EVERYONE IN THE HOUSE waited in anticipation. Grian and William reconciled when he realized that William had nothing to do with what was happening and he was just a victim as well. “You should rest, Grian,” Philippe reminded him but he ignored him. Phil sighed and sat down on the couch.
“Fatima will hate it if you don’t,” he said, trying to bargain.
“You rest, I’ll manage,” Grian responded and sighed.
William opened the television and the news was all over every channel regarding the explosion and kidnapping. Their eyes widened in shock and fear. They just found out about the explosion right at this moment. No one informed them and now they sat there anxiously. “Oh my god,” Nikki said.
“A few officers were injured from the explosion but the suspects and hostage were unharmed. They flee from the scene and the police are now tracking the fugitives down,” the news reporter said and they sighed in relief.
“She’s still in trouble though,” Will uttered and they all nodded.
“I’m going,” Grian uttered and stood up despite his aching wound. William pushed his shoulders down, making him sit back again. “We don’t want you getting shot a second time, now, do we?” he said with a sarcastic smile and Grian scoffed.
“I’d rather get shot than Fatima getting shot,” he uttered and William chuckled.
“It’s nice to show your love but you won’t be any good with the investigation in your state,” he said and Nikki nodded.
“Ah fuck!” Philippe screamed and they rushed to the kitchen and found him with a knife, cutting board, and an apple. The only odd thing is that his finger is bleeding. “Phil!” Nikki screamed in worry and annoyance.
“I’m sorry,” he apologized as he watched his finger bleed. Nikki didn’t waste any time and grabbed the first aid kit and went by his side. She grabbed his hand and started treating his wounds. “Be careful next time!” she screamed like she’s his mother and he smiled.
Grian and William looked at each other before going back to the living room to leave the two alone. They continued watching the news, hoping for her to be safe and get rescued by the police. They waited in anticipation to know if she’ll be safe or not.
“I can’t. I have to go,” Grian uttered and tried getting out of the house but the guards stopped him and pushed him back inside. “Let me out,” he commanded and they shook their heads in disapproval. They tried closing the door but he held onto it. “Sir, your safety is our priority-“
“Grian, stop it.” He turned around and saw William with his arms crossed and stood there like a fatherly figure. He approached Grian and patted his shoulder as he looked out the door. Good thing there aren’t any reporters since they don’t know about Grian’s house.
He sat Grian down on the couch as he grabbed a cup of water and handed it to him. Grian didn’t accept it and instead, he frustratedly messed up his hair as he massaged his forehead. He closed his eyes as he remembered the time he lost Fatima more than 6 years ago. “I can’t lose her anymore, William,” he said and Will sighed.
[Flashback Start]
(February 21, 6 years ago.)
“You’re the person I like, stupid.” He closed his eyes and laid his head on her shoulder. She was shocked and was frozen for a moment till she pushed him away from her and he stumbled to the ground, still drunk. “What?” she questioned and he struggled to open his eyes.
“Stop joking around, aish!” She grabbed him again and pulled him, making him stand up. She held half of his body weight and dragged him outside. She struggled to carry a man twice as big as her as she called for a taxi. When the taxi driver pulled over, she opened the backseat door and pushed him inside before she also went inside and closed the door.
“Fatima...” She heard him whisper and she looked at him irritatedly.
“What now?” she asked with furrowed eyebrows.
“I said I like you,” he said and she rolled her eyes. She sighed and patted his back. “You’re drunk. I’m bringing you back to your house,” she uttered.
(March 14, 6 years ago.)
“We just reached 1 month! Food is on me,” Fatima declared happily while she handed Christopher and Grian the menu. “This is a bit insulting, I should be the one paying,” Chris said with a smirk and she smiled cheekily. The two laughed as they sat next to each other while Grian sat in front of them.
Grian’s jaw clenched as he looked at the pair sitting in front of him. He can’t help but think that he was supposed to be the one with her, not him. But things just... didn’t go well for him but things went well with Christopher and Fatima. This was the day he lost her to Christopher.
