CHAPTER 71. A CALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
HARA
My relentless struggle to break free from his hold was futile, as he held me tighter. Being in his arms again like this tugged hard at my heartstrings and brought back tears in my eyes.
“I'm really sorry, Hara. I was just blinded by my jealousy and didn't realize how much I was hurting you with my words. God, what an oaf I am,“ He whispered huskily in my ears, nuzzling my earlobe.
I wanted to savor this moment, even for just a few seconds. It's been a long time since I was in his arms and I wanted to enjoy the feeling. But I can't, Ryder's chauffeur was closing up to us. I had to break out of his hold.
”Roland, please. Let me go,“ I said, giving weak blows to his firm hands. Saying the words hurt like hell, and made my heart sting. It's fucking hard to fight something your heart still beats for. I wanna be in his arms, but I can't, and I have to make him let me go. This whole thing keeps getting more complicated.
With my back to him, I tried to hide my tears from him. He was hugging me from the back and nestled his face on my shoulder.
“No, please. Hear me out. I'm sorry, I'm really sorry. I was wrong. I shouldn't have said those words. I'm sorry…”
The resounding honk from the car snapped me out of my dreamy state. It was Ryder's chauffeur and he was already in front of us.
”Let go!“ I said through gritted teeth and forced my way out of his hold. But Roland didn't get the message, he didn't back off. Instead, he charged towards me again, grabbing my arm.
I gave an involuntarily wince at the hard grip and in a flash, Ryder's chauffeur had stepped out of the car and attacked Roland with a kick to his abdomen and he fell back, letting go of me.
“Miss, are you alright?“ He asked, his voice laced with concern.
He rubbed my arm, and my gaze was back at him and I nodded, ”I'm fine. Let's go,“
Roland got to his feet and pounced on the chauffeur, but he blocked the attack and pushed off Roland again. He balled his fist, ready to go pounce on Roland but I held him back.
He might be about Roland's age and height, but he has better fighting tactics and stability than Ronald. I'm not surprised. Ryder and his men were legendary for their extraordinary fighting skills. Be it a butler or a gardener, as long as you stay in the palace, you gotta have some fighting skills.
I've watched them train sometimes, and it's intense, they go all out.
“Hey, please. Don't do that here. Let's just go, please,“ I pleaded with him. He probably was the only logical one between Roland and him. Roland would never back off, but I hoped the chauffeur would. Because if he does go into a brawl with Roland out here, in broad daylight, I'll be doomed.
“Let's go, Miss,“ He gave me a curt bow and led the way to the car. Roland yelled out my name repeatedly like a maniac would but I didn't turn around. I got into the car and we drove off.
We passed different routes and were some blocks away from the palace.
The chauffeur kept stealing glances at me through the rearview. Not in a creepy way though, he was just making sure I was alright.
”Hey, uh, about what just happened earlier…“ I broke the silence in a stuttering tone, “Could you please not tell Ryder about it?“
“What?“ His brows creased in disapproval and his eyes went to the rear-view again, ”But Miss, that man seemed to be bothering you. Why would you not want to tell the Alpha-Prince about this?“
“No, he wasn't bothering me. It was all a misunderstanding, and he might have overreacted a little, but that's just it.
You don't need to tell Ryder about this,“
“Hmm, are you sure, Miss?“ He was skeptical. I could see the uneasiness in his eyes, he wasn't convinced one bit. There's every possibility he might still rat me out after this talk. But I hope not. It would all turn into a bigger mess if he does.
”Yes, please. Let's just forget it happened. And I'm fine, really,” I forced out a smile, hoping that would convince him that I was really okay.
“Alright, Miss. If you say so,“ He agreed reluctantly, keeping his eyes ahead.
We arrived at the palace and I hurried to my room but I ran into Ryder in the hallway. He was in the group of his warlords and the lady I met in his office some time ago. The Tiffany-girl.
Seeing her with him made me feel a bit uneasy, and it was rather stupid. I mean, I had no right to be jealous, with all the lying I've been doing lately. But then, it's obvious she still had feelings for Ryder, and even though he reassured me that he had nothing to do with her anymore, I know Tiffany still hasn't gotten her closure. A part of her still wants Ryder, and I can't help but feel uneasy. If I ever decide on going back to Roland, there's no doubt she'll fawn her way back to Ryder's heart.
They got to where I was standing and the warlords acknowledged me with a bow. I gave them a faint smile and they walked past me. Tiffany flashed me a smile, and I tried to flash a smile as bright as hers. I couldn't, not when my heart was hurting. She walked past me. Ryder walked past me with a straight face. He didn't even act like he saw me standing there. His action made me bitter and I was gonna break into tears right there, but his voice stopped me.
”Have you been crying?” His deep baritone echoed in the empty hallway.
I let out a small gasp at his question and quickly dried up my eyes. Even without turning around, I could feel him rather close.
”No, I haven't,“ I mumbled. I didn't wanna go through any further interrogation so I resumed walking. I heard his footsteps too, but it was fading as he was walking away in the opposite direction.
I got to my room and stayed indoors all day. When it was dinner time, the Omegas brought my food into my room. I ate slowly, lost in deep thoughts. I didn't have an appetite but I still tried eating. I was exhausted and needed a bit of my strength back.
When I was done, they cleared the dishes and it was time for bed. I lay on my bed, curled up in thoughts. I barely shut my eyes to sleep when my phone vibrated on the nightstand.
I reached for it and was a bit stunned to see that it was a number I didn't have saved on my phone. I glanced at the wall clock and it was a few minutes to midnight. A strange number calling at such an hour, it seemed kind of eerie.
After much indecisiveness, I picked up the call.
“Hel…lo?” My voice wavered.
“Hara?“ My eyes widened at the voice that rippled into my ears.
“Ro-Roland?” He was the last person I expected to be the owner of the number. “How did you get my number?“