PERFECT BODY GUARD CHAPTER FORTY THREE : SACRIFICES AND REALIZATION

Richard lay on the ground, immobilized by gunshot wounds, losing a significant amount of blood until he eventually lost consciousness. Gloria entered the scene, surprised to see a skilled individual like Richard defeated in such a manner.

"Where is the girl?" she demanded.

"Sorry, ma'am, she escaped. We couldn't apprehend her," Mike explained.

Linda hurriedly made her way, reaching a bus stop where she boarded a bus headed to the main bays, where Shun resided. The one-hour journey was filled with regret and torment as thoughts of Richard consumed her. Overwhelmed with guilt for her harsh words, Linda broke into tears on the bus, drawing the attention of everyone around her.

An elderly lady in her 60s approached Linda and inquired about her tears.

Linda poured her heart out, confessing, "There's this guy who cared so much about me, and when he tried looking out for me,  He got hurt because of me."

The compassionate woman expressed her sympathy, "I'm so sorry to hear that. It seems like you didn't get to tell him you cared about him too."

Linda, overwhelmed with guilt, replied, "I don't know if I did. According to what I did to him, I can't say I really care about him. I hate myself."

The wise lady offered comforting advice, "Crying won't solve anything. I'm pretty sure he's not here to see you cry, which means he doesn't really know you're here. If you genuinely care about him, there's still time to make amends."

Linda questioned, "What if there isn't?"

"Then make things right in a way that you won't regret a lot in the future," the lady advised before leaving. "Crying won't solve anything," she added as she walked away, leaving Linda to contemplate her words.

Arriving at the main bay, Linda sought out Shun's location by asking around. After some time, she located him and knocked on the door. A woman in her late 20s answered, asking Linda's purpose.

"I'm here to see Shun. Does anyone by the name Shun live here?" Linda inquired.

Suspicious, the lady asked, "Who are you, and what do you want with Shun?"

As they conversed, a tall guy approached, inquiring about the commotion. The lady, seemingly jealous of Linda's beauty, asked if Shun knew her.

Shun, joining the conversation, expressed confusion, "I don't think so. Who are you?" he asked Linda.

"I'm Linda Jim, and I was sent here by an old friend of yours, Richard," Linda explained.

Shun, recalling Richard, exclaimed, "Oh my, my man! Please come in." Turning to the lady, he said, "I can't believe Richard sent you here. And you said your name is Jim? Are you Dr. Jim's daughter?"

Shun offered Linda a seat as they began to unravel the connection between them.

"Esther," Shun called out, "can you get something for the guest?"

Turning to Linda, he asked, "What would you like?"

"Just water, thank you," Linda replied politely as Esther headed to the kitchen.

Shun inquired about Richard's success as a bodyguard, expressing pride when Linda confirmed that Richard indeed made it. Shun then offered his condolences for Linda's father's death.

"It's fine," Linda responded bravely. "I came here because Richard is in big trouble. He asked me to meet up with you and stay with you for the time being to plan on getting him back."

As Linda shared her concerns, a two-year-old baby approached Shun, drawing his attention. Shun lifted the child onto his lap, referring to her as his little angel.

"Miss Linda, Richard was my friend, a close one, but believe me, I wish I could help him," Shun continued. However, before he could finish, Linda felt a surge of disappointment.

"But I have a family to take care of now, and I can't just leave them to protect or save someone. My only protection and life belong to them," Shun explained, apologizing.

Linda, hearing this, began to have flashbacks in her head. The realization that Richard had prioritized her instead of his family hit her hard. She couldn't comprehend the depth of his sacrifice.

"No one can really be having a family to take care of and leave their family to help someone else's family," Shun concluded, and Linda, overwhelmed with emotions, burst into tears. She hurried outside to catch her breath, grappling with panic attacks. 

"I need to get Richard back at all costs, even if it will cost my life. I don't care," Linda declared before leaving.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Shun. You're indeed one of a kind," Linda expressed as she departed.

When Linda returned to the hotel, she broke into tears, crying her heart out. The weight of Richard's sacrifices hit her hard, realizing how she had pushed him away due to her selfish pursuit of reclaiming her company. She wept for hours, wrestling with regret. Finally, she picked up her phone and dialed Gloria's number.

"Well, well, well, look who chose to call me," Gloria answered.

"Please, let him go. I'm begging you. If you do, I'll turn myself in to you. He has a family who can't afford to lose him," Linda pleaded.

Gloria laughed, dismissing Linda's plea, "Haha, you really think I'm going to let a wild card like this kid go? Someone who can help me grow an empire."

"After I'm done with him, you won't recognize him again," Gloria asserted confidently.

"Then I will have him by my side, and catching you will be like catching a fly," Gloria added before abruptly ending the call.