Paul POV

I stepped through a revolving door and into Boston's best Italian restaurant, Verona Virtue.

The upscale restaurant was famous for its sophisticated ambiance, exceptional service, unique food presentation, and most importantly it's authentic flavor.

"I'm here for the reservation under Antonio Marino." I told the hostess.

"Right this way, please."

I followed the young woman when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. There was only one person I constantly texted these days, and I knew it would be a message from my girlfriend.

I couldn't help but smile as I looked to the glass screen but was quickly disheartened when I saw Makayla picked up a last minute day shift at the hospital, this afternoon.

"Damnit, Johnny is so right." I sighed. "Dating a doctor is hard."

Sending her a slew of broken heart emojis, I continued towards the group of men I actively avoided even mentioning to Makayla.

Classical melodies filled my ears as a pianist gracefully moved his fingers across the keys that matched the black and white checkered floor of the restaurant.

The open dining area was bright given the natural sunlight pouring through the tall radius windows that lined its white walls, and every table was covered with a white cloth as well - emerald green and gold plush chairs surrounding them.

"Paul!" Spencer enthused, the rest of the boys following his gaze.

"Hey!" I chimed. "Sorry I'm late. Just finished up an exam."

"Of course, all good brother." Antonio replied.

I took the last vacant seat at the circular table, between Spencer and Donnell.

The waiter greeted me when I was settled in my chair and the group had already decided on both a red and white option for the wine.

Eager to warm up from the Boston cold, I decided to enjoy the Italian Barolo before the waiter poured the red wine into a long stem glass for me.

"Would you like more time to review the menu?" The gentleman asked.

"Sì, per favore." Antonio replied. "Actually, should we just order all of the cicchetti?"

The group agreed to the idea before Antonio continued speaking Italian to the waiter, and it appeared he was making some special adjustments as a regular here.

"Grazie." Antonio thanked the gentlemen. "Now that Paul is here, should we make a toast?"

"To what?" Donnell asked. "I'm assuming since we're here and you're paying, there's something you want to talk about?"

I nodded, as did Spencer and Chase. Today's lunch was a last minute request from the Italian and it was far from a cheap gesture.

"I'm just in a good mood and it's been weeks since we got together like this, no?" Antonio grinned, raising his glass. "Let's cheers to good company and our brotherhood."

Going along with the Italian, we clanked our glasses and sipped on our chosen wines.

"So, I want to know what everyone's been up to." Antonio proceeded. "How is the season going for you, Chase? Sorry I haven't been able to make it to any of your games."

"It's all good man. I know you can't actually stand sitting in the cold." He chuckled. "We're still undefeated though, but it's not been easy. Hence why all I've been doing since the holidays is training, studying, eating, shitting, and sleeping."

"TMI, dude." Spencer teased. "I feel that though, it's been busy on my end too. I accepted the offer at Hudson, but I'm paying the price at this internship. The cases just keep coming in and these assholes even have me getting their coffee every morning."

Donnell chuckled. "Sounds like a proper initiation to me. Going in with the title and salary you got straight out of law school is wild, man. Your boss is just doing you a favor upfront, so you'll be more respected when you start the actual job."

"I know, I know." Spencer sighed. "What you been up to?"

"Not much, honestly." Donnell admitted. "I've just been studying, working out, eating healthy, drinking water, and minding my own business."

"Is that so?" Antonio asked. "Sounds like you've got some free time these days, then. Why don't you try putting yourself out there again?"

"Why, you know someone?" Donnell joked, but Antonio actually nodded.

"I've been talking to a girl who has an attractive friend that finds you just as attractive."

Those playful ohs spilled past the group's lips, Donnell's eyes widened.

"Doesn't this all sound so familiar?" Chase asked, making my heart sink.

"Why does Donnell always attract the good ones?" Spencer added.

"You don't even know who she is." Antonio laughed.

"Man, you would never offer up anything less than a 10 to one of us." Chase rebutted.

"True." Antonio admitted. "Which is why you should consider my offer, Donnell. She's a second year at Harvard, a gorgeous Spanish woman fluent in three languages, and her parents are very well off. She's almost as perfect as my girl."

