Chapter 5: 5; You can run but you can’t hide

Aurelia.

He was indeed taking me to the airport. I found out that he saved me. The woman he calls head servant told me about it. She told me everything that happened that night, and how he sent his doctor to get me treated.

I stole glances at him throughout the ride, his looks were expressionless and I didn’t know what to say or how I intended to start a conversation with him. I learned that he didn’t go to a meeting because of me, and I felt guilty because of it.

I sighed and let my gaze wander off to the passing scenery. I had to regain my composure and not get distracted by him.

“I will get your ticket.” That was the only thing he said before he left the lounge.

I glanced around, I needed to make my way back home on my own. I lied to him about my name, and I didn’t want him to find out that I lied.

I just have to get further away from him.

I would get to New York without his help, and this would be the last time I would see him again. I touched the side of my thighs making sure my pocket knife was intact, and I left.

I found my way back to New York, and our house. My father was informed that I was home, I came back quite late and tired but he insisted that I see him in his study room.

I knocked on the door, and I heard his voice from the inside, ordering me to come in.

I closed the door quietly behind me. Dad spun around, he was standing by the window.

He had an unsatisfied look on his face, he didn’t look happy that I was back.

“Dad...”

“Why are you here?” I asked.

“I...I, Dad...” I sputtered, getting lost for words.

“You dare to come back here after you failed! You didn’t bring the news of his death to me instead I got the news of you being shot! And now, you’ve led them to my mansion, an enemy to my quarter!” He thundered furiously.

I lowered my gaze as he scolded me. “You’re a disappointment!” He spat angrily wagging a finger at me.

“Dad, I barely...”

“Shut up, Aurelia! I trained you to be the best! I took care of you all these years and this is how you could repay me for what I’ve done! This was supposed to be your last mission but you messed it up and proved that everything I taught you for years has been for nothing.” He paused to catch his breath, his hand went to the table grabbed the glass of whiskey, and gulped it down.

“You’re a disgrace! I can’t let someone like you lead my empire!” He countered with his back against me.

“Leave.” He intoned.

I blinked my eyes and tried to speak. “I won’t give up...”

“Get out of here and don’t ever show your face in front of me again!” He shouted.

I flinched when he hurled the glass in my direction. “Dad.” My voice croaked.

This wasn’t what I was expecting, I thought he was gonna welcome me with smiles and warm hugs, that he was gonna be glad I came back home alive and not dead.

“Aurelia!”

I fell on my knees and clasped my hands together. “Forgive me, give me one last chance to prove myself. I have nowhere else to go if you send me out, Dad please.”

“I gave you a chance but you ruined it.”

I felt my lashes getting wet, how am I gonna live without his guidance?

How would I survive outside without him or anyone?

“How did he know about your information? An enemy is after us! After me! All because of you!”

I didn’t know how he found out about it, I didn’t remember telling anyone about the mission.

Could it be that there was a mole among us? If I tell Dad about it, he’s not gonna believe me.

I have already ruined my chances.

“Get out and resolve the issue you caused, else don’t ever come back here. Guards!”

“No, please! Dad, please!” I cried.

The guards barged into the room, Dad had his back against me, he didn’t spare me a glance, the eyes that were once filled with admiration held nothing in them.

“Take her away.”

I reached out to touch his pants but he pushed me off, and the guards grabbed my arms. I whined because of the wound, and I was hauled out of the study room.

I wiped my eyes as I got to my feet. I went to my room and took out the things that I needed.

My heart was bleeding, I never thought I would be cast aside by the people I called family, not my father Harrison.

Tears blinded my sight, as I picked up my bag. I had to leave the mansion and never return here again.

I drove to the airport and boarded a plane to France, I would start a new life there and wouldn’t be noticed by anyone.

The plane landed in France and I took my bags, heading for a hotel.

I wanted to book a hotel so I could spend the night but my credit cards weren’t working. I took out my phone but there was no network, it had been cut off.

Dad had cut all ties with me, I have no money, I have nothing.

I clenched my hand to my chest and bit my lower lip. How could he do this? He couldn’t have taken everything from me! How did he expect to live?

“You may have to leave ma’am.” The receptionist said and shoved me aside.

I reached out for the money and coins in my pocket but it wasn’t enough to book this hotel, it was rather expensive.

I went to a motel, it was what I could afford at the moment. I would just spend the night here and find my way around France the next day.

I took off my dress and went to the bathroom for a bath.

I turned on the shower. When I was done taking my bath, I came down to the lobby. The motel room was quite suffocating, there was no air conditioner in there.

It felt as if I was being followed, I could sense that someone was behind me while I was in the lobby.

I turned, but there wasn’t anybody I saw.

I didn’t come out with my knife or a gun, I had to go back to my room before something could happen that I wasn’t prepared for.

I hastened my steps to my room, and I heard the heavy sound of boots following me, before I could make a turn, Davis appeared in front of me.

“Got ya!” He startled me.

I froze.

Slowly, I stared around me, two of his men were behind me, and Davis was in front, beside him was another man.

“I told you, you can run but you can’t hide.” He chuckled.