Chapter # 45

With a glaring competition, Zoran left with his remaining few men. Leaving Nathaniel alone in the basement with his dead men lying there who was highly displeased with the situation. The second Zoran left, Nathaniel fell down, groaning in the pain. 'Argh, fuck!" He was unable to move but to show his immense power, he stood firm and when he was gone, the yelling and aching he held back burst. 'Boss!" 'It's hurting like hell!" 'Stay still then," Zariah's distressed voice came and to hear softness in them for him. Her body reacted on it's own, holding him firmly Her hand over his back, agonized to find him in pain. She never wanted him to get hurt after all. He soothed instantly, staring intensely at her, forgetting his pain for a moment to lock those eyes. Forming her lips in a thin line, her body shivered at the glance. 'As you wish," He whispered. Bringing his hand to touch her but she didn't allow him, discomforted by his stare and panting. 'What's with your face?" 'Nothing," She replied coldly. He couldn't see that he dragged her back to the world of darkness she absolutely resented, the place she wanted to leave desperately. He fucking promised to save her from darkness, she couldn't bear it anymore. 'Are you still angry about my mindless words?" 'No," 'Then don't sound like this, tell me… please," Taking a life today… hurt her. And no doubt, to save Nathaniel she would blindly do it endless times… but she didn't want him to take advantage of this fact. At least. 'Nothing," The cold reply pierced through his chest. Nathaniel opened his mouth to call Zariah to convince her of his conviction, he wouldn't do this certainly on purpose. Forcing her to do what she hated, he also desired to give her a home of hope, it was never intentional. 'I am sorry, I am so sorry, Sir," Interrupted by Elton who rushed to him with his wounded body, breaking into a weak cry, hanging his head low. Seeing him made De Villiers growled, who was about to slap him but becoming assertive in a split second, Nathaniel grabbed his wrist. 'De Villiers!" Pushing his wrist back, he glared, 'Don't," 'Of course you let him escape," He sighed. At this point, wondering why he was keeping up with his shenanigans without killing Nathaniel himself. Nathaniel understood his expression and smirked slightly, like to tease him and placed his hand over Elton's back, rubbing it to soothe the sobbing man. 'You okay?" 'I am sorry that I failed you, Sir," 'No, you did great. Relax." Nathaniel hummed, motioning the men to lift him up from the ground. He had acted tough enough, his body was throbbing in pain with barely left energy. He needed treatment. 'I guess this is why he never revealed his true identity to you as well. He was disguised as the doctor in my hospital after all," Mark pointed out, holding his chin, still stuck and enraged at Zoran's matter. 'Will you please explain it to me?" Zariah sighed, ending her glare with Elton who felt slightly relieved when Nathaniel passed a smile. 'What the fuck are you doing here after deceiving Nathaniel, huh?" 'Oh, you don't know yet. He didn't escape, Boss let him and told about the plan later," 'I don't recall telling you, De Villiers," Nathaniel remarked. 'I have been with you for years, I understand without speaking," He sighed, 'Him being here confirmed it." 'What…?" 'Look at me, I am literally dressed and styled like Sir, of course, I could NEVER imagine betraying the man I consider my ideal," Elton added sheepishly. He wanted to be useful which couldn't and before that could push him towards depression, Nathaniel gave his shoulder and assuring squeeze. 'Don't blame the boy, he is a good boy, you did great," His eyes lit up, staring at Nathaniel in deep admiration. His one statement of praise gave him a sensation of cloud-nine. His burden diminished. 'I knew that Zoran we encountered in India was a fake so I delegated the duty on Elton to find him," Nathaniel explained so they stop glaring at Elton. 'He was the easy target, Zoran thought he could manipulate Elton but my people are not that easy to break," 'I am sorry I couldn't and ended up getting captured," He whispered again. 'I know now. That is all it matters ‘and' you being alive. I would be heartbroken if he had sent me your head," Nathaniel cracked a joke that made Elton shiver in dread to imagine this happening. He chuckled nervously, looking away, helping him to get out of this dusty basement. 'Aren't you done yet, Mark?" Nathaniel called when they were about to leave. 'I am. God, this Zoran seriously loves implanting bombs." 'Bomb?" 'He is a predictable man. He intended to blow us up but I have Mark. He is not only my medic but knows about bombs too," Nathaniel replied calmly. 'How much longer?" 'There. Done. Let's go now. This place is save, it won't blow up," 'Do you want me to go after Zoran?" De Villiers asked casually, going out and helping Nathaniel to sit in the car. 'No. Let him think he ran away. He had always been a rat for me," Nathaniel smirked, groaning in pain that made Zariah hold him closely. 'Careful," He purposely did it to make her hold it, he continued hissing in pain so she caressed his bruises with distress, increasing his heartbeats. Ah, even being angry, her care for him was unshakable. His eyes scanned around as he commented, 'Good thing you didn't bring Amanda along, it was not good for her," 'She is freaking six months pregnant, why the hell would I bring her?" De Villiers sighed. 'So, tell me, how did you manage to find me?" Leaning his head back, taking him to the hospital, De Villiers smiled faintly to himself and told him how heartwarming the moment was before they left. 'After you left, I was in my apartment… We were telling old tales to Amanda…"