BELLA’S POV
I slowly opened my eyes. The white light of the room greeted me. I looked around, but I could only see white walls. I might be in the hospital. Actually, the last thing I could remember was when Mr. Ramirez was entering the convoy, my sight became blurry.
“ Hmm”
My eyes looked to the left side of my bed when I heard a soft moan and felt weak movement from there. I only noticed that Ryle was on my left side. He is currently sleeping. His head was down on the bed, but his body was seated on the chair bent. It seemed like my brother stayed late last night, and even if I did not see him yesterday, I know he was worried about me.
“ Ryle,” I softly called his name and held his cheek. It seemed like he woke up from a bad dream because he immediately looked at me.
“ Bella, you are awake,” He huskily stated and wiped his eyes. I weakly smiled at him.
“ Is there something painful to your body? Do you need something? Do you want me to call the doctor?” He asked one after another and stood up in the panic. I smiled while shaking my head. I pulled him to sit again.
“ I am sorry, Ryle!” I sincerely said as I have seen how he panicked. I could not imagine how scared he was when he knew what happened to me.
Ryle smiled and held my hand, “ It is okay, sister. I know that you did that because it was your pledged job. I am so proud of you on that part, but I admit I was scared of the thought that I might lose you.
“ That will never happen. I promise to you, right?” I tried to comfort him as I held his hands.
“ But mom and dad both promised the same thing, but they are both gone now,” He said and looked down. However, the tears on the side of his eyes caught my attention. Ryle immediately wiped it.
I let out a heavy sigh first before answering his agony, “ I could not leave you yet, so do not think so much.”
“ But---”
“ Ryle, this is part of my job. But if this will somehow make you breathe freely, do not worry about me, I will be more extra careful next time,” I smiled while telling him. I want to stop him from about thinking the thing he was afraid of.
Ryle let out a heavy sigh and spoke,“ Fine, sister. I won’t think about it. But please be careful. I can’t imagine my life if I ever lose you,”
I slightly laughed because of how he delivered his statement. I saw how he frowned because of what I did.
“ Why are you laughing?” He asked in confusion.
I smiled at him, “ Your reaction earlier was similar to Daddy. You both tend to speak fluently when you are worried.”
Ryle’s reaction changed after hearing my explanation. “ Is that true?” He asked while his eyes were shining. Maybe he longed to hear some information about our parents.
“ Yes. Sometimes, Mommy and I laughed every time Daddy did that. Maybe you could not remember since you were only three years old back then.” I replied. I saw longing in his eyes. He was so young when both our parents died.
“ Let’s pay them a visit when I got out from the hospital,” I said and messed his hair when I noticed that he became quiet.
“ Bella! It was hard to fix this.” He protested and fixed his hair.
“ Oh, you became hair-conscious now,” I teased him while laughing.
“ Of course. The girls might not like me if---” Ryle did not finish his statement when I raised my hand.
“ It was only a joke. Could I not joke around you?” Ryle nervously stated when he saw my fist.
“ You should be, Ryle. Prioritize your study first before thinking about that. You have no money to make her alive if you will not finish your studies,” I lectured him.
“ Psh, you are thinking way so advance. I am not getting married by just having a girlfriend.” He defended himself. I raised my eyebrow because of what he said. I saw how he gulped.
“ Haist, Ryle! Just listen to your sister because you will never win against her.” Ryle and I both looked to the door when we heard a familiar voice.
“ Brother Ced! Sister Riri!” Ryle happily called our visitors.
“ And what do you mean by that, Detective Cedric?” I asked because of what he said earlier.
“ Well, I am stating the fact,” He laughed, Riri laughed too while I was shaking my head.
“ What are you doing here?” I asked while pouting.
“ Of course, we are visiting our reckless friend,” Riri said and jokingly rolled her eyes at me.
“ If you are here to lectured me, just leave.” I jokingly stated.
“ Bessy!” Ced and Ryle both laughed because of how childish Riri acted when she approached me.
“ Ouch, it hurts! Let go of me, my wound! Besides, will you stop? I am still alive!” I irritably told her and slightly pushed her because she touched my wound.
“ I am sorry,” She apologized after standing up properly. I slightly laughed because of her expression. She is pouting while making a peace sign.
“ If I do not know you, I will never think that you are a detective, Riri.” I could not stop myself from commenting about it. My words made her frown even more.
“ I will just buy some foods for you, guys.” Riri and I looked at Ryle when he spoke. I nodded to what he said.
“ Anyway, brother Ced, please do not compete with the wall which are not moving. The flowers you brought will be a waste if you remained there forever.” Riri and I laughed because of what Ryle said. On the other hand, Ced somehow blush.
