Best Defense

Left he.

...Sean Warner POV's....

I circled around the room where Erick and his comrades were sitting, they turned their full attention to me with a waiting expression. Suddenly a sense of anxiety ambushed my mind because it imagined what would happen if I failed. Because it means I have to follow Erick's plan.

No. gabe. I don't want to imagine the whole plan. So, this better work out or things will get more complicated between me and Franda.

I sighed and then started making phone calls, I focused my attention vigilantly on hearing my call being answered on the third ring.

"I've been wondering when you're gonna call me." Syaiful's voice sounded relaxed from across. "Have you decided?"

I closed my mouth and exhaled slowly, trying to get rid of my anger before answering her question. "I'll give you all the data you want, but I want you to let Dave go. I need his testimony in court to release me from the contractual demands of The Great Holdings Co.'s cooperation.,"

I vaguely heard him cursing on the other end of the phone. "There's no negotiation, Warner. Your wife's safety is my only offer." she muttered in a deep and low voice, it was clear that she wanted to intimidate me with this conversation.

With great difficulty, I tried to put aside the anxious feelings that plagued my mind as well as strengthen my resolve to urge him further. "We both know you wouldn't act foolishly by hurting my wife. Interpol is watching your every move as well as your entire group, and it only takes one provocative act, then they will take you all down in an instant" I said furiously.

No reply for a while. I'm sure he's considering my words. If everything Rudi said about Syaiful was the truth, then he must have thought about what I said. Or maybe he's devising a plan to find a loophole to stop Interpol's interference.

I took a breath before continuing to speak again. "Sir, the only thing I want is to be free from the demands of that fake contract. I never wanted to be in the middle of your business with Interpol." I pressed the last sentence to convince him. "I'm sick of all this, and I want it to end as soon as possible."

He was silent for a while, before finally answering me. "Well, you can go see Dave. You can talk to him, but he stays in Malaysia."

I growl. "He must come to testify at the trial, sir.

"No, you can still record his confession. You can use that evidence in court but Dave's not going anywhere. You'll be watched while you talk to her, and my daughter is the only one who'll go with you." He paused for a moment. I could hear his jaw gritting.

"And if I knew there was one Interpol member following you, then I swear you'd never see your wife again." He immediately disconnected the phone.

***

"I just contacted our member who was watching Paula, she said the girl had just arrived at the airport."

I turned my head towards the door and found Rudi standing there while holding her side.

"Wait a minute."

I sent Franda the umpteenth time, she's been avoiding my calls since yesterday, after her ex-husband dropped an atomic bomb on her office by telling her that I was going to travel alone with Paula out of the country.

Although it was true, but it was clear Franda would get the wrong impression by the way he delivered the news. And again, I let him down.

"You remember the plan, don't you?" Rudi's voice pulled me back.

"Stay with Paula through the first transit city, fifteen kilometers from Selangor there will be your people coming to us and changing the route." I said flatly.

He nodded in satisfaction. "We just need to distract her, so she feels safe and unsuspecting."

I snorted cynically at him. "Don't worry, I don't have to fake anything. After all, we know each other." I said sarcastically.

I dragged my suitcase and walked across the room and stopped in front of him.

"Listen, sir, this is not going to be easy, but remember our purpose in doing all this." His tone sounded cautious. "Are you really ready to do it?"

***

"Hey, son, eating as many lollipops as it would damage your teeth, you won't be able to eat anything else if that happens." I said to Ben while crouching in front of him so I could look at him well.

Right at that moment, I saw Franda walking out of the house following Ben. Both of her brown eyes were stunned looking at me. From the look on his face I could see he was struggling with his emotions because of my presence. Since yesterday he did not come home to us, and chose to sleep at his sister's house.

While on my way to the airport, I realized that I wouldn't be able to leave without talking to him. And ever since she dodged my phone, I decided to come see her in person.

I returned my eyes to Ben. "Channel 7 is airing a special edition of Tom and Jerry this morning, and Daddy knows you like the show. Ask Miss Darla to play it for you, son. Daddy needs to talk to Mommy for a minute" I said with a smile on his face.

I waited until he entered and disappeared from sight before turning to Franda.

"I came to say goodbye." I muttered as I stood up and straightened my body. "I know you're mad at me, Franda. But I have to see you before I go."

He took a deep breath then turned his gaze away from me, then shook his head. I could see her eyes glazed over as she looked at me.

"Darling, I just want you to know that everything I do is just to protect you. And I'm sorry if I didn't realize I hurt you."

Franda still avoided my gaze, and I felt she might have trouble finding a sentence to say. Hiding my departure with Paula from her was a big mistake. I know it.

It's just, I thought I was doing something right by not telling him, and then I realized that I was being selfish. The main reason why I tend to keep everything that happens to me a secret is because I'm afraid that if he finds out, he might see me in a different way. Our relationship might be different.

I know what it's like to be ignored, my father taught me all that when he left me. And I thought it would always be, until I met him. Franda is everything I want. He is gentle, pure, and full of sincerity.

Something dark was still lodged deep in my heart even after so many years, and I needed Franda to change it, just as she needed me to deal with her problems. I could be better off if I had it. If this is egoism, let it be my last selfishness.

But for now, his safety was everything.

I think that's enough for me, because I've seen it. It doesn't matter what happens, but her face is the last thing I want to see before I leave. That's worth.

I turned around and stepped away from the doorway of her sister's house. Heavy rain was pouring outside, but maybe it was good to clear my mind.

"South..."

My steps stopped as soon as I heard her voice calling out to me. The first word he said after we parted yesterday, my name.

I turned my body and found him walking closer. I saw her eyes filled with tears flowing slowly down the side of her face. I froze when he was standing right in front of me. He looked like an angel, even when he was crying.

Franda reached out her hands, grabbed my fingers, and then grabbed them. "I'm not mad at you, just..." He sobbed softly, trying to control the emotions raging in his mind.

I held up one hand cupped her cheek, with eyes staring into her beautiful eyes.

"I want you to trust me, Sean. Whatever happens, nothing can change how I feel about you." He paused for a moment, his trembling lips curling a beautiful smile. Really lovely. "I love you, Sean. Always love you." she whispered.

I closed my eyes, feeling relief and joy overflowing at the same time filling every cell of my body. And when I opened my eyes and looked at him, it was as if every burden that had been pressing on me all this time was slowly lifted. I'm no longer the same person I was before.

I grabbed her shoulder and pulled her towards me. Slowly down the line of her soft lips with the tip of my thumb. "That's the most beautiful thing I've ever heard, baby. Now, after hearing that, I think I might be able to die peacefully." I said with a smile at him, before tasting his soft lips.