Kai’s POV
I played back the security footage repeatedly as i watched the event unfold. Something didn’t sit right, although, i was the one who got shot, it still seem like i wasn’t the target. instead, it was Amelia. The angel as of which the bullet came from and the timing was strange, i got shot the second i walked over to Amelia, it was like the attack was already perfectly planned but i walked right into it and ended up getting shot instead. It also seemed like the person who tried to kill her this time wasn’t the same person who attacked her once. They were sent by two different people, it was very obvious because their method of attack was different. That trouble maker, what did she do this time? Why are so many people trying to kill her? what trouble has she gotten herself into this time? If i hadn’t stepped in, the bullet would’ve gone through her head and she definitely wouldn’t survive that. whoever it was, i need to find him before he finds her again, and for the time being, i’ll just have to make sure she sticks to me whenever we’re out together.
My thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the shrill ringing of my phone. With a sigh, i reached for the device and answered the call.
"Hello?" I answered, my voice tinged with apprehension.
"Boss, it's Carlos," came the familiar voice on the other end.
"What is it?" I asked, my voice still tense with anticipation.
"it’s about the car’s license plate" Carlos replied, his tone serious. "it might be difficult to track down the car because it seems like the license number is either unregistered or was made up”
I ran my hand through my head in frustration, this was getting a lot more difficult than i thought, it was getting me all worked up. I really want to get this over with, i can’t imagine having to take that sharp mouth with me everywhere her go or i might end up losing my patience.
As the evening approached, I prepared myself for a meeting that couldn't be postponed. Despite my frustration and the urgency of the situation, I had to put everything aside and focus on the matters at hand.
I glanced at the clock, realizing that It was almost time to go. Sighing heavily, I made my way to the parking lot, my mind still preoccupied with thoughts of the recent events and the looming danger that seemed to follow her wherever she went.
Arriving at the parking lot, I found Amelia waiting for me, thankfully, she wasn’t talking to carlos today and laughing out her lungs because i gave him some task to complete and unfortunately for her again, he wouldn’t be driving, it was just me and her. Despite my irritation, I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt at the thought of dragging her into my dangerous life. There was no doubt that she started getting attacked after she began working for me. i got into the driver’s seat while she also joined me in the front seat and put on her seat belt.
“so, where are we going?” she asked, putting on her seat belt
“we’re attending a meeting” i answered while she nodded, her eyes not leaving me
“how is your injury?” she asked again
“fine” i answered with a bored tone, i really wasn’t in the mood to talk
“what’s with the bland answers? Don’t tell me you’re mad about what happened a week ago? i already apologized, you should learn to look over somethings, you know?” she said. Here she goes again, i really wish there was a way in which i can get her to stop talking
“i’d really appreciate if you don’t speak, at least, for the next two hours” i said while she blinked rapidly, shock and realization washing over her. for a moment, i almost felt bad about asking her to keep her mouth shut
“don’t look at me with those eyes” i mumbled as i started the engine, feeling a pang of guiltiness. The drive was silent and of course, awkward. But we finally arrived at the meeting centre. We both headed inside while Amelia trailed behind me slowly.
The others in the room acknowledged my presence by raising from their seats as they waited for me to sit down. I made my way to the head of the table, taking a seat while Amelia sat right next to me. the meeting was about starting when Anastacia appeared out of nowhere, i watched quietly as she walked up to amelia with a smile.
“i was sitting there, could you move to the other end of the table” she whispered to amelia, leaning in slightly
“this seat was empty when i walked in here” Amelia said, refusing to leave
Amelia's refusal to give up her seat immediately sent a ripple of tension through the room. I could feel the eyes of everyone in the meeting centre on us, waiting to see how I would handle the situation.
Anastacia's smile faltered slightly, her polite facade cracking under the pressure of Amelia's defiance. But instead of backing down, she leaned in closer, her voice dripping with barely concealed hostility.
"I don't care if the seat was empty. This is my usual spot. Now move," she hissed, her tone laced with thinly veiled threats.
Amelia's jaw tensed, her eyes flashing with annoyance as she met Anastacia's gaze head-on. I could see her hands folding in a fist, and i knew i had to step in before she does anything stupid. No matter how annoying Anastacia was being, she was a pest that i can’t seem to get off my leash. And if a fight was to burst out here, Amelia would be the perpetrator while Anastacia will be tagged as the victim even though she instigated it.
