Hidden Passion
Chapter 41

Nathaniel sat up in his hospital bed and looked at the sheet of paper in his hand. It was neatly folded but had been rumpled when Linda pushed it into his hand earlier. He did not know what it was, but he knew he should not have opened it in anyone's presence if she had to secretly give it to him.

He opened the paper and read, "I know you're not in the right state of mind, but this is urgent. Come with the police to the address below. Warn the police. No sirens."

What was that all about? He should go with the police? To do what? He felt the urge to ignore the missive and sleep since he was drowsy but decided against it as she remembered something.

Just before he collapsed, he remembered arguing with a female who happened to be the person he had been looking for. And no. That Lillian was not the one who gave him this letter. But could going to this location have to do with the real Lillian?

Where was his phone? He looked around if he could see it but didn't, so he immediately rose to his feet and removed the syringe from his hand and winced. He would come back for the drip later. He was in a hospital gown, but who cared. He had to be careful, though. He must not get caught by any of the doctors or nurses.

Stealthily, he walked out of his room.

"What have you done, Nester? Why'd you shoot him?" Linda cried, staring at her best friend's dead body on the floor.

Nester frowned with confusion, wondering why she was crying. "He was trying to get in my way. Why would you be crying over him? Is he your family? Stop acting as if he's kind of important to you."

Linda wiped her tears. "He is more important than you, Nester. You are a crazy being. I hate you," she screamed and called out the rest of the guys there and they stood behind her.

"What is this, Linda? Get out of the way and let me finish this once and for all. Don't end up like him," she warned, referring to the dead body on the floor before her.

Linda smirked. "Did you think I was on your side?" She shook her head. "I was never on your side, Nester. Not even from the very beginning. And I won't ever let you succeed with your evil plan."

Nester was shocked. "What! Is this some kind of joke? And you guys, what were you doing over there when I paid you? Linda, don't toy with me."

Linda brought out a gun and pointed it at Nester, telling everyone behind her to move back.

"Please, be careful," Lillian said to Linda and then faced Nester. "Stop this bullshit, Nester."

"Shut up!" Nester shouted. "How dare you "

"I don't know who is dumber between you and Nathaniel. I gave you a note at Nath's house, but you ignored it. Now see what you've caused. We're all going to die in her hands," Linda muttered to Lillian who had her mouth wide open, "Oh, my God!" She cooed. That was the paper she had thrown away. Could she be anymore stupid? "But Nath?" she asked.

"If he's not as dumb as you are, then he should be here with the police anytime soon to-"

"But he is unwell. He needs to rest and-" Lillian was complaining.

Linda glared at her. "Have you ever been selfish in your entire life? Your life is at risk and you're telling me nonsense?" she said angrily before rolling her eyes. "Don't even get me started. We have to get help from whoever we can." "Say it aloud so I can hear you. You don't need to say your last prayers silently," Nester said. "And you, Linda. I must get rid of you as well. You betrayed me, but first of all, I must take Lillian out of the picture first because I don't know what you've planned out," Nester threatened.

The huge guys made some moves forward, but Nester stopped them by pointing her gun at them. "If you dare me, I won't hesitate to kill you all."

"Nester, please don't do this. You're not this kind of person. And Nath loves you. He trusts you, please," Lillian uttered like the 'scaredy cat' she was. She could only hope that she would not shoot anyone any longer. One person had already died in her stead and that was more than enough. No one should be killed any longer, but it seemed Nester had made up her mind.

Nester smirked for the first time. "Are you kidding? I don't care if he trusts me or loves me. He obviously wants only you. Why on earth would he want you when you've not even been together for twelve or thirteen years," she screamed. Lillian mustered up the courage she could gather and stepped outside before her. "Fine. It's me you want, right? Take me and let them go," she offered, making Nester smile.

"No, Lillian. You can't do this," Dorcas said in tears.

"Don't be stupid, Lillian. Stop this nonsense," Linda put in.

She started talking without turning back to look at their faces. "Someone is dead in my stead already. That's enough. Let her have me. Do everything you want with me, but let them get out of this building first," Lillian said.

"Fine. I like that. Now, all of you should go outside within two seconds or I will do what you least expect," Nester said, and they started running outside. "All except Lillian," she shouted, making the lady stop in her tracks while the rest went out of the building.

"Me too. It's me you want," Linda said.

"I don't trust you. You have a gun. Drop it," Nester ordered, but Linda was hesitant. "And besides, you must pay for betraying me."

"How can you call it betrayal when I never supported you in the first place?" Linda countered.

Nester immediately pointed the gun toward Lillian. "I'm taking too much time," she said and cocked the gun.

Lillian closed her eyes, letting out her tears. If she was going to end her life this way, then so be it. She just felt guilty for not telling her parents the truth after she received a call from the kidnapper. She had only told them that she had to get to the hospital to see Nathaniel urgently.

"Drop your gun!" a male voice echoed in the room. It was a police officer with backup.

"This is a toy gun," Linda said and dropped it, surprising Lillian. Her eyes strayed to Nester who was still wielding the gun and had her index finger on the pull. She knew she was going to Lillian, so she instantly rushed and pushed Lillian and herself to the floor before two gunshots were heard.

Nester's bullet had gone into the wall, damaging it and another police officer had shot Nester in the leg.

Nathaniel rushed into the room at the hearing of the gunshots and was utterly surprised at what he was seeing. He sighted Nester first and rushed to her. "Nester? Oh, my God! How did this happen?" He asked, looking at her leg. "Wait, what's going on?" He asked as a police officer came to her and handcuffed her.

"She's the villain here, Nath. We're her victims," Linda said, making Nathaniel look their way.

"What! Nester would never-" His eyes darted to the other female beside Linda, and he narrowed his eyes at the woman who kept looking at him intently with tears and smile. "You look familiar," he said as he got closer and helped them to their feet.

Lillian smiled as she wiped her tears. Was he going to recognize her?

"You're Lillian," he said. It wasn't a question to confirm if he actually guessed right, he was certain he wasn't wrong. "You're the one I have been looking for," he muttered.

Lillian nodded and sobbed. She got on her toes, wrapped her hands around him and locked lips with him.