Chapter 14: chapter 14

"208"I mumble, reminding myself again as I step into the elevator. The door closes and Elora Green's reflection stands before me.Stupid, you can't even take a single right decision. She screams at me.My shaky finger stab the elevator button. The shoes I'm wearing below prove to be more interesting so, my gaze stayed rooted there until I hear the sound of the elevator opening. Looking for the room number turns out to be a more difficult task than I thought. My mind is in constant fear and my knees feel weak, thinking about the possibilities that might happen to me once I enter the hotel room. I stop as my eyes catch the number of the next door. I stand in front of it with anxiety looming all over me, finding it hard to knock. I rub my sweaty palms over my jeans and bring forward to knock on the door but before I can do that, Rei opens it from inside somehow saving me from the struggle. The moment our eyes meet, he pulls me inside and hugs me tight. I couldn't do the same, I just stand there like the fool I am with my hands hanging loose. Then my cheeks are cupped between his palms as he scans all over my face as if trying to find something. He then let out a sigh of relief and hugs me again."I thought something happened to you!" He whispers, voice hoarse. "Don't go out alone again," He sounds truly worried and it seems like he has been crying but I want the truth he promised me. I pull away from his arms. "The truth Rei!" I demand causing him to look at me with betrayed eyes.His shoulder drops and he gives me a bitter smile."You're so cruel Elie... Even though I have given you so much love!" I stare at him in silence. Yeah! Maybe I am. He goes to sit on the edge of the bed and puts his hands between his thighs. "Fine! I'll tell you the truth." I gulp as my heart races. Finally! "I work under Rodas..."My eyes widen, I expected it but hearing it in real shakes my heart. I wish Rei didn't say that. I wish my doubt wasn't true and that it was only my head having unnecessary thoughts. It's ridiculous how I am still thinking about all those things."So the entire thing was a lie! A cheap play arranged by -" "No!" Rei interrupts me. "What do you mean?" I ask almost immediately, puzzled."Everything I told you was true Elie, we were so much in love with each other... Though things are not going great since you lost your memories. ""So, why did you lie to me about your job Rei? I don't understand" I don't like this confusion."I was a real estate agent... But for the cost of saving you... I was told to work under Rodas. I'm sorry I hide it from you Elie but I didn't want to make you feel guilty but you left me no choice... I refused to work but they beat the crap out of me-"I'm dumbfounded. It took me a while to process what Rei just said and when I understand it, his words prick me like needles. The stinging feeling made me unable to say anything and I just listen to him in silence. Silence is my only friend at this moment. "He threatens to take you away if I don't do his dirty work" Rei's voice trembles. "We can't even go back to our home. He will find us"I realise I'm crying when tears trickle down my cheeks. I'm suddenly standing in front of a huge debt.The image of the bloody wound on Rei's back comes haunting me like a nightmare. Because of me... "I'm sorry, Rei!" My thoughts come out in a small whimper. "I'm so sorry for putting you in this mess!"And here I was assuming shit about him. Rodas. How can one be so cruel and wicked?   Rei's arms interrupt my thoughts and his next words take away the remaining tiniest bit of belief I have in Rodas."After working for him, I've also got to know about some things. Rodas isn't a stranger to you Elie... He knew you from the start and Liam... He is your brother, controlled by Rodas!"Liam. I feel like someone yank the ground beneath my feet. My senses numb. I hear Rei's voice calling my name from a distance even though he is just beside me. Or is it, not Rei?I look up at Rei, he is saying something but I do not hear anything other than a voice calling my name. Who is it? Who's calling my name? A sharp pain in my head makes me close my eyes and when I open them again, I'm in another place and in another person's arms. Liam. He is holding me and looking at me with tears soaked face. He looks younger than the last time I saw him in Rodas's place. Then I notice his clothes... It's covered in blood and so is mine. What's happening? "Elora..." Liam calls. It's the very voice that calls my name in my dreams."Elora... Mom and Dad- they..." He chokes on his tears, looking behind me. I follow his gaze but the moment I do... A scream leaves my mouth. So loud that my throat hurt. I crawl away from Liam and to the bodies that are lying just a metre away on the ground, covered in blood. Mom and Dad. They have been shot dead in our garage and standing just beside them is the culprit with a gun in his hand. Now I remember. It's a memory of my 20th Birthday. We went shopping for the celebration of my birthday as well as Liam becoming a doctor. His dream job. When we all got out of the car in the garage, someone shot Mom from behind then Dad. I passed out from shock and woke up to see their dead bodies. While the man with the gun stares down at them with his cold green eyes.Rodas.Now I know why he feels close to me. Why my heart hurts when I see him. It's hatred. The undying hatred I have for him. Look at the murderer telling me to trust him.