"I really appreciate the thought, but I'm good man." Donnell answered.

"Wow, still not over Makayla after all this time?" Chase asked. "I'm not even trying to be an ass, but how much more time do you need before it sits in brother?"

"Respectfully Chase, until you've felt a connection like that you'll never get it." Donnell replied. "It's not even about her, though. That kind of emotional investment takes a lot of energy, even when its over. I'm not in the mood to date in general right now. I'll hook up with someone here and there, but I just need to focus on school for now."

"Understood. I'll break the news softly in case you come around." Antonio replied.

Feeling uneasy, I took a sip of my wine while the Italian's gazed fixated on me next.

"What about you?" He asked me. "You've been super MIA, even in the group chat. I hear you're barely making it to classes these days too. AHS Group been busy?"

"Always, man." I chuckled, despite how obvious it was Antonio was trying to read me. "I've been helping Johnny a lot since we got back from winter break, and I've traveled a bit with some friends too."

"Friends, huh?" He questioned. "Did you know you have a glow about you, right now?"

"A glow?" I asked.

"Yeah, a glow." He smirked. "It's pretty obvious, you're dating."

My eyes briefly widened as the rest of the boys stared at me with shocked smiles.

"Just be honest man, we know how it gets." Antonio proceeded. "Even for you, today's outfit is bit much for an exam day, the thermos in your bag is pretty common for your taste and though we've all been busy, the rest of us have made a stronger effort to see each other in comparison to you. You're prioritizing a woman over us, no?"

"No way!" Spencer exclaimed. "You're really dating someone?"

"See Donnell, that's how you do it after heartbreak!" Chase laughed. "Move on quickly, and with a better woman! Who is she, Paul? Does she go to Harvard too?"

"Woah, woah, woah." I confidently replied. "I'm not dating anyone, yet."

"Yet?" Donnell asked.

"I met her through a friend, and we're just enjoying each other's company right now."

"Enough to travel?" Antonio asked.

"She's the type that needs affirmation, especially from a man like me. A trip was an easy price to pay to keep her locked in for the time being, but I'm still undecided."

"Then what about the fit?" Spencer pried.

"I'm wearing what I wore out with her last night, and she made me coffee for the road this morning." I playfully scoffed. "Happy? You nosey bastards."

As expected, Spencer and Chase were much more gullible than Donnell and Antonio. The two blondes laughed with me, while the other two accepted my answers despite the questionable gaze in their eyes.

"Poor girl." Spencer replied. "You're already tired of her, I see."

I shrugged, nodding my head as I prepared to shift the group's attention.

"What about you though?" I asked Antonio. "You have a girlfriend, now?"

"Oof, I'm still not ready to call her that." Antonio responded. "I do think she's a keeper though. I met her back at home. She's from a respectable family in Italy, so my mother set us up over the holidays."

"She goes to Harvard too?" Chase asked, and Antonio nodded. "How did you not know about her before this introduction then?"

"I've actually always known about her, but..." He paused as a blank expression surfaced on his face. "Lets just say I can understand Donnell more than you guys will ever know."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Spencer asked.

"Despite what you may think, it's not been easy moving on from London." Antonio confessed, shocking all of us. "I loved that woman so much, but unfortunately I learned there is more to a relationship than just love, especially in my business. Mia bella - she gets it."

Like the rest of the boys, I had no idea what to say after hearing such shameless nonsense. My stomach was even unsettled. I couldn't imagine what the rest of the guys were feeling since they actually knew what went down between Antonio and his late ex-girlfriend.

"My bad, I didn't mean to bring down the mood." Antonio deviated. "All that to say, look forward to meeting Alessandra. She goes by Alex in America if that's easier for you."

"Alessandra." Chase recited. "Something about the way you say it makes her sound like a total badass. Am I the only one hearing it?"

Antonio smirked. "You hear it that way, because that's exactly how I see her. She's sexy, smart, loyal, and fiercely defends the things and people she cherishes. Fortunately for me, I fall at the top of that list."

