Chapter 5.

Chapter 5

Blake’s POV

I woke up the next day to see the bed empty. I thought she was in the bathroom at first, but it was too quiet, and then I realised she was actually gone.

Maybe she didn't like my “services”? That was impossible though because I'd never had any complaints from any woman that I’ve ever been with. Or maybe she was too embarrassed to face me this morning.

I turned, then stopped as I saw a wad of cash on the bed beside me. I chuckled in disbelief, as I counted the money, then dropped it back, still staring at it and wondering what had gotten into me last night.

When my friends had forced me to go clubbing with them last night, I hadn’t expected to run into such an odd woman who completely fascinated me.

She really paid me for my services…she really thought I was a male escort. I wasn't offended, just amused that she actually kept her end of the deal even when she could have run away.

My phone started ringing, drawing me out of my thoughts.

Fuck, I groaned. Time to face reality.

I picked my pants up, my eyes drifting to the empty chair where my shirt should have been. A chuckle escaped my lips as I realised she'd taken my shirt with her.

Normally this would have annoyed me, but there was something about her that amused and enchanted me.

“Get me a change of clothes and tell Tucker to cancel all my morning and afternoon appointments.” I said to my driver over the phone. “Tell him to meet me at the new site in an hour too.”

I walked into the building of the F1 racing team I had recently acquired to get my foot into the racing world, but instead of thinking about business, my mind was still on her. I could swear I was hearing her voice too, but that couldn't be right.

Tucker was in the middle of a conversation with a woman, and I heard the tail end of it, but something about the conversation rubbed me the wrong way.

I frowned, heading towards them when they both turned to me, and I slowed down, rooted to the floor in shock.

For a second I wondered if I was finally going insane, but then I saw the recognition in her eyes as she stared back at me, and I knew she was the one.

Her face drained of colour before flushing red with embarrassment.

“I’m sorry,” she muttered quickly. “I shouldn’t have come here.” and with that she practically fled the building, not realising that her phone had fallen out of her bag.

“You left your—” Tucker started, but I silenced him with a wave of my hand, and before I could second guess my actions, I picked up the phone and hurried after her, but before I could stop her she was already in a cab speeding off.

“I’ll be right back,” I said to my driver, grabbing my keys and pulling my Ferrari out onto the road without waiting for a response.

I told myself I was just returning her phone, but I knew I was just lying to myself.

I followed the cab until it stopped in front of a vintage two storey building, parking across the street as I watched her walk to the front door.

I followed her, and I was about to knock and go in as well, but then what I heard made me pause in shock.

My grip tightened around the phone in my hand as the pieces fell together. That's why she looked like that yesterday, and even after that, she still kept all her money for me?

Someone like her didn't deserve these people in her life.

The conversation continued, then her husband’s voice cut through the air. “Guards!”

I was a pro at minding my own business, but no matter how hard I wanted to look the other way, I had gone too far to pretend that this wasn’t my business as well.

“Let her go.” I said, standing in their path.

Two men turned toward me, surprised. “Who the hell are you?” one of them snapped.

I didn't bother giving him an answer, I grabbed him by the collar and lifted him off the ground for a few seconds, watching as fear registered in his eyes, before throwing him aside. He hit the floor hard and didn’t get back up. The second one lunged at me, but I kicked him hard in his groin and after a few punches, he crumpled against the wall.

Derek shot to his feet, anger written all over his face. What the hell do you think you’re doing? Do you know who I am? How dare you walk into this house uninvited and beat up my guards? I’m friends with the Chief of Police, and I will have you locked up for this.”

“Perfect,” I said calmly. “You can explain to him why you assaulted your wife for asking for a divorce.”

I turned away from him and walked to Arya. She was pressed against the wall, breathing hard, her eyes glassy with shock.

“Are you okay?” I asked, my hands cupping her face before I could stop myself.

“So that’s why you want a divorce? You had a lover all along?” the woman who I assumed was Arya's sister asked mockingly. “You've always been a hypocrite, but I never thought you would be capable of this.”

“Yes, he's my lover. And I was with him all night too. Since it's obvious this marriage is over between us, sign the divorce papers.” Arya said, glaring at her sister and husband.

“You’re not leaving. No matter what you say, you're still my wife. You belong to me.” Derek warned.

“I’d like to see you stop us,” I said quietly, and with that, I grabbed Arya's hand and walked her to my car.

I noticed that she didn't resist my touch, but I didn't say anything until we were safely in the car.

“You dropped this.” I finally broke the silence, handing her phone to her.

“Thanks,” she murmured, staring out the window.

I could tell she didn't want to talk, so I drove in silence, trying to ignore my own racing thoughts as I pulled up in front of a hotel.

She looked up at the hotel, then turned to glare at me.

“What do you take me for?” she snapped.

“What!?” I asked in confusion.

“If this is about last night, then I’m sorry for misleading you. I was in a bad place and did something I shouldn't have, but I'm not—”

She broke off her words, glaring at me as I chuckled in amusement.

“You think I brought you here for that?”

She hesitated. “Didn’t you?”

“And what if I did?” I asked, meeting her eyes.

Her breath hitched, a blush creeping onto her face.

I smiled slightly. “That’s what I thought.”