Chapter 66

I approached the door to hopefully listen to the noises outside and confirm the inference. But suddenly it opened. My ear went straight to the chest of the man who was not expected to help. I ended up listening to his heart beat. Just like mine, it was also beating wildly.
Shocked I walked away. He almost lost his balance after choking on his own feet. Good thing, he caught my hand.
"Be careful," the only thing he said as he stepped aside, giving me space, "Get out now. I'll show you the way out."
I awkwardly took my hand back. No glance passed by its side and started to walk.
"To the right," he warned as I was about to turn left.
I said that.
We passed in the middle of a quiet corridor. No one met, as if there was really no way out.
"Just walk straight," he said after a while.
"Why would I trust you?"
"You already did."
I was stunned. Annoyed to face it.
"When?"
His forehead furrowed slightly, as he irritatedly ruffled his hair.
"Isn't this enough proof-"
"I'll never trust you," I scolded him, "Where is the road really?"
"I told you to just walk straight. You'll encounter a wall, just push it and you'll be out."
"Here we are!"
We were both disturbed by the approaching shout of a staff. They really don"t want to stop finding me.
Aren"t they tired?
"Go away, I'll stop them."
I stayed in front of him for a few more seconds. Is he really the evil Spencer I know?
Maybe he has twins-
"Go!"
"Thank you," I bowed a little.
"Don't be thankful. You're still against me," he pushed me softly.
"Be careful."
"Tsk!" he rolled his eyes. Then voluntarily left to stop the colleagues, before I could even be seen.
I started walking straight ahead. Moments later met the wall he says. Just push to get out.
The gunfire erupted at me when the door finally opened. Our team on the right, the rivals on the left. I quickly bent down and hid behind the flower. No one noticed me. I am safe, for now.
A gun was exactly what I saw as I bowed. I grabbed it and sat down weakly. Just to feel the soft thing. I slowly turned around, and got really surprised by a bloody image of someone.
Oh my God!
I subconsciously stood up. Shocked I threw the gun that I thought belonged to the man lying right in front of me. His eyes are wide open, but he is obviously dead.
"Neilani yuko!"
Huh?
Two consecutive gunshots I heard before losing balance.
I felt little pain on my shoulder. When it was rubbed, blood was first seen.
Why am I bleeding?
"Oh God, are you alright?"
Zi glanced over my body. Nothing was missed, just to make sure I wasn't hit on any other part of the body, except for the bruised shoulder and still bloody arm.
"When did this happen?" he quickly took off the clothes he was wearing in front of me and tore them. The cloth was wrapped around the wound, while the rest was tied to my hair so that the blood would not come in contact with it.
"You're here ..." the only thing I said.
"I am, Love. You are safe now," he kissed my forehead, "And-" it guided my gaze to the encountered opponent.
That's how weak I was and cried when I saw Oliver. I cried heavily as I crawled towards his direction.
"Zi, he was hit. We need to save him!"
"He's not one of us-"
"I know! But he's not bad. He let me escape," I shook his body. It was as if the simple act would help to restore his life.
The bullet of Zi's gun hit him right in the chest.
"He almost killed you."
"He doesn't want to hurt me. He is a friend."
He gently took my hands and hugged me tightly.
"I am sorry Love ... I am so sorry," he gave me feathery kisses, "I need to get you out of here."
"Oliver," I sobbed, "You killed him ... You-" I would shake as I let go of his grip.
Stand up, but only seconds later fall down again.
I became even weaker, until the darkness completely consumed the whole spirit.
"Her vitals are fine. She can go home today."
"Thanks doc."
"Did you hear that? You can go home. We'll take you home."
I'm still speechless. Not once did not try to answer the questions and they say.
I could speak. I am not in trauma. I simply got sick talking with anyone.
How many days have I been like this? One two Three?
It's not bad to be silent for a few days.
Zion called my family immediately after the incident. I lost consciousness then, in the very hospital room that woke up the next day. The operation performed on me was successful, and the doctors were able to find a blood donor.
They said I almost didn't make it. There is a lot of depleted blood in my body. If the suffering lasted for a few more minutes, I would not be able to cope. Good thing, someone extended a hand. He is said to be a good man whom I cannot identify.
"Are you okay? You're not in pain?"
'My wound hurts, can you do anything to heal it?'
I have in mind.
And most of all, my heart hurts so bad.
What happened is still clear in my mind. I am saddened by the loss of Oliver. He wasn't even given a chance to explain to Fergus and Kiesha.
What he did was also against Zi's will. He had to do that in order to protect me. He had no plans to kill it. But unforseen circumstance happened.
He explained everything to me, minutes after I regained consciousness. He felt sorry ... He didn't want to make me angry, he didn't want hatred to replace my love for it.
I am not mad. Just really surprised by what happened. And regretting the life of a friend just dazzled by responsibility.