"Defends?" Spencer asked.

"I won't go into too much detail since our golden boy is present." Antonio joked, winking at me. "She helped me take care of a few pests this past week and I think she's actually closing in on the true motorcyclist that has been screwing with us."

My heart sinking for a second time, I used every fiber in my body to block the natural reactions I wanted to show.

"A few goons tried to take credit for the warehouse fire, but I knew it was too organized to be some random gang from this city. I told you my right hand fought two of them, and because of Alessandra he finally accepted one of the bikers that got the best of him was a woman."

Spencer loudly gasped as I clenched my fist beneath the table.

"Alessandra squared off with him, and he said it felt very similar. Their height was the same, and the motorcyclist moved like Alessandra too. That means, she's not a professional but she is well trained and since the first attack was on all of our cars, I have no doubt she knows us."

"Well I'll be damned." Chase scoffed. "So what happens now?"

"The list of suspects is much smaller." Antonio started, his eyes shifting to Donnell. "You certain Makayla hasn't picked up any new hobbies?"

Donnell sighed. "How many more times do I have to clear her name? She has whole alibis."

"Not to mention, it's Makayla." Spencer added. "I get it. London's death changed her but not to such an extent, Antonio. I could see vandalizing our cars, but arson? Someone literally blew up your business. There's no way she is capable of something like that. She's just a Type A girl, that's always been dedicated to a career as a doctor. She wouldn't risk her life's work."

"I agree, and you know her and I bickered a lot." Chase surprisingly stepped in. "She's been through enough, man. Even if she did tag our cars, let's just leave her alone."

"Wow, both of you defending her suddenly? This is random." Antonio smirked.

"Well there was a time we all called her a friend." Donnell said. "Let's not make assumptions and go too far with this."

The table grew silent again as I took in the surprising and nerve wracking exchange.

While Spencer, Chase, and Donnell were standing their ground against Antonio's accusation, I could tell they were scared. I myself, was growing sick with worry as one of my newest fears started becoming more and more realistic right before my eyes.

"Gentlemen." Our waiter chimed. He was accompanied by his colleagues and they were holding trays with the small plates Antonio ordered for us. "The cicchetti."

The waiter walked through each of the 8 dishes, though I didn't hear a single word he said. My head was spinning as all of the pieces continued to come together.

These damn instincts of mine, they were never wrong but I didn't want to believe Makayla was this reckless. I didn't want to think she could go as far as messing with someone as dangerous as Antonio, let alone committing her own crimes in the process.

"Grazie." Antonio thanked the waiter. "We'll decide on entrées later, if we're still hungry."

"Bene!" He replied. "Call for me if you need anything."

Chase rubbed his hands together seeing the quality food. "Damn, this looks good!"

"It's the best!" Antonio beamed. "Godere!"

Despite the tense discussion that took place only minutes ago, the boys started serving themselves like the repressed puppies Antonio had trained them to be.

"Excuse me." I stated as I stood up from my seat. "I need to use the restroom. I'll be back."

Nodding to me, the boys continued to pick from the small plates while I headed towards the bathroom.

As soon as I stepped into the small dim lit room, I made sure I was alone before I finally took a deep breath. I so badly wanted to splash my face with water as well, but I knew that would only raise questions upon my return to the table.

"Damnit." I whispered. "Is this her secret? Is this the business she's taking care of?"

Looking to my phone screen, I contemplated texting Makayla when I remembered the promise I made her as well as the one condition that allowed her to accept my confession.

My head fell backwards as I closed my eyes and endured this shockwave of panic.

I knew Makayla too well now, and how important London was to her. If my instincts really were correct, she wouldn't just leave me the moment I confronted her about this. She spirals when she's hurt. She would just throw herself into danger, quicker.

"What the hell am I going to do?"

Sighing, I slipped my phone in my pocket before I washed my hands for quite some time. It was the best I could do to bring down my body temperature and compose myself before joining the guys back at the table.

As I dried my hands, I felt an incoming call when the vibrations from my phone coursed down my leg.

