"Get out of there, Patrinus! What?! Are you turning into a coward now?!" shouted the man who I suspected was the first waiter who approached us earlier. I could even hear him and his companion laughing.
"They still have energy after I shot them, huh?" Perseus uttered arrogantly beside me before standing up.
I was shocked by his action because I was terrified that he might get shot too. We wouldn't know what was going through the minds of those people on the other side of the balcony. They might pull something off after mocking him like that. It was obvious they were trying to draw Perseus out!
I peeked through the side, while their attention was fixed on my companion. I saw how their expressions shifted when the man they had been targeting finally stood up. It was a mix of irritation, anger, and awe at the defiance of the man beside me.
"Well, look at that courage. Are you immortal? Are you not afraid to die?" the first waiter barked. This was the man without a mask. His eyes were wide, and the grin on his lips was expansive.
It's obvious that they are trying to provoke him. I don't know why, but I felt a surge of fear even though I hadn't seen this companion of mine explode in rage yet.
"Shouldn't you ask that to yourself, dimwit?" Perseus replied emotionlessly. He raised an eyebrow, as if the question thrown at him by the other party was utter stupidity.
While the two were talking, I grabbed the hem of Perseus's clothing, forcing him to look at me. I shook my head to tell him to stop taunting them. They might get angrier and just shoot him out of nowhere. I wouldn't know what to do if that happened, especially since I couldn't protect both of us.
He just patted my head and smiled, signaling that what he was doing was fine.
In what aspect? I couldn't see anything right about what was happening to us! We're in danger! I only wanted to take a walk earlier to clear my mind of my father and other things, but I never imagined my thoughts would be "distracted" this way!
"What did he say? Dimwit?" asked the man without the mask.
"I don't know that one, I'm stupid," his companion replied.
My companion let out a short laugh before covering his mouth and smirking. "That's exactly what I'm saying."
"Why you! You're really asking for it, huh?!"
Perseus's expression changed instantly. His smirking face turned unreadable as he became deathly serious. Before the other party could even fire, Perseus beat them to it. He shot the two guns held by the enemies, causing them to recoil in pain.
Perseus took that opportunity to pull me toward him. I was startled because my face hit his chest due to the sudden pull and his protective embrace.
"Don't you ever do that again; they might shoot you just because you looked at them through this table," he uttered calmly while leaning against the table. Despite his calm tone, the irritation was evident in his clenched jaw. It was pulsing.
"That's right! Keep hiding!" they shouted, firing at the table again.
A few moments later, the balcony door creaked. I thought someone had entered or perhaps one of them had left. But I confirmed someone new had arrived when I heard an unfamiliar voice.
"Boss, our boys are in position."
"Good. Erick and I will just finish this," the voice of the unmasked man replied.
So he was one of the leaders of this raid? But why would they do this? What did Perseus do to make them treat him this way?
Suddenly, what Stacey told me the other day when she came to my condo flashed through my mind. She said I needed to avoid Perseus because my life might be in danger. I didn't know what to feel now, seeing as my friend's intuition was coming true.
Still holding me in his arms, Perseus peeked from the side of the table and fired a succession of shots at the men on the other side of our barricade. I just kept my eyes shut against his chest while both parties continued their exchange of gunfire. I sat there, keeping my legs tucked in. I couldn't even move them because they were trembling from fear.
"Bullshit, I've had enough of this. Where are Montoya and the others?!" he shouted in frustration before facing the enemy again and letting off two rounds.
"What, Patrinus?! Are you struggling?!" someone from the other side shouted. "You won't make it out of here alive! Not even that girlfriend of yours! We'll kill you both!"
Perseus was still leaning back while I remained in his arms. He didn't let go, so I had no choice but to cling to his shirt.
"As if. I just bought them some time," I saw Perseus smirk, his line of sight directed below toward where the cars were parked.
"What?!"
Perseus leaned back quietly while holding me, until I heard a sound like something—or someone—falling. I was startled when Perseus suddenly stood up in front of me again after hearing another thud. Without thinking, I suddenly pulled him back down to our seat. One of his knees was braced on the floor while his right foot remained planted.
We both froze as the furrow in his brow vanished. He was also surprised by my sudden pull. We both looked down at my right hand gripping his sleeve. His face was so close to mine that I awkwardly released my hold.
He acted as if he had a dry cough before looking away, finally giving attention to the phone ringing in his pocket. It was only then that I realized the men who were exchanging fire with him were now lying on the floor.
The balcony floor was covered in blood while the two men lay there unconscious.
"A-are they... d-dead?" I asked, petrified.
"Not yet. But they probably will be if they don't get the help they need this instant," he stood up apathetically, avoiding my gaze as he walked toward the balcony door. I looked away as he took off his belt and used it to lock the door shut.
