Confuzzled

Logans POV:

I tap lightly on top of the cigarette with my index finger to get rid of ash as I stare at the night sky above me. My heart feels heavy, swelling with sadness and anger. Seeing her in this state, fighting for her life makes me vulnerable and weak. I stare at the cigarette as it becomes smaller and smaller and I haven't even taken a puff from it.

Mom hates when I smoke, which I rarely do and creates a big scene about it. Today I couldn't bring myself to smoke and I have no idea why I lit this cigarette up. I snap out of my train of thoughts as I heard footsteps coming closer. I stub the cigarette in the removable ashtray that was kept on top of the steel garbage can. Olivier walks up to me and gives me a consoling pat on the back. I nod my head gravely.

"Did you find out who did this?"

"No, my men are still searching for him" I replied grimly.

"You know where to find me if you need any help."

"I'll manage this," I replied solemnly. He smiles and nods in understanding before taking his leave. I know he will help me to find the person, but I can't trust anyone in this matter. After all, he's an assassin as well. I watch him as he speeds away in his sports car, leaving behind a cloud of dust. At the same time, Karolia walks out of the building her eyes scanning the surrounding. I quickly step back, hiding behind a wall.

I lean my head on the wall and close my eyes. I feel bad for hiding from her as I have no reason to be. But right now, I'm in no mood to be a target for her empathy or sympathy. I take out my phone from the pocket before dialing William's number and asking him to drop Lia at her apartment.

As soon as I saw them leaving the hospital premises, I dialed to the one person who I have been talking with the most today.

"Mr. Watson?"

"Ried, any progress?" I ask him. Ried is one of my most trusted and skilled hitman. He caught the coward who hit mom's car and escaped even before the police could catch him. I don't think anyone can do this job better than him. This is the reason why I didn't approach the police much and try to solve all my problems myself. Because involving the police is only going to cost me my own time.

"I'm afraid my answer is no. It's already been half a day and we have tried all sorts of torture method but looks like he is not ready to open his f**king mouth anytime soon." I grip my phone tighter, trying to control my anger.

"Tell him he won't see the next sunlight if he doesn't open up about who sent him to do their dirty work." I gritted my teeth, seething inside.

"I have done that too. But he seems very much determined to die rather than speak up." Ried replied and I heard a loud groan from the background.

"Then grant him his wish. Finish him and cover up smoothly." I replied in a monotone even though I so badly wanted to be the one to do it. But it's not going to get me anywhere since the real villain is just out there enjoying my agony.

"Gladly." I could feel Ried's smirk through his voice and cut my phone before heading inside the hospital with a stoic face.

******

I stare at her beautiful face as she inhales and exhales through the oxygen mask. My heart again swells in anguish looking at her now. Her cheeks had lost its color, her lips chapped and her skin pale as a ghost. I trace my knuckles on her cheeks, a memory of my beautiful childhood flashing before my eyes.

"Dad," I call out loudly.

"Shush! He's supposed to find us, baby." Mom whispers in my ears, her eyes twinkling with mischief. I giggle softly into my hands. From the branch of the large tree, which is our hiding spot, we watch him scanning the area.

"I'm gonna find you both." he sang as he searched. My giggles became louder and louder as he reached our tree. I see him laughing quietly.

"Oh, where are they?" he huffed "Maybe they went back. I should probably search inside the house." he says loudly and turns around to walk in the opposite direction. Alarmed, I quickly called out for him, thinking he was being serious. Smiling triumphantly, he turns around and looks up.

"Gotcha," he said. Mom huffs childishly before laughing.

"Honey, don't teach a four-year-old to climb trees." Dad scolds mummy who makes a face in return.

"Jump kid," he says and lifts his hands to catch me. I jump excitedly. He catches me before kissing my forehead. A noise from behind alerts us and we turn around to see Mom on the ground, her knees and elbows injured. Dad quickly puts me down before rushing towards her. Mom laughs calling it as her stupidity to jump from this height while dad examines her wound seriously. He picks her up despite her protest and walks with her in his arms.

"Always take care of your mother, Son," he said to me as I walked behind him with tear-filled eyes.

I take her limp hands in mine and squeeze it lightly. Despite how bruised she looked, she still looks beautiful. 'Always take care of your mother, son'. My vision slowly blurs, tears welling up in my eyes.

"I'm sorry," I kissed her knuckles. "I'm s-sorry," I repeat, my voice breaking. "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you." I kiss her hand repeatedly.

"Wake up, mom," My lips quivers and before I know it, I'm crying. "I want you back. I can't-" my voice cracks. I place my head on her stomach and let out all my misery. I have never let my guard down since my dad's demise but seeing her unconscious body in this hospital bed, I couldn't hold it.

I stand up and press a kiss on her forehead. I wipe away the remains of tears and walk towards the door. Before leaving, I gaze at her fragile form once more.

"He's gone, he left us alone in this world." mom cried, throwing things carelessly around the room as fourteen years old I watched her with saddened eyes. This scene became a routine since the death of my father.

Once she's thoroughly exhausted, I help her to the guest room where she's staying temporarily and assist her to the bed. I place a lingering kiss on her cheeks.

"I'll always protect you, Mother. I won't let anything happen to you."

I walk out of the room, closing the door behind me and instruct the guards standing outside to be on alert before leaving the building.

****

Karolia's POV:

Why is this happening to me?

