Chapter 24 - Chapter 23

International_Pen

(WENZIEL)

I stood surprised for a second as I watched his car sped off down the road. And even more surprised that his men did nothing to prevent him. These were highly trained executive protection officers who I expected not to be intimidated by Zhio's words no matter how he threatened their jobs.

After all, Eriez and I decides who to fire among his men. Zhio would just be too pleased to fire them all and be free like a bird.  

"What are you all waiting for?" I shouted in disbelief.

"Follow him!"

I averted my look to Deo whose head was bowed in guilt,

"And you even let him borrow your car!"  

Good Lord! What were these people thinking? What would happen if Zhio is endangered?    

"But yesterday…" Deo muttered.

"Follow him or lose your jobs!" I cut him short and repeated my words.

Not waiting for any reply, I took my keys and started my own car. I activated the GPS I had installed in Zhio's phone and drove off in livid curiosity.

What in the world was he thinking?

(ZHIO)

The old chapel eerily made my heart warm. Something about it reminded me of a happy moment that rarely happens in my burdensome life. An old woman sat in the corner as she tended to her flowers for sale and it made me recall the white roses 'that lady' gave me that night.

"One basket of roses please," I smiled at her through the car window.

"The most beautiful of the white ones."

"Here son," she reached to me and I gave her whatever bills I picked in my wallet.

She looked at me in utter surprise and tried to return most of what I had given.

"This is too much dear."

"Please take it," I smiled again in response. How miraculous it was that this place made me smile often.

I can't wait to see her once more. I wished, prayed rather, that she'd pass by again.  

The chapel was empty when I went in. I expected that much but somewhere within, I was disappointed. My longing was just too much to bear. The porcelain vase by the platform beside the altar went to sight.

The roses we had put there the other night still looked good although most of the petals had fallen down. I didn't exactly know how to do a decent flower arrangement so I left the basket on the feet of the altar instead.

"Wow."

I recognized that sweet voice. It was her. I kept my back to her to hide my smile.

@International_Pen