My heart pounded rapidly, matching the sound of the gunshots echoing outside the café—each beat a harsh reminder of the danger we were in.We were all crouched under the small tables, trying to stay hidden as the screams of other café customers filled the air, blending with the flickering lights.After several bullets shattered the café’s glass wall, we began to hear the blaring sirens of approaching police vehicles, followed by loud shouts and commands.But the gunfire outside didn’t stop. Whoever those heartless people were, they clearly had no intention of backing down. They shot at the café without hesitation.Everything happening now was proof that we weren’t safe yet, and more people could be caught in the crossfire if this continued. All because of me.The smell of gunpowder now filled the air, thick and suffocating, as bullets continued to fly between the police and the attackers.“Sir, stay down!” Jac yelled as he pulled me back when I tried to stand.I just wanted to see wha
Our movements were so swift that we could no longer control the pounding of our footsteps, which now echoed throughout the narrow stairwell we were descending.My chest was filled with fear—not just for myself, but for all of us. Still, I forced myself to shake it off. The only thing that mattered now was getting out of this hospital.Finally, we reached the bottom of the stairs. Now we could hear the chaos—people shouting, police sirens wailing.We were now beside the concrete wall at the side of the hospital. The sticky, humid night air wrapped around us, perfectly matching the heat of the tension we were desperate to escape.At last, we found a steel door marked with a bold “No Entry” sign. The bodyguards surveyed the area while Jac worked quickly to unlock the gate.This was our last hope to get out. There was no way we could go back. We were sure the people looking for us had already been alerted. They must’ve heard our hurried footsteps earlier.“This way, hurry!” Jac called out
We were practically glued to the hospital wall, holding our breath as we watched the chaos erupting in the area where that angry voice had come from earlier. It had stopped us dead in our tracks.The man’s voice had been so loud, I thought we’d been caught. I thought that was the end for all of us—and I hadn’t even seen Dorry one last time. But part of me also thought that if I disappeared, she’d be relieved. At least the burden in her life would be gone.“Nelson, move,” Vianna May whispered, gently shaking the hand she was holding.I didn’t answer, but I started moving, squinting ahead to spot the bodyguards. We were almost out of this hallway, almost past the room. We could already see faint lights from outside. But one of the bodyguards signaled us to step back. I held my breath again, gripping Via’s hand tighter. Diego was holding her other hand.If there was one thing I feared in this whole mess, it was their safety. They can’t get hurt. They had a child waiting for them.We glan
Days passed, and each one felt unbearably long. This hospital room where I was recovering had started to feel like a prison. The walls felt like they were closing in on me, and I couldn’t move around freely. The physical pain in my head had already faded, but the emotional agony? That one lingered. It was driving me mad.And how could I not lose my mind? Dorry knew I was here in the hospital, but she never showed up. Not once. Not even a message. I know she’s still angry. I know she hasn’t forgiven me. But I couldn’t stop myself from hoping that maybe she’d come, even just for a visit, to ask how I was. That alone would’ve meant everything to me.This whole situation was weighing me down. My mind was a mess—torn between guilt over losing our baby and the cold distance Dorry was keeping from me… then there was the mess with my aunt and the company. It was like carrying a mountain on my shoulders. How could I even think straight?Good thing, though—despite everything—I wasn’t alone. I h
I knew this wasn’t the time to joke around, but I couldn’t help it. I didn’t want them to worry too much. I wanted to show them I was okay. That I was strong. Even if the truth was, my heart felt caught in a storm.“Bro, what happened to you was no joke. Someone tried to kill you. Whoever did this—they need to pay,” Diego said, his voice filled with anger and determination. “I’m not letting this go.”I let out a long sigh in response. I knew there was no point in arguing. Once Diego had set his mind on something, there was no stopping him.“Where’s Jac?” I asked, already knowing where he was and what he was doing. He was out there, trying to find the demon responsible for what had happened to me last night.“He’s at the precinct. He won’t stop until those bastards are caught,” Diego replied.Just as I thought.Jac would not sit still, waiting for a report from the cops. That man takes action, even when no one tells him to.“Any idea who did this?” Diego asked, and I hesitated. I didn’
I woke up in a cold hospital room, the steady beeping of the heart monitor reminding me of everything that happened last night—the dark road I was walking, the blinding headlights of the car, and the faceless man who struck my head."Ahh…" I groaned softly, squeezing my eyes shut as a wave of pain pulsed through my head. I held my throbbing temple, the ache matching the beat of my heart—still aching, still tight in my chest.Once the pain subsided a little, I slowly opened my eyes and moved, cautiously letting my gaze roam around the cold room I was in.A bitter smile crossed my lips when I saw Diego."Bro..." I called out weakly to my friend, whose face was buried in the edge of my hospital bed."Bro!" He rubbed his eyes groggily at my voice and immediately grabbed my hand as if startled awake.I gave him another weak smile. I remembered when he was the one confined in the hospital—I had been just like this, sitting by his bedside, patiently watching over him, waiting for him to wake