Fourteen

The sound of the bathroom door opening disturbed the tranquility of a girl still deep in her sleep. A sliver of light entered as the bedroom curtains were drawn open, making Zaylee's sleep even more restless.

Gradually, the girl opened her eyes to Griffin standing in front of the mirror. He glanced at Zaylee briefly through the reflection, then continued his actions.

Suddenly, Zaylee got out of bed and rushed to the bathroom, unable to suppress the nausea in her stomach. She vomited into the sink, trying to ease the intense nausea.

But it didn't subside; her stomach felt like it was being twisted. Zaylee tried massaging the back of her neck, but only water came up, over and over again.

"Zaylee! Are you okay?" Griffin asked from outside. Zaylee couldn't respond. She bent forward, eyes shut tight, trying to calm her churning stomach.

The bathroom door opened. Just as Zaylee was about to scold Griffin for entering without permission, another wave of nausea hit, and she vomited again. Griffin quickly rubbed her back, patting it gently.

Occasionally, he massaged her shoulders and neck. Zaylee closed her eyes and waved her hand, signaling Griffin to stop. He obeyed and followed Zaylee as she left the bathroom and headed to the kitchen for some water.

Griffin stood silently, watching Zaylee, who looked pale and exhausted.

"Should I call a doctor?" Griffin offered, but Zaylee shook her head.

"Why not? You could also ask about your pregnancy. Is the baby okay?" Griffin added, but Zaylee just shook her head again. She stubbornly refused any help from Griffin, not wanting to owe him more than she already did.

"Where are you going?" Zaylee asked, changing the subject.

"My dad wants to see me at the apartment. If I don't go soon, I'm afraid they'll figure out where we're hiding," Griffin replied, making Zaylee reflect on their complicated situation.

"Are you really okay?" Griffin asked, moving closer to Zaylee and gently massaging her shoulders. This time, Zaylee didn't stop him. She just nodded slightly, allowing his touch to comfort her.

Griffin paused, his hands still on her shoulders, lost in thought. His gaze showed concern as he noticed Zaylee's physical changes. She had gotten thinner since the incident at the hotel, followed by a series of emotionally draining events.

"Listen to me. If anyone comes and doesn't call your name, please don't open the door for them," Griffin instructed, making Zaylee look up at him.

"I'm sure my dad will use my absence to try to capture you," he added. Zaylee just nodded.

"Will you be gone long?" Zaylee asked softly, internally cursing herself for sounding like she didn't want him to leave.

"Why? Don't want to be left alone?" Griffin teased with a smirk, prompting Zaylee to swat his hand away lightly. Griffin chuckled. Even without makeup, with her pale face and annoyed expression, Zaylee still looked sweet.

"If you tease me one more time, I'll hit you with this spoon!" Zaylee snapped, irritated that Griffin enjoyed provoking her.

Griffin laughed, pulling Zaylee close and giving her a warm kiss on her forehead. He waved goodbye and disappeared behind the apartment door. Zaylee stood frozen, processing what Griffin had just done.

She shook herself out of it, taking a deep breath. Her heart pounded, sending strange flutters through her chest. Come on, Zaylee, it was just a kiss.

"I'll go crazy if I keep living with that guy!" she muttered, shaking her head.

Griffin was in the basement, watching the passing cars, until a sports car suddenly stopped beside him, revealing Dicky's face.

"How's it going?" Griffin asked.

"What do you mean?" Dicky replied, confused.

"Anna," Griffin clarified softly.

"You need to take responsibility, Fin! You have no idea what that girl did to my apartment!" Dicky said, his face turning sour as he recalled the chaos.

"What?" Griffin laughed, already imagining what Anna might have done. That girl went wild whenever her demands weren't met.

"Even Angela struggled to stop her," Dicky added, shaking his head. He wondered how much longer he'd be entangled in Griffin's mess.

Griffin and Dicky jogged up to Dicky's apartment, where Angela greeted them with coffee and sandwiches for breakfast.

"Griffin, how about we go to a restaurant for lunch later?" Dicky suggested.

"I can't stay long. Zaylee's alone at the apartment," Griffin declined immediately. Dicky and Angela exchanged glances, creating an awkward atmosphere.

What am I saying?! Griffin berated himself internally, frustrated by his scattered thoughts.

"But I think your dad's stopped surveilling my apartment lately," Dicky remarked, noticing no one watching the street.

Griffin frowned. It seemed unlikely that his father had given up. There must be a reason Alex had backed off for now. Besides, surveilling Dicky's apartment hadn't worked. What Alex really wanted was Zaylee.

"Anna keeps pressuring me to tell her where Zaylee is!" Dicky said. Griffin didn't react, waiting for Dicky to continue.

"But I think Anna knows Zaylee isn't at the apartment. She must know you're in hiding. That's why she came straight to me instead of your place," Dicky explained. Griffin just nodded, lost in thought.

"Good, let her know everything," Griffin said calmly. As long as Zaylee was by his side, there was nothing to worry about, not even his father.

"How's Zaylee's pregnancy?" Dicky asked. Griffin glanced at him but didn't get angry as Dicky expected.

"She's fine. Maybe just some morning sickness. I haven't taken her to the hospital yet," Griffin replied, sipping the coffee Angela handed him.

Dicky furrowed his brows, Griffin's expression sparking more questions. Angela listened quietly, her curiosity piqued.

"Fin," Dicky said cautiously, catching Angela's attention.

"But Zaylee still doesn't know the full truth, right?" Dicky asked. Griffin leaned back on the couch, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought.

"So far, she doesn't know. She just thinks the medicine was switched," Griffin replied briefly. Dicky nodded.

"What medicine?" Angela asked, but Griffin and Dicky exchanged looks, staying silent.

"I'm afraid Zaylee will hate you even more if she finds out the truth," Dicky said.

"I know, but I had no other choice," Griffin replied bitterly, steeling himself for the consequences.

"I'm heading back. I need to make sure Anna doesn't do something crazy to you," Griffin said, standing up. Dicky and Angela nodded, walking him to the door.

Griffin froze in shock. Standing outside was Anna, disheveled and barefoot, looking like she'd escaped an asylum.

Anna clung to Griffin, sobbing loudly as he tried to pull away. She didn't care about the stares from other residents. Her hair was a tangled mess, like a starving lion.

"Griffin! Why are you doing this to me?!" she cried.

"Move, Anna. We're done," Griffin said firmly, still trying to break free.

"Where is she? Where's that slut?!" Anna screamed, running into Dicky's apartment. Angela chased after her.

Dicky signaled Griffin to escape while he had the chance. Griffin took a VIP exit, leaving Anna behind.

Anna searched frantically, but Zaylee wasn't there. She turned to see Dicky and Angela watching her with pity. Her fiancé had left her again.

"Griffin!"

"Griffin!"

"Why?! Why did you choose that woman over me?!" she screamed.

Security arrived and took her away. Dicky rubbed his temples, understanding perfectly why Griffin had refused to marry his father's friend's daughter. There was no love, and Anna's temper was unbearable.