Gone Bad

Chapter 30

It had just been a few hours since the last time I saw Zuo Hang. But right now, it felt like its been weeks or months. He looks completely different from the last time I laid eyes on him.

I could feel the air of menace fly inside the room the moment he entered. Its as if oil was enforced to mix up with a crystal clear water. I don't really like what my guts are trying to imply.

The door swung further open, revealing that Zuo Hang wasn't alone. Behind him was a tall man with few wrinkles on his face. His long hair is braided behind his nape.

"We would like to thank you for that piece of information, Mrs. Cortez," the old man grinned. "Or shall I say, Mrs. Medina?"

Nicole ran close to their location, pulling out some knives that she hid behind her clothes. She was prepared to defend us while the old man gazed upon us with unexplainable joy in his face. He creeps me out.

I immediately looked after my mom when her breathing started speeding up. She gasped for air as if she was being strangled by suffocation. A few words escaped from her mouth but she was becoming voiceless and I couldn't hear her. Her finger raised, pointing at the males who arrived, particularly the old man.

I put my gaze at Zuo Hang, hoping that he'll do something. Hoping he'd be able drive his grandfather away. The mere sight of him is killing my mother. The mere words from his lips are poisoning her being.

"Zuo Hang," I whispered. His eyes are on me but his ears seemed to be focused on somewhere else.

"My dear grandson, this is the time for you to show me the fruit of your mission." Zivar calmly put his arms behind him. "You heard the woman. A Medina's blood is the key to luxury. Capture her."

Zuo Hang didn't make a move, and yet he doesn't look like he's being himself.  His eyes are empty. It felt like it doesn't belong to him. I could hardly even tell if he's the same person I fell in love with.

He stepped forward. Nicole's reflexes worked up and was fast enough to move for an attack, but before her sharp knives could touch his skin, he chopped a certain part of her arms, making her let go of her weapons. He then hit his knee on her diaphragm, making her spew blood and was effortlessly thrown aside.

I stepped back. Fear and surprisal conquered my chest and now, he's coming for me.

I have no idea how to fight. People had always been there to defend me. But presently, the person who always protected me is the one who's intending to put me in danger.

It felt like I never actually knew who he truly was. Not when we got closer to each other. Not when we got into a relationship. Suddenly, I saw him as a stranger who wanted to harm me.

"Zuo Hang," I mentioned his name once again, in hopes that he'll wake up from whatever it is that Zivar has been ingraining in his mind. But nothing happened. There seemed to be invisible strings attached to him and Zivar could perfectly control him like a puppet.

"I apologize, Florianne," his voice is deep and husky. Before I could do anything, he lifted his arm, silently yet swiftly firing shots not to me, but to the woman behind me instead.

I turned around, finding the splatters of blood on the white colored blankets and clothes loosely wrapped around my mother. My mother, who could no longer move or speak or even breathe. My mother who lost all complexions in her face, not even her paleness managed to remain.

The next thing I knew, I was screaming on top of my lungs, until everything went dark.

....

I could feel how physically and emotionally exhausted I am the moment I opened my eyes. Everything was still fresh in my mind.