Chapter 21: Argument

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

It was cold when we got back to New York.

Ravi went to work after he sent me home. He didn’t return all night.

In the morning, I drank a cup of coffee and ate a piece of toast, then went to school. After returning from vacation, I felt much more relaxed. Although I still had scars on my body, I was no longer afraid.

‘As I walked down the long hallway leading to the classroom with a textbook in my arms, I felt like everyone around me seemed to be deliberately avoiding me. Was I being too sensitive? I turned a corner and met Emma.
“Hi, Irina. Where have you been the past two days?”

“Lwasn’t feeling well, so I rested at home for two days.”

“L understand. How are you now? Do you feel better?”

“Yes. As soon as I saw you, I felt better.” I smiled at this cute girl beside me. When everyone distanced themselves from me, only she was still with me and willing to be my friend. “How are you? Are your injuries healed?”
“My injury wasn’t serious to begin with. I felt happy when I saw that they were all punished. Oh, right, why wasn’t Suzy in the picture?”

I shrugged and gave her a look that said, “I don’t know.”

We reached the classroom and the other students came in. The professor walked in with a tablet and started the day’s class.

After class, Emma and I headed to the canteen. A boy blocked our way.
“are you Irina?” he asked bluntly.

“Lam. Who are you?”

“I’m Suzy’s brother, Stephen.”

“What do you want?”

“Hand my sister over.”

“[ don’t know what you mean.”

“Stop pretending. All the girls present that day were kidnapped by your people, except Suzy.”

“I don’t know where she is.” I pulled Emma along as I prepared to leave.

Stephen grabbed my arm. “The police have already filed a case for investigation. You can’t escape. Come with me to the police station.” My arm was grabbed tightly by him. I tried to break free but couldn’t.
Emma moved to block Stephen, but he shoved her away and Emma fell to the ground.

“How can you treat girls like that?!” I was furious. I couldn’t stand him treating my only friend so rudely.

“How did you guys treat my sister? She’s still missing!” His expression was fierce as he dragged me forward.

At that moment, a man in black appeared in front of us. He was tall and had dark brown hair. His sunglasses blocked his eyes, but he seemed familiar. I felt like I had seen him somewhere. This man didn’t say anything, Just as he stopped in front of us, he used one hand to twist Stephen’s other arm behind
his back and kicked him in the knee. Stephen fell to his knees in pain.

After subduing Stephen, he walked toward me. He had one hand in the pocket of his shirt, as if he was going to take out something. I immediately realized that it was a gun. I quickly pulled Emma and ran towards the crowd.
“Ravi wants to talk to you,” the man said loudly.

I stopped and looked back at him. Now, he was holding the phone that he had just pulled out. I heard Ravi’s voice on the other end of the line.

“Irina,” Ravi said.

I walked over awkwardly and took the phone.

“Ravi.”

“You went to school?”

“Yes.”

“Go home. Let Daniel take you home.”

“Daniel?”

“Yes. From today onwards, he’s in charge of your safety. I’ll go back early to accompany you tonight.”

“Okay.” I hung up and returned the phone to Daniel. “Thanks for saving me earlier.”

“My pleasure.”

At that moment, I saw Stephen get up from the ground and walk toward Daniel with a large rock. Before I could warn Daniel, he quickly dodged, as if he had eyes on the back of his head, then backhanded Stephen with a shoulder throw. Stephen was slammed to the ground and screamed in pain.
“Where the hell did you take my sister? I’ve already called the police. You’ll all go to jail!!”

“Tm afraid I’ll have to disappoint you.” Daniel gave him a disdainful look.

I sat in the living room with my beloved piano. I felt conflicted. Too much had happened recently. Why would my mom want to go back and where was Suzy? I had no idea. I just hoped that playing the piano would calm me.
1 felt two large hands on my shoulders. I knew it was Ravi. He was standing behind me with both hands on my face. I tilted my head back to look at him. He kissed my forehead.

“You look so beautiful when you play the piano, Irina.”

“Thanks.” I hesitated, but in the end, I opened my mouth to ask him. “I have something I want to ask you.”

“I you want to ask about Suzy, I don’t want to answer.”

“Ravi, where is she?” He let go and turned to leave. I immediately stood up and chased after him, then stood in front of him. “You must know, right? You’re the one who locked her up, aren’t you? What did you do to her?”
“It’s none of your business.”

“Ravi, let her go. Her brother is worried about her.”

“My job has never been to help others.”

“Locking her up for the past few days is enough punishment for her.”

“I’s not enough,” Ravi said coldly. I could see the anger in his eyes.

“What did you do to her?”

“Don’t ask anymore.”

“You killed her?”

Ravi looked at me, but I couldn’t read the emotions in his eyes. He had always been good at hiding his emotions. He didn’t admit it, nor did he deny it. He walked past me with an impassive expression.

“You killed her, didn’t you?”

“Yes,” Ravi said through gritted teeth. I could tell he was trying to control his emotions. “She deserved it.”

“No, Ravi.” I shook my head in disbelief. “She went overboard, but she didn’t deserve to die!”

“Anyone who hurts you has to die.” He lowered his voice and said word by word. Every word sent a chill down my spine. Ravi walked up the stairs and left me alone in the living room..