Chapter 11/158: Why He Chose Alba

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Enjoy a warm chapter and don't forget to check the imporant A/N by the end of the chapter!
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Roaming through the mall was not as easy as I had imagined it would be.

I might visualize it for you as Katy, walking to the left side full of energy and wanting to try every single piece of clothes out there, me in the middle awkwardly walking and not really knowing how to act, and my escort, Alba Graçia walking in ultimate silence as she glared at the world.

Now here's the thing about Alba.

She stood out. Tall, cold, and very harshly beautiful.

Even in her very non-revealing outfit, she still caught attention and I could feel eyes snapping to her.

She did not even glance at them, as she marched proudly to my side.

"Hey, look! This store has a big sale announcement!" Katy announced, as she entered a clothing store without hesitation.

I sighed, and moved to enter, noticing at that that Alba did not follow me inside, not just into this store but into any one we entered.

"Alba?" I smiled at her, "Why won't you come in?"

She blinked at me and shrugged softly, "I feel like I'm already invading a lot of your privacy, senorita." She spoke with her heavy Spanish accent calmly, and her expression remained a poker face, "I will wait for you here."

I eyed her, and it occurred to me at that. Alba was probably having it worse than me. She was suddenly forced to fit in another woman's life. I think we are similar in age but evidently very different in lifestyles. And to add to that, she had to do her job well while also not getting on my nerves, because maybe not all people had the temper to be followed around.

I let out a soft breath, "You're not bothering me with anything, Alba," I grinned, "Come on, let's enjoy some girl shopping!"

She looked surprised for a second as she wet her lips, and a fast soft smile crossed her lips, then we walked in.

My best friend, being the fashion designer she is, did not bother hiding her happiness once she saw a model-like figure like Alba enter the store.

"Yes!!! Alba, I have so many dressing ideas for you!!" She cheered, and dragged Alba with her as she started grabbing different tops, skirts, as well as shorts from left and right while pushing Alba to the fitting room.

I chuckled. Typical Katy.

.

.

.

After an hour just spent in the fitting rooms of different stores, I realized two things:

The first was that Katy was very, very, and very passionate about her job. She did not get tired, drained, or even complained once despite the fact that she was purely just choosing clothes for someone and inspiring ideas for her future designs instead of trying on clothes for herself.

The second was that Alba was so pretty. My description might have given such an impact, but as she tried different outfits on, I noticed how well-built her figure was. She looked someone who trained on very regular basis, as her curves were extremely emphasized, and very proportioned. She wasn't over-muscled, but you could tell she was someone who trained a lot.

After lots of nagging from Katy, and even insistence on my side, Alba Graçia ended up being the center of our shopping trip as she shopped a lot of attires, while Katy and I barely got a few things.

As we exited the last shop, Katy let out an energetic breath, "Phew! I feel so satisfied with what we got! Especially for you, Alba, you are such an inspiration!"

Alba's expression mellowed a little as she let out a small smile, "It's been a long time since I have shopped this much. It's a pity I won't wear them except occasionally."

I frowned softly, what? Why though... Then i realized what the issue was as I eyed her entirely black attire. Aha, so that was the dress code for her, hm...

"I have a question, Alba." I eyed her seriously but softly.

She arced her head in my direction wordlessly as she hummed.

"Are you comfortable in moving in a normal attire? Like a skirt?" I wondered.

She blinked, clearly not having expected such a question. "Um, . In my previous job, I was required to attend several conferences with the lady I was escorting, and so I was mainly trained to fight in a skirt."

Katherine gasped, "Holy shit, that's actually so cool! I can picture Alba kicking in a skirt in some Women's Power ad! And then the ad goes like: My skirt doesn't just hide the skills 'you' can think of!" Katy jumped excitedly at that, "Dammit, wear skirts again!"

Alba fidgeted at that as another small smile came to her face. Wow, I really like how fast she and Katherine got along. "I don't think that's allowed under Ellington's orders, and besides, I really don't mind." She shrugged, "Whatever serves your safety best, Señorita," she eyed me, "I don't mind it."

