Chapter Thirty - Deep Trouble

It was very early in the morning when I was walking down the hospital corridor, stifling a yawn. I had hardly got any sleep last night worrying about Alec.

I swung the door open and immediately frowned.

"Good morning, Scarlet," He spoke with his gaze fixed at the laptop while he typed something into his phone.

My gaze riveted to Jeremy, who was standing beside his bed.

"You got him his laptop and phone?" I asked.

He nodded.

"Erica, I've sent you the email," Alec spoke on the phone. "I want you to send those quotations to our London clients."

He hung up and gave his laptop and phone back to Jeremy, which he quickly placed into a briefcase and left the room.

"Let me guess," I raised a brow at Alec as I walked over to his bed. "Your doctor doesn't know."

He shrugged. "Stupid hospital rules. But I know I'm good now. Might as well start working."

I sat down on the stool and scowled at him. "This is so unfair. You sent me to dad's last night saying that you'll be fine and I come here to find you working already."

"I told you I'm fine."

I crossed my arms over my chest. "Is that why you sent me home? So you can work?"

"Scarlet, you've been here for two days. Of course I had to send you back. And my work has never bothered me, I'm fine."

I pressed my lips into a thin line. "I'm staying here tonight."

"That won't be necessary. I'm getting discharged this afternoon."

A surprised laugh escaped my mouth. "Really?"

His lips lifted up into a smile. "If I knew you would be that happy about it, I would have got discharged sooner."

I raised a brow. "That's not up to you, Alec."

"Are you sure about that?" He smirked.

My jaw dropped for a moment as it struck me. "You're not supposed to be discharged today, are you?"

"Not really."

"I'm going to talk to Dr. Jensen right now," I was halfway towards the door when his voice stopped me.

"I had a deal."

"With a doctor?" I spat in a ridiculous manner and he chuckled.

"Yes. He's letting me go because I promised to work from home for atleast a week."

"And you're going to follow that?" I narrowed my eyes.

"Yes."

I blinked at him. "Really?"

At this, he rolled his eyes, picked up the TV remote and started watching a business channel.

I got myself busy into reading a magazine and thankfully, Alec wasn't constantly lecturing me today of how I shouldn't miss my classes to be here since it was a Sunday today.

I swear he sounded like my dad.

Soon, it was afternoon and Jeremy was taking care of the discharging formalities while I was waiting for Alec to get changed into the clothes Jeremy had brought back from the apartment.

The door clicked open and he stepped out into a pair of denims and a plain black tshirt. Do I need to mention he looked good even in that?

Good? Who am I kidding?

Damn! He looked hot.

"Like what you see?" He smirked.

I blinked, realizing that I was staring him.

"I've seen better, Alec Sinclair."

I smirked when he frowned at me and started walking in my direction but the door to the room opened and Jeremy walked in.

"We're ready to leave, Mr. Sinclair."

Alec nodded at him, cutting a glance at me. "We'll meet you outside in five minutes, Jeremy."

My eyes grew wide when Jeremy left the room and Alec started walking up in my direction again.

"You were saying?"

He cornered me against the wall as I opened my mouth to speak but shut it, not because I was scared or anything but because I was happy to be so close to him again.

To see him like that again.

"Why are you smiling?" He asked in bewilderment.

"Oh...I didn't realize I was," I spoke.

"What's so amusing, Mrs. Sinclair?" He raised a brow.

I held his gaze for a moment.

"You, Mr. Sinclair," I stood up on my tip toes and placed a kiss on his jaw.

When I pulled back, he was staring at nothing in particular, then he cocked his head to one side almost like a lost puppy and I couldn't help but let out a laugh.

His eyes narrowed playfully. "Are you laughing at me?"

"Maybe," I shrugged and reached for his hand, intertwining our fingers.

"Let's go home, Alec."

I shivered in delight when he squeezed my hand, smiled down at me and started walking towards the door.

Getting out of that room for good was a relief.

But in that moment, I wished we had stayed inside the room because of the two men dressed like 'Men In Black' waiting outside with Jeremy.

