Doubts - Regretful ex-Fiancé

Chapter 21 | ✓

An hour had gone by since I climbed down from the tree and walked with Jonathan to our little hideout behind some rocks and bushes. He had urged me to sit beside him, and I ended up dozing off against his shoulder, wrapped in his coat.

It felt like much more time had passed. I could hardly believe that just a few hours earlier we had been planting trees and flowers around his house. The stillness of the forest felt somewhat unsettling. Occasionally, a bush would rustle, prompting Jonathan to raise his shotgun, but it was just an animal or the wind, and soon the silence returned as we continued to wait.

After a few minutes, I was jolted awake by a louder sound and sat up, alert. Jonathan quickly knelt down, aiming his weapon toward the clearing and signaling for me to be quiet. I reached for my pistol on the ground and tried to stand beside him, but he shook his head, gently pushing me behind him and giving me a stern look of disapproval. His face was tense as if he was straining every muscle.

I crouched down where he indicated, making a conscious effort not to intervene further. The sounds of people moving around persisted until a group of seven men, clad in clothing, masks, helmets, and bulletproof vests, emerged from the trees, confidently wielding their weapons. They appeared almost like giants in their gear, resembling a SWAT team or something similar.

Jonathan remained crouched for a few more seconds before suddenly standing up, drawing the attention of the men who aimed their guns at him. He discreetly gestured behind his back for me to stay down, and I covered my mouth, feeling nauseous, but I gripped my small pistol tightly and remained still.

If we were going to die here, I was determined to assist him in any way possible! I wouldn't just sit back if he was attacked! I braced myself to shoot at any moment, taking deep breaths to steady my racing heart.

Jonathan approached the men with an air of confidence as if he were the master of the forest, and at the leader's signal, they lowered their weapons. 

"Took you long enough," Jonathan remarked to the man who was completely covered. 

"Good to see you too," came the slightly muffled reply. "I was clearing the area for you, but I guess you don't care," the leader added, sounding a bit annoyed. It suddenly clicked in my mind that the man was Mason! Oh my God... we were saved! 

"I've had my woman here for almost five hours. I'm not exactly thrilled," Jonathan said with a hint of irony. "She's hungry and tired. I only had five shots left, so forgive me if I'm not overly excited." 

"Well then, let's get you all out of here. Bella sweetheart!" Mason called out, lifting the visor of his helmet and waving at me. Jonathan grunted, clearly irritated by Mason's casual way of addressing me.

I got up to exit the bushes, but Jonathan halted me, asking Mason, "Did you bring what I requested?" Another officer approached Jonathan, holding something, and handed it to him. Jonathan then turned and came towards me with what appeared to be a helmet and a vest.

"Sweetheart, let's get this on you so we can head home," Jonathan said as he began to put the item over my head, securing it. It seemed to be twice my size.

"Um... is this really necessary...?" I attempted to protest as he placed the helmet on my head.

"Yes," he responded without hesitation.

"Where's yours?" I asked, feeling puzzled as he pulled me out of our hiding spot and moved toward the tough police and SWAT officers.

"I don't have one," he replied. I see. Right.

"Hello, darling," Mason said with a smile, though all I could see were his eyes. "Sorry for the wait; it took me a bit, but I'm finally here! Try to contain your excitement!" He winked at me playfully, which made Jonathan scowl at him.