Part 1- ARDEN'S CONQUEST

ARDEN

"You can find her there and finally get laid. You've been so grumpy this whole fücking week." Jiro smirked, retreating to his room. It was ten in the evening when I got a text from him saying he had got some lead and this time, he was sure about it. I immediately hopped into my car and drove to his apartment. "Lock the door when you leave,"

"Why am I surprised you're not out tonight?"

"Nah, just exhausted tracking this woman who happens to turn Arden into some sort of "A romantic-kind-of guy"."

I snorted, "I just want it back, Jiro."

"Tell me about it," he gloated, shaking his head.

His door closed, and I was alone in his living room holding that piece of paper on which he wrote her address as well as a photo of her clipped to the paper. Jiro had been so serious about looking for her. It took him another month because after that month he found her; she was gone again. And although he hadn't fully heard the whole story about how I got involved with this woman, he was willing to impart his skills at tracking people—a piece of cake for him.

The drive to her place was short and at the same time thrilling. Yes, I could feel the excitement at the tips of my fingers, almost making me fly the distance to her place. Two months. Two months had been wasted, and once and for all, I could deal with her after her grand disappearance. If she thought she could get away from me just as easily as that, she thought wrong. Damn witch, she was a good thief.

I could still remember the night she approached me at the bar, or rather, I made her approach me with one look and nod of my head. Hookers were masterly in that area—attracting men's attention with a revealing dress, and with her smooth tanned skin, and curves in perfect places, she got me hooked. At first, there was hesitation in her hazel eyes, but why would a hooker hesitate? Playing coy? I was having none of that. I was there for night fun and she was there for a prize.

I needed a distraction because my life had been on a fairly rough ride, having to see my sister build a family with my friend, who I never thought would ever settle down, and getting back to a family which I'd given up a long time ago for their own safety, just got me unsettled. I was also bored to death after disconnecting from the dirty job for good. The transition was just too mundane.

Reaching the room, I had her pressed against the door, kissing the plane of her neck. I got the taste of her mouth and I got drunk. Sweet and balmy, I just wanted more. I could still remember the smell of her skin and the softness of it all. The floral scent that had invaded my nose was strong and it was turning me on. I love that smell in a woman. Fresh and new. I wasn't drunk nor tipsy. I was sober, and I was eager to bury myself inside her, which was unusual for me. It had me thinking about how I became so overly eager, thus when she asked for a shot before going all the way, I let go, groaning frustratedly. I'd almost had my hand in between her legs when she decided to push me gently, giggling seductively.

She was that good in my hands that I desired no preamble. Business. That was all. The way her body responded to my touch made me think she was feigning shyness, and when she wanted us to have a drink first, I let her so that after the drink, I could finally have her and sleep peacefully. 

"What's the matter, baby?" was her question, taking the glass that she had handed me. She must have thought I did not notice the eagerness laced in her voice.

"What did you put in my drink?" I almost growled as I tried to grab her, but she was quick to step back, the sound of her heels echoing faintly in the room. Dammit. I knew what it was — a psychedelic drug.

From the seductive voice, panic imbued her tone. Her posture changed, holding the glass in her hands like she didn't know what to do. "I'm so sorry...I...just...I need,"

The effect was potent, and it slowly suspended my consciousness until I saw nothing but darkness. I couldn't make out her inaudible words in my ears.

And the following day I woke up, she was gone.

What happened that night served as an example of how dangerous women's ploys could be, using beauty to lure men into their hands only to be stripped naked of what men could offer. But then I was the one asking for it.  Wasn't it the idea that she would give me what I wanted so that she could get what I could offer? 

"You can't blame your brother, Addison. When you left, he decided he no longer had a sister. He became the breadwinner." A woman's weak voice ripped me off from my thoughts. 

"I left because I had to. I had no choice, Mom. Can't he see that everything I did was for your sake, for this family's sake?"

I was not supposed to hear the argument on the other side of this door before me, but here I was listening to the private talk, and although I couldn't clearly tell it was her, something inside me was sure I was at the right place yet at the wrong time.

"I came back, didn't I? I made sure that you were okay and healthy again. It was hard for me too."

