Loving my Former Enemy

Chapter 12

Arthur POV:

I had ended up leaving for Manchester after a few days getting everything situated.

Since I had no address to help my journey in finding Alina, I would have to stay there for a few days and keep an eye out for that stubborn girl.

I left early morning after packing a few items such as clothing and hygiene materials that’ll last me for the week I’d most probably be staying there.

I was given one week and three days to find and bring her back. At first, I kind of wanted to go through with bringing her back to Tristan, but the situation she was in wouldn’t be easy to just skip over.

I wondered if she even knew that her so called ex-lover boy was disguising himself to be someone else for approval and another chance. I bet she didn’t….

These last seven days I have to find her would be used wisely, not leaving a chance for her to slip from my search. I couldn’t leave Manchester without her, or else I’d owe Tristan my bones, literally.

So at around early six-thirty to seven, I took my car and filled it with gas. I got straight on the road after buying a few snacks for the road at a nearby gas station.

I turned my favorite music jam playlist up, humming and moving to the beat while I drove.

The ride to Manchester wasn’t short either, I had to take multiple breaks and even stay at hotels for a night to get some rest.

Though, once my eyes were voided of sleep, I got straight up, taking a short shower and dressing myself, then hitting the road once again.

I had a GPS installed in my car to help get around and get to Manchester. I had most of my plan already ‘planned out’.

According to the GPS, I had almost three hours left to go and had been driving for about six or four already.

A yawn escaped my mouth, my eyes were drooping just a little and my back ached from staying in the same position for too long.

I parked my car in a desolated parking area and grabbed the bag of snacks and drinks I bought. Grabbing a bag of chips, I munched on them and downed an energy drink.

Once finished, I put the trash in a separate bag, and started the car again, getting back on the road.

I changed my music every now and then as I drove, keeping myself motivated and entertained throughout the drive.

Occasionally, I looked at the gps and saw the distance and time left. Every single minute that passed, I got even closer to where she was.

I had no clue where I would find her and how long it’d take, but I followed my instincts to look around.

I had already gotten to New Hampshire at last, but my drive wasn’t over yet. So, I kept my good spirits as I sang along to one of my favorite songs, and kept driving.

The moment I passed a sign that said ‘Welcome To Manchester: The Queen City’, I was overwhelmed with relief. The drive had been too long and I was extremely happy to get a rest, although it wouldn’t really be a rest since I would be looking around everywhere for Alina.

I drove around the city, just observing my surroundings and getting used to where I would be at for the time-being until I found her. I also did a small search for her as well, but didn’t find her.

With a sigh, I got back into my car and drove towards the nearest best reviewed hotel. Even though I didn’t have much, I wasn’t one to give up so easily. I had six in a half more days to go — since the 7th day was practically spent on the road and crashing at hotels for sleep — and the time spent would be worth the while.

I finally found a nice hotel named DoubleTree by Hilton, which was located in the downtown of Manchester.

Getting a nice room for the time-being, I unpacked a few of my clothing and hung them on a hangers so they wouldn’t get wrinkled up in the bag in had them in.

I grabbed me some lunch and then got a little rest. Once I woke up from my somewhat long nap, I took a shower and dressed into khaki pants with a white polo shirt.

I grabbed my phone, my keys, and a pair of black sunshades, setting them on my eyes and walking out of the hotel.

A few girls gave me seductive glances, I wiggled my eyebrows internally and gave a wink to them, they all giggled. “I know….I’m hot!” I muttered to myself with a smirk.

Getting back on track, I unlocked my Maserati with my key and got inside.

I drove around the place in search for her, although I knew it wouldn’t be easy. It would be far from that, given how big this place is and the many places she could be.

After a while, I stopped for a break, but then a memory hit me. I remember my conversation with Ms. Katherine, who informed me that the safe house was located near hills and that it was big and bright house. That was somewhat enough information.

