Chapter seventy five

Oliver

“Wait in the car, I'll be back soon,” was what Dallas said before she headed into the cemetery an hour ago, looking like a ghost of herself.

I paced around, contemplating whether to storm in or give her the privacy she needs. I didn't want to invade her privacy, but I also couldn't keep calm. Not when leaving her alone almost cost her life a few hours ago.

‘Thirty seconds’ was how long it took me to lose her while I was following her car earlier. That was how long it took for those mother fuckers to get their hands on her and hold her at gunpoint. They dared try to harm her.

The image of Dallas's face as that fucker pressed the gun to the side of her had flashed across my mind. My jaws clenched. It took a lot of restraint not to drive my fist into the car’s windshield.

Seeing her at the edge of the cliff with a gun pressed at the side of her head turned me murderous. I couldn't hear anything past the thundering in my chest. I would have rushed to her if the police hadn't insisted I calmed down so we could take them by surprise. I wouldn't have listened to him if he hadn't pointed out that they could kill Dallas instantly if I jumped out on them.

I wanted to beat Atlas to a pulp before the police took him away, or throw him down the cliff so he meet the same fate as Lucien, but I just needed to touch Dallas and make sure she was okay. Punishing these fuckers could wait even though I can no longer do it my way.

She had looked so shaken when Lucien fell off the cliff. Despite that Lucien was literally going to kill her, she was still very shaken up by the fall. Her posture was stiff the entire ride to the cemetery and her facial expression was undecipherable.

The longer I pondered on the state she was in when we arrived an hour ago, the more reason I want to barge in there and never let her out of my sight, privacy be damned.

Just when I was about following through on the thought, she emerged from the cemetery, looking more exhausted than she was when she entered. Her eyes were swollen and tear streaked.

My chest tightened, but I kept my facial expression soft. The last thing I needed was for her to see how angry I was to see her in this state. I hated seeing her sad. The sight of her like this made me want to kill those fuckers with my bare hands.

I took long and quick strides towards her, stopping only a few meters away. She finally raised her head and our gazes collided. My chest squeezed as I saw the sadness in her eyes.

As soon as our eyes met, her lips tilted into a smile. I wanted to ask how she was feeling, but she spoke first,

“I don't know how horrible I look but I'm pretty sure the person you're currently staring at is quite the opposite of ‘the little monkey’ you've grown so fond of. Starting to question your decision to become exclusive with me?” She arched an eyebrow in a teasing manner.

The pressure on my chest lightened a fraction and I smiled back. She still got her jokes even though she was clearly faking it. I wanted to tell her to not fake it, to be real with me, but I decided to play along. For now.

“You'll always look beautiful to me, and I will never question my decision when it was the best I've ever made.” I replied.

A faint blush stained her cheeks. I felt the urge to lean in and kissed her but I forced myself to remain still. It's not the right time or place for it.

“Let's go. I'm starving.” She said softly.

“Do you want to go home or should I take you to eat somewhere?”

“Well, I'm not exactly dressed for a date right now, so let's go back to the mansion. Besides, Heather is teaching me a new recipe today.”

I nodded, understanding what she meant. She could really use a distraction. At least until the court's official ruling. I don't think I'd be in the mood to sit at a restaurant and eat if I had just found out that the man I considered a father for the past few years had once tried to kill me. Or that he held me at gunpoint just a few minutes ago.

It was more reason I held off on telling her about Atlas until I confirmed my suspicion. I wanted to tell her immediately Joe told me about it during our trip to Korea. But I didn't want her to feel sad for nothing if it wasn't true.

I had Ethan track down the lighting guy in Korea and questioned him. When the news about what happened to her four years ago resurfaced, my suspicions were confirmed.

I didn't tell her because I hadn't figured out Atlas's motive yet. Also, I didn't know how to break the news to her without hurting her too much. She'd trusted Atlas. And he shattered that trust. I'll make sure he pays dearly for it.

I knew she would be mad that I kept it for her this long. Right now, I hoped she would. Being mad is definitely better than acting as if she's fine when she's clearly not.

“I asked Heather to prepare your favorite. And I ordered a dozen more Mia's hotdogs, just Incase you don't feel like eating what she made.” I said while walking her to the car.

“Are you kidding? Heather would have my head if I let her food go to waste. She doesn't like pouring food out.” She let out a chuckle and got into the car.

It was on the tip of my tongue to remind her that Heather was my employee and she didn't exactly have a choice if I tell her to prepare something else, but I refrained myself. Lisa, Heather, and Dallas have developed a close knit friendship lately. It wouldn't be a great idea to order her friend around in her presence.

A thought on how to cheer her up flashed across my mind. I have a few hours to make it happen.

I started the car and drove out of the cemetery's environment. I threw a glance to my sides to see Dallas staring out of the window, a distant look in her eyes.

I was about to say something when she turned around and suddenly asked,

“Did they find the body?”

I knew she was referring to Lucien's body. My jaws clenched as I noted the slight tremble in her voice. She feels guilty for his death even though he totally deserved it.

The only feeling I had was regret that I didn't throw him off the cliff myself for daring to put his hands on her.

“Not yet. I spoke to the officer a while ago. They’re still searching for his body.” I said.

She nodded and resumed staring out of the window. I wanted to tell her not to feel remorse for the man that he deserved it. It was just a simple act of defense that ended unfortunately for Lucien.

But I knew first hand what it felt like to be stuck in a loop of ‘if only I hadn't’. The last thing I would need if I was in the situation is someone telling me that it didn't matter.

So I decided to give her what I knew she wanted at the moment. Space.