Chapter 5

• SELENA'S POV.
• "Help! Is anyone out there?" I cried out, pounding on the door relentlessly.
• "Felicia! Please, you have to open the door. Felicia!" I shouted, my hands frantically running through my hair as I noticed a hand slip a note under the door.
• "Is that you, Felicia?" I inquired, quickly snatching the note and tearing it open with urgency.
• "What could this be?" I wondered aloud as I read,
• "To my wife, just so you're aware, you won't be leaving the premises at your whim. Sincerely, your loving husband, Aiden Evans."
• How did I miss this? Idiot. How could he treat me this way? It's utterly unjust.
• In a fit of rage, I ripped the note to pieces and strode over to the phone by the nightstand, dialing his number in haste.
• Answer the phone! The line rang, and on the third try, his voice finally came through.
• "What do you want, Selena?" He inquired, his tone casual as if he'd done nothing wrong.
• "How could you imprison me as if I were some caged beast?" I lashed out, seething with anger.
• "Because that's how you behave," he shot back, and his words stunned me, though I quickly regained my composure.
• "Instruct Felicia or anyone else to let me out. I refuse to be confined like this," I demanded, but he remained silent.
• "Are you even listening?" I pressed, only to be met with the dial tone as Aiden hung up.
• The nerve of him! He'll regret this. What an annoying jerk.
• **********************
• AIDEN’S POV.
• A smirk played on my lips as I ended the call with Selena. She'll learn her place and how to address me properly. Such a tiresome nuisance.
• Her furious gaze haunted my thoughts as I arrived at my construction firm.
• "Whatever your name is, Aiden," her defiant words echoed in my mind. Selena's boldness was unlike anything I'd encountered in a woman before.
• Her confrontation the previous night was unexpected, especially given her delicate appearance.
• Since then, she's been on my mind constantly, and for reasons beyond my comprehension.
• I attempted to dismiss thoughts of her as I exited my car and made my way into the company building.
• "Good morn—" one of the receptionists began, but I silenced her with a gesture. I ignored the whispers of two other ladies nearby.
• "Mr. Aiden," greeted a familiar voice. Catherine, my secretary, approached, taking my briefcase and helping me out of my suit.
• "You have a visitor in your office," she informed me, and I shot her a stern look before replying, "Unless it's business-related, ask them to leave."
• "It's Sir Dave Lawson, your best friend and colleague," she clarified. "Alright," I muttered, turning the handle of my office door.
• "About time you showed up," Dave's deep voice greeted me as I noticed his legs propped on my desk.
• "Get your feet down, will you?" I joked, nudging his legs off the desk.
• "When did you start caring about doing things properly, huh? One night into marriage and you're already different?" he teased, stroking his beard.
• "Don't remind me," I grumbled, sinking into a couch.
• "Congrats, man," Dave offered, extending his hand, but I merely glanced at him.
• "You're not going to accept my congratulations? Fine. I understand. You're upset I missed your wedding. Didn't realize it meant that much to you," Dave said.
• Indeed, he's correct. I'm somewhat irked that he missed my wedding yesterday. It wasn't crucial, but his presence would've been comforting.
• "Enough with that," I responded. "It's hard to believe a notorious philanderer like you would ever settle down," Dave remarked.
• "Drop it. I was forced into this mess by my parents. Besides, I have no affection for her and plan to make her existence unbearable," I confessed, pondering the torment I'd inflict.
• "That's quite harsh. Be careful with her," Dave cautioned softly.
• "You can't imagine what I have in store for her," I declared, resting my chin on my hands.
• "Do you really loathe her that much?" he inquired, his brows knitting together.
• "You have no idea," I said tersely.
• "Man, you need to shed that bitterness; it's unlike you," Dave advised, then suggested, "How about drinks after work?"
• "Agreed," I nodded. "I'll call you later," Dave said, heading out.
• "Sure," I muttered, booting up my laptop.
• *
• *
• Loud music and dancers on poles filled the club.
• "How did I not know about this place?" I asked Dave as we entered.
• "You were preoccupied with your exes," Dave joked, patting my back.
• We were escorted to a VIP area by an attractive waitress.
• "Two bottles of wine, please," I ordered, and she acknowledged before leaving us.
• "What's your plan for your new wife?" Dave probed.
• Our conversation was briefly interrupted by the waitress delivering our wine.
• "Just the usual torment," I replied nonchalantly, pouring a drink.
• A stunning woman caught my eye as she moved near us.
• "Take her home tonight," Dave chuckled, noticing my gaze.
• "No, I can't," I declined.
• "Right, the married man," Dave mocked.
• "This is for you," the woman murmured, leaving a note on our table before quickly leaving.
• "What's this now?" Dave asked curiously as I read the note.
• Wait!
• What's this?
• "If you don't hurry, your mother will die," the note read. This has to be a sick joke.
• "What's it say?" Dave pressed.
• "None of your concern," I replied, struggling to remain composed.
• I had to find out what this meant. I couldn't risk my mother's safety.
• "If you won't tell me—"
• "I have to go, Dave," I interjected, standing up abruptly.
• "We just got here," Dave protested, surprised by my haste.
• "I must leave. Take care," I said, rushing out of the club.
• I prayed my mother was safe as I sped away in my car.
• My heart raced. My mother is my world. Who sent that note?
• The lady handed it to me, but who's behind it?
• These questions plagued me until I arrived at my parents' home.
• "Where's my mother?" I demanded from a maid in the living room.
• "She went out," the maid replied as I rushed to my father's room.
• "Dad! Dad!" I called out, rushing into his room.
• "Son," my father greeted, nearly dropping his coffee onto the nightstand.
• "Dad, where's mom? Is she here?" I frantically looked around the room.
• "She stepped out to pick up a few things," he replied.
• "Was she accompanied by Rex, our bodyguard?" I inquired, concerned about her safety.
• "No, she went alone," he said. "What's causing you such distress?" he probed.
• "Dad, it's late. Why would you let her go out alone?" I questioned him, agitated.
• "Your mother is perfectly capable of looking after herself," Mr. Evans, my father, reminded me.
• "But Dad, her safety is at risk. We must find her immediately," I insisted, showing him the alarming letter.
• He took a sharp breath as he read it. "Where did this come from?" he asked, alarmed.
• "The source isn't important. We need to find Mom," I said, trying to call her number.
• "Just take a moment to breathe, son," he urged, but I was too anxious to heed his words.
• "Mom, please pick up," I whispered to myself, but each call redirected to voicemail, leaving me filled with dread.
• Is this how it all ends for Aiden's mother?