Before the situation could escalate further, I intervened, "Amelia, that’s enough," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. "you’re making a scene. Let her seat wherever she wants"
Reluctantly, Amelia got up, shooting one last glare at Anastacia before getting up from her seat and moving to the other end of the table. Anastacia watched her with a satisfied smirk, clearly pleased with her victory. The meeting started, and after a while, we were done. As the meeting concluded, Amelia was the first to stand up, her expression still clouded with irritation. Ignoring my attempts to talk to her.
“i’ll be in the washroom” she said as she brushed past me, her footsteps echoing through the room as she headed towards the restroom.
Amelia’s POV
As I made my way to the restroom, frustration boiled within me as kai’s words replayed in my head. Seriously? So, i was the only one ‘making a scene’
She obviously was trying to pick a fight with me, yet, kai had to make it look like it was my fault. He made me look stupid just because he was trying to side with some bitch who is probably his fuck buddy after telling me that there was nothing going on between him and that lady. I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection as i tried to suppress my anger. I washed my hands after a while and was about leaving when the blonde lady stepped in.
“Nice meeting you again Amelia, i’m Anastacia by the way” she said with a smirk as she walked in. i didn’t remember asking for her name, i wasn’t in the mood for any chit chat with her especially after what happened during the meeting. I tried ignoring her and walking past her, but she grabbed my arm, pulling me back
"What do you want?" i snapped, my voice tinged with irritation as i yanked my hand away from her grasp.
Her smirk widened into a smug grin, seemingly as she folded her arms across her chest, "Just wanted to make sure you didn't forget your place," she replied, her tone dripping with disdain.
“well, I know exactly where I stand, and it's definitely above you." i answered attempting to walk past her again, but what she said again made me stop
“you’re lucky that fool didn’t aim well, you’d definitely not be standing in front of me to say shit” she said. I didn’t understand what she meant by that, but i had a feeling that she was intentionally trying to trigger me, but i wasn’t about to let her get the best of me.
“you should watch what you say to me, kai is not here to save you” i said, my voice threatening
"And what are you going to do about it, low life?" she taunted, her eyes glinting with malice.
i raised my hands in an attempt to hit her, but before i could even do so, she stumbled backward, deliberately losing her balance and falling to the ground with a dramatic thud.
“help! Somebody!” Anastacia's cries echoed through the restroom, drawing the attention of nearby people.
Before i could react, security guards burst through the door, rushing to the scene to assess the situation.
“i didn’t hit her” i tried explaining but it didn’t seem like they even cared about hearing my own side of the story, all they cared about was the stupid lady on the floor who was making a scene and drawing unnecessary attention. My gaze met with kai who was standing at a distance, giving me a blank stare, without bothering to make any attempt to even defend me.
Anastacia seemed to notice Kai too, and she seized the opportunity to further embellish her false narrative, playing up her supposed injuries for maximum effect.
I felt a surge of frustration and betrayal wash over me as I realized that no one was paying any attention to me, they were too busy attending to her that they completely forgot about me like i was that insignificant.
“ma’am, you’d have to come with us” one of the guard said, walking up to me, but before i could respond, Anastacia spoke out
“that wouldn’t be necessary, i’m pretty sure she didn’t intend to hit me, she was just mad, and i understand. Please let her off this once” she said, attempting to sound like my saviour and make everyone belief that she was that sweet. I scoffed as i watched her display her stupidity, what was she expecting me to do next? Get on my knees and thank her for forgiving me? i turned around immediately, heading outside the building, that was enough humiliation for one day, kai saw me head out, so he also followed behind me, looking like someone who just finished watching a boring movie at a cinema. I got in the car and he joined me shortly.
“did that make you feel better?” he asked as he got into the drivers
“i didn’t hit her” i explained, but he only nodded, i could tell he didn’t believe me
“why don’t you ever believe me?” i asked as he started the engine and took off
Kai glanced at me briefly, his expression unreadable, before returning his focus to the road ahead. "I never said I didn't believe you," he replied cryptically, his tone distant.
"You didn't have to say it. Your actions speak louder than words," I retorted, my voice heavy with accusation.
“you need to avoid Anastacia if you don’t want any problems for yourself” kai warned, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. I scoffed at his statement, he would also have to ask that crazy bitch to mind her business if she also do not want trouble for herself.
