Chapter Nine

Tristan POV

It was noon time at work and I could barely concentrate on anything. It was without a shadow of doubt that I was a total mess.

From the moment I had laid eyes on Natalie , my thoughts had been spiralling and it made me totally unorganised.

The door opened and while my secretary briefed me about my meeting with the top drug investors, I was paying no attention.

"Excuse me sir?" I heard her voice come through.

"What is it? Can't you see I am trying very hard to concentrate here?" I barked at her and she lowered her head.

"No it's just that I requested for a manual hand out of the document and you appeared to be staring into emptiness."

I looked up at her with rage in my eyes and she apparently got the hint, getting herself out of the office almost immediately.

Getting up from my desk, I began pacing back and forth in my office, my thoughts starting to create a strategy. I'll throw a party on my private island, invite everyone we know and love, and share my story with them.

I'll open up to Natalie about my true feelings of remorse and grief, and I'll even spill my guts. I promise to display my love and commitment to her by doing whatever it takes to put things right. If it takes it, I will prostrate myself at her feet.

My phone rings just as I'm drifting off to sleep. I respond, assuming it's going to be one of my business partners or even Natalie . But I get a shiver from the voice on the other end.

"It's Dr. Lee from the mental home, Tristan . Here we have a situation. Aria is no longer with us." While I take in the news, my heart races. The person who has been imprisoned for years, Aria, is free. And she is capable of so much, God knows.

"What do you mean she escaped?" Attempting to remain composed, I demand.

"We're not entirely sure. But we suspect that she may have had inside assistance. Tristan , we're trying everything to find her, but we need your assistance. We require you to come down and speak with us." A feeling of impending doom is settling over me. It's risky to have Aria on the loose, especially given her past with Natalie .

In order to stop Aria before it's too late, I need to get to the mental institution and find out what's going on. Still, my thoughts are all about Natalie , the party I'm throwing, and the speech I'm going to give.

Now that I'm so close to getting Natalie back, I can't let Aria's escape ruin my plans.

"I'll be there, However, I need some time. I can't postpone this party I have to throw." Sighing on the other end of the line is Dr. Lee.

" This is serious, Tristan . Aria is a dangerous person. Right now, we need your assistance."

Even though I know he's correct, I can't help myself. I have an intense fixation with Natalie , and I'll stop at nothing to win her over.

"I'll be there," I say once more. I have to take care of things first, though. An item that is urgent." Immediately after, my head starts buzzing with ideas for the party, Natalie , and ways to prevent Aria from destroying everything. I ended the call at that point.

***
Aria POV

With my heart thumping in my chest, I navigate through the shadows. I've spent weeks, even months, organising this. And at last, it's time to implement my plan. They're waiting for me when I get closer to the tunnel. I've employed these individuals to carry out my instructions.

The streets have toughened their faces, giving them a gritty appearance. However, they are the only ones I can rely on to finish the task. My hands tremble a little as I give them the bundle of cash.

I say in a quiet, even voice, "This is the payment we agreed on. Let me be clear, though: Orion's security comes first. Before you do anything else, you have to make sure he is safe."

The men nod, a mix of joy and avarice shining in their eyes. "Aria, don't worry," one of them remarks. "Everything will be handled by us. You simply unwind by sitting back." Shrouded in uncertainty, I nod my head regardless.

Though I know that loyalty is a luxury no one can afford in this profession, I have carefully chosen these men.

I remind them, "Remember, clean and quiet. No traces, no proof. Do you understand?" I know they do because they nod once more. They understand the stakes. I take a long breath and turn, vanishing into the night, leaving them to do as I have instructed. I can only hope that everything proceeds as anticipated.

I'm walking through the mall, focused on the task at hand, when I see a face I recognize. Natalie . I watch her, totally unaware of me, laugh and talk with a buddy, and my eyes narrow. Upon seeing her, I am instantly and severely offended.

I know now that it's time to break up with her for good, even if it's been a long time coming. No more games, no more trickery. Simply a tidy and definitive conclusion to our bizarre tale. I get a rush of adrenaline and start stalking her, watching her every move. She has habits, weaknesses, and every detail of her routine known to me.

And I know exactly how to use them against her.

While I plan my next move, my heart is thumping with excitement. That concludes it. I had been waiting for this time. And I'm going to see it through to the very end no matter what.
While I watched her head back into her vehicle, I noticed from the frames, a young child clinging unto her body and knew immediately from his face that he was Tristan 's

Again my anger surged through the roof. I wasn't going to let this union work. I must have Tristan all to myself.