Chapter 036

~~~Aiden~~~ I took a deep breath, collecting my thoughts as I began to open up to Hailey. "Life with my dad wasn't always like this," I started, my voice laced with a mix of emotions. "In fact, I was closer to my dad than my mom until I turned 18." Hailey's eyes were fixed on me, her expression empathetic. I continued, the words flowing out of me like a pent-up storm. "I always knew my dad was busy with work, but I never got curious about what he did. He'd always say, 'Son, if you want to be a man, you have to be fierce and powerful.' But I never believed that." Hailey's voice cut through my thoughts, her tone gentle. "You had a younger sister?" I nodded, a pang of sadness hitting me. "Yes, Hailey, I did. But please, let me finish the story." Hailey apologized, and I continued. "My sister went missing when I was 19. For some reason, I thought maybe my dad had something to do with it. He had these secret meetings, and one day, I decided to eavesdrop on his conversation with a man." My voice cracked as I remembered the argument I had overheard. "They were in a heated argument, and my dad said, 'We had an agreement, family was off-limits.' I was shocked, and I tried telling my mom, but she wouldn't believe me." Hailey's expression turned sympathetic, and I felt a lump form in my throat. "My mom always said, 'Aiden, your dad is not like that, I've known him for years.' But what she didn't know was that the man she married wasn't the man she was living with." I took a deep breath, the memories still raw. "I began to distance myself from my dad, scared for my life, especially when he started asking me to join him in his business. I kept refusing, and after college, I was determined to build my own empire, to prove to him that one could be rich without anyone dying in the process." Fresh tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, but I fought them back. Hailey's voice was soft as she asked, "Weren't you curious about what he did?" I shrugged, a wry smile on my face. "Hailey, have you ever heard the saying, 'what you don't know won't kill you'?" Hailey shook her head, and I continued. "That's what I've been working with all these years. As long as it didn't involve any of my family members, I didn't care what he did." Hailey's expression turned thoughtful, and she asked, "But don't you think that's somewhat selfish?" I felt a pang of guilt, and Hailey's words struck a chord. "What if someone else's family becomes the victim this time?" she asked. I heaved a deep sigh, feeling a weight settle on my shoulders. "I've never really thought about that, Hailey." Hailey's expression softened, and she walked towards me, wiping away the tears on my cheeks. "It's fine, Aiden. What matters now is that you're safe, and your mom is safe too." But the minute she mentioned my mom, my mind began to wander. "Mom," I whispered, a sense of unease settling in. She hadn't called me since she left the house, and it had been hours. What if she's not safe? I thought, my heart racing with anxiety. "What's wrong?" Hailey asked, her voice laced with concern. "It's my mom," I replied, my eyes locked onto hers. "She said she'd call me when she got home." Hailey's expression turned thoughtful. "And?" I shook my head. "It's been hours, Hailey. The drive to the house is only forty-five minutes." Hailey's suggestion was logical. "Try calling her instead." I pulled out my phone and dialed my mom's number, but it went straight to voicemail. I tried again, my anxiety growing with each passing moment. My dad was still in Germany, and the thought of my mom being in danger was unbearable. Without a word, I grabbed my car keys and headed for the garage, Hailey following closely behind. We sped off to my parents' place, the drive feeling like an eternity. I drummed my hands on the steering wheel, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. Hailey tried to calm me down. "Calm down, Aiden. She's probably fine." But her words of comfort did little to ease my anxiety. "Probably?" I repeated, my voice laced with frustration. "You said probably." We arrived at the house, and my mom's car was parked in the garage. But as we stepped inside, I realized she was nowhere to be found. "Mom?" I called out, my voice echoing through the empty halls. "Mom!" I called again, but there was only silence. I frantically searched every room, my heart racing with each passing moment. But there was no sign of my mom. Not in her room, the guest room, the maid's quarters, my dad's home office, or the kitchen. Where could she be? I wondered, the thought of her being kidnapped sending shivers down my spine. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I struggled to maintain my composure. 'Mom, where are you?" I mumbled my voice above a whisper I continued searching every nook and cranny for my mom when Hailey called out to me. "Aiden?" "Hailey, please, not now," I replied, my frustration evident. "Could you at least take a look at what I'm showing you?" Hailey asked. I turned to face her, and my eyes widened in surprise. My mom was walking towards us, shopping bags in hand. "Hey, kids!" she called, oblivious to the worry etched on my face. Kids!! She exclaimed as realization dawned on her, As she approached, her expression changed from a warm smile to a look of surprise. "Aiden, what are you doing here?" she asked, handing the shopping bags to a nearby maid. I shot back, sarcasm dripping from my voice. 'You're giving Hailey a hug, but I don't get one?" My mom chuckled and opened her arms. "Oh, come here." I seized the moment, wrapping my arms around her and holding her tightly before letting go. "What are you guys doing here? It hasn't been that long since I left the house," my mom asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. I corrected her. "Actually, Mom, it's been three hours and fifty-five minutes since you left the house." My mom raised an eyebrow. "Wait, you've been counting?" Hailey chuckled, and I looked away, feeling a bit sheepish. My mom's expression turned serious. "Aiden, I'm sorry I didn't call. I decided to go shopping when I arrived. I felt a wave of relief washed over me. ' But your car was parked in the garage when we got here." My mom explained. "Yes, that's because I took the limo with me, and some guards too. You know I know better than to move alone after the incident in Germany right?" I turned to face one of the guards. "If anything happens to her, consider yourselves dead. You hear me?" The guard nodded. "Yes, young master." I hated being called that, but my dad had instructed the guards to address me that way. I had corrected them several times, but they refused to stop. My mom intervened, her voice warm. "Now that you're both here, why don't you stay for lunch? Mariam is making something special." Hailey agreed, but I remembered I had unfinished business at the office. "Uhm, Mom, actually, I won't be able to. I still have some work to finish." My mom nodded understandingly. "Okay, dear. Maybe next time." I turned to Hailey giving her a light kiss on her forehead 'I'll catch up with you at home alright?" I said before making my way out.