Chapter 15: Chapter 15

*Bang**Bang**Bang*

Either Jake or Haytham had released the bullet.

The sound of roaring gunshot interrupted the silence that had wrapped this hallway. From the end of the hall, several man coming out and holding a fucking guns.

In a hurry, I released my hug from Alia. The door was smashed forcefully causing a riot that also hit from the others. My brain was just filled with him, Jake. Would he be alright? And, Haytham? I was hoping both of them not trying to kill each other.

"I'm scared." My widened eyes were returning to the girl in front of me. Her two hands holding me in panic. Tears devoured her seraphic stare. Not only her cheek, but her whole face turned red. "Haytham in danger." She paled.

I squeezed my eyes shut before answering, "Listen to me, I know this is really hard for you. But, trust me, Haytham can take care of himself. You don't need to worry, the most important thing is we have to get out of here."

Her eyes welled up, listening carefully to what I told her, "And, Haytham wants you to survive." I finished my words.

Believe me, It was really hard for me too.

My eyes had set on the door in the next left hallway. "Now hold my hand tight, then follow wherever I run." I wiped her tears before gripping her hand tightly and running away.

My breath began to churn. Alia's hands started to sweat, I could feel what she felt. The gunshot never stopped as I opened the door when we arrived right in front of it.

Niki was blocking our way with a gun followed by her future husband, Sean. Her face contorted until she was realizing, it was me. "Get in here quickly." She ordered.

These families were truly no ordinary families. Guns were everywhere! They even skillfully used them.

I quickly entered the door. My thighs felt sore after running without stopping, and my hand was tightly gripping Alia's hand, never wanted to let her go.

At the end of the hall, all the guests were running towards us. "Dammit." I muttered when I saw two men were shooting at each other near us.

I looked right to left before finally finding a door. Without making a sound, I opened the door. It was a bedroom. In this precarious situation we had to hide. All the exits were locked and filled with guests running around.

After successfully entering, I leaned my body right behind the door with the breath that was already at the end of my throat.

"Alia, are you okay?" I looked at her who was grimacing in pain. "Here let me massage your feet."

Sadness crossed her face, "Hey, he'll be fine." I could read what she imagined.

She nodded slowly until the sound behind the door was quiet. "Alia, you wait here and don't come out until I come back. Don't open the door for anyone." I ordered her. For your information, Alia was a very trustworthy girl.

"Will you come back again?" She bent her knees, "I don't want to be alone."

I looked down and kissed her forehead, "I'll be back. You stay here, let me check the conditions outside."

I ran out in frustration after closing the door. The hallway was getting dark, I suspected someone had extinguished the electricity or just the lights.

I grumbled when I could see nothing. All of a sudden, a muscular hand pulled my waist abruptly, making my body spin to the left hallway. And, my face landed right on his chest.

The scent was familiar. It was Barra.

"Miss me, principessa?" A flush crept up my face. My eyes unabled to see his face clearly, but his voice always had its own effect on my body.

My chest pounded for a moment my palms touched his hard chest. His scent permeated my sharp sense of smell. All the memories were coming back quickly into my mind.

My touch gently caressed his chest, making me able to hear his messy heartbeat under my touch.

I stopped, "You left me." I bursted into tears remembering what he did. He had left me.

He took my hand then kissed every inch of it. My spine was electrocuted as those soft, wet lips marked its reign. "I never left you. Jake was my spy to watch over you." He said in romantic way.

Damn Jake! He betrayed me all this time.

I pulled my hand back just as the lights on. My tears was melting like a mountain splashed with water.

His eyes widened seeing my tears were falling and the cause was him. His hands were cupping my cheeks slowly wiping away the tears that were increasingly dripping.

"Please, don't cry. I hate to see you crying." He continued, "I've thought that you would never want to see me again." It was explaining why he didn't come back.

"Stupid." I yelled, "I was going crazy when you didn't come home."

His face went blank, "I've been feeling nothing when your gaze had changed that night. My defenses was destroyed and I needed time to process all of it." His voice was warm and gentle. "I couldn't bear it when you looked at me like..." He stopped.

"Fuck you." I yelled in my voice struggled with tears. In a flash I hugged him, releasing all the longing that had killed me these few days.

His body felt comfortable, it was a home for me. I felt protected and safe as his arms hugged me tightly like I was so precious to him, as if he just wanted to protect me from every possibility.

"I miss you." He whispered in an instant, but I knew he was just embarrassed to say it.

I snuggled in his comfy chest. He was my world and I never wanted to let him go.

I snarled when a scream was boomed through the hallway, "Alia!" I just took one step when his hand stopped me, "Alia is in danger! We have to go there!"

He gave me a sad look, "Even if she got caught, no one would dare to hurt her."

I couldn't understand what he was trying to say, "What do you mean? Mr. Salvatore's men trying to hurt her!" I insisted.

"This time my men who was chasing her." His voice was raspy.

My eyes bulged, questioning, "What?" I shook my head, "Leave her! She's innocent!" My brain seemed to understand. All of this was a freaking game. "You are the mastermind of all this!" I concluded.

"She's Haytham's only weakness." He bluffed, "And, no one dared to messing with my family." Another bluffed, left his mouth.

I looked at him hatefully. He used Alia as bait to subdue Haytham. They were all important to me, but he was also important to me. I was like walking on thorns and had to decide who should I choose to help.

His eyes closed, "And yeah, I was the one who planned all this." He clenched his jaw.

"You're so pathetic." My eyes were fiery. "Let her go." I challenged his eyes as he looked at me like I was possessed or I was insane.

"I can assure you, I'm not gonna harm her, Jazzlin." He stared back at me, sharply.

"She's just a kid! Don't get her in this dirty business." I growled.

"Dirty?" He shook his head at my comment.

"I hate you." I spatted.

He let go of his grip and then walked into the hallway where Alia's scream could be heard.

There was no other choice but to follow him from behind. There were several men who were ready to shoot but Barra raised his hand, instructing the man to stop shooting. The back hallway was quiet without a sound, only some people guarded this man who walked in front of me.

He took a deep breath before finally stopping and turning to face me again. "Alia won't get hurt or anything like that. But, I can't just let her go."

I glared at him, but let him continue, "If you want, we can bring Alia to live with us." I felt my saliva stuck in my throat at his words.

"Really?" My eyes radiated in joyous.

He chuckled in playful way, "If you want to." Then, he walked away.

"Hey, wait." I tugged his white T-shirt, "I want to." I replied.

"I know." He chuckled.

I shyly said, "Thank you." I looked up as he turned around and stared at me in the eyes filled with affection.

His fingers gently stroked my cheek, "There's one question that has been bothering me."

"What is that?" I asked in a soft tone.

"Who's Alia to you? You just met her, then why does she seem so important to you?" He was watching me in his confused expression.

Questions need answers, so please tell me how to answer his question. I had no other way but to lie, however he would hate me when he found out the truth. I couldn't see him hurt when he detected his real friend would never come back except me, stranger.

I was selfish, yes I was. Didn't want to lose Barra but also didn't want Haytham and Alia to get hurt. Fate played tricks on me. They were trying to harm each other over one thing that even myself didn't know what it was.