ARLAN’S POV.
I unlocked the door manually and let Saraya in. She walked in with her hips swinging side to side and I could swear, for a brief moment, I lost all my senses, drooling at her.
She stood few inches away from her and I went for her lips. I couldn’t help it, I pulled her closer my hands instinctively going to her waist. I kissed her deeply, but she managed to pull away, her breath shaky.
“This is not why I’m here,” she said, avoiding my gaze, though, I could tell she wanted it as much as I do.
I nodded slowly. “I’m sorry. I crossed the line.”
Saraya’s gaze softened for a moment, “What’s so urgent, Arlan?” she asked. “I had to tour round the city to ensure I’m not being followed. This is dangerous, you know. Let’s get over this and call it a meeting already.”
“Take it easy, butterfly.” I replied. “You just got here, what about having your seat while we discuss the details?”
She hurriedly took her seat. “I’m all ears.”
I took a deep breath. “I was doing some thinking and realized one person is missing from the suspect list.”
She raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly. “And who could that be?”
“Dominic,” I said, and I watched waved her hand dismissively in the air.
She shook her head, “Why would you suspect him? He’s innocent.”
“He’s not innocent until proven otherwise,” I replied. “And you shouldn’t mistake his being overly friendly for having good intentions. Trust me on this.”
Saraya’s rolled her eyes, a small laugh escaping her. “You sound like a jealous person, Arlan. Do you even realize your argument is weak?”
I shook my head, trying to keep my frustration in check. “Dominic was in Brisbane at that time, Saraya. We can’t ignore that.”
Saraya’s expression hardened, but she didn’t back down. “Are you seriously going to get on with Dominic being a suspect?”
“I see no reason why I can’t.” I replied. “You can’t deny there is a slim chance he could be the blackmailer.”
“So was Mary. She saw us, remember? Does that mean we have to add her to the suspect list too?”
I could feel my jaw tightening. “Think about the objectives, Mary have no motive and nothing to gain from this.”
“And Dominic?” She asked.
“Well, we have to find out.” I replied. “Or we risk being blackmailed for a long time. Do you want that?”
“Dominic left late in the afternoon and as a matter of fact, I saw him to the door and watched him drove off.” Saraya added. “Take him off the list, I doubt he has anything to do with this.”
I scoffed. “You doubt?” I asked. “I have no doubts in my heart that, that playboy has a hand in this?”
Saraya looked at me in an unbelievable way. “Playboy?” She asked. “Now, that I think of it, I think Matilda should be the prime suspect judging from how unpredictable her actions can be. What more? She gets to enjoy seeing us, especially me on my toes.”
“I looked into Matilda and she is clean.” I explained but Saraya was having none of it as she jumped on her feet.
“I see,” she began with a scoff on her face. “Your baby mama is innocent but my friend is a suspect.”
“That is why I’m going to secretly put someone on to dig him for me.” I revealed. “There is something about him.”
Saraya flared up. “You will do no such thing.”
I couldn’t believe my eyes. “Do you really trust him that much?”
Looking at me deep in the eyes. “Yes, I do.”
I swallowed hard. “How much?”
“As much as you trust Matilda.” She replied.
“Saraya!” I screamed.
She threw her hands up in frustration. “Right! That is how ridiculous your suggestion is, Arlan! You can’t just suspect someone just because you don’t like them.”
“I don’t have to like someone to see the truth,” I shot back. “This isn’t about emotions. It’s about stopping whoever’s pulling the strings before things get worse.”
Saraya shook her head, her voice dripping with disbelief. “You’re unbelievable. You’re turning this into a personal vendetta against Dominic.”
I clenched my fists, willing myself to stay calm. “Do you even hear yourself? You’re defending someone who could very well be working against you. Against us.”
“He not working against me!” she snapped. “Dominic left when I saw him out. He has no business with what is happening. Why can’t you see that?”
I stepped closer, lowering my voice. “Because I can’t afford to take chances, Saraya. You know what’s at stake here. If I’m wrong, fine. But if I’m right and we do nothing-what then?”
She hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line. “You talk like you are perfect and have the right to judge other.”
“Saraya.” I called out gently.
But she hushed me with her hand. “Let me think.”
Saraya finally spoke. “Do whatever you want. Just don’t expect me to back you up when this blows up in your face but I do have a question.”
