Chapter five- Trouble and Negligence

"So he was kissing another woman?!" Leah looked astounded by the news and I didn't know how to respond.

"Yes," I said dryly.

"And you still want to pursue him?"

I sighed and turned to Leah with crossed arms, "Do I have a choice?"

Leah looked at me, her eyes glooming with sympathy. I hate sympathy.

"No," I pointed a finger at her, "Don't look at me that way if you can help it."

Leah caught herself quickly and bowed her head, "Sorry."

"Whatever. I'm going to try and figure out if Bennett Adams has something deep with that chic or if she's just a fling."

"Right."

"So stay in position and only watch from afar. Remember, don't drink!"

Without waiting for a response, I strutted off, smiling at the men that looked my way. I stylishly scanned the room for Bennett and I spotted him walking out the club with a bunch of grown men. The woman he had been with on the other hand stood by the corner looking dejected. I did not know what might have happened between them but I sure as hell saw opportunity in this moment and I wasn't going to let it slip right out of my fingers.

I quickly left the club as well but the only thing I saw next was a Mercedes Benz driving off. I sighed, maybe I had lost my chance. Then I saw the car park in front of a moderate building across the street that was like a relaxation outlet.

This was my chance. I better not miss it.

I was walking towards the relaxation spot when I noticed a figure following me. However, I didn't panic because I had a gut feeling of who it was. As I turned around, Leah let out a small cry and froze in place.

"I did tell you to stay still at the club," I said in a deadpan voice.

"B-but my job is to protect you!" 

I sighed, knowing if I said another word, there would be a back and forth discussion which I wasn't ready for.

"Whatever. Since you're already here, let's just go to Bennett together."

Leah gave me a puzzled expression so I pointed at the relaxation spot not far from us.

"Oh,"

We crossed the road and I walked right in front, into the relaxation spot.

"Woah woah woah," The men whispered out loud as they saw me walk in. Bennett on the other hand simply stared at me with a blank look on his face which made me a little disappointed. Couldn't he give me a better response after chewing the lady's face earlier?

I crossed my arms over my chest as I stood in front of Bennett who was sitting on an armchair with a leg crossed over the other.

"Mr. Bennett Adams—"

Before I could finish my statement, I heard the sound of a gunshot which instantly rocked my heart and sent chills down my spine.

I heard the whirring sound of a truck and the next thing I knew, Bennett was holding me in front of him. I saw several men jump out of the truck with guns in their hands and they didn't hesitate to pull the trigger.

"Signorina!" Leah's voice echoed, and my vision became hazy as I felt a bullet explode in my right arm. Bennet pushed me away from him and I saw him show the gun he was hiding while shooting away at the intruders.

I felt myself being moved away from the scene but I couldn't fathom what was happening. 

Although I was shot in the arm and was seemingly losing a lot of blood, the spot didn't hurt. But instead, I felt hazy and out of place.

Leah got me to the back of the relaxing spot and we jumped over the fence. I didn't know how we did it. I just knew adrenaline was pumping and my body was forcing me to make every move possible to get to safety. As we ran in the direction of the club, I briefly saw a mustang driving towards us and without hesitation, I let go of Leah's hand and waved to the car to stop in front of us.

Unexpectedly, it did.

Leah and I jumped in, and the car took off soon after. The sound of gunshots exploded around us and my body started to shake on its own just from hearing the sounds.

Leah kept saying things to me but I couldn't hear. My mind was in a panic. I was in a panic. It was a crazy thing.

It wasn't until we were at a safer distance my mind started to calm down.

It was then I realized that Leah had ripped off a sleeve of her shirt to wrap my arm but my blood had soaked through. It looked bad, but I was numb to the pain.

I should go home and get it treated was my first thought.

I looked at the head of the man that was driving and couldn't help but think he looked familiar. "Thank you for rescuing us with your car, sir."

"Now's not a time for thanks. You're hurt, we need to get you to a hospital now!"

I also found the voice familiar despite hints of panic in his voice. But I was level-headed enough to keep calm in the situation.

"Thank you for your concern sir but it doesn't hurt that bad. I'll get home and call a nurse. I'll be just fine."

The man stomped hard on the brakes causing the car to move to the side of the road dramatically.

"Sir, what are you—"

As he turned around to face me, I realized that he was the man I had spilled drinks on at the club. 

My eyes widened, and I felt slightly ashamed for being a recipient of his favor even though I had been horrible to him.

"—Are you dumb?! Your face is as pale as a ghost's and you're bleeding so much yet you want to just go home and call a nurse? Do you think getting shot is child's play?!"

I was too tired to match his rude words. "Look, I don't feel the pain. It doesn't hurt much."

"That's way worse! Your pain receptors are probably off due to shock."

Without warning, he pinched my cheeks causing me to flinch because I didn't expect that.

"What is wrong with you?" I annoyedly asked.

"You didn't feel that, did you?"

Without waiting for a response, he said in a serious tone, "You're dying. Without urgent care you won't live to see tomorrow."

"Signorina!" Leah cried out after hearing the rude man's auspicious words. "You're bleeding so much, let's just go to the hospital, okay?"

I shook my head. "You know I can't, Leah." There was no way I was going to sacrifice everything Dean was working hard for in secret just to receive medical care. I could do this. I could survive this. No one knew my body better than myself.

"I don't know what's going on with you two but I'm not about to let you die due to your own negligence. I'm taking you to my house to get treated by a real doctor." With that, he stepped on the gas pedal and we were off.