ELIZ'S POV
What the?! Is this what I've been fearing?
I saw three men dressed in all black at the hall entrance, holding guns, as if looking for someone.
Thankfully, no one was hit by the gunfire earlier as it struck a potted plant at the side of the stage.
"Ahhh!!"
"Who are they?!?!"
"Principal Sevastian! Let's head to the backstage!" shouted one of the staff.
"Ruhan! Where are you going?!" I yelled when I saw Ruhan running down the stage.
Bang!
I panicked, but I saw Ruhan pull something from inside his tuxedo—a gun?! Why does he have a gun?!
"Eliz! Let's go!" Nathan said, accompanied by Shin, both holding guns.
"What's happening—why do you have guns?!" I asked frantically as we ran toward the back stage.
I know Ruhan is a gangster, but I'm still shocked by what's happening. Does this mean my cousin is also a gangster?
"We'll explain later; just stay here!" Nathan said and left with Shin.
"Lolo! What's happening?!" I asked my grandfather.
"I don't know, but it might be because of the death threat! I knew they'd attack when there are many people around!" he replied.
Oh my goddess! My intuition was right! But I hope this ends soon. I don't want anyone else to get involved in our family's problems!
I realized the surroundings had become quiet, so I peeked into the hall.
"Good thing they left!"
"Yeah! That was scary!"
"Who were they?!"
"Where are you going?" my grandfather asked, stopping me from leaving the backstage.
"They're gone. I just want to check if anyone is hurt," I said, convincing him with my look.
He allowed me to leave the backstage, and I went to the students.
"Eliz! I'm glad you're okay!" Lyca said, concerned.
"Is anyone hurt? Are you all okay?!" I asked, and she shook her head.
Phew! Thankfully, no one got hurt. It would have been our responsibility if something had happened to the students.
"Wait, where is—Where is Ruhan?! Where are the Prime 4?!" I yelled when I realized they were missing.
"There! They ran outside—Where are you going?! Eliz!" Lyca shouted, but I ignored her and quickly ran out of the hall.
I ran fast, scanning the surroundings. Good thing I decided to wear rubber shoes, making it easy to run.
Bang!
"Ruhan! Nathan! Where are you?!" I shouted, trying to find the source of the gunshot.
Sh*t! Where are they?! I hope they're okay!
I kept running until I tripped over a rock. I quickly stood up, brushed off my hands—and—blood?!
I looked at the ground where I fell and saw a small amount of blood. But still! Blood!
Damn! But whose blood is this?
I noticed a few drops nearby, so I followed them until they suddenly disappeared.
"Where are you?" I whispered, trying to calm myself.
"Why—" I stopped when I felt something cold against my temple.
"Who are you?" I said bravely.
I knew it was a gun, and one pull of the trigger would send me straight to heaven.
"You're Sevastian's granddaughter, aren't you?" he said.
"Who are you?!" I asked, trying to stay brave.
"Queen!" a male voice called from a distance.
It was one of the Prime 4. Kean, right?
The man behind me moved to put me in a chokehold, still aiming the gun at me.
"P-please don't," I said, on the verge of tears.
Am I going to die? Please, I wish I could have at least said goodbye to Mom and Dad.
"Don't come any closer, or I'll shoot this girl!" the man yelled at Kean.
I was scared when the man pressed the gun harder against my temple. What do I do??! Ruhan, please...help.
I don't know why, but I've never been this scared. Maybe it's because so many people are involved now.
.
.
"Let her go," a voice came from behind.
I hadn't noticed, but the man's hold on me gradually loosened.
I turned to see Night. He was holding a gun, aiming at the man who was just behind me.
"R-ruhan..." I said.
I'm worried he might get hurt. Why do they have guns?! Who are these men?!
"Leave or I'll blow your head off. Your companions have already fled; you're the only one left." Ruhan said confidently, but something seemed off about him.
I don't know what, but I'm sure there's something not right with Ruhan.
The man hesitated but then quickly ran away. Ruhan motioned for Kean to follow him.
"Ruhan..." I said and ran to him.
"T-thank goodness you're okay, Queen..." he said, hugging me.
I noticed his face was pale. "Ruhan..." I said, still hugging him.
I don't know why, but I'm so worried about him. Isn't it because he's my King? I should be worried, right? Because he saved me from that man with a gun.
"Ruhan.. why aren't you talking—Sh*t!" I exclaimed when I saw my hand that had been on his back.
B-blood! So much blood!
"Ruhan! You're hit!" I said, looking at him. Is that why he's so pale?!
Is it his blood that was on my hand earlier when I tripped?! Sh*t!
"E-eliz..." he said, struggling and then collapsed.
"Damn! Help us! Ruhan! Wake up!" I screamed. I sat down, cradling him in my lap.
"Where are they?!" I cursed because there was no one around.
I don't care if cursing is bad manners; this is Ruhan we're talking about!
"Eliz! What happened?!" I felt relieved when someone spoke.
"Nathan! Shin! Help Ruhan! He's been shot!" I yelled.
They came over, and Shin pulled out his phone and made a call.
"Hello?! We need an ambulance here at Cortejo Campus! Hurry!" Shin said.
"Are you okay, Eliz?" Nathan asked.
"No! As long as I see someone getting hurt because of me, I won't be okay! Look at Ruhan! He's shot!" I exclaimed, holding Ruhan's hand. He was still lying on my legs.
"E..liz..." he said weakly.
"Shhh.. Don't speak.." I said, trying to calm myself. Calm down, Eliz, Ruhan will be okay...
He listened and stopped talking, but it was clear he was in pain. Fvck.
A little later, the ambulance arrived, and they quickly loaded Ruhan inside.
"Eliz, you go with Ruhan to the hospital; we'll take care of the campus," Nathan said, and I just nodded.
I didn't say anything more and got into the ambulance. Please be okay...
The ambulance sped off because the hospital was quite far. The nurses were already giving Ruhan first aid to stop the bleeding.
RING!! RING!!
One of the nurses took out Ruhan's phone from his tuxedo pocket. His phone.
I took it and saw who was calling...
Mommy calling...
Should I answer it?
I answered because they needed to know what was happening.
"Hello dear, did you tell him already?" said the woman on the other end of the phone.
Tell him what?
"H-hello? Ahh, this is Eliz, the—"
"Oh? Eliz, it's nice! You're Eliz, right? The Campus Queen? Ruhan's partner?"
The questions came rapidly from Ruhan's mom.
Does she know me?
"Ahh, yes, it's me... umm, Ruhan... he got shot," I said.
"What?! Why?! What happened?!"
"Some armed men attacked the school, but we're on our way to the hospital, to Morgan's Hospital," I said.
"I hope he's okay. It's been a long time since he was hospitalized, and now there's trouble in the gangster world again."
"What? Gangster World?" I asked, confused.
"We'll explain it to you later, dear, okay? Please take care of our son; we're in Quezon, but we're heading there now, though it will take some time."
"I understand. I won't neglect your son," I said.
"We know, dear. Anyway, we need to go. Bye."
"Bye," I said and hung up.
I hadn't noticed we were already entering the hospital gate.
We quickly got out and entered the hospital, rushing Ruhan to the ER.
Please be safe...