Her Con Artist

CHAP-15

Russell give me your jacket!" She called out as he was about to drive, quickly taking it off he passed it to her. He drove the car at a crazy high speed.

Monica molded the jacket into a small ball and put it on Eric's wound to stop the bleeding. As she applied the pressure, Eric moved his head slightly in pain. She felt tears coming to her eyes, it was all her fault. With trembling bloody hands, she moved his hair out of his face, allowing her to see him properly. She leaned down to place a small kiss on his cheek, she missed him too much but never did she thought she would meet him in this situation.

Russell took us to the nearest hospital in the town and stopped the car near the entrance of hospital. Opening the door, i get out of the car after gently laying Eric's head on the seat and rush to nearest nurse to ask them for help. The middle-aged nurse saw me running towards her and quickly called the helpers around her, she must have seen blood on me and my tensed expression.

"Nurse! We need urgent help, a man has been hit by a bullet." I said, grabbing her hand,

The helpers quickly grabbed the stretcher and rush it towards where the car was parked roughly. Russell helped them in picking Eric up and putting him on the stretcher. They began pushing the stretcher inside, i followed them quietly, praying to God to save him. The bullet hit the left side of his chest near his heart. My feet were till numb from the shock, taking a seat outside of the operation theater, taking deep breaths trying to fight against the panic attack that was arising now. I closed my eyes and took deep breaths, i felt a hand on my shoulder, looking up i found Russell giving me a small smile.

"Dont worry. He will be fine." He said, softly. Patting my shoulder, he followed the nurse to fill the form.

It was the first time he talked nicely to me but that doesnt matter.

"Dear." A heard a sweet soft voice near me.

Looking up from my shoes, i found the same nurse i called out for help, standing up i approached her.

"Dont worry, everything will be fine. Come with me,let me clean your wounds up, first."She said, grabbing my hand and lead me somewhere.

I nodded my head even though she didnt gave me a choice but to only follow her.

Opening the room, she told me to sit on the chair. Taking a seat, i looked around, it was small nursing room. One bed with two chairs were placed in the room and cabinets where they must have kept the stuff. The nurse opened the cabinet and pulled out a medium sized plastic box, which seemed to have medical stuff in it. Putting the box on the table which was beside me, she opened it and took out some supplies. I kept myself distracted by focusing on her, as she wiped my wound clean with her gentle hands. I hissed at the stingy feeling from the alcoholic swap. Then she put an ointment on my lip to help it heal faster. Thanking her, i rush back to where Eric was bring operated on.

Turning around the corner to where the OT was situated, i stopped as i found all of them waiting outside the room. As i walked towards them, Owen meet my eyes and stood up, making his way to me. I raised my eyebrows in question as he neared me hut he pulled me into a hug as soon as i was in his reach. Making my eye go wide with surprise and my arms stayed by my side.

"It's going to fine. We are here with you." He said softly, patting my back, grabbing my arms to pull me away he gave me a kind smile.

Touched by his actions, i smiled at him and nodded my head. Ella and Lexi grabbed my hands in their to bring comfort to me. I guess they knew Eric and i had a thing for each other. Sitting on the chair, the scene kept playing in my mind.

It was all my fault. If i had been more careful, i could have prevented this from happening.

Keith and Owen came back with snacks for us to eat, not a single person ate anything since the incident.

"Eat this. You haven't eaten anything for a day. You look tired, it will boost your energy." Owen says, pushing the box full of snacks and a drink into my lap.

My stomach decided to make it's presence known, making them at me. As i scratched my head in embarrassment. Opening the box, i picked a sandwich and ate in silence. I looked at them laughing, joking with each other, staying strong for each other. They all had faced difficulties in their live but they are adamant on going after the person who destroyed their peace. They were an inspiration to me. I wasn't brave enough to go after the person who destroyed myself. But now after seeing them, i felt that urge within me awake, which was hidden under depths of my heart,

pushing me to stand up and fight for my right.

I will do everything to help them reach their goal.

Suddenly an idea came into my mind, taking a sip of the drink, i excused myself and walked away from them to talk in silence.

I looked back from the corner to find them busy among themselves. Taking out my phone, which Russell had handed me after send Eric into Operation room. Upon asking him how did he got it, he answered it was Eric who had it and gave to him before going unconscious.

I dialed Uncle's number and i waited for him to pick up his phone.

"Yes."

"Uncle!. Listen to me." I said urgently, i was afraid that someone might hear me.

