I stared at Hayden, and he didn’t seem to share any of Ethan’s regret at all. My heart felt heavy knowing that it was probably impossible now for the two gangs to come to arrive at peace. I agreed with Ethan that it was unfortunate but there wasn’t anything that I could do about it. What will happen between the two gangs now?
If things remain unsafe outside, will I be stuck locked up in the mansion forever?
"We’re leaving," Hayden muttered as he pulled me behind him.
I could sense Ethan’s eyes on us, but I didn’t have the courage to turn around to take a look at him. This may very well be the last time that I see Ethan and I didn’t even get to say my farewells.
"When are you two getting married? You are going to marry him right, Malissa?" Ethan called quite loudly after us.
It was impossible for us not to hear him at the volume that he spoke. Hayden stopped in his tracks and my body froze at Ethan’s direct question. I wish I knew the answer to that. Once again, I felt extremely thankful for the rules that Hayden had put in place because that meant that I wasn’t allowed to answer Ethan’s question. This question, in particular, I wanted to avoid at all costs.
"You are allowed to answer his question, Malissa," Hayden said as he turned to face me.
See, I’m not allowed to answer it.
Huh?! What did he just say?
I can answer that question? Of all the questions that Ethan had asked me, Hayden wanted me to answer this one?
Why? Why? Why?!
The only person who expressed any thought or emotion over the outcome was Luka and that was probably because he was the only one senior enough to say anything.
"Well...Shit..." Luka cursed loudly before walking away.
After that, everyone was on high alert as they guarded Hayden and me back towards the airport where we had landed. It was clear that we were not going to spend a peaceful night on the island. Vacation wasn’t something that came along with this meeting, unfortunately.
Hayden hadn’t said a word to me after the meeting had ended and I knew better than to disturb him. The tension in the air was high and security and safety was the first priority right now for the men who escorted us. Hayden seemed calm and the fact that he held my hand in his told me that things weren’t too bad between us.
Hopefully, he found the answer I gave to Ethan’s earlier question satisfactory.
Luka showed great relief when Hayden and I managed to enter back into the private jet without incident. I guessed that just like the journey over here, I would be flying alone with Hayden with the other men flying in the other jets.
"See you when we’re back on the ground," Luka said as he waved us off.
Hayden just nodded solemnly before dragging me into the plane along with him. The pilot was probably impatient to leave as well. The plane took off soon after and we were in the air. I stared out of the window to see the island getting smaller as we flew higher up into the sky. With everything that was going on, I wasn’t sure what time it was.
The stress and tension were getting to my body, and I suddenly felt a wave of fatigue hit me hard.
"I guess the meeting didn’t go so well..." I spoke up softly before glancing over at Hayden to see his reaction.
--To be continued...