Not A Couple

26. Someone had to be the bait

"Listen up and listen carefully, alright? I told you that Irene called but what I didn't tell you was that she is coming by and she is probably at our place right now", Jane said climbing up the stairs to our apartment.
"Why didn't you tell me?? How am I supposed to face her? She would be there expecting me to propose to her or at least say yes to her proposal but I won't do any of those things. Now, please do me the honour of telling me Ms Jane Donovan, what the hell should I do?", I said. Beads of perspiration formed on my forehead as I tried calming myself down. Why isn't the elevator working?? A million thoughts in your head and stairs is not a good combination, clearly.
"Chill, okay! If you need some more time, ask for it, don't run away like a coward. She won't kill you under any circumstances. And remember, she has missed two sessions of ballet to be here, try to behave. I am going back to the car, Matt is waiting for me. Goodbye and good luck, my friend"
"Uh huh". I waved my hand at her to shoo her away and started onto the longest journey of my life. Just a few more steps and I will be there. God help me!!
I ran a hand through my hair and clicked the door open. One of my eyes was closed and the other one was barely open, that is how scared I was.
Please don't kill me, Irene. I will do everything as you say, well except getting married I will, just don't kill me.
I walked into the living room and there was no one there, my next stop was my room and the view I had in front of me stopped my heartbeat for a moment.
"Don't do this Ethan, leave her. I will do whatever you want, just don't harm her", I said trying to compose myself.
"I don't need you to get what I want. I want to talk to Jane, I came here, you refused access, well you know, I always get what I want", he said and smirked tightening his grip on Irene's wrist.
"Please please leave her, you are hurting her"
"Call her. Now!", he demanded and I dialled Jane's number with trembling fingers. Pick up Jane pick up, your friend's life is in danger here.
"Hello"
"Hello, Bin? Why is your voice so low? Are you crying? Reply goddamnit"
"Can you come back to our apartment?"
"What is the deal Bin? If you and Irene are doing one of your pranks, I swear you are dead cause you are really freaking me out here"
"It's not a prank Jane, just come, you will know for yourself"
"We need to get back", she told Matt and hung up.
"What did she say?", Ethan asked.
"She is coming"
"Good job"
"Why are you doing all this? You don't love her and we all are well aware of that fact, then why?"
"That's where you are wrong Robin. I love her, I love her with all my heart and she refused my love. She made me leave yesterday. This is what she gets for refusing me. Ethan Hurley is not a normal guy and he is not someone who would apologise for something he did years ago again and again"
Of course, you are not a normal guy. You are a bloody maniac, you sicko. Can you please leave all of us alone and never come back cause we would really appreciate that.
"Why Irene?"
"I didn't want to hurt her, I swear. I came to get you but you weren't here. Someone had to be the bait, right?"
My stomach clenched, looking at Irene struggle in front of me when I stand here unharmed is worse than my worst of nightmares. I am so damn useless. I can't even protect my girlfriend. There should be something I can do........something anything.
It's only you who can help us now Jane.