Chapter 22: Chapter 22

I was just quiet while on our way to the resort. Even this man remained silent. I could only hear the sound of his car. I felt deprived especially when I remembered again what Ayanna had said earlier. Of course, everyone knows me because almost everything that happened in my relationship with Ares as well as my closeness to Hector was reported. I don’t even know why it took a few months before it subsided.

“Stop thinking about what she said. That's not even true.” I heard him say so I almost looked at him to see if he was serious. I squinted and looked out the window.

"Everything she said is true, except for one." I almost whispered to myself. If I were a gold digger, hopefully, I wouldn’t be in this situation right now. I wish I was rich, then I wouldn't have problems every day, then my daughter has a good life now.

“Just stop thinking about it. I'm sorry,” he said softly. The edge of my lip lifted. Why is he sorry? And why did I go with him?

Until we got to the resort, I just kept my mouth shut. I almost didn't want to get out of his car when I saw that everyone was waiting for him. I feel like I’m shrinking every time I’m next to them.

Everyone's gaze focused on me, especially Ayanna's sharp eyes. I hesitated to go any further but this Hector suddenly grabbed my hand. He enclasped our hands and walked towards them. I saw the smiles of Sir Anton, especially Symon and the other two. Ayanna looked at me even more.

“What took you so long? I guess you have been through something,” Symon said sarcastically. I felt the heat all over my face.

“Shut your filthy mouth, Sy. Let's go start this boring visit,” Hector told him seriously.

"You're seriously bringing her inside?" Ayanna asked irritably. I averted my eyes from her. If I could only do something, I wouldn’t want to come here. You can have him all you want!

"I told you if you don't like what you're seeing, then leave," Hector told him coldly and guided me inside. I was just stunned when I saw Sir Anton wink at me. What's going on?

Hector still wouldn't let me go until we got to the resort hotel. I could still notice the others there turning to look at us so I felt even more embarrassed. We stopped in the lobby and seemed to be waiting

for someone. Sir Anton, Symon, Ross, and Barron also arrived with Ayanna. Sometime later, Hector suddenly turned to me as if in trouble.

“Shit…” I heard him whisper. His forehead furrowed even more. "I can't bring you inside the conference room," he said as if that was a big deal to me.

"I'm fine out here," I replied with a shrug and tried to pull my hand back because it was sweating but he still didn't want to so I was pissed.

"I can't leave you here alone," he said and turned somewhere, seeming to be looking for someone.

“She’ll be fine here alone, Hector. I told you, you shouldn't bring that woman here,” Ayanna said and looked at me sharply. I don’t know why I feel annoyed every time she mentions that name.

"If you're still not getting it, Ayanna just keeps on being dumb but stop bugging her," he simply said to the woman and turned to me again. “Let’s go. I'll leave you with Amanda,” he said and pulled me away again.

“Where are you going, bro? It's starting-"

"I'll be right back," he said quickly and we walked out of the hotel.

I was about to ask where we were going but we stopped walking when we met a woman who Hector immediately called.

“Sir, you are already here. Do you need anything?” She asked and glanced at me for a moment.

“Can I leave her with you? I need to get inside for the bidding. She can't come with me.”

I was stunned when I heard that. “No need, Hector. I'm fine.”

He quickly turned to me and tightened his jaw. “I don’t want to leave you here alone. I'll be right back,” he said and turned to the woman again. “Amanda, you take care of her first. I'll be quick,” he said hurriedly.

“Yes, sir. Noted that,” Amanda replied and smiled at me. I just frowned.

I lost my attention to him when I felt Hector approach me just to kiss me on the head so I quickly walked away from him.

“W-what...”

He bit his lip and released me. “Damn it. I just want to kiss you,” he whispered and left.

I just followed him with my gaze while still not believing what he did. I don’t know if he meant to embarrass me or what, e.

"So, you're that the one that got away?"

I turned to Amanda because of her question. She smiled. "Huh?"

“Right. Sir Apollo finally found you,” she added and anchored my arm. "Come on, I'll take you on a tour of the whole island resort," she said and pulled me towards the beach so I didn't do anything.

We were exposed to strong winds that even the sunlight we could not feel on our skin. There are no tourists now it was closed since last year due to renovations. All I know is that the bidding they are doing now is to whom this entire terrain including the entire resort will go. Sir Anton's friends are vying for it because of the beautiful view and the constant influx of tourists.

"So, you probably heard the news about Sir Apollos I guess," Amanda said suddenly as we sat down in the rock formation there. Our feet were submerged in seawater. I turned to her

"Which?"

Her forehead furrowed. “You don't know yet? I thought you knew that you agreed to be approached by Sir Apollo,” she replied so I was even more confused. And why does she seem to know me so well and she knows so well what’s going on with us?

