Chapter 4

Mackenzie's Pov 

It's funny how someone's life could change drastically overnight, as soon as I saw the light of dawn I left for his father's house. 

What has he gotten himself into this time? 

He never told me he owed money, which makes sense now why he stole from me. 

But who the hell are these people? They seem dangerous. 

The drive to his father's house was a long one and I was a bit shocked that the car halted in front of a fancy gigantic gate, "Here you go Miss" The driver said and I looked around noticing the neighborhood looked rich. 

"Are you sure this is the place?" I asked unable to accept that this is his father's house, Dan works but half the time he relies on me for a lot of things most especially after I started working as a night ballerina. I bought groceries, I pay for water and electricity bills, he brings half the rent and I pay the rest. 

Now that I think of it he never really did much for me. 

"Yes Miss, this is the place shown on the map" He clarified and I took a deep breath before handing his money over to him. 

I alighted from the car and shut the door before heading for the gate. I was stopped by the security when I approached the gate and I informed them that I wanted to see their boss. 

"Mr Matthias isn't expecting any visitors at the moment," One of the hefty-looking men said. 

"Tell him I'm here because of his son" I ignored his comment. 

And the others called him, after a few minutes they returned and opened the gate for me. I felt like a criminal as they searched me for weapons and whatever they thought I was capable of carrying. 

I never knew he was from a wealthy family and he never mentioned it, I only know about his hatred for his old man and that's all. 

If I had known I would have dressed up better, I was wearing regular jeans and a black t-shirt with my hair tied up in a ponytail. 

This is even better because he can provide the money to release his son. I don't know what kind of people Dan involved himself with but those threats weren't empty and I still feel goosebumps when I remember what the man said. 

He also told me he will be watching me and I tried telling him we aren't together anymore but he hung up on me. 

I was led to sit and wait for his father in the lavish living room. I felt like I would stain the leather white couch with my poverty if I sat on it. They were maids walking around and I could hear them whispering behind my back. 

I felt so out of place and my skin was beginning to itch. Just then a man walked down the stairs with a cold aura, and judging from how the maids rushed out this was their boss. 

Daniel's father.

My mouth was wide open as I stared at the man walking towards me, dressed in a navy blue suit. His wide broad shoulders showed how much time he used to spend or still spends at the gym. 

His salt and pepper brown hair slicked back made his face more appealing and his face was neatly shaved, a thin straight scar from under his left eye down to his chin, the scar was supposed to be ugly but it gave him a rugged ruthless hot look, with a jawline so sharp it could through diamonds and when my eyes caught his I felt this odd sense of familiarity. 

It's like I have seen those blue eyes before somewhere. 

"Who the hell are you?" He scowled and I quickly scrambled up from the couch moving to shake his hand but he left me hanging taking his seat while I remained standing. 

Right. I understand why his son hates him now. 

"I'm Mackenzie Howard, I dated your son until yesterday-"

"So you are here to tell me that? Look young lady I don't have time for this" He cuts in rudely and stands up and I felt enraged that he wasn't even going to listen to me.

"Will you let me finish first? Or do you want me to leave and not tell you your son was kidnapped" I glared and that seemed to catch his attention. 

"What do you mean by 'kidnapped? How did that happen? And when did this happen?" He asked frantically. 

"I came back from work last night and I found the whole place trashed, we live in the same apartment and I was surprised when I found this note" I handed the piece of paper hid son used to carve out my heart from my chest to him and he skimmed through it before lifting his gaze to my face. 

"He left you a note instead of telling you himself?" He asked. 

"Yes. And I received a call from a private number saying the man who called says he owes them money and that I need to provide it before the month ends. Also, he stole my savings with him and I need the money back" I stated and his brows narrowed. 

"You want to leave? How will I be sure you didn't plan this yourself? I won't know if you are part of the criminals too" He accused me and I lost it. 

"Can you even listen to yourself speak? I'm here for my own money he mentioned in the note, I didn't ask you to pay for the ransom to release him. Why will I come here if that's the case?" I fired back. 

"I don't know, someone has to do it. And I should arrest you to know if you are telling the truth" He retorted. 

"What a ridiculous man you are, I don't know what happened to him but I don't want him to die, and if you still want to be the deadbeat of a father then I will just leave," I remarked and he flinched like I slapped him. 

"Is that what he told you?" He asked in a soft tone and I raised an eyebrow at him. 

"Just give me the note" I stretched my hand but he ignored me reading it again. 

"This is his handwriting, and it wasn't written in a hurry" He analyzed, and that piqued my interest. 

Does it mean he has been planning to do this all along? Leave a note and run away with my money? 

"We have to take this to the police" He suggested and I shook my head vehemently. 

"They threatened to kill him if I told anyone, I'm just telling you because I have no idea where I would get such an amount of money. Daniel never told me his father was rich, he never told me anything about his parents that's why I was shocked" I explained and he nodded, finally stretching his hand. 

"Caleb Matthias, the supposed deadbeat father" He joked as I accepted his handshake. 

"Mackenzie Howard, your son's ex girlfriend. I'm guessing you are not really a deadbeat father" I forced a smile cursing Daniel inside my head. 

That jerk fed me lies. 

His handshake lingered and he furrowed his brows staring at me, I was wondering what I had done wrong when he said. 

"Nice perfume" 

I blushed at the compliment, I didn't even know what to say to him so I nodded. 

He let go of me putting some distance between us and we both stayed in awkward silence for a while before I spoke up. 

"I need to go now, I have work to do" 

"Where do you work? If you don't mind me asking?" He added. 

"A waitress at some cafe downtown, I work in five different locations too" I replied holding his gaze and I hate the sympathetic look he gave me.

"I'm sorry Mackenzie, but I don't think I can let you go," He said and some men walked inside the living room standing behind me and I panicked. 

"What do you mean? I need to go to work! Your son took all I have and you are not willing to pay, I'm the one also going to pay his ransom, they told me not to tell anyone, you can't lock me up" I pointed out moving away from the scary-looking men. 

"I know. That's why we need to work together, he mentioned that you should pack out of that apartment. You have nothing left and I'm sure you don't even have the money to get a new apartment. I need to find out more about these people holding him hostage" He said and I felt like screaming. 

"You can't hold me against my will- let me go!" I yelled struggling as the men grabbed my arms holding me in an iron-clad grip. 

"I'm sorry but I need to do this for my son"