Chapter 104 Secret Meet
Alexander’s P. O. V.
“Free my aunt. I have fulfilled all your demands.” I demand Mr. Jackson Wilson on the phone. He has lost the right to be called a father.
In response, he retorts, “You think I’m a fool, Alexander? I know the moment I free her, you will bring back Alice in your life, and send me and Edward to prison. She will remain captivated, unharmed until you live with Edward and never let Alice enter your life.” I clench my fists in an outrage upon listening to his words.
“I’ll fucking kill you, Mr Wilson, the day I find Aunt.” I disconnect the call, my face contorted into a deep frown.
Then my phone rings, and I see that it’s Alice calling. I squeeze my eyes shut, resisting the urge to answer as she constantly calls me.
Then I receive a text from her and open it.
My Love: I know you’re doing this to protect Aunt.
My eyes widen upon reading her text. I immediately reply to her.
Me: How did you find out?
My Love: Mia told me everything. Alexander, I’m worried about Aunt.
Me: Don’t worry, love. I’ll find her soon.
I feel relieved, knowing I don’t have to pretend that I don’t want her in my life.
My love: Alexander, I want you with me right now. I miss you.
Me: I wish I could come to you.
My love: Please do something, Alexander. I can’t stay without you.
Me: Everything gonna be fine. It’s just a matter of a few days.
My love: It’s difficult. I can’t sleep without you.
As I continue texting with Alice, I realise just how much I miss her. My heart aches for her, and I can’t stand the thought of her being scared and alone.
I need to come up with a plan to meet her without arousing suspicion.
Determined to make her feel better, I decide to take a risk. I’ll go to the hotel where she’s staying, wearing a hoodie to conceal my identity. I can’t bear to see her in pain any longer.
In haste, I change into a hoodie and rush to the hotel.
My heart pounds as I enter the lobby, trying to blend in with the other guests. I can’t let anyone recognise me, especially not my father’s men.
As I reach the floor where Alice’s room is, I take a deep breath and knock on the door.
The door opens, and there she stands. She looks distraught, her eyes puffy from crying. Her eyes widen in surprise and disbelief as she sees me in the hoodie.
“Alexander?” She whispers in a disbelief tone.
I step inside and close the door behind me, pulling down the hoodie to reveal my face. “Yes, it’s me, love.” I confirm, my voice filled with emotion.
She rushes into my arms, and I hold her in a tight embrace with a contented smile on my face, unable to express how much I’ve missed her. Her tears dampen my hoodie, but I don’t care. I’m just glad to be with her.
“I can’t believe you’re here.” She speaks, pulling back slightly to look into my eyes.
“I couldn’t stay away from you any longer.” I reply, cupping her face in my hands. “I’m so sorry for everything, for rejecting you, for hurting you.”
She shakes her head, tears still streaming down her cheeks. “You were compelled to do this, Alexander. It wasn’t your fault. Although I suspected there had to be a reason, it hurt so much to hear those words from you.”
I clasp her face, my heart aching for her. “I never meant a word of it, Alice. You mean everything to me. I love you more than anything in this world.”
A small smile tugs at the corners of her lips, and she whispers, “I love you too, Alexander.”
“You know today, upon seeing your unwavering faith in me, I have fallen in love with you even more.” I whisper before leaning in to capture her lips.
It’s a kiss filled with longing and love, a kiss that says more than words ever could.
As we part ways, she slips inside my hoodie, snuggling close to me. I feel her heart beating against my chest, a steady rhythm that matches my own. Her breath is warm against my neck, and I can feel the tension in her body slowly melting away as she leans into me.
“I just want to stay like this forever with you.” She embraces me tightly, and I can feel the heat from her body seeping into mine.
“Me too, love.” I pull her closer, never wanting to let go.
At this moment, nothing else matters but her and me, together in this embrace. It’s a feeling that I want to hold forever.
***
We lie in each other’s arms in the hotel room. I’m trying hard to make her sleep, but her mind is consumed with Aunt’s thoughts.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.
“Alexander, I’m anxious for her. I’m getting worse thoughts.”
I stroke her hair gently, trying to soothe her troubled mind. “I promise, love, I’ll find her. I won’t rest until she’s safe. You just sleep now.” I murmur, tracing circles on her back.
She looks up at me with tearful eyes, her fingers tracing patterns on my chest. “I know, Alexander, but it’s just so hard not knowing where she is.”
“I understand, love,” I say softly, “but worrying won’t help her. She wouldn’t want us to put ourselves in tension. We’ll continue our search for her tomorrow.”
She nods, her grip on me relaxing slightly. “You’re right, as always.”
I kiss her forehead and hold her even closer. “Try to get some rest now. I’ll stay right here with you.”
We lay in silence for a while, the only sound in the room is the steady rhythm of our breathing. Slowly, I feel Alice’s body relax, her tension easing as exhaustion takes over, and she finally falls asleep.
As much as I want to stay with her, I know it’s too risky to leave the hotel in the morning. With a heavy heart, I gently disentangle myself from her embrace, careful not to wake her.
I tuck her into the bed, making sure she’s comfortable. I kiss her forehead one more time and whisper, “I’m so sorry that I’m leaving you like this, love.”
I leave a note on the bedside table, explaining that I had to go but promising to return as soon as possible. I place a soft kiss on her lips before pulling away, my eyes lingering on her peaceful face.
Then I silently slip out of the room after pulling the hoodie back over my head.
I step into the hallway and feel the weight of the situation. I know that I have to find Alice’s aunt and keep her safe, but leaving Alice behind, even for a short while, is the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do.
As I walk away from the hotel, my mind races with thoughts and plans. I have to find Aunt and put an end to this madness. I can’t let my father’s men harm her or anyone else. I head towards my car with determination, ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead.
I return to the mansion and make my way to my room, trying to shake off the heavy feeling of leaving Alice behind. The scent of Alice’s perfume and the warmth of her presence still cling to the hoodie I’m wearing.
I sit on the edge of my bed, holding the hoodie close to my nose, inhaling deeply to capture the essence of her. It’s a slight comfort, a reminder of her presence and the love that binds us.
I lay back on the bed, still wearing the hoodie, and close my eyes. The room is quiet, and I replay our conversations from earlier in the night in my mind. The responsibility to find Alice’s aunt presses on me, but my thoughts keep returning to Alice and the anguish in her eyes.
I drift into a restless sleep for a few hours, holding onto the hoodie as if it were a lifeline connecting me to Alice.
In my dreams also, I can’t escape the haunting worry for Alice and Aunt that lingers in the back of my mind.
I wake up with a jolt from a nightmare, sweating where Jackson was beating Aunt. I know now I won’t be able to sleep, at least not until I know she is safe.
After sitting on the edge of the bed, I pull out my phone and start making some calls, tapping into my network of contacts and resources. The night is long, filled with conversations and plans.
I haven’t found any concrete leads yet, but I’m determined to keep going. I again inhale the scent of Alice from the hoodie with a warm smile on my face. My love for Alice fuels my determination, and I won’t stop until we’re reunited and safe together once more.