chapter-27: Tick-Tock

Aria Anastasia
I opened my eyes, feeling the force of someone tying something on me. My eyes felt heavy, yet I had to see the face of the person who kidnapped me.
My mouth wasn't closed with a gag, so I could clearly speak. The person who stopped tying something on me, and I couldn't protest since my hands were handcuffed, looked at me straight into my eyes.
A gasp escaped my lips seeing the blue eyes. He was the same familiar person I had met in the grocery store��the man who was in his mid-forties. Why did he kidnap me?
"Why did you kidnap me?" I couldn't help but ask.
This old man who was like a father figure was the last person I hoped to be my kidnapper. He seemed like a nice person when he had met me at the store.
The man chuckled. "You seem surprised instead of getting scared. Did Zaiden have such a big impact on you that you forgot how to react properly?"
"Why did you kidnap me?" I repeated my question, waiting for him to answer me.
He twitched his lips. "Too bad. I thought you would scream till you damage your vocal cords. Damn, I was wrong."
"Did you kidnap me because you want revenge on Zaiden?" I changed my question, and that was when his eyes darkened which made me shiver.
"Now you are speaking smartly, lady," he mumbled. "I had an informant in your office and learned that you were pretty much close to Zaiden. After he saw you both sleeping on the same couch in Zaiden's cabin, I knew kidnapping you would be the best way to hurt Zaiden Storm."
What? He had an informant who saw Zaiden and me sleeping on the couch? Only two people saw, and Daniel would never think of betraying Zaiden. Was Liam Oliver the informant this old man was talking about?
I cannot believe I trained a spy!
"I think you connected the dots," he spoke up. "You have a sharp brain."
"What do you want from Zaiden?" I asked sternly, trying to wriggle free from the handcuffs, but it was pointless. I was tied with a rope too over the handcuffs. There was a small black something on my stomach which I couldn't see properly.
He gave a devilish smirk. "I want revenge from him," he answered.
"For what?"
"For killing my son," he grunted, clenching his fist in anger.
I took a look around the room. I was sitting on a chair, while the entire room was empty. I felt like I was in an abandoned warehouse. It was illuminated because of the daylight which was coming from the big window.
"Your son?" I arched an eyebrow.
"My son, Jack Levi. Zaiden Storm killed him at his office. He shot him straight in his chest, without mercy."
Jack Levi? Was he talking about the man Zaiden shot in his office which I saw accidentally? So he was the father of the guy who raped the poor innocent girls.
"My son was my life," the man's voice broke me out of my trance. He said with a sad smile, "Zaiden took away my life. Now I am a lifeless body. This is why I will take away his life from his body too, which is you."
I gasped. Was he going to kill me to take revenge on Zaiden?
"Do you know your son is not innocent? He raped plenty of girls," I uttered, and he glared at me.
He took out the gun from his holster and pointed it at me. "I know that, but I could've punished him. I had no child except Jack and he's no more now. I didn't even get to see his dead body for the last time because your boyfriend disposed of it somewhere."
I gulped seeing the gun pointed at me. Just to get revenge for killing his corrupted son, he couldn't kill an innocent woman like me. I couldn't die so soon.
Where are you, Zaiden? You promised to protect me and I know you will save me.
I should stall him till Zaiden comes to my rescue. I know Zaiden must be madly looking for me now. All I had to do was, act calm, keep this kidnapper distracted so that he wouldn't shoot me, and wait for Zaiden's arrival.
You can do this, Aria.
I sucked in a deep breath and said, "Look, Sir, you cannot kill me. We met before and you called me a daughter. How can you kill your daughter?"
The man put the gun away, pursing his lips. "I had no intention to kill you. Meeting you at the grocery store was a coincidence, and then when Liam sent me your picture, I was shocked. I really thought of you as a daughter but when I learned you were Zaiden's girlfriend, I knew what I had to do."
Talking to this man was like talking to a wall. Yet I had to keep talking unless I wanted to die.
You better come soon, Zaiden.
"Is revenge more important love?" I asked, feeling thirsty all of a sudden. My stomach was growling in hunger. I didn't have lunch and today was my lunch date. Why did I have such bad luck?
I got kidnapped on my first official date. How great!
"When your loved ones are dead, revenge is the only thing left, Ms. Anastasia," he deadpanned, having a blank look on his face.
He was scaring me now. I hope Zaiden already traced my location or at least got to know where I am.
"But Sir��" I was interrupted by him.
"Luke Levi is my name and I am a gang leader too, but not of the Thunder. Consider me an enemy." He further spoke, "I am telling you my name because I know you won't live long now. So you should at least remember the name of your murderer."
"Please don't kill me," I said softly, fear-stricken within me.
He let out a humorless chuckle as he clicked something on the small black thing placed on the rope which was on my stomach.
Soon enough, I heard a ticking sound.
"What is this?" I asked, almost breathless.
Luke grinned at me psychotically. "This is a time bomb."
My eyes grew as wide as saucers. I shook my head, mumbling, "No, Luke, please don't do this."
Luke placed a tape over my mouth, preventing me from speaking further. He took out his phone from the pocket of his blue suit and clicked a few pictures of mine. "I need to send these to your boyfriend," he informed me.
Tears started sprinkling out of my eyes. I was tied with a time bomb, almost near to death. Where was Zaiden? When would he come to save me? Would he keep the promise?
Luke glanced at his wristwatch and his smile widened. "You have exactly thirty minutes till your death. Tick-tock." With that, he started walking away.
I shook my head, still crying.
God, please save me. I don't want to die so early. Please send Zaiden within these thirty minutes. Even if he comes, how can he stop this time bomb? If he calls a bomb squad, I'll be burnt into ashes till then.
My death was sure this time. I was going to die.
I couldn't see Mom, Freja, or Zaiden for the last time. I couldn't have a proper date with Zaiden.
I guess our journey was up to this.
Well, I was glad that at least I would be dying with Zaiden's secrets in my heart. I was able to keep the secret of my boss.
I closed my eyes, waiting for the thirty minutes to end and the bomb to blast. It was my death time��I could feel it as the bomb made the sound. Tick-tock.