Alexander felt a lot better thanks to the medication the doctor had recommended. Although he had slept in an armchair in Aria’s hospital room, the migraine had reduced and he felt more alert. He decided to take a cold shower at the apartment, the cold water cascading down his body was way better than the last time. He could feel now and enjoy every moment of it. Alexander wished that he could be underneath the jet spray for even longer but they had places to be. Lucas knocked on the door just as Alexander got out of the shower. “Young Master? We might need to hurry a bit, we still have to get breakfast for young mistress before we track down Mrs. Smickums.” Alexander spoke through the door. “Yeah. I’ll be right out Lucas.” Lucas was already by the door when Alexander came out, they proceeded to enter the vehicle. “Is there a sushi place around here or any Chinese restaurant?“ Alexander asked “Yeah, there is one but it’s pretty far off. We can order it and it gets delivered to wh
They arrived at the hospital to find Aria sitting up in bed, she looked too composed for someone who was recovering. Alexander noticed the empty sushi disposable plates in a corner, he offered her a small smile. Lucas wanted to verify beyond reasonable doubt that it was Aria that ate the meal. “Young mistress, did you eat the sushi?”“Yes. Thanks for everything. It was so good, I really enjoyed it.” She replied softly. Alexander looked at Lucas who understood what the words didn’t convey. There was something different about young mistress, as if she was a completely different person. “By the way, this perfume you have on. It’s a bit different, I think it smells a bit musky than usual.” Alexander said. “Oh no darling. I use the exact same perfume, I haven’t changed it” Frieda said, not understanding the trick question. There was no way Dr. Hensley would have told her what scent Aria uses so she had to just feign her way through. “Oh okay. I guess it’s the smell of the hospital mak
“Thank you, Can I please ask you for a favor?” Frieda asked the nurse who came in to check in on her. The nurse smiled from ear to ear, their head of operations at the hospital had gotten a whiff of the fact that this woman was the wife of a multi billionaire and she was married into a very influential family. There was a whole meeting addressing all staff to be the nicest to them no matter what. “Sure. What do you need?” The nurse asked. “Your phone, I need to make a call and it seems mine got misplaced after I was kidnapped.” Frieda said, hoping that the last tidbit about her kidnap would make the nurse more sympathetic and susceptible to her. “Oh. We’re not allowed to hold on to our phones during working hours. That’s why I only have my pager on me but if you give me some minutes. I could dash down to the locker room and get it for you.” The nurse replied. She genuinely felt bad for her, being rich had its own issues. One could get into problems like kidnap and blackmail just
As soon as Alexander and Lucas exited the hospital building, leaving the noise of nurses and the staff, they exchanged a knowing look. Alexander was the first to break the silence. “That woman in there,” he said in a heavy tone, “that woman…” he shook his head. “is not Aria.” Lucas looked as though his brain was calculating different equations at the same time. He didn’t interrupt Alexander. “I knew it from the moment we rescued her,” Alexander continued. “She may have looked, and even sounded like Aria but her mannerisms, even the way she looked at me. Something felt different… wrong even. But I couldn’t quite explain it because of the glaring similarities.” He said, running a hand through his hair. “She called me darling, Aria told me she hated that because it sounded patronizing and fake and didn't like saying it either. Then she said she used perfume, Aria doesn’t even like using perfumes. Now I can safely say my gut was right Lucas. My heart wasn’t at ease, like Aria was still
Frieda walked into the bathroom of her hospital room with the phone. “Excuse me! You could just hold on. I’d be done with the phone before you’re done changing the sheets and then I’ll return it to you. I just want to pee.” Frieda told the nurse before closing the door behind her. The nurse nodded and left to get the new set of sheets for the bed.Frieda sat on the toilet seat, her fingers trembling as she called Hensley. She pressed the phone to her ear and waited, the phone rang and her stomach turned with unease. After another call, Hensley picked, once again giving the caller a silent treatment as only the sound of his breathing could be heard. “It’s me, Frieda.” She said, “Frieda, this better be important.” Hensley said, his voice betraying the impatience.“It is very important.” She replied, glancing below the door to be sure no one was lurking outside. “Alexander told me they want to leave the hospital and go back to his home. He’s insisting that there is a better healthcar
Alexander and Lucas had returned to the apartment, they sat in the living room. Lucas was seated at the dining table, his laptop was open and his phone was connected with a short cord, he scrolled through his laptop trying to find the app that could decipher the now deleted call logs from the phone. “Young Master, I’m almost done,” Lucas said, his eyes remaining on the screen. “I just need a few more minutes.” Alexander rubbed his hand over his face. “I don’t know what I’m feeling but it feels like every second we waste is another moment for Hensley to continue doing whatever the fuck he’s doing to Aria right now. She’s somewhere out there and we don’t know where…” Lucas kept on working. “Young Master, we’re doing everything we can to make sure that we find her. I understand your worry and I will make sure we find her as quickly as possible. Hensley and Ethan will rot in jail for this.” Alexander exhaled sharply, the dull ache of his migraine was adding to his anger and frustratio
“Young Master, perhaps I have a suggestion. Maybe we should visit the police station. Ask about the case file, what do you think? It might hold more information.” Lucas said as they drove through different streets. “You’re right. Mrs Smickums said something about the past sheriffs not being available but the case file would surely be available. Let’s got to the police station then.” The driver turned the car around, the ride to the police station was simple. He didn’t have any memories on this road, that was understandable. It wasn’t like he must have frequented the police station as a child. Alexander sat with his hands on his knees, his mind racing about the possibility of knowing everything at once. “Sir, we’re here.” The driver announced as he pulled into the driveway of the police station. “I’ll find somewhere to park sir.”Alexander and Lucas exited the car, Alexander’s migraine was back now, persistent as always. “Are you okay sir?” Lucas asked. “The migraine is back, let’
As soon as they were back in the car and driving off, Alexander’s curiosity piqued, it got the better of him. He tore open the evidence bag and dug out the wallet. “Let’s see what we’ve got here,” Alexander muttered, flipping open the wallet. His eyes immediately found the driver’s license. “Frieda Bane,” he said. “Young Master, do you have an ID?” Lucas asked, turning around in his seat. “Yeah. Her driver’s license. Her name is Frieda Bane,” Alexander repeated, passing the license to Lucas at the front seat.Lucas wasted no time in pulling out his laptop. “Sir, you might want to search for the phone the deputy Sheriff spoke of.” Lucas said, as he quickly typed the name onto his laptop. Alexander dipped his hand right back into the evidence bag and brought out a phone, truly a face like Aria was covered in heavy makeup as the screen saver. He passed the phone to Lucas and collected the driver’s license, he put it back in its position and continued to sift through the wallet. The
“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