I shifted as I remembered she looked really nice in skirts, and even better, she looked comfortable. An idea shot to my head at that and I grinned at her, "I'll talk to Mr. Ellington, you can wear any outfit that makes you most comfortable, okay?"

She eyed me in such a weird manner, as though she was wondering why I was being nice to her, and then nodded deliberately, "Thank you, señorita."

Katy emerged as a lifesaver at that, cutting off the tension in the air as she cheered, "So, coffee?"

Alba and I nodded as we started heading towards the nearest coffee shop in the mall.

Katy's phone rang at that, and she directly picked it up. "Hey baby!"

Leonard Beards' voice was slightly audible at that, "Where are you, love? I want to see you a bit before I head home, I'm really tired for today."

Katherine's expression mellowed a bit, "I'm at the mall Leo, do you want to meet me here or do I go over? If you're already home, don't tire yourself by coming here!"

A small chuckle was heard from the other side of the line, "I'm just leaving the company, I'll pass by the mall to see you a bit. I love you, bye!"

And they cut off the line.

I could tell how happy Katy was by her expression, as she marched more cheerfully towards the shop now.

I noticed that Alba had overheard the entire conversation but commented not, she just eyed Katy silently.

We reached the coffee shop, ordered our coffee cups, and sat down.

I gulped my coffee awkwardly, as Alba sipped hers elegantly in silence, while observing our surroundings carefully.

"So," Again, Katy unintentionally helped ease the tease, "How was your day, Cherry?" She wiggled her brows at me.

I flushed, as I cleared my throat. "It was good."

My best friend frowned as her excited expression wavered for a second, as though got disappointed, "Charlotte Mia Thorne," She huffed, "I ask you how was your reunion with R.E.C. And all you have on it is 'good'? Good? Where is the tea, girl!? Spill it out come on!"

I flushed deeper letting out a softer breath, "Look, some interactions happened," I sipped my coffee, "But you know the mechanism of our relationship, Kat... I don't really know what sense to make of it... I don't know if I want to make sense of it, you know?"

Katy sipped her tea.

Yes, you read right.

She ordered tea, for the joke of it.

"So you guys kissed." She stated, bluntly.

I gasped, "H-Hey! How did you..."

She chuckled out loud, "Oh God, you're such an open book, no way!"

"So, and it seems like a lot of kissing!" She continued, as she sipped her tea.

I huffed, my blush not fading away. The little!!! "Enough, Kat..." I fidgeted, and Katy turned towards Alba at that.

"So, he really did think of you a lot, hmmm?" She winked at me, and then looked at Alba, "I mean, for you to get an escort... that's a thing!"

I sighed, "I honestly don't know what's on his mind."

Katy then looked at Alba again, "It's fine though! We got a new shopping buddy!" She grinned.

Alba fidgeted, and for a second, I thought she let out a small smile.

"So Alba," I started this time, carefully, "How did you start working at Mr. Ellington's? I mean, I've never heard about you before."

Alba looked at me with her sharp orbs at that, as she observed me and didn't blink, "I got employed just three months ago."

I didn't know if it were me but for a second, I felt the pretty woman's eyes darken, as if she had a thought occur to her when she spoke.

As though she read my thoughts, Katy was faster to ask, "So, how did it happen? I mean, you're Spanish and your accent doesn't seem like someone who's been in UK for long!"

Alba's look darkened at that, and I saw it at that.

The glint that I noticed the first time I looked into her orbs.

It was clearer than anytime before.

It was deep and unfathomably concealed grief. Deep hurt.

She turned away at that, pursing her lips. She didn't let herself blink. "I'm afraid that's confidential, Señorita."

Both Katy and I went silent at that, as ideas started shooting through our heads.

Hey, wh-what if they....!! Could it be she and Mr. Ellington...??

My escort was fast enough to see my thoughts through my face at that, so she directly spoke, eyeing me seriously, "It's nothing of what you think." She spoke, "I'm not bedding him."

I flushed, "I didn't think that..." I fidgeted, "It's just that-" A certain interference other than Katy's saved my ass from the awkwardness of the situation.

