The Perfect Mistake

Incompetent Fools

Aiden was stressed out. And he was never stressed out. This was a first. It had been three days since he had met Detective Powell and the man had called him today to give him news about the girl.

When Aiden thought it through, it sounded stupid actively searching for someone he didn't even know. Someone he wasn't even sure looked the same as in his imagination.

Aiden couldn't recall a time he had done this. He could not recall a time he had gotten so enamoured with someone that he asked for a private detective. He was used to getting what he got. With no stress and no worries.

So he really surprised himself when he called up the detective. All he hoped was the man had found that mystery girl so that he could finally meet her and get her out of his f*****g head.

He walked out of the car to the same cafe they had met the last time and got in. Aiden probably did not mean to but his arrogant airs and disdainful looks and everybody looking at him strangely and a bit aggressively. In this part of town, they were extremely protective of their own.

He walked into the cafe and spotted Powell almost immediately. He was not difficult to spot. He was a head taller than a good number of people in the cafe, even when sitting down. And his mop of blonde hair was hard to miss.

Aiden strolled confidently towards him, not batting a lash at the whispers that started. He was already used to anyways. It didn't surprise him anymore.

He sat opposite Powell, not bothering to inform the other man of his presence first. He saw clearly when Powell noticed he was there. He shook, much like the first time they had met, and his hot cup of coffee almost fell into his lap. Some detective he was.

"Powell," Aiden said, in his deep baritone. His tone was cool and void of any emotion. He and Powell weren't friends. They weren't even business partners. Just two people come together to discuss about topics in common.

"Vault. I mean, Mr. Vault," Powell stuttered. Aiden raised a brow but did not comment otherwise. Who recommended this man to him?

"What did you find?" Aiden asked, leaning against the chair, with an arm carelessly slung over it. Looking at him, he was the picture of poise and elegance. Everybody wanted to be him, or with him at that moment.

And he was definitely aware of it. His smug and self assured movements and gestures made it known.

"Sir, not much. I managed–" Powell started but was quickly interrupted by Aiden.

"What do you mean by not much? Did you or did you not find the girl?" Aiden asked with a perfectly groomed brow raised.

"I– I didn't sir," Powell confessed. "I got the footage of that night but it was not clear enough for me to make a correlation."

Aiden stared at who was supposed to be the best detective in the town and shook his head. The man was a clumsy i***t. Aiden wasn't paying him that much for him to make flimsy excuses on why he couldn't find the woman.

"Not clear enough? Powell, you assured me you had this under control. What's happening now?" Aiden asked, a cross look taking over his face.

"Sir there are some rules to follow when–" Powell started but he was stopped by Aiden's incredulous facial expression.

"Rules? Powell, do I pay you to follow my rules or their rules?" Aiden asked, crossing his long legs against each other.

"Yours sir," Powell responded.

"So what do I care about the rules to follow?" Aiden continued with his interrogation.

"Sir..." the intimidated detective said, then trailed out. He was at a loss for what to say. He had though announcing the fact that he hadn't seen the girl was going to be easy. But this interrogation was not something he had seen coming.

"You have three days," Aiden said, no longer in the mood to hear any excuses. He stood up, threw a couple of bills on the table then left.

Same as when he was getting in, eyes followed him till he left. Aiden got into his car and drove to his office. He had an important meeting after this and he was already annoyed.

The board of directors was on his neck. Coupled with the fact that Powell had done nothing but waste his time, Aiden found himself in a very foul mood. All he hoped was that the meeting went well. If not, an incompetent asshole might lose their job.

***

Michael let out a sigh of relief as soon as the man, Aiden Vault. Michael was not easily intimidated. But the man was intimidation himself. He had managed to scared Michael out of his wits.

He swallowed then took another sip of his coffee that was already cold. He frowned at the cold feel and signalled for the waitress to come to his table.

"Michael, was that Aiden Vault?" Priscilla, the waitress who always took care of him asked, her eyes widening excitedly.

"What do you think?" Michael asked with a small smile. Her response was a starstruck smile. Then she carried his cup of coffee and went with it.

As she came back with it, Michael was deep in thought. He accepted it absent-mindedly, added sugar and milk then continued with his thoughts.

What did he tell Aiden Vault the next time? He was definitely not going to tell the man that the woman he was so desperately searching for was his best friend and she was currently pregnant.

That would be the worst mistake of his life. He didn't care if Melissa hated him later own. But in his opinion, he was doing it for her own good.

Michael shook his head, finished his cup of coffee then took out his file and started jotting stuff down. He needed to get everything into perspective. He needed a believable lie. And one that wouldn't make him to lose his job.

He didn't know when he would find it. But he had to. Both his career and his love life depended on it. And he definitely couldn't afford to f**k both up.

***

Aiden loosened his tie with a frown. The meeting had been as bad, or even worse than he was expecting. He was faced with incompetent fools who couldn't do their jobs correctly. And a lovestruck personal assistant who was good at her job but bad at keeping her feelings hidden.

"Um Aiden?" she called out and Aiden groaned in response. He didn't want to seem all that rude.

"Should I make you a cup of coffee? It's going to help relieve your stress," she proposed will a charming smile.

Aiden simply nodded and she scurried off. In no time, she was back with the coffee, watching him drink like an obsessed creep. Aiden didn't pay her any mind.

"Can I ask what you're looking for? I mean, you contacted the best private detective in town."

"Leave." Was all Aiden said then he continued to sip his coffee.

Susan was taken aback. But made no move to protest. One day, she vowed, one day you'll return my feelings.