"Johnny?" I answered. "What-"

"Is Makayla working today?" He frantically asked.

"Yeah, why?"

"Get to the hospital, right now."

"What?"

"There's an active shooter!" He yelled, my lips parting. "It's all over the news. There's an active shooter at the hospital Ho-seok and I can't get a hold of Madison!"

"I'll call you back." I anxiously responded.

Rushing out of the men's room, I started calling my girlfriend when I noticed every person in the restaurant either looking at their phone or watching the breaking news on the flat screen TVs hanging behind Verona Virtue's elegant bar.

The headline - Active Shooters in Massachusetts General Hospital. Just like Johnny said.

"Kayla." I breathed, seeing the chaos being captured on the news.

A reporter was covering the story from outside of the building, dozens of patients and their guardians screaming and rushing out of the hospital in the background.

Instinctively, I picked up my pace as I made my way through the restaurant and to the table.

"Wow, this is crazy!" Spencer gaped, each member of The Elite scrolling through their phones. "Paul-..."

"I'm sorry, but I have to go." I said as I grabbed my bag.

"What?" Chase asked. "The food just got here, though!"

"I need to get to the office, ASAP." I blurted, as my latest excuse to ditch The Elite came to mind. "Massachusetts General Hospital is one of AHS' biggest clients in Boston. It's going to be a busy night at headquarters if the news is as bad as being reported."

"Damn, good luck." Spencer replied, though Antonio's gaze told me he wasn't fully convinced.

I didn't have time to worry about him though. I was struggling to contain myself. I was barely breathing and I knew my cheeks were growing flushed.

"Lunch is on me next time." I uttered.

"Holding you to that, golden boy." Antonio smirked.

Waving goodbye, three out of the four gestured their farewell while Donnell's fingers wildly moved along the glass screen of his phone. I could guess who he was texting, and I understood exactly how he was feeling right now.

I kept collected as I briskly walked through the restaurant but the moment I stepped outside of the building, I had to drop the act in order to breath.

"Good afternoon, sir! I hope you enjoyed dining with us! Your ticket pl-..."

"Here!" I snapped at the long winded valet driver. " Please be quick. I have an emergency."

Hearing my tone, the young man rushed towards the garage my car was parked in.

I took this time to call Makayla again, but gasped when I realized I could actually be putting her in danger. Hanging up, my lips quivered from just imaging I could be the reason her location was exposed to a shooter.

"Damnit!" I softly yelled as I grabbed a handful of my hair.

I had no idea what to do with my shaking hands while I impatiently waited for my car. I wanted to contact Makayla so badly, and I felt so useless. We were only a week into our relationship, and I was already failing to protect her like I promised.

What felt like an eternity past by time the valet driver pulled up with my car. 

I grabbed all of the loose cash in my wallet and likely handed well over the cost and appropriate tip for his services.  

The moment I was seated in my running vehicle,  I sped off without even fastening my seatbelt.

I recklessly weaved in and out of the city traffic like a maniac, and I was going well over the speed limit whenever the road ahead was clear. I even ran several yellow lights along the way but of course I couldn't get through all of them easily.

When I was stopped at a long red light I finally called Johnny back but he wasn't answering his phone either, now.

"Please, please, please." I prayed, my heal tapping on the floor mat below it. "Aein, please. Please be okay. Please, just stay put for once. I'm begging you."

As soon as the light turned green, I floored it and drove as fast as I could until I reached the stopped traffic I had been anticipating the entire drive.

I was four blocks away from the hospital and I knew the surrounding roads were likely blocked off, so I turned down the nearest street and parked my car along the curb.

Though I left my Corvette in a tow-away zone, I ran towards the hospital with one thought in mind.

I needed to see her. I just needed to lay my eyes on her.

I sprinted to my best ability, weaving around people and doing my best not to get hit by cars whenever I crossed the street. The closer I got to the hospital, I could see the chaos more clearly and it was devastating when I actually made it to the scene.

People were running, screaming, and crying all around me - many wounded while the doctors and nurses that made it out of the building tended to them.