"They will be your bodyguards, Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair," Jeremy started. "Bruce," He pointed to one of the heavily built guys with raven hair. "And Oliver," Then pointed to the one with brown hair.

They both seemed to be shipped off right from some army school and I would have doubted that if they didn't look much older than a student.

Alec shook their hands and I realized that I was staring blankly at them when he nudged my shoulder.

"Let's go?"

I blinked and nodded at him.

As they started walking beside us, I realized that I was more scared of them than some crazy attacker out there. Alright! I know they are meant for our safety.

But I've never had a bodyguard around me before. Never needed one.

I couldn't help but feel like nothing was going back to normal unless the cops had caught the shooter.

That we were anticipating more appalling events to be hiring new bodyguards. A shiver ran down my spine as we got into the car.

Thankfully, Jeremy had taken the wheel and the other two guards were following us in another car.

"You look a little pale. What's the matter?" Alec asked me.

"Nothing. Just new to bodyguards being around," I shrugged and looked outside my window but noticed something weird.

"Alec? These window glasses....seem new."

"Yes. Jeremy insisted on bullet proof ones."

"Oh," I nodded.

Things aren't weird at all.

Stop being whiny, Scar. It's for the safety.

We reached the apartment and I was glad to have the guards off our backs the moment we got into the elevators. I let out a breath of relief.

My phone buzzed into my pocket and I fished it out. There was a text from.....Ben?

There's something important we need to talk about. Text me whenever you get this.

I decided to type a quick reply.

What's up?

The elevators opened and a smile formed on my lips as we stepped into the living room.

"Welcome back," I muttered to Alec who looked at me in amusement and exhaustion.

"You're sleepy," I stated.

"Yeah. The medicines," He rolled his eyes and started walking towards his study.

"Whoa. Where are you going?" I sprinted past him and blocked his way.

"My study."

"What for?" I frowned.

"There's some work I need to take care of."

"No. You're going up to your room to rest."

He crossed his arms over his chest. "Since when did you start ordering me around?"

"Ever since you struck a deal with your doctor. Do I need to remind you of that?"

We both held our challenging stares and when I didn't budge, he sighed. "Fine. I'm going up to rest but only because I'm drained and not because-"

"Of course," I gave him a sarcastic smile. "Not because you're obeying me, right?"

He nodded and went up to the room. I looked down at the time. 7 p.m.

My phone buzzed again and there was another text from Ben.

I need to see you, Scarlet. Right now.

I frowned at the screen. What could be so important?

Is everything alright?

I hit send and waited for his response.

There's something very important I need to tell you in person. Can you come to Prat's Cafe?

I pressed my lips into a thin line as I thought over it. There was no way I could even think about setting foot outside at this hour with some crazy man with a gun out there.

Even if I had a bodyguard, it wasn't safe.

Ben, I'm sorry but I can't.

His reply came within a minute.

Scar, I think I might know something about your husband's attacker.

My heart stopped for a moment as I stared at the screen trying to comprehend the message.

Then I fumbled with my phone to type a reply.

I'll see you at Prat's in 15 minutes.

I checked to see if Alec was still there but there was no sign of him near the staircase. Maybe he was asleep already.

As I headed for the elevators, my phone buzzed again.

Come alone, Scar.

I frowned at the message.

Why?

I hit send. Oh God!

What if this is a trap? Why else would Ben ask me to come alone? Is that even Ben? What if someone stole his phone and is texting me to meet alone now?

Another text message popped up.

Please just trust me, Scar.

I took in a deep breath as I entered the elevators, making my mind up.

If I could help in finding Alec's attacker, I'd do anything. The cops had taken the warning notes I'd been receiving and still haven't been able to track the person down. It might not be too easy but if it means that Alec is still in danger, then I have to do something about it.

I reached the parking lot debating if I should tell Jeremy or not, deciding the latter one because he wouldn't let me go alone. And Ben must be asking me to meet him alone for a reason.

Carefully checking the parking lot, I got into my lambo and started driving towards the cafe.

It was a small cafe near my college and as I entered, the delicious smell of coffee hit my nose.

I spotted Ben in the last booth and walked up to him.

