The Devilish Assassin Meets The Angelic Detective

Elle was supposed to go straight to Dr. Clara's Clinic however, on their way they received a call coming from Brother Yu that Charles would be transferred to a much bigger hospital for his operation.

He informed Elle on the phone that after reading the X-ray and CT scan result, Dr. Clara found out that Charles had several broken ribs that needed to have surgical treatment.

After the thirty minutes drive, Elle and Lu arrived at the hospital where Charles was brought by Dr. Clara and Brother Yu. Upon entering the hospital, Elle rushed to the location of Dr. Clara and Brother Yu wherein they were waiting for them.

Elle saw Dr. Clara sitting on the bench in the waiting area just outside the operating room. Dr. Clara stood up quickly when she saw Elle running in her direction.

"How is he?" Elle promptly asked her. Worries were visible to her eyes.

Dr. Clara held her shoulder as she gave her a gentle smile.

"Don't worry too much. He is not in critical condition now. Fortunately, there is no internal bleeding. In this operation, the doctor will use Titanium to stabilize his fractured ribs in their correct location." Dr. Clara explained to Elle as she assured her that Charles would be alright.

Elle felt relieved after hearing that. However, her heart was still racing from nervousness.

Brother Yu and Lu were just silently standing on the sides. They were waiting for Elle's command. When she noticed their presence, she turned to face them. 

Both men slightly bowed their heads as they greeted her politely. Elle nodded as she acknowledged them.

"Thank you for tonight. You've done your job very well." Elle commended them as she gave them a grateful look.

"No need to thank us, Lady Boss. It's a great pleasure to be able to help and assist you." The person who spoke up was Yu.

"Then, can I ask you another favor?" Elle said.

"Of course yes Lady Boss!" Lu said enthusiastically. There was a hint of excitement in his eyes as he looked at her expectantly.

Brother Yu frowned as he gave Lu a warning look. He didn't expect him to interrupt their conversation but Lu was not able to stop himself from doing it. He was really happy in providing support to their Lady Boss.

They seldom saw her but they heard a lot of things about her. She was very capable- a smart and strong woman: strikingly beautiful also. That's why he couldn't blame Lu for acting like this in front of them. He idolized their lady Boss.

Elle let out a soft chuckle when she saw Yu's expression. He looked like he wanted to scold and hit Lu but he was just controlling himself from doing that since they were still in the front of their Lady Boss.

"Alright. I just want to ask your help for a while to manage the Falcon Cafe while we are not around. We have a certain staff named Elena. She will come to the Cafe this morning for work. I am afraid that she will worry if she won't see us. Please cover up for our absence in the meantime."

"Ok Lady Boss. Just leave this matter to us. I know what to do." Yu said to her calmly.

"Thanks. You can now leave and take your rest," she said as she dismissed them. The two men gladly complied as they bade their farewell to her.

"Come, let's treat your wound first." Dr. Clara said to Elle when the two men already left them.

Lu informed brother Yu that she was also injured that's why Dr. Clara knew about it. Fortunately, the bullet didn't pierce her hand. It was just a graze near her thumb. Dr. Clara cleaned her wound before she stitched it.

While treating her, Dr. Clara talked to her regarding Charles's condition.

"The wound in his body will surely become scar later on. There are deeper cuts wound on his chest and abdomen. At his back, I saw linear marks. I think those are results from a blow by using a cane stick. He also had a lot of bruises and abrasions on his face and several parts of his body. He suffered a lot."

Elle just remained silent as she listened to her.

"Aside from broken ribs, he also got broken bones in his right upper arm and shoulder, but don't worry, his arm just needs to be immobilized using a sling. It will heal eventually. But since he is right-handed he will surely experience some inconvenience. So we need to assist him and take good care of him."

"I understand. I will do it," she said as a tinge of guilt flashed in her eyes.