"Love, you'll just stay there while you heal, right?" Zi grabs my hand.
I looked up at him without emotion. Not once has it tried to leave my side today. He said that he always wanted to keep an eye on me so that I would be comfortable.
Maybe staying with my family throughout my healing process is a good idea. I kinda miss my room's scent, my bed, my books, and my old computer.
I shifted on my position. He lowered his face to his side, and wrapped his arm around his waist.
I will escape our chaotic world first. I will heal and strengthen. Geline Neilani's new version will make sure Ariela will meet in return.
"Won't you come with us home brother?" Grant asked curiously.
"I still have to take care of something. I'll be next after work."
"Hans told me that he was sending you back to your station. He said you didn't answer his call, so he just begged me," said older brother Gideon.
It just came home from another country. He became more mature compared to the last time I remember. His hair has grown back and he has a beard. The only thing missing is a staff and he can become a hermit.
A failed love really does something different.
I sighed heavily.
"Next month maybe I'll report."
"Won't it be with you doing this?"
"Hans himself ordered me to just continue the investigation and fight. I am doing this for the truth and justice, with the permission of my head," Zi was gently rubbing my shoulder as he spoke.
Even with just a simple hold, I could feel its love. He no longer had to voice the cry of the heart every day. One touch is enough.
I just listened to their whole conversation. Dad also joined the conversation. As for mama, I was just as quiet.
Until an unexpected visitor came in. He is holding a bouquet of flowers and a basket of fruit in his other hand. He smiled when we looked right. Before approaching, I waved to my parents.
"I thought you weren't going. I already told Zion your plea."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about my visit. It's happening so fast," Hans presented the flower to me. But it was Zi who reached out.
"Thank you," he himself thanked.
"Are you the patient?"
"I'm the right hand, why?"
"Tsk!"
To this day, they still resent each other. It seems vague when these two get along.
"Is it the same here? You two really, the quarrel will never end," mama criticized.
Exactly!
They are like dogs and cats who both have problems in the world
"Paepal, he's not the one being visited."
"I'm still part of his life."
They suggest.
As long as I wanted to keep my silence and grievance over Oliver, Hans and Zi's issues wouldn't just leave me alone. My patience got triggered and is slowly reaching its peak.
I slowly lifted my body to sit down. He then motioned for Hans to come over.
"What?" surprisingly, it responded to my command.
In quick motion, my palm immediately hit his forehead. The same goes for Zi.
The man is silent here, they are disturbed. I want peace of mind. Which part of it is hard to understand?
"Tangina niyo, fix your life huh?" I groaned without hesitation as I grabbed the needle from my wrist. Then ignore getting out of bed.
I am getting numb from anything that happened. A simple needle can't affect me anymore.
"Lets go home."
"We need a stop first-"
"I don't care. I want to rest at home," I interrupted what mama was going to say.
"Are you serious?" to Gideon sighed heavily. He obviously can't believe what he just witnessed.
Even Hans and Zi couldn"t believe staring at me. It was as if I saw another element in my person.
"Do I look like I'm joking? I am sick of this place."
"She's talking," Grant criticized despite the shock, "Brother Hans and brother Zion were just arguing over the medicine."
Unlike the others, he was the first to recover from the panic. It doesn't matter what I'm expecting now. If mama and papa wanted to stop me, unlike him who actually betrayed the bag where my clothes were placed.
"Hurry up and get dressed sister. I really want to go home too."
No response I handed the bag here. Then enter the CR to get dressed.
A gray sweater and leggings I chose to wear. Before going out, tie the hair neatly first. It is getting longer as time goes by. I don't have any plans on cutting it. If there is, maybe only about one percent.
"Is Geline really the one you're watching here?"
"How would we know? We're surprised too," he said.
I chose to listen to their conversation first.
"That's his courage. What did you do to him?" Hans suddenly attacks Zi.
"I trained her," he straightforwardly answered.
"You made her tough."
"Why, you have problem with it?"
"She's not the Geline-"
"She's still the Geline we all know."
Zi is right. I am still that girl my family had been used to seeing since birth. Nothing has changed in me. Still weak and nervous. I didn't become strong, but I just really got better at hiding my emotions.
I may have appeared firm in front of them. But God knows how shattered I am right now.
I quietly opened the door of the CR and headed out. My older brother will take care of the bill, he is the richest of us now. And as for the medication, prescriptions whatever is that, the hell I care!
It's hard for me to get away from this place. No one can stop me, even if they say it's not time to go home.
"Let's wait for the doctor's answer first," papa said almost aloud.
"Doctor who?"
Tsk!
I did not listen to their opposition. Just walk straight to the exit.
"Don't you really intend to listen?" Zi gently held my hand. This prevents me from taking another step away.
"What for? I am already out."
"What's wrong with you? Is it because of what happened to Oliver? Are you still mad at me?"