“ You little kid, just buy some food already,” Ced stated and slightly punched Ryle’s shoulder. Ryle laughed before leaving the room. When Ryle left the room, the atmosphere inside changed into a serious one.
“ How are you feeling?” Ced asked, then approached me.
“ I am feeling better. Anyway, just put it on the table.” I stated when I realized that he was looking for a place he can bring down the things he carry.
“ Bella, we almost lose you,” Riri sadly said and sat down on the side of my bed.
“ I am sorry, Riri.” I sincerely stated. I know that I made them worry about me so much, especially when I lose consciousness. Even I was scared about my life that day.
“ Bella, the case was raised in level 3,” Ced seriously informed me after getting a chair and sitting down near my bed. I was not shocked by his information.
“ Ced, this is not yet the time for that. Let Bella rest,” Riri reprimanded Ced.
“ It’s okay, Riri. Info about the gunman?” I straightforwardly asked. Riri looked at Ced with awkwardness. It seemed like they were talking through their eyes who will answer my question.
“ Come on, I almost faced death. What news could it be that I can not handle to hear?” I asked. I saw how Riri let out a heavy sigh. On the other hand, Ced looked at me directly in my eyes.
“ According to the initial investigation, the gunman was part of the syndicate who killed your parents,”
I skipped my breath because of what I heard. I could not also hide my anger because my fist closed on its own.
“ Bella,” Riri worriedly held my hand, so I breathe deeply.
“ What else?” I asked Ced.
“ Well, we are looking in the possible inside job or possible ---” Ced did not finish what he was saying when we heard someone knocking on the door.
“ I’ll get it,” Riri stated before standing up and approaching the door. When she opened it, she seemed shocked to see the visitor.
“ Y-you have a visitor,” Riri stammered a little bit, so I became curious about who it was. However, I instantly understand the reason Riri acted that way when the visitor entered.
“ Attorney, what are you doing here?” I asked.
“ My client asked me to bring these here,” He said and raised the flower and basket of fruit he was holding.
“ Thank you!” I smiled to maintain my composure as a professional. I looked at where Riri was because she seemed stuck on his feet.
“ Ah, eh, it seemed like Ryle is taking so long to come back. Let’s go Ced, let’s look for Ryle.” Riri said.
“ What? I do not want to. If you want, go alone.” Ced refused but his attention was on my visitor.
“ Let’s go already. Come with me.” Ced could not do anything when Riri pulled him towards the door.
“ Take a seat,” I said and pointed to the chair near me.
“ How are you, Bella?” There were goosebumps when I heard him call my name.
“ I am fine, attorney.” I replied. I saw how he slightly grinned because of what I said.
“ You are so civil, Bella. It seemed like we did not know each other.” He commented, which made me raise my eyebrow. This guy!
“ Well, I do not want anyone to think that this case has a conflict of interest, given the fact that you are Mr. Ramirez’s lawyer,” I said and tried to sit down. My back is aching because it had been a long since I was lying in the bed. Bryle stood up and helped me to sit down. He also put a pillow on my back.
“ You do not have to worry about that. I can fight for you” I rolled my eyes because of what he said.
“ Really, Bryle?” I sarcastically replied. I was shocked when he started laughing.
“ Are we still talking about the conflict of interest, or are you bringing up our past?” He grinned at me while asking, so I threw a pillow on his face.
“ Stop talking about that. We were young back then,” I irritably reprimanded him, yet he kept on laughing. If I was not injured, I might be punching him right now.
After a few minutes, he stopped laughing. “ It’s fun teasing you, Bella.”
“ HA-HA, it was funny.” I rolled my eyes because I am so irritated at him.
“ Kidding aside, the Ramirez family is thankful that you saved their son, so they send me here to give those,” Bryle changed the topic. He also pointed out the pieces of stuff he brought earlier that were on the table.
“ They should not bother to send me those. After all, I did what I did because it was part of my job.” I replied and closed my eyes. Argh! My head is aching so badly now.
“ I think you need to rest, so I should get going,” He stated, so I opened my eyes.
“ Thank you for visiting me. Kindly send my thank you to your clients for the stuffs they gave,” I said, then smiled at him.
“ I am leaving, Miss Detective.” Bryle said and messed up my hair.
“ Your fiancée might leave you if she will know that your flirting with me,” I jokingly said. He laughed.
“ She knows that she is the only love of my life,”
“ Yuck! Just leave, attorney!” I acted like I was angry with him. Actually, Bryle and I were friends and ex-lovers. But there is no bad blood between us.
He just laughed and waved his hand at me. I pretended like I was going to sleep, so he could leave peacefully. I did it because I was sure that if he stayed, he would most likely tease me.
“ But on a serious note, Bella. You should take care of yourself for Ryle,” I heard him speak before the door closed.
“ I know…”
TO BE CONTINUED!