Chapter 8: Receiving help.
Chapter 8: Receiving help.
Ally chuckled inwardly as she watched Cassandra pace back and forth nervously. A few moments ago, she’d made the decision to contact Ayden Crawford. Apparently, he communicated with Ally from time to time, so she had his contact information.
“Since when did you have Ayden’s cell number?”
“Since I saw him at a medical convention. You know his company makes top of the line medical equipment. I went as a medical representative on behalf of the hospital.”
Cassandra nodded. Ally was a neurosurgeon so it made since she would fluctuate in the same circles as Ayden.
Ayden Crawford was the CEO of Medi-Tech, a medical supply and equipment corporation. Everything from medical gloves to state of the art anesthesia machines; Medi-Tech produced and created nothing but the best earning them a top ranking as one of the world’s most powerful and prestigious families. They also happened to be the reason Keller-Corp could not branch out into the medical tech field. Back in college during Ian’s first year, Keller-Corp was on the brink of going under due to a severe crash in wall street. As a result, Ivan Keller, Ian’s father wanted to venture out into the medical equipment field. The venture was nearly disastrous, causing millions of dollars lost once Ayden’s father Amir crushed him.
As a result, Ivan pressured Ian about outdoing Ayden in school. No matter how hard he tried however, Ayden was always one step ahead of him in academics. Because of this, Ivan disowned Ian in an attempt to hide his own failures. Once Ian build his own investment empire, however, Ivan quickly brought him back into the family. Still, that didn’t stop his father from throwing Ayden in his face from time to time. As payback, once Ian gained control of Keller-Corp, he fired his father and controlled his spending. From that point on, Ivan Keller was forced to kiss Ian’s ass. A power surge Ian relished in.
However, one of the reasons Ian was so envious of Ayden was because of the close relationship he and his father had with each other. As a result, during their years in college and even after, the two men stayed in constant bitter corporation of the monopolization of the North and South coast territories. As of right now, Ayden was number one; so if anyone could bring Ian down….it would be him.
“Oh gosh!!! Girl! Just call him already! You’re going burn a friction hole in my carpet if you keep pacing like this.”
Ally sat with an amused smiled on her face as Cassadra stared at her phone. Rolling her eyes at Ally’s remark, she finally sat back on the sofa and pressed call. After several rings, a soothing deep voice answered. For some reason, Cassandra could feel her stomach begin to flutter.
“This is Ayden Crawford.”
Cassandra paused for a moment before answering causing Ayden to speak again.
“Hello?”
“Y-Yes….um Ayden….it’s Cassandra. Cassandra Davis.”
There was sudden pause on the line before Ayden responded.
“Mrs. Keller, it’s been a long time. To what do I owe the pleasure.”
She wasn’t sure why, but the way he said “Mrs. Keller” almost felt like a sting in his tone as if he were slightly disgusted.
“Yes it has been. How are you Ayden?”
“I’ve been fine. And you?”
Cassandra paused for a moment unsure of how to answer that question. Finally, she decided to be as truthful as she could at the moment.
“I’ve been better.”
Silence.
“Sandy….what’s your reason for calling me today.”
Cassandra’s heart nearly fluttered. Ayden was the only person that ever called her that. Cassandra’s actual nickname was Cassie, however, when she first met Ayden, he’d decided to call her Sandy.
“But that’s not my nickname.”
“I know.”
“So then why keep calling me that.”
“Because I want to.”
“WHAT! Well then I just won’t respond to it!”
Ayden smiled smugly.
“Yes you will.”
“Wha- No I won’t! You-”
“Cassandra….I want to call you Sandy because you remind me of my favorite place to be. Plus….I don’t want to call you what everyone else does.”
Cassandra could feel her cheeks reddening as she nodded. In a low voiced, she responded.
“Okay.”
That was what was so confusing about Ayden. When he first met Cassandra, they were actually friends. They would hang out, eat lunch together, and then one day all of sudden….he just stopped speaking to her and became cold and distant. Cassandra always assumed it was because she out ranked him in grades; as their relationship deteriorated shortly after mid-terms were released.
Now, it over six years later and that name still made her heart dance.
“Ayden…..I need your help.”
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Ian stared at the letter reading it over and over. His knuckles began to turn white as he squeezed the edges causing the paper to wrinkle.
Dear Ian,
I know that I could never replace your wife. Still, I’d hope to at least be apart of your world even if only a small portion. That day, when I saved your life; all I could think about was how much you meant to me and how happy I was that you were safe. I know now that no matter how much I love you, saving your life that day simply wasn’t enough. Mrs. Keller truly hates me; I can see that now. Which is why I’ve been forced to leave. BUT Ian….I love you so much that I simply cannot live my life without you! Since Ms. Keller cannot accept me in life….maybe she can accept me in death.
I’ll love you always,
Forever yours,
Dara.
Ian’s eyes flickered. Before arriving at his office, he went to Dara’s house first. Two months prior, he purchased a Highrise for her in the center city location. Only he and Dara had the access and thumbprint code. Barging in immediately, Ian searched the condo in a panic.
“DARA!!! Dara where are you!!!”
Looking around the condo everything seemed normal and eerily quiet. After finding no traces of her, Ian sped to the office. There, he was greeted by a panicked Eric.
“I don’t know where she is sir! I’ve been trying to locater her!”
Ian’s eyes reddened with rage as he glanced at Eric.
“I don’t want to hear TRY!! Find her now! Use every resource we have!!”
Ian began to frantically call Cassandra. From what he gathered reading the letter, Cassandra must’ve said or did something to Dara.
“Cassandra! Answer your fucking phone!!!”
Slamming his phone on the desk he began to pace. As if something flashed in his mind, he looked up at Eric.
“Find out where Ally Rollins lives. Cassie said she was staying there last night.”
Eric nodded as he headed to his desk, a small smirk on his face.
‘Damn….I guess Dara was right. He really does love her. Looks like that lifesaving plan worked.’
Eric sat at his desk as he began to locate Ally, an expression of both pride and fear on his face. The thief attack was Dara’s idea; as was the letter and runaway plan. A slight discomfort formed in his mind…..Dara was ten steps ahead of him in her plans to become the new Mrs. Keller.
As Eric searched for Ally’s information, Ian began to text both Cassandra and Dara.
\[To Cassandra: Cassie….don’t make me have to do something I regret!! Call me back now!!!\]
\[To Dara: Baby…please…tell me where you are!!\]
Neither responded only fueling his anger further. Eric returned back to the office with a piece of paper in his hand, it was Ally’s home address along with her number.
“I have Ms. Rollins’ information sir.”
Eric handed Ian the information, a troubled look on his face.
“Do you have something you want to say!”
Nervous, Eric wanted to make sure he stuck to the plan.
“Well….it’s just that I’m really worried about Dara sir-”
“And you think I’m not!!”
Eric held his hands up in defense.
“No I know you are sir! I was just wondering-”
“Wondering what!”
“Well….maybe Mrs. Keller doesn’t understand how important it is to lose someone she loves. Maybe she would understand better if someone she loved was in danger…..say someone like her parents?”