The Last Person
Seated in the rear of the vehicle, Nelson appeared infuriated as he scrolled through the digital device in his hand.
“Why hasn’t the sales manager approached me regarding the poor sales figures?” he grumbled, addressing Herbert.
Peering at the front mirror, Herbert could sense his boss’s intense anger. However, he was at a loss for words to respond to the query.
His lower lip still moist from his tongue, Herbert racked his brain for a reply. That was when he noticed Leilani in the crowd along the roadside, engaged in a heated altercation with a man.
Reacting swiftly, he brought the car to a halt.
“Mr. Carter?” Herbert called out to Nelson, who met his gaze through the rearview mirror.
“Look over there, sir. Isn’t that Miss Hernandez?” Herbert queried.
Nelson followed his line of sight and his furious expression turned to one of surprise as he saw his supposed wife physically confronting a man, tugging at his shirt and even slapping him.
Herbert let out a slight gasp, before turning to look at his boss. However, Nelson was already out of the car, striding towards the commotion. To his surprise, he saw the man retaliating and striking Leilani back.
As if ready to unleash his wrath at any moment, Nelson’s face and neck were pulsating with blue veins, seething with rage.
“Call the police immediately, Herbert!” he barked, wasting no time as he rushed towards the roadside commotion.
As soon as he got there, Nelson demanded in a deep and authoritative voice, “Who are you to lay your hands on my woman?”
The onlookers and bystanders quickly parted into two groups upon seeing Nelson’s arrival. Dressed in an open black coat over a perfectly tailored black suit, his clothes and sleeves fluttering in the wind, Nelson exuded a natural aura of power and authority.
Upon recognizing Nelson, Leilani burst into fresh tears, overwhelmed with shame and embarrassment.
In her thoughts, she pondered how much Nelson had overheard. That moment when David had remarked that her current marriage did not guarantee her future or when he had insulted her by calling her a girl from the slums.
As this thought crossed Leilani’s mind, David was left stunned and appalled. The last person he expected to come to her rescue was none other than Nelson Carter.
Oh God, look what Leilani had made him do. Someone as wealthy and influential as Nelson would not take kindly to someone interfering with what was theirs.
Nelson asked again, his piercing gaze fixed on David, “Who do you think you are, laying your hands on my woman?”
“I didn’t start the fight, sir. Your supposed wife was the one who slapped me first and I couldn’t just stand there and do nothing!” David ranted, his lower lip trembling as he quickly bit down on it.
Nelson smiled, but it was one of those eerie, unsettling smiles that sent shivers down one’s spine. “You dare to raise a hand against what is mine, and you have the audacity to admit it to my face?” There was a dark fire burning in his eyes.
David felt his nerves on edge, frantically scanning his surroundings as if looking for an escape. Nelson noticed and warned, “If you attempt to move from where you stand, dude, I will make the rest of your life here on earth a living nightmare.”
The crowd gasped and murmured among themselves, with some urging David to apologize to Nelson. They could sense the powerful aura emanating from him, and it was clear that he was not someone to trifle with.
“I am deeply sorry, sir. Please forgive me,” David heeded the crowd’s advice and apologized, fear evident in his voice.
The woman who had accompanied David earlier couldn’t believe her eyes.
She could feel Nelson’s intimidating presence, but she never expected David to stoop so low and apologize when he had done nothing wrong.
In a fit of anger, she stormed off from the scene.
“Offer your apologies to the appropriate person,” Nelson asserted, prompting David to whirl around and face Leilani, who remained seated on the ground.
“I implore you to forgive me, Lani. I am deeply remorseful,” David pleaded, but Leilani simply sniffled back her tears and ignored him.
At that precise moment, a group of police officers arrived and greeted Nelson with respect, to which he offered a single nod in acknowledgment.
David’s eyes widened in shock. He had never expected for Nelson to take things this far.
“B-But Sir, I have a-apologized to her,” David stammered, taking in steady gulps of air.
“Did she accept your apology?” Nelson sneered, causing David to drop to his knees at Leilani’s feet.
“Please don’t do this to me, Lani. I beg of you. You know that I have no one to turn to now. No one will come to bail me out. I beg of you, in God’s name, Lani,” David earnestly pleaded, but Leilani simply moved away from him and stood up from the ground.