"W-we should help them!" I stammered, my eyes still fixed in another direction.
"I did say they need immediate help, but I didn't mean that we should be the one helping them."
"But w-what if they die, Perseus?!"
How heartless! What if they die because of us? I don't think my conscience could handle it if they actually lost their lives right in front of us. Especially me—I'm not strong enough to witness these kinds of life-and-death scenes. A person dying is just too much for me to handle.
"For once, Ensley, think about your safety first," he said before taking the phone from his pocket, which had been ringing for a while.
He turned his back, placing one hand on his hip. He tilted his head while moving the hand from his waist to the back of his neck.
"Luh, what is this? Flirting now, evacuate later?" the man on the other end teased. I could hear it because Perseus had the phone on speaker.
I looked away in embarrassment. They saw that?! How?! Only Perseus and I were here on the balcony! Could it be that those were the people he was looking at down below earlier?
"Stop talking shit, Kiefer! Give the phone to Axel!" he shouted at the person on the other line. He massaged his temples before letting out a breath, seemingly calming himself down. "Take care of the people inside; kill their companions if necessary. Protect the civilians."
I was puzzled by his words; he seemed so composed giving that order to the person on the line. Is it that easy to kill here? Had he... killed someone before?
His instructions weren't detailed, but it seemed the person on the other end understood perfectly, as the conversation was brief. When he hung up, he turned to me and held me by the waist as he approached.
"Do you trust me?" he asked with a frown, observing what kind of expression my face would make.
"With what?" I asked, confused.
"Just answer the question. Do you trust me?" He looked straight into my eyes, seemingly eager for my answer.
"O-of course." I looked away because if I stayed in that staring contest much longer, I might just melt right where I stood.
After how he protected me, could I even doubt him? He even risked his life just to keep me safe. He even consoled me, saying everything would be alright and that I'd get out of here in one piece. So why wouldn't I trust him?
"Good. Then hold on to me." He pulled me tight against his hip with one arm. My chest hit his hard chest, and I was terrified he might feel how fast my heart was racing.
Don't overthink too much, Ensley. You're probably just scared, that's why your heart is racing so fast. That's normal, okay?
"Why do I need to—"
Without warning, he lifted me with one arm while his right hand fired at something below where the customers' cars were parked. We jumped from the balcony, down onto a thick decorative fabric draped over the building.
I squeezed my eyes shut the moment we hit the fabric. From our position, the sounds of gunfire from below were audible. I couldn't bring myself to open my eyes because all I could hear were the sounds of bullets surrounding us.
When will this night ever end?! Will it only end when my life is over too?! Is this the end for me?
"You're safe to go down now, Patrinus!" a familiar voice shouted. I peeked down and saw Rafa.
When he saw me, he just smiled and waved before approaching to offer his hand for support. I was surprised to see Perseus already beside him, telling Rafa that he would be the one to help me down.
"Oh well, I'm just only going to help her," Rafa laughed before standing straight and looking around. "Start walking now. I'll cover for you," he added before showing us the way.
Perseus held my waist while standing on a chair to reach me. My heart was in a state that was far from normal. I didn't know if it was from fear or from what was happening to me right now.
"Wew," I heard a man utter not far from us. There I saw Kiefer smirking at us while exchanging fire with someone inside the building. He was hiding behind one of the overturned chairs.
Perseus gave Kiefer the middle finger, which made his friend laugh even as he shot at his opponents. It was only then I noticed he was using a large gun, causing his arm—taut against his black shirt—to jerk slightly.
"Enough with the jokes, they might pull something," Rafa warned.
"You're dead meat, Patrinus!" shouted a man from the balcony we had just jumped from. There I saw the masked man, with another man supporting him. "See you in hell!"
I closed my eyes as he aimed the gun toward us. Perseus responded quickly, hugging me again and locking me in his arms. His breathing was getting faster as the sound of a gunshot filled the area.
"Shit!" Axel's voice cried out as he ran toward us along with Rafa, before I heard another succession of gunshots. "Bryce! 180 degrees!" Axel shouted, pointing to the balcony where the shooter was. Kiefer immediately turned and rained bullets on the men up there.
My body felt heavy as the two of them reached us. I clung to Perseus because he was starting to hunch over, looking as if he was in pain.
I-is he... wounded?
It felt like cold water had been poured over me when I felt that the side of the man in front of me was wet. I quickly checked my hand that had been holding him, and there I confirmed he had been hit by a bullet.
"Patrinus, are you okay?! We'll bring you to the hospital," Axel said with a frown before inspecting Perseus's side. His friend stopped the inspection when Perseus suddenly brushed away the hand reaching for the wound.
