[KHALI]
“You’re changing,” Jey muttered. I shot her a questioning look as my hands fumbled with the cards.
“Changing? What do you mean?” I asked.
“I think Jane has a good influence on you,” she didn’t answer my question yet struck me again with her confusing statement.
"I'm not sure what you're on about. So, is she okay?” I replied, trying to maintain a casual demeanor in order to avoid additional probing by my best friend. When she got back to my flat, that was the first thing she said to me; that I’m changing. I'm not sure what she and Jane talked about, but it gives me the creeps.
“I would be lying if I tell you that she’s fine,” I paused from shuffling the cards and stared at her, expecting her to continue. I know she’s not fine, and I think I'm the one to blame.
"What have you been up to this time? Jane is my friend; you can’t do that to her,” she scolded, and I simply averted my gaze. I sighed and cli
[JANE]A week passed after the incident happened. For me, the last two years have been a roller coaster journey. I never thought my life would change after I met Khali. My life had turned upside down, but I have never regretted it because I met the most amazing person in my life.I felt a pair of soft lips kissing my cheek as I opened my eyes. My favorite set of brown eyes was staring at me lovingly.“Good morning,” she whispered and gave me a peck on the lips this time. I found myself smiling unconsciously. I could get used to this, waking up with her by my side. This is the life I could always wish for, and now, I’m living with it.I wrapped my arms around her torso and leaned my head on her chest. I don’t want to get up yet. I just want us to stay like this for a little while. She kissed the top of my head and brushed my hair, making me feel sleepy once again, but before I could drift into sleep, she
[KHALI] As soon as we walked in, the suite seemed warm and inviting. I wasn't exhausted earlier, but the instant I saw our bed, it felt so tempting that I wanted to take a nap for a while. However, I can’t do that as I have to call my dad and inform him what had happened today. I need to know who the mysterious sniper was because I have a feeling that he’ll come after us. If the sniper knows where we are, hiding in this hotel won't help, and I still don't know his face. Jane was already settled on our bed, and it made me somehow feel at ease that she could finally rest. I'm well aware that I've put her in a difficult situation, and a part of me still feels responsible for risking her life. “You can take a rest. I'll just talk to dad,” I told Jane who just nodded in response. I smiled and kissed her on the forehead. As I headed back to the living room of the suite, so many things were running in my mind. I tri
[KHALI] A loud gunshot roared in the middle of our conversation. I was trying to calm Carmine down, who had a slew of bombs strapped to her body, ready to detonate at any moment. I couldn’t risk everyone’s safety in here. The gunshot, however, did not come from our side. I didn't give the order to kill Carmine. I was about to go near her when the sniper aimed near my foot. I couldn’t get the detonator from her. It seems like the sniper was preventing me to do so. Carmine was shot in the head. She collapsed like a log, and I couldn’t do anything at all. I looked around to see where the sniper was hiding. The bullet definitely came from behind from where Carmine was standing earlier. “Find the sniper!” I yelled. Carmine was already lying on the ground, lifeless. Another gunshot echoed in the field, and one of my subordinates was shot dead. Shit! I’m certain that the sniper wants us all dead. I ran inside the house to find Jane. We need to survi
[JANE]“You stay here. I’ll have to deal with her,” she told me before she pulled her gun and went out of the room. I was apprehensive about what was about to happen. It came as a shock to me to know that Carmine has a son, and Nicholas is probably the father. As much as I want her to pay for all the bad things she’d done, her child has nothing to do with it. The child shouldn’t suffer for what his mother did.I just stayed inside the room and waited for Khali to come back. I’ve been imagining things in my head that maybe Khali already killed Carmine, yet I haven’t heard any gunshots. I took my phone out to see if any of my friends texted or called me. I felt worried about Reese since she told me she was heading to Paris to see me, but I hadn't informed her I was already with Khali. What if Carmine’s underlings got her?I won’t be able to forgive myself if something happens to her. I sighed a
[KHALI]“She doesn’t want to negotiate,” Teddy said over the phone a few hours after I asked him to communicate with Carmine. I heaved a sigh and gulped. I have to try for one last time.“Direct me to her line; I’ll talk to her,” I told Teddy. This will be the last time I’ll negotiate with her. I’ve been planning this for a long time, and I thought of using this plan when there’s no other way to reach an agreement with her.“Alright, I’m dialing her number,” Teddy remarked. After a few moments of silence, I heard the other line ring. There’s a static noise in the background, and finally, she answered.“I said, I don’t want to negotiate. It’s either I die, or she dies!” I heard her voice at the end of the line. I scoffed and laughed cynically.“If you prolong this, you’ll lose everything. Are you that insane enough
[KHALI] I almost regret agreeing to punish her. I was worried she'd hate me again once she woke up. But then she's mumbling my name, saying "I love you" over and over. Hearing such words from her made my heart leap with delight. She meant it. She meant it when she said she loves me and accepts me wholeheartedly. After I untied her wrists and ankles, I went beside her and scooped her in my arms. I never knew cuddling with her could make me feel contented and happy. She's the only person whom I wanted to spend my life with, and at that moment, it's as if everything fast-forwards. I could see myself with her in the future. I'll support whatever she wants to do in life as long as she's here with me. There's just one person I need to get rid of before I can feel at ease. I need to find Carmine and kill her. As long as she's alive, I can't guarantee Jane's safety. I won't be able to forgive myself if something bad would happen to Jane.