Silence hung between us as he drove in silence, I glanced out the window at the familiar sight of the local Vietnamese restaurant, my stomach rumbling at the thought of the savory dishes within.
"I want to grab some Vietnamese food," I stated simply while kai slowed down
Kai shot me a confused look, his brow furrowing in puzzlement. "Why do you want to grab food in a shitty local restaurant?" he asked, his tone laced with skepticism.
What did i expect from a privileged guy who only eats at 5-star fancy restaurants?
I rolled my eyes at his dismissive remark, feeling a surge of irritation rising within me. "Because I happen to love Vietnamese food, thank you very much," I replied
Kai shrugged nonchalantly, his expression indifferent. "Suit yourself," he muttered, as he finally stopped and reversed back till we got to the Vietnamese restaurant.
I stepped out of the car and made my way toward the entrance of the Vietnamese restaurant, to my surprise, Kai followed closely behind, the sound of his footstep getting closer and closer.
"Why are you coming along? I thought you hated this restaurant?" i asked feeling a bit offended about him calling my favourite restaurant ‘shitty’
Kai's response was curt, his voice tinged with impatience. "I'm not here for the food. I'm here to make sure you don't cause any more trouble," he replied bluntly, his gaze fixed on me with an intensity that made me feel uneasy. I quickly turn around and made my way into the restaurant while kai trailed behind me, his presence was suffocating, he always treats me like a kid who needs protection, if anything, i think he should watch out for himself, not me, because i wasn’t the one who got shot and almost lost my life few days back.
The scent of spices and herbs enveloped my senses, instantly lifting my spirit, I found an empty table near the window and slid into the seat, while Kai took a seat opposite me.
I picked up the menu, staring at it, not because i was looking for the perfect dish to buy but because i was trying to avoid his gaze. i was a regular at this restaurant and whenever i come here, the Vietnamese noodles are my go-to choice. Hopefully, staring at the faded pictures will give me a moment to gather my thoughts. But it wasn’t working, i could still feel his gaze on me. does this man even know how uncomfortable his stares made me feel?
“here, you can also check for what you want” i said, pushing the second menu pamphlet to his side
“i’m good” he said, his eyes not leaving me
“you need to try this out, you can’t keep eating from fancy restaurant for the rest of your life. Don’t judge this restaurant based on the environment, the food here is actually really good” i said, hoping that will get him to pick up the menu and focus on it instead of me. luckily, it worked. He picked up the menu pamphlet, his eyes finally settling for the pamphlet. After a while, he placed the pamphlet down, so i assumed he probably found something to eat.
“so, what did you find” i asked
“nothing, recommend something for me” he asked
"Well, you could try the Vietnamese noodles," I suggested, gesturing towards the section of the menu featuring the traditional Vietnamese noodle soup. Kai considered my suggestion for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly before he finally nodded in approval.
"Alright, I'll give it a shot," he replied, his tone noncommittal as he set the menu pamphlet aside.
With our orders placed, we settled into a comfortable silence. When our meals arrived, we both ate in silence. Kai also seemed to be enjoying his meal as well, his expression unreadable as he slurped up the noodles with evident relish.  When we had finished our meals, Kai paid the bill and made we our way back home.
                        The Next Morning
The next morning, I was still in bed when I heard a hard knock on the door. Groaning, I attempted to ignore it, hoping whoever it was would go away. But the knocking persisted, growing louder and more insistent with each passing moment.
Finally relenting, I dragged myself out of bed and made my way to the door, feeling irritable at being disturbed from my sleep. Glancing at the clock on the bedside table, I saw that it was already 9:35 am. How could i have slept for so long?
Opening the door, I was met with Carlos who had a worried expression on his face, "What do you want?" I asked, my voice tinged with annoyance at being awakened, even though i should be up earlier
“there is a problem” Carlos said as he held up his phone to my face. My eyes widened in shock at the image displayed on the screen. It was a picture of Kai and I at the Vietnamese restaurant from the previous night, accompanying the picture was a caption claiming that we were dating.
“kai Alessandro spotted with his alleged girlfriend at a local restaurant in NYC” My heart sank as i read out the caption. This was bad, not for me, but for kai. Kai cannot have an open relationship, else, his position will be at stake. Whoever did this was probably trying to make him lose his position.