Chapter 26: Hunter Rage
2086words
"Thank you, for tonight," Nick said, his voice soft but sincere, before Ramona had time to get out of the car.
Ramona just nodded with a faint smile, not saying much. However, Nick feels that something has not been conveyed.
Before Ramona opened the car door, Nick dared to ask a question that had been bothering his mind since earlier. "Are you serious about marrying me?" he asked carefully, not wanting to sound urgent.
Ramona looked at Nick for a moment, smiled calmly, and then nodded. "I'm serious about that. But if you don't agree, you can cancel it at any time," he said in a calm tone, as if leaving the decision completely to Nick.
That answer left Nick stunned. He grabbed Ramona's hand, looking at her with eyes full of confidence. "No, I have no intention of refusing the marriage invitation. I really want to marry you. But, if I may, I want to ask..."
Ramona's gaze seemed to signal that Nick was free to continue his question.
"What did you agree to marry me for?" asked Nick in a quiet voice, but there was a deep curiosity in his tone.
Without saying a word, Ramona suddenly approached and kissed Nick on the lips gently. Nick froze, stunned by what had just happened.
"Actually, I'm in love with you," Ramona whispered as she looked into Nick's eyes, leaving a confession that made it difficult for Nick to breathe.
However, the moment did not last long. Ramona immediately pulled out, holding onto the car door handle. "I'm sorry, I'm in a bit of a hurry. I really have to go to the bathroom. We can continue our conversation on the phone later."
Before going downstairs, Ramona briefly kissed Nick on the cheek and smiled sweetly. He stepped into the lobby of his apartment without looking again.
Nick was still sitting quietly in the driver's seat, holding his lips for a moment, then touching his cheek that had just gotten a kiss. A small smile appeared on his face, but in his heart, he felt a new sense of uneasiness.
"Why is my heart beat like this?" muttered Nick as he watched Ramona slowly disappear behind the lobby door. The feelings she was trying to understand were now starting to take hold of her.
Ramona stepped into the elevator with a feeling of chaos. His mind was filled with worries and question marks. How could he get caught up in Nick's game? What was the man's real purpose? Who is the person behind Nick who forced all this to happen?
Ramona feels Nick might be aware of something. Perhaps the man knew that he and Hunter had a relationship. If true, it meant that this situation was much more complicated than he had imagined.
With heavy breathing, Ramona tried to calm herself down. "What about Hunter?" he thought anxiously. He knew Hunter must be very angry at this time. Angry at him, at the circumstances, or maybe at whoever is behind the situation.
However, Ramona had no other choice. He was also trapped. The circle that Nick had created was so complicated, and it was impossible for him to come out without major consequences. Inevitably, he had to find a way out, and he would. Not only for himself, but also for Hunter. All of this was for the good of the two of them.
When the elevator door opened, Ramona immediately stepped out and headed for her apartment. Quickly, he inserted the key and opened the door. However, his steps were stopped as soon as he went inside.
Hunter was already there, standing in the middle of the room with a face full of anger. Before Ramona could say anything, Hunter stepped over, grabbed her by the neck firmly, and leaned her against the wall.
"You're playing tricks on me?" Hunter's voice sounded hoarse, full of pent-up anger. His eyes turned red, staring at Ramona with an intensity that made his body shiver.
Ramona tried to catch her breath, but Hunter's grip was so tight. He tried to find words to explain, but his tongue felt stuck. Hunter's face being so close made him realize how serious and angry the man was.
"I... I didn't mean to..." Ramona said intermittently, trying to reveal something, but Hunter only tightened his grip.
"You think I'm stupid?" shouted Hunter, his voice filling the room. "You know I will never forgive betrayal. So, tell me, what is your purpose in playing around with me?"
Tears began to pool in Ramona's eyes, but she knew that this was not the time to show weakness. Hunter needs answers, and he must find a way to calm the man's anger before things get worse.
Ramona tried to take a deep breath, trying to calm herself down in the face of Hunter's approaching rage. "You think I know about this?" said Ramona, with a trembling but determined voice. "Nick invited me with an alibi to help him thwart the arranged marriage that his mother did. I'm just helping him, while looking for more about Nick to help you."
He paused for a moment, his eyes searching for the courage to continue talking. "But who knows that I was framed? I didn't know you were there. I really didn't know that tonight's matchmaking was between you and Sire."
Ramona sighed, trying to give a clear explanation, hoping that Hunter would understand. However, Hunter didn't seem any calmer. On the contrary, he was getting more and more annoyed, his eyes emitting an increasingly unstoppable anger.
With a quick movement, Hunter grabbed Ramona's cheek, making her startled and felt pain on her face. "If you know this is Nick's trap," Hunter hissed, his voice sharp and full of hatred, "then why did you agree to this crazy marriage?"
Hunter's eyes turned red, his spotlight full of deep disappointment. The hand that was holding Ramona's cheek tightened tightly, making it almost difficult to breathe.
Ramona looked at Hunter with eyes full of pleading, her heart so squeezed by guilt, but also overwhelming confusion. He didn't know how else to explain everything. There was nothing he wanted to do more than convince Hunter that he wasn't getting involved in the game any further. However, words didn't feel enough to calm the anger that burned inside Hunter.
