Chapter 23: Are you worried about it?
2326words
"I'm sorry, sir. We didn't find anyone," the bodyguard's voice was heard reporting to Nick.
Ramona breathed a sigh of relief, even though she still didn't dare to move. He waited until the sound of the steps completely moved away, making sure the situation was safe. After a few minutes in silence, Ramona slowly opened the container door. His head poked out, peeking carefully. There was no one around.
With a slow step, he began to sneak among the stacks of containers, trying to remain invisible. The cold night air felt piercing his skin, but it was nothing compared to the tension he felt. Every step is taken with utmost care, avoiding any noise that could attract attention.
When she reached safety, Ramona saw Nick's car parked in the distance. He knew that the only way to escape was to get back into the car before Nick returned. Without wasting any time, he hurried, running small while keeping his body down. Arriving in the car, he opened the door slowly and slipped into the back seat, lowering his head so that it would not be seen from the outside.
Inside the car, Ramona regulates her hunting breath. He knows that his struggle is not over, but for now, he has managed to hide himself from Nick.
Soon, Nick emerged from behind the stack of containers, his steps calm and confident. His eyes were fixed on Nick's white shirt which looked perfectly clean, as if it had just been replaced. Even though before, Ramona clearly saw her face and clothes covered in blood. How could it all be lost in an instant? His mind began to fill with question marks, but he knew that this was not the right time to ask.
Nick opened the car door and sat in the driver's seat, then turned his head to look at Ramona with a faint smile. "I'm sorry, Ra, you've been waiting for a long time. There were some problems with my boat earlier," he said casually.
Ramona tried to smile even though her body felt tense. He nodded slightly and asked, "Is the matter serious? I saw a few people in black running around here."
Nick only smiled faintly, his eyes exuding a calmness that was hard to read. "It looks like there's a spy watching me," he replied lightly, turning on the car's engine. "But he managed to get through."
Ramona nodded slowly, trying to look calm even though her heartbeat was like a war drum. In his heart, he is grateful to be able to escape Nick's bodyguards, but he also knows that Nick is not a figure who is easily deceived.
"So, we're still going to dinner, right?" asked Nick while glancing at Ramona through the rearview mirror.
"Yes, sure," Ramona replied quickly, trying to keep her voice calm. He smiled faintly, hiding his nervousness that continued to go crazy.
Nick nodded and started driving the car, while Ramona could only hope that there was nothing suspicious among his movements.
Here are the stories requested:
After dinner, Nick immediately drove Ramona home. On the way, Ramona showed the way to her apartment. Yes, the apartment was the one Hunter had prepared beforehand. It was impossible for Ramona to ask Nick to drive him to Hunter's mansion—it would only raise questions and perhaps new problems.
Nick's car finally arrives in front of a magnificent high-rise building, Jongsung Apartments, one of Malta's most famous residences. This building is known as the residence of the upper class, including the dignitaries of large companies as well as several government officials. Nick stopped his car and glanced at Ramona. "You live here?" he asked in a flat tone.
Ramona nodded with a small smile. Nick just nodded quietly, not saying much.
"Thank you for delivering," said Ramona before getting out of the car.
Nick noticed Ramona stepping into the apartment lobby. His eyes momentarily fell on the towering building in front of him, before he finally drove his car away from there.
Meanwhile, Ramona stepped towards the elevator with a definite step. On the way upstairs, he opens his phone to check the messages from Hunter. The apartment number was clearly written: three blank nine. Upon arriving on the top floor, he walked down the hallway until he found the door with the number.
Ramona took a deep breath before pressing the bell. Soon, the door opened, revealing a luxurious interior inside. He glanced to the right and left, making sure there was no one else in the hallway, and then immediately went inside.
In the living room, Hunter was seen sitting relaxed on the sofa with a calm face. Liam, his loyal bodyguard, stood not far from there. However, after confirming Ramona's arrival, Liam decides to leave, choosing to wait outside the apartment.
Now there is only Ramona and Hunter in the room, creating a strange atmosphere but also full of tension implied.
Here are the stories requested:
Ramona immediately sat down on the sofa, right across from Hunter. With a serious face, he took out his phone from the small bag he was carrying, then held it out to Hunter.
"I accidentally saw Nick commit murder," Ramona said without further ado. His voice was calm, but there was a tense tone that could not be hidden. "Whether it means something to you or not. Inside his car, I only found two proofs of transactions from Sevano. In his luggage, he kept heavy tools such as hammers, knives, brown boxes, boots, and gloves."
Hunter took the phone from Ramona's hand, turned it on, and began to observe the video footage that Ramona had saved. On the screen, it is clearly seen how Nick, ruthlessly and sadistically, kills a servant. From the brief conversation in the recording, it is clear that the waiter was only used as a lure to thwart the delivery of Nick's goods.
Hunter's face remained cold, but the look in his eyes implied pent-up anger. After a while, Hunter turned off Ramona's phone and placed it on the table between them. He looked at Ramona deeply, his face hardened.
"I've investigated Nick," Hunter said in a low but firm voice. "I don't need any more information about it."
Ramona fell silent, looking at Hunter in confusion and disappointment. He reached out to retrieve his phone, but didn't say a word.
Even so, Ramona's mind kept spinning, trying to understand why Hunter decided to ignore the serious evidence he had just shown.