She then turned to Nelson with a small smile on her lips. “There is no need to arrest him. He has learned his lesson.”
“Do I take that to mean that you have forgiven him?” asked Nelson, raising an eyebrow inquisitively.
Leilani shook her head. “I can never forgive him, but sending him to jail is too extreme.”
“It is my decision to make, my dear wife,” Nelson asserted, turning his attention to the three policemen nearby. “Please proceed with the arrest now.”
David begged, cried, and wailed as the cops drove off with him in their car.
Nelson then took hold of Leilani’s hand and led her to where his vehicle was parked, with Herbert following closely behind.
“Tell me exactly what happened,” Nelson demanded as soon as they were inside the car. Leilani then took her time explaining everything to Nelson.
Fuming with anger, Nelson’s hands clenched into tight fists after Leilani finished her account.
“Are you still planning on going to your friend’s house?” asked Nelson, attempting to keep his rage in check.
Leilani smiled and nodded. “She is expecting me.”
“I will take you there,” Nelson stated matter-of-factly, but Leilani promptly declined.
“That will not be necessary. I can make the journey on my own,” Leilani replied.
“Who said you can’t?” Nelson challenged, eyebrows furrowed.
Initially, Leilani was at a loss for words, but soon she inquired, “Am I interrupting any business of yours?”Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.
“This does not concern you. As my lawfully wedded wife, it is my responsibility to prioritize you,” Nelson asserted, avoiding eye contact with Leilani.
Herbert flashed a wide grin as he started the car, while Leilani sat back and wiped her mouth; thankfully, the bleeding had stopped.
A short while later, the car came to a stop in front of Hannah’s apartment.
“Thank you for the ride,” Leilani expressed her gratitude, as she unlocked the door. To her surprise, Nelson had also stepped out of the car.
“I need to speak with your friend,” Nelson declared, hands tucked in his trousers.
Leilani and Herbert exchanged glances, and before they knew it, Nelson was already walking ahead of them.
From the front yard to the entrance, Leilani knocked once and let herself into the house, followed by Nelson and Herbert.
“Lani!” Hannah exclaimed, rushing towards Leilani and engulfing her in a hug.
“How are you, Hannah?” Leilani asked in a soft tone.
Quickly, Hannah released the embrace and burst into tears, but then she noticed Nelson and Herbert’s presence.
Surprised, she glanced over at Leilani’s face, who simply smiled, and she mirrored the expression.
“Good day, sir,” Hannah greeted politely, “I am pleasantly surprised by your visit.”
For a prolonged moment, Nelson’s gaze lingered on Hannah, as if searching for something.
“How did you tolerate that imbecile?” Nelson inquired, his eyes fixed on Hannah.
Hannah was taken aback. She looked to Leilani for assistance, but before she could speak, Nelson continued…
“Out of all the upstanding men out there, why did you choose that despicable man?” Nelson’s voice grew louder now, fueled by pure anger evident in his piercing blue eyes.
“Nelson, please. The matter has already been resolved,” Leilani pleaded.
“What matter? Does it pertain to David?” Hannah asked, still puzzled.
“Yes, Hannah. Your ex-boyfriend and Miss Hernandez were engaged in an argument and he resorted to striking her,” Herbert explained calmly.
Hannah gasped in astonishment, her eyes widening in disbelief.
“Oh my goodness, Lani. Are you alright?” Hannah inquired with genuine concern.
“You should exercise caution in selecting your next partner,” Nelson stated bluntly before swiftly walking away.
“Nelson!” Leilani called out in warning, but he had already left.
Herbert then approached and apologized, “Please forgive Mr. Carter’s outburst, Hannah. He was overcome with anger. Please do not hold it against him.”
Hannah forced a smile, but it was tinged with bitterness. “Of course, Herbert. I appreciate his concern for my well-being.”
Herbert nodded and bid his farewell, leaving Leilani and Hannah alone.
“I apologize, Hannah. I cannot fathom what has gotten into him,” Leilani said apologetically.
“He has feelings for you, Lani,” Hannah noted, a smile gracing her face.
“What?” Leilani’s eyes widened in shock and disbelief.