I pushed my way towards the ER entrance, frantically searching for Makayla. I couldn't see her anywhere though, and as I turned in circles trying to find her the scariest noise I had ever heard filled my ears.

"Get down!" A police officer yelled.

Dozens of people screamed hearing the sound of gunshots coming from inside the hospital. I had only ever heard such a thing while playing video games, and it sounded like the culprits were using machine guns or some other form of automatic fire weapons.

"Get back!" Another officer yelled. There was tape preventing people from getting too close to the building as well.

I went back to searching for Kayla, my sense of urgency increasing.

I shoved my way past even more people, and I wanted to throw up seeing all the blood.

Wounded victims of the mass shooting were begging for help or wailing in pain on the ground, while a few had already passed away.

"Kayla!" I yelled for her. "Makayla!"

Hearing no response, it was getting harder for me to breath.

I pushed my way through the thick crowd surrounding me a little more aggressively as I picked up my pace - my gaze locking on every woman I saw wearing a set of scrubs.

None of them were her though. None of them were my girlfriend.

"Johnny!" Madison's familiar voice yelled, and my eyes widened.

"Madison, baby! Thank God!" He replied. I followed his voice and quickly located the two sharing a tight embrace about four yards away from me. "Are you okay?"

Madison nodded, Johnny's hands cupping her cheeks as he observed her up close. His face was a bright red, and for the first time ever I saw tears streaming down his face as he pulled her into another hug.

"Madison." I this time called for her. When I approached them, Johnny welcomed me with a firm grip on my shoulder. "Where is she? Where is Kayla? Did she make it out?"

"She did." Madison answered as she looked around, but I heard Makayla's voice sooner than our eyes could locate her.

"Miguel!" Makayla yelled. "Over here! I need more gauze, this patient's bleeding out!"

I ran towards her voice, nudging anyone in my way, before I finally saw her past a group of concerned people that were watching her at work.

"Please, my son collapsed!" A woman begged, and Makayla was closest to her.

"Take over!" Kayla said to her colleague. A relieved sigh spilled past my parted lips seeing my girlfriend rush towards another patient. "It sounds like his lung was punctured."

"Dear God, no." The elder woman whimpered, holding her son on the ground as Kayla dug around in her medical bag. "Please help my son."

"Don't worry, ma'am. He's going to be fine." Makayla assured her, and she cut open the boy's shirt before she applied some sort of vented seal over his wounds.

"Pay close attention to his breathing." She said to another colleague. The young woman was shaking as she watched Kayla place a red tag on the injured boy. "If breathing becomes hard for him, grab the closest doctor immediately. When the hospital is safe again, he needs to be prioritized in an OR, got it?"

"Yes, Dr. Pearson." The nurse replied.

Makayla stood up with the large bag hanging off her shoulder, and she was so concentrated she didn't even notice me.

"Kayla!" I called for her, but she didn't hear me either.

Seeing her walk away, I chased after her and grabbed her wrist as soon as I caught up to her.

"Ho-seok?" She gasped. "Are you crazy! What are you doing here? It's danger-..."

The skin between my eyebrows scrunched seeing a large hand suddenly grab her other wrist.

"Jackson?" She uttered.

I grew uneasy just hearing her say his name, and I didn't care for the look in his eyes either.

Digesting this awkward situation, a stare down occurred between Jackson and I when another unexpected person suddenly appeared.

"Paul?" Donnell called for me. "What the hell is going on?"

____

Author's Note: Hello, hello! What a cliffhanger, right? Hehe! 

I told you the return to Boston would be trying for the new couple! 

Our wise male lead is getting closer and closer to figuring out Makayla's secret, and as timing would have it, the last man that figured it out has finally returned! You know I had to spice it up even more, because we can't forget about the other man who's never moved on from Makayla! 

A member of The Elite has finally discovered Ho-seok's relationship with Kayla. What do you think this means for the couple, especially since Antonio is already independently suspicious of the two? Will Donnell choose to expose Ho-seok's secret, and what has Jackson chosen to do with his knowledge of Makayla's secret?

Please remember to vote and comment! Thanks for your support! 

- Zelene