I wasn’t one to look around homes, knocking on doors and asking ‘Have you seen this girl around?’ With a picture. I wasn’t that kind of guy.

Besides, how many homes would be big and bright close by hills? I mean it couldn’t be that hard.

********************

The moment I came across homes that set near hills, I became overwhelmed. Never say what it couldn’t be, because it’d always prove you wrong.

Such as, “How worse can it get?”, or in my case, ”How hard could it be?”….but it could get way worse and way harder in a snap of a finger.

Their was dozens of home, literal to dozens of them and not only that, but there was also many hills around this place. How was I supposed to figure this all out?

I searched about two or three locations, which would be in the north east of Manchester, and around the west side and a little of the south, perhaps.

Becoming that guy, I looked around for the description of Ms. Katherine’s information. There was many huge bright homes, although there was plenty enough to make my job hard.

Becoming that guy, I did end up knocking on a few doors and giving a description of her. They all shook their head, saying something close to: “Sorry Sir, but I haven’t seen this woman around before. Although, you can leave your information, and would surely give you an alert if I see her.”

I gave them a business email of mines, because I wasn’t that stupid to give out my phone number to dozens of strangers.

My decision of even giving them my email was strictly professional, and would hopefully help my case in finding her easier and quicker. Hopefully….

After a few hours, the sun had started to set and I was getting exhausted from the long day.

I still had enough time on my hands for now and decided to just go back to the hotel and pick back up where I left off early tomorrow morning.

With that, I drove back and took another shower, grabbing me a snack or two and hitting the pillow.

*****************

The next morning, I did exactly what I said. I quickly freshened up, and left early in the morning after getting a breakfast go-plate from a nice restaurant along the way of my journey to find Alina.

I did my search again in public places, because every single day is different, and maybe today she got out the house to get some fresh air. Just maybe….

Although, I don’t think she did, hence I didn’t see one person who looked like her, nor many who Katherine described as her brother….or her former brother.

So, I set back to searching around homes in high places around hills. Mostly locations I hadn’t got to yet.

After a while of looking around, I didn’t get much accomplished. All I got was the same, “I’m sorry sir, I haven’t seen this woman.“

A heavy sigh came from me and I settled back in my car and left for the next location.

I pressed play on my playlist and jammed to it as I set off to a nearby house that was big enough, but not very flashy or bright. But who would I be if I didn’t check?

The moment I knocked and an elderly couple greeted me, I knew that this wasn’t even close to easy.

I paid my respects and apologized for wasting their time, although they shrugged it off as not a big deal.

My shoulders slightly sunk, showing my hope slowly fading, but not enough for me to give up.

I was glad that I didn’t, because as I was getting to leave, I saw another home in the distance. Although this time, the description matched the home.

It was just along a hill, and it was big enough and very flashy in bright lights. I crossed my finger, hoping that some progress would come to me. I didn’t have forever to look around.

It took me a few minutes to get there since it wasn’t too close by where I just left, but it wasn’t too far away either. I also noticed how it was a lone house, no nearby homes close to it.

I slowly went up the hill and drove a little more, finally getting to the house.

The moment I got there, I inhaled. Something was telling me I was making progress with this house. And I would be…I just didn’t know it yet. Although, in a few minutes I would.

I got out of the car and knocked on the door. There was no response. I stood at the door in hopes someone would answer, but after a few minutes more, I walked back to my car.

’Maybe someone isn’t home. I can always check back later….’ I thought, as I opened the car door.

Before I could get in, I heard the sound of a door opening. I turned my head back to see a man walk out.

The man was tall, around his late 20’s, perhaps. Though everything about him seemed very familiar to the description Katherine gave me of Louis, or Lucas….whichever one.

So I closed back the door of my car and walked up, not too close.

”Hello, my apologies for keeping you waiting. What can I help you with?” The man asked.

I looked at him intently, giving him a weird stare. Seeing him still waiting for my response, I snapped out of my trance and cleared my throat.

