Chapter:18
"Zayden"
( A betrayal)
I slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings. My head throbbed with a dull ache, like a relentless drumbeat. I tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over me, forcing me back onto the cold concrete floor.
As my senses returned, I realized I was in the basement. But something felt off. The room was quiet, too quiet. I scrambled to my feet, my eyes scanning the space for any sign of Nala.
But she was nowhere to be found.
A cold dread crept up my spine as I stumbled towards the door. It was unlocked. I yanked it open, revealing the dark and deserted hallway beyond.
"Nala!" I bellowed, my voice echoing off the walls.
There was no response.
I stumbled through the empty halls, my mind racing with thoughts of where Nala could be.where is she .
Then I remember last night .
I was telling her everything is okay .
Some memories flash back again .
"Then let me go now" her words .
Did she?
Did she really escaped? Did someone take her?
The possibilities swirled in my head like a maelstrom, each one more terrifying than the last.
As I reached the main floor, I saw that the front door was wide open. A chill wind blew through the opening, carrying the scent of rain and freedom.
Nala was gone.
I stood there, frozen in shock, as the reality of the situation sunk in. Nala had escaped. And I had no idea how to get her back.
A wave of anger and frustration washed over me, but beneath it, I felt a twinge of fear. What would happen now that Nala was free?
Where is she ? . Where does she go? . She doesn't have anyone right ?.
Would she expose me? Would she ruin everything I'd worked for?
The thought sent a cold shiver down my spine. I knew I had to act fast, to find Nala before she could do any damage.
But as I stood there, my mind racing with plans and strategies, I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd lost something precious.
Something I might never get back.
I stormed out of the mansion, my anger boiling over like a cauldron. How could Nala escape? How could she betray me like this?
I told her that we will be together.
I can't let her escape or leave me .
I want her . In every cost .
I ran toward my car .
I open the door . Start the the and went straight to my company.
"ZF Security Company"
But Nala only know about my mansion . She doesn't know about my company right .
As I drove to the office, I dialed Harper's number. He answered on the first ring.
"Harper, it's Zayden," I growled. "I need you to track down Nala's location. Now."
"What happened? Sir" he ask .
"Do as I say!" I shout .
"Yes, sir," Harper replied, his voice firm.
It took him some minutes he went to Aidyn .
Aidyn tell something to Harper .
Harper says
"I'm on it. But, sir, I have to warn you, we're not the only ones looking for her."
"What do you mean?" I snapped.
"Aidyn been working on it for days an she have found another team . Aidyn intercepted some communication from Aidyn team. They're searching for her too."
My grip on the steering wheel tightened. Another team . But that ..who would be it .they sure are fool to mess with me .
I will kill them no I will make them wish the death but they will never get it .
I will make there life hell .
"Find her first, Harper," I ordered. "I don't care what it takes. Just get it done."
"Yes, sir," Harper replied, his voice steady. "I'll do everything I can."
I ended the call, my mind racing with strategies and plans. I would find Nala, and I would make her pay for her betrayal.
As I arrived at the office, I could feel the tension in the air. Harper was waiting for me, his eyes locked on mine.
"What do you have for me?" I demanded.
"Boss , we have somehow recover the CCTV" HE SAYS .
"Okay show me ." I ask .
"Quickly" I repeat .
He show me the CCTV . It's really Nala she run .
She's running . Some people's ar behind her but who are they . Wait what this car .
There's a strange boy coming out from the car . He went straight to Nala .
"Zoom it " I order .
Harper zoom it . I can't believe my own eyes .
"This...this is impossible" I say .
It's that boy whom I shoot . Nala went mad about it .
He's alive . How can this would be possible.
Harper hesitated before speaking. "We've tried everything, sir. We've tracked her phone, her credit cards… but nothing's turning up. It's like she vanished into thin air."
My face twisted in anger. "Keep trying," I snarled. "I want you to find her now."
Harper nodded, his jaw set in determination. "Yes, sir. We'll keep searching."
Aidyn walked into the company, whistling a tune. He was oblivious to the tense atmosphere that permeated the air. As he entered, he was met with silence. The employees were all huddled together, whispering among themselves. They fell silent as Aidyn approached.
