BELLA’S POV
“ Are you sure that you will go to work today?” I stopped tying my shoelace when I heard Ryle’s voice.
I looked at him and smiled because he looked so worried about me, “ I am sure, Ryle. Also, I have many pending works that I should do,”
“ But you are not yet in your hundred percent,” he reminded me. I looked over my shoulder. It actually does not have a bandage anymore, but the doctor prohibited me from overworking myself.
" I will be fine, Ryle. Besides, I will only do some paperwork in the office," I said to convince him.
" Fine, but if you do a hard job today, I won't allow you to work tomorrow," He threatened me. I could not help but laugh because of the way he look right now.
" You looked like Daddy a while ago. Be mindful, no one might be interested in you," I scared him to stop him from bothering me.
" You could not stop me from lecturing you in that way. Just promise me that you will not do something prohibited," He childishly protested, so I laughed again.
" Okay fine. I promise," I replied and made a pinky promise with him.
" Do you want me to drive you to school? " I asked after I tied my shoelace.
" No, thanks. I have something to do before I leave the house," He replied. I raised my eyebrow.
" And what is it?" I asked.
" None of your business. You should leave now, or else you will be late," He stated while pushing me to our house's door. I shook my head because of the way he acted. He thought I did not see the cake inside the refrigerator earlier. It seemed like he would give it to the woman he was courting.
I hopped in my car and started driving to the office. When I arrived, I wondered what was happening since it was so dark. I reached for my gun and slowly pulled it out while opening the lights.
“ Welcome Back, Detective Soriano!” My workmates shouted, so I immediately put back my gun. Gosh! I almost pointed my gun at my co-detectives. I looked around the headquarters. I noticed the balloons on the wall and a tarpaulin with my face on it. I could not help but smile.
“ Thank you very much, everyone!” I thanked them, then entered the headquarters. They approached me and gave me hugs one by one.
“ I miss you so much,” Riri commented and hugged me.
“ I did not miss you,” I jokingly replied. She immediately let go of me and pouted.
“ Just kidding,” I said while biting my lips. She rolled her eyes on me before going to the side.
“ Welcome back, Bella.” Ced sincerely said before he hugged me.
“ Ayie!” Our co-detectives exclaimed, which made me shake my head. These people love to tease us.
“ Ahem!” Our attention shifted to the one who faked a laugh.
“ Salute!” I instructed, then saluted Detective Gutierrez. Everyone in the room followed.
“ Bella, in my office.” He said, turned his back and walked towards his office.
“ Yes, sir.” I replied and followed him.
After I entered his office, he pointed to the chair in front of his table, so I silently sat on it.
“ Good morning, Sir.” I politely greeted him with a smile.
“ Bella, I apologize for not being able to visit you in the hospital,” He stated.
“ Do not worry about it, Sir. I fully understand.” I replied.
“ I could now breathe freely because you are already back in the office. I thought your father might visit me because of what happened,” He jokingly said, which made me laugh.
“ Gosh, Uncle. At that age, you still believe in ghost,” I teasingly told him, which made him chuckle.
“ I just wanted to lighten up the atmosphere. You really scared me, young lady.”
“ I apologize, Uncle.” I sincerely said.
“ It’s okay, but please take care of yourself more, Bella. Anyway, I know that you already knew the information about your gunman,” He seriously replied. I could see what he meant through his eyes
“ Yes, I already knew. But please do not worry about me because I can take care of myself. Beside, I will make sure that I will catch them this time,” I bravely stated.
“ Bella, you know that organization is dangerous. It is not only your life that is in danger, as well as Ryle,” He metamorphically said.
“ I will not let go of this case. I will make sure too that I will take extra caution on my move,” I tried to confidently convince him.
I saw how Detective Gutierrez let out a heavy sigh, “ I truly understand what you feel. But promise me that you will take care of yourself, and you will tell me every move you will make in the future.”
“ Yes, sir!” I saluted him with a wide smile.
“ You may go. But be careful, Bella.” Detective Gutierrez’s added.
I smiled before bowing my head to him. Afterward, I went out of his office and decided to start doing my tasks.
“ Why are you on my desk, Detective Riri?” I asked in wonder when I approached her. What was on her mind again?
“ Well, you have a visitor in the meeting room.” There was something strange about how she smiled at me.
“ Who?” I asked because I was not expecting any visitors.
“ Just go there,” She instructed.
“ I am busy, Riri.” I said, then pulled her, so she will stand up from my swivel chair.
“ You will regret it if you do not go there, Miss Detective,” She said, which made me frown. I looked around the headquarters and I felt relieved when I saw Ced.
“ Don’t tell me you were thinking that Ced would surprise you in the meeting room?” She asked while laughing,
“ O-of course not,” I stuttered, which made Riri laugh loudly.
“ You are assuming, Bella.” Riri commented while chuckling. I rolled my eyes because of what she said.
“ Whatever. I will go to the meeting room,” I irritably told her and heavily marched to the meeting room. Whoever is inside that meeting room, I hope that his business with me is important because as early as now, I am already hot-headed. I frowned while opening the door, but it changed in shock because of what I saw.
“ Mr. Ramirez?” I unbelievably called his name. Well, I was confused because I saw him holding a bouquet of red roses while sitting on the couch.
“ Oh, you are here,” He stated and stood up. I closed the door before I approached him.
“ What are you doing here?” I asked.
“ To personally thank you for saving my life,” He replied with a smile on his face. He also handed me the bouquet.
“ Thank you, but I hoped you did not bother. After all, your lawyer already visited me,” I said after accepting the bouquet. I also pointed to the couch to signal him to sit again. I also did the same.
“ I know but he was sent by my parents. They did not allow me to visit you in the hospital for security purposes,” He explained. I nodded.
“ Just what I have said to you before, I just did my job,” I smiled at him.
“ I know, but it was still your life that you risk for me, so I thought I should thank you personally.” I could see the sincerity in his eyes while saying those words. If he was not a suspect in the case I am investigating, maybe I could say that I was mesmerised by his eyes.
“ Your welcome,” I shortly replied.
“ I will not stay here longer since that is only my reason why I went here. Beside, I know where I am standing right now,” He metaphorically stated.
“ I believe in justice,” I replied and stood up to shake his hand.
“ I know the truth will prevail. Maybe if it happens, we can drink some coffee together,” He said and shook my hand, I tried to hide my shock because of what he said. Did he indirectly ask me out?
“ I will go back to my office. Thank you again for this, Mr. Ramirez,” I said after faking a cough and raising the bouquet I am holding. I was about to leave the meeting room when I remembered something.
“ Take care of yourself, Mr. Ramirez. Whether you are innocent or not, they want to kill you,” I seriously reminded him before leaving the meeting room.
When I arrived at the office, everyone looked in my direction. Their eyes shifted to the bouquet of flowers that I was holding.
“ Back to work,” I authoritatively instructed.
They immediately obeyed what I said. On the other hand, I walked towards my table to continue the work I left earlier. I also put down the bouquet that Toph gave me on the side.
UNKNOWN POV
" Hello boss, this is me," I gasped for air while talking on the phone.
( Did you finish what I asked you to do? )
" No, boss. There was a detective who interrupted me."
( And who was it? Who had the nerve to mingle on our plans? )
" Her name is Detective Amabella Soriano, Boss. She saved Ramirez." I moved my phone from my ear when I heard our Boss cussing non-stop.
( It was Soriano again! They are torn in our organization. Call our man inside. Tell him to stop Soriano or he will also be dragged down if the organization fall! )
TO BE CONTINUED!