Chapter 48

Ashley.

I've been feeling down lately. I haven't seen Aiden since then, I have been to his office yet it looks like he just disappeared.

His absence hung over me like a cloud, and I couldn't shake the worry gnawing at my insides. It's been days since I last saw him or even heard from him and I wondered if he was safe, it was unlike him. I sat on the couch, staring blankly at the TV, the images blurring together without meaning.

Logan has been extra attentive. I know he thought I was down because of him, which would have been the logical option so he's been trying so hard to lift my spirits, bringing me breakfast in bed, surprising me with little gifts, and planning movie dates in the house.

But despite his efforts, I couldn't get Aiden out of my head.

"Hey, baby what do you think about a weekend getaway?" Logan suggests, sitting down next to me with a hopeful smile.

I forced a smile and tried to muster some enthusiasm. "That sounds nice but you know I have to work,"

He placed a hand on my shoulder and his eyes searched mine. "You don't seem yourself lately. Is everything okay? Is it... because of what happened the other night? I already swore I won't do it again,"

I shook my head, not wanting to add to his guilt. "No, it's not that. I've just been... worried."

"Worried? About what?" His frown deepened and I feel guilty for letting him think this is about him.

It was better that way for everyone.

Before I could respond, Logan's phone buzzed on the coffee table. He glanced at the screen, and his expression changed. He quickly picked it up and stood before I could see what caused his mood to change.

"Sorry, I need to take this," he muttered, already walking away.

This has become a pattern, him receiving calls and stepping away to answer them. He has never been secretive with me, not with his phone or work or whereabouts but these days, it looked like I wasn't the only one keeping secrets in this relationship.

It added another layer of unease to my already troubled mind. I watched him disappear into the next room, the door closing softly behind him.

I turned back to the TV, but it was hard to focus. My brain kept asking me questions of Aiden, questions that I had no answer to.

Where is he? Why hasn't he called? Is he safe? Is he thinking about me? I pulled my knees to my chest and hugged them tightly as if they could hold the pieces of me together.

Logan returned a few minutes later, looking slightly tense but quickly masking it with a smile.

"Sorry about that. Work stuff."

I nodded and decided not to press for details. He's always been so meticulous about his work and I respected that, but lately, it felt like there's a growing distance between us.

I might be the cause of it since I had a secret of my own but something told me that I wasn't the only one keeping secrets.

He sat down next to me, pulling me into a gentle embrace. "It's my job to cheer you up, I know I am the cause of your depressed state but I will do everything I can to get you out of it, I promise."

I leaned into his warmth, appreciating the comfort he offered, but I couldn't bring myself to open up completely. How do I tell him that my heart aches for someone else? That I am physically here with him but my heart belonged to another? That I'm lost in a maze of emotions I can't even begin to untangle?

"Thanks, babe," I whispered, resting my head against his chest. His heartbeat was racing and that raised my hackles. He went to answer a call and lying to me got his heart racing then something else must be going on with him.

He pressed a kiss to my hair and I resisted the urge to flinch in order not to alert him that I had been playing pretend all this time with him.

His hands started to wander and I decided I couldn't keep quiet anymore.

"Who keeps calling you?" I asked, and hoped I was able to mask the edge in my voice.

He glanced at me, his expression hardening. "It's nothing you need to worry about," he said in a dismissive tone,

I blinked, taken aback. "Nothing I need to worry about? Why are you being so secretive?"

He ran a hand through his hair, clearly annoyed that I butted in, "It's just... work stuff, Ashley. It's not your business."

His words hit me like a slap. Yeah, something was definitely up. Keeping things from me was like asking for trouble, I can never let it go. I felt tears pricking at my eyes and I sighed.

He got violent and hit me so why the hell am I surprised that he would dismiss me like that?

"Okay," I said quietly, not wanting to argue. I got up and headed to our bedroom, needing some space to process this unexpected coldness.

Once inside, I grabbed my phone and dialed Keisha's number. Her cheerful voice greeted me, and I tried to push down the lump in my throat.

"Hey, girl! What's up?"

"Not much," I answered, forcing a lightness I didn't feel. "Just needed someone to talk to."

We chat for a while about everything and nothing at the same time, work, a new show she's watching, plans for the weekend. It's comforting to slip into a normal conversation, even if my mind is still reeling from Logan's outburst.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the bedroom door, and Logan walked in. He paused when he saw me on the phone, but I gestured for him to come in.

"Hey, Keisha, can I call you back?" I said,

"Sure, no problem. Talk to you later!" she replied.

I hung up and turned to Logan, I crossed my arms defensively. He looked genuinely sorry, his shoulders slumped but I wasn't buying it. He could be pacifying me just to throw me off his back.

"I'm sorry, Ashley," he said softly before he sat down on the bed. "I shouldn't have spoken to you like that."

I nodded, but the hurt lingered. "Why did you, though? What's going on, Logan? You've been acting so strange lately."

He sighed and rubbed his hands together. "It's just... stress from work. Things have been really hectic, and I didn't mean to take it out on you."

I searched his face, wanting to believe him but sensing there was more he was not telling me. "Logan, you know you can talk to me about anything, right? We're supposed to be partners."

He reached out and took my hand, squeezing it gently. "I know, and I appreciate that. I just didn't want to burden you with my problems. But I promise, there's nothing for you to worry about."

