Lost (Beautiful Beast I)

Chapter-13

Leia

I felt the blood drain out of my face.

A part of me is glad that it's Nicholas but a major part me is trembling with fear. How does he even know that I live here?

He didn't even see me in the hotel. His head was cast down to his phone. The only way is the cctv of the hotel.

The banging started again and this time it was furiously loud. My phone vibrated with a message again.

"I can get through the window I opened. Open the door right away, Leia"

The banging didn't stop. With a deep breath, I walked to the door.

Keeping in mind the image of the kiss we shared, I unlocked the door.

He stopped banging.

I opened the door slowly.

I only saw the silhouette of his before he pushed me in, trapping me to the wall and covered my mouth with his hand.

It was so quick that it took my breath away. His face is incredibly close. His locks are falling in front of his face and his eyes are hard as he stared down at me.

'What were you doing in that hotel today?' His voice was hard.

My eyes widened in fear. He knows!

Damn the cctv!

'Don't you dare make a sound' he warned before removing his hand from my mouth.

I took deep breaths, trying to calm down but it was of no use when I looked back into his eyes.

They were empty.

I pushed him hard and ran towards my bedroom. He stumbled back at the surprised blow but steadied himself before coming after me.

He was so fast and within no time his arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me back.

'Let me go!' I screamed.

Nicholas lifted me up and threw on the bed.

The next thing I know is he's laying on me with a knife pressed to my throat.

'Make one move and I'll slit your throat, that's a promise, Leia' he said.

My eyes watered and I chocked back a sob. He doesn't look like the Nicholas I saw and definitely not the Nicholas I had my first kiss with.

'Tell me what you were doing in that hotel and I'll leave right away' he said.

'M-Murderer! You murdered him' I said. I didn't stop my tears as the started pool around my sides.

Nicholas eyebrows scrunched together. He removed the knife from my throat and got up from me. He pulled my arm roughly to make me sit.

He got up the bed and started to pace.

I cried quietly, wiping my tears continuously.

'What were you doing there, Leia?' The impatient in his voice didn't go unnoticed.

'I was after my father' I said softly. When I looked at him, he  was staring at me with his arms folded in front.

'Your father?'

'Yes, my father. When I came back from your place, I went directly to the house I lived in with my father but he had sold it and disappeared after feeding lies about me to my neighbour and friend' I said with much ease this time.

He stared hard at me. I don't know whether he's confused or just thinking.

'The cctv is wiped out for eight minutes. That's the exact timing the murder took place and later it's all blank' said  Nicholas.

'Nicholas, I swear I will not open my mouth when the Cops arrive. I know what you are and what you do for living. I'm not going to judge and I'm definitely not going to complain on you' I said desperately.

'Will you shut it? I didn't kill him. I had a meeting with him' he said.

I looked surprised at him.

'You...didn't kill him?' I asked.

'No. He's one of the main business partners. We had a meeting. When I entered the room, he was shot dead' said Nicholas.

I felt guilt wash over my features. He didn't kill him.

'Why should I believe you?' I looked accusingly.

'Why wouldn't you, Rose?' He smirked. For the first time I saw his eyes holding warmth.

'Then why did you come here?' I asked.

His expression changed harder than before and the smirk vanished faster than it arrived. He took a step forward and my hands clutched the duvet.

He started walking towards me, slowly. His eyes were like a predator.

When he reached me, he sat down on one knee, his eyes leveling mine.

His hand came up, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. I released a breathe when his . hand touched my skin.

'Look at you. Messy hair, sleepy eyes and yet you look pretty' his voice was soft.

I felt my cheeks burning up and my hands automatically wiped my chin. He chuckled before facing me with his cruel look.

'His name was Benjamin Dell' he said.

'The owner of-

'Dell hotels and a great rivalry of Crawfords? Yeah, it was him' he finished.

It was the Benjamin Dell. How didn't I recognize him? Of course, he's the great rivalry to the Crawfords and has hotels all around the globe.

'One thing you should know about businessmen, Leia, is that they are not gentlemen. When it comes to business they are worst than anyone in this planet. They are the ones who rule. Hotels weren't just his business, they wear many illegal ones. He called me to talk about one of those illegal business he shares with me' he said, all the while looking at me.

