All Chapters of THE HOSTAGE'S DILEMMA : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

MIAAs I walk back into the house, I consider tiptoeing, but this isn’t my home in Texas, where my mom would be waiting for me to begin her rants. Drew and I had dinner before he eventually called Bobby to drop me off at the mansion. I can still feel the thrill from the whole night, and I almost wish it didn’t have to end.I stop in my tracks when I sense a brooding presence at the top of the stairs. Aaron is standing by the stairs, looking down at me. My heart drops immediately. “Where have you been?” he asks, his voice stone-cold, and I almost feel my knees buckle in fear. Why am I so scared? I’m an adult, not a middle schooler.“At a small event. With Drew,” I emphasize the last part in case he thinks I casually went off on my own. “And Bobby brought me back,” I add.“So you spent all evening with Drew at some crappy story contest,” he says, his words dripping with disdain. With every word, I feel a bucket of ice water drenched on me. He walks down the stairs slowly, his eyes never

MIAI need to tell Aaron immediately. But first, I have to survive the day with a poker face and think of something to tell Mr. Wilson concerning the intel I was supposed to get. I'll just tell him I’m still investigating or working on something. I sit back down at my desk and attempt to concoct a plausible excuse.The door swings open, and Mr. Wilson bounces in, humming a tune with his coffee in his hands. It makes me realize I totally forgot about getting his coffee. “Good morning, Mia,” he greets me. By my name!! It is either I am losing my mind, or Mr. Wilson has finally lost it. The chances of me being the insane one are actually higher. For someone who supposedly got chewed out, he seems at peace.“G..good morning?” I reply. “A politician will soon be arraigned for embezzlement, so we have to work on an article immediately,” he says, and I furrow my eyebrows in confusion. “What about...?” I thought it was Aaron or nothing.Mr. Wilson shakes his head. “Apparently, we can’t u

MIAI don’t know how long we stayed in that position, but by the time my tears were drying up, it’s already dark out. I sniffle and look up, only to see Aaron looking at me tenderly. “I’m sorry,” I mumble. I try to climb off his lap, but he holds on to me. He slowly rubs my back in circles.“Are you okay?” he asks, and I nod. “I was just overwhelmed,” I say. He moves the hair in my face, and I cringe at how disgusting I must look. “Don’t look at me for long. I look hideous.” Aaron just chuckles instead.“I promise I don’t normally look like this at work,” I argue, and he nods. “I believe you.” “I’m serious,” I pout, and he smiles. A genuine smile. I lean back a little and take a mental screenshot of his face. This is a rare sight. A rare moment of Aaron smiling genuinely.The air inside the car suddenly changes, and I realize how close we are. Me on his lap and our faces inches apart. “Kitten, one more time, and I’ll lose it,” he whispers against my mouth. I let out a shaky breath

AARONMy breath hitches. Every fucking time. I watch as Mia walks out her room towards me, each step a calculated stab on my composure. The royal blue fabric of her gown clings to her, a second skin that traced every dangerous curve. The high slit offers glimpses of leg, toned and smooth. I can almost imagine them wrapped around me.She’s a goddamn masterpiece.And then there's the hair. That fiery red hair, cascading down her back in waves, begging to be touched, tangled in my fingers. It’s a signal, a signal fire drawing me in closer, consuming me.I can feel my control slipping, the carefully constructed walls around my desire crumbling. My hands clench into fists at my sides. I want to grab her, to pull her close, to taste her lips until she begs for mercy. I want to kiss the hell out of her, and then some. I want to feel her body pressed against mine, feel the heat of her skin against my own.God, I want her.But I don't. I can't.This whole situation is a mess. I shouldn't be

MIAI watch as the once chaotic table turns dead silent. Everyone is eating and is so focused on the food like it’s the most interesting thing in the world. I’m a bit grateful for it; at least no one is probing about my identity.“James,” Mr. Lombardi Senior suddenly calls, and the other man in turn sits up immediately.“Sir.”“How’s the modeling agency coming along?” he asks, gently chewing on his food without looking at the person he’s talking to. “Very well, sir. All thanks to you.” James states proudly. “The models are walking for almost all brands this season. I’m genuinely excited for what is to come.”Olivia mouths his words mockingly and silently laughs at her own antics. James’s wife rolls her eyes at the gesture.“I checked your financial books. It seems like more money is being spent on vacations than model training.”“The thing is…” “I’m going to go through it again in a month. Maybe my eyes are faulty or the leadership needs restructuring.” Grandfather says with finalit