"Give him time. He'll come around, Addie."

"He doesn't even want to look at me. He's been giving me cold shoulders for two months."

"You know your brother more than anyone. He's stubborn, but he understands. I know he does."

"He's working late again. You think I didn't notice? He makes sure that I go to bed before he goes home to avoid talking."

"Addie-"

"He's mad at me, I know, but this is too much. If he wants me out of this house again, he had better tell me."

I knocked, making their conversation stop. The more I stood there, the nosier eavesdropper I became and they wouldn't like that.

Footsteps were nearing, and when the door opened, the V on her forehead was deep and her face was confused.

When the confusion was replaced with recognition, I couldn't help my lips from curling contemptuously.

"We meet again."

"Who's that Addie?" her mom asked. She remained rooted in her feet holding the door open. The panic on her face was evident, and I marveled.

"Why don't you introduce me to your mother?"

"Why are you here? How did you find me?" She spoke in a whisper, but the edge in her voice almost hit me on the face. She was scared. But how couldn't she be when her nightmare was right there in front of her? 

"I would prefer an introduction before we get down to business, Gail... or shall I call you, Addison?"

"Who's that, Addie? It's late."

"Mom, you don't have to get up. Just a friend dropping by. He just forgot something."

"He? let him in. It's late." Her mother told.

"You should go." She hissed.

"That's not what I heard." I move ahead, making her move away from the door so that we wouldn't graze each other. I practically heard her growl. 

A middle-aged woman sitting on the sofa looked up and smiled at me to which I responded with a polite smile.  "It's almost eleven. What do you forget that can't be dealt with tomorrow? What's your name?" 

"Arden. Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Filmar. How are you doing?"

"I'm doing fine. Thank you. You're not from around here, Arden." Her eyes curiously looked at her daughter. "You haven't mentioned you know a man by the name Arden, Addie. Is there something I need to--"

"No!" was her quick response. Exasperatedly, she rolled her eyes to the roof. "Mom, just an acquaintance. I met him when I was...in...in the city. I forgot to return the...the book, yes, the book, so yeah, what a pleasant visit, but it's late so we have to hit the hay for now and call it a night, shall we?" She widened her eyes at me. 

"I thought you would go to the cafe?" 

"I'll think about it. I'll talk to Adam in the morning. Alright, let me take you to your room." She was on her mother's side quickly, helping her stand, and that's when I noticed her mother's lack of strength. 

"I can walk." her mother caviled, disliking her daughter's assistance. 

"Here, let me help." I held her by the waist and I was rewarded with a gentle tap on my shoulder. 

"I only have a daughter, now I'm having two." She chuckled. "I'm strong enough to walk, but Addie insisted I'm still fragile after the surgery." Addison was avoiding my eyes when I tried to look at her. She was embarrassed, and there was guilt in her eyes. "I haven't told you my name. Call me Terry. Don't be too formal around me." She groaned when we finally put her on the bed. "Thank you. Do you have a place to stay overnight?" 

"Mom," Addison's voice was a sound of warning. 

"I have a car. I can stay there until morning."

"A place with a roof is still cozier than a cramped space in a car. My daughter here would want to show you her hospitality by asking you to stay though I'm sorry that the sofa in the living room is too small for your frame; it will still be more comfortable than the reclined seat of your car." Addison softly grunted in disapproval; her mouth was pressed in a thin line, but her mother was paying no heed to that. Her eyes were also looking anywhere but me. If her eyes were to look at me, she would be glaring evilly, but with her mother to see that, she'd rather set her eyes on my shirt. 

"I'll arrange that. Take a rest, mom." She grouched monotonously. 

"Thank you, Terry," I told her before taking my leave to the living room. 

Terry was a kind soul, I would say. She had this aura that you would instantly feel comfortable being with.  A type of person, who at first glance, you would know was friendly and kindhearted. On the other hand, her daughter carried this fiery aura, but only on the skin. Her eyes gave her away. She acted tough, but without the muscle. She was scared, but she tried to cover it up with a silent glare. There were passing seconds when she looked like she wanted to cry. 

"Are you going to send me to jail?" Her voice trembled.