After Benard and Zayn stepped into the car, Benard urged the driver, "Drive now."
"Got it."
The moment the car sped off, Benard let out a sigh of relief. He then muttered, "Freda was staring at us when we were going down the stairs earlier. That was frightening."
"That's all in you?"
Zayn was calm, for he was sure that Carla had not figured anything out yet; he was confident in his acting skills.
"Ms. Lierger didn't figure anything out, did she?" Benard asked. "She actually invited you to her room tonight. Was she suspecting that something was up? Was she trying to sound you out?"
"Why can't she be trying to patch things up with me?" Zayn retorted.
"Um…" Benard fell silent.
"I guess she's suspicious." Zayn stopped messing with Benard as he resumed his solemn demeanor. "I'll have to avoid her these few days. Tell Bugara to be wary of the words that leave his mouth."
"Understood." Benard nodded. In a softer voice, he said, "Your phone has been ringing since earlier. I think Ms. Gold is calling you."
"Ignore her, " Zayn said, thinking about what Carla had said earlier. "Nella is a good girl. I shouldn't be leading her on."
Those words only made Benard even more anxious. He tentatively reassured, "Brandy is doing everything to find Derelo. I'm sure we'll find him soon."
"What's coming will come, and we'll meet it when it does. It's inevitable."
Zayn sighed, no longer anxious at the thought.
"Have your vision not recovered yet?" Benard asked worriedly. "Why don't we stop by the hospital for a checkup? The episode came so suddenly, and it's lasting quite a while."
"I won't die from it." Zayn closed his eyes. "Arrange a meeting with Mr. Williams and Mr. Thompson tomorrow. Oh, and Jamal too."
"Mr. Giblo."
"Skip the nonsense." Zayn was tired. "Just work on it."
"Yes, Sir, " Benard answered, not daring to say more than that. However, he had a grim look on his face.
Zayn's current condition was far from good. He had been experiencing dizziness and blurry vision in his earlier episodes, but a while ago, he had lost his vision.
Moreover, he had not regained his vision even after an hour.
Benard did not know if any worse symptoms would rear their ugly heads after this.
Nevertheless, Zayn refused to go to the hospital, and they were unable to find Derelo. In other words, their hands were tied.
Back at home, Benard helped Zayn out of the car. Once his feet were on the ground, Zayn blinked and realized some of his vision was back. At that, he mumbled, "It's fine once I'm home. Can't be that the air at Northridge is toxic, right?"
"Maybe you've been working too hard lately. You should rest more, " Benard softly suggested. "I'll help you in."
"There's no need." Zayn pushed Benard aside. Squinting, he then slowly made his way into the house.
He had to get used to life in the darkness as quickly as possible. After all, if he were to have a full-blown episode, his vision would be first to suffer. He would then plunge into a world of darkness.
Before he was six feet under, he had to get used to that life. At the very least, he had to make sure that Carla did not spot anything wrong with him and that the children would not worry.
Now that some of his vision returned, he could see the vague outlines of things in front of him.
That was how Zayn made his way back into the house as he avoided the obstacles in front of him. Step by step, he entered the building, went up the stairs, and into his room.
The entire time, his subordinates quietly stood by the side, fearing that any noises they made would disrupt his judgment.
Even Benard was holding his breath as he stuck by Zayn's side.
He only let that breath out when Zayn entered his bedroom, unscathed.
However, in the next second, Zayn's knee crashed into the cellaret, and a loud noise echoed in the room.
"Mr. Giblo!" Benard dashed over to lend Zayn a helping hand. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine."
Zayn's eyes were narrowed, but the room remained dark. It was then he realized that no matter how well-trained he was, and how keen his senses were, it was difficult for him to move freely around in a world of darkness.
It seems like I really need some time to get used to this.
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