CHAPTER 18...
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"Arghhh!" Mabel struggled as she tried to break free from Henry's grip.
"I love you Mabel!" Henry uttered then kissed her neck.
Tears was starting to drop from Mabel's eyes as she felt helpless in his grip.
Henry pinned her against the wall with her hands above her head. Mabel tried kicking his balls but she lost at every target, he was way too close to her for her to attack him.
She struggled and bit the hand which he used in covering her mouth to stop her from yelling.
"Ouch! Mabel..." Henry called out with a frown and took his hand off her mouth in reflex.
"Henry, let go of me! What are you doing? Why are you doing this to me? Why?" She screamed in tears.
Henry gave her deaf ears as he kept on kissing her neck and forcing himself on her.
"Alexa..." Mabel screamed calling out to her.
Henry looked at her seriously.
"Mabel, what are you doing?" He asked seriously.
Raphael was the only one who crossed Mabel's mind at the heat of the moment.
"Alexa, call Raph.." she couldn't finish her statement when Henry covered her mouth.
Luckily her phone was sharp enough to get Mabel's words.
~ RAPHAEL'S APARTMENT ~
Raphael kept pacing around his sitting room.
"Raph, is everything okay?" Josh asked taking his eyes off his phone.
Raphael smacked his lips worriedly.
"I feel uneasy... Do you think everything is fine with Mabel?" Raphael questioned worriedly.
Speaking out the words, Mabel's call came in through his phone.
"Speak of the devil!" He blurted then quickly took the call.
"Mabel, is everything okay?" He followed up with a question and so much concern in his tone.
"Mmmmm..."
Raphael heard a suppressed scream and struggling at Mabel's end.
He widened his eyes in shock when he got a clue on what might be going on with Mabel.
He quickly dashed out of the house with his car keys.
★★★
Raphael drove down to Mabel's apartment in a very high speed.
He ran into the building then into the elevator. His mind ran to so many directions.
What if he's late again? What if Mabel's in a grave danger? What if he can't save her just like Rein? This thoughts ran through Raphael's mind and he panicked just thinking about it.
He felt weak on his knees but held on to the walls of the elevator.
"Mabel, please be fine! I'm coming!" He muttered breathless then the elevator dangs open.
He rushed out of the elevator.
"Oh my goodness... What floor does she live in?" Raphael questioned so confused, he ran his fingers through his hair frustratedly.
He quickly placed a call across to Mabel's Manager.
It rang a few times and she picked the hurry.
"Hello Mr Raphael... What do I owe this pleasant call?" Jennifer asked buttering up to him.
Raphael took in a few deep breaths.
"Miss Jenny, I got a parcel delivered to Mabel's building but I'm clueless on what flat and floor she lives... Do you mind telling me?" He requested politely.
"I don't mind at all... She's staying on the tenth floor and on the third flat!" Jennifer responded grinning from ear to ear.
"Thank you!" Raphael uttered hastily and hung up.
He looked around.
"What floor is this?" He questioned then turned to the elevator.
Luck didn't run out of his side. He was standing on the tenth floor.
Raphael ran to the third flat only to find Mabel's door wide open.
He pulled himself together as he saw that.
"Ma..bel... Mabel!" Raphael called in a shaky tone before getting in.
Walking into the apartment. He saw Mabel on the floor resting against the wall, her knees up to her chest as she hugged them.
Tears roll down her eyes.
"Mabel!" Raphael called out slowly.
Mabel looked up at him and she stood up in a hurry.
She hugged Raphael tight, as she cried silently on his shoulders.
Raphael noticed her cloth was torn. He broke the hug, taking off his jacket and wore it on her.
"I thought you're a seer! Why didn't you foresee this? Why are you just showing up now?" Mabel cried hitting his chest.
Raphael stayed put as he let her hit him.
"What happened to you? Who was it?" He asked in a very angry tone.
Mabel moved away from him, wrapping herself up with his jacket.
"Mabel, who did this to you? Tell me" Raphael half yelled turning her around.
