Saving Her

      Ethan Lockwood pov

                     8:12 pm

             Lockwood Office

I look at the clock and sigh. I guess tonight is again gonna be a sleepless night

I have so much work to do.

Looking back at the contract papers,I was proof reading it one last time when my phone rang.

"Hello"

"Good evening Mr Lockwood. Secretary of FW Financers this side."

"A very good evening Mr Ray. How were the samples?"

I say massaging my forehead and leaning back in my seat.

"That's why I called Sir Lockwood. Today was the last day for the samples to be submitted however we haven't received them till now."

I straighten up, my eyebrows narrowed.

"What do you mean you haven't received them? They were sent to you today noon. I myself approved them."

"We are sorry Sir Lockwood but we can't go forward with this deal. Have a nice day"

The call ended and I clench my fists. This deal was so important.

How can I loose it like this. Dammit!

Picking up the receiver,I speak in a low voice. Trying to keep my anger at bay.

I was so damn frustrated right now.

"Send Sally to my office. Now!"

Without listening to a reply I just run my hand through my hair.

Taking deep breaths.

She knocks on the door and I ask her to enter.

With head bowed she approaches me.

"FW Financers haven't received the samples today and they called of the deal."

Her eyes widen.

"But Sir-"

"One thing Sally! I fucki*** asked you to do one thing right today. What else could have been more important than this?"

"Sir...the directors came and I..."

"The directors were not running off from this company. Were they? This was not expected of you."

She lowers her head and I breathe heavily. Calming myself.

"Get me the samples. I will arrange something."

She looks at me in horror,like I have asked for her kidneys.

"The...sampl..es Sir?"

"Yes the Samples Sally.Why are you so surprised?"

She chuckles nervously, to hide her fear . As I patiently wait for her to answer.

"Sir wha..t happened was that...I...was busy with the directors so I...asked someone to deliver them. The person must have reached till now...I don't know why...they haven't received it."

"Someone? Who is this someone if I may ask?"

She reluctantly answers, looking pale.

"Your new secretary Sir....miss Vivian"

That was it, I slam my fist on the table making her flinch and step back in fear.

"So you mean to say that you gave such an important task to an ameature that has just joined our office today?"

"She seemed responsible sir. I am sure there must be a valid reas-"

"Bullsh**! Call her!'

I say getting up from my seat and pacing the room.

Sally's hands shake as she dials her number.

"The caller you are trying to reach is currently out of coverage area. Please try again later "

She dials again for the same message to be repeated again.

Dammit!

I place my palms on the desk , asking her in a cold low voice.

"At what time did she leave?"

"Around 5 ish Sir. She should have reached till now. I don't know-"

"Get out Sally."

"But Sir-"

"I said get out!"

She runs out ,afraid of me and I take in deep breaths.

Vivian.

The girl is another name for trouble. When I think I am free of her suffocating presence for once,she again comes calling for problems.

Hitting my fist on the table again,I stare at the watch.

She should have reached till 6:30 and it's 8:30 now. Around 2 hours.

Last I visited their office,it's on the outskirts of the city and network is not available there.

A secluded road in the wilderness.

I knew Vivian.

Sally is right when she said she is responsible.

No matter what Vivian always completes a task on time.

She doesn't procastinate things

Then why hasn't she reached till now?

What if....what if she is in trouble?

My anger vanishes to be replaced by worry. The need to see her fine strong and desperate.

Picking up my coat,I rush outside to only see rain hitting with full intensity.

Fu** it!

Sitting inside my convertible and covering it's hood. I reverse it to press on the accelerator.

Driving on the muddy road to reach her, the memories resurface and I remember the first time something similar to this happened.

The first time ,I saved her.

......................................................

I was bullied by the girls in Vivian's group. But she never interfered.

Except for that one time when her step sister Aliza, drugged me and tried to click nude pictures of me.

Vivian saved me that day, holding me in her arms. Fighting her own sister for my sake, for the sake of what's right.

But it backfired on her.

The very next day the pictures leaked and you won't be able to believe from whose account.

From Vivian's account.

The one what has been hacked by her step sister Aliza, the real devil.

I tried explaining to Ethan but he never believed me.

He blamed her for everything and that's when he gave her a detention.

The detention which shook the very soul of my poor Vivian.

The detention which brought her fears alive.

...................................................

             Flashback started

Vivian walks into the detention room,feeling Ethan's stare on her.

"You are 5 minutes 19 seconds late"

He says looking at his watch and staring back at her,while she just ignores.

"Here miss Vivian"

He says pointing to the bench just in front of him,and she settles down on it.

Smirking he steps back and closes the main door.

Her heart beating rapidly in her chest.

