CHAPTER 19...
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Raphael burst out of the elevator and sprinted toward the rooftop door.
The air was sharp and cold, but it didn't slow him down.
He shoved the door open in a hurry.
"Mabel!" He screamed, just in time to see a glimpse of her coat disappear over the edge.
His soul left his body in that moment.
"No... no no no!" He ran to the edge, peering down with shaking hands.
Silence.
Time stood still and then a crash.
But it wasn't from the ground.
It came from the metal fire escape just below the rooftop.
Raphael's heart skipped a beat.
He climbed onto the ledge and looked down.
"Mabel!!" Raphael screamed still looking down.
There she was. Mabel!
On hearing Raphael call out to her, she opened her eyes and grabbed on to a lower railing, her fingers slipping slowly, she cried just looking up.
He's fine! Raph is safe! Mabel uttered in her head tears rolling down her eyes.
Raphael quickly grabbed a guiding rope, tied it around his waist then tied it on one of the pillars on the ledge and He jumped without even thinking much.
Mabel's eyes widened in shock as she saw him falling.
"Raphael!" Mabel screamed as her soul left her body and she passed out that instant.
Raphael grabbed her hand as she fingers slipped away. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight.
HOURS AGO....
When the party got heated. The guests were having a great time, there was entertainment, drinks and a slideshow of all the arts in a display screen.
Raphael got carried away by his business talks with Josh and some of his investors.
Mabel stood at a corner, grinning from ear to ear as she admired Raphael from her stand.
Raphael's acknowledge towards her just couldn't get off her mind.
If you could just love me and not just protect me... I would be the happiest woman on earth! She said to herself while smiling.
"How does it feel having feelings for the man your bf is in love with?" Charlotte questioned as she joined Mabel.
Mabel's heartbeat skipped. She flinched at Charlotte's move on her.
"Charlotte you're here also?" Mabel asked maintaining her composure.
Charlotte smirked folding her arms on her chest.
"You thought I wouldn't make it? You were the one who said you weren't going to come but here you are... I guess you didn't have a good time with Henry last night!"
Mabel glared at her.
"Why did you tell him to do it? Are you that desperate to make Raphael yours? Raphael doesn't even love me, why are you so bittered Charlotte? I thought we were best friends?" Mabel asked holding her words.
Charlotte leaned closer to her.
"Raphael doesn't love you but can you say the same for yourself? Mabel can you swear on my life that you've got zero feelings for Raphael?" She half yelled clenching her fist.
Mabel grabbed her hand and dragged her to a corner.
"We shouldn't create a scene here? Charlotte... My feelings have nothing to do with what you feel for Raphael... Why would you even suggest such a thing to Henry?" She questioned as her heart shattered even more.
Charlotte scoffed.
"Mabel, mark my words... If you make any move on Raphael, I'll help you forget the fact that we ever knew each other... I've known you for decades, don't make me regret ever having you in my life. I've never liked or taken what was yours so don't do it to me. You know I hate it when people touch my things" Charlotte threatened with mean cold eyes.
Mabel bit her lower lips.
"Charlotte, you've crossed the line multiple times. I know I would never do such to you... You had my drink spiked and then you told Henry to sleep with me. You ended our friendship the moment you got Henry involved. I don't forgive easily and I don't give up on things easily. If you want to make Raphael yours then fight your way in cos that's exactly what I plan on doing..."
"I thought giving up on him for my best friend was the best decision I could ever make but after the stunt you pulled... I'm not giving up on what I feel for Raphael..." Mabel stated boldly staring right into Charlotte's eyes.
Charlotte raised her hand and slapped Mabel hard across the face.
Mabel gasped in shock.
"Don't cross me, Mabel! You're nobody without me... I made you who you are today. I can destroy you in an instant. What gave you the guts to fall for my man and you had the audacity to say it to my face.. Have you forgotten who I am, just cos I've been playing around with you, you've forgotten who I am. Mabel get back to your senses there's no way you can beat me in any battle in this life.... I'm Charlotte Bu!" Charlotte uttered boastfully with her brows up arrogantly.
Mabel glared at her, her eyes turning red from anger. She clenched her fist tight.
"You better get your eyes off Raphael, if you don't want your family on the streets... Do I make myself clear?"
Mabel laughed.
"And you think your family wouldn't be on the streets if I make a move either. I allowed you to slap me to make even for falling in love with the man you love, not because I'm weak and I'll say this to your face Charlotte... You're a nobody without me also! You would've been an outcast in highschool and college without me... All those girls who feared you were scared of me first... I made them fear you! You said you never liked or took anything that was mine... You lied cos you did that a lot. You loved and took everything that I liked first, I allowed you do it cos you were my best friend..."
Charlotte scoffed in disbelief.
Mabel smirked like a lunatic.
"Wait and watch how I take everything that you like... I will teach you how it feels. You just woke the crazy girl in me!" Mabel smirked and brushed Charlotte's shoulders hard then she walked away.
Mr Bu watched and listened to their conversation from a distance.
Tears escaped Charlotte's eyes as Mabel's words to her began to sink into her soul.
Mr Bu dialed his daughter's number and placed the phone on his ears.
Charlotte took out her phone from her purse and wiped off her tears angrily.
"Dad, I'm busy right now!" She uttered rudely about to hang up.
"Is Mabel in love with Raphael?" He asked coldly.
Charlotte wore a vicious smile hearing her dad's question.
"If I said yes, would you stop her from loving him?"
"Just answer the damn question... Yes or No?"
Charlotte smiled widened.
"Yes... I only found out toda.." she wasn't done with her statement when he hung up the call.
Mabel left for the rooftop to clear up her head and Mr Bu saw her heading that way so he sent a text message to his secretary.
