After he had hung the phone, one of the kidnapper took his own phone and dialed a number.
“Master we’ve said her what you asked to say.” He reported.
“Okay” the man replied “Ask her to come and take her friend from the outskirts of the town.”
“But master haven’t we kept her friend in one of her friend’s house itself.” The kidnapper said.
“Bastard, don’t ask me questions. Just do what I said!” The man in the call shouted.
“Yes boss” the kidnapper said.
They hung the phone.
Arien decided to go back to Lyle Mansion and think about how to help them.
Definitely she can’t tell this to the police. She didn’t even want to disturb Devian’s trip because she knew he would anyhow come back if he knew about it.
All the way back she thought about people she could ask for help but how can she trust anyone now?
Who could be the one who had known Arien so well?
She had just entered the house when she got a phone call from Ashley’s number again.
“Ashley.” Arien said expecting her voice but her heart sank when the same heavy male voice came.
“If you want your friends back, come to the old warehouse in the outskirts of Victorville. Reach here by 30 minutes or else….”
“No no… Don’t hurt them I’ll be there.” Arien said.
“Don’t you dare do anything to anger us.” The man said and hung the phone.
Hearing the busy tone, Arien’s mind was in a mess.
She saw the time and it was almost 9 am. It would take near about 25 minutes to reach there.
Indeed the kidnapper haven’t given her time to prepare. She had to rush there to be in time or else… She doesn’t want to think about the consequences.
She ran out and took a cab to the place.
It was already 9:25 when she reached there.
“I’m here! Now leave my friends.” She walked into the warehouse but got no answer.
She entered the huge gate and kept walking.
She looked around but found no single soul.
Suddenly the door behind was shut with a bang. It was bright outside but the light barely entered the building.
“Who’s there?” Arien was in a panic. But she got no reply.
There was no way out. She searched there but found nothing. She can’t do anything. She had to wait.
The time passed so fast it was getting dark. Only a small bulb lit the place and there was no other sign of light. Suddenly the door opened. “Who…?”
“Don’t you know me?” An elderly man stood there. Although his face was in dark Arien could feel that he wasn’t a good person for sure.
“I don’t know you. Moreover, we haven’t met before. And… Where are my friends. Why have you bought them here?” She asked.
“Is that so?” The man smirked. “You don’t know me but I know you well.” He added.
“But…. What does it have to do with my friends? Let them go.” Arien said.
She was trying her best to be calm. She can’t just panic and make the situation even worse. There was no signal in this place so that she could contact anyone.
The man in front of her was well built and looked strong. She definitely could not confront him just without knowing his strength.
Arien thought of a way to get out but there was only a single door and the man was standing there. How could she leave. And she even had to find Ashley and Jane.
“Where are my friends?” Arien questioned him.
“They are not here, silly girl. Do you think I’ll tell you the address where I’ve kept your friends? But they are safe until you cooperate.” He said.
“Master.” a young man, who seemed like his assistant, came running.
“What’s the matter?” The elderly man asked.
“Young master Chester is here. He wants to meet you.” The assistant reported in a very low voice.
“Okay. Send someone to keep an eye on her.” The man said walking out of the warehouse.
“Yes master.” The assistant bowed.
Both of them walked out leaving Arien alone in the big warehouse. The door was shut again.
Arien could hear them speak. One has to be the man who had bought her here and the other sounds like the bastard, Harry.
Arien pressed her ear on the door so as to hear what they were speaking.
Harry said, “Let me take her for a while. It is just for business”
“How should I believe you?” The man replied.
“I’ll tell you everything. Then will you believe?” It was Harry again.
“Speak” the man said coldly.
“The Ace Corp’s president has asked for her if I want to have any collaboration with them. I would bring her back as soon as possible” Harry said.
“Ace Corp’s president?” Arien’s mind went numb “What does he have to do with me?”
“Okay and if you create any mess I won’t spare you.” The man agreed “But it’s her whom you should ask. If she’s willing to go with you then I would wait or else I don’t have any more time to waste, I want her dead.” He added.
“Dead?” Arien shuddered.
She heard footsteps and ran back to the position she was standing initially pretending not to listen anything.
As expected it was Harry. He walked to her and smiled evilly.
“If not for Ace Corp’s president, I wanted to have a taste of you before giving you away to him.” He said.
“You….” Arien thought for a while.
“Jane and Ashley were not here and I have to go out. Why not take the risk of going with this hooligan and find a chance to run away?” She thought.
Seeing her quiet Harry held her wrist making Arien feel disgusted. He pulled her out. There was no sign of the other man.
Harry put her into his car. There were other two bodyguards so Arien could not just pick a fight. She has to be calm.
As the car drove at a distance Arien felt a little relieved but she still had to run away from these men.
The car sped to the direction of Ace Corporation’s new seven star hotel of California. It was not very far from Victorville.
“Why didn’t you tell the truth” Harry asked.
“What?” Arien said.
“That you know Ace Corp’s president.” He looked at her.
“I don’t know him” she retorted.
“Then I suppose…” He paused and added “He fancies you. You see, when you were in Victorville he was there and when you’ve come here at the outskirts he’s here following you. He even saved when you were in jail.”
“How shameless, he could still bring that thing up?” Arien thought.
“I don’t know him. And I don’t have anything to do with him. You better get that.” Arien said.
The car stopped.
Harry came out followed by Arien. He can’t let her run away. He was just a step away from the collaboration contact with the biggest business company in the whole of Asia.
Harry was asked to wait there.
Arien looked around and saw a familiar figure, walking towards them. Dressed in his black suit. He looked enigmatic. His eyes were fixed at her.