"Look into Leon's history and if he still have involvement with the gangster's from before. If you find anything tell me." I said, looking around.

"Okay i will look into it. But what happened is everything okay?" He asked, probably curious.

I quickly updated him about the situation skipping my k********g part. If he gets to know, he would flip and would lock me up in the house. So in order to prevent that from happening, i gave me details how we all had a mini interaction with the gangster's and Eric got into an accident during that.

"I will come and visit Eric tomorrow. Take care okay." He said and cut the call.

Taking a deep breath, i walked back, to find them talking to a doctor. Quickly, fasten my pace, i approached them as doctor went away.

"What happened!?" I asked, grabbing Russell's arm anxiously.

"Relax. Eric's fine. Doctor said it's a miracle, the bullet bypassed the artery, tearing the muscles. But overall he is doing good."

I signed and felt a major burdened had evaporated into thin air from my shoulders.

"When will he wake up?" I asked, feeling i could breath properly now.

"In couple of few hours. You all should go and rest. I will stay and call you as soon as he wakes up." Russell said, patting me on the shoulder.

"I will stay. You all-"

"Monica. Look at you. You need rest and food in you. Russell is here and Eric's is doing fine so there is nothing to worry about. Eric will scold us if he finds you like this." Ella said, grabbing my arm in hers.

I sighed but agreed to them. I felt like my body will shut down any minute.

Saying our goodbyes to Russell, we walled out of the hospital. My heart still felt heavy, i won't be at peace until i see Eric by myself. We had spend the night in the hospital, i looked at the sky and found daylight breaking through the dark sky.

Letting Lexi drag me into the car, as i was standing outside looking at the hospital, i sat and closed my eyes.

"Wait. Where are we going?" I asked them suddenly realizing that we had no where to go.

"To the our home." Kieth said, pushing his glasses up his nose.

I frowned in confusion.

They had a house in the city? How come i didn't know.

"We all bought a house together in the city, in case of emergency. And look we are going to use it today." Lexi said, with a chuckle.

"Is it safe for us to be in city? What if those gangster's followed us?" I asked, felt my panic rising.

"Hey hey. Chill. The deal is done and they took their money and revenge. So they have no purpose for coming after us. If they do, we know about their whereabouts and have information on them. We could have them leave this place if we hand over those documents to another gang. It will be over for them. We couldn't use this against them before because they had you in their hands and we don't know what could they do to you if we ever did something like that." Owen explained, while driving the car.

My mouth formed o as i was left astonished. Felt my muscles relaxing, i felt sleep pulling me into its depths and i was out within seconds.

"Wake up. Monica." I heard soft voice reach it's way into my ears and gentle shake to my shoulder.

Blinking my eyes, i opened my eyes to find Ella into my line of vision. I froze with the frown on my face, my mind taking me back. I was in the car and now i am in the room. I must have slept.

"Hey." I said, my voice hoarse from dryness. She poured water into the glass and passed me.

Thanking her, i drank it and looked at her. She had a smile on her face and her eyes free of any worry.

"Is he awake?" I asked, my insides feeling excited.

She nodded her head, i felt a smile forming on my lips to which she giggled and hugged me.

"Thank goodness he is fine." She said, pulling back. I nodded my head in agreement.

"Get fresh and come down have breakfast. Then we will go to hospital." She said, patting my hand.

"Wait." I called out as she stood up from the bed.

"Who put me into the bed?" I asked embarrassed and bit my lips.

She chuckled seeing the look on me.

"Ay. It's fine. It was Owen. He didn't complain though." She winked and laughed.

We all know Owen was a flirt and he loved doing harmless flirting with me.

Taking the covers off myself, i went into the bathroom to take shower. Changing my clothes, i brushed my hair and went downstairs, unable to stop myself from smiling in happiness.

Taking a seat beside Owen, i greeted everyone.

"Thank you for yesterday." I whispered lightly to Owen.

He put the bacon on my plate and smiled with a nod.

"Should we pack food for Russell?" I asked them, as i picked up my plates and stood up to wash them.

"We will pick something on the way. It will take time to make something now." Owen- the cook said.

Nodding our heads, agreeing to him. After cleaning the kitchen, we all picked our stuff like jackets and went to leave.

"I will take my car." I said, playing with the car keys.

"I will come with you!" Owen said, rushing to my side and linked his arm with mine.

Making me shake my head and chuckle at his childishness. This was his charm.