Aidyn's eyes scanned the room, confusion etched on his face. "What's going on?" he asked one of the employees.
The employee hesitated before nodding towards myoffice. "You should talk to him," he said quietly.
I can hear his voice even form the office
Aidyn's curiosity was piqued. He walked towards my office, knocking on the door before entering.
I was pacing behind my desk, my face twisted in anger. Harper was standing opposite to me , looking frazzled.
"What is it, Aidyn?" I snapped, not even looking up.
Aidyn hesitated, taken aback by my tone. "I've found something," he said slowly. "I think it's important."
I waved my hand dismissively. "Not now, Aidyn. Can't you see I'm busy?"
Aidyn's face fell, but he refused to give up. "No, Zayden, listen to me. I've found Kaiden's secret house."
My expression didn't change. "I care about Kaiden's secret house, Aidyn. But now it's doesnot matter Because now I care about finding Nala."
Aidyn's frustration boiled over. "That's exactly why you should care!" he shouted. "Kaiden's secret house might hold the key to finding her."
I head snapped up, my eyes narrowing. "Nala has nothing to do with Kaiden," he said coldly.
Aidyn's eyes widened in surprise. "What do you mean? I thought…"
My expression turned bitter. "Nala is a separate problem, Aidyn. One that I'll deal with personally."
Aidyn's face fell, but he refused to give up. "Zayden, listen to me. Kaiden's secret house might be a puzzle, a clue to something bigger. We need to figure out what it means. I have also found Nala traces near it ."
My eyes narrowed, my expression thoughtful. For a moment, I just stared at Aidyn, his mind racing.
Then, I nodded. "Tell me more," I said, my voice low and urgent.
Aidyn took a deep breath, launching into an explanation of what he'd found. As he spoke, my expression changed from anger to intrigue.
This could be it, I thought. This could be the break we need to uncover something big.
I leaned forward, my eyes locked on Aidyn's. "I want you to dig deeper," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I want you to find out what secrets Kaiden's house holds."
Two months passed, Aidyn still hadn't made a move on Kaiden's house. He had decided to play it cautious, sending in spies to gather information and waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
But as the days turned into weeks, and the weeks turned into months, my patience began to wear thin. I had expected Kaiden to return to the house by now, but so far, there had been no sign of him.
Aidyn, too, was getting frustrated. He had spent countless hours scouring the forest, searching for any sign of Kaiden or his allies. We had set up CCTVs, motion sensors, and even sent in a team of men to comb the area. But so far, they had found nothing.
"I don't get it," Aidyn said, pacing back and forth in my office. "We've covered every inch of that forest. Where is he?"
My face was twisted in anger. "I don't know, but I'm starting to think we've been played. Maybe Kaiden never intended to return to that house."
Aidyn stopped pacing and turned to me . "But why? What's the point of leading us on a wild goose chase?"
My eyes narrowed. "I don't know, but I'm going to find out. I'm going to find Kaiden, and I'm going to make him pay for wasting my time."
Aidyn nodded in agreement. "We'll get him, Zayden. We just need to keep pushing."
But as the days turned into weeks, and the weeks turned into months, my frustration only grew. I was starting to feel like I was stuck in a never-ending cycle of waiting and searching.
And then, just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, I received a message from an unknown number.
"You'll never find him," the message read. "Kaiden is always one step ahead."
My face twisted in anger as I read the message. Who was sending him these messages? And how did they know so much about his plans?
I looked up at Aidyn, my eyes blazing with determination. "We're not giving up," I said. "We're going to find Kaiden, no matter what it takes."
My phone buzzed, breaking the silence in the room. I glanced at the screen,
My eyes narrowing as he read the message.
"Kaiden will be at the house in two days," the message read.
I first instinct was to ignore it. I had received countless messages like this before, all claiming to have information about Kaiden's whereabouts. But something about this message resonated with him. Maybe it was the confidence with which it was written, or maybe it was the fact that some of the previous messages had proven to be true.
Whatever the reason, I couldn't shake off the feeling that this message was different. I looked up at Aidyn,my eyes locked on his.
"We need to get ready," I said, my voice low and urgent.
