Chapter 111 CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND ELEVEN: TAG, YOU'RE IT!
ZARA
Ethan, being the social butterfly he was, had discovered this hidden rooftop bar. We had been here only a week, and he seemed to have gotten a feel for every place around.
“Why don't you go find a seat for us? I will get your favourite and head over," Ethan said, pushing me into the bar.
It was a small place with every table almost fully occupied. Luckily, I found one in the corner away from the noise of the main room.
I slid against the wall and rested my head with my eyes closed. The thud of the tray on the table made my eyes flutter open.
“You aren't the Zara I knew," Ethan murmured as he put the glass of cocktail in front of me.
"If you say that, then you should know I don't drink mojitos anymore," I sighed, tracing my finger on the rim of the glass.
“I don't want you to change," he said, and I snapped my gaze to him. “That fun-loving Zara whom I knew is the same one I want to have now."
"Isn't change the only constant thing for us humans?” I asked and he shook his head. "It's a good thing I changed; I'd like to think that I grew up," I added.
“Zara…”
"Ethan, you promised." I stopped him from whatever speech he had prepared. The one I could already read in his eyes.
"Moreover, when we were together, you didn't love me as much as you do now. I doubt if you really do love me. I just think that you are afraid of the idea that you'd no longer have me."
“How can you say that about me?”
I didn't know if it was true about him or if I was just projecting the hurt from Aiden onto him, but it just felt right now that I was seated across from him, staring him in the eyes.
“You know I am not like that. I was childish."
“And so was I; let's leave the past in the past," I said, hoping the conversation would naturally stir back to the business between us without being awkward.
“I won't give up, Zara."
I shuddered, and I was not sure if I was really cold or if it was the determination in his eyes or if it was the drastic weather change. Ethan got up instantly and draped his leather jacket onto my shoulders.
I looked into the crowd, and eyes staring right at me moved as soon as we made eye contact. I assessed his clothing and sighed at how blatant Aiden's men were.
They didn't even think they had to hide from me anymore. He walked in here and pretended to be a customer while drinking a Coke.
I leaned across Ethan, my hand gripping his while I apologised for being forward. The man stopped himself from lunging forward to stop me, and I smirked at how easily I had figured him out.
As if on cue, my phone buzzed with an un-timed call from Aiden. I had already gotten his call tonight, so I am guessing he was getting real-time updates from his spy.
“If you would please excuse me," I slipped out of the chair, leaving a very confused Ethan.
I knew I had to apologise for using him like this to get on Aiden’s nerves.
“Where are you?" His voice was not the gentle, sweet tone you had gotten used to over the past week.
“That is none of your business," I shot back angrily at him.
I shouldn't have picked it up, but I couldn't stop myself. With him, all forms of logic flew out the window.
“You shouldn't be out this late in the city, Zara, especially with a man who wants to take my place."
My heart skipped a beat, but I was not letting him win because it seemed all I had been doing lately was letting him win.
“If your place can be taken so easily, then it was never yours to begin with," I shot back, angrier this time.
We were both already on the highest level of rage, and none of us seemed to be backing down yet.
“You lost the right to ask me about these things and even try to claim me. You lost that right the moment you lied about your name countless times to my face."
“Because in your eyes I am worth nothing," I added in the most broken voice ever before I cut off the call.
I inhaled sharply, the cold air scraping against my nose and making me shiver. I went to the bathroom to gather myself before I faced Ethan again.
As I walked through the crowd this time, a pair of eyes that felt familiar followed me. This time, they weren't observing; it felt like I was being watched.
I turned around until my eyes met with it, and I froze on the spot. Staring at me from the middle of the room was Rylan, who had gone AWOL since Aiden came to light.
What was he doing here, and why did he have that sinister smile on his face while he looked at me? He tilted his head and raised his glass in the air, mimicking a cheers motion.
I rushed back to the table and began to hurriedly pack my things in a panic. Ethan stood up, confused; he pulled my hand to stop me.
“Zara? Are you…”
“I know you were trying to help Ethan and I am grateful for it, but I have to go now," I said, pulling myself from his grip and walking out of the room quickly.
I clutched my bag and walked in the direction we came from, not stopping even though I could hear him calling from behind.
If Rylan was here, then what did it mean? Why was he acting like he had been stalking me this entire time? Why did my spine feel cold at the thought of it?
When I locked the door behind me, I typed an 'I am scared’ message to Aiden, but couldn't bring myself to send it. I had come all this way to avoid him, yet I still wanted to reach out at the slightest inconvenience.
I deleted the message and took a shower instead. I could take care of my own business by myself. I didn't need him meddling to save me.
All of the bold thoughts suddenly disappeared when I stepped back into the bedroom after my long shower, and there was a black rose on the pillow.
I walked to it, my knees buckling with each step, and the room feeling smaller than usual. I picked the note under the rose and read it.
London is so much better than that villa, Zara. You're easier to find here.
I felt my soul leave my body at once. Rylan had come in while I was in the bathroom, and if he had attacked me, I wouldn't have survived.
I snatched my phone from the stand where it was charging, and without thinking much about it, I dialled his number.
He was the only one who came to mind because I realised that in this world of wolves, he’s the only monster I was not afraid of.
"Hello."
When I heard his breathless voice, I knew in that moment that I was going to hold on tighter than ever.