21: Layla What Are You Doing Here?

LAYLA —I never thought I would live to tell my story after Aiden caught me with Gray at the hotel, but he was surprisingly lenient with me. His treatment this morning even caught me off guard.After breakfast, I returned to my room eagerly and took out my phone to keep myself occupied. However, a thought crossed my mind. Aiden is not one to stay silent on a serious matter. Who knows if he chose to ignore me and go after Gray, the guy with me last night?I sighed with panic and logged into my I*******m account to check on Gray and see when he was last online. I wanted to know if he had been online since yesterday's incident."I hope he's still okay," I muttered to myself, scrolling through my message box to find his account.After a few seconds, I finally found his account. I clicked on it as if my life depended on it. However, when I saw his active status, my heart sank. He had not been online since yesterday. His last seen was at the exact time we had talked yesterday before I went t

Last Updated : 2025-05-01

22: Whisked Away

AIDEN —It was exactly five o'clock in the evening when I closed from work.With a feeling mixed of relish and anticipation to find out what's really going on in my circle, I stormed out of my office, heading to my private car parking lot to drive home.As I got to the garage, I walked to my car, entered, and drove off the compound. My whole mind was consumed with thoughts about Daniel."I can't wait to get to Mr. Thompson's house so I can discuss this with him," I mumbled inwardly, accelerating the throttle pedal harder so I could reach there faster.After I had driven for about ten minutes, my car abruptly stopped on the road, leaving me frustrated."What the hell is wrong with this car?" I retorted, angrily turning on the ignition car, but it kept failing to start.I sighed exasperatedly and rested my head on the steering wheel out of confusion. The fact that this thing did not happen in an urban area but happened in this lonely area weakened me the most. To sum it all up, I was no

Last Updated : 2025-05-25

23: Daniel Is Smarter

LAYLA — I still couldn't believe what I had witnessed a few hours ago. Did I just witness Aiden's trusted and reliable advisor seated with Daniel discussing? "Wonders shall never end," I exclaimed inwardly, shivers running down my spine. I was already coming out of the building after a meeting with Daniel to inform him of my mind, but seeing Mr. Reed there made me rethink that Daniel is eighty percent going to win this battle with Aiden, so I couldn't open up to him anymore. Instead, I brought up something different but related to Aiden and discussed it with him, which he still gave me assurance that he already has his plans figured out. "Relax, Layla, no worries; it's just a matter of time, and Aiden will be no more in the spotlight. In fact, he'd be forgotten in this city." That was his exact statement to me. I sighed and wore my mask as I was about t

Last Updated : 2025-05-26

24: Who Are You Working For?

Daniel —I was about to go and take a bath when I heard my phone ringing in my living room.I was skeptical because I was not expecting any call since my business time was over. I wanted to ignore it, but the person kept calling, and I ended up going to the room to answer."Layla?" I muttered, considering whether to accept or decline the call.After a few seconds of glaring at the screen, regulating my thoughts, I finally picked up the call."Hello, love, Are you at home already?" I remarked, feigning a soothing and concerned voice."That's not the reason I called Daniel. Do you have involvement in Aiden's recent disappearance?" She cuts me short.Not going to lie, the question left me utterly stunned. I don't know whether to deny it or tell her an honest truth."Disappearance?" I repeated the question, pretending I didn't know what she was saying."Yes, you heard me right. Daniel, answer my question. Do you have involvement in his recent disappearance? In fact, his disappearance, bec

Last Updated : 2025-05-27

25: A Written Agreement

AIDEN —I found myself sitting on the floor of an empty building, which I felt was an uncompleted one judging from the dusty floor. My eyes were tied this time and mouth covered with tape which they left little space for talking.The men who brought me here have all disappeared after telling me their boss would meet me shortly.After staying there for close to an hour and not seeing any sign of someone approaching, I began struggling to untie my hands and then my face for me to escape.I tried with all my strength, but all my efforts proved abortive. I couldn't untie myself. When I finally gave up, I heard a familiar voice echo in the room as it laughed."Do you give up so easily?" He asked and giggled lightly."Daniel, I know it's you. Your voice is not that difficult to identify even if you undergo throat surgery," I uttered, and I tried again to remove those ropes from my hand, but I kept getting my wrists injured."Oh, brilliant! You actually thought it was Daniel. Such a smart bo

Last Updated : 2025-05-28

26: Everyone Is A Suspect

AIDEN —They glanced at each other and nodded. "Sounds cool.""What do you want us for?" One of them asked.I sniffed and gulped, summoning the courage to make my intention known to them; however, realizing the devastating consequences it could cause, I opted to give them my card."This is my card; call me when you are less busy, and make sure it's only the two of you that are present there." I took one of their hands and handed the card, which has my number on it, to him."Don't forget." Just as I finished saying this, I raised my head only to notice that we're already a few kilometers away from my car."Thankfully I did not waste much time in doing this; I would have missed this opportunity," I mumbled inwardly, feeling accomplished."Thankfully my car is still here," I muttered as I saw my car still untouched at where I left it despite the doors not being locked."I believe you can trace your home from here," the driver said as he halted the car.The two men with me at the back ali

Last Updated : 2025-06-01