“Go ahead and ask me anything.” I urged her on.
She sighed, her shoulders slumping in defeat. “What if we can’t catch the culprit because you’re too focused trying to make an innocent person the culprit and we run out of time, what do we do?”
“No one is innocent until we get to the button of this.”
Saraya nodded. “We could as well be the culprits, you know. With your theory, It would be right for me to suspect you of trying to get ten million dollars from me.”
I couldn’t believe my ears and the direction of our conversation. “Wow,” was the only thing I could say at that moment. “Is that what you think of me?” I said after gaining my posture.
“Well, I only put your words back to you and you haven’t asked my question yet.” Saraya said. “What do we do if we end up chasing the wrong person?”
I didn’t want to say it. Didn’t want to admit it. But there was only one answer. “I don’t know if you want to hear it.”
“Just spill it already, we need a way to end this drama, don’t you think?”
“There’s only one way I can think of to get the blackmailer off our back… and that’s to come clean to Alex.” I told her.
Saraya’s face hardened the moment I mentioned Alex. Her jaw clenched, and her eyes darkened as if I’d just said something unforgivable.
“Come clean to my father?” she repeated, her voice laced with disbelief. “Are you out of your mind?”
I stood my ground, meeting her glare. “It’s the only way out of this mess, Saraya. The longer we keep him in the dark, the worse this gets.”
“I know you don’t want me on Dominic’s tail and I don’t want to do that either.” I continued. “It’s either we take a gamble or come out clean to Alex.”
She shook her head and stood on her feet, pacing back and forth like she was trying to process what I’d just suggested. “And what would you tell him? That I seduced you? Do you even hear yourself?”
“Come on,” I said firmly. “I’m the one who needs you more than you need me. So, it’s safe to say, I pursued you. Besides, Alex deserves to know what’s going on. He’s the only one who can help us end this. If you agree to this, we have nothing to fear from the blackmailers hand and face him head on.” I added. “Have you forgotten how you once suggested I tell him about us?”
“That was before you got Matilda pregnant.” Saraya pointed out making me defenseless.
She stopped pacing and turned to me, her eyes blazing. “Now, tell me, do you think my father will just help us? Have you forgotten how he reacts to betrayal? To lies? He’ll lose his mind, Arlan. He’ll cut me off completely!” She said. “Don’t forget, he is the only support system I have now, once he cuts me off, I’ll have to wake up to a morning where I have no one to call my family. My grandma would be right at all, I’m just a seductress who takes her mother.”
“Enough Saraya.” I took a step closer to her, my voice softening as I caress her hair. “You have me, by the way, your mother is your mother and you are you, just like everyone else.” I told her. “Besides, how long do you think we can keep this a secret?” I asked.
“Even knows, Isla knows and even now, Mary is aware.” I continued as I could tell she agrees with me. “Sooner or latter, Alex would come to know the truth but at least when he knows the truth, that’s better than letting this blackmailer control us forever.”
But her breath hitched, and she looked away, her shoulders tense. “I can’t risk losing everything I’ve been working for. I can’t afford to lose to Ian and my grandmother.”
“We will lose everything if we do nothing.” I countered. “Our main focus is stopping whoever’s behind this before they destroy everything.”
“Let’s go over this again.” Saraya suggested. “We have Ian, Matilda and Dominic on the list.” She began. “I’m excluding Mary and my grandmother because I trust Mary and asking for money is not my grandmother’s way.”
I nodded. “I agree to some extent.”
Saraya raised her brows. “To some extent?”
I nodded. “Do you know how much share a twenty million dollars would buy from the Newman’s empire?”
“Your grandmother could use the money to protect Ian just the way your dad used his slush funds to protect you.” He explained.
Saraya sighed. “Now this is getting more complicated.”
“And time is not on out side.”
“We can’t look into everyone within this short time so telling Alex the truth seems to be the only way out.” I told her.
Saraya’s voice wavered as she whispered, “Seems like either ways, I have more to lose here.”
I reached out, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. “I won’t let that happen. We’ll handle it together. But hiding this won’t solve anything.”
She looked at me, her eyes filled with doubt and fear. “I need time to think about this, Arlan. I can’t make this decision right now.”
“Take your time,” I said, stepping back. “But remember, time is the one thing we don’t have much of.”
She gave a small nod, “I’ll let you know my decision by tonight.”