Aidyn's eyes widened in surprise, but he nodded quickly. "I'll gather the team," he said.
I nodded, my mind already racing with plans. I stood up, my eyes scanning the room as I mentally prepared myself for what was to come.
The next two days passed in a blur of activity. Me and my team worked tirelessly, preparing for every eventuality. They studied the layout of the house, planned their attack, and gathered their gear.
On the day of the operation, I stood in front of my team, my eyes locked on theirs.
"Today's the day," I said, my voice low and deadly. "We finally get to take down Kaiden."
The team nodded, their faces set with determination. My eyes scanned the room, my gaze lingering on each of my team members.
"Remember, we're all wearing black," I said. "We need to blend in with the shadows."
I walked over to a table, where a selection of guns was laid out. I picked up a sleek black pistol, checking it over before tucking it into my waistband.
"Let's move out," I said, my voice low and urgent.
The team nodded, falling into line behind me . They moved out of the room, their footsteps echoing down the hallway.
As they approached the house, my heart began to pound in my chest. This was it. This was the moment I had been waiting for.
"Let's do this," I whispered, my eyes locked on the house.
The team nodded, fanning out around him. They moved forward, their guns drawn, their eyes scanning the surroundings.
My heart was pounding in my chest, my senses on high alert. I knew that Kaiden was dangerous, but I was ready for him.
Bring it on, i thought, my eyes locked on the house.
But as they approached the house, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. The house seemed quiet, too quiet.
I exchanged a glance with Aidyn, my eyes narrowing.
"Something's not right," I whispered.
Aidyn's eyes locked on mine , his expression grim.
"Let's be careful," he whispered back.
I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. I knew that we had to be careful, but I also knew that I couldn't back down now.
I had to see this through, no matter what.
My team entered the house, their guns drawn, their eyes scanning the surroundings. But as they moved from room to room, they realized that something was off. The house was empty, devoid of any signs of life.
"Where is he?" I muttered, his eyes narrowing in frustration.
Suddenly, a noise came from the back door. My team spun around, their guns trained on the door. A figure emerged, running as fast as he could.
"After him!" I shouted, taking off in pursuit.
The team followed, their footsteps pounding the ground. But as we ran, the figure seemed to vanish into thin air. My team stopped, panting, and looked around. But there was no sign of the mysterious figure.
My face twisted in anger. "We lost him," I snarled.
Aidyn approached him, his phone in hand. "Zayden, I have an emergency call from Lyla," he said, his voice low.
I know it's important but I can't keep Aidyn with me .
He's not apart of it .
My eyes narrowed. "Take it," I said. "But make it quick. We need to regroup and come up with a new plan."
Aidyn nodded, answering the call. I watched him,my mind racing with strategies.
"We need to split up," I said, turning to my team. "We'll form three teams. Team one, with me, will search straight ahead. Team two will go right, and team three will go left. We'll meet back here in two hours and compare notes."
Aidyn's phone rang, shrill in the silence. He answered, his voice calm. "Hello?"
But as he listened to the voice on the other end, his expression changed. His eyes widened in shock, his face paling.
"lyla?" he whispered, his voice trembling. "What happened to her?"
The person on the other end spoke quickly, their words tumbling out in a rush. Aidyn's eyes grew wider with each passing moment, his face growing increasingly pale.
"No," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "That can't be."
He listened for a moment longer, his face frozen in shock. Then, he ended the call, his hand shaking as he put the phone back in his pocket.
Aidyn's eyes were wide with fear as he turned to me . "Zayden," he said, his voice low and urgent. "I need to go."
I looked up from the map I was studying, his eyes narrowing. "What is it, Aidyn?"
Aidyn took a deep breath before speaking. "It's lyala. She's been in an accident. I need to go to her."
Zayden's expression was grim. "Go," he said. "Take care of it."
Yeha atleast someone need him. Atleast he can save the love he loves.
Aidyn nodded, already turning to leave. "I'll be back as soon as I can," he said.
I nodded, my eyes returning to the map. "Be careful," he said.
Aidyn nodded, then turned and ran out of the room, leaving me to continue the mission without him.
"Let's move out," I said, my voice firm. "We have a job to do".
