"Why do you want me to quit my job?" I asked Henry when opened about it.
"You are not safe here. What did we find out about my parents?" he whispered.
"That they are part of a terrorist group," I answered.
"Exactly, and they are here to invest in the illegal business of the owner of this farm. All they know is that I am interested in their legal business that's why I want to come with them. They didn't know that I am here also to investigate them more. I didn't expect to see you here, I'm glad that I chose to come with them." He kissed my cheek.
I smiled at him. "Thank you for finding me, but I can't just quit that fast. I didn't know that Edward is engaged in illegal activities, he has a daughter."
"You are calling him in his first name," he said then narrowed his eyes at me.
"Why? He doesn't want me to call any names but his name only." I looked at her serious face.
"You are taking care of her daughter? Where is his wife?" he asked again.
"His wife died years ago; can you believe that I have the same name as his wife? His wife's name is Aliyah too," I answered then smiled widely.
He sighed. "You need to be out of here. I don't you here anymore. Tomorrow, I will be fetching you. Prepare yourself. I am giving you a more comfortable and safer place to stay."
"Henry, Eunice will be so sad if I did that," I said. I loved the child and I know she loves me too.
"Aliyah, listen to me, please. I want you safe. I once lost you, I can never let that happen again. I will be leaving tonight, but I will come back tomorrow," he said while cupping my face.
I understand him, we have this same feeling. I cannot lose him again.
I nodded then reached his lips. I am very free now; I can kiss him whenever I want. Sonia is not a threat to me anymore, but I still need to protect Cristel and the baby in her womb.
After the long kiss, he needs to leave. He doesn't want her parents to see me. He left me on the nipa hut.
I bit my lips, my put my hand on my chest where my heart is. It is still beating so fast. That is real, right?
I went inside the mansion once I made sure that Henry and his parents left already. I looked for Edward and I found him on the stairs.
"Edward..." I called him.
He stopped walking then looked at me. He looked at me. "What is it, Aliyah?"
I cleared my throat. "I want to tell you something important."
He sighed. "Can you tell it tomorrow instead? I am really tired; I want to rest."
I nodded then smiled. "Okay, rest well." I was about to go when he spoke again.
"Wait, Aliyah," he stopped me.
I looked at him again. "What is it?"
"Can you do me a favor? Can you give me a massage on the back? It hurts bad," he said then touched his shoulder.
"S-Sure..." I was feeling bad about this.
I followed him to his room. After I entered, he locked the door. He removed his shirt then his denim pants. Only his boxer shorts are on his body. He laid on the bed, I am now facing his broad back.
"Aliyah, now."
I started massaging his back, he is moaning whenever I pressed his joints and muscles. This is so awkward. I feel like we're doing something.
"Edward, can I talk to you now? This is really important," I said while still massaging him.
"Hmm, sure. Go ahead, I am listening." His eyes are still closed.
"I-I want to resign to my work here," I said almost a whisper.
He opened his eyes; he rolled his back on the bed. I am now facing his front body. I looked away.
"Why?" He sat on the bed then touched my face. I distance myself.
"My f-friend wants me to come to her house. She needs my help, so I want to resign. If you let me, I leave tomorrow." I lied.
He nodded. "I thought you are going to stay here for a long time. Eunice really likes you and..."
I looked at him, he licked his lips then cleared his throat. To my surprise, he pulled me closer to him and forcefully laid me on the bed.
"I really like you, Aliyah. I tried to stop myself, but I just couldn't. He pinned my hand on the bed.
I am very scared right now. I don't know what to do, is he going to rape me?
"Edward, let go of me, please." I am pleading.
He put his face on my neck. "You smell so good. I really want you. I will let you go tomorrow if you give me a chance to have you tonight."
"Edward, no! Please, don't do this." I cried when his lips touched my neck.
He is too strong; I can't get out of his grip. He continued to kiss my neck, my cheeks when suddenly stopped.
He let go of me and I immediately get out of his bed. My breathing is still irregular. My eyes are still full of my tears. I reached the door and ran outside the mansion.
I don't want to be here anymore. I heard him calling my name I didn't listen.
I thought he is a good man. I thought he was different; I can't believe that he can do that. I don't want to stay any longer.
I ran outside, bare feet and only my nightdress are I am wearing. It is very cold, but I don't care. I kept running until I am satisfied. When I stopped, I feel the cold. I breathe heavily.
My tears are still flowing as I remember what Edward did to me. A car stopped in front of me, I was about to run again because I thought it was Edward but I wrong.
"Aliyah, what are you doing here? It is very cold," he said then removed his coat. He put it on my shoulders, I can't help but hug him so tight. Thank goodness, he's here.
"Henry, help me." Almost a whisper.
"What happened, Aliyah?" He was so worried.
"Help me to be out of here. I don't want to be here anymore." I am still hugging him.
He carried me to his car and started to drive it away from Edward's mansion. I was crying the whole time, but I didn't utter a single word. Henry just driving but I he kept looking at me while holding my hand.
He stopped the car in front of an old house. He carried me again, but I insist to walk.
He opened the house and turned the lights on. He made me sat on the couches in the living room. He sat in front of me.
"Tell me, what did that Edward does to you?" he asked.
I didn't know if he understands what I am saying because I kept on crying while giving him the details of what Edward did to me. He almost raped me.
He hugged me very tightly and comfort me. "Don't worry, I am here now. I will never let that happen again; I promise."
He is still hugging me when I noticed the bloodstain on his shoulder down from his upper chest.
"Henry, why there's blood on your shirt?" I let go of him.
He sighed. "I need to renew my bandage." He stood up then removed his shirt. The large bandage was covering his left shoulder and his whole chest.
"What happened to you?" I asked him.
He got the first aid kit and sat again. He was about to remove the bandage when I did it. I helped him cleaned his deep wound.
"I got shot, they thought I was critical, so they sent me home," he said.
I nodded and focused on what I am doing.
"You are good at it," he said when I finished cleaning his wound.
"I am a nurse if you don't know." I winked at him.
He smiled. "Yeah, that's why we are for each other. I will protect you from all the bullets and when I come home, you heal by your love."