Chapter 20: twenty
Chapter 20: twenty
It's been a year since the downfall of the Price Enterprise company, piece by piece, shares by shares
the business was at its last breath. the person suffering the most from this downfall was Robert Price.
He looks tired, old, and helpless every time I meet him he looks older every passing second. he tried
for a loan but the bank wouldn't sanction him one, he sorts out his friends and business partners but no
one wants to invest in a drowning company. It's heartbreaking watching the most prestigious people
crumble to the ground.
"Hey, you ready to go?" asked Adrian, yeah, the bartender Adrian. we are sort of became best friends
now, attached to the hips and he also works here at Price enterprise as an intern. The funny thing is
even after telling him not to join my company he still insisted. I don't know why but his stubbornness is
kind of a relief to me since I have a nagging feeling of loneliness in a deep part of my soul which thrived
for attention.
"Yeah, let's go," I walked out with him towards the parking lot
"what do you want for dinner?" He asked me as we drove off in my car, we're kind of carpooling since
his bike in the garage for servicing. well, that's what he told me but I know the truth, there have been
some unusual things happening to me or around me, he has had a couple of accidents lately, be it
mugging or hit and run or just bar fight, it was getting too regular no to notice.
"I'm carving Chinese," I smile at him while keeping an eye on the road, it's been a habit of mine, I
always have an eye out on the road since the night of the accident.
"I know a great place," he said excitedly adding the address of the restaurant on the GPS, he is always
full of energy and has a bright smile even at his worst he still smiles. he makes my heart flutter with
feelings and warmth but I know it's not the flutter I crave.
We arrived at a small cozy old fashioned Chinese place, it had the typical Chinese outlook with
bamboos and everything was in deep red, they had the complete traditional Chinese interior and theOriginal content from NôvelDrama.Org.
smell of spices was just exotic.
"I know it's not much but they have the best Chinese in the city," he said nervously his cheeks colored
with embarrassment or he just being shy I can't tell with him
I chuckled at his anticks "I love it, it feels like home," I commented to which he let out a breath of relief.
we sat on the bamboo table and an Asian waiter came to take out order, I ordered spicy shrimp and
pad Thai noodles, Adrian chooses a simple Chinese platter. we ate in peace while making small talks
here and there, Adrian did most of the good talking because I have an introverted personality which
sucks at the times like these, Adrian being an extrovert took up all that load off of me and talked about
his day as an intern and how his boss was making him do all the unrequited work.
I felt eyes on me, this was not the first time I've felt this, it is always there wherever I go. I glanced
behind Adrian and saw a person in all black sitting at the far end of the restaurant. I have noticed him a
few times but he was too close today.
"Can you excuse me for a minute? I need to use the bathroom," I asked him already standing up.
"Do you want me to come with you?" he asked while shoving a dumpling in his mouth.
I shook my head at him "it's ok, I'll be back," I walked towards the bathroom while crossing the
mysterious person, he pretended to be engrossed in his meal but I doubt he even knows it's named.
I went inside the bathroom and waited for a couple of minutes, then exited and paid the bill and left for
our car, Adrian was talking again, something about the bar where he still works. then I saw the man
tailing us again
"turn here," I pulled Adrian into the isolated corner of the parking lot.
"Hey, what's up?" he asked alerted by my behavior
"We have a tail," I tell him hiding behind a pillar
The stalker lost our sight and walked ahead of us which gave me an advantage, I walked behind him
and hit his leg, holding his arm, kicking him down on the ground and when he attempted to take out his
gun, I smacked it out of his hand and took it, aiming at his head. all of this happened in a few seconds
which scared the crap out of Adrian.
"What the hell? Erika, what the hell are you doing?" he panicked but I stared at the man with furious
eyes.
"Who are you?" I asked, "And why are you following us?" pointing the gun at him, he smirked
arrogantly assuming that I wouldn't shoot him, well he is wrong. Because I will if need be.
"You're not gonna shoot me," mocked me, I took off the safety and shot at his leg he screamed out in
pain like a motherfucker. But there was a second scream that was much more sacred than the first one,
Adrian screamed his ass off, frightened with what the hell was happening.
"I asked you a question and take off that mask?" I stared at him angrily, Adrian looked shell shocked
with what was going on, maybe this was his first time witnessing something like this which is usually
considered the words in a BDSM bar.
he took off his mask, he is a typical white American with a tattoo all over his neck and piercings on his
lips and eyebrow. "I'm just doing my job," he admitted groaning in pain as the blood streamed out of
his leg creating a puddle of the blood in the middle of the parking lot.
"Who sent you?" I asked reloading the gun and aiming at his other leg this time.
"I think you know him better than anyone," he replied indirectly avoiding my confrontation. Answering
indirectly.
I stilled for a moment understanding the means behind his vague words. "Why? " I asked and he
smiled creepily knowing he had me under his trap.
"Why don't you ask him?" he laughed then winced in pain but still not giving up his thug look.
"He is here?" I lowered the gun, looking at him shocked
"He was always here," he smiled and jumped at me for the gun but the sound of sirens had him stilled.
the police arrived at the wrong time, Adrain pulled the gun out of my hand and threw it on the ground,
the police arrested the stocker and took him away, he smiled oddly and screamed at me for one last
time
"He is coming for you and this time, this fucker dies before he can see the next sunrise, leave him
before it's too late,"