"Coffee at ten at night doesn't seem like such a bad idea, hmm?" A seductive, and extremely smooth voice came from behind me.

Katy jumped from her place, as she greeted Leonard Beards with a tight and ultimately possessive hug. I could feel the looks at the handsome devil from left and right.

Noticing that, Leonard smiled at us all, "Ladies, I feel it's better if we walk around the mall, hmm?"

Alba and I stood out considering we'd all paid at the cashier earlier, and we started walking behind the couple.

As we walked around the mall, I noticed Alba's looks at the couple walking in front of us.
They were dark.

Dark, deep, and unfathomable.

And most importantly, they were not happy.

Wait, could it be??

She... She mentioned she did not have anything going on between here and my employer, but...

Nothing about Mr. Leonard!

We continued walking, and approaching the center, we noticed some building operations going on, as some steel beams were being lifted up by means of steel cables, through the center opening of the mall where a gap was present, opening the four floors to each other. They were apparently fixing some kind of frame in the last floor.

Leonard Beards eyed the construction work, wrapped his left hand around Katherine, and pulled her towards him smiling, "Let's not walk next to them, it's rather careless they're executing such works in the daytime."

And we started moving away, as the couple continued their cuddles and laughs, and I continued my observation of my escort who was still eyeing them with the same weird look.

After having moved relatively away from the construction works, Katy suddenly stopped in her tracks as she gasped, reaching for her right ear.

"Wait a second!" She touched her earlobe over and over, as though she were checking if something was there. "No!" She groaned, "Please don't tell me it fell, not again, no!"

Leonard eyed her worriedly, "Your earring, again?"

So Katherine have always had this very bad habit of losing her jewelry.

Not intentionally, but somehow her jewelry seemed to get lost a lot.

Leonard sighed, seeing how sad Katherine was about it, "It's fine, love. I'll get you another o-"

"No!" She snapped, "You got me this for the anniversary of our first meeting, I'm not losing it!" Katy turned, and started walking back, "I'm gonna look for it!" She paced, as she eyed the ground while pacing back.

Leonard sighed but followed her, and so Alba and I started following them but at a slower pace, looking for the earring as well.

"So what does it look like?" Alba questioned, as she eyed the ground, then looked at me awaiting my answer.

"It... It's a half-moon shape, and made of...." My words disappeared, as for a second, I looked at the... scene meters before me.

Good God.

They were there. Beneath the construction works.

And Katy was smiling, as she seemed to be holding her earring having found it.

It seemed their happiness with finding the earring distracted them from hearing the screams of the construction workers from the last floor...

The steel wires holding two steel beams above were shaking, and the steel beams were moving as well.

They were moving enough to pressure the steel wires holding them.

I opened my mouth but my voice disappeared.

I forced it out even if I had to tear my throat apart.

"KATHERINE!"

By the time Katherine Martins and Leonard Beards realized my voice, along with other voices, the first steel wire had given up as it tore off in a loud snip sound, leaving the entire weight of the two beams on the remaining wire.

Leonard Beards was first to look up, as his eyes widened.

I realized he didn't have enough time to think, as all what he did was pull Katy to his chest engulfing her completely.

And the second steel wire gave up in a second.

Everything played before me in slow motion.

The moment the second steel wire snapped off, the two steel beams were left under the action of their weight only.

Free falling.

From beneath them, the couple was supposed to not have enough time to escape this free fall.

Oh but someone was faster than this free fall.

By a millisecond.

In fractions of a second, a silhouette was spotted before Katherine and Leonard, pushing them off, utilizing their weight along her weight to push them some meters away.

A BAM that vibrated through the entire mall echoed, and I forced my feet to move.

Tears came down my face, as I sobbed loudly.

"K-Katy.... KATY!" I sobbed and neared the beams, God... please... please don't let me f-find them...

A commotion could be heard some feet away from the beams, when people started gathering.

Nearing them as the ultimate mess I was, I cried wanting to see what I was hoping to see.

They were on the ground.