"Don't be afraid Miss Vivian. If you have done nothing wrong,you shouldn't be afraid"

She has claustrophobia. Closed rooms do something to her.

Getting up she rushes to open it.

But before she could, he stands in front of her, blocking her.

"Just go and sit down Miss Vivian. It's just to ensure that there is no intrusion"

"What intrusion? I want to leave! You can't close the door like this!"

She was almost going to reach the handle when she felt an arm coil around her waist and she was pushed back on the wall.

Her eyes widen to look at him ,as he places his arms on her either side, entrapping her.

"You can't run away from me Miss V. Especially not before I get my answers"

"Wh..what do you want?"

She asks and he smiles.

"Well now we are talking. What I want from you is the truth miss Vivian. What else?"

"We can do it the easier way with you returning back to the seat,me asking you questions and then allow you to leave if I am satisfied. If not ,then I have other ways as well"

She merely nod at him. And he steps back.

"That's like a good girl. Sit on your seat and answer truthfully. I hate liers with passion"

He sits in front of her.Starting the interrogation.

"Do you have your phone with you right now?"

"It broke yesterday"

She says truthfully,when he considers it to be a lie.Raising an eyebrow.

"Hmmm interesting. Your Id password?"

He asks taking his phone out from his pocket and opening some new tab.

"I lost it...my Id is hacked."

His fingers stop as he just stares and then out of no where his fingers grip her chin and tilt it up.

"Look at me when I ask you something Miss Vivian. I won't repeat"

His eyes stormy,ready to destroy anything that came in his way.

"Now repeat what you said"

This time he was searching her eyes for lies, trying to catch what's not there.

"My Id was hacked. I haven't posted those pictures."

He stares ,just stares saying nothing.

"Aliza and her friends did it...I didn't knew-"

"What bullsh**. You want me to believe it? "

"It's the truth. Believe it or not. It's your choice"

He does not like how she answer him back, everytime she does. His eyes darken.

"Fine. If even for a minute I believe you. Then tell me your prior password. I will hack into your account and remove the post"

"I have told my men...they said they will remove it in next 24 hours"

"They haven't. The shi* is still there.Just tell me your last password Vivian!"

She looks down , rubbing her hands in anxiousness.

"That....I......"

He presses himself closer to her. Placing his hands on the handrest.

"Last password Vivian. I don't have time for this ! Soph is suffering enough already!"

"I...I... can't remember...it was auto saved in the phone I lost...I..."

Stepping back from her,he slams his fist on the table.

She flinches.

The image of her step father slapping her, alive and real.

His phone rang in his pocket, and she felt relieved.

Picking it up ,he looked worried to only end it.

"What happened? Is Soph fine?"

Stepping closer he slams a paper on her table along with a pen.

"That's none of your concern. Take this pen and paper and try remembering your last password till I am back."

"But I-"

"Shhh enough of this sh** now! You will not be leaving this room till you remember your last password Vivian."

With this he turns around and slams the door shut.

She was lost,not knowing what to do.

Staring at the close door she hears the shuffling of lock outside.

Sh**!

Running towards the door, she tries opening it but it was locked.

"Ethan! Please! Open the door! I am...I am afraid of closed spaces.. please!"

Her screams were falling on deaf ears, as she hears chuckles from outside.

"Please! Open it! "

She cries desperately.

Slamming her hands on the door.

"Aww is Vivian scared? I am sorry but this is too much fun."

She hears her step sister outside and she freezes.

No! This can't be happening.

"Aliza! Open it! Dammit!"

But there is just silence in return.

Slipping down the door,she stares at the paper in her hands

The pen trembles in her fingers as she scribble the passwords she may have thought of keeping.

This was the only way to distract herself, to stop these walls from closing onto her and choking.

Taking in a deep breath,she was determined to fight her fears.

.

.

.

.

Ethan hands over the keys to the chauffeur and makes his way inside.

Slow music was playing in the background as luxurious cars were lined in the parking outside his house.

Elle excuses herself from a guest as she sees him.

"Ethan! You are still in your school uniform?

Hurry and change your clothes before your Dad sees you like this! "

"Chill mom ! I will be back in few minutes"

She kisses his cheek and he smiles back at her.

"Good boy. I have placed the clothes on your bed.Now go,hurry up!"

He walks down the halls ,the maids were rushing in with hands full. They still manage to bow at him and he gently smiles at them.

He was ready in few minutes, entering the hall.

Ashton comes seeing him, hugging him tightly.

"My boy. Beard suits you"

He says and Ethan chuckles.

Placing his arm around Ethan's shoulder,Ashton takes him towards important guests.

"How was hawai Dad? Business went well"

"Business was fine but I missed you and your Mom. You would have loved the black beaches there "

"Till next time dad."

