CHAPTER 30 : THE TRUTH BEHIND THE SHADOW.

Jaydan's POV

It was already ten o'clock on Friday night and we were still waiting for Victoria to come out. Mr Wills told me that I could go home but I declined.

I knew that I won't be able to sleep. To tell you truth I've never slept well in my life, except for that one time when Victoria witnessed a robbery and a man being shot and stayed with her.

Something about her made me calm and made me feel strong. I don't know what I would do without her, she's made my life perfect and I won't be able to live with myself if she died.

Mr Wills took his wife home a few minutes ago and the other two girls left an hour ago. I stayed at the hospital promising Mr Wills that I'll call as soon as I hear any news.

I already drank two cups of coffee and my parents came by to see how Victoria is doing, but they left after a hour or two.

I couldn't believe everything changed so quickly, first she gets kidnapped and then she's shot. I owed Victoria my life, if she didn't push me out of the way in time I would've been the one laying in that operating room fighting for my life.

It was 12 o'clock that night when the doctors finally came out. I immediately called Mr Wills and they arrived within ten minutes.

When we we're all gathered around the doctor he tells us the news.

"I have great news, Victoria is out of danger," everybody sighed in relieve at the news, "she's doing great and going strong, she's fighting for her life and if I didn't know of any better I would say she has something to live for." The doctor smiles at everyone and we all are relieved to hear the great news.

The doctor informed us that he didn't know when she'll wake up but he is positive she'll make a full recovery.

After a lot of persuasion I reluctantly agreed to go home and get some sleep. I was a bit tired I haven't slept for a day because I was searching for Victoria through the whole night last night.

I went home and slept for a while but my thoughts were still with Victoria. I couldn't describe how glad I was she was alive.
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Victoria's POV

I woke up in a white room, the curtains were drawn and the sun was streaming through. I tried to sit up but immense pain shot through my stomach and back and I decided it would probably be better to lay down again.

Jaydan's face was still imprinted in my mind, I heard his voice begging me to hang on but I'm not sure if he really said or if I only dreamt it. I wanted to see him so badly.

The door opened and my parents stepped in. My mother screamed when she saw that I was awake and she ran towards me and threw her arms around me. Her hug was so comfortable and I'm grateful I had the chance to experience that comfort again.

My father was next to crush me in a bear hug, but he immediately softened the hug when he saw me wince.

"How are you feeling?" My dad asks as he pulls away.

"Painful but I'll live, did you catch him? Is he still alive?" I ask.

"Caleb is dead, he lost too much blood." My dad says as he takes a seat in the chair in the corner of the room.

"And the Shadow?" I ask.

"He got away, luckily."

"Luckily? I thought you wanted to catch him?" I ask completely baffled.

"I did, but darling you were right he isn't the bad guy, why did you do this?" He asks.

"I wanted to prove myself to you but I only got myself shot in the process."

"Honey, I didn't want you to become a detective because I thought you didn't have what it takes, but because I'm scared I'll loose you. But now I see with or without my permission you will still do it, so I'll just make it easy on both of us and give you my permission." He says with a smile.

"Really?"

"Yes, you'll make a fine detective someday." My dad says and my heart swells with pride.

"Thanks dad, I won't let you down. Have you guys seen Jaydan?" I ask.

"His been here since you were in the operation room, he only left last night when you came out of the operating room." My mother says with a smile,"Oh sweety he is such a darling."

"I know mom, that's why I'm glad his my boyfriend." I say.

"Indeed what a lucky girl you are."

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Jaydan's POV

Saturday morning I went to the hospital at 10 o'clock, it wasn't to early because I overslept.

When I got to the main desk the nurse gave me a warm smile and informed me that Victoria woke an hour ago. I thanked her and walked to Victoria's room.

Her door was closed and I heard voices coming from the other side. I was about to knock but the door was suddenly pulled open before my fist could touch the door.

Mrs Wills stared up at me and the moment she recognized me her eyes lit up and a smile broke out on her face.

"Jaydan so great to see you. Please come in. Victoria has been asking about you." She says as she grabs my hand and leads me inside.

I greet Mr Wills who is sitting on a chair in the corner of the room. I turn around to face the bed and my eyes lock with Victoria's.

The eyes I've completely fallen in love is as bright as ever and I can't help but stare at her mesmerized.

I hear a throat being cleared behind me before Mr Wills says, "Darling, let's go crab some coffee."

"Why?" Mrs Wills asks as Mr Wills lead her out of the room.

"We'll be back in a while." He says as he closes the door behind him and I'm left alone with Victoria.

I look around the room before clearing my throat trying to find a way to start up conversation.

"So how are you feeling?" I ask as I take a step closer.

"I'm fine thanks, it's painful and it hurts when I move but otherwise I'm fine." She says and I nod along.

