Seven

I had initially thought that Aiden was taking me home until he misses a turn. I don't know what is going through his mind right now or what he plans to do to me. But I plan on knowing.

"Where are you taking me Aiden?" He doesn't say anything but his jaws clench and the car accelerates. "Where are you taking me Aiden Kings?" I ask again with more confidence. Aiden doesn't answer once again. "Stop the car right now." I order my voice still confident but my hands are slightly shaking. The man has a gun and I don't know what he could do to me.

Aiden turns to another unfamiliar road ignoring me and the only thought that runs through my mind is that I have to save myself. The man is in the Mafia! I don't know what awaits me when we go to wherever he's taking me. He just ordered some people to be killed and maybe I'm now one of them. I try opening the door discretely but Aiden stops the car causing a screeching sound. Thank God I had the seat belt on.

"What the hell are you doing Alexandra?" Aiden asks angrily. I try moving my hand to the seat belt but he holds it in a grip. "Stay still." He says. He's a totally different man right now.

"Please let me go. I'll do anything but please... please let me go." I say my voice slightly shaking but I try so hard not show him how scared I am. "Please." I whisper looking into his cold blue eyes. His facial expression doesn't change and I try placing my hand on his arm but he jerks it away.

"Why?" He asks.

"I need to go back home." I answer unsure.

"Why?" He asks again.

"You talked about killing people and I was curious." I answer but he lets out a scoff.

"You were curious?" He asks in disbelief and I nod vigorously.

"Please let me go." I say and he nods while looking at me with a glint.

"Okay." He finally says but I sense a but coming. I look at him in anticipation but he only makes a U-turn and starts driving towards my apartment. "I'll come to your office tomorrow as planned." He says before I get out and this time I only nod. He too gets out and I look at him in question as he walks towards me but he gives me the car keys. I had even forgotten we were in Kelly's car.

I take the key from his hand and look at him studying me.

"Thanks for bringing me here. How will you leave?" I ask and he lets out a smirk.

"You are a mystery Alexandra Black. What exactly made you follow me?" He asks, his voice low. I take my eyes away from him and look at the empty road.

"I was curious." I answer. "If there's nothing more, I'll be leaving." I say. I turn and start walking towards the building without looking back. As soon as I get into the elevator I let out a long breath and sag against the wall. This day ended with an unexpected twist. I never thought that I would encounter anything close to this.

I get into my apartment to find everything quiet. "Kelly?" I call out but she doesn't answer. I walk to the counter where a plate is served and a note next to it. Apparently, she went out with Tim and would be staying over. I look at the plate once again not in the mood to eat and so I go to my room where the first tear falls and another until I'm a sobbing mess.

I've always imagined myself as a very strong woman. One who doesn't let people walk over her, one who never lets anyone dictate her life. I should show Aiden that I am that type of woman. I just can't wrap my head around the mafia revelation. How many people know about this? How many people are involved? Is his friend Ryan in it too? The questions fill my mind as I pace around my room trying to think of everything and what this means to me. I even took my laptop out and searched about the mafia but nothing came up that linked Aiden to it.

"He had talked about killing people. I assume that it might be a lot of people so it should be in the morning news. That should give me a clue on where to start." I conclude as I try wiping the smudged make-up off my face.

********

I had woken up an hour before my six a.m. alarm and no matter what I've done so far, I can't go back to sleep. Thirty minutes later, I gave up. I decided to do something that helped me calm down. Yoga. I have been at it for an hour now until I decided that it was time to get prepared for the day.

I take a quick shower and do my everyday routine. Going to my closet, I think about what I should wear today. I need something bold and classy. Something that shows Alexandra Black is in control. I look at all the suits that I have until I found the perfect Prada Red and Black pant suit. I take out a black lace cami top with an inbuilt bra. With a smile, I start getting ready. I complete my look with a dark red lipstick and black red bottom stilettos. If you haven't noticed, red is me. I am red.

I take my bags and leave my room and for the first time Kelly's absence hits me hard. I guess I was too preoccupied yesterday night to really think about her absence. I think I have to get used to this now. No morning tea, no served dinner waiting and the television on when I get back late. I try not to think that much as I get out the apartment ensuring everything is locked. I walk to my car and drive to dad's office who I have to call and know how he is. I park the car in my designated area and start walking into the building with a nod to every greeting. After placing my bags in dad's office, I call Dave into the office.

