THE ATTEMPT

The attempt

What are you looking at?" The taller man asked. He'd noticed Nathan watching them through the restroom mirror.

"Nothing," Nathan replied, finally getting the tap to run. He placed his hands under the stream of water, rinsing off the soap suds.

"Excuse me," the shorter man said as he roughly shoved Nathan aside to wash his own hands. Water splashed onto Nathan's shirt, as he washed his hands.

"My apologies," he added, a smug grin spread across his lips.

Nathan glanced down at the water stain on his expensive suit, then slowly lifted his gaze to the man’s face. This short stack thought he could get away with that?

 Nathan stepped in front of him, eyes locked in a cold stare. The shorter man squared up to him.

"Calm down, boy." the taller one said, stepping in  between them. "Be glad he only splashed water. The next thing might be blood." A glint of danger flashed through his eyes.

He turned to his friend. "Come on, the boss might be looking for us." The man towelled his hand dry. They gave Nathan one last look before walking out of the restroom.

He was the only one who had the right to bring Donald Ervin to his knees, Nathan clenched his fists in anger. Not them—not anybody.

He stepped out of the restroom, scanning the crowd until he spotted Donald deep in conversation with two men. Nathan walked up to him.

Leaning in, he whispered, "Can I have a minute, please?" He asked. "It's urgent."

Donald didn’t evenglance at him. "Whatever it is can wait. I’m busy." He turned back to the discussion, ignoring him completely.

Nathan’s jaw clenched in anger. Rage crawled beneath his skin. If he had a gun right now, he might’ve ended it here—but that would be too easy. No, Donald had to suffer first.

Nathan grabbed his arm and leaned in again.

"It’s important. Your conversation can wait."

Then he let go.

Donald sighed, clearly annoyed by Nathan who was rudely interrupting his conversation. He excused himself and dragged Nathan into a storage room filled with furnitures covered in white cloth. 

As soon as the door shut, Donald pushed Nathan against the wall and grabbed him by the collar. "Next time you touch me or interrupt me like that, I’ll punish you." His voice clearly carried a warning.

Nathan scoffed. "You’ll have to be alive first to do that."

Donald’s frown deepened. He let go, and Nathan straightened his shirt.

"What is it you had to tell me?" Donald asked.

"There’s going to be an attempt on your life tonight." Nathan said, voice steady. "In the restroom, I overheard two men talking about killing you."

Donald looked him over once, then burst into laughter. Nathan blinked, confused. What the hell was funny?

"Really?" Donald stepped closer and pressed a hand to Nathan’s forehead. "You must’ve had a lot to drink."

Nathan slapped his hand away. "I’m not drunk, and I’m not joking. Someone wants you dead."

"And why would anyone want me dead?" Donald asked. "Tell me, Nathan."

"You’re not exactly a likeable person, so I don’t blame them," Nathan replied coldly. "But you need to leave. Now."

Donald moved closer to him and Nathan backed away from him until his back pressed hard against the wall. "Why should I? You’ve always wanted me dead. Why do you care now?"

"Because I’m the only one who gets to make you suffer," Nathan snapped, trying to keep his voice steady. Donald was too close, too close for comfort.

"If anyone’s going to kill you, it’s going to be me." They stared at each other, the air between them thick with unspoken tension—anger, hate, and something else neither of them wanted to name.

Donald, still composed, stepped away. 

"Let’s go. The bidding is about to begin." He glanced at his wristwatch.

Nathan looked at him, surprised. "Didn't you hear what I just said?"

"I did." Donald was growing impatient. "Let's leave before I miss the auction." He turned, and was already walking towards the door.

Nathan followed closely behind him, his eyes roaming around the crowd, trying to find those two and he finally spotted them. They were conversing with two other men.

They looked in Donald's direction before they broke away from the auction, and made their way upstairs.

The auction had began. The artwork was on stage, covered with a white cloth. Nathan couldn't understand rich peoplem They had no idea what it looked like, yet they were willing to give away thousands to have it.

He turned to Donald who was yet to say a word. He'd been so eager to return to the auction, but he wasn't bidding.

As tho he'd read Nathan's mind, he finally said. "One million dollars." Everyone gasped, so did Nathan who couldn't believe what he'd just heard.

Donald smiled inwardly. He loved having all the attention to himself, and he was the highest bidder, no one in this room could outbid him.

"Sold to the man over there." The spotlight fell on Donald. Nathan glanced at Donald who was wallowing in the attention, and then he saw it.  The red dot!

"Donald!" He yelled, covering him ay the same time a gun shot was heard. He pushed Donald to the floor, and his breath hitched as he felt the metal pierce through his shoulder.

Everyone screamed, running around to safety as more shots were fired. Nathan rolled off Donald. He groaned in pain.

Donald pulled out his gun, and fired in the direction of the men who were lined upstairs. A shot hit one of them, and he rolled down the stairs.

"Nathan." Donald crouched next to him. Nathan was losing blood fast. He had to get him to the hospital, but there was no way he'd move without taking a hit.

The taller man, whom Nathan would come to know as Collins rushed to them. "You have to get him to the hospital,  I'll cover you."

Not only was Nathan in pain, he was confused as to why the same man who had been plotting to kill Donald was here trying to help them.

"Go!" Collins yelled, and Donald wrapped his arm around Nathan's waist while he put his arm around his shoulder, and they walked out. He helped Nathan onto the passenger seat, before hopping into the driver's side, and he set the car into drive and sped off.

"You'll be fine." Donald assured Nathan who was slowly slipping away. The pain was driving him nuts, and the entire seat was stained with his blood.

Donald ran the red light twice. A police car chased after him, blaring their horns for him to stop but he increased his speed.

He arrived at the hospital where the nurses who had been notified of his coming waited outside with a stretcher.

Nathan was removed, and placed on the stretcher which was wheeled towards the theatre.

"If I lose him, you're going to lose your life." Donald said to the doctor before letting him enter the operation theatre.