EPISODE 13 — THE RIDE
476 Words
The car pulled smoothly out onto the road, quiet inside except for the faint hum of the engine. I sat rigidly, hands clasped in my lap, staring out the tinted window as Accra’s traffic blurred past.
Oliver leaned back casually on the other side, one arm resting along the car seat, eyes fixed on me.
“You’re tense,” he observed.
“You brought the police to my workplace,” I whispered. “And now I’m in your car. What do you expect?”
“I didn’t bring them,” he corrected. “They came for you.”
“That’s not comforting.”
His jaw twitched. “They won’t bother you again.”
“How can you be so sure?”
His voice dropped. “Because I won’t allow it.”
I stared at him, unsure whether to feel relieved or terrified.
After a moment, he added, “Someone wants you rattled. Someone with access to the airport incident.”
My stomach tightened. “Do you think it’s Katherine?”
He didn’t answer immediately. “Possibly. She’s ambitious. And jealous.”
Jealous? Of me?
I shook my head. “She barely knows me.”
“She doesn’t need to,” he replied. “People don’t need to know you to envy you.”
I turned my face back to the window. “There’s nothing to envy.”
His voice was softer when he answered. “You’re wrong.”
My heart stumbled.
Before I could ask what he meant, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and frowned slightly but didn’t answer.
Silence returned… thicker this time.
After a few minutes, I finally asked, “Where are we going?”
“To my penthouse.”
I nearly choked. “WHAT? Why?”
“It’s secure. You’ll stay there for now.”
“Stay? No. Absolutely not. I can’t—”
“You can,” he said calmly. “You will.”
“Oliver—sir—I can’t just go to your home!”
“It’s not a request.”
My pulse hammered violently. “People will misunderstand!”
His gaze locked onto mine. “Let them.”
My mouth fell open.
He leaned forward slightly, his eyes burning with something dangerous and undeniable.
“You’re safer with me,” he said quietly. “And until I know who’s trying to hurt you… you’re not leaving my sight.”
My breath caught.
He meant it.
I felt it in every word.
“But—” I whispered.
“No buts.” His voice was firm, low. “You’re coming with me.”
The car slowed as it turned into a private driveway with high gates and armed security.
My heart dropped into my stomach.
This wasn’t a visit.
This was a decision he had made for both of us.
And I was powerless to stop it.
- Writer
