CHAPTER 08

Aliyah slumped down to the couch as soon as she stepped inside the door and buried her face in her palm. I closed the door behind me, went to the kitchen and poured some water into the glass, and drank it before I poured another glass for Aliyah.

"Water?"

"Thank you." She took it from my hand and gulped it down and gave me back the empty glass.

"That's my bastard ex-boyfriend. He's a son of a mayor, and he tried to rape me before but I almost kill him. Boss Logan was the one who helped me so that his family won't file a case against me, and I paid him by joining the street fighting which is his business. Those men were his people.

"You joined street fighting?" I gasped.

"I have no other choice or I'll end up in jail. I don't want to have a police record, because it would be hard for me to find a job in the future, so I agreed. It was for three months only. But now he wants me to go back."

"Isn't it dangerous?"

"It is, but I don't have any way out. Boss Logan has lots of connections from politicians to well-known personalities that's why Trevor and his father fear him, and if I don't give in to his request sooner or later he'll find a way to make me go willingly. This is the main reason why I didn't bring my aunt and cousin here. Boss Logan might use them against me."

"How could you fall in love with your ex? He looks like a drug addict and a drunkard."

"He is. But he wasn't before. He was only surrounded by the wrong people when his father became a mayor. He was my shoulder to lean on before but sadly his friends ruined his life. We dated for one and a half years and it was the happiest part of my life until two months ago when he tried to rape me.

"Before, I tried to understand him because I love him, but him trying to rape me was the last thread of my patient. God, they tried to gang rape me." She chuckled but tears rolled down her face. "So I beat him together with his two other friends, then ran away."

"That kind of kind should be sent to hell. But how did this Logan find out that you know martial arts?"

"He's gone to the fitness gym once in a while, that's where he saw me. He offered me to work for him before but I declined, and then Trevor happened and he grabbed that chance." She took a deep breath and then dried her tears. "My life is messy right?"

"Yes, it's messy, but you're a strong woman, Aliyah. Despite what happened to you, here you are still struggling for a better life in the future, and I hope and pray you'll have that."

"Thank you. Shit, I'm going to be late for my class." She rushed inside our room and then rushed to the bathroom and when she stepped out, she already changed her clothes.

"It's dangerous to go out now. Those men and your ex might just be outside waiting for you."

"I won't pause my life because of them if I want to have a better life in the future."

"I'll go with you."

"No need. You stay here and cook our dinner, and I'll be home without you knowing it."

"It's dangerous."

"I can protect myself. See I'm still alive until now. Stop worrying. I might think that you are starting to have a crush on me." She grinned and then poke my nose, but I didn't smile. I'm scared for her safety, many people are after her. She sighs.

"I will be fine." She went inside our room and when she came out she was already carrying her school. "Bye, see you later.

"Aliyah… I followed her to the door but she ignored me and ran downstairs, waving her hand without looking back at me. I took a deep breath and closed the door leaning my back on it. "Be safe Aliyah."

After a few minutes of leaning on the door, I moved inside our room and took some clothes to change and went inside the bathroom, and took a bath, and after that, I made out dinner.

I already finished cooking and cleaning the whole apartment just to distract myself from thinking about Aliyah but she keeps crawling into my mind. I'm worried and scared for her safety. I need my needle. With all these dangers lurking, I need to be prepared. I sat on the couch and browsed my phone to where I could order my needle. I didn't bring any with me because it wasn't allowed at the airport. I only brought my needle holder. I ordered five hundred pieces of it and luckily I can pay for it through COD and it will come within six to eight days.

It was already ten thirty in the evening when I checked the time, thirty minutes before Aliyah's class ended. I stood up from the couch and stepped out of the door. I want to make sure those men weren't outside before Aliyah arrived.

There are still people lounging around when I reach the ground floor. Some drinking and some eating in the canteen where we ate lunch before. I scanned the surroundings and I'm relieved to not see those familiar faces.

