Dr. Hensley stood over Aria, watching her as she lay unconscious. She tapped her fingers on the steel table beside her gurney. Her face was getting paler but there was nothing that he could do about that, he couldn’t let her wake up anytime soon. The intravenous drip that supplied nutrients was basically just to make sure that she was getting enough nutrients to stay alive and healthy to an extent. His phone buzzed on the work counter, he moved to pick it up, it was a text. “Alexander and I arrive tomorrow. Don’t forget the gift.” A smile spread across his lips, things were working out rather well. The only plan left was how to eventually exchange Aria for Frieda when he was done with her. Hensley checked the machines monitoring Aria’s vitals. They showed that she was steady, though she was noticeably weaker than she had been a short while ago. He wasn’t too concerned with her, she could last a little longer and as long as she was stable, he would keep up his work. The only thing
Frieda sat comfortably in the plush leather seat of the private jet, sipping on freshly squeezed juice that had been served to her in a pretty glass. A beautiful air hostess stood nearby, offering her anything she wanted, whether it was another drink or some fruits, anything she needed. This was first class and extra treatment, is this what Aria has been enjoying? I am in Heaven, she thought. Every time she took a look around, there was something else that she hadn’t seen before. This was the only flight she had ever entered with no turbulence, the extravagance was screaming off the roof. What truly amazed her was Alexander himself. He sat across from her, dressed in a nice tailored suit, and was reading off his tablets, some documents from work. He didn’t even look up at her. Frieda frowned slightly. Hensley had told her that he was really close to Aria so she had expected a lot more than he was doing now. She found consolation in the fact that Alexander had been doting on her a
Alexander adjusted his cuff links as he got into his black SUV, checking his wrist watch for the time. It was three in the afternoon, Lucas slid into the seat beside him, scrolling through his phone. “We need to make progress today, we need to have something tangible.” Alexander said as the car pulled out of the Sinclair estate. “I agree, Young Master. There’s no time to waste, we’ve been a step behind now it’s time to switch things up.” Lucas said. The driver maneuvered the car smoothly through the city streets to Sinclair Enterprises Headquarters, in the heart of the financial district. Alexander’s security detail had already been alerted by Lucas that he and Alexander were on their way. They opened the doors for them as they stepped out, moving straight to the private elevator that led directly to the high tech security wing of the building otherwise known as the Tech Division. As they entered the wing, a team of data analysts, cyber specialists and intelligence experts straig
Mandy sat in the guest room, looking outside at the pool. Across from her, Janet sat down on the bed, staring at her sister impatiently with her arms crossed. “We need to make fast moves,” Janet said, her voice sharp. “With every moment that Aria is alive, every second she remains as Alexander's wife is a very big problem for us.” Mandy exhaled, folding her hands. “I understand but this isn’t some small backwards town anymore. Janet, we’re in a major metropolis, everything we do leaves a trace.” “And so what? We’ve covered up others so this shouldn’t pose too big a problem.” Janet replied nonchalantly. Mandy shook her head. “Not like this. This is not twenty years ago. People weren’t walking around with mobile cameras. Streets didn’t have traffic cameras and the police weren’t tracking digital footprints the way they’re doing now. We don’t even need to slip up to get caught.” Janet sat forward, “So what’s your great plan? Neck if we can’t erase her completely from the picture, no
“A perfume box is definitely not a gift for Aria,” Alexander’s voice stayed calm but there was a sternness to it. Lucas looked up from the perfume box they had just unwrapped. “What do you mean, Young Master?” Alexander looked at Lucas as he rested his hands on the table in the home office, he pointed to the gift, “Aria doesn’t wear perfume and according to what she told me, she never has.” Lucas frowned at the gift, “So we are a hundred percent sure that this package isn’t for the young mistress?” “As sure as the sun will rise. Aria would not order perfumes.” Alexander said. “Young Master, If it was a store, they’d have a return address so it has to be from someone, someone who doesn’t want to be identified or traced.” Lucas added.“This is meant for Frieda, probably the spray that Hensley sent to her.” Alexander said, taking a seat. “The bastard has guts, he’s trying to supply her with these perfumes right under our noses, to aid her cover.” Lucas said, fuming with rage. “How
Aria felt her limbs grow heavier as a strange fog clouded her mind. She blinked slowly, her vision swimming, and tried to focus on the man who had just entered the dimly lit hotel room. Her supposed boyfriend, Ethan, leaned casually against the doorframe, an unsettling smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. The sight of him sent a chill down her spine, and despite the haze overtaking her thoughts, the primal urge to escape surged through her.She struggled to move, every fiber of her being fighting against the numbing sensation creeping through her veins. Ethan approached her slowly, his eyes gleaming with dark intent. He had drugged her. It was the only explanation for the dizziness, the way her muscles refused to obey her commands. "Don't fight it, Aria," Ethan murmured in a low voice, his fingers tracing her cheek in a way that made her skin crawl. "You'll be fine. Just relax."Panic surged through Aria's chest, She could barely lift her arms, but she clawed at the bedsheets, us