My eyes scanned the forest, my heart racing with anticipation. I had been searching for what felt like hours, my team fanned out around me . Suddenly, I saw it – a small house nestled in the trees.
"Surround the house," I whispered to my team, my eyes locked on the building. "When I give the signal, start shooting."
My team nodded, moving stealthily into position. I took a deep breath, my gun at the ready.
"Now," I whispered.
The sound of gunfire erupted around me , bullets ripping into the house. I went inside, my gun held high.
"Stand up, Kaiden," i shouted. "Your game is over."
But as the strange man turned the corner, I was met with a shock. It wasn't Kaiden sitting in the chair – it was Nala.
My eyes widened in surprise, my mind reeling. What was she doing here?
Nala's eyes locked on mine , a mixture of fear and confusion written across her face.
"Zayden?" she whispered.
But before I could react, my team's gunfire intensified, bullets ripping into the house. I knew I had to act fast.
"Nala, get down!" I shouted, rushing towards her.
But it was too late. The bullets were already flying, tearing into the room. I grabbed Nala, pulling her to the floor.
"Get down, get down!" I shouted, covering her body with his own.
The gunfire was deafening, the sound of bullets ripping into the walls and furniture. I held Nala tight, praying that we would make it out alive.
After some time .I slowly lifted my head, my eyes scanning the room. It was a mess, bullets having torn into everything.
But as I looked down at Nala, I saw that she was staring up at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and confusion.
"Zayden," she whispered, her voice trembling. "What's going on?"
But I was to busy studying her.
As we lay on the floor, my eyes locked onto Nala's, the intensity of the moment palpable. We were so close, their faces mere inches apart.
Nala's eyes, wide with fear and confusion, seemed to bore into my soul. I felt like I was drowning in the depths, unable to look away.
My gaze roamed over Nala's face, taking in the smudges of dirt on her cheeks, the tangled mess of her hair. But it was her eyes that held him captive, sparkling with a mixture of fear and... something else.
For a moment, we just stared at each other, the world around them melting away. I felt my heart pounding in my chest, my breathing slow and deliberate.
Nala's lips parted slightly, her eyes never leaving mine . I felt a jolt of electricity run through my body, My skin tingling with awareness.
The air was thick with tension, the silence between our heavy with unspoken emotions. I felt like I was teetering on the edge of something, unsure of what would happen next.
But as we lay there, locked in each other's gaze, I knew that nothing would ever be the same again.
I suddenly came to my senses, shouting at the top of my lungs. "Stop! Stop firing! It's not him!"
The gunfire ceased, and an eerie silence fell over the clearing. My team emerged from the trees, their faces etched with confusion.
I turned to Nala, helping her to her feet. She swayed unsteadily, her eyes fixed on mine.
"Nala, what are you doing here?" I asked, me voice laced with concern.
Nala's gaze dropped, her voice barely above a whisper. "I was with a friend… someone who helped me. I just wanted to get away… to live alone."
"Your friend . Is it him . The one whom I shoot . For whom you cry like a fool" I say . I hate the way she cry for him not at first but after she was with me . I can't forget her tears .
My eyes narrowed, my mind racing with questions. "What happened? Why did you run?"
Nala's eyes welled up with tears, her voice cracking. "I just wanted to be free… to live the rest of my life in peace. I was suffocating… trapped in a world that wasn't mine."
My face twisted in pain, my heart aching for the girl in front of me .I felt a wave of guilt wash over me , realizing that I had almost killed her.
"Nala, I'm so sorry," i whispered, my voice trembling. "I had no idea… I never meant to hurt you."
Nala's eyes locked onto mine, a deep sadness etched in their depths. "You don't understand, Zayden. You never understood. I just wanted to be free."
My eyes stung with tears, my heart heavy with regret. I felt like I was staring into the abyss, the weight of my mistakes crushing me.
"I'm sorry, Nala," i whispered again, my voice barely audible. "I'll do anything to make it right."
One of my men came to tell me that Kaiden had been found and I took off in a sprint. I ran as fast as I could my heart pounding in my chest. I had to catch him had to make him pay for what he had done.
I finally found him standing on the edge of a cliff the wind whipping his hair into a frenzy. I approached him calmly my gun at the ready.
