The CEO's Fated Mute Lover

7 Cousin’s Fight

Rose

"Mr. Jason" A guard approached Jason as he ran into the cemetery, "Your cousin is here” I heard him say as we approached them.

A vicious smile played across Jason's lips, "You can bring our men to give him a warm welcome now."

Nolan and I were stopped halfway on our way to the tomb. We were approached by a couple of strong men. One of them snatched Nolan’s walking stick away and broke it into pieces against a rock.

"My dear cousin, I remember I didn't invite you to the funeral." Jason laughed. The rain suddenly got heavier. I couldn't hold the umbrella against the strong wind. The black umbrella was damaged by a gust of cold air.

“This is my grandfather’s funeral. You have no right to stop me” Nolan said through gritted teeth.

"Just get out of here! Don't make a fool of yourself." The rest were howling with laughter as I struggled to pull the umbrella back. The cold rain seeped in and drenched our clothes. I held Nolan’s hand. It was icy cold. I turned to look at his face. Trickles of rain ran from his brow to his thin lips. But he seemed unbothered and as still as a statue.

Nolan could be quite intimidating when he isn’t talking or smiling. All the on-lookers fell silent unconsciously. Nolan Hendrix used to be the most powerful man in the city. He still is. Even though he is blind now, he still had a certain vibe about him. Jason dusted the hem of his black coat before he approached Nolan.

“Your presence won’t make a difference here. The old man is dead now you have no one to turn to”

“I’m warning you Jason. Don’t test my patience” Nolan uttered through gritted teeth. I could feel it. He was holding himself back.

"What are you guys so afraid of? A blind tiger is not a tiger anymore. It's just a kitten."

"I’m staying calm because I’ve not said goodbye to grandfather yet" Nolan said calmly as his eyes stared into emptiness.

"Well, you can't really see, can you?" Jason let out a sickening smile before he folded his arms across his chest

"You're my cousin and Grandpa's grandson. Even if you're disabled now, I will still treat you as a Hendrix. Because I am a bigger person." Jason stretched out his hand and dusted off the droplets of rain on Nolan’s broad shoulder.

“You know my offer is always open. As long as you give that thing to me, you can stand before that tomb and mourn that old man. No one will stand in your way. You know…"

"Jason," Nolan cut his cousin off as he turned those dull eyes to Jason, "You don't deserve to have that thing."

With that, he peeled Jason's hand off his shoulder. Jason shrilled in pain as he shouted at his guards, "Get this bastard! What are you waiting for?"

I marched forward to protect Nolan but was pushed away, falling hard against the muddy ground. Nolan was also struggling in the mud. He couldn't fight back as all of Jason's men rushed to him and pressed him down on the ground. One of them punched him in the face, then his head. The other man took a shovel, smashing at his back.

I was kicking and lashing out as I was held back by Jason's guards. I wish I would be able to shout for help. But nothing came out of my mouth.

"Where is the old man's stamp?" Jason yanked Nolan’s collar as he gritted out against his ear.

"You know I will leave you in peace if you give it to me Nolan." Nolan’s forehead was bruised , trickles of blood running down from his face getting washed away by the rain.

I finally struggled my way out. I covered Nolan’s body with my own as a guard lifted the shovel at us. Jason sighed as he stood up and covered his nose with a handkerchief, turning his face away. "You know I can't bear the scene whenever you guys hit a beautiful woman”

The iron shovel landed on my back. A grunt left my lips as I collapsed.

“Ariana?”

“Can you hear me?” I could hear Nolan high pitch as he tried to touch me, but too bad he couldn't see a thing. He could only feel my body slip into the mud as I slowly began drifting away. Nolan held my hand tightly. “At least make a sound so that I will know you’re with me”

“Arianna. Please be with me”

"Nolan if grandpa sees his beloved grandson was beaten like this, he would be so sad. So just give me the stamp!"Jason snorted.

I fell into a deep slumber. The rest of the words invisible to my ears.

**

My eyes fluttered open to a familiar room. I felt a sharp pain on my back making me to let out a wince. “She’s awake Master” Leah said beside me. That was when my eyes traveled to Nolan that rushed his way toward the bed. His head was wrapped with a bandage. How he must have felt when they hit his head.

“I can understand your sign language. You can talk to me” Leah said which surprisingly took me off guard. At the same time, I felt some inner peace knowing that someone understands my sign language.

I imitated a sign language pointing to Nolan and my head. “Master she’s asking whether you’re alright”

Nolan took a hold of my hand which occupied me with his warmth. “Yes I’m fine honey. How are you feeling? Hope you’re not in pain? We can call the doc-” I was quick in cutting him off by using the sign language to Leah.

“She said she’s fine Master. You should take a rest”

“I’ve rested already. You should take more rest. I might go back to the cemetery. I’ve not said goodbye to grandfather yet”

Bitterness settled inside me. If only I didn’t interfere. I know he was busy with my situation that he didn’t get the time to talk to his grandfather for the last time.

“I will make sure Jason wouldn’t think about coming close to you. I will protect you. It doesn’t matter whether I’m powerless at the moment but he won’t get what he want” I don’t know how he will do it but I trust him. I know he will not allow any harm to come to me.

What about Ariana? Some part of me ushered. He is doing all this because he thinks you’re Ariana. A sigh found its way out of me. “Can you prepare some soup for her. It will help her before taking the medications”

Talking about medication. I still have some herbs to prepare. I want to use the Chinese treatment on him but have no idea how to. He will definitely ask me what it is for.

A smile found its way out of me thinking about how to tackle the situation. I can use his bandaged wound as excuse. I signaled Leah to help me to the kitchen.

“Where are you going? Leah will bring the food here” I gave a sign to her not to mention anything to him. “She wants to stroll around so that her back won’t be stiff”

I gave her a thumbs up. She sure have a smart brain. “Alright then. Make sure she take her medications. I will be on my way. See you later honey” He marched forward and placed a light kiss on my forehead before we embark out. He left for the cemetery while Leah and I sauntered to the kitchen.

As soon as we stepped inside the kitchen, I released a sigh of relief. Thank God Nolan didn't notice anything. I turned to Leah with a smile. "You don't have to thank me. Feel free to communicate with me. By the way you don't have to cook. I will make something quick for you" With the way she helped me, I feel like I can tell her about my plan. Maybe she will be of help to me.

I signaled her to get me a pen and paper. It will be better to write it down. "Give me a minute" With that, she went out of the kitchen. I used the time to scan the surrounding. I took out the medicinal stuffs from one of the drawers.

"Here- What's that?" Leah questioned her eyes going to the herbs laid on the table counter. I said nothing instead grabbed the pen and notebook from her head and began scribbling down. I handed it to her. At first, her brows creased in confusion before calmness occupied it.

"So you're a doctor?" She break the silence folding the paper and slipped it inside her apron pocket. I nodded my head in answer.

"Wow. That's actually nice. So are sure you can treat Master using this natural herbs and Chinese techniques?" I nodded again. Her eyes traveled to the herbs back to me.

"I don't really hate Master. Master is good person. If he recovers he will get his power back. I don't want Jason to take over this household" A smile found its way out of me.

I write down and turned the notebook over to her. She has nothing to worry about. I promise to do everything in my power to treat him. "Alright then. What do you need me to do for you"