”Hello, I am sorry for bothering you, Sir….I have a quick question and will be on my way.” I said.

He nodded to me to continue, so I finally asked. “Have you seen this woman? Her name is Alina Maddox.” I said, showing a picture of her I got from Tristan, on my phone.

The moment he heard my question and saw the picture of her, I could see how his demeanor changed. ’Found just what I was looking for….’ I thought, smirking internally.

”Who’s asking for that information?” He asked me, crossing his arms on his chest and looking at me with raised brows.

Yep, he’s for sure Lucas….or Louis. “I am.” I said back.

”And may I ask why, and Who are you?”

I refrained from giving him my infamous eye roll and answered his question.

”Well sir, Alina has been gone for a while now, suddenly just leaving and I am here to take her back to her rightful place.”

”And where would that be?” He decided to ask me.

I wasn’t gonna stand here and entertain his stupid questions. I knew exactly what he was doing with me, and I wasn’t having it.

”I am not here to reveal private information, I just need an answer. Have you seen her?” I asked again.

He didn’t say a word for a few moments, just saying silent before finally answering.

”Sorry, Mister…..I have not seen her. All the best in finding her, though.” He lied straight to my face.

Just a mere lie from him had me riled up quickly. That was something me and Tristan had in common. We hated lies and people wasting our time, although I handled the situations differently and more cooly, unlike him.

”Are you sure about that….?” I gave him a twisted look, showing how much I didn’t believe him. He looked back, a little nervous, understanding I wasn’t gonna give up so easily.

”Uh….yes. I am, mister. You should be along your way now.” He said, turning around and walking away.

”I think you know where she is, though. She’s here, isn’t she.” I asked, once again.

He stopped and gave me one last glance. “No, she isn’t. You should leave now.…”

My brow raised. “Maybe you should stop lying to my face. I know she is here…”

”No, she isn’t here, so please leave, alrea-“ He was interrupted by the sound of the door opened.

Both our heads turned in that direction, to find Alina coming out of the house with a weird expression on her face.

Her hair was in a ponytail, and she had a loose shirt with sweatpants on. Her baby bump slightly showing, but still very small, you’d think she just ate a lot.

”Hello, Alina….long time no see?” I said, breaking the silence.

She hadn’t noticed me until now when I blurted out, but the moment she did see me, her eyes widened big.

”Arthur?” She said, a look a shock evident on her face as she saw me standing in front of her.

Of course she wouldn’t be expecting me, after all…..

*****************

Hello Dear Readers, how was today’s update? My apologies if I disappointed any readers with my previous updates.

If you’re wondering why she hasn’t left Louis/Lucas just yet, was because all her doubts were just mere doubts of him based on how he acted around her.

She is in a new city far from home with not much to help her get around, so whether she liked it or not…she is practically depending on him.

And even though she does have a phone with her, she can’t use it without the risk of Tristan finding her. And I’m sure you’d know what would happen if he did. He‘d find out about the very secret she was trying to keep from him, the reason she ran in the first place. Her pregnancy.

Also, her doubts aren’t confirmed of him, they’re just suspicious thoughts she has of him every single time he reminds her of how alike he acts and looks — his real eyes — just like Louis…which he is, but Alina doesn’t know that. So she tries to keep distance from him, though she isn’t going to just walk away from the only hope she has at the moment.

I hope you guys understand this….and don’t worry, in a few chapters, she will end up leaving. But not just yet.

Who’s excited for the next chapter? It’ll be in Alina’s POV and yes, Arthur will bring up the pregnancy to her.

I have no clue when I’ll publish the next update, but I will soon….I promise I won’t leave you guys waiting for long.

Don’t forget to leave a like if you are enjoying the story so far, and haven’t already. But most importantly….Don’t forget to share your thought’s with me in the comment section.

Love you all, and see you guys soon! ~ Taylin J ❤️❤️

P.S: Expect next chapter in a few days, a week or two tops!

(Unedited Chapter.)