"What made you think about spending your time with me for lunch?" Andrea said when they reached a known restaurant as well. The second famous restaurant next to the Forrester which is a world renowned one.
"I told you already. I'm bored," Xeno said while looking at the menu and to her.
"Just bored?", she suspected that he's hiding something.
"Actually, I want to talk to you about something," they both sensed that the atmosphere tensed.
"What is it?" she braced herself for the news.
"You told me about someone named Ryan, right?" as he spoke the man's name, Andrea froze.
"Y-yes.. And?"
"I told you as well that I will help you investigate the matter. Well, you see.." Xeno hesitated to say some more.
"Oh just tell me the damn news, Xeno. You know it matters to me the most."
"Yes, yes. Calm down for a sec. You're tensing." Xeno tried to hold her hand on the table but she didn't let him.
"Okay. As you know, I was investigating about Ryan. I searched for information in your place in Isabella."
The sound of him saying Isabella brings back the pain she experienced in that place.
"There's someone who knows a little about Ryan." he's on a serious mode now. They both are.
"That man called himself Andrey. He said that after the big incident that happened in Isabella, which is ahmm.. aboit you and your family. Andrey saw Ryan in an abandoned place since he lives near there. Ryan was found talking to a masked man. Andrey also saw that the two seems very close to each other. He hid himself for he might get caught. He couldn't hear what they're talking about and after they talked, they both drove off in a black car with no plate number."
"Hmm. Kinda strange."
Xeno can see that Andrea is shaking for a reason he didn't actually know. Anger? Fear?
"Don't worry, my investigation is always active. Do you have your own investigation as well?" after what he said, a waitress came and asked for their order. They both gave their orders and returned the menu.
"Yes. I have mine too. Although I don't want to say it to you. It's too confidential. Hope you understand that."
"Of course. By the way, is it okay if I asked you what really happened back then? Of course you can say no if you can't. I just want to know you and your past. Is it okay."
After hearing what he said, Andrea stared at him with an emotionless look. Suddenly their food came.
"I'll tell you in the car."
"Okay, darling."
The two didn't mind the stares from their surroundings and quickly finished their meal.
They both got in the car and silenced envelopes inside.
Is it okay if I tell him? Can I talk about it? She thought about it for a few minutes before saying her answering Xeno.
"Yes you can hear it. It will be quick, I don't want to talk about it furthermore."
"Okay, thanks. I'm all ears.."
Andrea nodded at him.
"It started 6 years ago when I was 17 years old. I experienced domestic violence from my parents. They are both gamblers and heavy drinkers. I endured that because I love them since they're still my...parents." Andrea's eyes begin to feel produce tears. Since they're on the corner side of the restaurant, she couldn't care less about few people around them.
"One day I was cleaning the house and my parents and their friends are gambling in the terrace. They always gamble in our house. I was full of...bruises that time so I hardly move. Suddenly, they ordered me to buy a cigarette from a nearby store. I went outside....when suddenly an unknown car appeared and covered my nose and mouth with some kind of chemical and I fell asleep."
That's when she realized that tears begin to fall from her eyes. Xeno quickly handed her a handkerchief.
"Shh...Darling, you don't have to continue if you can't do it. Please.. I can't bare to see you cry." he cupped her cheek, wiping her tears.
Andrea just smiled at him and holds his hand.
"It's fine. I can do this, Xeno." with his worried look, he nodded.
"I didn't know what happened after that. I woke up in an unfamiliar surroundings. My... shirt is torn and my short is still there." That's when her tears rapidly falls. Her hands are shaking and Xeno noticed it so he immediately cupped her hands.
"I didn't know is they did anything wrong to me....I didn't know.. I started to call for help but then someone came walking towards me. He said.....I w-was ... I was not good enough for him. I cried and begged for him to let me go but....he rips my s-shirt open and....." Andrea didn't have the chance to finish what she's saying when Xeno suddenly punched the steering wheel. He's mad furious.
"Fuck! Fucking asshole! I'll kill him! I'll kill that bastard!" Xeno keeps on punchin the steering wheel and Andrea just cried watching him.