“Ah, there was really nothing I could do when he approached and took me here. You seem to know me. ” I couldn't help but tell her. It grinned again and looked at the vast ocean.

“I’m their relative. He's my cousin,” she said and laughed before looking at me. “But I chose to live here as a normal person. No fame, no wealth. Simple life,” she added.

I was surprised for a moment because of what she said. We were talking for a few more minutes when Ayanna suddenly appeared behind us. Amanda and I stood together and looked at her.

“Amanda, leave us first. I want to talk to her about something important,” she ordered and looked at me intently. I already know this.

“Eh? Sir Apollo told me not to leave her alone,” Amanda replied sarcastically so I looked at her.

"I said leave us alone!" Ayanna's voice rose so I was surprised.

"I don't accept orders from other people, you know that," Amanda said to her and seemed serious so I held her arm. Ayanna's gaze deepened and at these times I no longer knew what to do. I tried to open my mouth and heaved a deep sigh.

"Ah, so, you're already obsessed with this woman," Ayanna said simply as if angry. Next, I heard Amanda laugh so I was even more nervous. It looks like they will be fighting here.

“No one wants you here, Ayanna, because you’re just a spoiled brat who’s clinging to my cousin’s arm after knowing about your fake engagement. You're the one who is supposed to leave!” She said with a threat in her voice. I was shocked by what I heard. Fake engagement?

"Whatever you say, we're engaged and going to get married next week," Ayanna said and turned to me. “You heard that, right? You knew about it yet you're still here, trying to get Hector's attention, gold-digger bitch!" She said angrily.

Before I could answer, I just felt her violent push on me, and in a flash, I was under the sea. My chest throbbed as I continued to sink to the bottom. I don't know how to swim. Help!

I tried to open my eyes but I closed them again when I felt pain. My chest was slowly getting heavier and I was already feeling short of breath. I tried to move my feet to swim up but I couldn’t do that. I don't want to die yet! Help!

A few moments later, I finally drank the salt water. Next was the pain in my chest and I was completely swallowed up by the darkness.

I opened my eyes quickly when I felt the air enter my mouth. Next was my cough and a lot of water coming out of my mouth.

“Fuck! Oh, thank God, you're alive. ” I heard someone say and then hugged me tightly. When I looked at who it was, I saw Hector's worried face. Then I just remembered what happened. I fell onto the sea. I thought I was dead…

“H-how...”

I couldn't continue what I was about to say when suddenly, Hector stood up and approached Ayanna. My mouth dropped open when I saw him violently grab her by the arm. I could clearly see the pain in the woman's eyes.

“I told you to leave her alone, yet you even tried to fucking kill her! What the fuck is wrong with you?!”

I almost jumped in panic when I heard that shout from Hector. His voice was full of anger. At the same time, Amanda approached me.

“Ana, are you okay? I'm sorry. I don't know how to swim. I didn't know what to do, so I called him. He's in rage,” she said and helped me to my feet. I felt cold. I turned my attention back to Hector who was still holding Ayanna by the arm so I approached him.

“I-I’m sorry. I didn't know, Hector…”

"Because you're fucking dumb and immature--!"

"H-Hector…" I called him and grabbed his wet shirt so he turned to look at me quickly. I was still slightly taken aback when I saw his eyes burning with rage.

"I-I'm tired…" I whispered and clung to him due to weakness. I’m sure I lost consciousness for a long time because I couldn’t even feel my whole body. I heard him swear and quickly released Ayanna then turned to me.

"What do you feel?" He asked me a worried question and gently touched me on the cheek. “Are you hurt? What do you want me to do?”

"Let's just go," I uttered and fainted again.

I was stunned when I heard a crack somewhere. I slowly opened my eyes and the dark room was exposed to me. Only the lampshade on the side serves as light. Where am I?

I turned my attention to the terrace of the room as the wind blew and blew the white curtain. There I could hear some crackling so I slowly walked towards it only to see Hector's back. It has no upper

garment and only sweat pants. There was a beer in a can on the round table that was there as he peered somewhere and had his cell phone in his ear.

“I doubt they would re-open that case. It has been closed for a long time because they have not been able to determine who shot,” he said seriously.

I remained standing there and listening. Who is he talking to?

“It was an accident, yes, but I’m sure his family will think of it as intentional. Make a way,” he continued. I heard him cuss multiple times before gulping that beer.

“Of course, she didn’t know. She doesn't need to know. That was a long time ago, so shut it down.”

That was the last thing he said after turning off the call. It suddenly turned in my direction so I couldn't move anymore. I saw the shock and fear in his eyes when he saw me. What does he mean?