Aliya left his room feeling distraught. Aiden's last words kept resounding in her ears.
In her room, she sat on her bed holding on to the picture of Aiden and her with their youthful innocent smile. Tears streamed down her eyes as she looked at the picture.
He said that Matilda was the most important person to him in this world. What was she? A joke. She smiled amidst her tears.
"Was she a fool for believing that she could still get the old Aiden back? Was getting married to him a mistake. This Aiden was unrecognizable, Aiden would never make her cry nor would he hurt her." Aliya's tears flowed freely down her cheeks, her phone beeped with an incoming message from her friend Jason.
"Got some information about him, I'll have it sent to your company tomorrow"
Aliya wiped her tears, Sentimentality was a luxury she couldn't afford now, the first step to victory is to know about your enemy.
The Velvet Lounge throbbed with bass and the murmur of privileged voices. Ryan nursed a drink in a secluded VIP booth, observing the scene with a detached amusement. Around him, young masters and heirs to vast fortunes, celebrated their wealth and power. The air hung thick with the scent of expensive liquor.
"Bo Consortium's gone," Jasper announced, swirling the ice in his glass. "Just another casualty, I guess." He gestured around the room, a smirk playing on his lips. "Seems someone's on a buying spree."
"Hendrix Global," another young man chimed in, pulling out a sleek, embossed invitation. "Grand opening next week. Heard they're massive internationally."
Ryan watched a young woman attempt to engage Jasper in conversation, her practiced smile failing to hide her nervousness. He took a slow sip of his drink, the ice clinking softly in the glass. He knew there was more to this Hendrix Global than met the eye. The sheer scale of their acquisitions, the speed of their expansion, it wasn't just business acumen; it was power. The kind of power that could only come from deep-seated connections.
Jasper, oblivious to Ryan's silent assessment, slapped him on the back. "Hey, how'd you manage to tame Miss Finch? Spill the secrets, old man." He winked, a knowing grin on his face.
Ryan ignored him, his gaze drifting back to the city lights shimmering outside the window. The party swirled around him, but his mind was elsewhere, piecing together the puzzle of Hendrix Global's sudden arrival and various acquisitions in the Capital City.
Later that night, the penthouse suite at Regal Rivera was a stage for a different kind of performance. Aiden stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, his silhouette stark against the city lights. His stillness was a calculated display of power, his posture rigid, his gaze fixed on the sprawling metropolis below. He didn't need to speak, his very presence exuded menace. Across the mahogany table, the Crimson Hand representatives fidgeted, their expensive suits unable to mask their unease. Marcus, their leader, attempted to project an air of confidence, but his voice trembled slightly as he spoke.
"Increased scrutiny, Aiden," Marcus said, his words strained. But the profits…..
Aiden turned, his movement slow and deliberate, a predatory grace in his movements. His eyes, cold and calculating, locked onto Marcus, a silent challenge. He didn't speak, letting the silence build, a palpable tension filling the room. The only sound was the rhythmic clinking of ice in Aiden's untouched glass.
Marcus tried again, desperation lacing his voice. "You're threatening us?"
Aiden's lips curled into a near-invisible smile. He subtly tapped his finger against the arm of his chair, the hidden button a stark reminder of his power.
A long, heavy silence followed. Marcus's eyes darted around the room, his attempts at bravado crumbling under Aiden's unwavering gaze. He knew he was outmatched.
Finally, Marcus's voice, barely a whisper, broke the silence. "What...what do you propose?"
Aiden's response was a single, chillingly calm sentence. "The capital is mine now. Your continued existence is a privilege, not a right."
Marcus nodded, defeated. The deal was sealed not by words, but by the unspoken understanding of power and consequence.
Later, Gary, Aiden's lieutenant, reported on the successful negotiation. "The Crimson Hand is neutralized, Boss. Only the Scotts family remains."
Aiden exhaled a plume of smoke, his eyes fixed on the city below. "Leave them," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "For now." He didn't need to explain. The Scotts family would serve as a reminder of the delicate balance of power he now controlled.
Back at the apartment, Aliya crept into the kitchen, a glass of water in her hand, noticing a flicker of movement in the living room. She switched on the lights, her heart leaping into her throat at the sight of Aiden standing silently, his back to her, his shoulders tense. The scent of smoke and alcohol clung to him like a second skin. She placed the glass on the counter, her movements stiff and cautious. He turned, his eyes dark and unreadable.
"Aiden," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "What are you doing here?"
His response was curt and cold. "This is my home."
She pressed on, her voice rising with a mixture of fear and defiance. "Where did you go? You reek of alcohol and cigarettes."
Aiden's gaze hardened. "None of your concern." He started to walk away, then paused, turning back to her. She braced herself for another outburst, another display of his callous indifference. Instead, he looked at her, his expression unreadable.
Aliya watched his back as he disappeared into the hallway. She got her water but was still restless.
Aiden reeked of smoke and alcohol. Where did he go?
She went back to the kitchen and got some water and hangover medication for him.
Aiden found out that his water was finished and needed a refill, he opened the door and came face to face with Aliya.
What are you doing here?
You….. I….. you didn't seem good so I brought you medication for a hangover.
Aiden stared at her making Aliya panic, she looked down at her feet.
Aiden stepped aside allowing her entrance into the room.
Aliya handed him over the medication and water and he took it.
You should really cut down on smoking and drinking, it's not so good for your health.
Aiden chuckled, don't act like you care, it doesn't suit you.
Aiden! She yelled and Aiden turned to her.
Aliya embraced him tightly and Aiden stiffened.
I don't care what you have become or what you have gone through all these years. I'm here now, I won't let anything or anyone hurt you again. Since I have chosen to stay by your side, I would never leave you, she pulled away slowly, staring at him before leaving the room.
Aiden stood there looking at the door before smiling coldly.
"Lies, they were all lies"