"Stop yelling at me..." She uttered in a low tone sniffing back her tears.
Raphael took in a few deep breaths and walked to the refrigerator, grabbed a glass of water and walked back to Mabel.
"Have some! I'm sorry... For raising my voice at you" He muttered handing the glass of water to her.
Mabel took the water and sniffed, she had a sip then wiped her lips with the back of her palm.
"Can we sit?" Raphael asked calmly.
Mabel nodded and they both sat down.
"Mabel, what happened?" Raphael asked slowly.
Mabel bit her lower lips and tears escaped her eyes.
"He tried to force himself on me. He ran off the moment he heard your voice over the phone" She mumbled in tears.
Raphael turned her to his direction and wiped off her tears.
"I'm sorry for arriving late! I should've seen this earlier but who is he?" He asked warmly.
Mabel glanced at Raphael then took her eyes off.
She remembered what Henry said to her.
FLASHBACK•••
Minutes ago before Raphael's arrival.
Mabel used her whole strength and headbutted Henry.
"Ahhhh..." Henry winced and moved away, rubbing his forehead which was hurting from the hit.
Mabel quickly grabbed a flower vase next to her.
"Stay away from me! I thought you wanted to get to know me... How dare you try to force yourself on me!" Mabel yelled as she almost hit him with the vase.
Henry moved away.
"Mabel, calm down! I also didn't want to do this but I had no choice. I felt like doing this would make you fall in love with me and It'll also help me win my case at the court..."
Mabel scoffed in disbelief.
"And you think forcing yourself on me would make me fall for you? How foolish of you to think that... What the hell do I have to do with your court case?" She squeaked.
Henry exhaled sharply and stared at her.
"Mabel, you have everything to do with it..." He uttered not holding back anymore.
Mabel glanced at him curiously.
"What do you mean?"
"Charlotte agreed to help me win the case if I go steady with you! She wants us to be together so badly that she suggested I sleep with you at all cost... I thought it was crap at first but do I have a choice! I really need you in my life Mabel but not this way, I want to be with you in the right way so please can you tell Charlotte to stop trying to force me to do things... I'll do things the way I see fit" Henry blurted getting it off his chest.
Mabel dropped her vase gently on the floor.
Charlotte, wouldn't do that to me? She's my best friend... She wouldn't! Mabel said in her head as she felt rage inside of her.
Henry tried approaching as he noticed the shocked look on her face.
"Get the hell out of my house!!!" She yelled at the top of her voice.
Henry ran out like a scary cat even forgetting to close the door behind him.
FLASHBACK ENDS •••
Mabel took in a few deep breaths and she wiped off her tears completely.
"Raph, I'm sorry but I can't share that with you. I know you'll do everything in your power to get back at him. Please can you allow me to handle this myself... Thank you for showing up!" She stated with a half smile.
Raphael patted her shoulders gently. He looked into her eyes already, he saw exactly what he wanted to see and that's Henry's assault on Mabel.
"It's okay! I understand" Raphael agreed without pushing the conversation any further.
~ VIOLET'S APARTMENT ~
Simone lay Violet on her bed gently and covered her up with her duvet.
Violet stared at him with a smile on her lips.
"Why are you smiling?" He asked with a smile also.
"It feels good to have someone share my secret with me. Thank you, Sim!"
Simone grinned widely like a child.
"I would do anything for you, Vi and what are friends for if I can't even share this burden with you. You will be starting your chemotherapy tomorrow, are you ready for it?" He asked warmly staring into her soul.
Violet blinked nervously and she took in a few deep breaths before nodding to his question.
"I am but I feel terrible about the art gallery opening tomorrow... Raphael would be hoping to see me tomorrow. What would I say to him if I don't make it?" She asked worriedly.
Simone held her hand and patted behind it gently.
"Don't worry about that... We would find an excuse together!"
Violet sat up.
"You're not going?" She asked seriously.