I crumble the note in my hand, a feeling of exasperation running through my blood. My horrifying past is still chasing me, putting the people I love in danger. I sigh heavily, a lump forming in my throat. The sound of a ringtone makes me jump, bringing me back to reality. I snatch the bouquet of black roses and walk to the nearby garbage can and dispose of the flower in it. I take heavy breaths. Olivier's face flashes in my mind and I grind my teeth together. It's him. He's the one who is behind this. He tried to kill Grecia to get his revenge on me. That bastard!

William opens the car door for me and I thank him. I take my phone from my bag before dialing her number.

"Hey Karrie," Scarlet mumbles, her voice sounding sleepy.

"Where are you?" I ask her.

"At Patrick's. What happened?" I let out a sigh of relief. Thank god, she's safe with Patrick. No one could harm her.

"Nothing. Just asked. How are you?" I ask her

"I'm fine. How is Grecia?"

"No progress. I just left the hospital so I could freshen up and pack my things for tomorrow." I replied sadly.

"She will be alright. Don't lose hope."

"Yeah," I kept my fingers crossed and pressed it to my chest. "Is Patrick next to you?"

"Yes, anything you want to say to him?"

"Yeah, just pass him the phone." I hear some shuffling from the other end before I hear the deep voice of Patrick.

"Hello, Karolia."

"Hey Patrick, Is Scar staying at your place for the night?"

"Yeah, she is. Is something wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong. I just wanted to make sure she is safe."

"You don't have to worry about that. I'll take care of her."

"I'm sure you will." I cracked a soft smile.

"Have you heard from him?" he asked in his curious tone.

"No, I have no idea where he is. He asked William to take me home though." I said wondering myself where he might be.

"I think he wants to be alone right now. But don't worry, I'm sure he will come around." He says with reassurance. I hummed back in response as I wasn't sure how to reply to that.

"Are you alright?" he asks, sounding confused.

"Yes, yes. I'm fine." I rub my aching temples. We exchange a few more words before ending the call. I sighed heavily and looked out of the car, the New York scenery flashing past us. I twirl the phone in my hand and think about how my life is going to be a disaster if I don't do something soon. I knew someday I have to stop running and face my past but I didn't know the day would come soon.

I dial Logan's number in my phone. It rang for a few seconds before it went to his voicemail. I tried again but the result was the same. I purse my lips and toss the phone beside me. I get he wishes to be alone right now. But I haven't seen him since this afternoon. I worry he might do something reckless.

"Take me to the mansion."

"But Mr. Watson said-"

"Take.me.to.the.mansion, William" I said loud and clear. He looked at me from the rearview mirror and saw the determinant look on my face.

"As you wish, Miss Kingston," he mumbled.

The drive to the mansion took approximately fifteen minutes. The gate was closed which means Logan isn't here. But I decided to wait here hoping he would come late at night. I step out of the car and lift the covered padlock before typing the passcode. Soon the huge gate groaned and slowly opened, revealing a familiar stone-paved path. None of the bodyguards can have access to the house without permission as the passcode is highly confidential. Only me, other than Logan and Grecia, of course, know the code. And also Logan had installed an app on his phone in which he gets notified when someone enters the house, which is a good thing now as he would know I'm at the mansion.

I decided to wait outside as it didn't feel right to get inside the house without Logan. William starts to protest when he sees me sitting on the porch step. He tells me I can wait for him in the car, but I decline it. He finally quits knowing I won't back down from my decision.

I sit there waiting for my man while my bodyguard stays alert about the surrounding. I don't know how or when, but I slowly drift off to sleep.

When I wake up, I find myself in Logan's bed, alone. I rub the sleep away from my eyes and check the time on the bedside clock which reads 1:37 am. I removed the duvet from my body before standing on my feet and strolled out of the room. I walked down the stairs following the light which was coming from the living room.

Logan was sprawled on the couch. He was holding an empty bottle of liquor in his hand. I walk up to him and touch his shoulder. His bloodshot eyes slowly meet mine and my heart aches for him. He looks dejected. He removes my hand from his shoulder and gets up.

"I asked you to stay in your apartment," he said and turned around.

"I wanted to make sure you're okay," I said softly and followed him to the kitchen. There on the counter lies four empty bottles of alcohol.

"I'm fine," he replies harshly. He opens the refrigerator and grabs another bottle of alcohol. He saunters back to the living room not even sparing a glance at me. I snatch the bottle from his hand.

"Talk to me, Log. Don't drink it out."

"Just leave me alone, Karolia," he mumbles and tries to grab the bottle.

"No I won't," I said and placed the bottle on the table.

"Talk to me" I pester him.

"There's nothing to talk about." he raises his voice slightly. If this situation was a few months back, I would have scurried away in fear, but now it's different. I know he needs me. He is just trying to put on a strong face for me and everyone else around him, to not show his weakness. But I want him to know that it's okay to let it down sometimes. That it's okay to cry because I am here to give him my shoulder.

I stride towards him and take his face in my hands, forcing him to look into my eyes.

"I'm here for you." I whisper "Don't avoid me, please." I beg him with my eyes. His eyes brim with tears.

"She's gonna be alright," I assure him, my own eyes tearing up. He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me closer, hugging me tightly.

"I'm sorry," he presses a kiss on top of my head. I lay my head on his chest.

'It's okay. Everything is going to be alright"

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