I wanted to trust him, to believe that everything was okay, but a nagging doubt tugged at my heart. Still, I nodded, choosing to play the fool.

"Okay," I said quietly and tilted my head up to look at him.

He kissed me softly just as the doorbell rang. He pulled away, smiling.

"That must be the pizza," he said,  "Be right back."

As soon as he left my sight,  I glanced at his phone on the table, the screen dark and tantalizingly close.

Impulsively, I reached for it.  I knew it was wrong to snoop, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right. Call me paranoid but I know Aiden wouldn't go this long without seeing me and after Logan's display of violence, I wouldn't put it past him to do something to Aiden just to keep me by his side.

I pressed the power button, and the screen lit up, revealing a keypad. I froze, Logan has never had a password on his phone before.

The sound of the front door closing snapped me out of my shock. I quickly placed the phone back where it was and smiled as Logan walked back in, carrying a large pizza box.

"Guess what?" he said with a grin, oblivious to my internal turmoil. "They had a special deal, so I got us extra toppings."

"Sounds great," I reply,

He set the box down and started opening it, but I couldn't let it go. "Logan, why do you have a password on your phone now?"

He glanced up, a flicker of something passed through his eyes before he smiled again. "Oh, that? It's just a security thing for work. They require it now."

I stared at him, searching his face for any sign of deceit which I am sure he was trying to hide from me. "But you've never needed one before. Why now?"

He sighed and his expression shifted to mild annoyance. "Ashley, it's really not a big deal. Just some new company policy. Can we drop it and enjoy dinner?"

I nodded, "Okay."

We went back to the sitting room and sat on the couch with the pizza between us, but my appetite was gone.

Logan chattered on about the movie he wanted to watch, but I only half-listened as my thoughts spun. His explanation felt too convenient, too rehearsed. And the fact that he brushed off my concerns so easily only made me more suspicious.

"Logan," I interrupted him, unable to keep quiet any longer, "I just don't understand why you wouldn't tell me about something like that. It feels like you're hiding things from me."

He set down his slice, his expression serious now. "Ashley, you're making this into something it's not. There's nothing to worry about. Can't we just enjoy some time together without you overthinking everything?"

I bit my lip, torn between wanting to trust him and the nagging doubt that refused to go away. "It's hard not to overthink when I feel like I'm being shut out."

"Doesn't feel good, does it?" he snapped.

My eyes widened, "What does that mean?"

"It means you are not the only one who feels they are being shut out. You think I don't see you moping in this house? I have apologized and pleaded with you but you keep shutting me out. I made a mistake, Ashley. One that I regret deeply, let it go."

Fury rushed through my bloodstream like a virus, I narrowed my eyes at him, "I should let it go? You fucking put your hands on me and you want me to let it go?"

He ran a hand through his hair, "Hell, baby. I am so sorry, I didn't mean to."

I moved farther from him but he reached over and took my hand, "I'm sorry for hurting you, baby. I hate myself for it. And about the phone thing, I am not hiding it anything and I am sorry if it feels that way. I don't want you to feel shut out. But sometimes, there are things I have to deal with on my own. It's not about keeping secrets; it's just... I don't want to bother you with it."

I looked into his eyes,  "I want to believe you, Logan. I do. But it's hard when things keep changing without any explanation from you."

He squeezed my hand, his eyes softening. "I get it. And I'll try to be more open. But can we just enjoy tonight? I hate seeing you so upset."

I nodded slowly, "Okay,'

He smiled, leaning in to kiss me again, and I let myself relax as we watched the movie.

Just as the movie was getting to an intense part, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, his expression tightened and he stood up abruptly.

"I need to take this," he said, already heading toward the hallway.

I watched him go, a knot forming in my stomach. After a few minutes, he returned, looking serious.

"I have to go out for a bit," he said, avoiding my eyes. "I'll be back soon."

"Now? It's late," I said, trying to keep the disappointment out of my voice.

"I know, but it's important. I'll explain later," he promised, leaning down to kiss my forehead. "Don't wait up, okay?"

"Okay," I murmured, watching him grab his jacket and head out the door. As soon as he left, the apartment felt too quiet, too empty. The unease that had been simmering inside me flared up. Something was definitely off, and I needed to know what.

Without giving myself time to second-guess, I decided to snoop in his office. Maybe I'd find something that would explain his strange behavior. I walked into his office, and looked around.

His laptop was on the desk, so I tried to open it, but it prompted me for a password. My heart sank.

He'd never locked his laptop before. Undeterred, I started going through the files on his desk, looking for anything out of the ordinary. There were contracts, business cards, and miscellaneous papers, but nothing suspicious.

I sighed, beating myself up for succumbing to the temptation. I leaned against a decorative panel on the wall behind his desk. To my surprise, it shifted slightly. Curious, I pushed it harder, and the panel swung open, revealing a hidden room.

My jaw dropped. What was this? Why did Logan have a secret room in his office? I hesitated and took a deep breath, I pulled out my phone and called him, needing to gauge how much time I had.

"Hey babe,"

"Hey, when do you think you'll be back?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

"Probably not until late. Sorry, something came up and I might be here for a while.," he replied, his voice sounding distracted.

"Okay, no problem. Be safe," I said, quickly hanging up before he could sense anything wrong.

I turned back to the hidden room and stepped inside, my eyes adjusting to the dim light.

I reached out and turned on the light and a small scream left me.