isn't any sign of fatigue on her face.
I stood up, "I'll be back in a few minutes," I told her just in case but she didn't say anything to me. I slipped out of the room, out of the hospital and into the bustling streets beyond. Cool breeze flew across me, letting me breathe.
I was still tired. I hadn't slept properly, but I don't think I can sleep in that room. But at the same time, I don't want to leave Eris alone for a long span of time, so I can't go back to Azef's house and sleep. Her fever has finally lowered, I hope she recovers today, I want her to go back home with me.
As I wandered through the crowded streets, many thoughts crossed my mind.
Primarily, my mind was busy thinking about Azef. What could possibly have happened that he had someone guard Eris? Did the person he killed in his basement do something? But for what reason would someone target Eris? She's a child!
None of it makes sense to me and I don't think it will unless he explains.
I sighed as I walked the streets. I should get some groceries and make something nice for Eris. The joy that a simple treat could bring to her would make me happy too. With a smile tugging at my lips, I made my way to a nearby market, selecting a handful of her favorite sweets with care.
I got some basic ingredients to cook a rice dish and paid for it at the counter and came out. Walking around and doing a bit of shopping helped me clear up my mind a little.
And while I relaxed a little bit, I also found myself questioning my decisions.
Azef is part of the mafia that kills people too. I don't know why I'm so surprised when he literally told me he'd sell me if I was useless when we first met. It would be stupid of me to get my feelings mixed with him, right?
It scared the shit out of me when I saw the blood on him. My heart skipped a beat when I recalled that scene.
I should try and focus on myself. I already have so much on my plate. I shouldn't be dealing with useless and stupid emotions. What's the point of even having them? I should control myself. Just because I've been deprived of basic human decency shouldn't mean that I fall for someone who finally shows me some.
...
Have I really not seen people show me sincere care? My thoughts got me thinking about my life. A life that has been nothing but constant struggle...
I kept walking, making my way back to the hospital when I heard someone call me from behind.
"Hey! Sera!"
I had no idea who the voice belonged to so I turned around to look but my heart fell the moment I saw the man who was running towards me.
!!!
It was Lilac. The boss of the debt collectors.
Shit!
I turned around to make a run for it. Why do I keep running into these people? This keeps happening so much it feels like the world has a personal grudge against me. I sprinted with the bag in my hands but Lilac ran after me.
His speed was inhumane and he caught up to me in no time, grabbed my hand and turned me around. The groceries in my hand fell to the ground, making me gasp.
Oh No...
Eris...
"Don't run away," He said, "I'm only here to talk,"
My heart hammered in my chest as I turned to find myself face to face with him.
"Talk?" I tried to move but his grip on me was tight. Fear surged through me as I realized I was trapped, his menacing presence blocking my escape route, "Talk about what?" I felt tired. Not just physically, I felt as if my soul was tired as well. With me, it's just trouble
It's broad daylight. If I scream, will I be able to get away?
I gulped
Or will people simply look away and ignore me? It has happened before, people assume it's just a lover's quarrel and turn away. No one comes to help and they definitely won't come to help when they see Lilac who looks like a gangster through and through. I glanced at his arms, they were full of tattoos.
"I tried talking to you before too, I told you, you can come with me and I'll take care of your debt."
I balled my fists, "And I told you, I won't be selling myself!" I tried to move away but that didn't do much.
"Look," He tried to be patient, "I'm saying this for your sake. This will make you happy. Wouldn't getting rid of the debt clear all your problems?"
"My problems involve people like you too!" I tried to yank my hands away again, "How about you leave me alone? I'm already returning the money."
He rolled his eyes, "I don't think you've realized this but the money you owe me has increased."
I froze in my stance, "What?" And looked at him in horror, "What did you say? The debt has increased? How the hell is that even possible?!"
"Your dad borrowed more money again," He smirked.
"And you just gave it to him...?" I was baffled, then I scoffed, "Of course you did, You sold the house! You're doing all of this to corner me!" There was rage boiling inside of me.
"Yes, I did sell the house. But I sold the house to reduce your debt. Doesn't that make you happy?"
???
"You took away my place to live and you're asking if I'm happy?" I shook my head at him, "Are you out of your mind?" I gritted my teeth, "Let me go!" I yanked myself away, "Let me go! I'm not going with a senseless pathetic monster like you!" I glared at him, "I hate you so much!!! You bastard!" I kept pulling myself away, "Let me go!!!"
My words ticked him off, "You know what, you can't run away from me because you're in debt to me." He grabbed my wrist even more tightly, making it hurt, "And today, I have no intention of letting you go." He began to drag me with him, "You're coming with me."