Chapter 037

~~~Hailey~~~ As I reflected on Aiden's story, I realized he had been incredibly close to his dad before discovering his father's questionable activities. However, Aiden's decision to turn a blind eye as long as his family remained unharmed struck me as selfish. Aiden's tale also revealed shocking details, including the existence of a sister I had never known about. This new information shed light on Mrs. Alora's overly affectionate behavior towards Aiden's girlfriends, including Sandra. It was clear that Mrs. Alora missed her daughter and saw each new partner as a blessing – until they hurt Aiden. Aiden's sister had passed away six years ago, when he was nineteen. This revelation sparked a pressing question within me: when did my parents die? It was evident that I still had much to uncover. As Aiden shared his painful memories, I attempted to comfort him. However, his anxiety soon shifted towards concern for his mom, who had failed to call him after an hour. Panicked, Aiden rushed to his parents' house, with me in tow. Thankfully, his mom was safe – she had simply gone shopping. Given Aiden's experiences in Germany, his behavior was understandable. He was determined to keep his mom safe, as she was his last remaining family member, considering his estrangement from his dad. After Mrs. Alora invited us to lunch, Aiden excused himself, citing office commitments. I was left alone at the mansion, with Mrs. Alora, I assisted her and the maids in preparing for lunch when an idea struck me. A voice in my head whispered, "Hailey, you're in the house of the man who caused an argument between your parents before your mom's disappearance. What other place could you seek answers from?" With everyone occupied, including Mrs. Alora, and Mr. Brooklyn supposedly in Germany, I saw this as my only chance. I feigned exhaustion, citing the baby's weight, and requested a rest. Mrs. Alora agreed, instructing Mariam, the head maid, to escort me to the guest room. The luxurious room enveloped me in its warmth, but my mind was racing. I waited until Mariam left before making my move. I slipped out of the room, careful to avoid detection, and made my way to Mr. Brooklyn's home office. Apprehension gnawed at me as I stood before the giant door, feeling Mr. Brooklyn's formidable presence. I searched for an entrance point but found none, realizing I needed a keycard to access the office. A mocking voice in my head taunted me, "Great work, Hailey. No plan, just curiosity." As I gazed through the glass wall, I admired the office's immaculate arrangement. Aiden's fondness for order suddenly made sense. My eyes landed on a safe, its strong key lock and code requirement a clear indication of the sensitive information it held. "What could be in it?" I wondered. Just then, a hoarse voice echoed in the hall, making me flinch. "Looking for something?" Mr. Brooklyn stood before me, his presence imposing. My body froze, my mind racing with excuses, but my voice remained trapped in my throat. I forced a sheepish smile, desperate to conceal my vulnerability. "Uhm... uh... actually, I was just admiring the beauty of your office, Mr. Brooklyn. Nice office arrangement you've got." Mr. Brooklyn's stern expression made my heart skip a beat. His voice was intimidating, sending shivers down my spine. "But you've been to my house before, now, Hailey dear. I'm sure this isn't the first time you've gotten a look at my office, was it?" My voice faltered, and I stuttered, "Uh... hmm..." My mind went blank, and I couldn't muster a coherent response. Just as Mr. Brooklyn's gaze began to unsettle me further, Mrs. Alora's timely intervention saved me. "There you are, Hailey!" she exclaimed, rushing to my side and wrapping her arm around me. A voice in my head breathed a sigh of relief. "Perfect timing, Mrs. Alora." Mrs. Alora continued, "I've been looking all over for you." 'I'm sorry, mom, I couldn't sleep." I said. 'Oh my poor baby, come, come with me, launch is ready," she said as she led me away from the office, but I could feel Mr. Brooklyn's piercing eyes on me, making my skin crawl. When we were out of his sight, I whispered, "Oh, good lord, thank you for saving me today." Mrs. Alora turned to me, a hint of curiosity on her face. "What did you say?" I quickly said, "Uhm... nothing, I just said thank you for the food." with my heart still racing from the close encounter with Mr. Brooklyn. As we sat down to eat, Mr. Brooklyn joined us a few minutes later, having changed into a more relaxed attire. But despite his casual demeanor, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. His piercing glares seemed to bore into my soul, making each bite feel like an eternity. I sat there, willing the meal to end, desperate to escape the suffocating tension. As soon as we finished, I fabricated an excuse, citing fatigue and the need to return home. Mrs. Alora sympathized, offering to have one of her drivers escort me, along with some guards for added security. Just as I was about to leave, a familiar voice halted me in my tracks. "Wait," Mr. Brooklyn commanded, his tone firm but controlled. I froze, wondering if I had inadvertently crossed a line. As I turned to face him, a forced smile plastered on my face, Mr. Brooklyn retrieved a small bag from one of the larger ones on the couch. "I couldn't let you leave," he said, his words sending a shiver down my spine, "without giving my precious daughter-in-law what I brought her from Germany." A wave of relief washed over me as he handed me the bag. "A gift?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. Mr. Brooklyn smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Of course, a gift." He wrapped his arm around Mrs. Alora's shoulders, and they both beamed at me, awaiting my reaction. My heart racing, I slowly opened the bag and found a small gift box inside. As I lifted the lid, my eyes widened in shock. A stunning diamond bracelet lay before me, its sparkle mesmerizing. A devilish voice whispered in my ear, "What if it's a time bomb, Hailey?" But I pushed the thought aside, attributing it to my overactive imagination. I thanked Mr. Brooklyn and Mrs. Alora, my genuine gratitude, before bidding them farewell and departing. As I settled into the car, I let out a sigh. "Oh, what a day."