Opening the door, i sat inside and put the seatbelt on me. This is the most important step to do when you are to drive a car. But sadly, people don't follow this and fall into accidents.

Ella was walking towards us, making me and Owen frown in confusion as we made eye contact with other, Owen rolled down the window to ask her what happened.

"You will pick the food or should we?" Ella asked, looking at us.

"We will buy it." Owen said, looking at me, i nodded my head.

"Okay!" Ella said, cheerfully and walked back to the car in front of us. Which belonged to Russell.

I started driving first and thought of near by restaurants that were on the way to the hospital.

"May i?" Owen said, his finger pointing at the car's music system.

"Sure." I said, looking at the side mirror before i change my lanes.

He put up songs that were okay with me. Not minding him, i was busy planning my own stuff.

Taking a turn, i parked the car and nudged Owen who was busy on his phone. He looked up realizing, we had stopped at a place and looked around through the window.

"Go and buy food for them." I said, pointing him to move with my eyes.

Pouting, he get out of the car into the cafe. Taking out my phone from my pocket, i found quite some messages. A few from my work place and a few from Uncle. Opening Uncle's messages first knowing it must be of importance, i read them quickly.

He was asking me to swing by his office, he has found some stuff on Leon.

Replying him back with an Okay. I looked into the cafe through it's transparent mirrors to find Owen giving the money. I started the car and waited for him to come quick. Putting the food on the back seats, he came to sit in the front.

"Here." He said, passing me a candy.

I rolled my eyes at him but took it from him and put it into my mouth.

We reached hospital after sometime, pushing the button in the lift, i looked at Owen who held the boxes. I decided to ask him the question which i have been meaning to ask them but keep forgetting.

"Owen. Did you guys notify Eric's mom about his condition?" I asked him, upon hearing my question, he straightened his back and looked at me curious eyes.

I raised my eye brow at him.

"Eric mom's had died a long time ago." He said, as a matter of fact.

I looked at him in shock and confusion.

Why didn't Eric told me about his mom?

Suddenly the memories from the past made their way to my head. How his mom used to make my pony tails and feed me my favorite cookies. Her soft blue eyes always looked at me with love and care. Her presence never made me feel alone, it felt like i have another mother. My mother died a few years after my birth. I never got to have motherly figure in my life but she somehow filled the void.

"Oh. I thought Eric had already told you." He sounded guilty.

"It's okay." I whispered.

I was looking forward to meet her.

I felt my heart heavy with emotions but took a deep breath to calm myself down. I followed Owen towards the room to which Eric was moved into. As we neared the room, i smiled trying to uplift my mood.

Owen opened the door and i heard laughter inside, making me relax. Owen walked in and i bit my lip nervously as i entered the room. I felt eyes on us, but i was unable to look at him.

"Oh you guys are here. We were wondering what took you so long?" Ella said, grabbing the boxes from Owen.

"The cafe was crowded." Owen said as he moved forward and hugged Eric, patting him on the back.

"Why are you standing here? Go." Lexi said, nudging me slightly towards Eric.

I could feel his eyes on me, but the guilty was making it difficult for me to look at him.

"Come on. Let them talk." Lexi said, grabbing Russell's hand and walked out of the room, others followed suit and the room was covered with thick silence.

"Come here." His soft voice made my heart pick its pace.

My feet had a mind of it's own as they moved towards him like they were under a spell. As soon as i was within his reach, his hand grabbed my hand and pulled me towards him. Making me gasp in surprise at his sudden actions and he hissed in pain. I was half on him,my hands on either side of him, my chest touching his, face a few centimeters away from each other and my legs hanging from the bed. My eyes looked at his mischievous blue eyes. I quickly moved away from him, not to hurt him by putting strain on him. I sat beside him on the bed, he was trying to sit, so i helped him to sit on the bed. He grabbed my hand from i could remove it from his back which made me look at him and realized we were sitting side by side on his bed. He gently pulled my by my arm towards him.

"What are-"

His lips silenced mine as they devour them, unfolding another story. His hand came behind my neck, tilting my head to the side for better access. I kissed him, pouring all my hidden emotions into the kiss. We pulled away and breathing heavily. He smiled as he caressed my cheek with his soft fingers.

"I missed you." He whispered, his voice husky from the kiss. Erupting those naughty butterflies.

I blushed and was about to move away, when he hold my arms stopping me from moving away.

