Darling, Thanks For Stabbing Me

Chapter 5

“Sunny! Who were those people? Why you are so upset seeing them? Tell me.” Erik asked irritatingly.

I sighed and sobbed hard, “They work for him! I am afraid that they are after me. I need to hide myself. He is here and I think he will find me soon.” I whimpered.

“But why? Why are they after you and who is this he here?” Erik asked.

“He is Aiden Johnson; the man who used to love me once or that’s what I thought before he killed me.” I sobbed hard and saw their widened eyes and opened mouth.

“Let’s go somewhere. They would be here soon.” Erik lifted me up from my arms and covered my body as a shield.

“I know a way, follow me.” Linda said before making her way through an alley that looked poorly lit and dangerous.

We kept following her till I heard faint voices and loud barking of Adonis!

We reached home and saw Marcus and Maria looking concerned and breathed in relief after seeing me. They rushed to me and asked if I was okay.

That alarmed me.

“Did they come here?” I couldn’t stop asking them directly.

They exchanged hesitant look before nodding slowly.

“They are the ones who want to buy our land and today they came with your photo asking if we had seen you here.” Maria said.

“What did you—” I was terrified of their answer but she cut me off.

“Of course not! We said we haven’t seen you before and luckily no one else has seen you as well. When those people came asking about you, we knew they might be the one who tried to murder you so how could we have told them about you?” Maria cupped my cheek.

I tried to control the cries and breathed heavily.

“Was Aiden here? You know the handsome guy more than 6 feet with brown eyes and curly brown hair?” I asked with cracked voice.

“No...” She said to which I dunno I felt disappointed?

I don’t know why I still wanted to think that everything that happened that day might be his helplessness and I still wished he loved me.

“Can you tell us what is going on here sweetie? We can help well if we know everything.” Marcus said.

I think I needed to lift that invisible burden off my heart and decided that it was time.

“I had a well-doing family. My granddad was known as the Lord of the business world because of his unmatched talent in market and export and import across the globe.”

“OMG! Are you a Reider?” Linda asked.

“Yeah! I am Iris Reider, the grand-daughter of Cyril Reider. My grandpa left his business and properties equally among his two sons but a majority third part to me because I was so keen in helping him in his business. Even though I was very young but I learnt all the management basics and economics and helped him in his deals which impressed him to such an extent that one third of his business is transferred to me. That accounts to 60% of his business.”

“What?” Erik and Linda yelled in unison.

“Yeah and that upset my uncle and his family. My father used his assets to start his own food chain and my mother started her own make up cosmetics production. Their business emerged fairly well and my uncle and aunt kept using my grandpa’s assets for living lavishly. They used to live so happy and content that we couldn’t see the masked jealously behind it. One day, my family were going out on a business dinner in which my uncle and aunt were invited as well due to grandpa’s connections but they refused. My cousin Derek and my sister, Evelyn asked me to go out with them on a family dinner. They had invited Aiden as well and he was my fiancé so I was excited to go and see him.

Aiden was my cousin’s friend and he used to come at our house often. When I was just sixteen years old, he looked at me like I was the most precious things. He approached my dad asking to court me and since they knew him so well they were all happy to say a yes. We had been dating till that time and he took so much care and effort for me that I was considered lucky by everyone. Girls used to envy because you all know they are a giant in business world after my grandpa and with those looks he could easily woo women not knowing.

We were engaged when I turned 18 and I was his fiancée so the next two years he worshiped me like a goddess. I was more than happy to become his fiancée but that was short lived. When I turned 20, they arranged this family dinner with just the cousin and us. So, we decided to plan for our wedding that was about to happen this month but while returning back, things changed. I received news that my parents’ car was hit by someone and they were dead on the spot. I couldn’t breathe and urged to go as soon as possible. When I was rushing to the parking lot; I overheard Derek thanking someone and asking to check if the Reider couple was surely dead. I was stunned and when I confronted him, someone stabbed me in the back and I ain’t sure who it was. I still fought and felt someone along with Derek stab me multiple times. I couldn’t believe it and was sure to fight him to avenge my parents and my brother but then I heard Derek urging someone and next thing, I was shot by Aiden. My heart skipped its beat and I couldn’t take it anymore. He looked terrified and guilty but it was enough to kill me.”