I averted my eyes.
Am I mad at him?
I also do not know. I fully understand why he had to do that. But sometimes it is very difficult to avoid thoughts that erode belief.
I knew I wasn't really Oliver's intention at that moment. He just wanted to save me too. I am so sure about it.
An opponent I saw standing right behind Zi before the shooting took place between the two of them. That might really be what he wanted to knock out. It's possible Zi just got the wrong idea.
As what I have observed on our training together, he barely miss any shots. May it difficult, or not. If I was really his intention, it's not just my shoulder that's bandaged now. Surely at this moment, I am in the coffin and mourning.
"I am not blaming anyone here," I answered, almost a whisper.
"Liar," it exclaimed with a sigh. After ruffling her hair, "Your eyes can't hide the truth Geline," she looked up.
"Maybe you're just mistaken," I bit my lip.
Is it true? Am I really blaming him?
I also don"t really know the answer.
"How many times do I have to tell you that I could only do that to protect you? He wants to kill you-"
The word he used seemed like a bomb that exploded straight into the depths of my system. A word often heard before, once liked, but now hated to hear.
'PROTECT'
How long will he do that? How long will he make me realize how weak he still needs to be defended?
"You are protecting me too much, it's kinda annoying now," I said in greeted teeth.
I may need his company the most during hurdles. But that doesn't mean I wanted a protector. It is different from the 'Want to have a shoulder to lean on'
I just want sympathy, not the protector.
I want to show myself where that courage has gone. But how could that happen if every time he was there to take on the fight that should have been for me?
How can I be independent when he is spoiling me with so much love and affection?
"You know I can't afford to lose you," he averted his gaze back at me, "I'll do everything just to make sure you're safe."
"I don't need that. I can fight for my life. I can fight alone, even without your protection."
"You can't. You're physically weak-"
"I'm not weak!" my voice rose a little, "That's the problem with you e. You underestimate me too much. You make me face my shortcomings."
"You got it wrong Love. I know you can fight alone."
"If you know ... Why can't I feel it?" That's how I refrained from crying in front of him, "You've been training me too much in your presence Zi. What if giving me protection got to the point of losing you? Have you ever thought of that?"
"I don't care. As long as your safe, then that's all that matters," he shook his head.
"How am I? I'll be left alone," my voiced cracked. A few minutes from now, I realize I will fail to hold back the tears.
He did not answer.
"It's like I died then. It's more painful for me to be left behind. Just thinking, it's very difficult to move on with life."
"That will never happen-"
"Let's fucking be realistic here!" I stopped him from taking steps forward, "We both know how dangerous our work was. You're not Deadpool who even if your body is healthy, you can still live. Aside from giving protection, you don't have any special power, so stop being unselfish! Think of yourself too Zi. Don't make your world revolve on me. Be conscious of your self, assess your own need. "
"You know I can't do that."
"You can ..." I kept crying. I don't think I can still dare look at him straight in the eye, after my next words.
So now that I haven't said it yet, I'm going to close the rest to stare at him.
"Stop fooling around now Love. You just need rest."
"Let's end us," I straightforwardly said.
"There's a taxi, I'll just call," he replied. Suppose no one heard.
This is the only way I can think of, so that this time he is the one to be protected.
"Don't ignore me."
"I'm coming to your house," he still ignored what he heard.
"Let's just split up ?! I don't feel any sparks being with you anymore! What you're doing is annoying. Our relationship is nothing but a cringe!"
"Neilani!"
I was stunned by its sudden cry, "Don't use our relationship to stop me from protecting you. I am your husband! I vowed to be your shield and the best man you ever wish to have. I'm just playing the part my role in your life. "
It crossed my mind that our mock wedding took place, two weeks later.
I simply caressed the ring I was wearing. He did considered himself as my husband now.
I just cried especially at the thought.
I have to do this. Even before he was completely drowned in his presence and love. And even before the thing that was so terrifying for him happened.
"Aren't you too good for me? You're not real Zi. A man as perfect as you don't exist in this world. Don't make me hope too much. I might not be able to get up," I slowly backed away .
"You know I've been a real pain before. I've hurt you a few times, and now that I'm recovering, you're pushing me away. What is it Geline ... don't hurt me," his gaze was full of pleading as he tried to reach me. .
"Just let me go first please. I want to think about myself now. Don't think about me anymore, let's not train ourselves with each other now that there is still chaos. Let me live without thinking of anyone else. "
Wearing the ring softly, I approached it.
"It's time to think of yourself," I took the ring off me, then handed it over to him.
I can't wait for the answer. Before I could change my mind, I left in a hurry.
He has no wedding ...
In this relationship, I am the only one with a problem. I'm to blame, because I'm the one who changes how I feel.
I need some time to reflect.
I'll just understand myself first. And when the day comes to be well as well, hopefully it"s not all too late.
To be continued...