It's so intimidating to have him this close that I even took my breath slowly.

'You think Crawford must have killed him?' I asked softly.

Nicholas chuckled, shaking his head as no.

'He didn't but the bastard will be happy that he's gone now'

'Then why are you here, Nicholas?' I asked the question again.

He took a deep breathe before looking at me back.

'He was just a business partner to me. But do you know who he was to you?' He asked.

I looked alarm, already knowing something is wrong.

'He was the man who paid 20 million dollars and bought you at Stark's place' he said.

My eyes widened in utter shock and disappointment. That man had a wife and children who are older than me! I've seen him in the magazines and newspaper, he didn't seem to look like a man Nicholas is describing. He was nothing but a gentleman. I reclaimed my composure and looked Nicholas who was watching me curiously.

'What does that got to do now?' I asked sternly.

He gave a crooked smile before getting up and setting his tux.

'You see Leia, the footage is gone for eight minutes, that is it shows whatever happened eight minutes ago and then skips the time to footage for whatever that took place after eight minutes, but be with me, it again goes blank after few seconds and never cokea back. The footage contains me walking out and you coming out of the hiding and interuppting a dead man's privacy and having a breakdown in the hallway before sprinting out of the hotel. The footage stays for few seconds and them everything goes blank again. And it's not yet found whether he used a jammer or he stole the footage. If he had stolen the footage, it's evident that he must have seen you. If he has seen you, that means he'll come for you because it might be possible that you've seen him'

I felt the color drain out of my face. Never I'm giving into my curiosity again.

'But I have no hand in this' my voice sounded so desperate and I didn't care at all.

I didn't ask for any of this.

'I know. The moment I saw the footage, I came to your place' he said 'Did you by any chance see the killer?'

'No. I saw no one'

'What about your father? Did you find him?' He asked.

'Well, no...' I said, awkwardly.

'What's his name?'

'Gabriele. Gabriele Ferrari'

'Why did he sell you, Leia?'

That made me narrow my eyes at him.

'You're under my roof and you got no right to ask any personal questions' I retorted.

I expected him to rage out but he remained calm and collected which only made me nervous under his exotic eyes.

'You don't look like a spoilt brat who brings trouble home every night. You don't even look like a woman that gets laid every night with zillion number of men just for money or personal pleasure. So, kindly humor me why your father sold you' there he hit me back for my backfire.

Words with words.

My face frowned at his choice was words that came out of his mouth with ease. None of them are true and yet I found it disgusting to hear to those.

'I don't know. I don't know why he put me in so much trouble. He was screaming that he wanted a son, not...me' I controlled my tears and said the truth to him. I heard him take a deep breath before replying.

'I will come back in the morning and I want you to be ready by then. I'll take you to the hotel to see the footage and you will identify your father and let me know, understood?' he said.

'But why? Are you doubting him?' I looked agast 'I swear he's not capable of killing anyone, Nicholas'

'You even thought he's not capable of selling you, Leia' he spit back which made me flinch at his tone.

'Just be ready' he said and walked out of the room with my following close.

When he stepped out of the door, he turned around.

'Save my number. Call me if there's any problem' he said.

'Wait' he stopped mad turned back.

'What?' He asked.

'Why didn't you enter through the window?' I asked.

'I did. You just didn't know'

With that said, he turned hot on his heels and disappeared in the staircase.

I didn't sleep the rest of the night. I just couldn't. I locked the windows and switched on all the lights and sat with the tv on and my phone right next to me. The conversation with Nicholas was occupied in my mind.

I couldn't help but think that it wouldn have been romantic if he came at this hour, totally for a different purpose.

I don't understand what excuse I'm going to come up with for not going to work this morning. Marie will definitely call me a million times and also crash at my place when I don't apear at work. I don't know what I'm going to tell her.

When the dawn appeared, I quickly had a hot bath and got ready before preparing breakfast. Right wine the bread popped up from the toaster, the doorbell rang. Removing the bread and putting it in a plate, I went to get the door.