Those images flashed in front of my eyes and I sobbed hard hiccuping.

“Those bastards...”Erik muttered.

“That means you are still in danger. What should we do now?” Maria asked worrying.

“You don’t worry child, I will not let anyone harm you.” Marcus said soothing me.

I saw Linda lost in her thoughts and I wondered why she was so silent.

“Why don’t you come with me back to New York? You can take up an education course till things cool down here a bit. We can find out by then what their motive is and we can be back to avenge your family.” Erik said casually.

“I think we need to change her look first. What if they are keeping an eye on all the check posts and airports?” Linda said.

“Do you think I can avenge someone?” I asked none in particular.

“Well you would if you know the latest rumors about him.” Linda said.

I c****d an eyebrow at her but she refused to answer saying it would be better if I see it myself.

***

“Are you sure you are ready to help her knowing who we are dealing with?” Erik asked his grandparents when Sunny wasn’t there.

“Of course how cannot we be sure about it? She has miraculously escaped her death Erik.” Marcus said.

“Yes. That night, we were arriving from a friends’ party and there was a heavy rainfall accompanied with a storm. We were already on way so decided to reach as soon as possible but found a tree blocking our path. To avoid the congestion, we took this road that lead to the swamps and harbour in that stormy night. All of a sudden our car halted and it was Adonis who barked insanely. We were worried and decided to let him go. He rushed to the swamps and that scared us even more due to the weather. I hurriedly followed him and found her there on the ground barely alive.” Maria replied.

“You should have seen son. There were hundred wounds on her body; not a single part that wasn’t oozing out of blood and she was almost drained of it. Still she managed to live; can you think of why? That’s because she was meant to avenge her family’s death. She is a strong woman; just needs our help and I would help her in any form to get her and her family justice.” Marcus reasoned.

“I know but please try to stay away from those men. I will help her as much as I can but I would appreciate if you look out for your safety. They aren’t just ordinary men and they are also heartless.” Erik warned.

“You got it!” Marcus answered.

Erik and Linda made few calls to their friends and waited for the next day.

***

“Morning sunshine! Today we have an important day ahead.” Linda pushed me aside and giggled.

“About?” I asked to which Linda smirked.

“Just wait and watch!” Linda said and was back behind the counter.

After the usual rush, I was talking to Marcus when Grayson called my name.

“Good morning Sunny. My usual please” He smiled brightly and I nodded with the fake smile as always.

***

‘What is wrong with this girl now?’ Grayson wondered.

“Hey Gray! I hope you must have heard from Troy.” Linda asked.

“Uh! Yeah he called me last night talking about something important. So, is that you who needed some help?” Grayson was a little surprised.

“If you don’t mind then please meet us after your office hours.” Linda requested and Grayson c****d an eyebrow at ‘us’.

Linda secretly glanced at Sunny to which a faint smile appeared on his face slightly nodding in yes.

“Here’s my card. Text me the address and time.” Grayson looked excited.

“What do you need his help for?” Sunny asked.

“Oh well! about your documents.” Linda replied.

“What? No... You can’t Lin. I can’t trust him.” Sunny looked baffled.

“Why not? He is my best friend’s friend and according to him, this man can be trusted blindly.” Linda rolled her eyes.

“That’s not what I meant. I mean; I strongly feel that I have seen him somewhere before but I just don’t remember where. It’s like... I am scared that he might inform them.” Sunny confessed.

Linda was left wondering now about the further actions. She understood her worry but she knew Grayson wasn’t that kind of man.

When the cafe work was done; Linda took Sunny to her house and asked Grayson to meet there only. She had booked her personal salon stylist to change Sunny’s makeover.

Sunny’s long wavy brown hair were cut short to Bob and dyed to lilac. She was offered blue lens and with just that, she looked such a different person than they know. She stared at Linda nervously who gave her thumbs up and hugged her bobbing from left to right.

When they were finished with it, she headed to Linda’s study and saw Grayson coming close to them. She freeze and saw Linda giving apologetic looks.