Chapter 197: TWO SHADES OF ATTICUS

"You should be more careful with your hand next time. Hopefully, there isn’t a next time," Ace said, as he escorted Grant out of the City hope hospital.

The short man had tried to come out of his hiding spot, and somehow managed to slash his hand through a broken bottle someone had carelessly tossed to the ground, in the process.

"Thank you, sir Ace."

Ace was about to respond, when an emergency ambulance arrived, and a patient was carried out.

But instead of going through the entrance, the stretcher was carried behind the hospital.

The City hope hospital to some was one of the most elite hospitals in the country.

Only the rich could most times afford their services.

He could already tell whoever that patient was, had to be someone that didn’t want the world to know about their emergency.

Throwing his face to the side, he walked to his car, blind to Seth Luxe’s car being driven to the back of the hospital.

"Thank you for bringing me to the hospital, sir Ace. I have to return now to the bar. My passenger is waiting for me."

"Get in Grant," he ordered, sliding into the driver’s seat.

With shaky hands, Grant opened the front seat, and sat down too.

He had not seen Ace in four years. The boss hadn’t changed all that much. He was still as handsome as ever, and with what he had just seen, as equally kind.

"I don’t want to stress you anymore."

"Put on your seatbelt. As for your car, call someone else to drive it to wherever it’s supposed to be tonight. The doctor said not to do anything strenuous with your hand, for now."

He nodded, and wore the seat belt around his body.

As the car moved, his heart pounded loudly in his ears.

He had not exactly said goodbye to Ace when they parted four years ago.

His head told him that Ace wasn’t just going to help him to the end, without asking questions.

He braced himself for the response he was prepared to give. They were all long overdue.

"Where’s your address? I know you don’t live in your former apartment anymore."

Grant shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Ace was acting like they had separated on good terms.

He was a little too chill for his liking. He would have much preferred for him to drive somewhere discrete, and beat him to a pulp.

After all, he had orchestrated the biggest betrayal to someone he was supposed to be most loyal to.

"Grant?" Ace called when he didn’t get a response.

"You can drop me anywhere. I’ll just take a taxi home. You’ve done enough for me, sir Ace."

"Nonsense! If I stop wherever, I have a feeling you’ll go back to pick up your car. I know how stubborn you can be, Grant."

Grant clasped his chest in a firm grip, as he felt his lungs ready to explode.

Why was he being so nice? Was there an ulterior motive? He questioned himself.

"Hey man, are you alright?"

"To be honest, sir Ace, no I’m not. I’m not alright," he said, and burst into tears.

Ace frowned, as he looked at him through the corner of his eyes.

"What’s bugging you?" He asked.

"You’re acting way too calm, sir Ace. You’re being so nice. You drove me to the hospital, and even paid for my treatment. Now you’re driving me back. I don’t deserve any of your kindness, sir Ace!" He wailed uncontrollably.

"Why do you think you don’t deserve my kindness? You were once my most trusted employee."

"I know, and that’s why I deserve to be punished. Or at least, ask me any question on your mind. I’m ready to answer."

He raised his head, straightened his posture, and began wiping the tears off his face.

"I don’t want to ask you any question, Grant. Whatever question I had has already been answered. I helped you like I would help anyone else in your state. And for old times sake too. You don’t have to see it as a favor that needs to be repaid, alright?"

"But I can’t do that, sir. I can’t just forget. I still have nightmares. Everything’s still fresh in my mind. I want to tell you the truth. Allow me tell you the truth, sir Ace."

Ace stopped the car abruptly, causing them to jerk forward, and backward.

"Sir Ace, is everything okay?" Grant asked in shock, as his body trembled.

"You’re right. You should call a taxi to take you home."

"Sir—"

He opened the door, and gestured for him to step out.

Grant saw there was no use in insisting he listened. He really did look like he was satisfied with whatever answer he was manipulated into believing before.

"Sir Ace—"

"Just leave," Ace interrupted.

He nodded. "Thank you for everything you did for me, tonight. I hope someday, I’ll be able to repay your kindness with the truth."

He stepped out of the car, and bowed his head in honor.

"Take care of yourself, Grant," Ace said, and drove away.

Grant watched the car, until he couldn’t see it anymore.

A single tear rolled down from his eyes. He blamed himself for not fighting harder before. For not believing that Ace was capable of protecting him.

If he had just said the truth, perhaps, the last four years of all their lives would be way better.

He called for a cab, and waited for it to arrive. If he couldn’t repay Ace, then the least he could do was heed to his advice.

The cab dropped him off in front of his house, and he came down.

His family had long left the country, so he wasn’t worried about anything else.

If he died right now, it would be with the knowledge that the people he loved were very much protected.

After paying for the cab, he walked to his house.

He had to downgrade when he stopped working at Spades.

His family had found it hard to adjust at first, but with time, they accepted the fact he didn’t work for a big shot company anymore.

With that understanding, they began to cut their coats according to their sizes.

However, being as industrious as he was, he was able to make enough to send them away to a safer place.

He dug into his pockets for his house key. Retrieving it, he pushed it in the keyhole.

His brow slanted, when the door opened even before he could turn the keys.

"Did I forget to lock the door when I was leaving?" He questioned himself, as he walked into the room.

The lights were off, but his heart wouldn’t stop pounding.

Carefully, he walked towards the direction he knew the light switch would be.

He found it after a few seconds, and turned the lights on.

As he turned to walk to his room, his heart jumped to his mouth on seeing a figure seated on his chair.

He made a dash to the door, when Celine Atticus called his name.

"Come back here, Grant!"

He stopped dead in his tracks, and slowly turned around to face her.

"Good boy. I can see you’re still as respectful as ever," she said, wearing a cold smile on her face.

"Wh– what do y-ou wa-nt from me? H-ow did you fi-nd me?" He stuttered, keeping a cautious eye on her.

"Don’t be like that, Grant," she pouted. "I just thought it’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other. A little reunion wouldn’t hurt." She shrugged.

"Why won’t you leave me alone? I did as you asked four years ago, and ran into hiding. What else do you want?"

She chuckled mockingly, as she watched him rattle like a leaf.

"You’re such an embarrassment of a man, Grant. Foolish too. You wouldn’t have suffered the way you’ve suffered in the last four years, if you had accepted the money I gave you. But you foolish men and your need to be noble," she scoffed.

"I already betrayed Sir Ace, by not refuting all the accusations against his wife. I would never have done it for money."

"Yeah yeah, whatever. You’re noble, good for you. Now, to why I’m here," she rose to her feet, and walked towards him. When she paused, she towered over him like a giant.

"I was returning from my one month long trip, when I stopped at City Hope to pick up some painkillers from my doctor. Guess who I saw going in?"

Grant’s eyes widened, as he took a step back.

"Don’t even think about it." She raised a warning finger.

"Please don’t hurt me," he panicked. "I didn’t tell sir Ace anything. He didn’t even care to listen."

"Who said otherwise, Grant? Relax man!"

"Please," he shut his eyes tightly, begging for his life.

"I didn’t come here to hurt you. I’d never get my hands that dirty. I just wanted to remind you to continue to be the good boy you’ve always been. That’s all, alright?"

"Al–alright," he popped one eye open, but as silent as air, she was already gone.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read