Katherine was in a state of shock, and Leonard Beards still had her in his arms, as his entire entity shook.

And atop of them.

Was her.

She was panting as she shook, struggling to stand up.

My God...

She...

What is she...

She managed to run seconds before I realized what was happening, and she managed to...

To save them...

I fell to the ground to my knees, and sobbed.

They were safe.

Alba straightened, as her legs shook, but still managed to hold her ground.

Katherine and Leonard straightened as well, both were still shocked but hugged tightly nevertheless.

Katy cried softly into Leonard's chest at that, as she apologized for insisting on getting the earring, and was starting to turn into an ultimate mess at that.

And honestly, I understood so well what she felt.

As I moved to approach the couple, I spotted from the edge of my eye the silhouette of my escort disappear between the commotion, as she walked away.

I stood up, and moved.

I knew Leonard and Katy were too overwhelmed to notice that I left.

And frankly, I wanted to follow her.

The woman moved with her long legs in fast and thoughtless steps, and after a minute or two, I figured she was towards the bathrooms.

She reached there, as she slammed the door open.

I didn't directly enter, just to see what was up.

It was at that that I saw what was happening.

With wavering, shaking steps, Alba Graçia stumbled into the bathroom. She didn't even head to any of the stubs.

A loud sob was heard, she laid against the closest wall, and fell to the ground back against the wall.

It was a good thing no one was there for some reason.

She sobbed louder. And I could not even describe the amount of pain there was in her voice.

Every sob held so much grief, as though it was tearing her heart apart every time.

I stepped in. Her face was to her knees, as she hugged herself vulnerably.

She noticed me, but barely glanced in my direction.

"Alba..."

She didn't respond, so I crossed the distance and squatted next to her.

Her entire entity shook, as I reached out for her shoulder carefully, soothingly.

"Alba, I..."

"E-Estaba tan asustada..." She sobbed.

**Estaba tan asustada: I was so scared (Spanish)**

Oh, really?

"Um, I don't..." I tried telling her I didn't understand, and she apparently got that, as she translated.

"I was so scared..." She sobbed, and her beauteous eyes glowed in ultimate sadness.

"Had anything happened to any of them... Wh-What would have happened to the other... He... He wouldn't be able to breathe... Doloraría tan mal."

**Doloraría tan mal: it would hurt so much (Spanish)**

I didn't really get the last sentence, but I could tell it was not good.

But... Wait a second...

What did she say?

"Alba, you..." I started, but apparently the woman before me needed to talk.

She had a lot on mind.

And I was sure of that upon hearing what she said next:

"I could not protect the love of my life in a battle three m-months ago..." She reached for her phone, and with shaking hands, she unlocked it, as a wallpaper was displayed.

It was her.

In the hands of a man.

He was young, blonde, slightly tanned, and he was hugging her very tightly.

And they both had wide smiles, as they eyed each other in the pic.

And Alba Graçia pulled the phone to her chest, and stuck it as close as possible to her heart.

She cried, painful and loud sobs that made me feel her heart breaking.

"Filberto... He... The doctor said he might not wake up again..." She cried, as she hugged the phone tighter, almost as though she was trying to get an essence of him through the phone.

"H-He had been in a c-coma with a very slow heartbeat since... that day..." She shook, and tears streamed down her white skin.

"Had one of those two lost his life... I could imagine what would happen to the other." Her voice shook, and her words held tons of grief, "I could imagine that..."

"That he'd be wishing to die every day for one extra minute with the other..."

And only sobs came out after that.

Alba Graçia sobbed all her vulnerability.

All that grief and hurt I had seen in her gaze the moment I'd seen her.

It all came out.

I noticed at that that my own tears were down my face.

I reached out, and I hugged her softly to my chest.

Good lord, the closer I looked, the more I saw that I wanted to protect my own bodyguard.

Because on the inside, she was but a little broken girl. Broken by love and guilt and loss.

As I patted her head softly, I tightened my hug around her, "Gracìas, Alba."

**Graçias: Thank you**

She only cried, and I went silent as I gave her the best

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