I stared the hot man in front of me for a long second before opening the door wide for hiking to get in. He had worn a black suit, just like today morning's. His eyes wandered to my tiny apartment before facing me.

'Ready?' He asked with straight eyes.

I can't believe I had my first kiss with this bastard.

'Yes. Just one sec' I walked to the kitchen.

'I'll be in the parking lot' he said and went away without even waiting for my reply.

Will it hurt to sit for a second? Does he have so much pride over his filth money?

I quickly applied butter and jam in four slices of bread before pairing them as two and wrapping with some tissue.

Grabbing my phone and handbag, I locked the home and took the stairs to reach the lot.

Nicholas was leaning on his car with a phone in his hand. He looked up when he heard my footsteps.

I might usually look dumb with mouth of bread but I didn't find it odd.

He slipped the phone in his pocket before opening the door for me. Such a gentleman. The same gentleman who had a knife on my throat this morning.

I murmured a thanks and buckled up. He quickly took off to the hotel while I t eating my toast. The silent was calm and no one disturbed it.

When we reached the hotel, I got down quickly and followed Nicholas close behind. My hands started to tremble I saw the same path I followed my father only to witness a murdered man. Nicholas took a sharp right and my eyes were looking top at the hallway.

The man in white suit wished Nicholas mad me before  taking us into the footage room. Nicholas made me sit down next to a man who was searching for the footage. When he got what he was searching for, he turned to the man in white suit and nodded.

'I want you to see it completely, Leia and identify who your father is, alright?' He said. I nodded and the footage started to play.

There were just people walking and all of a sudden it changed to the time when I came into picture and hid when I saw Nicholas. I felt like shrinking myself in the seat when the worst of part of me crying and backing down came.

'Look close from here' said Nicholas and I did. I was walking so fast with my head down mad didn't look around. Now that I'm seeing around myself, searching for my father, I don't seem to find him. When I was out of the hotel, the video played for few seconds and then I was able to see on the screen was darkness.

'No, he's not in this' said Nicholas.

'Try again' he said.

And I did before replying the same. He made me watch the video more than five times. It starts with normal people walking around, then my scenes. It's just blank for the eight minutes and that eight minutes includes me getting in and having a marathon with the elevator as I checked in each floor to see whether my father got out and till I stood in the middle of the hallway, when I lost him. All of it is gone.

'No, Nicholas. My father is not in this video' I said with a hint annoyance. Nicholas seemed to notice that as he asked the man to close the footage and made his way out of the room.

I quickly followed him.

'How's that possible? Everything goes blank later' I said.

'Even I don't know, Leia. If he had used a jammer, it must be blank from the beginning. But it just skipped eight minutes which means the footage was stolen, but then it goes blank after few seconds and never comes back until tomorrow. If my theory is correct, he must have forgotten to use the jammer from the begining and that's why he stole the part where he's in it. The only way it became blank is he must have switched on the jammer and stayed the night in the hotel and left in the morning with the jammer' he said which totally did make sense.

'My father would never-

'I don't think it's your father. There were so many people around while this occurred. It would have been easy if only that particular hallway's cctv was gone, but the huge problem is all the cctv is blank. All of them. I don't know what highly classified device he used. I just thought you might have sensed someone, anyone to be the murderer and seeing the footage might help you' 

I felt better when he didn't accuse my father to the murderer anymore. I know it was hard to believe when my father sold me but murder? Never. I've known him throughout my life and he's just an event coordinator. I've seen the way he talks to people. He had more acquaintance than enemies, I'm sure about that.

'I'm sorry for your loss' my voice was mere whisper.

He chuckled without any humor.

'No s**t. He was a f*****g bastard' I flinched at his tone 'Fit for nothing, always wanted my empire, always jealous of my father and my family. If Crawford is a son of a b***h, Dell is the b***h' he cursed.

'Then why did you make him your business partner?' I asked in an accusing way.

'Because he was good in the field' was all he answered.

'Wasn't he a threat your family?' I asked.

'He knew better than to f**k with my family' he was so rude.

'So, his death means nothing to you?' I asked.

Nicholas narrowed his eyes at me.

