Chapter 3

Chloe’s eyes slowly opened to the dim morning light peeking through the curtains. She tried to open them. The air felt thick and heavy. Her heart started beating as she saw the figure lying beside her. Ayden.

His body looked perfect like a sculpture. His sharp jawline reminded her of how he hated beards. The sunlight on his face made her feel a mix of admiration and jealousy.

FLASHBACK

"Babe" he whispered softly trying to wake her up. He gently pinched her cheeks. Blew air on her face.

“Ten more minutes" Chloe said, pushing against his chest.

“You really know how to get me excited" he whispered, which made Chloe jump up.

“No" she said sharply. Ayden rolled off her laughing. "It's not funny!”

“. It was worth it" he said, sitting up and looking at Chloe. "I love you”

“How times will you say that" Chloe asked, ducking under the bedsheet.

“Because it sounds sweeter when it comes from you" he said, opening the sheets and hugging her.

END OF FLASHBACK

Chloe slowly reached out her fingers shaking as they touched his chest.. Before she could go further his hand gripped her wrist strongly.

“Don’t " Ayden’s voice was low and commanding. His eyes locked onto hers making her breath catch.

Chloe swallowed hard. Didn’t pull away. She needed to escape from him; he had. She didn't want to be a part of it.

He leaned down his lips brushing her ear as he whispered, "You’re mine. No questions, no doubts.

Her heart beat fast caught between fear and a strange desire. Some part of her liked his possessiveness. She tried to speak. He silenced her with a finger on her lips.

“Not yet " he said softly. Then without warning he pulled her closer.

In that moment Chloe realized that this wasn’t the Ayden she remembered. This was a changed man. She doubted if she could ever see Ayden again. She was caught in his grasp helpless and wanting to break free.

Ayden pulled back slightly his intense gaze locking onto hers. He traced a finger along her jawline before releasing her.

“You have 36 hours " he said, his voice cold but controlled. "Get what you want. Then leave forever. Face the consequences ”

Chloe’s breath caught and she felt a mix of disbelief and relief. "You’re serious?”

He nodded, eyes hardening. "Like I said, 36hrs”

Her heart pounded in confusion. Was this a test? A cruel game?. Maybe an opening.

Swallowing her fear she met his stare. "Fine. I’ll be gone before you even notice.”

A small smile appeared on his lips. "Good. Now get out.”

He turned away pulling the blanket over himself and left Chloe alone with her racing thoughts and the ticking clock.

She stood up slowly every muscle tense, her heart in shock. No hands stopped her; the guards only looked. The hallway was heavy with silence as she walked to the door her mind racing.

“36 hours " Ayden’s voice echoed behind her, cold and final.

She didn’t look back. With every step the weight of those words sank deeper igniting a fire she couldn’t ignore. She felt like it was happening over again like five years ago when she ran away from her problems. She smiled bitterly looking back and saw Ayden watching her. She thought she saw a glint of disappointment. She needed to be strong.

*****************************************************

The car stopped smoothly outside a quiet corner of the city. The door unlocked with a click.

Chloe stepped out. Her bare feet hit the pavement as the cool night air kissed her skin. She pulled Ayden’s coat tighter over her thin nightdress her eyes darting up to the traffic light on the opposite street corner.

She pulled her coat tighter around her. Her phone buzzed in her pocket.

She ignored it.

The cars pulled away in silence Ayden’s insignia barely visible on the back windshield taunting her. He sent his vehicle; he wasn’t just giving her freedom he was escorting her to her doom.

She moved quickly ducking into an alley that led to the city square. There beneath an awning she stopped.

She took out her phone, which she had grabbed on her way out. Her fingers hovered over the screen. One name burned at the top of her call list.

Jayson

She bit her lip her thumb shaking slightly over the contact. Her son. Her baby. His voice was all she wanted to hear now.

But she didn’t press it. Instead she turned her head slightly looking up at the streetlight across from her.

A tiny red blink.

Camera... She sighed.

“ course you’re watching " she murmured, lips barely moving. She looked directly into the lens. Gave a faint tired smile. Nothing sweet just a quiet mocking tilt of her lips.

Then she lowered her phone slowly sighed and leaned against the wall. Her fingers trembled as she slipped the device back into her coat.

*****************************************************

In Ayden’s suite

The massive screen showed her grainy figure, barefoot and regal even in disarray walking away with stubborn grace.

Ayden leaned back on the leather couch one leg crossed over the other swirling the contents of his glass lazily. His lips curled into a smirk.

“Interesting " he murmured. "She’s grown.”

Behind him the door burst open.

“Have you lost your mind?" Calvin stormed in irritation radiating from every step. "A whole surveillance team? Just to babysit Chloe?”

Ayden didn’t even flinch his eyes never leaving the screen replaying her mocking smile that somewhat amused him.

“I’m your friend " Calvin said sharply. ". Friends don’t let friends throw away everything, for a girl who walked away five years ago.”

“Since when did my love life become your assignment?”

Calvin stiffened. "Look I’m here because Ayla called, saying you have been ignoring her and you've refused to take her calls.”

“You’re just delivering Aylas concern." Ayden said, looking at Calvin "since when did the two of you become this close?”

Calvin’s jaw ticked. "She’s worried because she loves you nothing like that.”

“She shouldn’t be" Ayden said, standing. He turned toward Jake, his assistant, who’d been trying hard to disappear into the corner escaping his boss. "Call Ayla.”

Julie visibly swallowed. " Now sir?”

Ayden’s eyes cut to him sending shivers down his body. Jake scrambled for the phone dialing quickly. The call rang once before Ayla picked up.

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