"Scarlet, thank you so much for coming here. I've been dying to get this off my chest," He spoke the moment I sat down.

"What? What do you know?"

"Okay. Look. First I just want you to know how guilty I am for keeping this from you but....I was scared. And I thought you might think I did it because of our history but-"

"Ben, it's alright. Please just tell me what's going on," I pleaded.

He took in a deep breath. "A few days ago, I was having some beers in my car at the campus. It was the time for lectures so I didn't think anyone would see me but then....I saw you. You had just arrived and the moment you got out of your car.....I-I saw something."

He raked his fingers through his hair.

"What did you see, Ben?" I muttered in a low voice.

His eyes met mine. "I-I saw someone, he was just standing there behind the bushes in a black hood. I couldn't see his face. At first, I didn't find anything weird at all but then.....he aimed a gun at you," He breathed out.

Chills ran down my spine as I remembered the day. That must have been the day I received the first note.

Was he planning to shoot me?

Then why didn't he?

And why Alec?

"I should have done something, Scar but I was so scared.....that I just sat there frozen.....watching it happen, waiting for him to pull the trigger," He looked away from me and muttered under his breath. "I'm such a coward. I never would've forgiven myself if he shot you that day. I'm sorry, Scarlet."

"Ben," I squeezed his hand. "It's alright. Anyone would have done the same. Tell me what happened after that," I quickly retrieved my hand.

He nodded. "I don't know what came over him but he suddenly put the gun away and pulled a paper out of his bag, jotted down something on it, then wrapped it around a stone and threw it towards you."

I was right! That's when I received the first note.

"Scar, I-I.....should've done something," He shut his eyes in frustration.

"It's alright, Ben. What else did you see?"

He opened his eyes and seemed to be debating something in his head. "I didn't know what came over me. Whether it was a sudden burst of courage or I was worried about you, but I stepped out of the car and ran in his direction. He must have seen me as he started running in the opposite direction-"

"You chased him? Are you crazy? Did you not see the gun in his hand?" I snapped in disbelief.

"I wasn't thinking straight, Scar. Anyway, while he was running away, right before he could turn the corner and escape, his hood dropped."

My eyes grew wide. "Did you see his face?"

"No. I didn't get a look. But the moment the hood fell, long red hair opened from a bun and reached all the way to waist. Now it may not be accurate to judge as a guy can have long hair too but...it was most probably a girl."

My mouth was slightly open as I tried to process the information to recall any red head I knew.

A red head who could be so interested in Alec that she was planning to kill me. But why would she shoot Alec?

I didn't know any red head at all. Should I ask Alec?

"I'm sorry I called you alone inspite of knowing that you're in danger. I just didn't want people to know I'm involved and I now realize that I've put your life in danger. You're her target. Oh God," He shut his eyes.

"I'm sure she doesn't stalk me or Alec all the time. Relax. Is there anything else you know?"

"No. That's all."

"Thank you so much, Ben," I gave him a grateful smile.

"Anything for you, Scar."

Taking in a deep breath, I nodded and looked down at my watch. 8:15 p.m. already.

"I think I should go home now."

"I can drop you. I know it's not safe for you to go alone. Wish I had thought this through."

"It's alright, Ben. You should go home too. And thank you once again. You did good by telling me all this."

He nodded at me with a smile and I got up to leave.

Something caught my eye as I was getting into my car.

Shit.

My phone. How could I leave it inside the car?

25 missed calls from Alec. 20 from dad. 50 from Lily.

Give me a break.

What the hell was going on?

Just then, my phone rang again. It was Alec.

"Hello?"

"Scarlet, oh thank God. Are you okay? Don't worry, we'll be at Prat's in 15 minutes. Just hold on, oka-"

"I'm okay, Alec. How the hell do you know where I am?"

"We tracked your phone-"

"You did what?" I snapped.

"Wait," He spoke and then, there was a pause. "What the fuck are you doing there?"

"Uh nothing....I'm on my way home. I'll be there in a few."

He inhaled sharply.

"You better be," He hung up.

Oh God!

I drove towards the apartment and called dad and Lily on the way.

