THE HANDSOME DOLL

CHAPTER XXXIX

They brought us to the hospital and I hear some doctors yelling that "a man" needs to be undergo operation immediately.

A doctor and a nurse tend to my wound and I watch them helplessly, in utter shock.

I cannot feel anything.

The memory of Bruce kneeling in front of me and Boss being stab by Bull keeps flashing on my mind. This is just like that time. When I watched Gregory fall down--dead.

I don't know how long I've been staring at the ceiling, not saying a word, oblivious to people coming and leaving. Its like I've been imprison in a place where my emotions failed to make me feel alive until Bliss show up.

He's shaking me awake and I want to tell him I never slept.

"Blythe! Blythe!" he called out. "This is just like before.." he embraces me while I remain motionless. I felt hot liquids from his eyes flowing on my neck. "Don't do this twice, sister. I will never make it."

What is he saying? Did this same thing happen before? When?

Yes, after the murder. Mr. Jayden stayed with me at the hospital and when I finally spoke he inform me that I've been in trauma for a week, they thought Im not going to make it. Back then, the nurses fed me through the nose, talking to me in a language I cannot comprehend. Its only when I manage to escape from that emptiness did I know that I remain motionless, not speaking any word, just staring above.

"Sister..." Bliss wept. "You can't do this now, he needs you."

He needs me.

Boss Cheston.

"He needs me."

"Blythe?"

I met his gaze and he slowly brighten up. "Blythe! They say its been three days! Im so glad its only three days!" he rest his forehead on mine and kiss me on the cheeks.

I later found out that Bruce died from losing too much blood. The doctors tried to revive him but they said he's been four hours dead when he arrive at the hospital. The Boss made it somehow, they transfuse two bags of blood on him and he's currently resting on the other room. I sustained a large knife cut from my collarbone across my sternum but luckily its not deep. My attending physician discharge me the next day.

"When I heard about what happen, I quickly book a ticket back. I thought you're dead for good. You scared the hell out of me." says Bliss.

"Who told you Im here?" I asked.

"Mr. Albert... I don't have any idea where he got my number but Im thankful he did. I also told Mr. Jayden about what happened and that he should not worry because you're evil, it takes more than this to kill you."

I gave off a soft chuckle. "Once my shoulder's healed, Im gonna shove your balls down your throat."

He help me stand up and go to the next room where Boss Cheston is. When we're about to knock, Mr. Albert saw us and ask if I have a moment to talk. I told Bliss he visit Boss Cheston first while we talk at the cafeteria.

We order two coffee and sit at the far side so we can talk freely.

"That idiot son of mine, letting his girl be in danger like this." he began. "Anyway, child. When will you marry him?"

I was taken aback by his question. Marry?

"He threatens me that if Im not letting you marry him, he'll refuse to be the successor of our Family."

"I.. I don't know, if that's the right decision Sir.."

"Its not the right decision but I cannot do anything about it. Tell me, do you love him?"

I nod. "Yes Sir, with all my heart."

He sighs. "Then we can come up with the negotiation of forming an alliance between our Family's, don't you agree? Don't worry, we both don't need trust. Just alliances."

As I think of it, marriage and alliances between two mafia families is indeed possible. It will give us more power and control of our territories. Trust on the other hand, isn't necessary. We do bussiness at the countryside while they have this town.

"But I cannot give your son a child Sir.."

He looks away, his expression unchanging and I brace myself for some insults, that what I just said will be the reason he will change his mind and not let us be together.

But when he put the cup of coffee back at the table and meet my eyes, I know Im wrong. "Me and his old lady doesn't need a grandchild."

-----

Mint explains to me later on that the Bull's true intention of involving me in that revenge thing is that Paula Green's father paid him to do so. At some point it all makes sense, Bull could just attack Boss anytime he wants but rather than doing that, he lures me by preying Bruce. The plan is that Bull will beat Boss and made him watch him as he slit my throat. Paula Green's father wants me dead because he thought I seduce his prospective son-in-law. Mr. Albert took care of those things for Boss Cheston. And I can't help but wonder what kind of care did he intend to give them.

Bruce.

My gentle big man.

"Hey." says Boss Cheston. "Does somewhere hurt?"

I help him eat apples but stop in the middle as the thought of good old Bruce came to me. August and Jene are the ones guarding the outside door and we were left alone with Mint, Bliss and Nick here. Apparently they're much tired than us so I let them sleep on the couch.

"Nothing." I shrug. "He killed Bruce." and to my surprise, I start crying. "This is all my fault.."

He laughs softly. "That's the first time I heard you admit that its your fault."

"Bull said that Bruce struggle when they brought me in so he stabbed him."

My emotions starts to swell inside and Im starting to feel it all getting mix up with fear. I reached for his hand and kiss it. "I didn't speak when Bull ask me while you're on the phone with him so that you will not come for me, but you're so stupid boss. When he jump at you.. I thought you're going to die too. Im so afraid when I regain myself from trauma. You knew it was a trap but you still came for me. What if he killed you? What the hell am I suppose to do if you die? You're so stupid..."

He pull me towards him so I can cry on his chest. I brush a hand on the bandage of his stomach and expect him to flinch but he didn't. "When you go to the countryside, I will chase you. When you go out of the country, I will know it and have you back. Even if you swim the deepest part of the sea and climb the highest mountain, I will run after you. Try going to heaven and even if its hell, you'll see, I will be there too..."

"Your wound's far from your head, why did you go insane?" I tease.

He bury his face on my hair and chuckle, when he made me face him I close my eyes. He's still weak he can't force me too so Im the one who leans over and kiss him.

When he part he says that "I love you little doll and I hope you never leave my side.."

He clasp my chin and we share a passionate kiss again.

"I love you too, and I will never leave your side." I whisper.

He smiles. "Im happy... you said that. Im so happy I could die, Blythe."