ALAYNA It’s been more than twenty-four hours now since Oliver has gone missing. There’s still no sign of where we can find him or any news from his abductors. I feel genuine helplessness and anxiety because it was supposed to be me. I was supposed to be in his place. But instead, I’m here—staying in this luxurious suite with a nice bed and delicious hotel food while he’s out there. He probably hasn’t had anything to eat. I didn’t want to get kidnapped either. Who wants something like that? However, because of me... he’s...
I shake my head. Blaming myself now won’t help us either.
I go back to my room, thinking I should probably get myself prepared. Brandon said we’re leaving the hotel in a few minutes. I tap the keycard at my door and step inside. But to my astonishment, Cassius and Casey are inside.
Cassius is on the couch, massaging his eyebrows while his elbows rest on his knees, and Casey is standing by the window, looking as restless as I am.
“How did you guys get in here?” I ask.
Both shift their attention to me. Cassius’s expression is anxious. “Are we not allowed to come here?” he snaps.
I frown. What’s with him now? “No, it’s just....”
“Alayna.” Casey’s shoulders relax. She instantly approaches me with a bear hug. “We let ourselves in. Cassius also has access to these rooms.”
“Why, what’s going on?” I ask.
“We were beginning to freak out.” She releases me and gazes into my eyes. I can sense her fear. “We couldn’t find you anywhere. You’ve been gone for—what—an hour? Where have you been?”
An hour!I’m about to answer when Cassius stands and paces toward us. “Casey, can you give us a minute, please?”
She blows out a sigh. “I’ll be in my room.”
“I’m sorry. We’re going home in a few minutes, Casey,” I say.
She slightly frowns. “Says who?”
I don’t answer, but her face brightens with recognition. “Okay, I’ll just get ready,” she mumbles and exits the room.
I gaze up at Cassius, who is simmering under his breath, and his eyes are scorching me.
My throat burns. “I was with Brandon.”
“We were worried about you. I thought something bad happened!” He embraces me.
“I spoke to Brandon about Oliver. I also joined him for breakfast. I’m sorry, I know I should’ve told you.”
He slightly grimaces and releases me. “Is that all?”
I sit on the edge of the bed. “We, um, decided to just put everything behind us for now while we’re looking for Oliver.”
“And?” Cassius sits next to me.
“I can’t keep living in his house having this barrier between us. I’m going to be working for him, and it’s not good for us if we don’t fix things professionally, but rather accept our current situation.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Are you sure about that, Alayna?”
“Well, I can’t avoid him forever just because he hurt me. He’s back to his first love now. We all need to move on.”
“Okay.” He shrugs. “And what did he say?”
“He’s fine with it.”
His shoulders relax. He cups my face. “That’s good. Then no more plans of leaving?”
I chuckle. “No. Anyway, Brandon said we should take the executive exit with Casey. Brandon will go with John.”
“Okay.” He nuzzles my hair. He lowers his mouth again, and his fresh bath scent stirs up the air I’m breathing. Cassius plants a small kiss on the side of my lips.
“I’ll leave you for now. I’ll come back later when we’re leaving, okay?” he whispers.
I nod. “Yeah.”
Cassius leaves the room moments later, I’m still lost in his simple kiss. I don’t know what to feel about it. It’s like standing in the middle of a line, wondering whether to cross it or not.
During the time we were in Kansas, Cassius made me happy. My family loved him, and there was never a moment he made me feel alone. I felt his love for me, his respect for my decisions, and he never took advantage of me. We both knew it was wrong if we entered something we couldn’t follow through on. He could’ve been the perfect man and one of the most special people in my life. I thought as time went on, I’d eventually feel the love I felt for Brandon. It’s like I was playing with fire. My heart still beats for Brandon in every way, but he’s the person who can hurt me the most.
Shortly after, I leave the suite, and the siblings are already outside. Casey approaches me.
“Do you have something to tell me?” Casey starts, but I’ve had enough talking.
I frown. “Nothing.”
“Nothing? You’ve spoken with Brandon. What did you two talk about? Is he being an ass again?”
“He’s not. He’s just worried about Oliver, that’s all.”
She sighs and looks at me with swollen eyes. “This is eating me up. I’m not able to sleep thinking he’s out there somewhere. I wish there were something I could do to help, but I don’t know what to do, Alayna.”
I hug her. “The only thing we can do right now is trust Brandon and Cassius. I’m sure they’ll do whatever they can.”
She sobs. “I miss Ollie.”
“Me too.” I rub circles on her back.
“I hate that it’s just the guys doing all the work.”
“That’s how it is, Case,” Cassius says. “Come on. Let’s get the two of you home.”
The security men from last night accompany us out of the hotel. Brandon’s Mercedes is the first to arrive.
Watching him from afar still makes my body shiver. His presence radiates intense magnetism. He is now flawlessly dressed in a black shirt and trousers that hug his body. His biceps are almost bursting out of his sleeves. I ache to run my fingers over him.
He sees us as he stands by his car, waiting for us to come down. I step out of the car, and Cassius approaches him first. Even at a distance, I can hear what they are saying. We proceed inside the house...
“Any update?” his cousin asks him.
“Still nothing.” He clenches his fist.
“This can’t go on too long,” Cassius says. “Oliver is your company’s CEO too. We’ve got to do something more about this. We can’t always rely on the twins.”
I stay silent and listen to them. Their conversation goes on until we are marching into the mansion. Frankly, I can’t understand much, but I heard some words or names“Brandon!”My chest constricts as I spot Pauline running down the stairs with a swollen face and puffy eyes as if she has been crying nonstop for a week. Her hands are trembling, holding her phone. I’d almost forgotten about her living in the mansion. She rarely steps out of her room.
I watch Brandon’s expression turn into concern. “What’s wrong?”
“I’ve... I’ve received a text... It’s Ollie... it’s...” she stutters. “They said they got him, Ollie! I’ve... I’ve tried calling the number, but it’s not active anymore.”
“What?” he exclaims, and all of us share the same dumbfounded look.
“I don’t k-know what to do!” she weeps, and almost instantly, she jumps on Brandon, wrapping her arms around his neck. She cries so hard; I almost can’t understand what she is saying. Brandon’s shoulders fall, and his arms curl around her. He strokes her hair gently and hushes her.
I look away, unable to bear the intimate gesture.
“Calm down. Let’s talk about that,” he says softly. It’s painful to hear him so sweet and so calm to her.
“When you called last night and told me he was taken, I... I was so worried. But then, they texted me. B-Brandon, I...”
Brandon’s arms relax around her as he continues to stroke her back. “Tell me everything, but you must calm down first.”
“It’s h-him... It’s probably h-him....” Pauline stammers and quivers more. “He’s here, isn’t he?”
I almost want to fall on my knees at the sight of them. I clench my fist too hard, feeling my nails digging in my flesh.
But one thing strikes me.
Pauline knewThen again, there’s something he didn’t tell me. I don’t realize I’m losing balance, but Cassius catches me.
“Hey, are you okay?” he asks in a whisper.
“I’m just tired. I wasn’t able to sleep last night.”
“You should take a rest,” he suggests. “I’ll take you to your room.”
I have no choice but to agree. “Okay.”
Cassius whispers something in Casey’s ear, and she nods. Then, carefully, I hold on to his arm as he walks me to the stairs. I look back to check on Brandon, but he doesn’t seem to notice I’m leaving. I suddenly become invisible—though instantly drawn to what Pauline has to say.