Chapter 22

Ashley.

I've never felt scared in my life like I did at that moment. Everything felt like a dream. A dream I will never wish to go back to. I was hyperventilating. I feel like my heart is going to rip out of my chest any moment. "Ashley" Neil reached out to me but I snatched my hands away. I wasn't in my state of mind.

"Kristine... She's..." I tried to let the words out of my mouth yet it felt heavy. The only thing my eyes are making out are tear. Tears of hurt.

"Kristine is...." I tried for the second time.

"Kristine is fine. She's getting treatment. She'll be fine" he assured. I knew he's only saying it for my sake but Kristine is not fine, I saw it with my two eyes. How she was dragged on the floor like a slave yet I couldn't do anything. I only care about saving my life. "She's not. It's all my fault. I'm selfish, arrogant, prideful and only care about myself. She's in this condition all because of me. I'm a bad friend. A bad sister" I blabbered banging my fist on the wall. I have no idea where we are. I could only recall passing out and then I don't know what happen again.

Neil snatched my hands and I snatched and continue muttering the words. "I should've been the one battling for my life. She dosen't deserve it. I-" My words got stuck in my throat when I felt an arm wrapped around my body. His warmth immediately occupying my notrils.

"You shouldn't blame yourself. We all didn't know it's going to happen. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have let you go alone. I failed my mission. I failed yor father. Had it been something happen to you, I don't know how to face your parents"

"No it's all my fault. I took the whole thing as a joke. I thought it's not something serious. I should have-" Neil pulled apart and held me in both my shoulder.

"Look at me" he commanded. I dare not to. "It was all my mistake. Have it not been for my arrogance, it wouldn't have happen" My body was shivering as I boambard the words out.

"Look at me Ashley"

I still didn't. My face was forced up staring directly into his eyes. "Listen to me. What's bound to happen has already happen. They planned to attack in the first place. They just got the chance. So none of this is your fault. I want you to calm down" He cupped my face with both his hands and I melt in his touch.

"Neil" I whispered out in a weak voice. He shush me by resting his forehead on mine. "Trust me you're safe. They won't be able to know our whereabouts. We're in a secluded village. It's hard for them to figure it out. Will you trust me?" I don't have to think twice. I trusted him since from the beginning.

I nodded my head in answer. We stayed in the position for what felt like five minutes before we were interrupted by the door opening. I quickly rushed to the elderly man. "How's she? Is she okay? Is she alive?" I bombard all at once.

The man realised a sharp breath. I felt my body wobbling back with tear to the brim of my eyes. Neil was quick to come to my aid.  "Something cannot go wrong. Kristine cannot die" I whispered the words hurting my head.

"Sir, can you tell us her condition?" Neil asked again holding my around the waist.

"The patient is okay. Thankfully you were able to bring her on time. However, she lost a lot of blood so it'll take a while for her to wake up" A Sigh of relief made it way out of my lips.

"Thank you so much sir for saving Kristine's life but by it'll take time, what does that mean?"

"She might wake up later or tomorrow. She just need rest" He calmly stated.

"Can we see her now?" I asked getting impatient.

"I will suggest you let her rest first"

"Thank you so much sir. We owe you big. We'll make sure to pay you. How much is the bill? We'll make sure we pay you with all we have" I announced. A smile graced through his face. "You have nothing to worry about. In this village, what we're into is helping each other most especially as guest. So feel free" he ushered. "If you'll excuse me, I'll come back later and check up on her"

He was about to walk away when Neil halted him. "Sir, if that's the case can you do us a favor?" Neil began.

"Sure"

"Can you helps us with a place to stay for some few days before the patient gets better" The man eyes travelled to Neil back to me. "I can help you but I have to know where you came from. Especially the injured patient"

Shit! I thought he said they're into helping people. Why can't he just help us without asking questions.

"Actually she's my wife" My eyes almost popped out of it's socket at his statement. Does he even know what he's saying.

"We got married few days ago. So we paid my parents a visit in Ithaca with my wife's sister. We're on our way back when we we're attack and she got shot. And here we are" What a good flat lie! I didn't know Neil has a lying side to him.

The man went quite for a while before he let out a sigh. "I will help you"

"Thank you so much sir"

"Call me Micheal"

"Thank you Michael"

"And you are..." he trailer off. My heart did a flip at his sudden question.

"I'm Lucas and she's Ana" What a flat lie.

"Alright. Let me go get the keys. Will you be okay?" he asked. "Yes"

After the man left, I turned to Neil with a questioning look. "What?" he said.

"Why did you lie to him that we're married and our names too?"

"I feel like it'll be the good answer. Besides, we're not yet out of danger so we can not risk it" He explained.

