Chapter 109: Their Secret

Everything went silent. I gasped in shock at Ethan’s words. He’s going to pay for my debt to free me from my contract. Really?

Hayden was silent as if he was considering Ethan’s proposal. I couldn’t understand the reason behind my feelings, but I felt a sense of dread fill me at his proposal. It just didn’t make sense and I knew it. I should have been thrilled for Ethan to pay off my debt so that I could finally be free.

However, that wasn’t what I felt at all. Instead, I realized that I felt so scared. I was scared of Hayden accepting Ethan’s proposal. That he would accept money in return for handing me over.

Hayden…will he sell me just like that?

Ethan and I both watched Hayden’s still and emotionless face as we waited for his response and reaction. I held my breathed and squeezed my hands together. Although, I wasn’t sure why, I prayed that Hayden would turn down Ethan’s proposal.

"I hate to cut in while you’re having your heartwarming reunion…but…I’d appreciate it if you backed away from my girl," Hayden said sternly.

Hayden stood in front of me, blocking me from Ethan as he came closer. I saw Ethan’s green eyes narrowed cunningly before the corners of his lips turned up into a smirk as he placed a hand on Hayden’s shoulder.

"It’s too bad for you that I found her first…unlike you, I searched for her," Ethan said softly.

"Don’t say anymore, Ethan…" Hayden warned.

"I wonder if you really don’t remember her…or you’re just pretending…" Ethan whispered.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

He spoke so softly that I wasn’t sure if I heard him right. What is Ethan saying? He looked for me and found me first?

What’s this about Hayden pretending not to remember me? What does that even mean?

I’m sure…that we’ve never met before…

Hayden…what is going on?

I think for the first time, Hayden was shocked by Ethan’s words. With a low laugh, Ethan shoved Hayden to the side and his hand started reaching for me. Instinctively, I flinched in fear…

"Touch her and I’ll kill you right now!" Hayden shouted.

He was enraged and no longer bothered to hide it. His emotionless mask had cracked and then completely disappeared. Everything happened so fast. There was a loud thud and suddenly, Ethan was pinned to the nearby wall by Hayden. I gasped at the sight of a black gun pressed to Ethan’s neck as Hayden pulled Ethan’s collar in his fist.

He moved…so fast!

"Stop! Hayden! Stop…please!" I cried out as I ran up to him and pulled on his arm.

This is crazy. If I don’t stop him, Hayden’s really going to kill Ethan.

"Why are you stopping me?" Hayden asked, his eyes still on Ethan.

"She’s worried about me…isn’t it obvious?" Ethan replied with a mocking smile.

"500 million dollars plus interest. I bet your head is worth more than that right now on the black market, Head of Silva. Tell me, what’s the price on your head now?" Hayden hissed as his eyes glared at Ethan.

I was so scared that my legs were shaking, and my lips were going numb. I prayed that Hayden wasn’t serious, but I suspected that he was. What do I do now?

"Boss! Is everything alright in there?" a man’s worried voice called from outside the room.

I couldn’t tell whose voice it was, but it was clear that the ruckus that had taken place in this room had stirred up some worry for the men outside.

"It’s cool. I’m fine! Don’t come in!" Ethan yelled loudly at his men.

I wouldn’t call being pinned to the wall with a gun held against your neck a cool or fine situation to be in, but it wasn’t for me to judge or decide.

"Don’t do it, Hayden. Please stop…" I pleaded, my voice cracking up. I realized then that I had started crying.

I wasn’t sure what I was feeling. Was I worried that Ethan would get hurt or was I scared that Hayden would hurt someone? I just couldn’t understand myself or my feelings at all. Everything was just a huge ugly mess.

"She’s right. Just stop, Hayden…you can’t kill me right in front of her anyways, can you?" Ethan said without worry.

"Ethan…" Hayden growled lowly.

"Just drop the tough act," Ethan hissed back.

"Hayden, please…stop this. Let’s talk it out…" I begged softly.

"Malissa…has this bastard told you about his dear Amelia yet?" Ethan asked, his eyes wandering to my face.

"Stop it, Ethan…" Hayden hissed in warning.

"Have you told her about your dear Amelia? Judging from her reaction, I guess you haven’t" Ethan asked before smirking again.

"Amelia?" I said in shock and puzzlement. How does Ethan know about Amelia?

"Shut up right now, Ethan…" Hayden said in a low voice. If he was angry before he was crazy angry now…

"Return to me, Malissa. We can go back to how things were between us. I love you and I promise that I won’t ever leave you again. Come back to me, Malissa," Ethan said as he smiled at me.

I remember that smile…

"Stay back, Malissa…" Hayden’s harsh voice cut through my memory of Ethan.

On shaky legs, I took a few steps back away from the two men. So much for head of gangs don’t engage in shoot outs. The two men are literally at each other’s throats now.

"Hayden. Let’s go back…please…" I begged in a small voice.

I couldn’t stop crying. My eyes were hurting, and I was finding it hard to breathe. So many things were happening all at once and I couldn’t wrap my head around anything at all. Ethan suddenly appeared and wants me back. Hayden seems to have so many secrets that he’s not willing to tell me. Hayden and Ethan are now fighting and all I can do is stand here and watch.

I didn’t know what I wanted but I was sure that I didn’t want anyone to get hurt.

Hayden was silent and he didn’t respond to me. I wondered if he even heard me or was he too angry to hear anything or see anyone around him. We need to go back, that’s for certain.

--To be continued…