'He was no friend, no family, why would it affect me? In fact, I'm happy he's dead. He was the regular customer to Stark. Bought hundreds of girls, made them his slaves. The old man's d**k was every ready for a young p***y. He use to gift girls to his guards. He was a horrible man, Leia. You must be happy he's gone, but you shed tears and even now you feel sorry for that bastard. I can see it in your eyes' he said, staring into my eyes.

'Maybe you're right but every human deserves their respect-

'He respected no woman' he grit his teeth.

'But-

'Tell me one thing, Leia. If I wouldn't have helped you that night, they would have definitely found you, then what you would have done when he finally got you?' He turned around to face me as he asked with such determination.

'Well, I...I would have escaped him' I said truthfully.

'By then he would have r***d you, tortured you, insulted you and even would have gifted you to one his guards' he said harshly.

'How could you say that?!' I had my hands curled into fist as I felt my anger rising.

'Because, I've seen it with my own f*****g eyes' he stepped closer, daring me to do anything foolish due to my rising anger.

'You are no less' I need to shut up 'You kill people. You're father is the most wanted criminal and not a businessman. You run the Mafia, people fear you'll because of your illegal and inhuman activites. So, you and him are the same to my eyes'

Nicholas just stared at me with his soulless eyes. When he spoke, his voice was tremendously slow and soft.

'I told you that Stark is part of my family and we hide nothing with our family. You honestly thought that I wouldn't have mentioned about you to Stark? Stark knew everything from the night the guards saw you next to me in my car as they opened the gates. They told their boss, I had a talk with him that night' he said.

I looked at him in disbelief. Stark knew!

'You bastard, you lied to me and kept me at your place for five days and six nights! All along Stark knew I was at your place! You're mother accused me of taking you for granted!' I shouted at him while he stayed calm.

I wanted to punch his handsome face, break his nose and do everything I can to hurt him.

'And you're mother felt offended when I lied to her! Well, she surely did teach manners to her son, right?' I spit the words with rage.

'Shut up' he grit his teeth and pulled my arm, caging me in his warm arms. I started wiggling which only made him tighten his hold.

'I was saving you from Benjamin' he spoke that made me stop and look at him.

'I didn't tell you the truth because the truth would've scared you. Tell me which girl would like to here that she'll be tortured and r***d, huh? I kept you in my house and asked Stark to tell him that I took you away. By this Benjamin became alarmed and waited for you to be thrown out so that he can take you back but when he came to know that you were my date in Crawford's party and my family likes you, he stopped his men from chasing you because he knew better than to mess with me. I was about to tell you that you may go but then mother came to know everything through Stark and things went out of my hand and you were gone'

My shoulders slumped in defeat and I felt guilt wash over me.

'I-

'I'll you drop you off' he roughly pulled me along with him and opened his car door before pushing me in.

When he started the engine and hit the accelerator, I had to grip the sides for support as he drove carelessly.

He looked furious and I feared to utter a word.

Within no time, we reached my place and the car came to an abrupt stop, making me jerk forward and feel the seatbelt hold me tight. When I turned to him, he was sitting stiffly with his knuckles white on the steering wheel. I got down and the moment I closed the door, he took off swiftly.

I sighed and looked at the time. It's 8:30 which means I still got half another to make it to my work.

I had to wait for ten minutes for the bus to arrive and then when I got down at my stop and reached my work, the clock on the wall struck nine.

I quickly went towards my piano. I saw the students already waiting. They all greeted me and I took my place in front of the keyboard and they tool their position. The moment my fingers touched the keys, I seemed to forget whatever happened this morning.

During lunch, Marie accompanied me to a small restaurant that's close by. Due to Nicholas, I didn't have time to pack my tiffin.

'So, there's this event on Friday. Some rich man throwing a party for his wife, who's turning 50' Marie started.

'Okay' I already know what's she gonna say.

'His wife love's piano music, so the man came to us asking for our best pianist. I told you, of course. I've spoken everything, the payment is truly good and you've got 30 to 45 minutes of playing time' she said.

'Yeah, I'll do it' I said without even lifting my head from food.