"So you mean we'll be living in this village as husband and wife with the name Lucas and Ana"

"That is the only way"

"But where are our rings?" I voiced out. If we're to fake being married then we need rings.

"We would sort things out later. For now we are in hiding some everything about us will change especially our identity"

The man came back after ten minutes. I thought he'll take us together with Kristine but he said they'll be checking up and her and that we can check up on her later. His house wasn't that big but it got two rooms with bathroom in each other. He took us to the one with the brown door. The room is not spacious nor small but enough for us to fit in. However, the bed isn't that big enough for the both of us.

"The room has been vacant for a while. I hope you can manage" Micheal said.

"We can. Thank you so much Mr. Michael" I offered out a smile.

"Okay I'll now take my leave. I'll go back to the clinic"

When he left closing the door behind us, we let out a sigh at the same time. "Can we really leave in this small room?" I began.

"We have no other choice. And we can't say no after all he's done for us"

"You're right"

I glanced around the room seeing cobwebs everywhere. The room must not be in use for a long time. "If we want to have a good sleep then we need to tidy up the room" I suggested

"Yeah"

One hour later, and we're done with the work. The aura of the room is better than before. Just when silence was maintained, my stomach decided to make it's own noise. Neil's face snapped towards me. "I don't know why my stomach is making this weird noise" I chuckled out.

The door suddenly opened came in Mr. Micheal. "Sorry for keeping you waiting. I had to make sure everything is fine"

"It's okay Sir"

My stomach made another growl sound and I quickly placed my palms on it. "Oh I'm sorry again. I didn't offer you anything. I have some boiled potatoes. Give me five minutes I will warm it up for you"

Within five minutes he served us the boiled potatoes. With my hungry self I didn't waste time I dig In almost immediately. After we're done Mr. Micheal brought two pair of clothe for us. One for Neil and one for me.

"Thank you Sir. We're really grateful for your kindness. We'll never forget your companionship towards us"

"It's my pleasure. Seeing you reminds me of my daughter" he confessed.

"Really?"

"Yes. She got married two months ago and she left for Scotland with her husband. You reminded me of her"

I didn't know how to answer him so I only let out a smile. "If you need any help, feel free to ask me. And as for your sister, I suggest you visit her tomorrow"

"Is she awake?" I asked getting impatient.

"For now no but hopefully by tomorrow"

"Alright. Thank you once again"

"Goodnight" With that he turned around and left closing the door behind him. A sigh of relief escaped me.

"I'm glad she's fine. I don't know what I would've went through if something was to happen to her." I proceeded unwrapping the clothe in my hand. It was top and a baggy jean. Thank God I'll be comfortable in them. Now that we're left all alone in the room, my eyes couldn't meet with Neil.

"You can take take the bed I'll manage the couch " my eyes immediately snapped towards him. "No you can take the bed I can manage the couch. My body will fit in"

"I insist"

"No I insist"

"I'm serious "

"And I'm seriously serious" I ushered back.

Neil heaved out a sigh. "Okay I know what to do"

My brows raised in question. "What is that?"

"We can sleep on the bed. Besides, it's not too small for the both of us" I stared at the bed some weird thoughts formulating in my head. I instantly brush off the thought by shaking my head.

"No I'm fine" I uttered.

"Have you forgotten we're married couple. What if Mr. Micheal walk in the night and finds us sleeping on separate bed" Come to think of it, what Neil said is true. I've forgotten that we're faking married couple so that means we have to pretend to be real couples.

I don't think the idea of that is pleasing to me. I mean, we'll be behaving like real husband and wife. And Neil made it clear to me that, he has nothing to do with a relationship that isn't employee and boss then how are we supposed to act.

"What are you thinking about?" Neil asked snapping me out of my thought.

"Nothing. It's nothing. Let me change first" Witnout waiting for his answer, I ambled away.

When I came out of the bathroom, Neil has already changed ready to hop on the bed. I slowly walked up to the bed feeling my heart picking up it pace. Neil laid on his back, his face towards the ceiling. I copied his actions. Peeping a glance at him through my side eye.

"I-"

"I-"

"You go first" Neil offered.

"Do you think the person who attacked me might be the same people who attacked my dad? I mean it doesn't make sense. Is it that they've been keeping an eye on us for all this while"

"Your predictions are right. It's Raphael" My mouth hung low at the new information.

"Raphael? Is that his name?"

"Yes he is the masterpiece behind the attack"

The whole thing confuses me. If he wanted to kill me then why didn't he make a move at the bar the other day. Was it to show me his face?

"What I want to understand here is that, who is he and why does he wants me dead?"

"That is something your Dad has the answers to"