Inexorable Encounter

Chapter 23

"No!"

"Belle!"

"What the... no!"

"Belle, wake up!"

I gasped for an air and my eyes widened as I suddenly woke up from a nightmare. "Long hair!" I was catching my own breath and tried to calm myself. I hugged my knees and wiped out my tears when they fell. I really feel disoriented. I swallowed hard and looked around, only to find out that Mom was watching me with her concern eyes.

My forehead furrowed. "What happened?" I asked her when I found out it's early in the morning. The sun rays were knocking on my room's window.

"You don't have conscious when you got here," she answered. "What are you feeling right now? Are you hurt? Did they hurt you?"

I just looked at her instead of answering. I can't believe that she's asking me this questions. I never thought that this will really happen.

Suddenly, Leon entered my room and gazed at me. "What happened yesterday? Why did they get you? How?" he shot, questions after questions.

I but my lips. "My driver was taking his time to the restroom," I started. "While I was waiting for him, those men came to my car and get me. And when I woke up, I was already in the storage room."

"And you called him instead of me?"

My eyes turned at him with furrowed brows. "Don't accuse me, Leon."

"So why did you call him?" He was pissed. For not calling him. To me. For what happened.

"Your phone is off! I tried calling you, I tried!" I shouted. "But I can't reach you. And he's the only person I can count on."

"And why him?"

"Because long hair made me feel safe," I muttered. Mom gasped while Leon shook his head. When he's around, I can feel safe. I told to myself and didn't voice out.

"Why Udrih?" he asked with disbelief.

My brows creased. "Udrih?"

He scoffed. "You didn't even know his name." He hissed. "You don't know him. So why do you trust him? Why, Belle?" he questioned, losing patience. "Why do you, for all of people, like the person I hate the most?"

I was taken aback. A lot of questions danced on my mind. I looked at Leon and I can see the pain I inflicted on him for trusting long hair. Why can't I trust him? Why can't I when the fact is he trusted him too? He's Udrih? I didn't even know that he has second name. Long hair and Leon went together a while ago to save me. Long hair was Leon's right hand. But why Leon is mad at long hair? Why long hair became the most hated person of Leon?

My mind remembered what happened yesterday. They came to save me. Gunshots. I heard gunshots. Long hair. He protected me. He... bleed because of me.

"How's long hair?" I asked immediately. I turned my head at Mom and Leon. They just looked at me this time, not answering my question. "He was shot! Where is he?"

"Really, Belle?" Leon scoffed.

"What the hell, Leon?! He's shot!" I shouted. "And I don't know what happened now that he has wound, so tell me!"

"Our doctor took care of him last night," Mom answered and somehow, I felt relieved.

"Then where is he now?"

She shrugged. "I don't know."

"He went home," Leon answered.

"I need to see him."