(SPIKE RAPHAEL'S DRINK AND SEND ME A VIDEO)
After secretary Shin accomplished his mission he sent the video to Mr Bu.
Mr Bu used an unknown number and called Mabel after sending her the video.
Mabel froze up seeing that so she quickly took the call from the unknown ID.
"Who are you and why did you spike Raphael's drink?" She questioned in a shaky tone.
Mr Bu's gaze got colder.
"So many things are going to end Raphael's life tonight if you don't do as I say"
"What do you want from me?" Mabel asked seriously as she ran to the door to rush back to the party.
"Don't even bother coming back... If I see your shadow here. It will be a black out and when the lights go back on, you'll see Raphael's dead body before you! This is only happening because you had the audacity to fall for Raphael... Aren't you scared of watching Raphael experience what he experienced with Rein this time around you will be the one going through that pain!"
Mabel staggered in shock.
"Rein... What do you mean?" She stuttered.
"I will foresee the future for you... Raphael is going to die in your hands if you don't do as I say... He just picked up his glass, just a sip and he will be a dead man!"
"Please please don't hurt Raphael... Why are you doing this? What do you want from me?"
"Kill yourself! Be a hero and save the man of your dreams! Will you be able to live with the guilt of having known what will end his life and still not do nothing?"
Mabel held her chest which suddenly felt so congested. She almost couldn't breathe.
Her vision was everything Mr Bu said to her over the phone.
Fear gripped her, she became helpless. She walked back slowly to the ledge of the rooftop.
What's life without Raphael in it? He doesn't even love me. I bet he would only think about it for a few days and move on with his life. I have the power to keep him alive right now! What's holding me back? What am I living for? Would I have to keep seeing this visions that are messing with my sanity? It is more painful than I thought... Watching people turn into demons! Mabel said in her head tears rolling down her cheeks as she helplessly began to give in to the threat.
"You can't do that to Raphael," Mabel cried with her phone on her ears.
BACK TO THE PRESENT.
Josh ran to the rooftop with one of their employees and helped Raphael and Mabel up.
Raphael's palm bruised from the rope cos of their weight.
"Raph... Are you okay?" Josh asked anxiously breathing heavily.
Raphael carried Mabel on his arms as a grin vision flashed before his eyes as he saw Rein and Mabel overlapping.
"I'll take her home with me... Can you take over the event for me? I believe Simone will be here in no time"
"It's fine. Just take her home!" Josh concurred patting his back.
Josh watch him leave and he looked away biting his lower lips. He knew Raphael was broken inside. He knows just a single string is holding Raphael from not breaking down outwardly.
Mr Bu's secretary reported the whole scene to Mr Bu who was watching from the next building.
MINUTES LATER...
After Raphael left. Simone and Violet arrived at the event.
Violet was careful on her steps so she doesn't make it obvious that she wasn't feeling too good cos of the chemo.
The moment Josh set his eyes on her, he knew something was off about her.
He walked up to them.
"Josh, where's Raphael? It's so beautiful here!" She uttered smiling widely as she tried to be her usual self.
"How about you come see Raphael's piece of heart?" Josh cut in with a smile trying to steal her away from Simone.
"That sounds interesting...Sure!" She smiled about to take a step, she felt a bit dizzy and almost fell but Josh and Simone grabbed her hands.
"Careful!" They both chorused in the split of the moment.
Violet looked at them both and took her hands off.
"It's fine!" She forced a smile.
"Violet, how about we just stay here? It's just a photo of Rein and Mabel he wants to go show you" Simone chipped in feeling uncomfortable with the idea of Josh being around her.
Josh took in a few deep breaths and smiled.
"Violet, he's right! I only wanted to pull your legs when you see it!.. emm... Violet, you haven't forgotten about our date right?" Josh asked in a low tone.
Simone could hear him clearly. He widened his eyes in shock at the sound of Josh's question.
Violet glanced at Simone with a friend gaze in her eyes.
"Of course not... I'll create time!" She smiled.
Simone tried to hold himself back but couldn't do it.
"Violet, don't give him false hopes. Tell him to his face that you can't go with... You're occupied with your chemo!" He blurted in a very jealous tone.
Violet punched his arm angrily.
"V, I'm sorry!" Simone apologized realizing what he just did.
"F*ck off!" Violet squeaked and walked away.
Josh ran after her.
"Josh, I'm sorry but I want to be left alone!" She cut in sharply before walking out of the hall.
~ RAPHAEL'S APARTMENT ~
Raphael brought Mabel to his apartment. He lay her on the bed.
He stared at her peaceful face, searching for signs of life, even though he knew she was breathing. His hands trembled as he brushed a string of hair from her forehead.
Why did she matter so much? Why did the thought of losing her feel like it would break me all over again?
The recap of Mabel falling off the roof kept replaying in his head.
He had no idea when he burst into tears, his head turned red in anger. He recalled foreseeing everything when he looked at Mabel's eyes before jumping off.
"Raph!" Mabel called out slowly as his cry woke her up.
Before waking up Mabel saw Rein in her dream smiling sadly towards her and the heat of the moment Raphael jumping off to save her also and Rein said to her. "He did it!"
Raphael swiftly leaned to her.
"I'm so sorry! Please tell me you weren't falling off cos of me! I would kill myself if you say yes! I can't lose you too..." He muttered with tears in his eyes.
Mabel grabbed his face and kissed him softly on the lips.
"I'm sorry that's how much you mean to me. I would do it again as long as you're safe!" Mabel confessed after the kiss.
Raphael froze for a second, the heat of her lips still lingering on his. His heart thudded violently in his chest. He should've pulled away. He should've said something. But instead, he kissed her again this time not out of fear, but choice even making it deeper.