Chapter 53

Nineteen years ago.

Word spread that an abandoned boy had taken the life of a beggar in a secluded alley of a bustling night market. That became sensational news because the Mayor of the city himself took care of that case. But after a few days the news subsided and was never mentioned again on the news channels.

I just remembered the boy's face. Even though his posture and face changed, he still couldn't hide the small mole on the side of his lips and the kind of look he was shooting at me, like a hungry monster.

Yes, I clearly remember the boy's face because I witnessed how he killed the beggar who grabbed the pandesal I gave him. I was there at the crime scene that night, nineteen years ago.

But I forgot all those events because of the trauma. Just now all the memories that were erased from my mind came back to me.

My vision blurred and I started crying. Why am I the one who always sees crime? First, the crime in the alley. Second, the Boljoon crime, and now Rei's murder of Gerard.

Rei knocked on the windshield of the car. He was saying something but I didn't understand. I quickly unbuckled the seatbelt of the passenger seat and moved to the driver's seat. I stepped on the gas and drove the car even though I knew Rei was still sitting on the hood.

He jumped but I didn't know what his situation was and immediately drove the car away from that place while tears continued to flow down my cheeks.

The car slowed down when I saw Lyndon's familiar figure ahead. He got out of the car so I parked the car next to his car and got down shaking.

Lyndon immediately approached me and without saying a word reached out for a hug. "I'm here. You're safe now."

I don't know why I suddenly burst into tears at his words. I cried for a few minutes in his arms and when I realized that I was too close to him. I quickly let go of the hug and shyly thanked him.

Lyndon looked at where the car came from and asked. "Where's your driver?"

My body began to tremble as I remembered what happened to Gerard at Rei's hands. Even though it was difficult, I tried to tell him what I saw. I was about to confess what I saw that night in Boljoon but Lyndon stopped me.

"That's enough for tonight." He sighed but I could see the growing darkness in his eyes. Even so, his voice was still gentle. "I will drive you home."

I held his arm tightly. "I don't want to go home to Boljoon right now. Please, I know you're here to pick me up, but I don't want to see my parents."

He stared at me for a few seconds before nodding. He turned to the man who had been quiet on the side and ordered him to watch my car and call the police. Then he led me to his waiting car.

I turned to my own car but Lyndon gently held my shoulder and opened the passenger door for me. "Don't mind it. My assistant will take care of it."

"But I don't know if I killed Rei..." My body trembled again. What if instead of being a witness I get charged because I killed Rei?

"Rishel," he called my name emphatically. I looked up at Lyndon and he looked straight into my eyes. "You did nothing wrong. Don't think too much. I'll take care of this case."

I swallowed and nodded then sat on the passenger door. Lyndon drove the car to the next city and the car stopped in front of a hotel. I remembered Tiden. Is that one okay?

"What? A room?" I frowned.

There was only one room left that night. That's when I noticed that it was almost midnight. I bit my lower lip and sighed.

"We'll take that one room," Lyndon said to the receptionist.

I quickly looked at him. "You---"

He turned to me and smiled. "We've shared a room once, Rishel."

I glared at him when he reminded me of that rainy night in the Plaza where we shared a room. I didn't do anything if I didn't follow him. He's not going to chase a girl who's already bedded by someone else, right?

The corner of my lips twitched and I felt worse. Whoever that man is, I'll make him pay!

"What are you thinking?" Lyndon suddenly asked.

That's when I noticed that he had stopped and was waiting for me ahead. I ran up to him and shook my head. "Are we here yet?"

Lyndon opened the closed door and entered. I followed inside.

The next day we hurried back to Boljoon. Because Lyndon received a report that Papa was shot while traveling home to Boljoon from the fishing port.

"Mom, what happened?!" I asked and ran to Mama who was pale and her eyes swollen.

When she saw me, she quickly reached out and hugged me. "J-Joy! Your Papa was shot!" And that's when Mama started crying.

Because of my experience last night and Levi's betrayal, including Papa's shooting, I couldn't control my feelings anymore. I cried with Mama. Lyndon approached the doctor who came out of the OR to ask how Papa was doing.

"Mr. Larica's life is no longer critical. But he needs to stay in the hospital for observation."

I breathed a sigh of relief and Lyndon thanked the doctor before saying goodbye. He said he was going to do something for a while and I knew it was about Rei. I smiled at him in thanks. I was surprised when he raised his hand and placed it on my head. He patted my head like a child.

I was stunned by what he did so he smiled before turning and walking away.