All Chapters of Love Hurts : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

I tried to get up after about 30 minutes of that intense quickie Martin, and I did. I remembered I promised a new friend lunch and now it was too late. I charged my phone first while choosing a simple dress for a fine three-o-clock snack. Ocean blue, sleeveless turtle neck maxi dress with a side slit. At least it covered my hickeys. I took my white knee-length boots from the shoe rack and paired them with a small white purse. I gave my brunette hair some volume as it cascaded down my back. With a minimal touch of make-up and light red lipstick, I was ready to go. "Oh! Shoot!" I almost forgot my phone on the bedside table. Checking my missed calls and text messages, I gasped in horror. 50 missed calls from Martin and 10 missed calls from an unknown number. I could guess that must be Harry, and I was right for when I checked the messages, he introduced his name there. Harry: Hi, Dakota! Ahm! It's me, Harry, the Sitara guy. This is my number, by the way. Are we still ok with the lunch?

Dakota POV..The early bird catches the worm, people would usually say. Not for me, my energy usually kicked me best at night. I was a party pooper when I was at the university, a partygoer when I graduated, and a woman who never turned off the street lights at night when I settled in New YorkAnd now, it was just 7 in the evening, and my feet were aching to kick out and have a blast. After my coffee time with Harry, I went to the mall for a while and bought some clothes.Before, I used to shop with my bestie, Amy Leah. But now, she had her new priorities - be a housewife slash CEO of de la Frontela Group. After their second wedding, Desmond gave Amy Leah back her dad's company. He also took back my BFF's mansion from her evil stepmother, who was still on the run.I thought for a while about whether to disturb her or not, but who knew, she also wanted to go out tonight. So, I took my phone and called Amy Leah."Kota!" a cheerful voice chimed in right away."Babe, I'm bored to death.

Martin POV..I had an important appointment with one of my partners in the club, and I needed Shantel to accompany me. We had dinner first before we went to Luminous Lounge. I was going to meet Derick here.Before that, I told Luke to cover for me if Dakota would ask about my whereabouts. I needed her to stay close to me to protect her. I had an inkling that Yvan was not in Russia. He was here in New York, lurking around and waiting for the opportunity to cut my head off."Martin, what if we give Derick additional benefits?" Shantel suggested.We are in the VIP room on the 2nd floor of my club. The lights were minimal, but clear enough to see each other's facial expressions. For now, Derick wasn't sure if he would agree with my plan about the new shipments coming or not. Since the previous one was seized by the cops.I turned my gaze to Shantel, who was sitting closely beside me. She had a point. We had to convince Derick quickly and close the deal now."Don't get me wrong, Martin,

Dakota POV.."Okay, kindly tell me what the h*ll happened?!" I was shaking like a leaf, my feet rushed to the emergency room, but Amy Leah stopped me before I could enter."Kota! We can't get in. They're treating him. Don't worry, Martin is a hard-headed, strong-willed man. He'll get through with this!" she was trying to comfort me but to no avail.Desmond stood up from the hospital bench and ambled towards his wife. He placed his hand on her shoulder and stared at me."He'll be fine, Kota. He has reasons to live. You!" that sounded comforting, but not enough."You guys didn't answer my question yet!" I told them, my voice came out a bit harsh. My hands were on my waist, my lips quivered, and my eyes blinked, restraining some tears from falling."They had a shoot-out with another gang!" Desmond answered in a whisper after glancing around. Amy Leah held my trembling hands while staring sternly at me, checking my reactions."And, what happened next?" I asked, and it seemed their answe

The automatic door split open as I stepped out and it closed giving me a farewell sign. I glanced at the ICU one last time and rushed outside of the hospital, bumping into someone I didn't expect to see. "Ops! My bad!" the doctor wearing a white lab gown who seemed to have just finished operating someone uttered. The smell of ethanol and blood was assaulting my nostrils. My head hurt at the impact of colliding on his firm shoulder. "I'm sorry!" I replied, my head was looking down the floor. As I looked up to see who was the unfortunate guy, I felt I had seen a shelter to shield me from this horrible storm. He, too, was surprised to see me. "Kota!" "Paul!" We both uttered in unison and smiled. I had never seen Paul for two weeks although there was a time that he sent me a message, telling me he went to South Africa as one of the medical volunteers there. "Hey! It's nice to see you again!" he chuckled as he lifted me from the floor and twirled me around. "Paul, put me dow