Chasing The Broken CEO

"Your father told me that you are not allowed to drive a car after the trouble you were in. You should have informed your driver to fetch you right away." He stated with his calm voice. "That is not necessary. I wanted to take a short walk to clear my head a bit. I'm not in the mood to go home early..."

He nodded and then started the engine of his car. "Still, it's dangerous to walk out there all by yourself, Risha Nathalie."

I leaned to the window and gazed at the left alley where I have been to for almost an hour.

"Can't you see? There are a lot of people hanging out in there. It's safe and the place is fun," I replied as I pointed my finger to the place so he would know what I am talking about.

I glanced his way. He only gazed at the left alley for like a second and then he stared at me for a moment before looking back at the road.

"As I remember, there were also a lot of people when you hit somebody's car a few days ago." he fired at me.

I rolled my eyes outrageously. So, what does he mean by that? Why bringing up an unwanted memory in the past?

"That's not going to happen again, you jerk," I hissed firmly with my gritted teeth.

Yeah! It will not happen again! My father had already warned me not to drive a car or else I will get a severe punishment.

I crossed my arms on my chest and gazed at the window again. I rested my head on the headrest of my seat and watched the skyscrapers and city lights disappearing while we drive. I felt so damn tired today. I sighed heavily.

Evan is also silent that makes me feel at ease. I do not want to talk and start an argument with him as I feel so weak and I just want to be quiet while enjoying the view disappearing fast from where I am seated. It is also a good thing that his ruthless aura is not activated at this time! It's kind of unfamiliar but that gives me a peace, even it is just temporary.

"Tired at work?" he asked me after the long silence that engulfed us.

"Yeah..." I sighed heavily.

"Hmmn, I did not know that being a legal stenographer is tiresome too." He simply commented.

If only he has an idea as to what I get to witness at work every single day. Those cases and court hearings that I attended to aren't easy to bear. Even though I only work in a single table and recording everything that is happening in front of my eyes, and despite the fact that I only write a shorthand to be passed to a judge, it is still difficult knowing that I have to witness different stories and emotions. It's kind of difficult not to be affected at all when I still have this soft heart in

me.

"Can we just... escape?" I said without even thinking, still gazing at the disappearing sights in the window, observing the places as before we get passed through them.

I heard him chuckle. Sometimes, it feels like music to my ears. I didn't know why but Evan, indeed, has a cute side.

"My little Risha is up for an escape..." he whispered huskily, "Sure thing, babe." And then he made a U-turn to drive into another road.

***

Evan brought me into the place where I see the beautiful and wide city of Manila. The city lights are kind of fascinating... I looked up and gazed at the million stars in the night sky. They are like diamonds shining up there, enticing me and making me feel happy. The full moon is also bright and huge. I inhaled the cold night air while it was blowing my hair. I gathered the strands of my hair and tucked it all behind my ear.

I turned around to face Evan who just went out of the car and is holding a plastic bag which has can beers in it. He grabbed one and opened it for me.

"Thank you," I said, accepting the beer from his hand and then I stared at the city view once again.

I sipped on my beer and gulped it immediately. I felt the heat and sting from my lungs down to my stomach. I exhaled and smiled a bit as it felt so damn good.

"Is something bothering you?" he carefully asked.

I shook my head and smiled bitterly. There is nothing bothering me. I think I am just so tired at work that I am kind of feeling emotional right now.

"I am just tired from the case we have handled today," I shrugged and sighed in defeat. I looked at Evan who is also looking at me. "I may be only a legal stenographer but the task isn't really easy than everyone had thought it was. I can't help but to feel emotional whenever I hear someone's tragic story in front of the court. It's seriously unbearable."

"What kind of case did you handle today?" he asked me curiously.

Oh, this feels weird! Evan is trying to understand me and wants to know where I am coming from! Is he possessed or what?

I watched him open his beer. He sipped on it and then he also glanced at the city view right in front of us. He looks gorgeous just to be honest!

"It was actually a rape case, Evan." I answered and then we had another few minutes of silence.

Evan looked at me carefully. I breathed in heavily and shrugged it all off. I sipped on my beer again and then wiped the corner of my lips. The next thing I knew was that, I am telling him my unheard opinion.

"I don't understand why there are so many men who love to violate women just to satisfy their needs. There must be a serious problem in their heads to come up with that kind of harassment. Violating and abusing women up to the point that they will destroy every bit of hope and purity they treasure the most..." I sighed once again and shook my head in disbelief. "I don't how it feels to be in that kind of situation... to be a rape victim... but I know that it is a nightmare to those women who have experienced it. I can't even bear to imagine how much they suffered. I mean... it might be so hard for them to sleep at night given the trauma."

I looked at Evan and I saw how serious he is. His jaw clenched as if he truly understands what I am saying. He drank his beer and shook his head and turned to the city view again.

"If that thing happens to one of my sisters, I would be ready to live in jail so long as I get to kill the man who abuses her," he said firmly and then I heard him utter a curse.

"Just be thankful that your sisters are safe and let us hope that these rape victims will get the justice they deserve," I said and smiled at him. "Who would have thought that we'll have a conversation like this? It's weird that we're not fighting, isn't it?"

A smirk escaped his lips. Our eyes met and he raised his brow at me, smirking more.

"You missed my grumpy side?"

I shook my head. Well, slight?

"I am glad that your grumpy mood is not activated at this time. I am sorry. I just got back to work and then a heavy case came in which made me feel so emotional today."

If you're loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "No worries, Risha..."

I bit my lower lip and tried to avoid his piercing stare.

"Thank you for bringing me here, too. It was refreshing to see this kind of beautiful city view after a long tiring day at work..."

"You're most welcome..." he said huskily. "By the way, can you clear up your schedule next week?"

"Why?" I asked curiously and then looked at him again.

He is still staring at me. I had to swallow the lump in my throat as his stare gives me a foreign feeling inside my chest. My forehead suddenly creased too.

"It is going to be our engagement day next Friday and we have to prepare, Risha Nathalie." He stated coolly.

My eyes widened with what he just said.

So, he is not really kidding when he told me that he wasn't backing out from all this shits, huh?

I cleared my throat. I can't think of a right word to say even though I know this would come. I am tied up with him all because my parents and his family have an agreement.

But it feels like this guy would just get me easily if I say yes immediately. I promised to myself that this man will chase me desperately and I won't break that promise just because he's getting a little kind to me already. "Hmmn, what if I still don't want to marry you, Evan?"

The smile on his lips faded away. His eyes stared at me coldly. Well, it seems that his ruthless is now activated.

Interesting.