Chasing The Broken CEO

It was later in the afternoon when I decided to leave Zendejas' residence. I wanted to go home as I do not want to be a burden to Evan. He might have some important plans and being here would prevent him from doing what he needs to do. He walked with me as I went outside their mansion.

I saw our car just a few steps away from me with Riley in the inside who is patiently waiting for me. I turned to Evan and gave him a small smile.

"I have to go." I stated and inhaled heavily.

He put his hands inside his short's pockets and nodded at me.

"Thank you for visiting." He said with his pursed lips.

"Well, I needed to."

"I know but still, I want to thank you." He smiled playfully at me.

I rolled my eyes, "Stop it. It's not really you." I said and then pouted my lips.

"Alright, I will zip my mouth." He replied, amused.

I turned around and walked towards our car. He even followed me and watched me as I hopped into the car. Riley closed the door for me.

Evan leaned into the open window beside me. I gazed back at him and he was still wearing his mischievous smile. My forehead creased. Why does he look so happy over something?

"I hope you enjoyed your visit," he simply said, still with a smile.

I raised a brow while still looking at him. Enjoy, really? How can I enjoy my visit when he fell asleep after the lunch we have shared? Boredom grew inside me, which made me feel so suffocated. He had the gut to lock me in his room but he did not even entertain me at all. He just went to his bed and I only watched him until he woke up!

And then here we are, saying goodbye to each other. It was fine with me because I did not really expect anything from him. I only had to come here as per my parent's request and that was all what I needed to do.

I did not really imagine myself having a good time with him because he is just a totally untamed man who can't even open a single topic with me.

I pouted my lips.

"You did not enjoy it, hmmn?" He concluded as his eyes narrowed at me. It felt like he was trying to read the thoughts in my mind.

I licked my lower lip and lowered my head.

"Slight..." I replied, trying to be honest with him.

He chuckled a bit and then he leaned closer until his face was just a few inches away from mine. I glanced back at him and blinked my eyes multiple times. I felt my mouth running dry. I swallowed hard. He smiled sincerely at me. "I will see you again, Risha." He uttered softly which made my heart pound aggressively.

I don't know why I feel so tense even with the simple words he's saying to me. His ruthless aura might be the reason as to why even if it was just a simple sentence, his tone makes my knees go weak, making my heart feel an unfamiliar feeling. Without looking away, I nodded slowly.

He doesn't have to tell me. We will be meeting more often all because we are tied up with each other! He then stood up properly giving me the space I needed the most. I inhaled sharply and decided to close the window beside me to avoid his intense gaze on me.

From the tinted window, I managed to watch him properly. I saw him saying something to Riley but I could not decipher what it was.

A few more seconds, Riley went inside and started the engine of the car and drove it. While the car is moving, my gaze followed Evan who was also watching our car as it drove its way out. I even looked back to watch him. He was still standing out there, with his hands in his pocket. The car made a U-turn and I can no longer see Evan as the car went out of the main gate.

I sat properly. I interlocked my fingers as thoughts starting to immerse in my head, again.

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"What did he say, Riley?" I asked my bodyguard out of curiosity.

He looked at me from the rear view mirror. I swallowed the lump in my throat as I waited for him to answer.

"Mr. Zendejas have reminded me to be careful while I drive you home and he also commanded me that I should not let you go to other places as you have to be home safely. That's what he said, Miss Nathalie." He answered formally. "Oh, really?"

That's a bit surprising, though. I bit my lower lip to hide my smile. Look at that jerk! He may be an uptight man but looks like he still cares about me, huh?

That's strange and new to me. I do not know why it makes me feel something... something satisfying.

***

Days have passed quickly than I thought. I became too busy at work after my paid vacation leaves. Well, that wasn't really a vacation. I just had to prioritize the things I had to do for the arrangement we have with the Zendejas. I just needed time to get to know Evan.

I worked as a Legal Stenographer in a public court as what we have in Manila. My task is to record everything that is happening in the court hearing or meeting in a form of writing it as a document or shorthand.

This was my first day after my paid vacation leave and I dealt with multiple courts hearing already.

I was with Attorney Jameson Alleje during a hearing, writing a document in silence, with a recorder on my table.

"Attorney, my daughter was raped by our city mayor!" a mother cried while being interrogated in front of the judges. I could feel her pain as she tried to seek justice for what her daughter- who happened to be a minor, have experienced. "Look at my daughter!" she pointed her finger to her daughter. "She got traumatized for heaven's sake! Ever since that happened, she has changed! She no longer talks with us! She doesn't even want to eat and she's been crying her heart out every night! This has been a nightmare to her and I can't bear to see her so lifeless... helpless! This is not the life I've dreamed her to get! So, please... please help us get the justice for my daughter!"

I swallowed very hard as I continued writing everything the old lady have said. She's right. It is indeed a nightmare. Her daughter got raped by one of the powerful men in our region. I stopped writing for a moment and then glanced at her young daughter. She was sitting beside her mother, with her lowered head because of the evident fear she feels, and with her arms wrapped around herself, as if she's trying to protect herself from something.

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I let out a huge sigh. This is very saddening. Her mother continued to give information and so I started to write what our client is telling us in detail.

My work seems so easy yet it feels difficult to write without understanding what the victims are going through. It feels difficult for me to be heartless and numb when I know some people in front of the court have experienced so many tragedies in their life, just like this girl who is in front of us.

"Mrs. Mendoza, I assure you that we'll do our best to help to you in this situation. Also, if Liese could tell us a few details as to what happened that night, we can proceed with the investigation with the help of this court and the police authority." Jameson explained in a calm tone.

Mrs. Mendoza shook her head as she cried. "My daughter can't even talk, Attorney! It was a nightmare for her and I'd understand she won't be able to share what happened! It will only make her feel worst again!"

I eyed Jameson. She is right. This is really a huge case. Given the trauma, I agreed that Liese won't be able to talk easily.

Rape is not a joke. I witnessed a lot of courts hearing with the same case like this one and my sympathy and support will always go to the victims. Case like this is never easy with all honesty. If only law is on our hands, there is no need for them to go through the series of courts hearing just like this. We'll punish the culprit with death penalty immediately, without even thinking as they truly deserve it.

Jameson walked towards Liese and he knelt in front of her. I watched them carefully and I saw the tears falling from the victim's eyes. She was biting her lips firmly that I could see the blood on her lips.

"Liese, we really want to help you," he told her softly.

Liese gasped and finally, she looked at him in the eyes. My chest felt so heavy as I watched them, as I tried to understand the anger evident in her eyes.

"You have to trust us on this. We want nothing but justice for you, and for what happened." Jameson continued. "Whoever did this to you... We want him to be put in jail. We want him to be punished for what he did. I know that you want this to end too. We understand how you feel and we're here to help you at all cost. Whenever you're ready, you can tell us everything, alright?"

Liese cried like a river. Jameson hugged her as she sobbed, trembling in fear. I gasped and looked away. I can't watch it anymore. This entire case is making me feel so uncomfortable and crazy. I want nothing but justice for her too and I hope that the rapist would receive the punishment he deserves for ruining a child's life this way.

Damn! This is too much to handle.