NOVEL NEXT Look At Me Now
Chapter 38: Look At Me Now
Elsewhere, Stefan Agapov sat in his limousine, a phone pressed to his ear. "Yes, I'm here," he said, his eyes gazing out the window at the town of Narra. His expression was unreadable, a mask of calm that hinted at the storm brewing beneath.
Joy stood at the hospital reception, her brow furrowed with worry. "I need to settle Chris Alcantara's hospital bill. Can you tell me the total?"
The receptionist glanced at the computer screen, then back at Joy with a reassuring smile. "It's been covered. Someone already took care of it."
Joy blinked in surprise. "Who?"
The receptionist shook her head. "I'm sorry, I don't have that information. But everything is paid for."
With a puzzled expression, Joy thanked her and made her way back to Chris's room. As she reached the door, she heard Chris's voice on the phone.
"I love you. Bye."
A pang of jealousy struck her, but she quickly shrugged it off. Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open.
Chris looked up and smiled. "Hey, Joy. Everything okay?"
Joy nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, everything's fine. Just wanted to talk about the fire earlier. How did you manage to get out?"
Chris's expression turned serious as he recounted his experience. "I heard two boys crying for help. The fire had trapped them, and I knew I had to do something. At first, I didn't know how we'd get out. But then... I felt this surge of strength. It was like my soul was fueling my fists."
Joy listened intently, her eyes widening as Chris continued.
"With one blow, I punched a hole through the wall. That must have been the explosion you heard. I grabbed the kids and jumped out, bringing them to their mother. That's when I found you, crying and calling my name."
Joy blushed, embarrassed that Chris had heard her. "I was just... worried about you."
Chris reached out, taking her hand. "I know. And I'm grateful for that."
They sat in silence for a moment, holding each other's hands, a shared understanding passing between them.
Meanwhile, outside the hospital, one of the men in suits from earlier sat on a bench, covertly observing the crowd. He noticed a bald man handing over a sachet of red capsules to a buyer. After the transaction, the bald man walked away, and the suited man followed him discreetly.
The bald man, aware of his pursuer, led him into a dark alley. The suited man, fully aware he was being led into a trap, followed without hesitation.
The bald man stopped, a mocking laugh escaping his lips. "You think you can tail me without me knowing? You must be new to this game."
Suddenly, a group of armed men emerged from the shadows, surrounding the suited man. The bald man sneered. "You're outnumbered and outgunned. This is the end for you."
But the suited man, his expression cold and calculating, moved with lightning speed. He punched the bald man so hard that his teeth flew out and his body crashed into the wall, breaking it. The shock and horror on the faces of the armed men were palpable, but they didn't hesitate to open fire.
Ducking behind a corner, the suited man pulled out a pair of brass knuckles. As the men reloaded, he charged at them with unparalleled ferocity. His fists were a blur, each punch shattering bones and crushing skulls. Blood splattered across the alley as he decimated the group, turning the confrontation into a massacre.
When the dust settled, the suited man stood amidst the carnage, breathing heavily. His suit was stained with blood, but his expression remained stoic. He pulled out his phone and made a call.
"Pick me up," he said, his voice calm and composed.
As he stepped out of the alley, the bodies of the fallen lay in grotesque positions, the echoes of violence lingering in the air. The suited man walked away, his presence as haunting as the scene he left behind.
To be continued....