Aria's eyes fluttered open, the faint light streaming in through unfamiliar curtains making her blink in confusion. She groaned, her head still spinning from the events of the previous night. She slowly sat up, panic filling her as the memory of being drugged and chased by her ex-boyfriend Ethan flooded her mind. With shaky hands, she quickly checked her body for any signs of abuse. A sigh of relief escaped her when she realized her clothes were still intact, and there were no obvious signs that anyone had taken advantage of her while she was unconscious."Where am I?" she muttered, taking in her surroundings. The luxurious room she found herself in was nothing like the dingy hotel where she had struggled against Ethan. The bed was plush, the furniture modern and sleek.She glanced around the room, taking in the lavish decor—the silk curtains, the expensive art on the walls, and the faint scent of fresh flowers that filled the air. This was no ordinary hotel room; it was a suite fit f
Aria's heart pounded as she stood frozen in place, expecting the worst. She was certain she had been caught, her disguise as a maid failing her. But when she turned around, it wasn't the bodyguards glaring at her—it was the butler, Mr. Grayson. His stern yet composed expression briefly unsettled her before he spoke, his voice firm and unyielding."You two," Mr. Grayson said, pointing at Aria and the other maid she had bumped into. "The lady of the house has been waiting for assistance in the courtyard. Do not keep her waiting any longer."Relieved but cautious, Aria nodded and quickly followed the other maid, her mind racing with questions. She had narrowly escaped suspicion, but she wasn't safe yet. As they reached the sunlit courtyard, Aria's eyes immediately fell on an elderly woman seated gracefully on a plush chair surrounded by blooming flowers. The woman exuded an air of elegance and authority, her gray hair styled neatly, and her eyes sharp with wisdom that only comes with age
“A perfume box is definitely not a gift for Aria,” Alexander’s voice stayed calm but there was a sternness to it. Lucas looked up from the perfume box they had just unwrapped. “What do you mean, Young Master?” Alexander looked at Lucas as he rested his hands on the table in the home office, he pointed to the gift, “Aria doesn’t wear perfume and according to what she told me, she never has.” Lucas frowned at the gift, “So we are a hundred percent sure that this package isn’t for the young mistress?” “As sure as the sun will rise. Aria would not order perfumes.” Alexander said. “Young Master, If it was a store, they’d have a return address so it has to be from someone, someone who doesn’t want to be identified or traced.” Lucas added.“This is meant for Frieda, probably the spray that Hensley sent to her.” Alexander said, taking a seat. “The bastard has guts, he’s trying to supply her with these perfumes right under our noses, to aid her cover.” Lucas said, fuming with rage. “How
Mandy sat in the guest room, looking outside at the pool. Across from her, Janet sat down on the bed, staring at her sister impatiently with her arms crossed. “We need to make fast moves,” Janet said, her voice sharp. “With every moment that Aria is alive, every second she remains as Alexander's wife is a very big problem for us.” Mandy exhaled, folding her hands. “I understand but this isn’t some small backwards town anymore. Janet, we’re in a major metropolis, everything we do leaves a trace.” “And so what? We’ve covered up others so this shouldn’t pose too big a problem.” Janet replied nonchalantly. Mandy shook her head. “Not like this. This is not twenty years ago. People weren’t walking around with mobile cameras. Streets didn’t have traffic cameras and the police weren’t tracking digital footprints the way they’re doing now. We don’t even need to slip up to get caught.” Janet sat forward, “So what’s your great plan? Neck if we can’t erase her completely from the picture, no
Alexander adjusted his cuff links as he got into his black SUV, checking his wrist watch for the time. It was three in the afternoon, Lucas slid into the seat beside him, scrolling through his phone. “We need to make progress today, we need to have something tangible.” Alexander said as the car pulled out of the Sinclair estate. “I agree, Young Master. There’s no time to waste, we’ve been a step behind now it’s time to switch things up.” Lucas said. The driver maneuvered the car smoothly through the city streets to Sinclair Enterprises Headquarters, in the heart of the financial district. Alexander’s security detail had already been alerted by Lucas that he and Alexander were on their way. They opened the doors for them as they stepped out, moving straight to the private elevator that led directly to the high tech security wing of the building otherwise known as the Tech Division. As they entered the wing, a team of data analysts, cyber specialists and intelligence experts straig
