In the blank laid my past.

The hum of the McLaren’s engine was a soothing contrast to the silence that had settled between us. Sebastian was driving, his focus on the road ahead, but his expression was heavy with contemplation. I sat beside him, the city lights flickering past as I tried to read his thoughts.

The earlier meeting had left more questions than answers. I glanced at him, unsure how to start the conversation, but the weight of the mystery hanging over us made it impossible to stay silent for long.

“So… what now?” I asked hesitantly, breaking the quiet. My voice sounded small against the backdrop of the purring engine.
Sebastian shifted gears smoothly, his gaze unwavering on the road. “Now,” he said, his tone firm, “we focus on getting back what was stolen. This isn’t just about the shipments anymore—it’s about trust, power, and the message we send.”

I nodded, though his words carried an ominous weight. “Do you think we’ll figure out who’s behind it?”
He let out a sharp exhale, gripping the steering wheel tighter. “Someone’s lying,” he said. “I don’t know who yet, but I will find out. And when I do…” His voice trailed off, the implied consequences hanging in the air.

His intensity sent a shiver down my spine, but I couldn’t help but admire his determination. “You’ve got this,” I said, offering a small smile. “You always do.”
Sebastian glanced at me briefly, his lips twitching into a faint smile. “Thanks. And I’ll need you with me every step of the way.”
“Me?” I blinked, surprised. “Why me?”

“Because you’ve proven yourself,” he replied simply. “You’re observant, sharp, and I trust you.”
The warmth in his words caught me off guard. I felt my cheeks flush, but I quickly masked it with a nod. “Okay. What do you need me to do?”
“For starters,” he said, his tone shifting to something more instructional, “you’ll be joining me in most of my meetings from now on. You’ll learn the dynamics of our operations—who’s who, what’s what. You’ll be my companion.”
I swallowed hard, the weight of his words settling over me. This was a huge step, a responsibility I hadn’t anticipated. “I’ll do my best,” I said, determination lacing my voice.

He nodded approvingly. “Good. But it’s not just about observing. You’ll need to learn some basic skills. Raven will teach you how to handle a gun. And for close combat—knives and melee—Mamba is the best person for the job.”
My stomach tightened at the thought of holding a weapon. “Do you really think I’ll need to use those?”
“It’s not for me,” Sebastian said, his voice firm. “It’s for you. If things go sideways, you need to be able to protect yourself.”
I nodded, understanding his logic even as unease prickled at the edges of my thoughts. “I’ll do it. Whatever it takes.”

He glanced at me again, a rare softness in his expression. “I’ll also make sure you have the right clothes—corporate attire. And you’ll have your own room on my floor. Or…” He paused, smirking slightly. “If you’d prefer, you can stay in my room.”
I couldn’t suppress the small laugh that escaped me. “Your room, definitely,” I said quickly, the words slipping out before I could stop them.
Sebastian raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Well, that was fast.”

I shrugged, trying to play it off. “It’s practical. Plus, your room is bigger.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “Alright, then. That’s settled.”
“You’re unusually quiet,” Sebastian said, his tone teasing as he glanced at me between shifts. Seeing I haven’t talked in a minute.
I laughed softly, leaning back in the seat. “I’m just… taking it all in. It’s been a while since I’ve been out. Honestly, I think this might be the first time in years I’ve been outside in the morning, plus in a meeting, that was also different, its all just new to me and exciting.”

His expression shifted, the corners of his lips pulling down as his jaw tightened slightly. I could tell my words struck a chord.
“Don’t think about it too much,” I said quickly, not wanting him to dwell on it. “It’s all in the past. I’m here now, and I’m… I’m happy.”
He didn’t reply immediately, but I caught the way his grip on the steering wheel loosened a bit. “Still,” he said after a while, “I should have thought about that sooner. I’m sorry.”

“Stop apologizing,” I said, forcing a smile. “You’re making up for it now, aren’t you?”
His eyes softened at that, and for a moment, the air between us felt lighter.
The conversation lulled, and I leaned back to watch the world blur past us. The hum of the engine was calming, and for a moment, I let myself bask in the simple joy of freedom, no matter how fleeting it might be.
As we drove further, the cityscape began to blur into quieter streets. I noticed Sebastian taking an unfamiliar turn, veering off the direct route to the mansion.

“Are we going somewhere else?” I asked, glancing at him curiously.
He smirked. “Relax. It’s just a detour. We’re getting food.”
“Oh,” I said, leaning back in my seat. “Alright.”

The car eventually pulled up in front of a sprawling restaurant with large glass windows and a modern design. I was immediately struck by how vast and lively
it was. The large windows let in streams of sunlight, reflecting off the polished floors and the gleaming surfaces of the counters.

Sebastian parked the car and opened my door, a gesture that still caught me off guard every time. “Let’s get something good,” he said, his tone casual as if this was just another day for him.
the aroma of freshly baked bread and sizzling meats filled the air. The place was bustling, alive with chatter and laughter.

I followed him inside, watching as his sharp eyes scanned the menu board with precision. The aroma of freshly baked bread and sizzling meats filled the air. The place was bustling, alive with chatter and laughter. He seemed to know exactly what he wanted, so I let him take charge while I found a seat near the corner. I settled into a chair near a large screen mounted on the wall, my gaze wandering across the lively crowd. It felt strange being out like this—normal, almost. For a moment, I could pretend everything was fine and nothing never happened, like I was back in LA, that my life was as ordinary as the people around me.

