CHAPTER 11: MR.CLAYTON'S COLLAPSE

'why am I getting those dreams again..?'

I realized I was covered in sweat. I sighed, got up and went to the bathroom.

I turned on the cold side of the shower tap and drowned myself in the water. The water was a bit chilly but I didn't mind. It was just how I liked it.

I thought about how much I hated getting those memories in my dreams. I wanted to forget everything that had happened. But I suppose, the past isn't ready to let me go just yet.

**

I could hear people talking from outside my room. I quickly half-dried my hair with a towel and headed downstairs to the living room. Alec and Ethan had come to the condo.

They were sitting at the dining table and Ellie was standing across them with her arms crossed. Apparently they were muttering about something and all of them were exchanging worried looks.

"Oh, you're awake" Ellie said, spotting me on the last step of the stairs. "Ronnie didn't have the heart to wake you up. She said you were 'sleeping too peacefully for the first time in a while'."

I snorted. 'peacefully? Seriously. I was having the worst nightmare ever.'

"I did notice you were sweating a bit, so I turned the temperature lower." Ellie told me, thankfully, not hearing my inner thoughts.

"Thanks. Where's she? Ronnie?" I asked.

"Her brother got himself into a bit of a sticky situation with the police.. she had to catch the first flight to Seoul. Luckily her boyfriend was there and he helped Eunseok get away from the investigation room." Alec responded.

"What do you mean!? Why would Eunseok get himself in trouble? What happened?" I asked with my mouth half open with the shock.

Eunseok had always been a good kid. Top grades in school and even throughout college. Obedient to his parents and his big sister. Never got himself in trouble.

"No idea. She said she'll explain later. I called her a few minutes ago." Alec answered.

I sat down right across Alec. That's when I saw it. Ethan's face was badly bruised. He had a purple eye, and his left cheek was cherry red. His dark brown eyes, looked swollen.

Words wouldn't come out my mouth and I just glared at him. I knew exactly what had happened. My fist was clenched hard on the table.

"Relax." Ethan finally spoke.

"Relax? Are you out of your fucking mind?" I said without raising my voice.

I moved my eyes to Alec, who had his lips pursed. I raised an eyebrow. He did so too.

"Say something" I snapped.

"Ronnie and I have already talked to him. Calm down and hear him out." Alec said in a strangely calm voice. He too, like me, has difficulty controlling his anger. So I was surprised that he wasn't shouting at Ethan either.

"Fine. What happened?" I asked calmly.

"Edward called me. Said there was an emergency." Ethan started explaining.

"And you went there? On Edward's request, of all people?"

"He's my brother. He sounded worried so I decided to go visit my father."

"He sounded worried but you visited your father?" I squinted my eyes.

"Well, yeah. He said father collapsed from a heart attack. He was in the hospital. So I went there."

"Mhm.." This time, Ellie put a hand on my shoulder to stop me from talking anymore.

Ethan gave her a grateful look.

"I asked for the address and he told me he was admitted in MK Hospital... Ryle was with me when I got the call, so he offered to come along. He had to talk to his father about something as well."

I was actually listening intently.

MK Hospital. The Mason family runs it. It has Branches around 4 continents. It was founded by Arlo Mason and Kang Yuna, the parents of Ryle Mason.

"You went there with Ryle?" I asked him, my breathing getting faster, remembering everything that had happened the night before.

"Yes.. We got there and to the VIP room that Ed had mentioned. Nobody was there.. I obviously called Ed, but he wouldn't pick up. Ryle suggested me to call Sara. She did pick up." Ethan continued, ignoring my clear eye roll.

Sara Clayton. Ryle's ex-fiance. It was supposed to be an arranged marriage. Ryle's father wanted him to get married early, as it was Ryle's mother's wish to see him get married before 27.

And according to Arlo Mason, marrying Sara Clayton was in Ryle's best interest. After all, he couldn't fall in love, so might as well marry someone who'll bring even more power to the Masons.

I came to know of all this, through Alyssa Mason, Ryle's elder sister. She runs the Lyss Cafe, which had been my favorite place to procrastinate. I become a regular at her cafe, and we gradually became close friends.

Ryle's engagement to Ethan's older sister, broke off, barely a month after. Ethan was the one who told me that Ryle called Sara 'an arrogant, selfish bitch' in front of both families.

That was the first time anyone had seen Ryle lose control over his more heated emotions and even curse at someone, especially that someone being one of the Claytons and a woman.

Nobody knew what Sara had said to him that made him so angry.

I didn't care much about gossip, but for some reason, everytime it was something about Ryle, I just had to listen in.

"Well..What did she say?" Ellie asked Ethan.

"She told me that everything Edward had said was true, except that father was at MK. He was supposed to be admitted there, but his condition go so bad, that the private doctor adviced to just keep him at home, and to not take him out for long rides, anywhere."

"I told Ryle that I'll go to my house, he agreed and we both went our separate ways. I reached the manor quickly and..." He broke off.

"Ethan?" Ellie asked in a small voice.

Ethan was looking at his trembling hands. He couldn't go on any more.

Alec continued for him.

"There was a lot of blood..." He glanced at Ethan, to check if he was okay with him speaking on his behalf.

Ethan gave a shudder and nodded slightly.

"About 20 people lay dead, apparently stabbed. Those people were the house staffs. The maids, the guards, the chefs, the butler, Ethan's father's caretakers... All of them, with their eyes open..."