Do you trust me?

six

Gabriella POV

Two weeks have passed since Stacy transferred. It had been a peaceful time. The rest of the staff did not pick on me anymore. I guessed it had always been Stacy's influence. They have started to be more civil towards me. Things are finally looking up.

I had been working closely with Warren on new cases involving staff resigning with immediate effect. We did have these cases in the past but never one where the staff cut off all contacts and disappeared. Usually in these cases we have processes to follow through with regards to certain security and payment issues but here, the moment the letters reached us, we were not able to contact them.

Zach: This is the 3rd case isnt it?

We were looking through a new case of a 36 years old staff who had worked with us for 12 years resigning with immediate effect through his supervisor in a letter. We tried to track him to discuss matters with regards to his salary but to no avail.

"Yes sir. I tried to reach secondary contacts but nothing."

Zach: Ok. Do up a report on this detailing our efforts in reaching him.

"Yes sir."

I stood up to leave.

Zach: Elle?

I looked at him.

Zach: Thank you.

"Its my pleasure sir."

I smiled at him and walked out.

--

I stayed later than usual to complete the report. I looked at the time and jumped.

Shit. I have an hour to get to the cafe.

I packed up and walked out of the office.

Usually I walked to the cafe I work which was about 2 streets away. Since Im late I decided to take the bus. The problem with the bus was that it will stop at the opposite street and I have to walk through this alley to get there.

I alighted from the bus and looked at the time. Its close to 7 pm meaning I would have to speed up to make it in time.

As I near a bend, 3 men stopped in front of me. They had this evil look hence I started to run before one of them grabbed my wrist.

Men 1: Hey sweetheart. Whats the hurry?

"Please let go of me."

Men 2: Its ok. Dont be afraid. We just want to talk.

"Im sorry. Im actually late. So please let me go."

The men laughed.

The man who grabbed my wrist pushed me to the ground.

Men 2: Thats ok. We just want to have some fun.

He was on top of me and held me down.

I managed to scream as loud as I could before he slapped me and cupped my mouth.

The other 2 men held my hands and legs while I struggled. The one on top of me was tugging on my blouse ripping the top exposing my bra and had his hands under my skirt.

I cried and struggled some more.

No please. Don do this. Someone help please.

The man started kissing my neck moving slowly towards my breast. His hands are on my panties pulling it off.

This is it. There isnt anyone who will help me. Why would it be? No one ever came to help me. This was like any other time I was picked on.

I closed my eyes crying harder before I felt the man pulled away from me. I opened my eyes and saw he was kicked to the wall.

The tears blurred my eyes. I couldnt see who it was. I cowered in fear at the side still crying furiously.

I started screaming when I felt a hand on my arm.

"Elle, Elle its me. Its ok." I recognised the voice.

I looked up and saw my boss, Warren Ashton crouching looking down at me with concern.

"Mr Ashton?"

--

Zach POV

All this must be a coincidence.

I was still thinking about the case earlier. Maybe this has something to do with my mission. It must be connected.

I walked along the street to the cafe where Gabriella works at. When I learnt that she works there, I would sit in the diner opposite the cafe to watch her. I realised that she works twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursday during dinner shift from 7 pm to 11 pm.

She doesnt know this. I feel calm just watching her. She would smile her beautiful smile while serving the customers and not a hint of sadness seen.

How does she do it? To maintain the smile despite having such heavy burdens on her shoulder.

I heard a scream from inside an alley beside where the cafe was located. I slowly crept inside holding my gun in the holster under my suit.

I saw 3 men holding down onto a woman, hands groping her. I dived into my reflexes kicking the man on top of her. I fought them off till they  collapsed.

I turned to the woman who was in fear and crying furiously. As I come closer, my heart dropped.

It was Gabriella.

I was angry and almost took out my gun to finish those men.

I cannot blow my cover.

I touched her arm and she flinched backwards screaming in fear.

"Elle, Elle, its me. Its ok."

She looked up to me.

Gabriella: Mr Ashton?

She then started crying while I held her tight, her body shaking.

After she had calmed down a bit, I picked her up gently.

"Let me take you home."

She shook her head jerkily.

Gabriella: No... I cant let my father see me like this. I cant.. I cant..

"Ok Elle, calm down. Ill bring you to my place instead."

She turned to look at him.

"Do you trust me?"

Gabriella: Yes.