Relieved from the tension

Allie's POV

"Allie," Aaron called again.

I spun around triumphantly and used the sharp tip of my finger to pinch my other arm hoping I was hallucinating, but unfortunately, he was here standing at the gate. I should have known that someone might be sent to come pick me up, but I never predicted that it would be Aaron himself.

I guess his millions of dollars are worth it.

"Aaron," I whispered nervously while scratching my neck.

"Lon... g time no see" I greeted dumbly, unable to recognize my voice because of how frightened and anxious I was. I kept fiddling with my hands while Aaron made dominating footsteps towards me. I froze at the spot. He stopped when it was merely a hairsbreadth between us.

"Was he trying to hug me? " I wondered, yet I was surprised that he moved that close to me. He used to scrunch his face in disgust at my appearance. I took a step backward to give space between us.

"Do you know how worried I.. we were?" he questioned and hastily grabbed me to himself when he detected that I was about to take another step backward.

My whole body went cold from the body contact. Where is the promise I made not to be intimidated by him ever again? I wiggled my arm from his grasp, but he didn't let go. He was determined not to let me go, but I was more relentless in his demand. Not anymore.

I folded my arms and stood straight with a squeezed face while impatiently tapping my leg on the pavement. I am very sure I look like a stubborn 12-year-old, but I don't care.

He chuckled at my expression instead.

"Do I look humorous?" I pondered inwardly. I was battling with my inner and outer expression, but I knew deep down that I just wanted to cry myself to sleep and forget about everything that happened today.

"You don't look like someone who was just captured" he muttered, skimming his eyes around my face and then my body shamelessly.

"Do they write it on their faces that they were captured? " I hissed, feeling fatigued as I separated my hands from each other.

"Are you working as a con now?" He doubted, staring at my abode in disgust.

How crude! Typical Pompous Aaron.

I desperately wanted to say this directly to him.

Aaron wanted to say something but he got interrupted by his ringing phone.

"Aaron! How was it? Did you get a handle on those good-for-nothing beings?" Mrs Smith cursed breathlessly. That is a first. I bowed my head in guilt. She must have been so worried.

"Common Mum! I already mentioned earlier that I don't want this issue to escalate"Aaron enunciated sternly.

"What about Allie? Is she alright? Did they touch her?" Mrs Smith bombarded him with questions and I scratched my forged in an awkward shame at her question of the kidnappers touching me. As if he just realised something, he stared at me and I nodded my head in response.

"She's fine mother" Aaron breathed in relief.

"Can you hand over the phone to her please?" His mother insisted.

"We will be at home in the next hour," Aaron sighed.

"Alright then" I heard her say before hanging up.

"Let's go" he urged.

"Hun" I replied with a raised eyebrow feigning ignorance, but I know that's the main reason he came here.

"You aren't deaf right?" he groaned, already fed up with me I guess.

"I am not going with you. Leave me alone!" I protested.

"Did they touch you?" he asked callously out of nowhere.

"No"

"What If they did?" I challenged myself open-mindedly.

"They wouldn't dare," Aaron replied coldly. His expression completely changed in the blink of an eye.

"What if they did? I see you are confident about that" I questioned again not even minding my subconscious mind remembering when the two kidnappers were bargaining to take advantage of me.

"It's obvious those people aren't professionals. They just need the cash. I warned them too" he proclaimed proudly about his tactics

I was about to go inside my apartment before he closed the space between us and carried me in his strong arms. "Leave me alone!" I exclaimed while wiggling my legs in every direction.

"Don't be an ungrateful young lady. If it wasn't for Mother, I wouldn't be here. I am sure you know that" he read as he opened the back seat.

Aaron made sure I was settled enough before he gave Richard his personal chauffeur a go-ahead.

"Yours or Mr Smith's boss?" the driver asked.

"My parents" he replied simply.

Richard was about to ignite the car before I panicked when I realised I had left my kitty behind.

"Can I at least bring" Blue" with me? "I pleaded.

"Who is Blue? " Aaron asked furiously.

"My cat"

"Where is he?"

"Go and check if there is really a Kitty," he said, facing Richard, shunning me in the process.

"Sure boss"

I rolled my eyes as silence descended when Richard left.

"What were you doing out late at night? " Aaron questions.

I refused to respond, trying to prove stubborn with my arms wrapped together regardless that I was literally shaking inside.

Aaron looked at me with a questionable gaze while patiently waiting for me to react or answer but I obliged.

"I found her shrouded up behind the small garden," Richard declared.

Aaron nodded his head in acknowledgment.

He raised his hands towards Richard to carry "Blue" before handing her to me.

"Let's set in motion Richard," Aaron said hurriedly.

"Sure boss. "

~~~As expected, Aaron's mother was present outside the villa patiently waiting for our arrival.

Richard had to drive to the building car park before we could alight from the car. I tiredly walk towards her while she impatiently pulls me into an embrace.

"Oh dear. I warned you concerning the location you chose to settle in, didn't I? " she inquired in that motherly voice of hers.

I never realized how much I missed her till now.

"I am sorry Mother" I apologized.

"Are you alright?" Mrs Smith questioned while surveying her eyes all over my body with concern laced in her voice.

I intentionally stared at Aaron who had stood there listening to us. He rolled his eyes when he caught a glimpse of my eyes on him. He scrunched up his nose like he was displeased by our display but before I could react back, Mum gestured her hands towards the entrance for us to go in.

She made sure I was relaxed on the soft sofa in the large living room.

"Have you had your dinner? So I can call Layla to give you those extraordinary massages of hers?" She suggested while caressing my hands.

"I had my dinner before going out for a stroll earlier. And.....about the massage, I will pass. I just need a snooze. You know.....to relax myself. I am fine, trust me Mother" I reassured.

"Alright dare, I understand but you still need to.."

"Mum, what about Dad?" Aaron cut in and I was kinda thankful for that.

"He is in his room. He is slowly responding to his medications "Mrs. Smith replied while adjusting her legs to face Aaron.

"The doctor said he just needs a lot of rest for now. I just hope he will be alright "She said, her eyes bored in sadness. I plumbed myself to get closer to her and embrace her in a heartwarming hug. She stiffed at first before relaxing in my arms.

Two weeks ago, I got the news that Mr Smith had a cardiac arrest. Even though Aaron was on a business trip, he had to rush back home according to what Mrs Smith told her.

It was the same week my boss started acting weird towards me. I just hope he will consider our once-close relationship and call me back to work. Oh God! I am so anguished for him to do that.

We both hugged for a few minutes before Aaron announced his departure. "I am leaving" he declared openly before slamming the door.

"Be careful son" Mrs Smith whispered but it was only audible to me.