Chapter 22: Mr. TraceAsia
1152words
We arrived at my mansion in the morning, where my stepmother, Maria, hurried over to us.
"Oh my God! Where have you been, Scarlett? You weren't answering our calls, and we were so worried," she exclaimed, trying to touch me but hesitating. "Have you been crying? What happened to you?"
"You love pretending too much, Maria. Maybe you should consider a career in drama," I said, walking past her.
"Razi caught a cold last night," she mentioned.
"What? What did you do to her?" I demanded, dropping my bag and rushing upstairs.
I found Razi lying facedown on her bed, crying.
"Razi?" I approached her quickly, sitting on the bed and pulling her into my arms. Gabriel and Maria followed me into the room.
"My baby. Does it hurt that much?" I held her closer. She squirmed in my lap.
"I didn't mean to say that to you, Miss Scarlett. You shouldn't have run away from home because of me. I'm sorry," Razi sobbed.
"Oh my God! Don't think that, sweetheart. I didn't run away, and I'm not mad at you. I should be the one apologizing for making you cry and getting you sick," I reassured her.
"I'm just happy you are safe. Please don't run away again, okay?"
"I won't. Cross my heart," I promised.
She nodded and wrapped her little arms around my neck, snuggling closer.
"Has she eaten?" I asked Maria.
"She refused to eat until she saw you," she replied.
"Is that true, baby?"
Razi nodded.
"Get her some food; I will feed her," I instructed, and Maria left the room.
Gabriel sat beside us, taking Razi's hand. "How do you feel now, cutie pie?" he asked.
"I'm okay now, Mr. Gabriel. Thank you for bringing Miss Scarlett back," Razi said, making me smile.
She does care about me after all, and the thought that she believed I ran away made me chuckle.
I put Razi to sleep before heading downstairs with Gabriel.
"Thank you for bringing me home, Gabriel," I said, and we both laughed.
When we reached the veranda, I paused, spotting Everleigh. She immediately dropped to her knees.
"Just hear me out, Sunshine," she pleaded.
"Don't you ever call me that! Who let you into my house?" I snarled.
"Robert!" I shouted for one of my security men, who quickly appeared.
"Get this traitor out of my house and never let her in again," I ordered.
"Yes, ma'am," Robert said, moving to grab Everleigh.
"Just a minute, please! I will make it quick," Everleigh begged as Robert dragged her away. "You have to listen to me. I'm deeply sorry for everything I did," she sobbed, struggling.
"Let her go, Robert," I instructed. "You want just a minute, right?" I asked, and she nodded. "I will give you five. Come inside."
"What are you up to?" Gabriel whispered.
"I'm trying to be a forgiver," I whispered back with a smile.
Everleigh followed us inside. "Maria, take everyone upstairs. I need to speak with my lost but found friend," I said.
Maria nodded and called everyone upstairs, leaving Gabriel, of course. He wouldn't let me have a moment of fun.
"You can sit, dear friend."
"Thank you," Everleigh replied, taking a seat.
"Give me just a minute," I excused myself, stepping outside. I returned shortly with my two cute bulldogs. At just a bark, Everleigh was on her feet. I locked the door behind me.
"Sun...Sunshine, what are you doing?" she stammered, her heartbeat echoing like a drum of terror.
"Don't worry, they won't bite without my command," I assured her, sitting on the couch with my dogs by my side.
"We are listening," I said.
"I...I want to go home," she muttered, frozen in place.
"Bite!" I ordered.
"Argh!" Everleigh darted behind Gabriel. "You shouldn't do this, please!" she cried, while I laughed.
"Let her go, ma'am, please," Gabriel interjected.
"You always see me as boring, Gabriel. It's good to have fun sometimes. Don't interrupt me," I said, picking up Everleigh's discarded handkerchief and letting the dogs sniff it.
"Bite!" I released the dogs, and they charged at her.
"You have to stop this," Gabriel insisted.
"She dared to enter my house, Gabriel. Whatever happens, she deserves it. Don't worry, you won't go to jail with me," I declared, standing up.
"Please forgive me, Sunshine," Everleigh jumped onto the couch, trembling. "I will do anything—just don't let them bite me."
"Hurry up, boys!" I encouraged the dogs as they charged again, knocking Gabriel out of the way.
Later that day, Gabriel entered my room, ready to go home.
"Aren't you leaving anymore?" I asked, glancing up from my book.
"I'm curious, ma'am. Why did you let her go when you clearly intended to kill her?" he asked.
"Who are you talking about?"
"Your lost but found friend."
"What were you thinking, Gabriel? You seem to know nothing about me. I don't kill my enemies. There are other ways to destroy someone without pulling a trigger," I explained.
"You hardly tell me anything about yourself," he said, moving closer and sitting across from me on the bed. "Can't I have the privilege to know you better?"
I remained silent for a moment, staring into his captivating eyes.
"You don't trust me enough to share with me?" he asked.
"I should be asking you that," I replied. "As much as I want to trust you, I can't. You were first untraceable. I had to hire the best tracker and spend thousands of pesos just to find you. Do you think you can hide anything from me for long?" I stated, returning my attention to my book.
"What are you talking about, ma'am?"
"I'm just curious about your motive, Gabriel. You know almost everything about me, even if you claim you don't. You have explored my body and my home. I don't understand why you are doing whatever it is you are doing, but rest assured, I won't fall victim, even if we were making love right now," I clarified.
"I don't understand you, ma'am. You know I would never hurt you."
"You think I believe that? I was once told the same thing, only to be betrayed by those I loved with everything I had. It's a statement I have learned to ignore."
He moved closer and held my hand. "I don't care what anyone else has said. I am not them, and I will never betray you, no matter what."
I pulled my hand away. "Gabriel De Los Santos, CEO of TraceAsia Tech. Did I get that wrong?" I asked, and he remained silent. "I thought as much. I couldn't understand why you couldn't be tracked, but after learning what you do, it became clear. I wonder why you haven't made a move on my company's system yet. I have got my eyes on you, Mr. TraceAsia," I said, focusing back on my book.
