Chapter 225 - 225: I Still Love You

Elle and Erick were stuck together during this weekend. With nothing much to do, they spent their time bonding together with Erick's parents.

In the morning, they took a stroll around the city, stopping by in the mall and supermarket to buy some necessities needed at home.

Sarah loved to have a girl's bonding with Elle so while the boys were buying things in the supermarket, the ladies took their time roaming around the department store in the lady's section.

As usual, they bought some clothes and other accessories. Elle didn't want to buy those things but Sarah insisted. She said those were her wedding gift to her as her daughter-in-law. 

She even teased Elle to buy some e.r.o.t.i.c lingerie and s.e.xy outfits that she could use during her honeymoon with Erick. Elle blushed from too much embarrassment because of Sarah's teasing.

"By the way dear, when are you planning to visit our town to meet your grandma and grandpa? I bet they will also like you once they see you. They are very excited to meet their granddaughter-in-law."

"Mom, I will discuss it first with Erick. He is busy with his work as of this moment. But don't worry, we will find time to visit them together." Elle reassured her.

"Alright. I also hope that he can meet your father." Sarah said to her while she was checking the clothes in her hand.

"Mom, I want to tell you something."

"Go on dear. Tell me what is it."

Elle paused for a moment as she looked at Sarah intently. Then she decided to tell her about her parents.

"My father that I mentioned to you is not my biological father. He is my foster father. He adopted me when I was ten." 

Sarah averted her gaze to Elle after hearing those words. There was a gentleness in Sarah's face as she looked at her. With that, Elle found her courage to tell her what happened to her biological parents.

"Mom, my biological parents died when I was still young. They were murdered," she said to her truthfully. There was a hint of sadness in her voice.

Astonishment flickered through Sarah's eyes. She didn't expect to hear that. She knew those times were very hard for Elle. Her heart ached for her. She felt sad.

Sarah put down the clothes she was holding and she pulled Elle into a warm hug. "I'm sorry to hear that, dear."

Elle could feel a mother's love and warmth through that hug. "It's alright Mom. I have you now and Erick's dad. Thank you for accepting me and treating me as your own daughter since the moment we first met." 

"Oh, dear. No need to thank me. It's my pleasure to be called by you as Mom. I don't know why but I really liked you the moment I saw you in Erick's place. Deep down in my heart, I want you to become part of our family. And I am glad that Erick was able to do that."

Elle felt very touched hearing her comforting words. She felt blissful and grateful for that.

Seconds later, Erick saw them. They already finished shopping and he came to inform them. He was really happy to see that Elle and his mom were getting along very well. They felt comfortable with each other's company. He was glad that his parents were very supportive of his relationship with Elle.

Soon, the four of them went back home. Erick suggested an outdoor barbeque lunch in the balcony. The three of them liked that idea so they prepared everything as soon as they arrived home.

After enjoying their family lunch, Erick and Elle decided to take a walk outside. They grabbed this chance to have a further talk regarding Elle's identity as Catseye. 

They promised each other that they would start to talk about this one of these days. They needed to be opened with each other regarding this matter so that they could avoid further misunderstanding between them in the future. Besides, Erick wanted to hear the side of her story about why she became an assassin.

They sat under the big acacia tree. It became their favorite spot near their backyard. They were sitting side by side as their hands were entangled with each other. Elle was leaning on Erick.

"Are you ready to talk now? I am here to listen." Erick softly said to her.

"Yes," Elle said as she squeezed his hand in her arms.

"Don't worry. You can be honest with me. Don't be afraid. I won't judge you." Erick gave her assurance.

"Do you remember? That in this place I also asked you to trust me- to trust my love for you," he added.

Elle giggled as she remembered that moment. She asked him what he would do to her if ever he learned that she killed someone and she was a criminal. 

At first, his answer that time confused her a lot. She thought his two statements were not relevant to each other. 

"Yeah, I do remember. You also told me that time that you will put me into prison and you ask me if I am willing to surrender myself to you. And then suddenly out of the blue, you ask me to marry you." Elle let out a soft giggle after saying that.

"Hmm, that's true. Why are you laughing? Did you think that I am joking at that time?" Erick said.

"Yeah, I think so. But now, I clearly understand what you mean. The prison you are referring to me at that time is yourself right? That's why you ask me to marry you."

Erick laughed at her statement. "Good. Finally, you got it right, my dear wifey. I thought I still need to explain it to you further."

"Hmm, Hubby."

"Yes?"

"You never fail to amaze me."

"Hmm. It's my pleasure."

