Chapter 368 - 368: Saving Me Before But Killing Me Now

By the time Elle raised her head to peer at her surroundings, Erick was already gone on the dance floor. When her eyes searched for him, she saw him walking out of the banquet hall in a rush. She didn't know what came to her but her feet just automatically moved to follow him, leaving James on the dance floor. James's eyes dimmed darkly as he watched Elle walking towards the glass door of the venue. When she got out, she saw Erick's figure running away towards the emergency exit. Elle's troubled heart was beating so fast. It was full of tears and heavy burdens. She ran to the direction where Erick went as she chased after him, removing her high heels in the process. She could hear his running footsteps just below her. However, before she could close their distance, a strong arm already grabbed her, thus stopping her. The person was James who also followed her. "Let Go of My Hand, Now!" she commanded him, feeling enraged. Her eyes and face were red. She was ready to throw a fit at any moment if ever James won't release her hand. But James was also stubborn. He remained still, gripping her hand tightly. He had no plan of letting her go especially now. "What are you trying to do? What will you say to him if ever you will be able to catch up with him? You already lied to him. So what's wrong with letting him think that you are my fiance?" James asked her. He also raised his voice at her. Pak! Elle slapped James on his left cheek as she was not able to control her fury. But Elle was taken aback after she realized what she did. James's face reddened immediately after taking that hit. Then there was a moment of deafening silence between them. Elle felt a pang of guilt after slapping James. She had put so much force with that slap. Her body reflexively moved and it was too late to stop it. "You leave me with no choice. You force me to do this." Elle said in a low voice as she lowered her gaze. She couldn't look straight at James's eyes. The gleam of hurt was visible in his eyes. James didn't budge. He was still holding her arm. He was afraid that once he let go, Elle would disappear completely from his side. "Hit me all you want. But I am sorry… I won't allow you to chase after him." James firmly said to her. Elle punched him on his chest several times. "Why are you doing this to me, James? Is this what you want? You are breaking my heart… You knew that he is-" "STOP IT!" James exclaimed, interrupting her words. "Please, Elle stop. I don't want to hear it." This time he lowered his voice as he mumbled his desperate plea. "James, I am grateful to you for saving my life. But… what you are doing now… is like you are killing me a thousand times." Elle said to him truthfully. That's what she felt as of this moment. "Now, I am hurting Erick and I am aware that I am hurting your feelings too. Maybe… it was better if I just died two years ago." After hearing that, James felt a rush of panic. He didn't want that. He pulled her closer, hugging her. "No! Don't say that!" James's eyes began to tear up. The scariest moment in his life was the time he heard the news that Elle died. But fate became good to him as he found her alive. "I'm sorry… I am sorry. Please forgive me, Elle. I didn't mean to hurt you. I just… I just…" James couldn't continue his words. 'I just love you so much that's why I am doing this.' That's what he wanted to tell her. But after seeing her cry, he felt like he had no rights to say that. Because if he did, he was afraid that Elle would question his love…and would question his way of showing his love and devotion for her. He couldn't justify his act by just saying he loves her because he knew the fact that it was his selfishness that made him do this. Elle gently pushed James away from her. "If you do this again, trying to wedge more conflicts between me and Erick, then I have to forget our deal. Knowing that Elle died was already too much for him to handle. Please, don't make him suffer more." After saying that, Elle left him. She decided to go home. There's no reason for her to stay there. The show was over. She didn't pursue her plan of going after Erick. James was right. Even if she followed him, she didn't know what she should say to him. The moment Elle vanished from his sight, James weakly leaned on the wall for support. He regretted his actions. He broke her trust. His jealous selfish heart was the one to blame. He already expected this to happen. He knew that Elle and Erick would still meet each other as Elle returned to City Z. He conditioned himself to be more patient and understanding. But, he failed. The moment Black Shadow informed him that Aliyah, Elle's new identity, was getting close again with Erick, he felt alarmed and threatened. He thought he would lose Elle once again In fact, Black Shadow had no idea that Elle was alive. Only Spike and Sherlock knew about Aliyah's existence.  James hid it from Black Shadow because he knew that Black had past relationship with the Azumi Twins who tried to kill Elle. It was no secret to him that Black Shadow had always thought of competing with Catseye. He was worried that Black Shadow might harm. her once he learned that Catseye was alive. So James didn't tell him anything about Elle.  That's why James was quite shocked when Black Shadow sent him a picture together with her. He asked Spike to contact Sherlock. He asked Sherlock to keep his eyes on Elle for two reasons. First, to monitor Elle so that he would be informed about the happenings between Elle and Erick. Second, to protect Elle just in case Black Shadow would do something to her.  James was oblivious that Black Shadow had already no ill-intent or bad motive towards Catseye. Instead, Black Shadow would be glad to know if Catseye was still alive.