Chapter 11: Fever PanicEltan StormIt had been a week since Faith's birthday, and things between us were better than ever. It truly felt like she has given me a place in her life, and I never wanted to lose that.However, the fact that I let my parents' murderers get away kept nagging me. The men I sent to Arizona instead of me couldn't get them. If it was me, I could have caught them and finally brought peace to my parents. The guilt of that ate away at me. I didn't know what I was doing. Getting revenge had been my purpose for the last two years.But now... I was totally off-tracked.Faith was consuming my every thought. It wasn't good for me. A part of me wanted to stay away from her, but a bigger part of me wanted to stay close to her. That's why once again, without fail, I was present at Berserkers at night to meet Faith.I was sitting at the bar counter waiting for Faith, but she was nowhere in sight. When I ran out of patience after ten minutes, I texted her, asking where she
Chapter 12: Morning With HerEltan StormI was sleeping on the couch when I felt something warm cover me. Being a light sleeper, I jolted up, ready to reach for my gun under the coffee table and shoot whoever was near me."Oh, sorry to wake you up," a familiar apologetic voice stopped me.I looked at the red-haired woman standing next to me and blinked a few times to make sure I wasn't dreaming. She looked like a goddess with her bed hair and rumpled bartender uniform. It sure made some fantasies arise in my mind—like how much better she would look with a few red hues on her collarbone and neck.This was too good to be true. But she was still here even after rubbing my eyes.Why is my dream girl the first thing I'm actually seeing in the morning— oh, that's right. I brought her home last night.I sat upright and ran a hand through my face to get rid of the dirty thoughts in my head. "No, no, it's fine. It's not your fault. Even the littlest sounds can wake me up."Faith hummed half-he
Chapter 13: DangerousEltan StormIt had been two days since I dropped Faith at her place after she spent the entire day with me at my place. We regularly texted each other, and she told me that she was fine, but I still yearned to see her. I couldn't sleep at night because I kept thinking and worrying about her.Was she eating well? She didn't faint again, did she? What was she doing with her time now that she had a whole week off? Was she missing me like I was?Finally, having enough of my thoughts driving me nuts, I grabbed my car keys and decided to drive to Faith's home. I debated on texting her or not, finally deciding on surprising her.On the way, I got confused over get-well-soon flowers or chocolate. So I decided to get both of them. After all, she deserved the world at her feet. Compared to that, these were just small things.Stopping in front of her apartment building, I got out of the car and grabbed the small bouquet of flowers and chocolate. I was smiling ear to ear whe
Chapter 14: A New LeadEltan Storm"I feel so bad, Faith. I kind of feel like it's my fault. Especially since it happened the day after I turned him down. Maybe I was too harsh on him?""No, Candy. It wasn't your fault. It was just an accident, not a suicide."I listened to the conversation between Candy and Faith while leisurely sipping my drink at the bar counter. Today was Faith's first day back at work after her week off, and Candy was expressing her sorrows to Faith."I think someone may have cursed him," Faith added, giving me a narrowed look.I simply continued enjoying my drink, not a shred of guilt tugging at my heart.Candy nodded and said, "I should go now. Or else, Boss might think I am slacking off.""It's alright. You're allowed to mourn as much as you want, but just don't hog Faith when I'm here, okay?" My expression was normal, but my tone was only an edge below threatening.Both Faith and Candy seemed like a shiver ran down their spines. Faith too because she now knew
Chapter 15: Road RacingEltan Storm"Hey, Dr. Parkins, I thought you were dead," I greeted my family doctor sarcastically over the phone."Sorry for ghosting you with Ms. Mabel's reports, Eltan. Some family emergency came up, so I was unable to check her reports and brief you on them," he replied."It's okay. She seems better now. I have been making sure she's eating healthy.""That's great. But um..." he paused ominously. "By the way, I checked the reports just now. Do you think you can drop by my chamber?"My heart dropped. "Why? Is there something wrong with her reports?""It's not life-threatening. Just some issues. Why don't you pay me a visit whenever you can and we can talk it over?""Since you are so chill about it, I guess it is not life-threatening," I said to myself. "Anyway, I think I can visit you tomorrow afternoon.""Sounds perfect. See you tomorrow then. Goodnight, Eltan.""Goodnight, Dr. Parkins."After hanging up the call, I stared at my dark phone screen and wondere
Chapter 16: LookalikeEltan StormFaith was standing in front of me in a biker's outfit, and I couldn't connect the pieces of the puzzle. She was the one who said that motorcycle racing was a straight way to death, and here she was."Faith, what the hell are you doing here?" I couldn't stop the anger from seeping into my voice.I looked around and all I saw was danger for her. This place filled with criminals and offenders wasn't suitable for her. She shouldn't be here, let alone participating in such risky activities.At my question, Faith's earlier grin was gone and replaced by annoyance, which was an expression I had never seen on her before. "My name is Mutiny," she responded in a clipped tone, choosing not to answer my question.I bit back a groan and said, "I get that it's your alias here. But my question is, why are you here?"She placed her helmet on the bike and retorted, "Why should I answer you? What are you, my boyfriend? No, right?""What are you saying—" I paused abruptl
Chapter 17: Expressing Myself Eltan StormI tapped my foot impatiently after ringing the bell of Faith's apartment for the third time.It was eleven in the morning. Was she still sleeping?Come to think of it, I didn't know whether she was a light sleeper or deep sleeper or early riser or late riser. I wanted to know that about her. I raised my hand to ring the bell once again when I heard shuffling from inside a few moments before the door swung open and soon I found Faith standing in front of me rubbing her eyes cutely like a panda, dressed only in a long oversized t-shirt."Eltan?" she mumbled sleepily."Sorry to wake you up." I gave her a sheepish smile. "I was just worried about you. Why weren't you picking up your phone last night?""Oh, that." She stopped rubbing her eyes and pushed her hair strands out of her face and yawned. "I was out with some of my friends."As she yawned, I could smell alcohol in her breath."Were you drinking?" I asked in disbelief. Didn't she say that
Chapter 18: Vexing WomanEltan StormI was walking on clouds ever since Faith and I made things official until a text from an unknown number burst my bubble."Meet me alone at the XX street alley at 2 pm sharp - Mutiny."I twitched my lips in annoyance. I had to meet Dr. Parkins as well in the afternoon. But I had no option with Mutiny. I promised her a good payment. So I decided to drive to her location. It was close to where Faith lives. I had just left her house an hour ago.I got there ten minutes earlier and waited till Mutiny made her appearance.When I saw her again, my heart jumped as my first instinct was to think of her as Faith and get happy. But when I noticed her high-heeled boots and black leather jacket, I reverted back to my stoic expressions."So have you decided what you want as a payment?" I asked, my hands buried in my pockets.She tilted her head to the side and asked, "Did you get any call yet?""What call?" I asked, cooking an eyebrow at her."About Turqo," she