Elle gazed up to see his face. She saw him looking at her with gentleness in his eyes. Now, she was ready to share her story with him.

"I already told you about my parent's death. My life changed from that day." Elle started.

"Their deaths were too sudden. My young mind couldn't accept it. I blamed myself for staying alive. I thought I would feel better if I also died with them that day." Elle paused. She felt Erick's grip on her hand tightened.

He didn't want to interrupt her so he just kept silent as he listened to her. He already felt bad for her, for experiencing that tragedy.

"I thought I would be able to join them in the afterlife. But fate had another plan for me. I was severely injured and dying but someone came to my rescue." she heaved a frustrated sigh.

"If you died that time then I wouldn't meet my wife today. I was glad that you lived." Erick commented to console her a little. He knew that it was hard for her to reminisce about her past. But she was trying to be strong just to tell him her story.

Elle just smiled faintly at his remarks.

"But that time, I didn't want to live. I suffered both physically, emotionally, and psychologically. It was a very traumatic experience. I had suicidal thoughts. I tried to kill myself many times but the person who rescued me always saved my life all over again." she smiled as Phantom's face popped up into her mind.

"He tried his best to encourage me to continue living."

"Is that person is your foster father? Is he your benefactor named Mr. Morgan?" Erick asked her. He was grateful for that person who saved Elle.

"Yes. He is."

Erick just nodded as he received her response. "I want to meet him."

Elle shook her head. "I will have to ask his permission first."

"Alright then. Hmm, go on. How did he convince you to change your mind?" Erick urged her to continue.

"He told me his story too. He also experienced the same thing. His family was killed before him- his wife and his son. Then he told me to continue living and avenge my family's death. He used the word 'revenge' as my motivation. Then I found my reason to live."

She paused for a moment. She was thinking something but after she made up her mind she spoke again.

"The truth is the person who saved me is also an assassin. He became an assassin just to avenge his family's death. I asked him to train me and be like him. He helped me. Then after four years of hard training, I did my first kill. I was just fourteen years old back then. My first victim is one of those people who are involved in my parent's death."

Erick didn't know what to feel after hearing this. At a very young age, she started to kill because of hatred and revenge. But he couldn't blame her. He understood her situation.

"But I lost my mind during that mission. It felt like I was being possessed by a demon. That day when I killed that person and his blood splattered all over my body, for the first time, I felt more alive. That feelings and sensations excite me a lot. Then that was the start of my craving for bloodl.u.s.t."

Elle didn't glance at him after telling him that. She was afraid that Erick would hate her. But he didn't utter any words. He just kept on listening to her.

"It was too late, I already fell into this sinner's path. Aside from getting my revenge, I suddenly enjoyed killing. Because of that, I became a full-pledge assassin. When I was 18 years old, I started to accept missions, killing people for money. That's the start of my journey as Catseye, the Devilish Assassin."

After that, she turned to face him. "Now, after hearing that, do you still love me?"

"Yes! My feelings for you did not change. I still love you. Now I understand you more." Erick said to her with certainty in his voice.

"But it is against your morals as a detective. If they found out that you already knew the truth about Catseye's identity and you decided to protect me against the law then you might lose your job." Elle was concerned about him.

"I'd rather lose my job than to lose you. I can't live without you, Elle. I am not a Saint. For the first time, I want to be selfish and be happy together with you." Erick told her honestly. She could feel his sincerity.

Elle released his hand as she cupped his face using her both hands. "Don't worry. I will retire as Catseye soon. I just need to unfold the truth about my parent's death and punish those people."

"But I don't want you to commit more crime. I don't want you to stain your hands with their blood. Let me help you. Let's do this using the law." Erick suggested to her as he held her arms which were holding his face.

"Okay. I will try my best to do that. But I won't promise. If there is a need to spill some blood, I won't hesitate to do that." Elle was being honest with him.

"Then I will also do my best to avoid that from happening- without hurting you in the process," he said to her meaningfully.

Elle could understand him. She knew he was afraid that he might hurt her again. But this time, she wanted to trust him completely. As long as they were together loving and supporting each other, she thought they would be able to pass any hurdle or challenges that might come their way.

"By the way, do you mind if I will ask you about your parent's name?" Erick suddenly asked her. She had never mentioned to him their names yet.

Elle was about to answer him when they were both interrupted by someone. Bryan just suddenly appeared in front of them. He was panting as he came running to their direction. 

He was wearing a worried and panic expression on his face as he called Erick's name.

"Hey, what happened to you?" Erick asked him as soon as Bryan reached them.

"Chief! Bad news! Something bad happened with agent Marie!"