Chapter 2: Red Flags and Shadows
696 Words
Chapter 2: Red Flags and Shadows
Aaron – POV
My mother was exaggerating as usual, and I left before losing my temper completely. Still, later in the afternoon, my sister Ivy called and practically scolded me into apologizing. So, I gave in—called Mom, apologized, and agreed to meet the daughter of her business partner.
Big mistake.
I entered the restaurant around 6 PM. The receptionist immediately perked up and rushed to me.
“Master Aaron, please follow me.”
No reservation needed—my sister owned the place. I wasn’t here for long, and I wasn’t here to play nice either.
I leaned in toward the hostess and said quietly, “Make sure no one disturbs us.”
She nodded and led me to a private corner table. I took a seat, checked the time, and sighed. Let’s get this over with.
Moments later, a woman walked in wearing a tight designer dress, jewelry screaming old money, and enough perfume to choke a dragon. Her makeup was layered like icing on a wedding cake.
“Good evening, handsome,” she purred. “I’m Frances Johan, of Johan Enterprises.” She extended a manicured hand.
I shook it briefly. “Aaron Yate. So… how much do you want?”
Her perfect smile twitched. “I beg your pardon?”
“How much would it take for you to never agree to meet me again?” I asked, keeping my voice calm.
She paused, visibly offended. “Actually… I’d be glad to never meet you again.”
I almost cracked a smile—until she added, “One million pounds.”
Figures.
I pulled out my checkbook, signed it without hesitation, and handed it to her. “Done.”
Then I got up and left.
⸻
Anna – POV
“Hello? Is someone there?” I called softly, standing in front of the shared apartment I saw advertised.
Before I could knock, the door creaked open by itself.
A tall man appeared, leaning lazily against the frame. He had dirty blond hair, dark eyes, and a cigarette dangling from his fingers. His shirt was wrinkled… and stained.
Red stains.
Blood?
“I—I’m Anna,” I stammered. We shook hands, but I immediately regretted it. Something was off.
“I’m here for the room…”
But before I could finish, I felt someone behind me. I turned—only to collide with a solid chest.
And then—pain. Sharp, searing pain.
My vision blurred, and the world went black.
⸻
Later…
I woke up tied to a cold floor, every muscle screaming in pain. My head was spinning, and I couldn’t move. My hands were bound. It was dark—3 AM, maybe? I had no idea how long I’d been unconscious.
The room was big but filthy. Chains clinked across the floor. A metal-framed bed stood in the center, the sheets bloodstained and torn. Curtains hung like ghosts from the windows. The air smelled of rust and mold.
And I wasn’t alone.
There was a girl on the floor across from me. She looked like she had been here a while—bruised, scraped, barely conscious.
I swallowed my fear and whispered, “Hey… can you hear me?”
No response.
I tried again, louder this time. Her fingers twitched.
⸻
Aaron – POV
I got to my penthouse late. The door was unlocked.
“Ivy?” I called.
“Thank God you’re home,” she said, rushing toward me.
“I wasn’t planning to go back to the mansion after this morning. Mom’s probably sulking in my bed by now.”
She didn’t laugh.
“What’s going on? And stop pacing, you’re making my head spin.”
Ivy turned pale and looked at me with fear I hadn’t seen in years.
“Aaron… Morgan disappeared.”
I blinked.
“What do you mean, disappeared?”
“She was supposed to meet her new roommate hours ago. She never showed. Her phone’s dead. No one’s heard from her since yesterday.”
I felt a chill crawl down my spine.
Morgan… was Ivy’s best friend.
And something told me this was only the beginning
- Writer
