Chapter 22 Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Two
🪯🪯🪯
Mirah
A tiny smirk was on his face, when he looked up at me again.
“If it boils down to the worst, I can call in a favor.” Nessa whispered close to me.
Glad to have someone who supported me at that moment, I gained courage. “You haven't said what you want.” I said to Jayden.
He snapped his fingers, and his men came down from the car. They encircled us, giving us no room to escape.
My eyes narrowed. “Forceful abduction in broad daylight?”
He laughed. “Naive much? That'd tarnish my reputation, honey. As much as the idea sounds tempting, I'm too popular to do that. I'm here to have a civilized discussion with you.”
“The last time I checked, being civilized didn't include ordering your men to encircle helpless ladies, just to force them to do your bidding.” I snapped.
Although his gaze darkened, he ignored my words.
“Three days,” he said, and my brows knitted.
“Pardon?”
“Mirabella, you have three days to conduct a public apology, and agree to another wedding.” His voice was so confident that I was forced to laugh.
“Wow. Listen up, Jayden. Whatever agreement you had, was with my father. You wouldn't dare do anything stupid.” I flared up.
The scene was now garnering attention. A circle of people who were watching us, had already formed.
“We wouldn't have such a nice conversation again, Mirabella. Three days is all you have.” His men got into the car on his command, and they zoomed off.
My vision failed me, as my legs wobbled.
“Are you okay?” Nessa's concerned voice sounded close to me.
Not trusting myself to speak, I nodded. She grabbed the bags and took them to the car. When she came back, I was still reliving what just happened.
“Can you walk?” She asked.
I nodded. “Let's go.”
Nessa turned on the ignition, just as I leaned against the passenger seat. “Do you think I made a mistake, coming back here?” I asked in a tiny voice.
She turned it off again, and turned to face me. “You know what's best for you, Mirah. For you to have returned, despite knowing what might happen, I'm sure there's a valid reason.” She patted my shoulder.
I looked out through the window. “Yeah. I'm probably the only daughter whose father wants her dead.”
“Do you have a father?” She frowned.
I let out a weak laughter. Nessa hated my father, more than I did.
In her words, anyone who forced his child into doing an action equivalent to slavery, didn't deserve to be in her good books.
“You're right, I don't.”
“Good. Now, forget about Jayden. I can make his company go bankrupt, if it boils down to it.” She promised, and I didn't doubt it. Her chain of networks was so vast that I never underestimated her.
“Are you going to call Qyle?” I teased, and ducked as she swung an arm towards me.
“I'll let this slide, young lady.” But her eyes were twinkling.
I heaved another sigh, and closed my eyes.
‘Everything would be fine, Mirabella Aurel.’
“A monster won't emerge from the door, young lady. Relax.” Nessa assured, as she threw some popcorn into her mouth. But even with her assurance, I couldn't help but feel wary. It was already the third day since I encountered Jayden at the shopping mall. The third day since I had restless nights.
“Do you think he'd come here?” I asked Nessa in a defeated tone.
She regarded me for a moment, and turned back to the TV's lit screen. We were watching one of her favorite thrillers. “He's wiser than that. Relax, Mirah.” She cooed.
I nodded and turned back to watching the thriller. My mind was disconcerted, my head feeling woozy.
“Do you have some tequila?” I asked her after a while.
She looked at me with an odd expression. “You don't drink.” More of a statement than a question. That was then. Before I allowed a certain vampire to help me escape. Thinking about Zeke made me begin drinking.
“People change.” I shrugged, and grabbed my bowl of popcorn from the table. With a chuckle, she pushed off the chair and headed to the mini bar which stood at the left side of the living room. She held a bottle of tequila and two glasses when she got back. “I'll get us some ice.” She said and went to the kitchen.
Minutes later, we clinked our glasses with a small laugh.
“Cheers to freedom.” Nessa slurred after two glasses. Her alcohol tolerance was unfortunately low.
“What freedom?” I shook my head.
“Don't worry, I'll–” The loud ring of her phone interrupted her words. With a groan, she leaned to grab it from the table. She glanced at the screen, and her face closed up faster than I could blink.
“Fuck.” She cursed in a low voice.
“What's wrong?” I asked, with bated breath.
She rose to her feet, and placed her glass on the table. “I'm sorry Mirah, but I have to get going.” Her face was set in a frown.
“Where?” My radar went on.
“I have a dinner date with a client.” She forced the words out like she loathed it.
Although I wanted to complain that I couldn't stay back alone, I didn't want to interfere with her work. As such, I smiled sweetly.
“Go ahead.” I waved my hand.
She was halfway to the bedroom, when she turned back. “You know what? Come along with me. I'm sure the client won't mind.” Her brows were furrowed with worry, as she looked at me.
My face softened. “Nessa,” I smiled. “I appreciate you looking out for me. But I can't intrude into your work.”
She pursed her lips. “But you'll be all alone, Mirah.” She pointed out.
“And like you said, nothing would happen.” I shrugged.
She sighed. “But-”
“I insist, Nessa.”
She didn't argue further, as she trodded into the bedroom. When she emerged minutes later, she looked breathtakingly stunning.
Nessa was a redhead beauty. Tall, with a sensual and alluring softness that tended to make one comfortable around her.
“Have a nice time.” I called out.
“With a client? Eww.” She made a gagging face.
Her heels clicked against the floor. “I'll be back soon.” She blew me a kiss, and left.
As the door clicked shut, I adjusted my position on the seat. I took another sip of the tequila. But even at that, I couldn't shrug off the ominous feeling that wrapped itself firmly around my heart.
The feeling of being watched…