Every instincts in my body screams— I shouldn't be here.
Yet I stand outside the familiar door of my apartment— the one I left some days ago to go live in the penthouse because Damian wanted to keep a close watch. I just wanna breathe. I needed an alone time. Ever since the photo was taken during the boardroom ambush it's been security guards all over me. I managed to sneak out of the penthouse unnoticed by Damian or the guards —though I told him I was going to the cafe.
Yes I lied but I'm glad I did or so I thought.
This apartment feels more like home. I open the lock but something is off ; the lock is not strong anymore. Inside my apartment, I notice that everything had been moved— the picture frame of my Dad and I, my books were no longer on the shelves, the blankets on the couch that isn't supposed to be there, the light already turned on and the opened door leading to my room.
Strange—more like someone was here or is still here. They knew I would come back .
Suddenly I hear a sound from the kitchen and then the balcony. I become scared and everything in me regretted leaving the penthouse. I got into my room and notice a writing on the mirror— Last warning Aria Lawson. The sight of this scared me i panicked then I heard the sound of the door closing behind me. I quickly became tensed and questioned why I returned home.
Damian was right— I shouldn't have left the penthouse alone. It's really not safe, I should have informed him before leaving.
Then, I notice a shadow behind the curtain.
I freeze.
Someone is here but when I summoned courage to check ,it's empty . I take a sigh of relief but then the sound of a plate falling on the floor in the kitchen makes me even more scared.
Suddenly my phone rings; It's Damian
I quickly answered the call in a whisper."Damian—"
He was furious.
" Where are you ? And don't tell me the cafe, you're not there."
"Damian , I continue I…I went to my old apartment "
"Please tell me you're not inside " he says
"Damian someone was here or is here . I'm not sure but I'm scared."
" You never listen to me. Don't move ,I'm coming "
Before I could tell him not to come alone he hung up.
I press myself against the wall near the door. My breath shakes as I listen — too hard, too fast. Every sound feels amplified. The building sighing, pipes ticking, a faint shuffle.
My heart beats so loudly I can hear it in my ears.
Then I started hearing footsteps. I somehow managed to say; " I know you're in here" even though my voice betrays me with how terrified I sound. I managed to walk into the living room and then the door opened behind me.
"Aria" he called
it's Damian's voice
He quickly ran towards me to shield me, then he shoved me outside the apartment.
Security men stormed into the apartment, searched everywhere and realized that someone just left. In his words—"Sir bedroom window open, someone just escaped unto the fire escape."
Damian closes his eyes for a second then he begins " Why did you come here alone?"
"Because I needed something from my old life. I just wanted to breathe and not Damian Blackwood and his entire Company" I said
He was shocked.
For a moment I wish I didn't say it that way.
I thought he'd be upset but instead he hugged me tight saying "Don't ever do that again— you almost stopped breathing for good"
For a moment, I felt guilty.
He continues " No more chances , no more loosing you"
"You're never coming back here again."
Everywhere was silent except— the thundering beat of his heart.
"Damian," I continue " They left a message on my mirror"
"What message" he asked
Earlier, I took a picture of it so I handed over the phone to him.
"Aria," he says, voice low and deadly, "this ends now. I don't care who the mole is — they just crossed a line they won't come back from."
"They should come after me instead—why use you?"he says
He takes me by the hand and walks me to his car. We both sat at the back of it and he still held unto my hands.
He never let go of my hand, not even for a second.
1 hour later, we arrive at the penthouse. I woke up in his arms still in his car. I guess I fell asleep on our way here and he chose not to wake me up. Looking at him gives me goosebumps all of a sudden and for a second I stir at his lips and I completely forgot about the threat from whoever is behind all of this—
My Uncle, U-COW, the mole or whoever I suspect
I wished all of this was over.
Then , he woke up turning to my direction and his eyes directly on mine because I was too close to his face.
"Aria" he called
I immediately got a hold of my self but was too shy to look at him at the moment. He smiled came down from the car ,opened the side door of the car where I sat and pulled me out. I feel embarrassed already but it didn't bother him .
Inside my room at the penthouse, all I could think of was Damian . How he came to save me and what could have happened if he hadn't come. Then the car incident—I smile
Aria, get a hold of yourself…he's your Boss and you wouldn't want to complicate things.