As I settled into the chair, my eyes wandered around the room. The place had a warmth to it—a buzz of energy that made me feel nostalgic. My gaze landed on the television mounted high on the wall. It was broadcasting a basketball game. The players moved with precision and speed, the crowd roaring with every basket. I smiled, memories flooding back. Basketball nights had been my escape once. Late nights at the court with friends, laughter, and the adrenaline of cheering for our favorite teams. Those memories were bittersweet now, a reminder of a life I’d left behind.
But then, the camera panned across the front row, and my breath hitched. A familiar face appeared on the screen, laughing and clapping.

“HHHhhh” I exhaled heavily. It can’t be, I know that face, it’s the face anywhere.
The nose ring, that wide smile, that thick body and deceiving serpentine eyes, that was her.

It Was Mireya!

my smile froze.
I leaned forward, my breath catching in my throat. My chest tightened as anger surged through me. Mireya. The girl who had betrayed me, the one who had turned my life upside down. And there she was, looking carefree and radiant, as if she had never caused anyone pain. Beside her sat her brother, both of them dressed to perfection, exuding wealth and privilege.

I couldn’t tear my eyes away, the fury boiling inside me. How dare she? After everything she’d done, how could she look so happy, so untouched by the chaos she’d left behind.
My blood boiled as I stared at her. This was the person who had ruined my life, the one who had sold me out, betrayed me, and left me to rot. She was the reason I’d been dragged into this world, the reason I’d suffered so much. And here she was, living her best life while I had to claw my way through every day in pain and fear.
My vision tunneled, anger coursing through me like fire. Every smile she gave, every carefree laugh—it was like a slap in the face.

“Ariella.”

The sound of Sebastian’s voice barely registered at first.

“Ariella,” he repeated, louder this time.

“What is it?” I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended.
I snapped out of it, whipping my head around to see him standing beside me, a bag of food in his hand and a confused expression on his face.
Sebastian’s brows furrowed, his confusion turning into concern. “What’s wrong with you? I’ve been calling your name for the past minute, and you didn’t respond. I put the food in the car, came back to get you, and you’re just sitting here like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Realizing how harsh I’d sounded, guilt immediately flooded me. “I’m sorry,” I stammered, my voice softening. “I didn’t mean to snap. I was… I was caught off guard by something.”
His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied me. “Caught off guard by what?”
“It’s nothing,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “I saw something that upset me, but it’s not important. I promise it won’t happen again.”
Sebastian didn’t look convinced, but he nodded anyway. “Fine,” he said simply. “Let’s go.”
I stood up and followed him out, feeling his lingering gaze on me as we walked to the car.
The drive back was quiet, the tension thick between us. I could feel Sebastian glancing at me every now and then, but I didn’t dare meet his gaze. My mind was still reeling from what I’d seen. Mireya. The name alone made my hands clench into fists.

As we pulled into a quiet spot near the edge of the city, I noticed Sebastian wasn’t heading back to the mansion. Instead, he parked the car under the shade of a large tree and turned off the engine. The silence was deafening.
He leaned back in his seat, his hand resting casually on the steering wheel, but his sharp eyes never left me. “You’re not yourself,” he said finally, his voice low but firm.
I sighed, avoiding his gaze. “I’m fine, Sebastian. Really.”
“You’re lying,” he replied flatly.
His words hung in the air, and I could feel the weight of his scrutiny pressing down on me. There was no escaping it.
“I saw someone,” I admitted reluctantly, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Someone?” he repeated, leaning forward slightly. “Who?”
I hesitated, my fingers twisting in my lap. “Someone from my past. Someone who… hurt me.”
Sebastian’s jaw tightened, and his expression darkened. “Hurt you how?”
“It’s complicated,” I said, shaking my head. “I don’t even know if it matters anymore. She’s out there living her life while I’m… here. It just stirred up old memories, that’s all.”
Sebastian’s eyes softened, but there was still an edge to his voice when he spoke. “Whoever she is, she clearly left a mark on you. If she’s hurt you in the past, she’ll answer for it.”
I turned to him, surprised by the intensity in his tone. “It’s not that simple, Sebastian. You can’t just… fix this. It’s in the past.”
He shook his head, his gaze unwavering. “The past has a way of catching up to us. If she’s part of yours, she’ll show up again. And when she does, we’ll deal with it.”
There was something both comforting and terrifying about his words. He made it sound so easy, so black and white. But for me, the pain was still raw, the betrayal still fresh.
The rest of the drive back was quieter, but the tension had shifted. It was no longer about anger or frustration; it was about understanding. Sebastian didn’t press me further, and for that, I was grateful.
When we finally pulled into the mansion’s driveway, I felt a strange sense of relief wash over me. The grand building stood tall and imposing, a reminder of the life I now lived—a life far removed from the one Mireya had stolen from me.
As Sebastian parked the car and stepped out, he glanced back at me. “Come on,” he said, his tone softer now. “Let’s eat.”
I followed him to the quiet garden near the mansion, where he laid out the food on a small table. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over everything.
“You were quiet during the drive,” he said as he unwrapped his meal.
“I just have a lot on my mind,” I admitted, picking at my food.
He nodded, taking a bite before speaking again. “You’re allowed to have a past, Ariella. You’re allowed to have things that haunt you. But don’t let them control you. Don’t let them define who you are now.”
I looked up at him, his words striking a chord deep within me. For all his flaws, Sebastian had a way of cutting through the noise in my head, of reminding me that I was more than my pain.
“I’ll try,” I said, managing a small smile.
He nodded; his gaze steady. “Good. Because you’re stronger than you think. And you’re not alone in this.”
As we finished our meal, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude. For all the chaos and confusion in my life, there were moments like this—moments where I felt seen, understood, and maybe even… cared for.
For the first time in a long while, I allowed myself to have hope, the hope of going back but I the difference is I won’t be alone.