"I will not ask you about what happened if you are not ready to talk about it. I know, you are blaming yourself right now. But don't be harsh to yourself. I think Charles will never blame you. So cheer up, my dear." Dr. Clara was giving her words of comfort.

Elle just gave her a timid smile as she nodded at her. A lot of things happened in just one night. She didn't know what she should feel right now. 

Charles was beaten badly and James had discovered her identity and the worst case was Erick saw her in that situation and she was also shot by him. From his expression, she could tell that Erick already knew that she was Catseye.

'Erick… what should I do? Now that you know the truth, how can I face you?'

She didn't have enough courage to have a confrontation with Erick as of this moment that's why she ran away. She was really afraid and she felt helpless. 

She was pulled out of her deep thoughts when she heard Dr. Clara's voice.

"Done. Your wound will heal in a week. Refrain from soaking it to the water. Now, let's go back to the waiting area. I think Charles's operation is about to finish."

After an hour and a half, Charles's surgery was finally done. They moved him to the hospital ward. Elle asked Dr. Clara to rest while she would be the one to watch over Charles.

Elle grabbed the left hand of Charles as she looked at him. The sadness and pain were reflected in her dark eyes.

"Hey, partner. I didn't know why is it, every time I give you a dangerous glare you always cower in fear. I thought you are a coward but why is it, suddenly you became so brave? Even facing a near-death situation and suffering too much, you didn't give in to them. Are you really brave or just an idiot?" Elle chuckled with bitterness in her heart.

"Don't worry. When you wake up, I will be good to you. I will stop bullying you if that's what you want. So please, you must recover well, alright?" Her tears started to burn her eyes.

"Hey… do you still remember our agreement before when we had a confrontation about my relationship with Erick? We told each other that if ever I end up hurt, you will be there to comfort me, right?" 

"I think I need that now. I am hurting so bad right now. Here." Elle brought her free hand to her chest.

"It hurts so much more than being hit by a bullet," Elle mumbled with her hoarse voice.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, Erick just kept on driving without a certain destination, roaming around the whole city Z. He was trying his luck to spot Elle. He knew it was impossible but he kept on doing it like a fool. He just stopped when his car ran out of gas.

He felt like he was losing his mind every minute passed without seeing Elle. He was hoping, praying to see her but to his disappointment, Elle was nowhere to be seen.

The sun already rose in the east, but Erick was still in the middle of City Z. He was just staring blankly in the road as he remained seated inside his car.

He really felt empty. He didn't want to return home knowing that he wouldn't see Elle in there. But nothing he could do as of this moment. He couldn't find her. He even went to Falcon Cafe, Charles's house, and her ruined hideout before.

"Elle, where are you?" he mumbled as he buried his face on his hands while leaning over the steering wheel.

Leaving him with no choice, Erick just went back home. He felt so horrible. He slumped his body on the bed, feeling so limp and weak. Stress and fatigue were evident to his face.

He closed his eyes as he savored the remnant of memories he and Elle had shared in that room. He could still smell her sweet scent but her warmth was already gone.

Then the ringing sound of the doorbell reverberated in the house. It rang several times before Erick's attention was caught. He opened his eyes, stood up, and immediately ran towards the door, desperately hoping that the person outside was Elle.

But adding more to his disappointments, it was not Elle, instead, the person standing before him was Bryan.

Bryan was a little bit surprised to see Erick's appearance. He was not looking well. His eyes were swollen and red due to a lack of sleep and crying. Black circles were also visible underneath his eyes. He looked so haggard while emanating a gloomy aura around him.

"Hey… what's wrong with you?" Bryan asked him but Erick just kept quiet.

"Where's Elle?" he added.

Erick's heart tightened again after hearing Elle's name. 'I wish I also know where she is right now.'

Oblivious of the situation, Bryan spoke up again that made Erick somehow feel a little ray of hope in this darkest moment when he heard his statement.

"Did Elle go somewhere? She asked me to check on you that's why I am here."