With Heart and Mind

Chapter 16

PERRIE

I scooped her little body out of the car as the guy tried to pick himself up from the bludgeoning he got from my fists. It angered me even more as I saw the gushing blood from a wound on her forehead. So with her still in my arms, I gave him another kick right between his legs, sending him howling on the ground again.

Even though she had told me to leave her, I could not find in my heart to abandon her just like that. That night she told me off, I did not get a wink of sleep; my heart was breaking as if I am losing a very important part of my life, which indeed I would if I don’t get to at least see her safe every day. That is even more intensified by the repetition of the words Karl told me that night. I don’t know how he made it sound that Jade needed me.

It may sound creepy that I have been watching her from afar. I always follow her path when she goes home from the studio. I had figured her routine and only took my eyes off her once I knew she was safe in her house. And I could not be thankful enough that such idea was in my mind so when this time came, I could not let a pervert ravage her.

The moment the cab turned the opposite direction from her usual route, I figured something was amiss. Just a bit unfortunate that as he turned that way, I got caught in a red light. But just as soon as the green went on, I drove to that road, which I realized is a new development and still under construction. It was the only vehicle I noticed turning that way so it was quite easy to follow its tire marks and find it.

I turned off my engine a little bit farther from where he parked and slyly walked to his vehicle where he was trying to unbutton her blouse. His windows were all up so I had no choice but to break it and pull him outside, fist after fist landing on his surprised face until he was writhing in pain on the ground.

I carried her back to my car, whispering her name, hoping it could wake her.

     I heard a faint groan emanate from her as I lifted her onto the passenger seat.

     “Jade…” I shushed. “It’s alright. I got you.”

    “Pe…” she looked up at me for a moment through half closed eyes before falling back to unconsciousness and limp on the seat. In the light of the car, I can now clearly see that her head wound is worse than I initially thought. Blood continued to flow out in large drabs and the sight of it angered me all the more. I could go right back to that howling idiot and give him what he gave her. But the pressing concern is to get Jade to safety. I think karma will have to take care of him.

I drove us to the hospital and called for my friend doctor Leigh to tend to her. But even though I trusted her and her staff to take care of her, my mind will not be at ease if I did not stay to watch over her.

When Leigh came back to me with news, it was a relief to know that the wound did not reach bone though It had to be stitched up. Overall, she is alright.

“We have her resting for now.” I was informed by the doctor. “Would you want to go see her?”

“Of course.” I immediately responded.

“Please tell me you didn’t do that to her.” My friend stated as we walked towards Jade’s room. Her tone had that warning the way she talked to a younger sibling.

I can’t blame her if she thinks that. There was a former lover I injured after a fit of rage the night we broke up. Having had to keep a reputation, I brought her to Leigh and later admitted to having caused her the situation. She’s reliably kept it but warned me that if it ever happens again, she would not save my sorry ass. So this is why she is saying all these now.

“I’d never ever do that to her, I swear.” That is absolute truth. The thought of me ever laying  hand on this angel makes me cringe.

“That’s good to know.” Leigh sighed. “But it sure is good to know you have someone like her.” she teased.
I shook my head wanting to chuckle.

“We’re not together.” I told her.

Surprise made her brow raise. “She is definitely special to you. I could tell from the moment you rushed her in and how you furrow your brows with worry. I saw that same aura when you brought Ren in. It was such a shame she ended your relationship after that.”

I sighed. Yeah, I remember I really did love Ren, but maybe she didn’t. That was after all the reason we were fighting that night, after she admitted to having been cheating and choosing her fling over me. Anyway, she and that is all in the past.

“Jade’s…well…yes, special to me, but we’re not together, even though I wish we could.”

“Why is that?”

“She’s not open.” I shrugged.

“Broken heart?” she guessed.

“You can say that.” It’s not too far from the truth.

“Well,” she tapped my shoulder. “Doesn't mean you are zero chance.” She stopped walking “You’re here.”

I thanked her as I turned the knob on the door.

“And Perrie,” she added.

“Yeah?”

“She was calling your name while I was stitching her up.” she smiled and winked before walking away.

Jade mentioned me in her subconscious. Should I raise my hopes? My heart started beating fast at the excitement, but my mind hit me saying, “It’s just because you were the last one she saw and remembers before falling asleep. Stop assuming.”

I sighed and just silently walked into the room, now even more confused because my heart wants to hope but my mind reminds me that she still has her boundaries.