Chapter Five

With the bathroom door half-open, my breath hitched and caught in my throat.

I dared not move, not wanting to betray my position. The seconds stretched into eternity.

Aiden's cologne filled the doorway, his presence both commanding and suffocating.

"Oh, Aiden, you're here." Sophia threw a crazy rhetorical question out of nowhere.

"I came to get my wife." Aiden responded bluntly, paying her no attention.

"Okay, I'll just return to the party alone then." She said and squirreled out.

As soon as Sophia left, Aiden faced me with a cunny smile playing round his lips.

"Didn't expect to see me?" His voice was calm, too calm, sending a shiver down my spine.

I swallowed hard, my mind racing for a plausible excuse, but none came.

"I… I was just…" My words faltered, betraying my fear.

He stepped closer, his gaze never leaving mine.

"Just what, Caitlin? Hiding from me?"

I shook my head, unable to find my voice.

"What were you doing here? Everyone's been asking for you."

His eyes softened, a look I couldn't decipher.

I still remained silent.

"Come, let's talk."

Reluctantly, I stepped back, allowing him entry. He closed the door behind him, the click echoing in the small space.

We stood in silence for a moment, the tension palpable.

"You really do think so less of me, don't you?" Aiden asked.

"I don't understand." I muttered.

"You really thought I wouldn't see through your pretense?"

I stared blankly at him, confusion oozing all over my face.

"I know about your plans." He said suddenly, his tone matter-of-fact.

My heart skipped a beat.

"What plans?" I managed to whisper.

He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"Don't play coy, Cait. I overheard everything you discussed with Sophia."

Panic surged within me.

"Please, Aiden, I…"

He raised a hand, silencing me.

"Enough. I've indulged your fantasies long enough. But this.. betrayal?" He shook his head, dissapointment etched on his face.

I felt a pang of guilt, but it was overwhelmed with fear and anger.

What nonsense betrayal was he talking about? If betrayal was a crime punishable by law, he would have been the one spending the rest of his pitiful life in jail.

"What do you want from me?" I asked, my voice barely audible.

He took a step closer, his presence overwhelming.

"I want you to understand that you belong to me and i can never let you leave me." He thundered, demonstrating his words with his index finger pointing to my face.

His words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken threats. I froze, every muscle tensed.

Suddenly, a faint creak echoed from the door, someone was outside.

The door handle rattled, and then, in a voiced laced with concern, Sophia called out, "Caitlin? Are you okay in there?"

My throat tightened, words failing me. I couldn't let her in, not now.

But before I could utter a single word, Aiden answered her.

"Just a moment, Sophia. We're having a private discussion in here."

His reaction was unexpected, he smiled, a genuine smile.

I initially thought he would yell at her or drag her into the conversation, or something.

"Remember your place Caitlin." Aiden said immediately after turning to me.

"And then again, you know every of your ill actions have consequences."

"I'm still in pain, Aiden." I said, tears threatening to spill down my face.

Then my love, you have to come willingly if you don't want me forcing you."

"Aiden i'm…"

"Shh.." he cut me halfway. "Meet me in my room tonight, no excuses! You wouldn't dare to keep me waiting would you?"

With that, he opened the door, leaving me standing there. His footsteps retreated down the hallway.

I exhaled shakily, pressing my back against the cool tiles, trying to quell the rising panic.

Why was Aiden so bent on ruining my life? What did I ever do to him?

Minutes later, just as I began to regain composure, I heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps approaching again.

This time, they stopped right outside the bathroom door.

My breath hitched. Aiden? What did he want now?

I waited for his voice to call out to me, but it didn't.

Then I walked a little closer to the door listening intently, until I was certain the coast was clear. No one was out there.

Slowly, I opened the bathroom door a crack, peering into the dimly lit hallway. Empty.

Stepping out cautiously, I made my way past the hallway heading towards the basement, hoping to find some semblance of peace amidst the chaos.

As I entered, I was shocked and a bit relieved to see Sophia standing alone. As she saw me, I noticed her fingers nervously twisting a napkin.

"There you are," she said softly, her eyes searching mine. "Is everything alright?"

I nodded, though my insides churned with unease.

"You sure?" She pressed, concern etched on her face. "You look a bit... shaken."

I forced a smile, but it felt brittle, fake. "Just needed a moment, Soph." I murmured, avoiding her gaze.

She studied me for a moment longer, then nodded. "Alright, but if you need anything…"

I appreciated her offer, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.

Why was she always lurking and sneaking around?

But that wasn't much of a problem to me now, anyway. Aiden had found out my escape plan and tonight would be just another dreadful night.

I shook my head, tears welling up.

"He knows, Sophia. He knows everything."

Sophia's face paled. "How?" She screamed, and I quickly reached her mouth with my left hand covering it up.

"This is bad, Caitlin. Really bad." She said calmly, after I released her mouth.

I nodded, fear consuming me.

What would I do to stop Aiden from tearing me apart tonight? I wanted to hear so bad something he hated during sex. Something that would turn him off.

Should I just fake moans? Would he find out and pull out from my fucking sex?