A wave of panic washed over me.
"I-I-haven't packed yet!" I exclaimed, scrambling up from the chair. I shot him a confused glare, but he met my frantic expression with a neutral tone.
"You don't need to, James will take care of everything," he assured, his calm demeanour only heightening my anxiety.
What was it about him that made his calm demeanour so maddeningly irresistible?
I stared at my dad, searching for reassurance, but he slowly tilted his head toward Shane, silently encouraging me to listen. No hugs, no words of comfort, nothing.
Were they even family?
"O-okay, but can I at least shower and change first?' I asked, feeling a flush rise to my cheeks. I was still in my sweaty workout clothes, and the thought of leaving the house like this with him was mortifying.
Shane's gaze bore into mine, his expression rigid. "We're leaving now," he stated, a hint of agitation creeping into his voice before his gaze drifted to my 'family' "I'll ensure to send you the wedding invitations." With that, he turned his back and walked away.
I fought to hold back questions as I trailed behind him. I felt like I was walking into a nightmare.
What happens now?
The chauffeur greeted me with a soft smile as he opened the car door. I slid into the passenger seat, the soft leather enveloping me like a luxurious trap.
Then I buckled my seatbelt, settling into the plush seat. I knew I said my father was rich but I didn't think my father could afford a car like this.
My gaze drifted to Shane, his fingers flying across his tablet's screen, he couldn't care less about safety measures. The calmness with which he worked was unnerving.
As the driver accelerated, I turned my attention to the passing view. My family's estate, the only home I'd ever known, slowly disappeared from view, eventually, the estate vanished from sight.
The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. I was leaving. I was getting married to Shane. Just like that? The thought sent a wave of anxiety crashing over me.
I didn't know this guy.
All I knew was that he was GOOD-LOOKING and downright impolite. Beyond that, he was a total stranger. The realization was disheartening.
Aside from being my father's business partner, I knew nothing about Shane.
Milly had just given me the lowdown on Shane before I left, he was the CEO and founder of NovaTech, a cutting-edge technology firm that had made waves across three continents. His company specialized in AI, cybersecurity, and data analytics.
Shane's net worth was 20 times that of my father's.
I couldn't believe how much money he had. It was crazy to think he made it all happen at such a young age. He looked like he was in his late twenties, with a chiselled face and a kind of confidence that only comes from being successful. And now, my life was about to get tied up with his.
"Stop staring at me," He said abruptly, his eyes still fixed on his tablet. A flush of embarrassment washed over me. I hadn't even realized I'd been staring. Caught off guard, I quickly averted my gaze, turning to face the window, and struggling to compose myself.
It seemed he was doing this whole thing for the media. The contract did mention it. It also indicated that I would be staying at his place in Toronto, which I was completely fine with as long as we stayed in separate rooms.
My mind railed with so many questions, soon I couldn't keep them to myself anymore.
"Where are we going?" I asked, turning to face him, but he ignored me, his eyes remaining fixed on his tablet. It was as if I hadn't spoken at all.
I felt my face burned with embarrassment as the driver's gaze met mine in the rearview mirror. His neutral expression only made me feel more uncomfortable. I wished the floor would open up and swallow me whole.
The unbearable silence in the car was, making every second feel like an eternity. The only sound was the soft hum of the engine. I let out a frustrated sigh, my fingers drumming restlessly on my thighs.
Then the silence was suddenly broken by the shrill ring of his phone, piercing the atmosphere.
He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly before putting on his AirPods. His movements were deliberate as he answered the call, his voice controlled.
"Report," was the only word he said to the person on the other line.
Did I forget to add how soothing his voice was?
Another pause, then, "Good".
The air in the car grew heavier, as his controlled demeanour struggled to contain the anger that radiated from him.
"Turn around," he ordered the driver, who didn't hesitate. The car made a sharp U-turn, leaving me feeling confused.
"What happened? Where are we going?" I questioned, but he didn't pay attention to me, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. I might as well have been invisible.
After thirty minutes, The driver slowed in front of the warehouse in the middle of nowhere. I felt a growing unease as his expression remained unreadable.
I opened my mouth to ask, but he pulled out a gun from his pockets and fear slammed into me, my pulse racing so hard I thought my heart was gonna explode. "W-what...?" I stuttered, my voice barely above a whisper as I struggled to find words.
Why did Shane have a gun?
He stepped out of the car, the door slamming shut behind him. He walked around to my side, then yanked open the door, and stood over me with the gun still in his hand. "Get Out," he hissed through clenched teeth.
I hesitated, but his expression was unwavering, leaving me no choice. Feeling a lump form in my throat, and hands trembling, I stepped out of the car as my eyes scanned the deserted area.
We were in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nothing but empty warehouses. A cold dread seeped into my bones when I looked at him.
Why had he brought me here?
He moved swiftly and silently, his gun drawn. "Watch your step" My eyes were glued to his back as I struggled to keep up, biting down on my bottom lip.
The warehouse stood before us, its faded numbers and letters barely legible. Graffiti-covered walls and shattered windows.
My fear spiked as we passed by men in black suits, their guns visible. They stood guard, their eyes scanning the surroundings. I felt goosebumps rise on my skin as we walked by, then a man nodded curtly at him.
"He's inside,"