"I'm fine. Just a graze," Perseus answered calmly while inspecting me instead. I just told him I was fine and that he should worry about himself. He should follow what his friends were asking him to do.
Why is he like this with his friends? It seems like he's used to commanding them. His friends are the same—they just let him be and follow his orders. What's with the name "Patrinus"? What does it mean, and why does it carry such heavy authority?
"Okay—" Rafa said before looking around again to stand guard.
"W-what do you mean just a graze?! W-what do you mean 'okay'?! Look at yourself! You're doubled over and wincing in pain!" I shouted at him, causing the wounded man to squint and wince even more.
How can he say that when he's this wounded?! Blood was already spreading through his clothes! My heart gripped with even more fear, and I found myself hugging him tightly with one arm.
"That's because you're squeezing me! Calm down, woman, before you squeeze every drop of blood out of my body." He massaged his temples with one hand. "I'm legit okay," he told me while holding my cheek before turning to his two friends, whose faces showed no trace of fear or worry for their friend. "We'll go straight to my unit. Finish this mess, then meet me tomorrow," he added before turning his back on them.
"Can't we just check on you after this—" Rafa tried to say, but Perseus immediately cut him off.
"My words are absolute, Rafa. Don't persuade me again. It's futile."
Why is he like this? They are just trying to help and care for him! Why push people away?
After that, the two didn't speak again; they just stepped aside and cleared our path. I helped Perseus walk while he leaned on me, and I held his wrist and waist. I could feel his weight as we walked because he was focusing his attention on the graze on his side.
I looked at him in surprise when he even opened the car door for me before walking to the driver's side. I watched him worriedly until he sat down beside me. I looked away to check on his friends. I saw them back in the shootout while talking to other people who I assumed were their men.
My attention snapped back to the man beside me when I heard him groan softly from moving in his seat. He was trying to take his top off! He was struggling with the buttons.
"Could you lend me a hand, please?" he smirked at me, though the pain was visible on his lips.
He was breaking into a sweat, so I immediately helped him. With my shaking hands, I tried to manually undo his buttons. But I grew impatient watching his condition. He was already sweating bullets, and here I was, struggling to remove his top because of my trembling hands.
Without thinking, I forced it open. "You have plenty of money to buy a new one anyway." I ripped it, causing his buttons to fly into the air.
"There's no need to rush things, woman. We can do it slowly," he smirked, so I reflexively flicked his forehead with my shaking hand.
"You can still joke at a time like this!" I looked away from his gaze and focused on his body, which was damp with sweat.
"That's a better option. Look at my body instead of my eyes," he added, continuing to tease.
He can still joke in this condition? This man is something else! I can't read him at all because of his sudden mood swings! He's worse than a woman on her period!
I smacked his stomach, which I immediately regretted when he groaned in pain.
"S-sorry! It's your fault! You're full of nonsense!" I looked away, feeling instant guilt for hitting him. I didn't mean to! It was like my hand had a mind of its own!
"It's okay. Just make amends for it," he said, exhaling deeply.
"How?" I asked desperately.
He reclined his seat slightly to get into a better position. "Apply pressure on my wound," he ordered calmly.
The favor he asked was simple enough, so I nodded and followed his request. I took his discarded shirt and used it to apply pressure to the wound. I also grabbed some tissues to wipe the sweat from his body and face.
"I only asked you to apply pressure," he smirked again, his eyes fixed on me. His breathing was accelerating as he squeezed his eyes shut from the sweat running past his eyes. I helped him and wiped his whole face again.
"Don't be picky unless you want me to press harder on this wound," I said grumpily, feeling awkward from his smirk and the way he was looking at me. It felt like my whole body was melting because of his actions.
What is this feeling again? Is it normal for him to make the people he talks to feel this way?
"Yes, ma'am," he smirked before closing his eyes as I applied pressure to the wound.
He was looking up now, his right arm resting over his eyes. He would bite his lip every time I increased the pressure. His sweat wouldn't stop running down his body, so my other hand was busy wiping his chest and face.
"I'll drive," I offered uncertainly after I finished helping with the wound. His shirt was now wrapped around his torso, covering only his midsection.
"No, you don't even know how." He shook his head before pulling out onto the road.
How did he know I didn't know how to drive? People in this world think I do because I have a car. Even if they haven't seen me use it, they couldn't be sure I don't know how. But this one... he seemed certain.
I didn't push it because he was right. We might get into an accident, and he might suffer more than a graze if I were the one driving to the unit.
We went straight to his unit. I assisted him inside and let him lie down on the long sofa in his living room. I told him I wouldn't leave him tonight so I could help with his wound. He said he wouldn't let me leave anyway because it would be dangerous for me to be outside.
