"What have you done to her?" I asked in my low voice.
"What's your business with her, huh?" Alia whimpered in fear and gave me a look, telling me there was no use against this damn chunky guy. "Get out of my way or else you'll be in trouble too." I was cringed at his threat.
"What if I don't want to!" I answered firmly. If there was a problem that drew Alia into it, somehow my courage increased. I realized even in my head I didn't know what to do. However, my intuition was clear to protect this girl.
"So you challenged me?" His eyes were filled with nasty intuition. The biggest lie that ever covered my face was pretending to be brave. Honestly, I was afraid to think about what his next action would be.
"What can you do if I do this?" He pulled my hands, I tried so hard to release the grip. Alia didn't stay silent, she helped me, but her strength wasn't strong enough until she bounced back and I crashed into the back door where Mr. Salvatore and the man were talking.
I grimaced in pain as my ass fell right on the cold floor. Forgetting about my ass, the chunky man pulled Alia roughly making me scream, "Don't hurt her or I ..." He didn't pay attention to me but stared straight behind me.
"Haytham, help me ..." Alia whispered softly, "He's hurting me ..." Her tears broke out unstoppable. My heart skipped a beat. This little girl was as honest and innocent as the last time I was with her.
She was too pure for this cruel world. This damn man was hurting her without her doing anything wrong. It was certain that he was paid by someone to harm her. What kind of man could do this kind of sadistic thing to a girl?!
Realizing whose name she had already mentioned, suddenly my head looked back and found the man who was pointing a gun to Mr. Salvatore's head was Haytham Zachary. My childhood friend and also the first man I had ever liked.
Not yet getting up from the place where I fell, my eyes were examined the entirety of Haytham's face. He was the guy I saw at the bar.
My emotions got mixed. His face looked more mature, became a real man. His innocent and affectionate eyes were now staring as sharp as a knife blade. His body awoke with visible muscles over his suits.
The three of us were together like in a reunion, but I was just a stranger in their eyes.
His eyes were bloodshot as they had their way towards the chunky man but his right hand was still on Mr. Salvatore's neck and his left one was getting ready to stick the trigger of the gun.
He had shown a face without an expression of fear, but I had known him for a long time so I knew his pattern of thinking. My eyes were fixed on him, waiting for what he would do. As if feeling exposed by my gaze, his emerald eyes looked back at me. An uneasy feeling twisted my stomach.
He said nothing but a dangerous smile crept in, showing me his perfect dimple. I was sensing his jeopardizing moves.
His eyes darkened as he said, "I'm tired enough to read your dirty ways, Mr. Salvatore." He whispered to Mr. Salvatore but he said it loud enough, on purpose for us all to hear him.
"You know my man have been monitoring Niki out there." He chuckled triumphantly looking at Mr. Salvatore who seemed to be wondering what he was going to do.
Mr. Salvatore was still in his position, not answering.
"Still don't wanna give in?" He tugged Mr. Salvatore's hair before whispering something that filled Mr. Salvatore's eyes in alarmed.
"Let go of her." Mr. Salvatore was telling the chunky guy to let go of Alia.
"Good boy." Haytham ruffled Mr. Salvatore's hair roughly before he directed Alia to rush towards him. Without thinking Alia ran and immediately returned in his arms. My heart was relieved at least to know that she was safer with him.
"You can go now." He kicked Mr. Salvatore out as he left the room with his men in flash. It never crossed my mind that Haytham would just let him go, obviously he already had his own plans.
Drowning in this scene in front of me, I groaned and tried to get up my painful ass. "I'm sorry. Because of me, you got hurt." Alia came near me and reached out her hand.
I looked up when I saw the silhouette beside her. "Well well well, Isn't this the infamous Jazzlin Ozza?" Haytham Zachary lowered his head to mine that looked up right into his eyes. It was clear that my mouth opened like a fish because of the shock that staggered my chest.
I caught Alia's hand then stood up slowly, "Thank you for trying to help me earlier." Alia gave a welcoming smile that made my eyes almost burst into tears.
Alia's long hair was tied with red ribbons, her face was bright and her lips lifted up giving a lovely smile. She was the same little girl who was making my days full of laughter with all her cuteness.
Haytham kept calm with his eyes burning all over my body. His emerald eyes contained something behind those gaze, a look I had never thought he would give me.
Hatred.
"Jazzlin, are you there?" Jake dashed into the room with the gun in his hand.
Haytham raised his hands, "Hold on my buddy." He chuckled as Jake pointed the gun at him.
"Motherfucker! After blackmailing Mr. Salvatore what else do you want?" Jake gritted between his grinding teeth.
Lowering his hands, he grinned, "Woah, hold back those harsh word. Are you blind that you can't see a child here?" He chuckled cynically.
He said it as if he hadn't committed a physical crime to Mr. Salvatore in front of Alia. "If I tell you what I want, will you give it to me?" He continued.
"I warn you, stop playing with me."
I hugged Alia so that she calmed down after that got up and led her out of the room. Haytham glared at me, but I didn't care. Fuck with what happened between these families.
Before I actually came out I heard Haytham said, "I just want to get revenge that must be avenged for the Ozza and the Ainsley." Saying those words his voice sounded fragile as if remembering something that made him ambitious to get his revenge.
There wasn't memory about this in my head. I didn't know what Jazzlin or Barra did to him that he got thirsty for revenge.
Jazzlin's memories of Haytham were only about the rumors circulating about this man. He was a cold-hearted, successful billionaire in second place after the Ainsley family. Haytham was famous for his cruelty in the business world, he didn't forgive anyone who had crossed his territorial boundaries. His workers must also be disciplined or a termination letter would be on their table.
"Haytham isn't a bad man, believe me he is a good hearted man." Alia's voice brought my thoughts back.
"I know that." I smiled sincerely.
"You know that?" Her eyes widened, "I hate it when people say he's a manipulative and mean guy." Alia shook her head, "All he wanna do just to protect me." She rubbed her cheek, "If he isn't there for me, there's no one to protect me." My heart fell to pieces hearing what she said.
"I'll protect you then." I grinned.
She couldn't believe my answer, "But you're the Ozza descent and a close friend with the Ainsley." Still with her gaze, she said again, "Haytham said you're bad people and I have to stay away from you."
My heart was really broken to hear this. I wish I knew what was going on between this family.
She continued in her innocent voice, "But, after you helped me from that cruel man ... I don't think you're as bad as Haytham said."
My heart was racing, "Thank you for giving me a chance to show you how I really am." I almost broke in tears, "I'll prove you that you can trust me." I wiped my eyes and tried to smile. "Can I hug you?"
She nodded then stepped forward, hugged me.
"Thank you." I whispered while my arms snaking around her back.