"Won't you reply back?" He said, eyes searching mine for answers.

I was like an open book now. Only for him.

"I missed you too." I said, moving back. But kept my hand intertwined with his. I sat on the bed beside him and looked down at our hands.

We sat there in silence. He was waiting for me to speak

"Eric. I didn't know it would turn out like this. I feel-"

"I don't want to listen to your stupid things. Stop blaming yourself. I could see you suffering, but it was not your fault. I should be the one apologizing. It was my mess to deal with not yours. You were dragged into it because of me. You don't have to feel guilty, i took the bullet by my decision. It was not for you, it was for me. So stop beating yourself over this. We all are fine, i am fine. I have you here with me." He said, making me look at him while he spoke.

He meant every word he said. I nodded my head and gave him a small smile. I still felt a bit guilt about all this but the tension had left my body at his words.

He was indeed my tension reliever. My troubles seems to evaporate when i talk it out with him.

Suddenly feeling the need to hug him, i leaned forward and hugged him lightly, not touching his chest. He was sitting on the bed so it was easy for me to do so. He didn't mind and put his uninjured around me.

He laid small kisses under my ear lobe, making me feel loved and good.

I don't want this to end. I don't want any secrets between us. I am ready to give my all to him.

I just hope he doesn't hate me after knowing the truth.

I pulled away and held his hands.

"I wanted to talk about something." I said, looking up at his smiley face.

Now i felt bad for bringing the topic but it had to be dealt with.

He nodded his head, indicating me to go on.

"I asked about your mom from Owen. And he told me she had died." I said, softly. Tightening my hold on his hand.

The smile left his face, he tried to keep it but failed and sighed.

"I didn't tell you because i didn't want your empathy for me. Those s**t sympathetic words." He said, looking down at our hands.

"You can trust me." I said instead. I wanted to know about his mom's death. If i had no history with her, I wouldn't had asked him. But i was curious to know about her death.

"I know." He whispered, caressing my hand.

I waited for him to tell me what happened. He found me waiting for him to tell the story. So he sighed and nodded his head.

"After my dad was killed. We moved to a small town where my grandparents used to live. My mom fell into depression and stress that she one day she fell unconscious. We took her to the hospital thinking something bad happen to her. But it was way worse. We found out she was on second stage of breast cancer. She still had time to live. I was 17 at that time, so i dropped out of college to do job. My grandparents weren't well off, so they couldn't afford her surgeries. We didn't let her know, afraid she might get more sick if she came to know about her condition. We did our best to make her feel happy and relaxed. I was busy working my ass off day and night to earn money for the surgery while at home i used to help her relax. One day, she fell sick and was admitted into the hospital. The doctors demanded urgent surgery but we didn't had enough money to pay for her surgery. I was in desperate need for money, throwing away my self respect and pride, i went to TSB construction to demand my dads money that they confiscated by wrong means. I used to go daily and demanded the money but like always i was kicked out. One day, by chance i get to come face to face with bastard Leon. I literally begged him to give us our money back, so i could get my mom's surgery but he didn't budge. Instead he said we deserve this and left as his guards beat me up. For a few days, i couldn't go to meet my mom at the hospital afraid she might stress herself out because of the visible bruises on my face and arms.

The week later, i reached the hospital with the money for surgery, which my boss at a cafe was kind enough to help me with. But only to find my mom was taking her last breaths. I blame Leon of my mothers and dad's death. My family suffered because of him. My innocent sweet mom.." he choked as tears were falling down his cheeks.

I felt my own eyes swell with tears while rage was burning within me.

"I had nothing to loose thats why i took this path. He had already taken everything from me, what more he could take from me? I won't rest until i have my parent's revenge." He said, anger and hate evident in his voice.

"I am with you." I said but felt like a sinner saying that.

He nodded his head and grabbed glass full of water to drink.

I looked at him, his broken eyes, his broken heart. It was all because of Leon. If i wanted to help him, he needs to know the truth.

"Eric. Do you trust me?" I said, grabbing his hand.

"I trust you that's why you are here with me." He said, patting my cheek gently with his hand.

I felt my heart breaking. Taking a deep breath i let out a shaky breath. He sensed me having trouble breathing and he came to rescue. Making my heart shatter in pain, shaking my head i got from the bed.

"Eric." I said, moving away from him.

He looked confused, his hand still outstretched towards where i was sitting.

"Eric. I am Leon's daughter." Finally the truth was out of my mouth.

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