Chapter 14: Note
1269 Words
“Ahh The man of the hour himself!” Dave said sarcastically
“I suggest you treat the Japanese chairman with a bit more respect!” Ena said
“Why? You are on my territory, uninvited may I just add, bring all sorts of unwanted attention that is hurting my friends” Dave said
“Zoe is no longer your concern” Akihko said squaring up to him.
“You don’t get it do you? Zoe is running away from..” Dave started to say but stopped.
“Who? Who is she running away from?” Akihko demanded.
“You are meddling in things you don’t understand. She been beaten up once because of you, how many more times do you want to put her in danger?” Dave demanded.
“What? It wasn’t a robbery?” Akihko said
“No it was mercenaries looking for us. She didn’t say anything and got a beating for her loyalty” Ena said quickly in Japanese.
Akihko sucked in his breath and walked to Zoe’s bedside. The bruising on her body was starting to come up. Akihko started to stroke her hair, trying to control the rage building inside of him.
“She is not Alannah and never will be, so leave her the f**k alone! I will definitely won’t let you brand her like you did her!” Dave suddenly exploded.
Akihko lost it at this point, he turned and grabbed Dave by the neck pinning him to the wall.
“Now you listen to me, I don’t care who the f**k you are, but you will never tell me what to do! You will also never compare Zoe to Alannah again or I will personally rip out your tongue. Understand? Akihko said with cold eyes.
“I didn’t tell them anything” Zoe mumbled and Ena went over to her.
“We know sweetheart, we know” Ena said comfortingly. Ena then glared at the two men in a way that roughly translated as take it the f**k outside.
Both men nodded and went outside in the car park.
“Who are you? You seem to know a lot about the syndicate world!” Akihko demanded as Dave took out a cigarette and started to smoke it.
“A friend to Zoe, that is all that matters right now” Dave said
“I am her friend too!” Akihko snapped
“Friend? Come off it, I have seen the way you two look at each other and I heard what you have been up too. The big question is, do you love Zoe or is she just an amusement to you?” Dave asked
Akihko was taken back by the question, did he love her? They only met a few days ago and yet he felt protective over her. There was definitely chemistry, but love? It was completely different from what he felt with Alannah and he wanted her to be his Empress!
“Thought as much!” Dave said sadly studying the look on Akihiko’s face.
“It is complicated” Akihko admitted, though the words sounded pathetic even in his ears.
“She’s not a high enough standing for you is she chairman? Certainly not an Evans or a Anderson!” Dave said bitterly.
“Like that matters!” Akihko snapped
“Doesn’t it? Your reputation is in tatters and a good way to make that up is by marriage” Dave said
“No, it is not like that!” Akihiko said
“She deserves so much better then you! Someone who worship the grounds she walks upon. Instead she has someone who can’t even admit he loves her! What exactly is she to you? A mistress or a friend with benefits? If it is not serious, then you should break up now before she falls any deeper in love with you. It is not fair Akihiko and you know it!” Dave said honestly.
Akihiko said nothing, Dave was right. His Syndicate would never accept a waitress as their Empress. With Alannah he had a chance because of her fighting reputation, but not Zoe. Was Zoe just in fact a holiday romance that needed to come to an end? Akihiko thought
“I am going for a walk” Dave said as he walked off to find a coffee. Akihiko walked back to Zoe’s room with a heavy heart.
“What is wrong?” Ena asked frowning.
“Do you have a pen?” Akihiko asked with a sigh. He prayed to the Gods he was not make the biggest mistake of his life.
A few hours past an Zoe woke up groggy, She looked round and saw Dave sat in the chair playing on his phone.
“Dave?” Zoe said weakly.
“Zoe you are awake! How are you feeling?” Dave said
“Better, where is Akihiko and Ena?” Zoe said.
“I am so sorry Zoe, they left and Akihiko told me to give you this note” Dave said
“They left and there is a Note?” Zoe said confused as she sat up.
Dave said nothing as he handed her a folded bit of white paper. She opened it and read the contents.
Dear Zoe,
I want to say thank you for the fantastic time you have given me over the last few weeks, it has been a most welcome distraction from monotonous Island life. But, after putting things in perspective, I have come to the conclusion that the relationship was nothing more then a bit of fun.
There is or never can be any sort of future for us. I am sorry if I led you to believe that there was, but to be fair I never said I loved your or talked about our future. You must understand that someone of my standing, could never, ever be with a waitress.
I hope you come to view this time with fondness as I will. Until then I wish you every luck in your future endeavours.
Kind Regards,
Akihiko
Zoe reread it a dozen times trying to find any hint of hope. But the “I could never, ever be with a waitress” summed up the situation as much as it stung!
“Zoe?” Dave said. Zoe heard his voice through the pool of pain that was welling up inside her.
“I was just a bit of fun! I should have listened to you! I am so sorry!” Zoe said still in shock. Tears filled her eyes and rolled down her face as she felt her heart break into a million pieces!
“ How could I be so stupid to trust him?” She thought as she started to cry. It was so unfair, she had done nothing wrong and yet he treated her like this! How dare he!
“Hey Zoe, it is Ok. We get through this together like we always do. You are better off without him, trust me. You know there is always a job for you at the Bar, full time” Dave said fully expecting her to say no.
“Yes Dave, that would be nice. I don’t want to go back to the Diner” Zoe said
“OK, well rest now. I be here when you wake up” Dave said
“Thanks” Zoe said closing her eyes and hoping this was all a nightmare.
- Writer