"I can't leave you all alone at the hospital. I'll be there to watch you take every step. I want to do this for my peace of mind! I'll only attend the party after we're done with your chemo session" Simone responded tucking the sides of the duvet on the bed.
Violet looked at him differently for the first time. His concern for me isn't just that of a friend but she has no idea how to fix what she just felt.
Suddenly Josh's words to her regarding Simone having feelings for her crossed her mind but she brushed off the thoughts immediately.
"I'll head over to the studio to see if Raph had some unfinished business for me! Call me right away if you need anything!" He cut in and pecked her forehead before leaving.
Violet had no idea when her fingers touched the part where Simone just kissed and she blushed hard.
"Violet, you're crazy!" She gasped bringing her hands down quickly.
𝑵𝑬𝑿𝑻 𝑫𝑨𝒀...
★★★★
At the opening of Raphael's art gallery.
The hall was painted whitest of all white. It was flawless, the photos of all the celebrities and models Raphael and Simone took for the past seven years were all in display at the hall.
The photos were the purest of art, taken in different angles and location.
Most of the photos at the gallery were Raphael's piece of art cos most of the work was done by him. He only stopped taking pictures three years ago.
The employees of raining beauty studio were dressed elegantly, they scattered around the hall at different corners.
Guests were starting to get in.
Raphael was at the inner room where two photos were kept in a bigger and classier frame.
Raphael started at those two photos and tears escaped his eyes.
"You have to be remembered... You shouldn't be forgotten so easily not after making raining beauty what it is today.. we created this together Rein! We did" Raphael muttered wiping off his tears.
One of the workers walked in and cleared his throat to get Raphael's attention.
"Boss, your extinguished guests have arrived... Should we get the stage ready for your arrival?" He questioned.
Raphael nodded, adjusting his suit.
"Yes... I'll be out in a minute!" He stated sliding his hand into his pocket.
"Okay boss but boss, sir Simone isn't here yet"
"Simone's going to be late. He told me!"
"Okay boss!" He said and left.
Raphael walked behind him. He walked up to the stage at the middle of the hall.
"Let's welcome the host for today's event. A round of applause to Mr Raphael Kris!" An employee announced.
Everyone clapped cheerfully as Raphael walked forward and leaned to the mic.
"Hello everyone! I'm delighted to have you all with me today! You've come here today, to share this beautiful memory with me! Most of us here are in these memories... How about we rewind time and remind ourselves of our humble beginnings and how we got to where we are today..." Raphael stated charismatically.
Everyone giggled while clapping their hands.
The media took a live video of the whole event.
"I would love to show everyone the two special pieces of my heart... The first photo I took and the last and that's why it holds a special place in my heart" Raphael uttered turning to the direction of the inner room.
The curtains to the room was removed.
That was the moment Mabel walked into the hall.
She was shocked to see her photo revealed in a treasure room.
Her heartbeat raced seeing how much Raphael valued her.
Raphael walked up to her.
"I hold a special place in your heart?" Mabel asked with her heartbeat racing a marathon.
"You deserve to be treasured!" Raphael winked.
Charlotte saw this at the entrance of the hall and clenched her fist.
HOURS LATER...
At the rooftop where Mabel and Raphael had drinks years ago...
Mabel held her chest which felt so congested. She almost couldn't breathe.
She cried heavily, holding her chest.
"You can't do that to Raphael," Mabel cried with her phone on her ears.
"You've got a minute to jump off... One... Two... "
Mabel shut her eyes as she stood at the edge of the rooftop.
"I'll do it.. just let him go!" She uttered slowly and let go of herself at the edge.
DOWNSTAIRS AT THE ART GALLERY...
Raphael stood with Josh and a few other guests, smiling politely through conversations.
Suddenly, he froze.
His hand dropped the glass of champagne he was holding, shattering it on the floor.
Josh turned to him. "Raph? What's wrong?"
Raphael didn't answer. His heart raced.
"I don't know… but something's not right."
He looked up to the rooftop.
Without another word, Raphael bolted toward the elevator.