CHAPTER 112: CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWELVE: PIPER IS WATCHING

Kendrick’s POV

Mason was already waiting before I got there, he looked extremely anxious and I guessed that Evans must have briefed him.

"I have been going easy on her because she is your mother!" he said angrily.

I sat down calmly and poured myself a glass of whiskey and took a sip before looking at him.

"You don’t need to be mindful of my relationship with her, do as you please" I said with a serious tone.

"Did you do anything to her? Why is she suddenly hellbent on hurting Christy, even gathering everyone that wants to hurt her" he asked me with a frown.

I gave him a brief summary of what happened recently, how Lauretta’s son died and her husband filing for a divorce.

"So she is putting the blame on you, despite being the one that refused to save him with her own money?" he asked with a confused expression.

"She is one hell of a crazy woman," he added with a disgusted expression.

"What’s your plan now?" he asked with a serious tone and I just stared at my glass.

I initially predicted that Lauretta would save her son when she didn’t get the money she was after but now, I guess I had underestimated her level of cruelty.

"You don’t have a plan?" he frowned when I didn’t say anything.

"She called Mark, so I think they are plotting something, Piper is also staying at Mark’s place" I observed his expression as I slowly twirl my glass.

I knew he regrets ever setting Piper free but there is no medicine for regret.

"The best thing to do now is to keep our eyes on Mark and the others, monitor every of their moves" I suggested and he nodded.

"I will appoint some of my people to watch them and I will also increase the security around Christy" he said before getting up to leave.

"I saw your most outstanding student in the school, he seems to be in the same class as Christy" I said when I remembered the Tattooed guy that had taken her away the last time.

"Don’t think too much, I just want him to do what he is passionate about and he chose to be a professional chef" he said with a defensive attitude.

I walked up to him and observed his expression. He is someone that I have known for ages and I can easily see through him.

"Mason, for the sake of our friendship, stop trying to meddle in my affairs" I warned with a smile and he smirked.

"Anything that involves my sister is my business. I want her to move on and forget every unpleasant memory. Dexter is a good guy, he is very mature and patient, these are the attributes that you lack" he turned around and walked away after he was done talking.

I watched his back with a mixture of emotions, wondering when our relationship became so cold and distant.

I remember we were willing to do anything for each other before but now, we only disagree on everything.

"Boss, you have an important meeting in an hour." Evans’ voice interrupted my thoughts and I turned to look at him.

"Was I really that bad for her?" he looked stunned by the sudden question.

"No Boss, you were very nice to Miss Christy, it was just that she is young and probably expected you to be more romantic like most boyfriends" he said quickly and he immediately panicked when he saw that I was frowning.

She is young?

Am I old?

"We are only eight years apart, am I old?" I said angrily.

"No... No.. No.. Boss, I meant you were old fashioned" he quickly explained but it still didn’t make me feel any better.

"You didn’t give her gifts, go on romantic dates, buy her flowers.... ThThings like this make girls feel special and loved by their partners" he added and I tried to recall if I had done any of the things he mentioned.

I sighed and emptied my glass in one gulp. There was no memory of such ever happening.

Was that the reason why she suddenly lost feelings for me?

"Let’s go" I said to him as I walked back to the car.

*****

Christy’s POV

It’s been two days since my encounter with Kendrick, surprisingly I didn’t cry or feel sad.

I was just okay but I still couldn’t bring myself to hate him and he seemed to be going through a lot as he looked thinner than I remember.

"You have been staring at that salad for almost twenty minutes now, is it that beautiful?" Dexter’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts and I laughed.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked while observing my expression.

I started eating my salad to avoid answering him and he got the memo as well and didn’t ask anymore questions.

There was a sudden rush of footsteps and I turned around to see Mira and Celine rushing over.

"Christy, have you heard about what happened to Ashton?" Celine asked as soon as she sat down.

My chest immediately tightened and I hoped it wasn’t what I had predicted.

"My cousin works at the Michaelsons house, she saw him being flogged mercilessly by some soldiers and his stepmother poured alcohol on his injuries, then they left him for hours until his father secretly rushed him to the hospital" she explained anxiously.

Clang!

My fork fell out of my hand as I imagined the scene of what she just said.

I had a feeling that something was wrong when he didn’t come to school for the past two days.

He had told me that he doesn’t miss school as it was his only escape from that hellhole.

"Look at her smiling and acting like nothing happened...I wonder how dark her heart must be" Mira said angrily while glaring at Emily who was giggling with her lackeys.

"Ignore her" I said but my mind was still occupied with what happened to Ashton.

"You don’t know what she has been saying, that’s why you are so calm" Celine said through gritted teeth.

I raised a brow for her to continue and she glared at Emily.

"She is spreading rumors that Kendrick is interested in her and he even got Ashton punished for going against her. She says it’s a matter of time before they get engaged" Mira immediately burst into laughter when she heard what Celine said.

"Does she think that Kendrick is blind? Oh please, let’s ignore that clout chaser" she said with a disgusted expression.

None of Emily’s rumors were my business, the only thing I got from everything Celine said, is the fact that Kendrick had a hand in what happened to Ashton.

He must have been offended the other day and took it out on Ashton.

He has always been a petty person.

"You still have a class to attend right?" I asked Mira and she nodded.

The fashion design department students always leave the school late.

"Okay, I will go visit Ashton first...Celine, do you know which hospital?" I stood up and packed my stuff.

"The military hospital, it’s not far from here but I don’t think you would be able to get in. They are very strict" she said with a worried tone.

"I know someone there and...."

"I will go with you" Dexter interrupted me and before I could react, he was already standing beside me.

"Be careful sis, I will see you later" Mira said as I turned to leave.

As soon as we walked out of the school gates, my body immediately became tense as I felt a hot gaze on my back.

"Don’t look back, just act like you don’t know... Remember what I taught you yesterday" Dexter said with a serious tone and I immediately took a deep breath.

I have noticed that someone has been watching me for days now and yesterday I finally confirmed who the person is with Dexter’s help.

Everything that has been happening recently made me lower my guard against Piper.

"I need you to be strong, that’s why you need to train" he said and I nodded.

Mason has agreed for me to learn how to fight, at least to defend myself when the situation arises.

Dexter is his student that he trusts, so he appointed him to be my bodyguard along with his studies.

"She seems to be getting desperate as she no longer hides like before" he informed me.

"That means she would be attacking anytime soon, so I will move to an apartment in the same building as yours to easily protect you" he added before handing me a helmet.

I was confused as I stared at it but a few minutes later, he stopped beside a bike.

A few minutes later, we arrived at the hospital and I gave Jasper a call, so he could pick us up.

"Thank you" I smiled at him and he nodded with a polite smile.

He led us to Ashton’s room before leaving.

"Why was he acting weird?" Dexter frowned after he left.

"Something happened before, so it is kind of awkward every time we meet," I gave him a vague reply.

"You have so many men who are crazy about you," he teased.

"Be careful not to fall for me" I smirked before raising my hand to open the door.

"You better find a way to apologize to Mr Black and beg him to reconsider our proposal or else I will send you to hell to be with your dead mother!"