CHAPTER 125: ROUND TWO

The two criminals were taken into custody at the police station for further interrogation and investigation, as for the ransom money, it was hidden safely at the station’s room of evidence and would stay there until further notice or when needed again. Penelope, on the other hand, was taken by an ambulance to the nearest hospital to be checked, while me? I decided to stay with the police and listen to the interrogation that minutes from now is about to occur. 

Together with General Lombard and another civilian officer, we are inside a secured room where we can see and hear in front of us what is happening inside the interrogation room. The criminals were seated silently with their hands handcuffed on top of a steel table. 

My eyes were focused on the one who was called Leo, the man who hurted my girl. I could feel my jaws clenching, wanting to hit him in the face for maltreating and doing what he did to Penelope. Every blood in my body is angrily boiling at the sight of him. Wishing he dies right this very moment in my hands. 

“You knew what you did wasn’t proper, Mr. White? You could have been killed and so was your girlfriend.” My eyes swiftly darted at General Lombard, whose sight was fixed in front of him. 

“I did what any boyfriend would do to save their loved ones, General.” 

“But you could have jeopardized the operation. If these two weren’t held captive and had gotten away with the ransom money, I could have charged you for disobedience of the law and for interfering with police operations.”

“All I ever wanted was to keep Penelope safe, General. I cared less of my welfare nor the outcome of my disobedience. I hope you understand where I am coming from.” 

“That’s what all of us ever wanted, Mr. White. I will not file a case against you this time, as I understand your sentiments, but the next time you interfere, I will see to it that punishments will be implemented.” 

“Thank you so much.” 

The inquisition started. It lasted for hours. As expected, none of the two criminals spilled the beans. They were tongue-tied and didn’t give any information regarding the mastermind, who they just called to as Boss, nor their hideout and where they were hiding Michelle. In short, the hours spent here were unproductive and futile. I was assisted and taken to the hospital where Penelope was brought. The minute my feet touched the hospital ground, I couldn’t restrain myself from feeling anxious about my fiance’s condition. I walked as fast as I could together with an officer, who led the way towards where Penelope was. He opened a room and gave way for me to enter. 

My eyes immediately caught sight of Penelope who was laying on a hospital bed with her eyes closed. With the looks of her face, she seems to be in normal condition, but as I drew near to her, my eyes saw the discoloration of her right side arm, which was probably due to the impact her body received when she hitted the wall. I walked silently, not wanting to disturb her rest. My hand gently brushed her hair, which made her look my way and I was shaken at the sight of her face. Just like her right arm, the right side of her face has purple to bluish discoloration and was slightly swollen. I hold my breath so I wouldn’t curse out loud at the damage that fucker did to her. I could feel my eyes tearing up, hurting at what she had become and the pain she must have been feeling right now. 

“Lewis, thank God you’re alive. I was gravely worried about you.” She smiled with relief, still beautiful as ever in my eyes. 

“How are you feeling, Baby? I am the one who was extremely worried about you. You will never do this again, Penelope. I will never let you do this again, do you hear me?” She simply nodded sadly, a tear escaped at the corner of her eye that made me lean forward and kissed her lips. “I love you so much, Penelope, and I will never let anyone hurt you again. They will talk to me this time. I will be the one to deal with them, not you. It will never be you anymore, but me,” Her lips quivered as rivers of tears streamed down her face. “Hush now, Baby, you need not to worry. Those criminals were caught by General Lombard’s men in the basement and are now in their custody, together with the ransom money.” 

“Really?” 

“Yes, Baby. The ransom money is safe and still with us. So the mastermind will for sure contact us as soon as possible.” 

“But what about Michelle? They might harm her.” 

“These are smart criminals, Penelope, they know that if they hurt Michelle, they will never have the money. So be rest assured that she will be alright as long as they don't have the money yet. That’s our ace and the only thing we strongly possess to ensure Michelle is alive in their custody.” 

“I hope you are right, Lewis. I don’t know what I will do if they hurt my baby.” 

“Believe me they will. If they are smart enough, that's the least thing they would do in order to get the ransom money from us. So you must regain your strength, Baby, the fight isn’t over yet. There will definitely be a round two, but this time, I will make sure that we win.” 

Our eyes met again and I couldn’t help but smile widely at her. Amidst the clouding of crystal liquids in her eyes, I could still see hope in them. A glorious hope that strengthens the hope I have within me, something that I love about her. 

Penelope Hunt is a fighter by blood, just like her late father. She is brave and fierce like a lioness, who is willing to outtake and kill anyone just to save her cubs. She may look fragile from the outside, but on the inside, she is as hard and strong as an ancient rock that no hammer could smash into pieces. And I know that she will fight with everything that’s left of her, even in her very last breath, until all of this is over and we recover her daughter. This is whom I loved. This is the real Penelope Hunt.  

“Thank you, Lewis, for fighting my battle with me,” I tightly held her hand, making her feel that she will never be alone for as long as I am around. 

“I will do everything for you, Penelope, just as I promised to your father. That’s how much I love you, Baby.” 

“I love you too, Baby. I love you so much, Lewis White.” 

I kissed her again passionately, but with utmost care. She automatically kissed me back and I could immediately savor her unwavering love to me as our lips intertwined. My mind temporarily forgets our current crisis as my heart was soaring in ethereal heavens and divineness with the sweetness of this woman’s kisses.