Hell

Outside the meeting room, Amethyst's heart sank as she answered the call, recognizing the harsh tone of her father's voice immediately. As expected, they know nothing but to piss her off. "Amethyst, get your ass home right now!" he barked, his words laced with aggression and cruelty.

Amethyst clenched her fist as she kept herself calm. She couldn't allow herself to burst out in anger at her father. It wasn't because she's afraid, but because she knew that if she said something, her mother would be in danger.

She won't fight her father until her mother is safe and sound by her side. She must be obedient, but not too much to become a pushover.

Amethyst's resolve faltered for a moment, but she quickly composed herself, steeling her nerves as she squared her shoulders. She took a deep breath. "I can't, Dad," she replied, her voice steady despite the tremor of fear that gripped her. There's a woman on Dylan's side who wants to be with him. So, she couldn't leave. "I have important work to do."

Her father's voice grew even more menacing, his anger palpable through the phone. Amethyst almost wanted to throw her phone out of her ears. "I don't care about your damn work!" he spat. He's always been like this. "You get home this instant, or there will be hell to pay!"

Hell.

She hadn't been in hell, but she knew what hell was. If she is talking about her life, it is sure to be hell.

Amethyst's breath caught in her throat as she struggled to maintain her composure. She couldn't afford to lose it. After all, her mother would be in danger. He had her in his hand. She couldn't allow herself to lament. She knew all too well the consequences of defying her father's orders, but she also knew that she couldn't abandon her responsibilities at the meeting.

"I can't just drop everything and leave, Dad," she insisted, her voice tinged with desperation. "I have commitments here that I can't ignore."

It wasn't just work, but also because of Dylan. She couldn't help but feel more and more insecure as that woman was able to shake Dylan.

But her father was relentless, using her mother's failing health as a weapon to manipulate her. "Your mother needs you, Amethyst," he said, his voice softening slightly. "She's not doing well, and she needs her daughter by her side. If you did not come here, then it is better to kill her.?"

Amethyst's heart twisted with guilt at the mention of her mother, her resolve crumbling in the face of her father's cruel manipulation. Despite her anger and frustration, she couldn't bear the thought of her mother suffering alone.

It was her mother. Her mother is her weakness, and her father knows about it.

No one, aside from her father, knows about it.

Amethyst couldn't help but bite her lower lip. She really doesn't want to go home, as there is someone who wants to flirt with Dylan. However, for Amethyst, her mother is much more important than Dylan. She may love her, but in the end, it was her mother who was always with her.

She doesn't want to give up on her.

With a heavy sigh, Amethyst relented, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "Fine," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll come home."

As she hung up the phone, a sense of resignation washed over her, knowing that she had no choice but to obey her father's commands. With a heavy heart, she called for a taxi and sent a text to her friends, apologizing for her sudden departure.

Not long after that, Mr. Rodriguez returned from the bathroom, and the meeting resumed its focus on business matters. Dylan, Venna, and Maureen delved back into discussions about potential partnerships and strategies, but Dylan couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air.

Their business meeting finally ended, and Mr. Rodriguez left. Dylan's eyes wandered to the empty seat where Amethyst had been sitting moments before, her absence casting a shadow over the proceedings. Somehow, for Dylan, he felt that there's something wrong and this might not be good. However, he shrugged it off. There's no way that something bad would happen to Amethyst. After all, she's part of La Xiena. Despite his efforts to remain focused on the task at hand, Dylan's thoughts kept drifting back to her.

Just as they were about to delve deeper into their discussions, Maureen's phone buzzed, signaling an incoming text message. With a furrowed brow, she glanced at her phone and exchanged a worried look with Venna.

"Is everything alright?" Dylan asked, his concern evident in his voice.

He doesn't want to know anything, but he can't help but worry.

Maureen hesitated for a moment before responding, "Uh, yeah." She sighed. "Amethyst just texted us. She said she has something urgent to attend to and that she needed to go first."

Dylan's heart sank at the news, his worry for Amethyst growing with each passing moment. He stole a glance at the door, hoping to catch a glimpse of her, but Venna intervened before he could react.

"We should head out too," Venna suggested, her tone final as she rose from her seat. "Amethyst can handle whatever she needs to on her own."

She doesn't want to stay here anymore with Dylan. For some reason, Venna felt like she wanted to throw this man in the garbage can. His worries are not needed here. Her friend had been in pain because of his words, and now he's showing his worries. Who is he trying to trick here?

Dylan nodded, though his mind was consumed with worry for Amethyst. He knew that he had hurt Amethyst, but he still couldn't help but worry. He also knew that Venna and Maureen wouldn't talk about Amethyst's condition, so he didn't ask any more questions. As he made his way towards the door, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at him.

He didn't want to ask anymore, but he really couldn't understand what he was feeling. It seems like something bad will happen, but he doesn't know who, when, or whatever it is.

Once they were outside the meeting room, Dylan's thoughts turned to Amethyst, his concern for her weighing heavily on his mind. He discreetly checked his phone, hoping for a message from her, but there was nothing.

He knew he hurt Amethyst, but he also knew why he did it. That's why he knew there was a reason why Amethyst didn't give him a text. Even so, he couldn't help but be disappointed. Only now did he receive a text from Amethyst.

His heart sank at the realization, his fears growing with each passing moment. Had Amethyst finally given up on chasing him? The thought filled Dylan with a sense of dread, and he couldn't help but wonder what had driven her to such drastic measures.

Somehow, Dylan felt like he couldn't breathe. Yes, he knew in himself that he wanted it to happen, but now, when he thought that it was going to happen, somehow, he felt like he was going to die. He knew it was also for Amethyst and to keep her safe, but he also couldn't help but worry because he knew he was hurting her.

With a heavy sigh, Dylan resolved to reach out to Amethyst and check on her well-being. He knew that he couldn't let his pride get in the way of their friendship, especially in times of need.

As he composed a text message in his mind, Dylan's thoughts drifted to the moments they had shared together, the laughter and camaraderie that had once defined their relationship. Despite their differences, he couldn't deny the bond that existed between them, a bond that he feared was slipping away.

With a sense of determination, Dylan vowed to make amends and mend their fractured friendship. He knew that it wouldn't be easy, but he was willing to do whatever it took to ensure that Amethyst knew she wasn't alone in her struggles.

And as he pressed send on the message, Dylan couldn't help but hope that it would be enough to bridge the divide that had grown between them. After all, some friendships were worth fighting for, no matter the cost.