Alexander suddenly broke the silence. “Let’s go down for breakfast. Grandma should be expecting us by now,” he said, his voice steady and calm.“Yes,” Aria responded quickly, nodding as she pushed back the blanket.Getting out of bed, she froze as she realized this wasn’t her room. Her gaze darted around the unfamiliar space, and her cheeks flushed when she recalled how she ended up there. They needed to freshen up before stepping out, but the thought of sharing the room and perhaps the bathroom with Alexander made her fidget nervously.“Uhm... are you using the bathroom first, or should I?” she asked, flustered, her fingers nervously brushing her hair behind her ear.“You can go first,” Alexander replied, his tone calm as he cleared his throat, his gaze briefly flicking to her flustered expression.Aria nodded, grabbed her toiletries, and practically dashed into the bathroom as though her life depended on it. Alexander watched her retreating form, a smirk tugging at the corners of hi
The city lights blurred into streaks of gold as the car sped through the evening traffic. Aria sat quietly, her hands folded in her lap, the soft fabric of her gown smooth beneath her fingertips. She glanced sideways at Alexander, who was scrolling through his phone, his sharp profile illuminated by the screen’s glow. The silence wasn’t uncomfortable, but it wasn’t entirely easy either. Her mind raced with doubts and questions. Would she fit in tonight? Would the guests see her as an outsider in their high class world ? Alexander, without looking up, said, “You’re worrying. You should stop.” Her head snapped toward him. “I’m not.” “You are,” he countered, finally lowering his phone and fixing her with a steady gaze. “You’ve been tugging at your dress for the last fifteen minutes. What is the problem?” Aria hesitated. She didn’t want to admit how nervous she felt, but the concern in his tone softened her defenses. “I just… I’m not sure I belong at something like this. What if
The door opened and Aria jolted from the spot she was standing. She didn’t think anyone was behind her when she had damn near sprinted to the ladies room. As she looked up startled to see who had entered, it was Jessica.She could never catch a break from Jessica at all, like a bone in her neck. She stood in the doorway, her shimmery dress shined under the bright lights in wealth. She looked at Aria amused and irritated at the same time, she smiled in mockery. “Well, well, well, take a look at the talk of the night.” Jessica said with no approval in her voice. Her stiletto heels clicked dangerously as she slowly approached Aria. “Or should I say the woman of the moment? Seeing as your time in these circles will simply be fleeting…” Aria knew what this was, another show of dominance by Jessica but she was too scared to think about Jessica. If Jessica could get into the ladies room so easily despite the bodyguard then maybe the person who sent the note may be able to as well. Aria tr
Jessica stood rooted to the spot, her hands trembling as she gripped her purse. Her eyes couldn’t have deceived her. Alexander kissed Aria—right there, in front of everyone. This was no longer a simple contract.“That little… I’ll make sure she regrets this,” Jessica hissed under her breath, her voice sharp with venom. Without sparing another glance at the couple, she stormed out of the venue, her mind already racing with schemes for revenge. Behind her, Marilyn Morrison’s grating laugh echoed, only adding fuel to her fury. Aria would pay. She would suffer.Meanwhile, Aria stood frozen, her lips still tingling from the unexpected kiss. She blinked up at Alexander, her heart pounding erratically. The kiss wasn’t just good—it was overwhelming. She hated herself for wanting more, but how could she not? This was Alexander…“I… Alex…” she stammered, her voice barely audible as she tried to gather her thoughts.Alexander’s stormy eyes lingered on her, dark and unreadable. “You don’t need to
Alexander stood by the door, his hand resting on the cool brass handle as he tried to steady his breathing. His gaze lingered on Aria, who was still on the bed, Her cheeks were flushed, her lips slightly swollen from the kiss they just shared. Every part of him wanted to close the distance between them, to pull her back into his arms and explore the emotions she stirred within him. Her scent lingered in the air, a sweet temptation that was almost impossible to resist.Her lips, soft and inviting, called to him, and the look she gave him was enough to make him crave more. He wanted to close the distance between them, to touch her again, to lose himself in the softness of her skin. But he couldn’t. He knew he couldn’t. With a sharp intake of breath, Alexander pulled the door open and walked out briskly, leaving Aria behind.As he made his way to his home office, his mind raced. What am I doing? he asked himself for the hundredth time. This wasn’t part of the plan. He had entered this co
Dr. Hensley sat in his dimly lit, makeshift laboratory, his fingers drumming impatiently on the desk. The room smelled of sterilizing chemicals and damp wood, the remnants of his hurried relocation to this secluded area. The world outside had shunned him, but he was far from defeated.“This isn’t over,” he muttered to himself, his voice filled with conviction. "There’s no way I’ll let this slip through my fingers. My work will change the course of medicine. It will make me immortal in history.”His gaze drifted to a corkboard pinned with photographs, charts, and scribbled notes about his research. Aria’s face was among them—a key figure in his groundbreaking experiment. “Alexander Sinclair might think he’s won by getting my license revoked, but he has no idea who he’s up against. I will get Aria, no matter what it takes.”Setting up the lab in secret hadn’t been easy. Without official backing, he had to move cautiously, gathering equipment and staff without drawing attention. But now