Ramona opened her voice again, her voice firm although a little hesitant. "It can't be so. Nick asked me to make a special bag, with a rather complicated design. And it has to be tomorrow."
Hunter, who originally looked calm, was now looking at Ramona with his eyebrows raised. He seemed surprised to hear the information. "What kind of bag?" he asked curiously, his gaze was sharp, as if trying to read Ramona's mind.
Ramona took a breath, then began to explain the bag design that Nick had requested. "He wanted a bag with double layers, a lot of hidden compartments, and a material strong enough to withstand heavy loads. In addition, the bag should look ordinary from the outside, just like a regular travel bag."
Hunter was instantly silent, digesting every word Ramona spoken. His face showed a cold expression, yet his mind was clearly working fast. In an instant, he realized the true purpose of Nick's request. The bag is not just a bag; It is a tool designed to smuggle prohibited goods in shipments abroad.
Looking at Ramona intensely, Hunter said, "Just finish the design of the bag. But after this, don't have anything to do with Nick. You understand?"
Ramona fell silent, her gaze glued to Hunter. There were many questions he wanted to ask, but he refrained.
But Ramona was curious about the question in her brain.
"Why? Are you worried about me or afraid of Nick?" asked Ramona, making Hunter stare at Ramona flat as he leaned his back on the sofa.
"It seems like you don't have any fear at all? Or maybe you're interested in my cousin?" Ramona smiled as she turned her gaze in another direction.
Ramona pulled her hair back and spoke up again, "I'm not a cheap woman who easily falls in love with a man I meet. Don't confuse me with the woman of your servant." Press Ramona at the end of her sentence before getting off the sofa.
Hunter just stood still and watched Ramona, his gaze so attached to Ramona's back, "I've done my second mission. Find me with my son." Ramona said without looking at Hunter, calmly observing the cityscape through the large windows that stretched as if showing the beauty of the city of Malta at night today.
Hunter immediately got off the sofa and looked at Ramona, "I'll meet you after you can get away from Nick." Hunter immediately left, making Ramona turn to look at Hunter sharply with his fist.
"You're playing tricks on me?" angry Ramona angrily made Hunter's steps stop.
Hunter looked at Ramona flatly and replied, "I'm used to doing business. This is how I am. If you can't cooperate, I can't give you the benefits." Tell Hunter before leaving the room.
Ramona immediately threw the vase against the wall.
Hunter was silent in front of the door along with the sound of a broken flower vase making Liam stare at Hunter from the side.
"Why don't you just be honest with Ramona, if her son is in your mansion? Tell her honestly if Esther is safe under your supervision. Now he misunderstands you, thinking that if we do something to his son because we separated the two of them, you won't get tired of being misunderstood by him?" asked Liam, surprised by Hunter's attitude that did not want to be frank with Ramona.
Hunter was silent, not knowing what was raging in his mind at this moment. But for sure, Hunter was terrified at the moment.
Afraid that Ramona is in Nick's cruel and cruel circle of life.
"He just came out of the port, recording Nick's sadism in killing the fishermen we sent as bait, we can't let him be near Nick," Liam, who heard Hunter's story, now understands, Hunter is worried about Ramona.
"You're worried about it," Hunter immediately turned his head and looked at Liam unacceptably.
Hunter instantly turned his gaze in the other direction and said, "I just don't want to lose him before my revenge is done. If he dies, what about my revenge. Stay nearby and monitor whatever the activity is." Hunter then galloped down the hallway.
Liam only smiled faintly as he put his hands in his pants pockets and muttered, "Why is it so hard for you to tell if you're worried about it? You always care about him in the bottom of your heart even though your mouth is rough." Liam shook his head gently and went into the far end of the apartment to take care of Ramona.
Hunter had already arrived at his mansion, his mind still filled with Ramona. The anxiety and fear grew bigger, but he had a greater responsibility than that.
Namely taking care of his son.
His son? Does he admit if Esther is his son?
DNA results showed that if he was his son, he could no longer dodge.
Hunter carried his suit as he entered the mansion.
"Master, are you home?" asked Esther, who ran to greet her.
The maid immediately ran after Esther, "Young master, let's go back to the dining table. Eat your food first." Hunter gestured to his maid to return to the kitchen.
Hunter squatted down in front of Esther, "You haven't eaten yet?" Esther shook her head softly.
"Let's have dinner together," Hunter invited to make Esther look at him intently.
"What about my mommy, sir? Is he not done with his work? He didn't even call me or just ask how I was doing," said Esther whose question made Hunter's heart immediately feel hit by a big stone.
Hunter then said, "We'll see your mommy tomorrow. For today he is resting. So, go back to the dinner table and eat your food. After that go to bed." Esther nodded obediently and returned to the dining table.
Hunter immediately stood up again and stared at Esther closely. Hunter then went upstairs, but before he could step on the stairs, Esther's call made him turn his head.
"Please don't make my mommyku in trouble. Mommy has a hard time taking care of me," said Esther before she sat down and went back to eating her food.
Hunter's heart felt like he was speared when he heard Esther's words just now. A child as small as him, can care that much and knows his mother's difficulties.
Even he without prestige said it in front of Hunter.
Hunter then returned to the dinner table, joining Esther for dinner. For some reason, Hunter suddenly became weak due to the existence of Esther and Ramona. Would he be okay with the presence of the two of them beside him?
The maid, who was cleaning the kitchen, couldn't believe seeing Hunter having dinner. This is a very rare sight.