Frieda sat comfortably in the plush leather seat of the private jet, sipping on freshly squeezed juice that had been served to her in a pretty glass. A beautiful air hostess stood nearby, offering her anything she wanted, whether it was another drink or some fruits, anything she needed. This was first class and extra treatment, is this what Aria has been enjoying? I am in Heaven, she thought. Every time she took a look around, there was something else that she hadn’t seen before. This was the only flight she had ever entered with no turbulence, the extravagance was screaming off the roof. What truly amazed her was Alexander himself. He sat across from her, dressed in a nice tailored suit, and was reading off his tablets, some documents from work. He didn’t even look up at her. Frieda frowned slightly. Hensley had told her that he was really close to Aria so she had expected a lot more than he was doing now. She found consolation in the fact that Alexander had been doting on her a
Dr. Hensley stood over Aria, watching her as she lay unconscious. She tapped her fingers on the steel table beside her gurney. Her face was getting paler but there was nothing that he could do about that, he couldn’t let her wake up anytime soon. The intravenous drip that supplied nutrients was basically just to make sure that she was getting enough nutrients to stay alive and healthy to an extent. His phone buzzed on the work counter, he moved to pick it up, it was a text. “Alexander and I arrive tomorrow. Don’t forget the gift.” A smile spread across his lips, things were working out rather well. The only plan left was how to eventually exchange Aria for Frieda when he was done with her. Hensley checked the machines monitoring Aria’s vitals. They showed that she was steady, though she was noticeably weaker than she had been a short while ago. He wasn’t too concerned with her, she could last a little longer and as long as she was stable, he would keep up his work. The only thing
Dr. Hensley stood over Aria, watching her as she lay unconscious. She tapped her fingers on the steel table beside her gurney. Her face was getting paler but there was nothing that he could do about that, he couldn’t let her wake up anytime soon. The intravenous drip that supplied nutrients was basically just to make sure that she was getting enough nutrients to stay alive and healthy to an extent. His phone buzzed on the work counter, he moved to pick it up, it was a text. “Alexander and I arrive tomorrow. Don’t forget the gift.” A smile spread across his lips, things were working out rather well. The only plan left was how to eventually exchange Aria for Frieda when he was done with her. Hensley checked the machines monitoring Aria’s vitals. They showed that she was steady, though she was noticeably weaker than she had been a short while ago. He wasn’t too concerned with her, she could last a little longer and as long as she was stable, he would keep up his work. The only thing
“We’re heading back to the city, she comes with us tomorrow whether she’s on board or not.” Alexander said as they passed through the hallway. As they approached Frieda’s room, Alexander moved his shoulders, masking whatever emotion he was going through before putting on a practiced calm. He felt Lucas’s eyes on him, always watching in case he was needed to come in. When they entered, Frieda was seated by the window of her room, the remnants of her meal on the side table of the bed and the note that Alexander had sent her earlier neatly folded by the tray. She looked up with a smile Alexander knew was too perfect, her eyes lit up at the sight of them. “You’re back,” she said softly, her tone laced with a sweetness that Alexander knew was a lie. “Of course, I told you I’d be back.” Alexander replied, stepping closer to her. “I’m sorry I’m late though.” Lucas stayed in the corner of the hospital room, watching intently but making sure he wasn’t obvious. “So, how are you feeling ri
The case file in his hands, Alexander placed it on his lap not knowing if he should quite go through it in the car or at the apartment. Lucas looked through the mirror at Alexander, noticing the tension, Alexander had looked like he was going to rip through the whole case file just moments ago but now his hands hovered over it, hesitant. “Young Master, do you want to look at it now or wait until we get to the apartment perhaps?” Lucas finally asked, breaking the silence in the car.Alexander didn’t answer immediately, he let go of all the air in his lungs, as he traced the edges of the case file. “I think I’d prefer to look at it when we get to the apartment.” He said in a low tone “I don’t think I can do this in the car.” Lucas nodded, “Drive to the apartment…” he mentioned to the driver. Back at the apartment, Lucas looked on as Alexander sat on the table with the case file, the paper looked crisp. The title on the first page read: “Alexander Sinclair - Missing Child Report, 19
The underground laboratory smelled of sweat and chemicals as Dr. Hensley wiped his brow of sweat. His hands trembled slightly, the paralyzed goon lay slumped on the floor near his workbench. The body of the guy was a dead weight that was becoming more trouble for Hensley. “Damn it! You could have tried to attack me towards that area, that way it would have been easier to move you.” Hensley complained. He gripped the man under the arm and attempted to lift him but the man’s size and bulk made the task almost impossible, but Hensley had no choice but to keep trying. Even though no one would stumble on the body in the laboratory, he liked to be able to move easily around his own side of the laboratory. “You could have just left or better still put a call through. I’d have paid you and moved on but now look at you.” He grumbled to the goon on the floor, he dragged the limp figure toward the corner of the lab. The man’s head lolled left and right as he blinked slowly, the only indicatio