Chapter 055

~~~Sandra~~~ >>>>>Flashback>>>>> I slumped over the bar table, pouring liquor down my throat in a desperate attempt to numb the pain. My life was crumbling, and I felt helpless. Just then, a mysterious figure emerged from the shadows and sat beside me. "Hey, hey, hey, Sandra, could you please stop getting wasted already?" his deep, masculine voice echoed in my ears. I turned to face him, but his features were unfamiliar. I was certain I'd never met him before. "Who are you?" I asked, my tone menacing. He chuckled. "Who I am doesn't matter at this point. What matters is what I can do for you." I laughed, skeptical. "You? What could you possibly do for me?" His eyes gleamed with a knowing glint. "I can make you get Aiden back. Not just get him back, but have him at the tip of your fingers, so he'll be left with no choice but to stay with you." My eyes widened in surprise. How did he know so much about my situation? He continued, his voice low and persuasive. "Plus, we both know that with Aiden back, you could get your life and career back on track." I stared at him, awestruck. "How do you know so much about me?" He smiled, his expression enigmatic. "The 'how' doesn't matter, Sandra. Just think about it." His proposal hung in the air, tempting me. "All I want from you is to lead me to Aiden. After that, the ball will be in your court. I just want to see him." He stood up, his eyes glinting with a wicked light. "Don't ask me why. Just think about my proposal. Hurry up; your friends are probably waiting for you at that restaurant for your amazing 'Plan B.' Just bear in mind that in this game, you can't trust anyone." With that, he vanished into the night, leaving me stunned and confused. >>>>>>Flashback ends>>>>>> "It's okay, boys, I've got it from here," I declared, my voice steady, as the guard I had struck with a chair struggled to his feet. Aiden's eyes widened in shock. "What?! You planned all of this?" I offered a sly smile. "Well, not just me, though. I had a few helpers here and there." Aiden's face contorted in anguish. "Why!!" My frustration boiled over, and I yelled, "Because of you, Aiden!! You had one simple condition to agree to, and you would have been free! You would have been mine, forever! Our flight tickets were already booked; I spent every last penny to make this happen. But even when faced with death, you still chose her!!" Aiden flinched, his gaze dropping away from mine. My words hung in the air, a painful accusation. I took a step closer, my voice cracking with emotion. "Has it gotten this bad, Aiden? That you don't even see me anymore?" "You can't see all I'm doing for you? Huh?" I barked, my voice laced with desperation. Aiden's expression remained calm, but his words cut deep. "All I can see right now is bitterness, Sandra, and it definitely doesn't look good on you." My anger flared, and I spat at him, "Oh, really? Now you decide what looks good on me, huh?" Aiden's voice remained firm, but a hint of sadness crept in. "Sandra, I'm not trying to hurt you, but you need to understand—" I interrupted him, my words tumbling out in a frantic plea. "Aiden, I'm going crazy already! There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about you. No day passes that I don't think about all the good times we had together, the laughter, and happiness. Have you really forgotten about all that just because of one wrong, Aiden?" Aiden's expression turned stern, his voice firm. "Sandra, our time together wasn't all happiness. There were times you caused me pain, too. Pains I overlooked, but what you did before our breakup was the last straw." My anger resurfaced, and I hurled accusations at him. "Oh, really? What about the times you flirted with other ladies right in front of me?" Aiden's brows furrowed in confusion. "We both know that's not true, Sandra. It's the other way around. Besides, you got most of the attention because of your fame, so what are you even saying?" I felt a sting from his words, but I pressed on, my voice laced with desperation. "I'm saying you were my fame, Aiden. It was all you. The minute our breakup news spread, everyone began pulling out. They didn't want to give me gigs anymore. My rival became the famous one, and I was just tossed like a piece of trash." Aiden's expression remained firm. "Well, you brought that upon yourself, Sandra, so please stop blaming Hailey for whatever happened to you." My anger boiled over, and I barked, "Don't you even dare say that name here again!" Aiden's voice remained calm, but I pressed on "So, is this how it's going to be? That you're even ready to rot here all for her?" I felt a pang of desperation, but Aiden's next words crushed me. "Sandra, we both know that I'm a man of my words, and when I say something, I do it, even if it means risking my life. So, get over it." "Oh, really, that's fine then," I spat, my voice venomous. "But one thing is certain: if I can't have you, no one else will." My eyes locked onto the gun hanging loosely from one of the guards' holsters. With a swift motion, I snatched the gun, my fingers wrapping tightly around the grip. Aiden's eyes widened in alarm. "Sandra, put the gun down." I sneered, my finger hovering over the trigger. "Make me!" Just as the situation was about to escalate, the sound of sirens pierced the air, growing louder with each passing second. Panic set in, and in a split second, I pulled the trigger without thinking. The sound of the gunshot echoed through the room, and I fled the area, leaving Aiden and the guards behind.