I couldn't sleep, watching her sleep was enough for me, having her close to me was peace, but I had to find out about croix, something David said kept ringing in my ears and I want to know why they so much try to cover up the event and everything that have to do with it so I went looking, it's a normal tech company, nothing out of the ordinary, I have searched for hours, I exited the site and was ready to leave but I got an email from David.
"Come outside." I narrowed my eyes, email? What happened to the text? I stepped out and found his car there, I got in, and his driver began driving.
"What we're you searching for?" He asked casually, and I was going to reply.
"How did you know?" I asked, and he looked out the window and ignored me, I got scared suddenly.
"Where are we going?" I asked, again, I met a big silence, we got to a club and he literally dragged me in before 2 huge men stepped forward and helped him get me inside, down few stairs and into an elevator.
"Where are you taking me?" I asked as the elevator moved. He didn't award me with an answer.
I stared wide eyes at what's around me, it's croix logo everywhere but they are making weapons and drugs, I watched in shock as we passed by every section and ended up in a big glassed office, about 15 men sat down, each looking familiar the more I see them, all head of something, government owned or private owned, they are having discussions, smiling, even laughing, I was made to sit at the head of the table, I was lost and speechless and felt like I was placed on a pedestal to be torn into.
"Zayden, I haven't seen you since you are this small," one man said cheerfully, and I forgot to answer him.
"We should get to the point that the girl is at his place," one said coldly, and I gulped. "They know Aria is with me?
"This is croix, the croix, we supply weapons to whoever wants to buy, drugs and other stuff, which is above your pay grade but we brought you here to let you know what is at stake if you don't think with your brain" a different person spoke from somewhere behind me and I turned around, he looked scary without even trying.
"I told them to clean everything up but they insisted that you are useful but 1 mistake boy, just 1 slip, I will have you watch again as I slit her open before pumping you full of bullet" he hissed and I gulped.
"You're trouble from start, a trouble that should have been gone with that 1, but you escaped, don't test me," he warned, I find myself nodding.
"This is what croix does, we all including your father worked hard to keep this organisation running, don't let your little lust get you killed" he finished tapping my shoulder, he dropped a tab and there is sleeping Aria who I now realised I should have never brought to me or even go looking for.
"She's pretty, play with her while you can, exhaust your lust before you officially sit on the throne. If you can't, we will help you put a stop to it." I felt my heart sink, new fear instilled in me.
The ride to my place was silent, I was scared to go in, to see her, they'll be watching, what do I do, no one to turn to, I am alone once again because I can't share this with Aria, may be I should leave, far away, drop the croix name and never look back, it's better that way, for her and for me, or risk it all and expose everything.
I stared at my browser, I was going to browse about the people I saw but remember they were watching, I couldn't do anything, everything of my life is under croix.
"Zayden?" I turned to my bedroom door, and she stood there. She stared at me.
"Where did you go?" She asked, and I sighed.
"Just went for a walk," I lied, and she nodded.
"Are you ok?" She asked, and I wanted to scream everything out, I wanted her help suddenly, I wanted her to help me escape, but I can't, her frown deepened, and she walked towards me.
"You can talk to me," she mumbled, standing close to me, I reached to pull her to me so I could feel her warmth, but the thought of that man watching scares me.
"I just feel alone." I confessed my biggest pain, and she let out a small "oh."
"Do you want me to do something?" I looked at her, I wanted to say run away with me, drag me somewhere that croix couldn't reach, but that felt like a fantasy that's too good to be real, I smiled.
"I will be fine, do you want something?" I asked, and she nodded.
"I have to go to work early today," she pointed out, and I nodded.
"I will go drop you off," I smiled.
The ride was silent until I pulled over in front of her dorm, I was going to step out but she hugged me, she pulled my arm to stop me and hugged me, I let her, relaxing.
"I am always here," she whispered, and I sighed.
"I know," I whispered, but I wish right now you're not.