Dr. Hensley had to get in touch with Ethan but there was no way to do that when Ethan was detained in police custody. He had pondered on the best person to help him in his quest for Aria. Then he had the brilliant idea that all he needed was the man who was also after Aria but it would take a lot of time to get Ethan out because he was already charged with attempted kidnapping and assault. His only chance would be to get someone to make sure Ethan got out without it being traced back to him. After hours of pondering, an idea struck him. Ethan wasn’t just a pawn; he was an asset. And while it would take time, it was worth ensuring Ethan's release. He picked up his phone and made a call. His instructions were clear: make Ethan’s release happen, but leave no trail leading back to him. --- Meanwhile, back in the Sinclair's residence, Aria found herself staring at a neatly wrapped gift package on the small table in her room. It hadn’t been there earlier, and her curiosity piqued when she
The ride back to the house was quieter than Aria expected. She stared out of the window, her mind replaying the events of the day. Watching complete strangers stand up for her had been heartwarming, but it also made her feel inadequate. Shouldn’t she have been able to defend herself?Lilian, who had been glancing at her intermittently, cleared her throat, breaking the silence. “Mrs. Sinclair,” she began cautiously, “I hope you don’t take offense at what I’m about to say. I just feel I need to speak openly with you.”Aria turned to her, surprised. “Oh, don’t worry. If anything, I should be thanking you for standing up for me back there. I really appreciate it, even though I honestly didn’t mean to cause such a scene.”Lilian raised a brow, studying her as though she were an alien from another world. “Do I have your permission to speak freely ma'am?” she asked again, her tone firmer.“Of course, Lilian. Please, say what’s on your mind,” Aria encouraged, curious about what could be so im
Ethan couldn’t wait any longer. He was supposed to meet up with the goons who would join him to get Aria. There was no way he would be able to pull it off without their help. He told the driver to drive off. There was no need figuring out where Aria was staying, they would pick her off from the cemetery. He met with the guys at a small motel, they were three in number including himself. “The lady in question is a very important cargo. We do not need any scratches on her, your job is simply to grab her and we make a getaway. Then we meet up with the second one. Okay?” “Okay boss. So the lady now is the main one right?”“Yes. That’s exactly what I said. Isn’t it? Keep your head in the game. And you wonder why other people get the jobs and not you. You gotta learn to use your brain.” They had already picked up the truck they would use in the kidnap. “Let’s go boys, it’s a stake and take” one of the guys said.***Aria arrived at the airport and went out to her rented car. It was big
“So do you have the full story for the job? Remember if anything goes south, just let me know…” Ethan stated. “Yeah. I think I’ve got everything. I’m ready for the job.” Frieda mentioned. Dr. Hensley walked into the room where Ethan was seriously last minute prepping Frieda. “Let’s pray that’s true because you’re the missing piece in our puzzle. Our ultimate weapon and the one in whom the entirety of my work rests on.” He shuffled around the lab and brought out five tiny spray bottles, they could fit in small purses. He handed them over to Frieda. “Hopefully, you don’t get to use them all. Spray once behind each ear, the nape of your neck and your wrists. That should cover it.” Frieda nodded. She kept the bottles in her purse. “So, we’re sorry we need to go through such measures but it is all for the success of the project.” Ethan said to Frieda.Frieda and Ethan left the lab, leaving Dr. Hensley alone. As they drove to the bus station, Ethan and Frieda talked about the plan som
Mandy stepped off the plane in the bustling airport, moving out with purpose. Her fancy heels clicking against the floor of the airport, her presence commanded attention and her features and face gave her an air of authority. She grabbed her luggage and headed outside, she flagged down a cab. “Take me to Regius Hospital please and quickly. I’m in a bit of a hurry.” She said, her face expressionless. The cab driver looked at her through the mirror, their eyes meeting for barely a couple of seconds before he looked away. “You look like some of those old surgeons who come here for some consultation or the other. I wish I could…” “I’ll stop you there, I don’t appreciate the chit chat. Just get me to my destination, quickly and quietly. No talk about the weather, your family, my family or anything apart from instructions. This is not a therapy session.” She adjusted her dress suit as the cab driver nodded. The cab man weaved through the city, after a brief ride, the cab pulled up to t