(Five months after the accident.)
Everyone seems to have forgotten about Fatima. At first, everyone was worried as to where she’s gone, where she disappeared to. Family, friends, and even strangers worried for her. But after months have passed, they seem to have forgotten completely. As if they didn’t even care in the first place.
But Grian, he never forgot. He still wants to find her, to know where she is. “What’s on your mind? You’ve been staring at the wall for thirty minutes,” a girl said and he turned to the side and saw Tiffany standing there smiling at him.
“Fatima,” he simply answered and she frowned.
“Her again? Why can’t you get over it?” she frustratedly asked and he looked at her with fury in his eyes. She blinked a couple of times and she gulped. “I’m just saying.. you can’t just hold onto the past. Why don’t you start anew, hmm?” she suggested and he squinted his eyes lightly.
“With me?” she continued and tilted her head to the side with a smile. He stood up from his seat and sighed before walking past her. He still can’t get over Fatima, he’s longing for her. He lost her once to Christopher, and now he lost her again.
[Flashback End]
“I can’t lose her again! What if she dies!” Grian screamed in frustration and William sighed.
“Stop thinking of the worst, you’re going to make everyone here anxious and worried. If anything, you should be reassuring Philippe, her brother. Be strong for them, hmm?” William advised him and he sighed.
The front door bursts open and a woman screaming is heard. Grian and William looked at each other before they stood up and rushed to the front to figure out what’s going on. Upon checking, they realized who it was. The police tried their best to stop her. “Let her be,” Grian said and they let go of the woman. The woman immediately approached Grian and slapped him.
“Where’s my son?!” she commanded and she looked around. When it didn’t satisfy her, she walked further and started checking every room. “Where’s Christopher?!” Mrs. Denver demanded and frustratedly walked to Grian.
“He’s with the police,” Grian said calmly and Mrs. Denver breathed heavily.
“And why is he there?! That stupid woman-“ She got cut off.
“Don’t call her that way,” both the men uttered in unison and she scoffed. She crossed her arms and she sighed. “What if something happens to Christopher? Will you take responsibility?” she asked with furiousness.
“He’s safe with the police,” Grian answered politely again. Mrs. Denver approached the television and turned it on.
“It was reported that Mr. Denver has been working with the police to find her but is now missing. He left the police to go look for her himself and they’re also tracking where he’s going. There’s no need to be alarmed, the police are handling the situation.” Mrs. Denver almost collapsed as she sat down on the couch with her mouth agape upon hearing the news. Grian and Will looked at each other in shock as well. Her most precious son is now in danger, she doesn’t know what to do.
[Flashback Start]
As Christopher is recovering from the accident he’s been in, every time he wakes up, he keeps demanding for Fatima. He always looks for her and even whispers her name in his sleep. He’s been like this for a few weeks now, and his mother is getting worried yet irritated by Fatima. (That stupid girl,) she thought to herself as she looked at her son who’s sleeping on the hospital bed.
His eyes suddenly opened and he looked at his mother as he tried comprehending what’s happening. “I need to get out of here,” he said as he tried sitting down but the pain kept him from doing so. His mother sighed as she sat down.
“Christopher,” she uttered.
“I need to get to Fatima,” he said, ignoring her. He tried his best and he successfully sat down. He tried getting out of bed and his mother pushed a button to call the nurse in. He was about to pull everything out of his arm but the nurses arrived. “Let me go!” he demanded as he tried to get out of their grasp. They did their best to restrain him but he kept trying to flee so they injected him to make him calm down.
“Fatima!” he exclaimed as his tears fell down and he slowly passed out. Mrs. Denver’s jaw clenched as she closed her eyes to calm down. Her phone started ringing and she went outside to answer it. “She’s alive,” the other person said.
“Pay for every hospital bill she has as I promised. Transfer money to her bank account as well. Make sure her mother doesn’t tell anyone about the accident,” she commanded before ending the call.
[Flashback End]