While dad just scolded me, Lily was literally cursing at me. My poor ears.

I parked my car into the parking lot and stepped into the elevators with a pounding heart and as they opened into the apartment, I considered making a run for my life.

Stop overreacting.

I stepped into the living room, looking around cautiously and when I didn't spot him anywhere, I ran up to my room and shut the door close as quietly as I could.

Taking in a deep breath, I walked towards the bathroom but the door behind me was pushed open with so much force that it hit the wall with a thud and I wondered if there was a crack in the wall.

Then, it was shut closed with as much force, causing me to jump in my spot as I could feel him burning holes in my back.

Deep trouble, Scarlet, deep trouble.

Gulping down, I slowly turned around.

Alec was fuming in anger.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" He suddenly advanced in my direction and backed me up against the wall.

"Alec I-"

"Are you fucking crazy?" He shouted, causing me to flinch in my spot.

I'd never seen him this angry before. His eyes looked murderous and for a second, I wondered if he was going to hit me but I immediately dismissed the thought. He would never.

"Speak something dammit," He spat, tightly gripping my arms.

I almost screamed out. "A-Alec. Y-you're hurting m-"

"WHERE THE FUCK WERE YOU?"

"Ben......Ben. I was with Ben," I screamed out in fear, shutting my eyes tightly as tears forced their way out of my closed eyelids.

Then, I suddenly realized what it must have sounded like to him but there was nothing I could do. I couldn't move, let alone opening my eyes and face him.

His grip slowly loosened and I peeked my eyes open.

He looked hurt.

"You know everything that's been going on and you risked your life to go and meet....." He trailed off, seeming lost but it was only momentary as his jaw clenched in anger once again.

"Tell me what's going on between you two," He demanded and I was paralyzed by the burning rage in his eyes.

"Do you love him?" He snapped.

"W-what? N-no," I managed to speak but he didn't seem to be listening to me as his eyes were fixed at nowhere in particular. He seemed lost in his own thoughts.

"You lied to me," He muttered under his breath, blinked and then looked at me.

"What?"

"You fucking lied to me even in your drunken state," He spat venomously.

"L-lied about what?"

"You said you love me. But clearly, you don't. You just don't fucking love me. They were all lies. Lies to mess with my head dammit."

WHAT!?

I said.....I love him?

Oh God!

I told him I love him?

And he didn't......push me away?

Does that mean he...?

"Alec, I-"

"Don't," He warned.

Giving me a long look, he turned around and I found myself urging to stop him but I had no words that were ready to come out of my mouth. I was too shocked to say anything.

I love you, Alec. Please don't go.

Then, as if he heard my thoughts, he stopped in his tracks and turned around, the fierce look back in his eyes.

"Dammit," He cursed and walked up to me once again, gripping my arms only this time in a softer grip.

"Tell me you're mine, Scarlet. Only mine. Say it," His voice was carrying pain.

The tears that had been threatening to fall, finally rolled down my cheeks.

"I'm yours, Alec. Only yours," I muttered.

"Tell me you love me," He pleaded. "But if only you mean it."

His eyes were so truthful in that exact moment, I almost felt like he had kept his heart open to me for the first time.

I cupped his cheeks with my hands. "I love you, Alec."

A look of relief crossed his face.

"And I mean it," I whispered.

He ducked his head down and claimed my lips.

I was breathless by his demanding kiss but there was no way I was stopping. It was only when I heard him mutter something between kisses, that I froze.

"I love you too, Scarlet."

I stared up at him dubiously. Did he really say it?

"You do?" I whispered.

He swallowed hard before nodding.

"More than anything."

Oh God! This better not be a dream.

His hands came up to caress my cheeks and I kissed him again.

My legs almost gave way as I found myself leaning into him. He pulled me towards my bed as I gripped his collar tightly for support.

"Do you really love me?" I whispered between kisses, still not believing he said that.

"Yes and you're mine."

Yes, yours.

Was it too cheesy?

Too cliché?

Hehehehe sorry if I got carried away while writing. Sometimes, I just can't with these two. *Shakes head*

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