Chapter 78: Chapter 78

It’s been four days since Reign and I have our last talk. As I said, he did not show his face in front of me; instead, he sends the twins to the apartment. I didn’t refuse because they were already there when I came home from work three days ago. I also didn’t expect them to take a room next to us.

For the past few days, I tried not to think about Reign, but I failed. Everything I do reminds me of him. I no longer feel angry with him, but my chest aches. Maybe because of what I found out.

Honestly, I’m not really displeased. I was just too surprised. I wanted to see Reign talk to him and hug him, but first, I had to consider whether I could face and listen to Reign’s admission.

I sigh and cast out every thought I have and started walking out of the Nursing Laboratory. Since it’s Wednesday, we just finished our laboratory performing how to extract blood from a patient.

I fished my phone inside my uniform’s pocket and stared at the time. It’s already four in the afternoon. I put it back. I was using my old phone and left the one that Reign gave on the apartment.

“Ramos.”

I stopped and then look back to see Jandeel, one of my male classmates.

“Yes?” he then takes a step near me and puts his mouth closer to my ear, which gives me an uncomfortable feeling.

“Can you help me? I will pay you. My girlfriend needs a report about Marine life. Could you do it for me? What is your range?” Jameel whispered. I back away from him.

“When do you need the report?”

“Probably on Monday.”

“Okay, sure.”

“I will just send the payment to your bank account later, okay? I’ll message you on telegram.”

Jameel patted my shoulder that made me stiffened. I sigh. I can’t refuse since it was connected to money. This is also my kind of sideline, and it helps me increase my bank savings for Russiana’s upcoming treatment.

The doctor said it will happen in a month. I take my phone again and then opened my Gmail to clarify the date. After putting the phone back in my pocket, I let out a deep sigh and started walking back to our room.

There are already two weeks left. I need to earn and double everything to supply our possible fees and medications.

—

“Ramos, take this to table number four.”

“This to table number one.”

“Table number six.”

I was panting, catching my breath as I lean my body on the wall. I was in the kitchen hall, taking a break after the storm of excessive serving. Even Reign said before that I don’t need to work; I need to. Russiana’s operation is approaching.

“Are you okay?” I turned my face on the side and saw sir Gab holding a glass of water, “Here,” he then reached the glass to me. I stared at it for a while, hesitating, but I took it in the end.

“Thank you, sir,” I said, then take a sip on the glass.

“I hope you’ll stop ignoring my brother anymore, Ramos.”

I tightened the grip on the glass that I was holding and glance at my boss. He was staring at me firmly, then sigh and take his stance beside me, leaning on the wall. My other colleagues were glancing in our direction, but I didn’t give a damn.

They might think that the boss was giving me special treatment since I was his older brother’s lover.

“He’s been in a mess for the past days. After closing the Bar, he will lead his way in and drunk himself till dawn. Reign was saying your name all over again until he passes out.”

I did not answer because I don’t know how to address sir Gab. This is my first time talking to him one on one, and it’s about Reign, the most uncomfortable topic that I’m not prepared for.

Sir Gab gently patted my shoulder and smiled at me, “I don’t know what he did to you. He blames himself, Ramos. Reign always says that it was his fault, and I can’t seem to get what he referring to, but you are the only one who can ease my older brother out from that mess.”

After sir Gab left, I was dumbfounded, and my mind was blank. What I heard was too much. Did I make Reign messed up on his own feet? I want to hug him, but I still need to think, so I can’t say such words to him.

I get back to work with my mind floating, but fortunately, I managed to survive the night, and now, I was walking back to my apartment. My shift already ended, and two hours more, the Bar will close. Reign will drown himself from the alcohol again.

I was currently walking between the dark edges of the sidewalk. There are a lot of cars roaring on the road and giving my way rays of light. While I was walking, my thoughts were deep, ignoring the surroundings, but I stopped when my body hairs were suddenly erecting.

I felt someone was following me. Am I hallucinating? When I turned my eyes around, I was already in an unfamiliar place. Did I take my route wrong because my mind is floating away? Shit!

I started walking fast when I figured out that I wasn’t hallucinating. Someone was walking behind me, and this person was trailing my steps. It’s already evident that this person behind me was following me from earlier.

From walking, I held the strap of my sling bag tightly and sprinted out from the person’s sight. I don’t know when I am right now. I saw a pile of massive tires ahead of me. I ran towards those tires and hide there.

I was panting while holding my breath, not to make any loud sounds. I calmed myself and slowly opened my bag, then take the phone out. My hands were trembling as I dialed the number of the phone that Reign gives to me. I put the phone on my ear and hold it tightly.

“Pick it up. Pick it up.”

I whispered countless times between my heavy breaths. I canceled the call and dialed again when the server was speaking.

“Pick it up. Please. Sweety. Please.”

I was stunned when I feel someone behind the tires where I was hiding. I don’t know, but I heard a laugh; it’s a woman whose sibilant voice was familiar.

“Hello?” I was stunned at the voice who picked up the call. What is he doing at the apartment? “Ruchee?” I did not answer, not even making any movements. The person who was chasing me was standing behind where I was hiding.

“Help.”

I said, whispered, and most of my words were like air touching my phone’s speaker.

“I know you are there,” I was right. I know who’s chasing before me. My body was in tremor.

“Ruchee? Are you okay? Say something. Where are you?” Reign asked between his breathing on the other line. I did not answer, but I put the phone in front of me and heard footsteps going into my side.

I typed help and sent it to the on-call number before I felt my pursuit grab my hair out from the pile of tires I was hiding. I hope that my in need of help will reach Reign.

Save me, Reign.