The Handsome Mystery

Chapter Six

When morning came I felt nervous. I didn't want to go through with this but I knew I had to. "Are you ready?" I shook my head feeling helpless. "No." He went to give me a hug but I took a step back. It didn't feel right hugging the man who put me in this mess.

As soon as I took a step back the door unlocked and it swung open with Elliot standing in the doorway. "Let's go." The tone in his voice scared me, but it was the voice of a man you didn't disobey. I walked out and was lead over to June. "You two will go to the bank. My men and I will stay here to make sure Jake doesn't pull anything stupid. If the money is not with you guys when you come back, both you and Jake will die. Understood?" I nodded and I was pushed into the car. June followed behind me and we were off.

"How could you do this? We were friends for so long. Why?" She looked at me and laughed. "You think I was truly friends with you? Look at you. You're a nerd who dresses like a grandma and has a ton of money. The only reason I started hanging around you was because the night you got drunk at the bar you started blabbing about how much money you inherited and I took advantage of the situation. I was never truly friends with you. I only talked to you every day to figure out where you were. When I asked you to hang out, it was a plan to get the money from you. When that didn't work, I had to send in Jake. We had broken up a long time ago but I knew his good looks and his charm would get to you, so I picked him for the job. He doesn't actually like you. Who would? You're a pathetic loser."

Hearing this from her cut deep but I didn't show it. I just waited for us to arrive at the bank.

When we got there, June pushed me out first and followed closely. "You do anything stupid, I will shoot you." I nodded and we walked inside. I looked around anxiously for guards or any cops who happened to be on duty. Nothing. That was until we got farther in and I saw two guards by the vault. "Hello ma'am, what can I do for you today?" I looked at the lady behind the desk hoping she would realize something was off, but she didn't. "I need to take out eight million dollars under the name Melissa Jones please." She looked concerned but got on her computer. "One minute, I will be right back."

I saw her go into a mans office and look back at me and point. Then the man got up and came out to me. "Hello Ms. Jones. I understand you would like to take out and exceptionally large amount of money?" I nodded. "If I could have you come back with me for a moment into my office we could talk about the money." I stood up and started following as well as June. The man looked at her. "Ms. You need to stay here. This is a matter with Ms. Jones and I only. I'm afraid you're I'll need to stay out here." She looked annoyed but went to sit down.

He closed the door behind us and I sat down. "Now Ms. Jones, why do you want to take out this large amount of cash? Are you in trouble?" I felt June looking at us through the window and I guess he did too because he got up and closed the curtains in his office. "Please answer the question." I looked behind me for reassurance. "Yes sir, I am in a lot of trouble. That woman who was with me is holding me hostage until she gets the money. My friend is stuck at a warehouse being held hostage until we are back with all of it. My friends name is Jake Taylor and I am Melissa Jones." He looked shocked but immediately picked up the phone. I wrote down the address of the warehouse and immediately started freaking out.

He had called the police and told them what was going on. A short time later the cops showed up and then there was a loud kick at the office door. It was June with her gun. "You little bitch! You shouldn't have said anything Melissa." She pointed the gun at me. When she was about to pull the trigger a guard came and knocked into her allowing the gun to hit the floor. It went off and I hit the ground. I looked at my leg and I was bleeding. My phone started ringing. I grabbed it from my pocket and looked to see who was calling. Not the best time for a phone conversation. It was Jake.

Jake: "The cops are here taking down these guys and they are letting me go. What is going on? Are you okay?" I tried answering but I couldn't. I was bleeding an insane amount of blood from my leg and I felt dizzy.

Jake: "Hello? Melissa?" I looked up at June fighting with the cop over the gun and she had it in her hands and shit him. Then she pointed it at me again and pulled the trigger. I heard Jake yelling for me to answer but I didn't. I dropped my phone and fell over. I looked at where she shot me and the bullet went through my side. A lot more blood was leaving my body. I couldn't stay awake. The last thing I saw was the cops on top of June putting handcuffs on her. Then I passed out.

When I woke up I was in a hospital bed. Jake was next to me staring at me, he looked genuinely worried. When he saw my eyes open he let out a sigh of relief and kissed my hand. Why did he do that? I'm not with him.

"Oh thank god." My vision was trying to focus on him. "What, what happened?" I didn't remember a single thing. I don't know how I got in here or what happened to me. "June shot you twice. Thankfully she didn't do any severe damage." The doctor came in and was happy to see I was awake. "Hello Ms. Jones. How are you feeling?" Is he serious? "I feel like I got shot and then a bus hit me." Duh.

"Well you will live thankfully. We do need to keep you in here for a while though to make sure there isn't any long term damage."

"How long is a while?" I looked at Jake and he looked concerned. Maybe he does care about me?

"At least two weeks. I want to make sure the bullets didn't do any damage to her kidneys or damage anything in her lower calf." He nodded and the doctor looked at me. "You are a very lucky girl to have this young man by your side. He has been here since the ambulance ride over." I looked at Jake and the doctor left.

"I never meant for you to get hurt Melissa. That was not my intention. I wanted to keep you safe but I failed."

"It isn't your job to keep me safe." If I wasn't mistaken, it looked like my words had just cut him deep.

"I know but still. I'm so happy you're alive."

"So how did you manage to get off?"

"I told the cops the truth and they appreciated it. I do have parole for a year but they are allowing me to do it in my hometown."

"That's good."

"I want you to come with me."

What did he just say? After everything he has put me through he wants me to go with him?

"Jake-"

"Look Melissa I know I've ruined your trust and betrayed you but I want you to come with me. Please say you will."

"No. I already told you I want you out of my life so why you are here, I don't know. I'm not going with you."

His posture softened and he leaned away from me. I knew I was harsh but it had to be said. For Christ sake he is the reason I'm here right now, if it wasn't for his plan I would be healthy and with no bullet holes in me.

"I understand. Well, if you ever want to at least pop by and say hello, here is my address."

He handed me a paper with the address on it but I'm not opening it. I don't want to open it and when he realized that I don't want him in my life, he got up and left. I didn't call after him, I didn't do anything but sit on that bed and watch him walk out.

I still have my money but I don't have a best friend or a man which means I can start my life over exactly how I want to. I can live anywhere I want, I'm just not going back to New York. I have a little bit of time to think about it since I will be here for two weeks plus however long I'm in a hotel. I don't have any family or friends so a hotel will have to suffice.

All I could think about was Jake while I was stuck in that hospital. I don't know why I thought about him but I did. I need to forget about him and as long as I am in here that isn't going to happen. The sooner I am out the better.

The doctor came in and started explaining everything that I needed done so he could see if any severe damage was done but I didn't listen. I didn't care. I just nodded and agreed. Staring out the window of the hospital room I wondered what I would do now. No car, no home, no anything. Just me and my thoughts. I didn't have to worry about this since I did have money. But who would I share it with?