Black hairs, brown eyes , fair skin , tall. Black outfit the same he wear when he kill my parents .
All memories flaks back .
I can't loose myself now .
I have to take revenge . I can't become weak .
"You're a monster, Kaiden," I spat. "You killed my parents, tortured me for seven years. You took everything from me."
I can't just hold myself . I feel like this is the one time I can do this . I can tell him what have he done to me .
I also know that it will make no effect on him .
Kaiden's eyes flashed with anger but he just says . "You're just a broken child, Zayden," he sneered. "You'll never be whole again. You survive . I thought you could live happily after running but Instead you plan to take revenge but I'm happy about one thing . You are just like me ."
I felt a wave of anger wash over me and I raised my gun. " I'm not like you . You monster . time will tell you what I am" I say But before I could pull the trigger I heard the sound of gunfire. I turned to see my guards lying on the ground dead.
His man came from the back . They are double then us .
It's a plan .so I again fell for his plan . It can't be . I will kill him no matter what price I would have to pay .
I spun back around my gun trained on Kaiden. "You're going to pay for this," I snarled.
But Kaiden just laughed. "You'll never take me alive, Zayden," he said.
I took a step forward my finger tightening around the trigger. But then I hear a gun shout I turn towards the edge. Kaiden ran into the front of forest . Now it's only two step differenec between me and the the edge . I narrowed my eyes on kaiden and then to his man .
I wanna know how many of them are here .
But I saw a familiar figure walking out of the middle of the crowd .
I saw her – Nala.she was coming from the middle and stand behind Kaiden a look of guilt and fear on her face.
Her eyes they are teary . She somehow manage to hold the tears .
So, Nala is with him . No it's can't be kaiden must have threatened Nala . Yeha .
But how would he threatened her . Wait what if the person Nala was talking about is kaiden who hurt her .
My heart stopped. The world around me froze. I felt like I had been punched in the gut.
I wanna ask her .
"Nala, what are you doing here?" I whispered, my voice trembling with shock and betrayal.
"I'm sorry" she say.
"tell me it is not you Nala please tell me it's all fake .I know this man force you" I says .
"think before you speak zayden" I heard kaiden words that crush me and punch me in the gut .
"Look what my daughter have done to me . I used to think she's useless brat but she proved it that she was my daughter atleast she have my blood"
His … his daughter so Nala was kaiden daughter.
No this can't be true . Nala ..he must have threatened her .
He have eto threatened her . Sh exant be with him .
She can't betray me like ....
"is it true Nala" I ask her wanting her to say no
Please stay no Nala . Please . I won't ask just please stay no .
I keep repeating these words .I feel bad do bad .
She didn't answer. Instead she raised her gun and pointed it at me.
"You don't have to kill him Nala. I can do it" I hear kaiden muttering .
He pull his gun out and pointed at me . I felt a wave of horror wash over me as I realized what was happening.
I'm not afraid caus win going to die but cause . I'm going to die I front of her . Infront of Nala . And most important the one I wanna kill will kill me . I don't mind dying but after killing kaiden .
But that's how I die . It's what I'm destined to
.
Atleast one good thing happen that she is going to shoot me by herself but kaiden room this chance . I don't mind dying but her hands but it's kaiden .
I keep my eyes open I wanna smile when I die .
Atleast I did my best .
I don't know how to respond to this situation .
Right I have no one left . I thought Nala would be the one for me .
Even thought she didn't want me .
I want her .
I really want her .
"I was really gratefull for the moments we spent together" I say .
Nala hear it . Kaiden desnot seems to react .
"Sorry" I saw her lips move .
"Sorry for everything" she repeat again .
"It's okay" I says .
Kaiden put his gun on me .
He is going to put the trigger but someone else have ealready pull it .
Nala she shoot . She really shot me .
I'm going to die by the one I love.
It was supposed to be good . It was supposed to feel good by dying in her hands but I can't .
I loose my balance .
I fell from the edges straight into the sea .
The last thing I hear is .
"No, no! Zayden no no no...!"
It's Nala voice .
But by then it's already late . It's to late .
I close my eyes I feel water .
And the my mind went blank.
____________ blank .