With a fierce rage as well, Ramona immediately pushed Hunter's chest violently until the grip was released.
Hunter watched Ramona with a sharp and suspicious look in his eyes. Her eyes narrowed at hearing Ramona's words full of emotion, but there was no sign that her anger had subsided. On the contrary, the gaze was getting colder, more piercing.
Ramona, with her breath panting and tears continuing to flow down her cheeks, shouted in a trembling voice, "Do you know why I agreed to the marriage?"
Hunter was silent, waiting for an answer.
"That's to convince you!" Ramona continued, her voice echoing in the room. "Assure you that I won't hold you accountable for Esther. I won't make trouble with the child I gave birth! And I did that too to help you!" Ramona vented all her emotions, no longer caring about the consequences.
However, instead of responding with understanding, Hunter just smiled sarcastically. A cold smile full of ridicule. She loosened her tie in a relaxed but stressful movement, then turned to face a large window that showcased a view of the Maltese city at night. From the reflection of the glass, he looked at Ramona who was standing behind him with teary eyes.
"There's no need to give a touching reason," he said in a dismissive tone. "I know you're interested in Nick."
The statement was like a knife that pierced Ramona's heart. He growled softly, then stepped forward angrily until he stood in front of Hunter. His reddened eyes stared directly into Hunter's eyes, challenging without fear.
"How many times should I tell you?" he said in a sharp, emotional tone. "I'm not interested in just any man!"
However, those words seemed to only further ignite the fire within Hunter. With a quick movement, he grabbed Ramona by the neck again, pushing her into the large window. Ramona's back touched the cold glass, making her shocked and having difficulty breathing.
"Then why did you ignore my words?" Hunter suppressed his voice with a dangerous tone. "Didn't I warn you to stay away from Nick? Why did you even come into her life, even intending to marry her?!"
Hunter brought his face closer to Ramona's face, his eyes red, full of anger. "You know for yourself he's a vile murderer! With all his cruelty, if you weren't interested, you shouldn't have agreed to marry him. You can give another reason, Ramona!"
Ramona's tears could no longer be held. She cried silently, her tears running down her cheeks. In a hoarse voice, he replied, "I don't care if he's a murderer or a psychopath. As long as I can convince you... while I can protect my son... I'll do it all."
Ramona's words stunned Hunter for a moment. His eyes narrowed sharply, staring at Ramona with an intensity that was difficult to decipher. Her jaw hardened, and the hand that was gripping Ramona's neck weakened slightly. However, his anger has not completely disappeared.
"You're going to do anything, huh?" Hunter whispered in a low but threatening tone, making Ramona feel the gravity of the situation he was facing. Hunter let go of his grip violently, then stepped back. His gaze was still sharp, but there was now a more complicated flash of emotion behind him.
Hunter looked at Ramona coldly, as if to emphasize that he was really serious about his words. "Well, then, don't expect you to see your son again," he said in a stern and piercing tone.
Ramona was surprised to hear the threat. Without thinking, he ran and grabbed Hunter's arm, trying to hold him back. Her tears were already pouring down, and her voice sounded pleading. "No! Please, don't do anything to my son! Please, Hunter, he doesn't know anything. Don't drag him into this matter, please!"
Hunter was silent for a moment, looking at Ramona who had already knelt down to plead. His breath sounded heavy, and he swallowed his saliva violently, trying to contain the turmoil within him. However, the look in his eyes remained cold and sharp. With a quick movement, he pulled his hand away from Ramona's restraint.
Hunter lowered his head slightly, looking at Ramona with determination. "If you still want to see him," he said in a low but threatening tone, "cancel your marriage to Nick. I will return your son. That's the only way."
After saying that, Hunter turned around and stepped out of the apartment, leaving Ramona sitting on the floor.
Ramona fell limp, her body trembling violently while her tears continued to flow endlessly. The message filled the room that now felt so quiet. With trembling hands, he covered his face, trying to endure such a deep pain.
"What should I do now?" he muttered quietly, barely audibly. He felt trapped in an increasingly suffocating trap. On the one hand, she wanted to protect her son. On the other hand, his situation with Nick and Hunter's threat makes everything feel impossible to overcome.
Ramona continued to sit on the floor, staring blankly ahead, trying to find a way out of the circle of suffering that now surrounded her.
Hunter drove his car at high speed, breaking through the dark night with the lights of the Maltese city glittering in the distance. Anger took control of his mind, making every muscle of his body tense. He clenched his grip on the steering wheel, his jaw hardening as his mind was filled with anger at Nick, Ramona, and his matchmaking with Sire—it all felt like a great insult to him.
The phone on his car's dashboard rang, and without hesitation Hunter pressed the button to contact Liam. Liam's calm voice on the other side contrasted with the emotions simmering within Hunter.
"What's wrong?" asked Liam, his tone serious but calm as always.
Hunter gritted his teeth, trying to contain the overflowing emotions, but finally he said in a cold tone filled with anger, "Destroy Nick's arsenal tonight. Leave nothing behind."