"Good morning miss Black." He greets when he gets in.

"Good morning to you Dave. Do you have my schedule for the day?" I ask as I start setting everything on the desk.

"Yes, miss Black. Here is your tea, just as you like it." He says and I give him a grateful smile. He places the steaming tea on the desk and I sit and immediately take the first sip. "Mr. Kings' secretary informed me of a meeting at noon." Dave says making me halt in my tracks. It hadn't escaped my mind but Dave saying it just seemed... real. I let a small breath and nod in confirmation.

"Will you need any documents then?"

"No, I don't think so." I answer taking another sip.

"You have a meeting with Mr. Taylor from finance department at nine a.m. in the meeting room two, a late lunch meeting at three with Mr. Nakamura and Mrs. Takahashi concerning the Japan branch expansion." He clicks something for a few seconds before continuing. "I've sent you all the details that you'll need in both meetings."

"Thank you Dave. Could you please call tell Troy to see me in ten minutes please?" I ask him and he nods before leaving. I look down at the work in hand but my mind drifts to yesterday night. Aiden kings seemed to have been a completely changed man. I've always seen him as a cool, collected man in the few days that I've interacted with him. He always gave me the vibes of a man who calculated all his steps before striking and maybe yesterday proved that and so much more. It was like he knew yesterday would happen before he gave me the contract. Not that I would report him as odd as that may sound.

My thoughts are distracted by a now familiar knock and I immediately know it's Dave. "Your secretary Clara just said that Troy will be running late due to an emergency. He'll be in in the afternoon." He says and I nod dismissing him.

I look at the pending and take in a deep breath then release it slowly willing my mind to concentrate on it. Soon after, I forget about Aiden Kings and his mafia shit. Minutes turn into hours and Dave announces about the meeting with Mr. Taylor. Mr. Taylor has worked with the company for fifteen years and wants to retire. In order for him to do that, everything has to be in order for the next head of financial department to take over to avoid any problems in the future. The meeting goes on for about three hours. By the time I'm done, I'm already exhausted mentally. 'Dad should come back.'

I take out my phone with that thought and decide to call him and know how he is.

"How are you angel?"

"Hey dad? How are you doing?" I ask suddenly smiling after hearing his happy tone.

"Much better. I'm trying to tell that to your mum but that woman is stubborn." He says fondly. "How are things there? Is my company crumbling?" He teases and I let out a playful scoff.

"It's even much better with me here old man. Don't worry your old bones about coming any time soon." I say and he lets out a laugh.

"Tell her not to forget about dinner tonight." I hear mum shout from the background and I roll my eyes playfully. Her shouting means it's a good sign. It means that dad is perfectly fine.

"Tell mum I will." I start the sentence with a laugh but trail off when I see Aiden Kings in the office. "Dad, I'll have to call you back. Something came up." I say in a hurry.

"A problem dear?"

"No, dad. Just a visitor that I must see. I'll call you when I'm done." I try assuring him before hanging up. I check the time to see it's only two minutes past noon and I let out a sigh before placing a poker face and walking to him.

"Mr. Kings. Just in time." He lifts his head from his phone and looks at me from head to toe making me smile inwardly at my choice of attire. I look so professional and badass.

"Ms. Black." He mocks extending his arm. I extend mine too and they meet for a brief handshake. Today, he's in a navy blue suit, white shirt and black tie. He seems to have had a haircut sometime after yesterday night since the hair on his forehead isn't as long as the last few times I've seen him. He still looks good. Or even much better.

Aiden drops a newspaper on my desk and I immediately take it thinking it's about the killings but instead, it's pictures from yesterday, questions and speculations. They even discuss about how we got in and left immediately when Aiden was one of the founders of the auction. "Why did you show me this?" I ask nonchalantly as I move the newspaper away.

"The deal is on. We both need this. You more than me." He says and I glare at him.

"No." I reply instantly still glaring.

"We'll both benefit from this... alliance. I'll appear on your show and you'll host me. I think my presence in the show will gain more popularity."

"That's not the deal Kings. My show is not about hosting people. It's about helping people leave their chea..."

"I'm not here to talk about your show Alexandra. How about me make a new deal?"