If only he loved me too
Chapter 20: twenty

It's been a year since the downfall of the Price Enterprise company, piece by piece, shares by shares the business was at its last breath. the person suffering the most from this downfall was Robert Price. He looks tired, old, and helpless every time I meet him he looks older every passing second. he tried for a loan but the bank wouldn't sanction him one, he sorts out his friends and business partners but no one wants to invest in a drowning company. It's heartbreaking watching the most prestigious people crumble to the ground.

"Hey, you ready to go?" asked Adrian, yeah, the bartender Adrian. we are sort of became best friends now, attached to the hips and he also works here at Price enterprise as an intern. The funny thing is even after telling him not to join my company he still insisted. I don't know why but his stubbornness is kind of a relief to me since I have a nagging feeling of loneliness in a deep part of my soul which thrived for attention.

"Yeah, let's go," I walked out with him towards the parking lot

"what do you want for dinner?" He asked me as we drove off in my car, we're kind of carpooling since his bike in the garage for servicing. well, that's what he told me but I know the truth, there have been some unusual things happening to me or around me, he has had a couple of accidents lately, be it mugging or hit and run or just bar fight, it was getting too regular no to notice.

"I'm carving Chinese," I smile at him while keeping an eye on the road, it's been a habit of mine, I always have an eye out on the road since the night of the accident.

"I know a great place," he said excitedly adding the address of the restaurant on the GPS, he is always full of energy and has a bright smile even at his worst he still smiles. he makes my heart flutter with feelings and warmth but I know it's not the flutter I crave.

We arrived at a small cozy old fashioned Chinese place, it had the typical Chinese outlook with bamboos and everything was in deep red, they had the complete traditional Chinese interior and the smell of spices was just exotic.

"I know it's not much but they have the best Chinese in the city," he said nervously his cheeks colored with embarrassment or he just being shy I can't tell with him

I chuckled at his anticks "I love it, it feels like home," I commented to which he let out a breath of relief.

we sat on the bamboo table and an Asian waiter came to take out order, I ordered spicy shrimp and pad Thai noodles, Adrian chooses a simple Chinese platter. we ate in peace while making small talks here and there, Adrian did most of the good talking because I have an introverted personality which sucks at the times like these, Adrian being an extrovert took up all that load off of me and talked about his day as an intern and how his boss was making him do all the unrequited work.

I felt eyes on me, this was not the first time I've felt this, it is always there wherever I go. I glanced behind Adrian and saw a person in all black sitting at the far end of the restaurant. I have noticed him a few times but he was too close today.

"Can you excuse me for a minute? I need to use the bathroom," I asked him already standing up.

"Do you want me to come with you?" he asked while shoving a dumpling in his mouth.

I shook my head at him "it's ok, I'll be back," I walked towards the bathroom while crossing the mysterious person, he pretended to be engrossed in his meal but I doubt he even knows it's named.

I went inside the bathroom and waited for a couple of minutes, then exited and paid the bill and left for our car, Adrian was talking again, something about the bar where he still works. then I saw the man tailing us again

"turn here," I pulled Adrian into the isolated corner of the parking lot.

"Hey, what's up?" he asked alerted by my behavior

"We have a tail," I tell him hiding behind a pillar

The stalker lost our sight and walked ahead of us which gave me an advantage, I walked behind him and hit his leg, holding his arm, kicking him down on the ground and when he attempted to take out his gun I smacked it out of his hand and took it, aiming at his head. all of this happened in a few seconds which scared the crap out of Adrian.

"What the hell? Erika, what the hell are you doing?" he panicked but I stared at the man with furious eyes.

"Who are you?" I asked, "And why are you following us?" pointing the gun at him, he smirked arrogantly assuming that I wouldn't shoot him, well he is wrong. Because I will if need be.

"You're not gonna shoot me," mocked me, I took off the safety and shot at his leg he screamed out in pain like a motherfucker. But there was a second scream that was much more sacred than the first one, Adrian screamed his ass off, frightened with what the hell was happening.

"I asked you a question and take off that mask?" I stared at him angrily, Adrian looked shell shocked with what was going on, maybe this was his first time witnessing something like this which is usually considered the words in a BDSM bar.

he took off his mask, he is a typical white American with a tattoo all over his neck and piercings on his lips and eyebrow. "I'm just doing my job," he admitted groaning in pain as the blood streamed out of his leg creating a puddle of the blood in the middle of the parking lot.

"Who sent you?" I asked reloading the gun and aiming at his other leg this time.

"I think you know him better than anyone," he replied indirectly avoiding my confrontation. Answering indirectly.

I stilled for a moment understanding the means behind his vague words. "Why?" I asked and he smiled creepily knowing he had me under his trap.

"Why don't you ask him?" he laughed then winced in pain but still not giving up his thug look.

"He is here?" I lowered the gun, looking at him shocked

"He was always here," he smiled and jumped at me for the gun but the sound of sirens had him stilled. the police arrived at the wrong time, Adrain pulled the gun out of my hand and threw it on the ground, the police arrested the stocker and took him away, he smiled oddly and screamed at me for one last time

"He is coming for you and this time, this fucker dies before he can see the next sunrise, leave him before it's too late,"