"He didn't touched me wholly but it's enough to make me feel disgusted...... to myself. I couldn't move since they added bruises all over my body. He said his name is Ryan Jones and he's been stalking me for as long as I can remember. H-he said he wanted me to be his girlfriend...but I couldn't take care of myself and got myself beaten all over again by my parents so he ended up hating me for that."
"He's a crazy son of a bitch!" Xeno exclaimed.
"After that he knocked me out again, kicking my stomach that makes me unconscious. And when I woke up, I was in our house....and...I was surrounded by ...corpses of my parents and their friends... blood.... all over me and I was....holding a knife." Andrea continued to sobs, she feels like she can't speak anymore. She started to shake up, memories replays in her mind.
"I'm sorry. Please, it's not my fault! I was set up! Please, I didn't kill my parents. Please forgive me!" she continued to say things that she said the time the police caught her.
"No no, darling. I'm here. Don't be afraid. Oh no.." Xeno immediately hugs her tight. When Andrea collapsed.
"Hey, darling wake up! Shit!" Xeno quickly drove off to the nearest hospital. He carried her and runs inside.
"Quick! Help her! Please, help her." Doctors and nurses came towards his direction to take care of Andrea.
"We'll do anything we can, Mr. Louindelle. We advise you to wait and pray for her recovery." Xeno nodded continously at the doctors. They deliver her to the emergency room to check on her.
"Darling, wake up. Please." he holds her hand tight, not letting her go.
After the doctor got the chance to check on her. They told Xeno to calm down.
"Mr. Louindelle, we need you to be calm for Ms. Bennett's sake too. Please." Xeno took a deep breath.
"Okay."
"Thank you. As I checked on Ms. Bennett, she has a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD). It can happen to a person after experiencing a traumatic event that has caused them to feel fearful, shocked, or helpless. Example of events that can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) include thoughts and memories recur even though the danger has passed. Is she exposed to something that triggers her traumatic experience, Mr. Louindelle?"
"Yes, I think she did. Can she get better? What treatment should she take? Tell me, Doctor."
The doctor sighs before answering him.
"In her case, it's best if she can talk a therapist session. Although what occurs now is a mild attack, it can get worse if not treated. I suggest to you also that she should stay away from things that might trigger her trauma. She needs treatment as soon as possible." Hearing what the doctor said, Xeno can only nod.
"Thank you, Doctor. Thank you." the doctor smiled at him.
"You're welcome. You can contact me if you want to schedule a therapy treatment for her."
"Yes, thank you." the doctor tapped his shoulders before walking out.
Shit! What did I do to her? It's my fucking fault!
After thinking about it, he made a resolve.
.....
Andrea woke up finding herself in the hospital.
Damn, here I am again.
"Xeno.. Xeno.." she called for the name of a man beside her, sleeping while holding her hands.
Gosh, you still look hot and handsome when you're asleep.
"Hey, Xeno." Andrea tries to wake him up.
When Xeno sensed that Andrea wants to wake him up, he immediately raised his head and he looked relieved, seeing her smile.
"God, I'm worried sick about you, darling. I almost collapsed as well." Andrea didn't know what she's thinking and she just hugs Xeno.
"I'm sorry I let you worry about me. I'm fine now, just....stay for a while." Xeno kissed her head that makes her blushed.
"I'm not leaving your side even if you want me. I'll stay with you always. Oh God, are you really fine? Do you want me to call a doctor? Just say something. Does it hurt? I'm so sorry I made you talk about your past, I'm really sorry. You don't need to feel sorry, I'm the one who needs to say sorry."
Andrea want to let go of their hug when Xeno slightly pushed her back.
"Stay, a little more, darling."
She just smiled at the thought of him being worried for her.
"Okay. I'll stay."
"Yeah you should both stay cuz I need a fucking explanation. What the heck happened to you again, Andrea?!"
Andrea immediately let go of Xeno when she saw a raging lioness. No, much more furious than that. Daniela is mad mad.
"Let me explain." Andrea said.