He asked for help getting to the bathroom after resting for a few minutes. I didn't stop him since it was better for him to get clean.
While waiting, I checked the contents of his refrigerator and cabinets, wondering if there was anything I could cook for both of us. Seeing nothing, I checked the pocket of my hoodie for my wallet. Finding it there, I immediately left the unit. I figured I'd just buy from a nearby convenience store so I wouldn't be gone long—I knew Perseus would look for me the moment he got out of the shower. He had strictly forbidden me from leaving. I'll never know when danger might strike, just like what happened earlier at the restaurant.
I put on some shades I found in Perseus's unit, pulled my hood up, and topped it with a cap.
I don't look suspicious, do I?
I headed straight for the food we could eat for the night. I grabbed some microwavable meals and bread. I also looked for energy drinks for Perseus since I thought he'd need them.
While I was looking into one of the refrigerators, my hand froze as I heard people talking nearby.
"Goddammit. I heard the boss is in the hospital now," said a man in black, looking at the cup noodles on the shelf.
"Why, Lucio? What happened?" his companion asked.
"They say that damn Patrinus shot the boss in the lung, so he's in the hospital fighting for his life," he answered emotionlessly while still browsing the food.
Patrinus.
Are they talking about Perseus? It wasn't unlikely, since this wasn't the first time someone had used that word to refer to him.
"Those Zadkiels are worse than demons! If we weren't ordered to just watch that guy's condo, I would've stormed his unit already!" the man muttered irritably, slamming a bag of chips back onto the shelf.
Zadkiel? Is that what Perseus's group is called? What are they exactly, and why did he call Kiefer for help instead of the police? Who are you really, Perseus, and why does your alias carry so much weight? What kind of power do you hold?
"They better be ready once we get our hands on that girlfriend of his," the man looking at cup noodles spoke again. I froze even more when he glanced in my direction.
Did he notice I was listening? But I haven't made a single move that would give me away!
"He has one? I thought he didn't do girlfriends?"
"I thought so too. But they say he was with a woman at the restaurant. She must be someone special because he took her to one of the Old Man's places," the man said, still looking at me. He didn't break eye contact, so I just grabbed a random energy drink and hurried away.
"Well, he's an idiot then," his companion laughed.
I couldn't stand to listen to their conversation any longer because they were definitely talking about me! Terrified by the man's stare, I quickly paid the cashier for the food and the energy drink, not even checking what kind it was.
The entire walk back to Perseus's unit, I was hyper-alert. Every step I took, my eyes were scanning both sides of the path.
When I reached our floor, I ran toward Perseus's unit out of sheer nerves and fear. I should be safe here, right? No one followed me? They said themselves they were just surrounding the condo.
That thought made my heart race even faster, and I instinctively leaned my back heavily against Perseus's door.
"Where have you been?" Perseus greeted me, already sitting on one of the sofas in the living room. The chair was facing the door, so he was the first thing I saw when I entered.
I looked away after quickly scanning his body. His stomach was freshly wrapped in new gauze. It covered his entire midsection while his chest remained exposed. He was wearing a black robe that wasn't closed, fully revealing his chest and the gauze below. The only thing less distracting to look at was his bottom clothing—black checkered lounge pants.
He shifted his position, spreading his legs in a masculine way before resting his elbows on his knees. He clasped his hands together, resting his lips against them as he stared at me with that deep gaze.
Doesn't his wound hurt in that position? It looks painful just watching him!
"Sit properly, or you might—" I said worriedly, but he just ignored me.
What if his wound gets worse because of his temper?! It hasn't even been stitched! We don't know what kind of damage he's doing by staying in that position!
"Didn't I tell you to stay inside?" he interrupted angrily. He looked up at me as I walked toward him, intending to push his shoulders back so he'd sit upright.
"What could you do if I was hungry?" I asked grumpily back, locking eyes with his deep ones. I was standing between his legs, my hands resting on his shoulders.
"We could have just ordered food. Your reason is ridiculous; it doesn't even justify what you did!" He broke eye contact to massage his temples with his right hand. He turned his head to the side to avoid my line of sight.
"I'm here now, aren't I? I came back whole and safe. Stop being grumpy with me," I said calmly, as I didn't have the energy to argue.
I was exhausted from everything that happened; I couldn't even manage a fight right now.
He took a deep breath, still looking to the side, before gripping my arms. After staying silent for a few seconds, he finally faced me again, his hands never leaving my arms.
"I'll let you go this once," he said, looking up at me, his hands moving to my waist before he stood up to take my groceries. I just watched him walk to the kitchen and set the plastic bags on the table.