I went to the canteen and bought a chip then leaned on one of the posts outside waiting for Aliyah while munching my chips.

It took forty-five minutes before I saw her car approaching. I pushed myself off the post and threw the chip wrapper into the bin and waited for her to park her car. I moved to the driver's side and opened the door when she unlocked it.

"Leon."

"What the.. what happened to you?" I cursed seeing her bruised face. I unbuckled her seatbelt and scooped her out of the car and kicked it close. Then I rushed up the stairs to our room. I deposited her on the couch and then rushed to the bathroom. I took a washcloth and returned to the living room kneeling in front of her.

"What happened?" I asked as I wiped the dried blood on her bruised face.

"First aid inside the room drawer on top." She said ignoring my question. I went and took it and returned beside her.

"What happened?" I asked again.

"Trevor. He followed me and his friends to the school. They waited until my class ended. They tried to kidnap me but I fought with them, and I think I couldn't avoid joining the street fight again because I killed one of his friends." Her lips quivered this time and tears streamed down her face.

I wrapped my arms around her and her body was trembling." I should listen to you. I should just stay at home." She sobbed. "They might pay Boss Logan a huge amount of money to kill me during the fight. I don't want to die, Leon."

"You won't die. I won't let my savior die. We will find a way. Are these the only bruises you have?" I asked, changing the topic.

"My body, I was hit by a kick on my stomach and back."

"How many are they?"

"Five. I thought I'm going to die earlier. Luckily Mike and his companion helped me." I took a deep breath and softly rubbed her back hoping it could comfort her. I'll make sure Trevor will pay a great deal.

"Can you apply an ointment on my back too? It is painful, and it hurts every time I move.

"Okay, pull your shirt up."

"Can you help me take it off? I'm so sorry, Leon."

"It's okay, Don't cry," I whispered, wiping her tears, but she only sobbed louder. "The bright future is getting further away from me. I am now a murderer." I cupped her face and wiped her tears using my thumb.

"Don't worry. I'll help you. You can come with me when I go back to Korea. My parents can help you. "Let me take off your shirt. She winced when I pulled her shirt off of her and I balled my fist when I saw the once flawless skin now had a huge bruise on the right side of her back just above her hips and another one on her stomach.

I poured an ointment on my palm and tenderly rub it on her back and then on her stomach, and my hatred for Trevor tripled every time she jerk and wince in pain.

"Thank you." I nodded my head and fixed the first aid kit and returned it to our room.

"Let's eat. I cooked stir-fried meat and vegetables. Don't worry I taste it already and it doesn't taste bad, actually, it tastes good." She smiled this time. "You just sit, I took food for you.

I took two plates then put rice and stir-fried meat and vegetables on them then gave Aliyah one of the plates.

"Thank you, Leon."

"Stop thanking me. Now eat."She smiled but wiped the lone tears that rolled down her cheek and started eating. I sat beside her and we ate quietly. I'm used to seeing a vulnerable Aliyah. It hurts me to see her like this. The playful and teasing smile which always plastered on her lips every time we were talking is gone. Her eyes are now brimmed with tears which she was trying hard to hold back not to stream down her face.

"How can you work tomorrow?!

"I already called Paul on my way home. I told him what happened and he gave me two days off. Don't worry I'll drive you tomorrow.

"No need. Just tell me how to get there. I'm afraid Trevor and his friends are just waiting for you to step outside and alone before they attack you.

"Are you sure you won't get lost?"

"Just tell me what signboard of the jeep I should ride and where my stop is."

"Okay, be careful. They might come after you."

"I can protect myself. What is the purpose of this muscle?" I grinned but she only rolled her eyes.

"After eating, I cleaned the kitchen and washed our dishes with Aliyah following my every movement with her eyes.

"Stop staring," I said without looking back at her.

"Thank you, Leon."

"Stop thanking me, okay? I owe you a lot. What I did to you is just a crumb of what you did to me. Now come and rest because it's late."