"I'm glad to hear. Victoria I'm so sorry if I-"

"Jaydan stop, I know you are sorry, but there is nothing to be sorry about. It was the White Hawk's doing not yours." She says.

"I know, it's just I wanted to tell you the truth so many times, but I was afraid. I was afraid you'll hate me and I didn't want to loose you." I say as I take a few more steps so that I'm standing right next to the bed.

Victoria takes my hand in hers as she looks up at me. "I know you have your reasons for not telling me the truth, but Jay I'm not mad at you. I understand your reasoning and I know you won't do anything that's harmful to me."

"You mean you don't hate me for not telling you the truth?" I ask.

"No I'm not." She says and the biggest smile spreads across my face. I stare down at her face and the urge to kiss her comes over me.

"May I kiss you?" I ask her softly. She nods and I bend down to kiss her. It's a soft sweet kiss and it's every thing I expected it to be.

We break out of the kiss breathless and I lean my head against hers.

"You know I would still like to know why you started this whole business." She says.

"Oh that," I say as I step back and pull up a chair.

"Yeah that, So how does a CEO become a wanted thief?" She asks with a smile.

"Oh you see when I was a small boy the White Hawk killed my grandpa in a bank robbery. I was with him when the White Hawk shot him and I promised my grandpa that I'll find the man responsible before he died. They searched for him but they couldn't find him so I trained myself for two years before I started my own search. And I've been at a dead end for two years until I've met you in the alley. I knew you saw me returning the money and I knew there might be a chance that you'll help me and I was right you did."

"I'm sorry about your grandpa." She says as she takes my hand again and her warm hand gives me a sense of comfort.

"No it's fine. Well now you know." I say, "what happened with the White Hawk?"

"He didn't make it." She says.

"Oh." Is all I say, I couldn't describe how I felt about that. I didn't want to kill the guy, I just wanted him to be hurt so he couldn't hurt us.

"Jaydan are you okay? You know you saved us and you have nothing to feel guilty about, if you didn't shoot him we would've been dead." She says and I only nod trying to process all this information.

"How's your dad taking it?"

"He was very shocked but I guess he'll make it through this."

"I'm sorry about how things turned out." I say.

"Yeah me too." She says.

Right at that moment Mr and Mrs Wills returned and we greeted them with a smile.

"So did you guys decide on a date?" Mrs Wills asks.

I look at her bewildered before I look at Victoria to see if she knew what her mother is talking about.

"What date?" She asks and I look at Mrs Wills expectantly.

"Your wedding date of course." Mrs Wills says excitedly.

"Mom." Victoria says as her cheeks get red. It was quite a sight to see.

"Yeah we did, we were thinking about a winter wonderland, hey love?" I say as take her hand and look at her. Her mouth is gaped open and she stares at me in utter shock.

"What?" I ask innocently.

"Don't support her, on whose side are you?" She asks.

"Yours of course, I'll always be on your side." I say as I look her straight in the eyes.

"Ah George just look at that, aren't they just cute together?"

"Annabeth." Mr Wills tries to stop his wife.

"What I'm just saying, anyway Victoria your father and I have to go do some things. Jaydan do you mind staying with her for awhile."

"No, I don't mind at all." I say on the same time as Victoria says "I'm a grown girl I can look after myself."

Her parents just rolled their eyes at her and it was quite a sight to see, after they hugged and kissed each other goodbye they left.

I spent the whole day with Victoria but I also gave her some time to rest. She didn't want me to leave her alone while she slept for a while and I seriously didn't want to either.

Her friends also showed up and I could finally meet them personally. They were very out going and I couldn't help but laugh at their antics.

They told me every embarrassing story about Victoria and at the end of the day Victoria was as red as a tomato because of embarrassment.

They left after about three hours and I was once again alone with Victoria.

"You got great friends." I say as I take a seat next to Victoria's bed.

"Yeah, I'm truly lucky to have such great friends. Jaydan did you hear everything my mother said about us?" She asks.

"Yes, that's why I said we were planning a winter wonderland wedding." I say with a grin.

"This is so embarrassing, I can't believe you heard everything." She says as she places both her hands on her eyes in embarrassment.

"Hey, it's not that bad besides I'm glad your mother likes me, I'm not sure about your father though but your mother definitely likes me." I say as I take away her hands covering her beautiful eyes.

"You're wrong my mother doesn't like you she loves you." She says with a small smile.

"Almost as much as I love you." I say and her eyes immediately locks with mine,"I love you Victoria and I've been dying to say it for a while now."

"I love you too." I didn't think she loved me too, I knew she liked me but I didn't expect her to say she loves me too. A big smile forms on my face and I lean in to kiss her.

The kiss is long and passionate and right at that moment I knew I didn't want to be with anyone else but her.

"I love you detective." I whisper in her ear.

"I love you Shadow." She replies and at that moment I knew this was only the beginning of an amazing adventure.

THE END