Mandy stepped off the plane in the bustling airport, moving out with purpose. Her fancy heels clicking against the floor of the airport, her presence commanded attention and her features and face gave her an air of authority. She grabbed her luggage and headed outside, she flagged down a cab. “Take me to Regius Hospital please and quickly. I’m in a bit of a hurry.” She said, her face expressionless. The cab driver looked at her through the mirror, their eyes meeting for barely a couple of seconds before he looked away. “You look like some of those old surgeons who come here for some consultation or the other. I wish I could…” “I’ll stop you there, I don’t appreciate the chit chat. Just get me to my destination, quickly and quietly. No talk about the weather, your family, my family or anything apart from instructions. This is not a therapy session.” She adjusted her dress suit as the cab driver nodded. The cab man weaved through the city, after a brief ride, the cab pulled up to t
“Mom, you can open your eyes now.” Jessica whispered. “Where’s your father? Is he gone?” Janet asked as she pulled away the oxygen mask once again. “Yes. He said he would get some help to come here with some food and all.” Jessica replied. Janet knew there was only so much she could tell her daughter, the less she knew the better for her future. There was only one other person in her life who knew exactly what to do in situations like this and it was her sister. “Call home and make sure the help gets me my phone. I need to call your aunt.” Janet instructed. “Okay. But you haven’t told me the plan yet. How do we win Alexander back when Aria is strongly in the way?.” Jessica questioned. “Just do what I asked. The plan isn’t set in stone yet and the less you know the better for you. Just concentrate on what we tell you and try not to do anything else.” Janet responded. Jessica left the room to call the house staff to tell them what to bring to the hospital. *** Ethan walked into
“What are you doing?” Aria whispered, her voice trembling as her palms rested against Alexander’s firm chest, their proximity sending a ripple of heat through her body.“You know exactly what I’m doing,” Alexander replied, his tone low, teasing yet filled with undeniable intent.Aria froze, her breath catching as Alexander reached up, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. His fingers grazed her cheek, lingering for a second longer than necessary, and the warmth of his touch ignited a storm of emotions within her.“I like your body massages, maybe we'll schedule some more in the future,” he said quietly. He took a deep breath so he could soak up her scent. “You do seem rather… relaxed.” Her voice trembled a bit. “I kind of get that feeling every time I’m around you whether you’re giving massages or just sitting there.” He whispered. Aria realized his face was getting closer to hers, he chuckled softly when he saw her close her eyes in expectation of the kiss to come. Alexa
On the drive back to the house, Lucas tried hard not to discuss his feelings with Alexander about Jessica and her mother. He got a call. “Hello.”“Sir, Ethan won the case. He’s been set free.” The voice on the other end of the call said. “How did that happen? That case was pretty straightforward. He should be in jail by now.” Lucas replied. Alexander listened in trying to pick off exactly what they were discussing. “Yes sir. He had a damned good lawyer. I was a bit surprised when the lawyer came in saying she was representing Ethan. You may know her, it’s Gabriella Cornell, the big leagues.” “He couldn’t have gotten someone like that without help. Try to figure out exactly why she would represent him.” Lucas said. “Okay, sir. I’ll get back to you with any information I find sir.” “Yeah. Thank you” Lucas said before dropping the call. “Who was that?” Alexander asked. “Sir, that was Carlton, our guy at the D.A.’s office. He says that Ethan got an exceptional and expensive lawye
Anderson and Jessica rushed Janet to the hospital, Anderson, frantic as he called nurses, doctors and interns to the aid of his wife. “Mom, what’s wrong? Are you having a heart attack?” Jessica asked, even as the nurses got her in a bed and rushed her into a hospital room. “I want my daughter with me..” Janet said, with a fake pain in her voice. Jessica went into the room with her. Watching as they placed an oxygen mask on her face to help her breathe better, she gripped her mother’s hands genuinely scared about what may be happening. “Mom, you’re gonna be okay… the doctors will make sure everything’s fine. They’ll do their jobs.” Janet squeezed her hand tightly but Jessica didn’t understand what was happening. As soon as the doctors plugged her into the machine, they realized that her vitals were stable. Medically, there was nothing wrong with her. They asked to take blood to run some tests. As soon as the last nurse was out the door, Janet took off the oxygen mask from her face
On the drive to Jessica’s family home, Lucas knew he would have to make sure that nothing like that happened again. He was going to put a stationed guard with Alexander at all times to keep Jessica and any females away. He couldn’t believe they were back to this time, when people were always triggering Alexander’s phobia. He also wondered what exactly Alexander had in mind for Jessica. “Young Master, if I may ask, why exactly are we going to Miss Jessica’s residence? I could just call the police and she’ll be arrested.” Lucas said. “No. Jessica is foolish, impulsive and everything wrong but they aren’t like the average family. Her father is also wealthy and they probably have their own assets to protect. I do not wish to cause any damage to her family’s image, at least for old times sake. We will use this to our advantage.” Alexander said. “If you say so, Young Master.” Lucas replied. ***Aria went back into the house to find Grandma, she found her at her reading spot. “Grandma,