When suddenly they hear a voice and turn around.

"Ashton my friend! It's been ages! "

We look back to see a man, and Ashton smiled at him.

"Roman! It's been so long indeed!"

They both hugged each other like they were childhood friends. While the man's daughter looked familiar.

She giving Ethan those lustful stares and he just ignored her.

Just how desperate can they be?

"Ethan my Son,come here"

"Meet Roman Klein. One of our oldest and most trustworthy business associates. He and I go a long way"

"How are your daughter's Roman, it's been so long since I last saw them?"

Ashton asks.

"They are great. Aliza is here only"

"Meet my daughter Aliza Klein. Ethan son you guys may be acquainted. She studies in your school only"

And that's when Ethan knew who she was.

Why she looked familiar.

She was the same Aliza Klein who troubled his Soph,the very girl who was there in all the videos.

The fuc**** leader of those useless minions.

Vivian's sister.

"Hi Ethan. Hope you remember me from our chemistry class"

She says offering him her hand and he almost cringe at her overly sweet tone.

"Hi Aliza. I am afraid it's been a while since I last attended chemistry class."

Her smile dissappears for a second and she covers her shock with another one of her fake laughs.

"Roman , I remember you eldest child from when she was a kid. I met her once ,how is she doing,?"

Roman's body stiffened for a second,while Aliza didn't looked happy one bit.

"Vivian? Well she is doing great. She attends the same school as these kids."

Ashton looked very happy all of a sudden.

He liked Vivian like his own kid when they were young.

"Ethan, have you met Vivian ? She was such an adorable kid. With those unique green eyes, she used to stand out in everyone,but -"

"Ashton! Come on ! Let's celebrate ! It's been a while.Let's leave these kids to talk"

And that's when Ashton left with Roman and Aliza steps closer to Ethan.

Offering him the extra glass of champagne in her hands,she raises her eyebrow at him.

"I don't drink"

Ethan replies.

Staring coldly at her,while she places her hand on his tuxedo.

"Aliza...you see  I had a little chit chat with your sister Vivian earlier today"

"Step sister"

She corrects him and he can see the animosity between the two already.

"She tells me it was you who posted those pictures on her account by hacking it."

She for a second freezes and then breaks out in a laugh. Placing her hand in front of her mouth while laughing, trying to act smart and elegant.

"Exactly. I had the same expression. So stupid of her to think that I will believe her lies, isn't it right Aliza?"

He say's with a raised eyebrow. And that's when she trusted me and started.

"Trust me Ethan ,this girl is evil. Pure evil. I saw her at that party, removing the poor girls clothes and clicking her pictures. She is my sister,I know I shouldn't talk bad about her but I can't lie to you. Now can I?"

"That poor girl was drunk and Vivian? She didn't took mercy even when the girl was thrashing, begging to let go... clicking her pictures."

The thought made Ethan clench his fist,Sophie meant so much to him and he could go to any extent to take his revenge.

"You know the events that took place in quite some detail Aliza. I hope you were not helping her?"

She again gives him that fake laugh, placing her hand on his chest , trying to feel it's hardness.

"Me? Oh never. I would never go to such extents. I tried stopping her,but she didn't listens to me. Dad always supports her, she threatens me of informing Dad if I interfere."

A vein was throbbing in his head.

This girl Aliza was not a saint herself,she was fabricating lies after lies.

He was not a fool to believe every word leaving her lips.

"But don't worry Ethan. I have taken my revenge on Vivian. She will be a walking corpse the next time you see her,I promise"

He froze,his widened eyes met hers and she winks at him.

What has she done?

The very thought of something happening to her not settling well with him.

Finishing her second glass of champagne ,she looks at her watch and smiles evilly at him.

"5 hours 23 minutes."

"What do you mean?"

He asked confused and afraid of her next words.

"A claustrophobic person like her , alone, locked,starved in a  detention room? Rings a bell Ethan? I bet she still thinks you will come back to save her,after all didn't you asked her not to leave the room till she remembers the password."

It felt like everything around him stilled for a second.

She wouldn't have...it's been so many hours...how can he forget about her?...fuc*!

"Relax Ethan. I just made your task simpler. She is pure stupid,she won't remember her password even if she thinks her whole life. So I just locked her door from the outside."

Each word she spoke,teared something inside him.

He has never felt like this before.

Yes he doesn't like her ,but he would never do such a thing to anyone let alone her.

The girl says she is claustrophobic...fuc*!

What if something happens to her?

She casually asks for another drink and he take this as an opportunity to leave.

Running towards the hall,he grabs the car keys from the table and rushes outside.

The guards call me from behind ,but he ignore them.

Desperate to reach her asap !

No matter how much he despises this stupid girl, he will still save her.