35

Violet POV

[ the next day...]

It was noon when I arrived at Coast Apparel for my twelve o'clock meeting. I was in the boardroom reminiscing the dumb fight that happened between Jason and me plus overthinking how he's going to get bankrupt any minute or second now.

I was fidgeting, tapping my left foot in rapid motion as Hailey, the coordinator of Coast Apparel was going over some new designs that a small brand sent over to the company.

Repeatedly, I close my eyes and try to not look at my phone during the meeting. I couldn't help myself but stare at my phone every second.

''Okay, thank you so much! I hope all of you can review the memo and don't forget Michael Joanne is coming Friday to present to us his new collection from Paris. You are all dismissed.''

As soon as Hailey said dismissed, I gathered everything around me and zoomed to my office. I locked the door behind me and went over to my chair, dialing Jason's phone again.

Please leave a message after the tone

Shit

I rolled my eyes and sighed roughly.

Maybe this is a punishment to me that he doesn't want to deal with me at the moment. I mean, yes, I fucked up, I understand that but at this point, it's worrying me out.

I sighed and called again.

''Hello?'' a deep dark voice responded.

''Hello, Jason?''

''No, it's Cameron. Violet?''

''Yeah, it's me.''

''Oh thank god you called! Jason is in trouble, there's an ambulance by Jessica's loft--''

''---WHAT?!"

''Yeah, apparently his ex-treasurer who worked at the company shot him in the shoulder. He got arrested along with Sasha.''

''Oh my gosh. Which hospital they are taking Jason?''

''I don't know yet, I'll text it to you.''

''Cameron, thank you.''

''No problem, I'll see you there.''

''Yeah, I'll see you there.''

-------

[ 2:19 p.m., Kindred Hospital Los Angeles]

I parked my car in reverse and got out quickly. The news press was there lined up in front of the hospital as they were reporting about the incident of Jason.

Skimming through the crowd, I made my way to the entrance and walked over to the reception desk.

''ID please?'' the male receptionist said.

I hand over my driver's license as he continues to type on the computer. My eyes were looking at the monitor, drawing my attention to the printer, waiting for his confirmation.

''All set. Room 409A.''

''Thanks.''

I placed the visitation pass on my shirt and went over to the hallway to meet up with Cameron and the rest.

''Violet, you're here!'' Jessica said, walking to me.

''Yeah, I am. Is he---''

''He's okay, everything's okay.''

"Where's Caesar?"

"Took Nonna to the airport."

''The surgery wasn't too long and the bullet is out,'' Cameron adds himself to the conversation. He came to me and gave me a hug and smiled lightly. I replied back and frowned again.

''Hey, Violet you don't have to worry, it wasn't your fault,'' Cameron said.

''I feel like it is low-key. I mean we were fighting over her... I just--''

''No wonder Jason loves you, you two are so alike,'' he chuckled.

''What do you mean?''

''He feels the same way.''

''Really?'' I asked.

''Yes,'' Jessica and Cameron said at the same time.

''Cameron Green, may I speak with you,'' a female detective interrupts us. She was folding her arms and let out a sigh as Cameron nods his head yes.

''Hi, I'm Detective Murray, I want to speak to you in regards of Jason Vella, your friend.''

''Right, sure,'' he replied. He looked back to us and wave goodbye. I was stuck with Jessica as the two of us sat down on the blue chair.

''You alright?'' Jessica said.

''Yes. I can't believe Rodger wants to pull a stunt like that. I mean he is really the last person on earth to want to sabotage Jason.''

''Someone told me that he warned him a few months back when he was fired from Jason.''

''Really?''

''Mm-hmm.''

''Hmm.''

'You should see him. He knows you're here.''

''I....I...''

''Violet, go see him. He's waiting for you.''

I looked back at the door and got up from my seat sluggishly. Opening, I slowly got in and went over to Jason. His eyes were dropped down as if he were sleeping for hours. He was breathing in and out slowly and groaned when he saw me walking up to him.

His eyes widened and he smirked from the side.

''Vi,'' he hoarse.

''Jay,'' I whispered, my eyes drip with tears.

He smiled. ''Even when you cry you're still beautiful.''

I laughed as he wipes my tears away.

''How did this happened to you?''

''I got an anonymous letter, saying some things about my company but I ignored it. I was with Cameron at the time, and of course, my stubbornness got out the way when he wanted to tell me something. I was in a hurry to go to Sasha, and take her to a place or whatever.

Once I was there, Rodger was lending money to Sasha and I was livid. We got into a heated argument, he pulled out his gun and I was on the floor. The two left me there with no hesitation. Thank god Cameron came, he said he heard the gunshot outside.''

''I'm so sorry that happened to you. I really am.''

''I'm sorry too.''

He edged his hand toward mine ever so slightly, until I felt his fingertips brush my hand. I unfurled my fingers and let his slip around mine until I could feel the heat of his palm pressed against my own.

''I wanna go somewhere, somewhere far away, take a break and live the life with you. I think this is a circus. I want us to be somewhere where we can enjoy having a wine, enjoying the view, cuddle, make love, all of that,'' Jason said.

He took a deep sigh and continued. ''Somewhere where I can enjoy myself.''

''Where do you want to go?''

''I want to go to Malibu."

''Malibu?''

''Yes. Just me and you, what do you say?''

"Jason,'' I whispered.

"Please baby. I want to get out of here."

''Yes, of course, let's go to Malibu."