Chapter 20

"There was a beautiful lake, open spaces, a waterfall. But also wild animals, so I don't recommend it much."

"Animals? What kind of animals?"

"Wolves, I think. At least that's the only thing I saw when I went there."

"Aileen found the place very interesting."

"Take me there one day," she requested.

"Sure, with the necessary equipment."

"Okay," Aileen got in the car, and Oliver did the same.

"Do you hear that?" she asked. "It's nothing, no car sounds, no honking, just silence and the sound of birds. I don't understand why you haven't built a house here."

"Technically, this is my house," he pointed to the bar.

"You're right. You're very lucky."

Oliver started the car, heading back to the city.

Zac spent the whole night watching Aileen's house, hoping to catch a glimpse of her, but she didn't show up. He was furious and angry, knowing that she might be with Oliver Price and that they had spent the night together in bed. His thoughts tortured him, playing images of the two of them in every possible position. Zac couldn't contain himself any longer; he had to tell Aileen that he was in love with her, that if she just gave him a chance, they could be happy. However, he knew Aileen wouldn't listen to him because, for starters, he didn't have the money that Oliver Price had. In the distance, he saw his boss's car pulling up. Aileen got out of the car, and so did Oliver. He knew it, he thought, he knew they had spent the night together.

Anna cursed Aileen over and over again for stealing the spotlight the previous night. She was fed up with Aileen and her problems. She knew there was something more because, for starters, Aileen was in the same place as Oliver, and Oliver hadn't even gone to look for her. She felt that Oliver wasn't completely honest with her or with Miranda. Last night, she almost kissed him, she remembered, they were on the verge of it when Aileen showed up. The private detective she had hired to investigate Aileen showed up at the café where she had arranged to meet him.

"Good afternoon, miss," he greeted her.

"Do you have the information I asked for?"

"Of course, I always deliver," the detective pulled out some papers and handed them to Anna. "Here's all the information I gathered about Miss Aileen Warren's life."

Anna took the envelope and treasured it like her most precious secret.

"Thank you," she handed the detective an envelope with money. "If I need you, I'll call you, okay?"

"With pleasure, ma'am. Excuse me," he left. Anna immediately opened the envelope, pulling out photographs of Aileen all around the city. Even when she was a child. According to the information the detective had gathered, Aileen was born on November 11, studied primary and secondary school in her hometown, and then attended college thanks to a scholarship donated by the Price company. Anna knew she had struck gold. "So Oliver Price gave her the scholarship," she murmured to herself. However, there was something she still didn't understand. She continued reading. The Price company completely eliminated the scholarship program for university students, leaving many teenagers without the opportunity to study. Most of them protested angrily and sent letters to the company expressing their displeasure. Anna couldn't understand what had happened to Aileen for her to be interested in the guy who took away her scholarship. There were photos of Aileen in that restaurant, together with a guy, and there were also photos of her with her friends. Anna was about to give up once and for all because she couldn't find anything she could use against both of them, until she stumbled upon something. A note said that Aileen's father, named Mark Warren, had returned after many years. It also said that Aileen had attended a party at Oliver's nightclub on her birthday, which was recently, two weeks ago, and they were seen leaving together. I investigated the bar's security guard and asked him questions. The guy has been working there for five years and swears he had never seen Aileen until that night when Oliver carried her out. According to the guy, Oliver mentioned that she was a girl he barely knew and that he was just going to drop her off at her house because she was drunk. Simple courtesy.

Anna smiled wickedly, knowing then that they had only met two weeks ago, not months as the gossip magazines had claimed. What happened then? She wondered. She kept the papers, paid the café bill, and left.

Aileen was a bit nervous but opened the door to her house and entered with Oliver. There was no one in the living room, and no one in the kitchen either. She imagined her parents were still asleep.

"I think they're asleep," she let him know. "Thank you for bringing me and for what you did for me. I don't know how to repay you."

"Don't worry, anyone would have done what I did."

"I don't think anyone, Oliver," Aileen looked into his eyes. Oliver felt something in his chest with that look. He felt like he wanted to hug her and kiss her.

"You're right. I have to go to work."

"Do you ever take a break, Oliver Price?"

"Sometimes."

"Of course."

"Before Mr. Price goes to his company, I have to talk to him," Aileen's father came downstairs. He looked serious as he looked at Oliver.

"All right, shall we go outside?" Oliver proposed.

"Perfect."

Mark and Oliver walked to a small park near the house. Mr. Warren was serious, but nothing intimidated Oliver Price.

"Listen, I know you're a very influential man and all that, but despite not having much, I'm capable of anything to defend my daughter," Mark told him.

"You don't have to defend her because I won't harm her," Oliver replied confidently.

"That's what they all say, but I just wanted to remind you. Maybe I missed most of her life as a father, but now that I'm back, I'm willing to make up for all those years. So I don't agree with them getting married so soon, at least not while she's in college."

Oliver thought his father was crazy. How could he talk like that? Besides, they wouldn't be getting married for love but for an agreement. But Mark didn't know that.

"That's something Aileen has to decide. After all, she's an adult."

"I know, but I'm not. If I'm accepting it, it's for her and because I missed the best years. However, I'll be here to take care of her and protect her. She told me you two met a few months ago and fell in love. She also told me that you took away her scholarship, but then gave it back."

"Yes, something like that."

"Have you ever considered that maybe the other boys and girls whose scholarships you also took away might feel bad? After all, you only gave it back to one student."

"The scholarship issues are something I don't intend to debate with you. It's nothing personal, it's just that they are private matters of the company.