Chapter 22 The Perp In the Dark
Arielle's POV
I'm being followed. It wasn't after I stopped at a convenience store to get some pop tarts that I noticed a black sedan parked near my car. I recalled seeing the same car when I was stuck in traffic and didn't think much of it then but now, it was too much of a coincidence.
‘Shall we see who's tailing me?’ I muttered to myself and headed back into the convenience store.
“Did you forget something Miss?” The cashier at the desk asked, politely but I shook my head and offered a warm smile.
“Just confirming a hunch. Since I'm here, I might as well just buy some Pringles.”
I headed to the snacks aisle and peeped discreetly at the car. It seems the driver got restless seeing I was taking too long and decided to come in. It was a bulky man with a lot of hideous tattoos he woefully tried to cover with his equally ugly shirt.
He also pretended to buy something and I knew I had to do something about it, quick at that so I paid for what I bought and left, from my rear view mirror, I saw the car following me at a safe distance. I sucked in air into my lungs, not wanting to take the risk and dialed Leo's number.
He picked at the first ring.
“Someone is following me.” I breathed.
There was a short pause at the end of the phone and Leo's raspy voice sounded. “Are you sure?”
“He followed me to a convenience store and is now right behind me, how sure can I be?” I fired, almost annoyed.
Leo sensed my annoyance. “I'm sorry. But wait, what were you doing at a convenience store? I had outrightly pleaded with you to not go anywhere without your gua-”
“Are you going to give me an earful or you'll help me out?” I snapped.
“Where are you now?”
“I just drove past Fifth Boulevard street.” I responded, squinting my eyes at a billboard right ahead.
“Good. This is what you'll do; when you get to the next street, take a left turn-”
“But home is straight ahead, no turns.” I butted.
“I know, we don't know who he is or his intentions towards you, the last thing we'd want is to lead him home with you isn't it?” Leo spelled out, as if I were a kindergartener.
“Yeah, right.”
“Take a left turn and drive for about fifteen minutes, make sure you don't lose him. You'd see a mansion that's impossible to miss. The gates would be open, just drive inside, park the car and walk in like its your house then I'll deal wirh the rest. Can you do that for me?”
His request was weird but it was already getting late, it wasn't like I had a choice. “Yeah, sure.” I replied.
“Great! Do not hang up, I'll be on the line until you arrive safely.”
“There's nothing I love more than speaking to you.” I said wirh a hint of sarcasm.
I followed his instructions and arrived at the mansion. It was evidently impossible to miss as it stood out among all the houses in the area. I entered the house as planned, making it look as natural as possible and immediately I stepped in, a strong arm pulled me aside.
“Don't make a sound, just go upstairs, pretend to take your bath and then turn off the lights, that should lure the pervert.” Leo told me.
I snatched my hand from his, relieved it wasn't anyone else then cleared my throat. He instantly regretted touching me and gave me an apologetic look.
“I'll turn off every other lights, once you turn off the lights just wait patiently for my signal, then you can leave and go back home.” He added.
“Okay.” I mumbled, already tired of the whole drama, I just wanted it to be over with.
According to his prediction, about fifteen minutes later, I heard the doorknob silently turn. I sat in the darkness; still and awaiting the worse. My only consolation was that Leo wouldn't let as little as a strand of hair on my head get hurt. The door opened with a silent creak and I saw the silhouette of the bulky man, he was sneaking in.
With a loud bang, the door was shut and the lights turned on. The man jumped up in fright, startled and tried to make a run for it but realized that he had fallen right into a trap. Leo had him surrounded and about a dozen men trooped inside the room, armed with guns.
“Who sent you?” Leo asked.
The man frowned and shot me a death glare. “You've messed with the wrong person bitch! No one can save you.”
Leo delivered a heavy blow to his face which sent him spiraling on the ground, blood splashed out of his mouth, accompanied by a few teeth. Even I was startled by this brutal act.
“You'll speak when you're asked to.” Leo gritted, grabbing the collar of the man's shirt.
The man hissed in pain. “You've made yourself some enemies in the modeling world, Lisa thinks you've lived long enough.”
I scoffed and folded my arms, amused by this little act of my pretentious sister. Leo seemed surprised and arched an eyebrow.
“Lisa? Who's Lisa?” Leo asked, rhetorically.
“Someone that needs to learn her place.” I answered him, subtly hinting at temporary closure.
Leo got the message and signaled for his men to take the perp away. He politely escorted me out of the house, back to my car and got in the driver's seat, ready to drive me home. I didn’t argue with him.
We didn't utter a single word throughout the ride back home and when he pulled over at the garage, he hesitated for a moment before unlocking the car door.
“As much as I hate intruding in your business, I must ask if this Lisa person is a threat to you.” Leo spoke.
I heaved a sigh. “She is someone from my past, I'll deal with her. What will become of my stalker?”
“What do you think?”
“Don't let Zane know of this, it'll be our little secret.”
“I can't hide anything from him, not if it poses a threat to you.”
“Well you've made sure it isn’t a threat, haven't you? Zane doesn't have to know.”
“He'll kill me if he knows I hid something like this from him.”
“I'll make sure you die in the most painless way.” I joked but he didn't find it funny. “Zane is away for work, who's gonna tell him anyways? I won't say a word if you don't.”
Leo inhaled sharply, I could tell he was getting frustrated with my witty remarks.
“Fine, I'll not inform Zane but you have to be careful.”
I chuckled and opened the car door. “I cheated death, you think Lisa would kill me?”
I meant every word. Tonight, she made me feel insecure and scared but I'll hit her ten times harder so much that she'll jump and go crazy at the sight of her own shadows but till then, I've had an exhausting day and needed to rest.
My phone didn't ring nor did it chime to signify an incoming message. Zane hadn't texted me all day, which was weird. I made my way to my room and didn't waste any time before taking a very cold shower.
Donned in my bathrobe and hair neatly covered, I returned to the main bedroom, ready to hit the bed but jumped up in fright as I heard a voice.
“Look who's finally decided to come home tonight.” Zane said, jokingly. He sat at the edge of my bed, dressed in a casual Hawaiian pattern shirt and blue jean shorts, he wore his hair down, letting strands roam on his face, he looked exhausted but damn handsome as well, a smug proud smile plastered on his face.
“Zane!” I gasped, literally shocked to see him.
He stood up, arms wide open as he took gracious steps towards me.
“Look who's missed me.” He smiled, showcasing his perfectly aligned teeth.
I guffawed and folded my arms in an attempt to be dramatic. “Why would I miss you? You're a mea-”
I felt my words slur as I took a step closer to him, there was a persistent ringing in my ears and my heart raced speedily, the air suddenly became suffocating and my vision was foggy and blurred.
“Arielle! Arielle, are you okay?” Zane's sharp voice came but it sounded distant.
I began to zone out, then I collapsed into Zane's arms. He caught me and swept me off my feet, he was shaking me gently yet with a touch of urgency. I could feel his hot breath against my face as everything spun around.
“Stay with me Arielle, you'll be fine. Someone get the car ready!” Zane barked, I was in his arms and he ran as fast as he could, I felt panic closing in on him.
“Zane.” I called out weakly just before I slipped off the hold on consciousness.