Tyler.
As I cleared out my office desk, I couldn't help the desire that coursed through my veins at the thought of seeing Arya tonight. She had been alluring and seductive this morning, making it almost impossible for me to resist the urge to cancel my meeting and spend the entire day with her. However, duty called, and I had a crucial business meeting with a promising investor. After postponing it multiple times, I had finally committed to keeping to it this time.
Upon reaching home, I called out for Arya, expecting her usual cheerful response, but silence greeted me instead. It seemed too late for an outing, and a sense of unease began to settle in the pit of my stomach. I waited for a few hours, hoping she would return or at least respond to my calls, but there was nothing.
Feeling that something was undoubtedly amiss, I decided to reach out to Natalie. She and Arya were practically inseparable; if anyone knew where she was, it would be Natalie.
Frowning, I picked up my phone and dialed Natalie's number. The phone rang a few times before she answered enthusiastically, "Hey! How are you doing? Are you back home yet?"
"Hey, Natalie," I replied, my voice betraying a hint of worry. "I'm alright. How's everything at the bakery? By the way, how's Arya doing? Is she there with you?" I tried to keep my tone casual, but the gnawing concern was impossible to hide.
Natalie's excitement dimmed slightly, and a puzzled note crept into her voice. "How's Arya? She's not there with you?" she asked, her confusion evident.
My heart skipped a beat as a surge of panic swept through me. "No, she's not. I thought she might be with you. Did she come to your bakery after her outing with Lauren?" I questioned, trying to keep my voice steady.
There was a brief pause on the other end, followed by Natalie's concerned response. "No, Tyler, she didn't. We haven't spoken today. Why? What's going on?"
A sense of urgency gripped me as I explained the situation to Natalie. "I came home, and she's not here. I've been calling her, but there's no answer. I thought maybe she decided to spend time with you."
Silence hung in the air for a moment before Natalie spoke again, her voice tinged with worry. "Tyler, I think Lauren has done something again. Have you reached out to her yet?"
"No, I haven't. I'll do that now. Thanks, Natalie." I replied with slight anger and worry in my voice. "I'll let you know if there's any news."
Immediately I hung up on Natalie, I dialed Lauren's cell, silently hoping to the moon goddess that for once in her life, Lauren would be helpful.
The first ring echoed through the receiver, each passing second intensifying the fear gnawing at my gut. As the ringing persisted, an ominous realization began to dawn on me.
The silence on the other end of the line became deafening, and my desperation grew with each unanswered call. Panic set in, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.
"Fuck!" I cursed loudly, my frustration finding an outlet as I slammed my fist against the wall. I stormed through the house, grabbing my car keys, my mind racing with terrifying scenarios.
I opened the car door and revved the engine, the roar of the car matching the turmoil within me. The tires squealed as I sped toward Lauren's house, my mind flooded with a maelstrom of thoughts.
The drive felt agonizingly long, each passing second fueling my anger and fear. The cityscape blurred as I raced towards Lauren's residence. Each passing building felt like a barrier, hindering my desire to find Arya. The uncertainty clawed at me, and I couldn't shake the image of Arya in danger, alone and afraid.
My thoughts circled back to Lauren. Something about her recent behavior struck me as off. The speed of her apologies, the desperation in her pleas for forgiveness. Now that I thought of it, it all seemed too calculated. Was she involved in Arya's disappearance? My grip on the steering wheel tightened.
The tires screeched as I pulled up in front of Lauren's father's house, my knuckles white from gripping the steering wheel. Anger and fear surged through me like a wildfire.
Natalie’s call interrupted the chaotic whirlwind in my mind. I answered, my voice strained with frustration. "Yeah, Natalie," I grunted, barely able to mask the urgency in my tone. "Any positive news?"
"No. None yet," Her voice crackled through the phone, concern evident in every word. " Were you able to reach her?"
"Dammit, Nat," I growled, my fingers tapping impatiently on the steering wheel. "I'm at Felix's house now. Lauren's number is unreachable. Call Nate. Tell him to search the city for her with the guards."
I ended the call and stormed towards the front door of Felix's house, my fists clenched with rage.
My knuckles collided with the door in a violent rhythm, my voice booming as I bellowed, "Lauren!" The anger boiled beneath my skin, threatening to erupt. "Get out here, damn it! If you've done anything to Arya, I swear I'll burn this place to the ground with you in it!"
Felix, Lauren's father, emerged, startled by the commotion. Fear flickered in his eyes as he took in the fury etched on my face. I didn't waste a second. I grabbed him, slamming his back against the wall. "Where's Lauren?" I snarled, my grip tightening.
Felix stammered, "I haven't seen her all day, Tyler, I swear!" His voice trembled, but I refused to believe him.
My patience snapped. I pressed him harder against the wall, my voice low and menacing. "You're lying!" I accused, my mind clouded by fury. "Tell me where she is, or I swear I'll break your damn neck!"
"I don't control her, Tyler," he managed, his eyes locked on mine. "She comes and goes as she pleases."
I needed answers, and I needed them fast.
I growled in frustration, contemplating whether to make good on my threat. My thoughts raced, my mind a battlefield between the fear of losing Arya again and the fury that clouded my judgment. But something in Felix's eyes made me hesitate – a mix of sincerity and genuine terror.
Reluctantly, I released my grip on him. "If anything happens to Arya because of you or that daughter of yours, I won't hesitate to end both of you."
Felix's eyes widened in fear, the cold veneer he had maintained until now cracking under the weight of my words.
As he gasped for breath, I stormed out of the room, my mind filled with conflicting emotions. The mere thought of losing Arya again sent shots of dread down my spine.
I needed to find Lauren. I was sure she knew where Arya was. I'd kill her if she had anything to do with her disappearance – even if it was the last thing I did.