A Shift In Feelings

Ethan 

Something is wrong

“Where are you going to, Ethan!” 

I ignore Chloe and get down the car. “Take her home, don’t let her out of the car till you are back at the house.” I order the driver, before walking back to the hall, except this time, I don't gett inside the hall, instead I pull out my phone, ringing 911. 

“Please be okay Alexa.” I pick up my pace, walking into the thick woods. The sounds from the hall fading as I make my way with the dim light sticking out of thick trees. 

How do I know she’s in this woods? I sighted her hand purse the minute I got into the car. The gold purse laid on the bench close to the parking lot, certainly she can’t be that careless, besides she’s here for a mission. 

I'm deep in the woods when something catches my attention, his built is familiar, not just at the party, I can swear I've met him before, plus him standing, like he's towering over something doesn't lessen my suspicion. 

I try to make my presence less noticeable moving between the trees, bending a little as I manouver my way to come from his back instead. Whatever he was staring down at, it's hard to tell, but the knife in his hands is too bold for me to miss.

Without thinking, I pull the gun from my coat. A shot cracks through the air, and he drops with a cry, clutching his leg. Just then the red dress glows under the dim light and I meet with the unconscious figure on the bare ground. 

“Fuck, Alexa!” I rush towards her, stepping over the bastard. “Alexa, can you hear me.” My body trembles as I try to pull her into my arms, then, I feel the warmth, she's bleeding. 

For the first time in years my pulse flutters wildly beneath my skin, and the confidence I always wear like armor cracks down the middle. 

“No, fuck, please don't, don't do this to me lex, stay with me!” She isn't moving, and her bleeding isn't stopping. The figure shifting from distance catches my attention quickly and I pick my gun from the side, grinding my teeth hard, shooting right at the back of his head. He deserves worse, but Alexa not dying is my priority.

The slight shift in my arms doesn't let me watch as he falls to his death.

“Ethan?” 

“I’m here, I’m here, stay awake with me hmm, the ambulance is on their way.” 

She still tries to speak, though no words are coming out, I can see the struggle and her state aches my heart. This is not what I thought would happen when I sent her, her father’s last letter. I hid it from her for years for her safety yet, I have failed to protect her. 

The ambulance arrives quick, but my men arrived earlier, so they had gotten rid of the body before hand. 

I can't even keep composure as I pace around the hallway, waiting for the doctor to step out from the emergency room. If only I knew I wouldn’t have hired her, I would have held my ground scolded her and kicked her out, I had the feeling they would hurt her, but my selfishness…I foolishly followed my heart. Stupid me. 

It all started with mere pity, to trying to care for someone, to actually caring. When she was younger, I never had feelings for her, she was like a little sister to me, but the minute she stepped into my office yesterday, something changed, something within me was ignited, and I should have known then that this was not going to end well. 

The emergency room doors dinged open and finally the doctor walked out. 

“How is she doing doctor?” 

“She’s fine, it wasn’t that much of a bad fall. We’ve stitched her up, she might suffer a concussion for a few days, but she will recover fast.” 

My lungs remembers it’s function as I breathe out in relief. 

“You should be careful, the media will think she’s something more.” The doctor advises before walking away. 

Of course she was something more. She has always been, only this time it’s something stronger. 

I’m no fool to leave her side, goddess knows if someone is planning to murder her tonight. I stay by her hospital bed side, watching as she sleeps peacefully, she looks so calm and peaceful, there's no fear, no worry painting her face. No struggle hiding her emotions. 

“I’m sorry,” I mutter, forcing my eyes to stay open. 

The morning came slow, and only then does Alexa shift a little on her bed, I jerk away as she slowly opens her eyes. 

“Here have some water.” I try to be non-chalant as I pass the water on to her, even though I want to scold her about caring less about herself. I also want justice, but being this stupid is so fucking provoking.

She slowly sips on it handing it back to me. 

“You sent me the letter”

I freeze at her words, not sure if I heard that right. 

“I need an answer, are you on my side? Do you know who killed my father?” She asks all at once, the desperation is strong even in her tone. 

“You need to recover, I will have your things sent back to your home, don’t bother returning to work.” I force myself to turn back, despite I didn’t 

“What are you so afraid of if you didn’t kill him, Ethan!” She yells. 

“ Why…why are you trying to shield the killer, do you also believe my family and I are wretched, not worthy of justice, do you hate me that much, Ethan?!” She cries out and fuck all I want to do was rush back to her and wrap my arms around her. 

“Is it truly you...did you kill my father?"