Chapter 63 - How Her Life Was(2)

(From Leandro's Perspective)

"Are you joking?" I asked, surprised, precisely saying, shocked.

"Why do you say that? Do you think anyone would like me? Honestly, Leandro, are you blind too? To have a boyfriend, certain things are required. Like sweet talk which I can't do at all. I'm more like a mix of sweet and bitter talk creating a chaotic mess. Then good body which I don't have as well. I'm too slim like a pin. Did you see my butts? They aren't too big. Well, my boobs are big, but not too big to be perfect. They are just bigger for my figure, otherwise, they are just of normal size."

Did she have any idea what she was talking about? Did she not understand what her words were doing to me? 

"Anyway, so let me ask you something. Do you really want to hear more?"

"Just keep saying, Ella."

"Alright. It's boring. You're being stubborn. So, two years ago, one night I was working late in the cafe. Then I hung out in the market because there is air conditioner. Anyway, it was late when I headed home. I was riding my bicycle as always. I was passing by the forest when suddenly there was a car. It hit my bicycle on purpose. Somehow, I managed to jump out of my bicycle, or I would be dead by now. My knees were bruised and I hit my head. The stupid road was muddy as well. Two men came out of the car. They were really beefy and scary looking I have to say. But they had stupid expressions on their faces. They were talking... They were saying..."

Suddenly her face was not as tired yet enthusiastic as before. She looked_ frightened, kind of like the way she looked when she had the nightmare. 

"They were saying that they were there to kill me. I didn't... I never did something so wrong that people would come to kill me. They were talking as if someone told them to kill me. I managed to run. I kept running deep inside the forest. It was really tiring, especially with my knees injured, every movement felt crucially painful. But suddenly... a knife... stabbed me in my belly," she said and touched her stomach, clenching on the fabric of her shirt. "There was blood and_ pain. A lot of blood... I didn't want to die... I tried to run, but I couldn't. Then those two men came again and... They stabbed me, again and again,_ in the same place_ five times. I still didn't die. Then I heard something, like a voice. But I don't know who it was. There was a lot of blood... I just couldn't think of anything else. Then I don't know what happened. When I woke up, I found out that I was in coma for three months and I almost died. So this is life. What do you think?"

"Two men stabbed you?" I asked. I could not understand why she was talking as if it was not a big deal. 

"Yeah..."

"You're hiding a part of the story," I said calmly. 

"Leandro, I..."

"Tell me."

She took a deep breath. "Everything felt odd after I woke up from the coma. And besides, I didn't like the way Owen was talking to me. He was asking me again and again if I heard those men say any name of who wanted to kill me. I knew that Owen didn't like me, but I wasn't sure if he would do such a thing. But still, I started to keep an eye on him. One day, I heard him saying on the phone that I was not dead and the two men failed him miserably. He also said that it would not be good to do something again. People might suspect. You know what I mean? He is the one who tried to kill me."

"Didn't you tell your mom?"

"I know my mom. She wouldn't believe me. Besides, I wasn't sure if she was with him or not. I don't trust any of them, you know. So, I did things in my own way. I needed to stay alive after all. The company Owen worked in had some secret reports just like other companies. If they were leaked somehow, then it would see a downfall. Call me evil, but Owen needed to be taught a lesson. I bribed one of my classmates who was good at hacking. Then he helped me hack Owen's laptop late at night when everyone was asleep. I stole the documents and guess what I did? I leaked them to their rival company in Owen's name. He was fired. Owen was really angry. He went to the bar and got drunk. Mom went looking for him in another bar, mostly because I told her that I saw Owen going to another bar. Then I went to the bar Owen was in and found him there. He was really drunk. I took advantage of the situation. I confronted him and as he was drunk, he spilled all the beans. I had my recorder with me. I'm smart, you know. Huh! He thought he could outsmart me! Then I threatened him with the recorder and said that I've put the record on my laptop and if he tries to do something to me, I'll reveal it. We made a deal that we will behave as nothing happened and forget all of it. I know, he made a huge mistake and I should go to the police. But I just couldn't_ make my mom feel bad. I mean, she loves him a lot and if he can be good for her, then that's all I want from him. He might have hurt me, but I was willing to forget it. At least, I haven't done less harm to him as well."

"You never told this to anyone else?"

"No. People are not trustworthy."

"Thank you for saying this to me. Don't worry, you don't have to fear being with me," I said. "Your secrets are safe with me."

"What did you say? Your secrets are safe with me? Wait! I heard this line somewhere... in a movie perhaps. God, I can't remember the name now."

I sighed. She was never going to change. Even when she shared the biggest and hardest secret of her life with me, she still was behaving as usual. I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer to me. She did not resist. She lay her head on my chest and closed her eyes, looking like a beautiful angel. 

"Is it because of that incident you fear blood?"

"Yes. You're not laughing, right?"

"Why would I laugh?" 

But I was sure about one thing. If I ever managed to go through the portal into her world, I would make sure that her mom knew what that Owen did to her and I personally was going to teach him a lesson for trying to kill my girl. 

"I will protect you. From now on, no one will be able to harm you. It's a promise, little Ella," I said. "If anyone dares to harm you, they will see the last day of their life in my hands."

"Why would you protect me?"

"Because you're mine and I like you. I don't like many things, but the little things I do, I protect them with all my might."

She smiled, but her smile was lifeless even though she was trying not to show it. It hurt to see her like this. I was determined to make her forget all of the things she had gone through. I would make her feel like the happiest person and for that, I would do anything. 

"Now that I told you about me, tell me more about you. I want to know."

"I will," I said.

"When?"

"Soon."

"Promise?" 

"Promise, little El."

We remained like that, relaxing while her head was on my chest and my arm wrapped around her protectively. Her breathing became even after a while and I was sure that she had fallen asleep. 

How such an innocent-looking girl could have faced so many things? Yet, she was behaving as if all happened for a reason and she had gotten over them already. 

I kissed her hair and ran my fingers through her hair, feeling the warmth of her skin. I carefully stood up and picked her up from the ground. She did not move at all. She looked peaceful as always when she slept. 

I kissed her on the forehead and looked around the place once more. This place was always so peaceful and it made someone relax as well. I had brought her here so she could feel relaxed when she talked about something uncomfortable. I was right. It indeed was a good decision to bring her here. 

"I'll wait for you until you're ready," I said and headed back to the cave, to our home.